Mischief Diary: 15 funny tales based on real events

by Nada Faris

Mischief Diary, a collection of fifteen short stories ‘based’ on real events, is not your average young adult book. Funny, powerful, intense and lighthearted all at the same time, Mischief Diary takes readers on a journey that addresses different issues with humor and laughter as guides.

116 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 21, 2018

About the author

Nada Faris is a writer and creative writing teacher from Kuwait. In 2018, she received an Arab Woman Award from Harper’s Bazaar Arabia for her impact on Kuwait’s creative landscape. She is an Honorary Fellow in Writing at Iowa University’s International Writing Program (IWP) Fall 2013; and an alumna of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) April 2018: Empowering Youth Through the Performing Arts. Faris holds an MFA in Creative Writing (Poetry & Literary Translation) from Columbia University. She is, furthermore, the author of multiple international books in different genres. Her shorter works have appeared in: The Norton Anthology for Hint Fiction, Gulf Coast Journal, Indianapolis Review,​ Nimrod, Tribes, One Jacar, The American Journal of Poetry, and more.
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Website: www.nadafaris.com
Twitter: @thenadafaris
Instagram: @thenadafaris

Reviews

[Salome · Rating 5 out of 5]

Certainly not only for young adults ''Mischief Diary" is your insight into the hustle and bustle of a curious, fidgety, troublesome girl living in the middle east, who wants to know everything and never takes unreasonable no for an answer. It seems to be insanely realistic to me. I as "westerner" have always been interested in the real lives of Kuwaiti and Arab families in general, and the author with basically any evasiveness brings this and other very compelling subjects to our attention. Language is funny, sarcastic, always to the point and I suppose it stings for people. Nevermind all that, you need only know that she is naturally the awesomeness itself and reading this book will tell you more about it.

[HX_Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a lighthearted book. It contains a collection of short funny stories that follow a Kuwaiti girl from her childhood till she grows up. Also, the book sheds light on the struggles that most of us experience through the process of being a child to actually becoming an adult with such a beautiful sense of humor. A must read!

[Awrad alhamdan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first YA book. I loved reading the book it is so funny.

[Amina Nasir · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm just in love with this book. Nada Faris, an awesome kuwaiti writer, wrote fifteen short stories based on real events from her childhood to Adulthood. I could not stop smiling once I started reading it. I salute her sense of humour and mischief mind. Every story has an unexpected hilarious ending. Her childhood stories refreshened some of my childhood memories and adulthood section was so relatable. I went back to the contents to decide which one I've loved the most, but to be honest, I just couldnt pick one. They all are my favourite. Every next story made me love the writer even more 📚❤ .

[Jumana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book, the moment I picked it up I just couldn't put it down so a two hours later I ended up finishing the book and finding myself wanting more. The book is said to be Young Adult Fiction but thankfully it doesn't contain vampires/supernaturals and all that jazz that comes with YA fiction. We get to see the author narrate to us 15 short stories from her childhood all the way to her adulthood in a fashion that has us salivating for more. I never once felt the book dragged and every chapter I found myself wanting to know more. My favorite story was by far "My Father's Revenge" but both "That Time I Drowned" and "We're All Going to Die!" had me laughing my heart out and sending out prayers for the author's mother, oh the patience she had to endure to deal with such an amazing human being!

I happen to be one of the lucky ones that has met the author and went through the College years together and I'm happy to say that we still are on good terms, so to read this book had another effect on me where I kept imagining her voice and seeing her sitting there telling me the stories enthusiastically especially with all her arm gestures. For those of you who had the pleasure of meeting Nada you will find that she not only uses her words to tell us what's on her mind, her hands have their own language too. I can't recommend this story enough, but seriously go pick this one up and read it! You won't regret it one bit!

[Mona Alateeqi · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much fun to read! Loved her sense of humor throughout the book. I’d totally recommend it! 😁

[Rawa S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Witty, hilarious, and poignant, Faris's accounts of her childhood and young adulthood had me in stitches at some points and in almost-tears at others.
The narrator's self-awareness, speaking directly to the reader, is charming - it almost felt as though I was listening to stories told to me face-to-face by a friend.

[Hawra'a Khalfan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It had me cackling! Literally! Nada’s writing voice is incredible. I found myself scribbling the names of people I know who would love to read it on my bookmark (so I can gift it to them). I loved Nada’s use of Kuwaiti terminology that we grew up hearing like “Wihtuba”. I’d actually forgotten my dad used to say it to us so often until I read it in the book.

The most thing that stands out to me about this book is that it made me reminisce. Kuwait has changed in so many ways since I was an adolescent and the stories in this book captured this very sincere feeling of shi6ana that was so kuwait specific. The type that makes you take the socks off your feet to help a friend in need but also talk back to almost all the adults around. Haha.

I took my time reading this book just to savor the stories and now that i’m done with it I will definitely revisit it whenever I’m feeling nostalgic.

[Samah Shakik · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a light hearted, hilarious book. Started the first story and felt myself dragged to it that I insisted on not reading all the stories at once and I have to say it was a good choice I made. The stories are very relatable and well written in a way you could actually imagine Nada Faris narrating her childhood stories to you, face to face. Absolutely loved the self-conscious within each story, especially in Four-Year-Old Maverick. Once I was done with the last story I found myself wishing there was more, as it became a habit to read one story every night for 15 days and enjoying each and every single one. It's a book I'd read again without any doubt.

[Ilene Winokur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mischief Diary is a delightful journey into the mischievous world of Nada Faris, a talented wordsmith who effortlessly weaves real and imagined childhood escapades. I was completely engrossed in her narratives, laughing, worrying, and pondering the fine line between fact and fiction. Faris's boundless imagination and wit shine through her storytelling, sometimes irreverent, sometimes profound, and always thought-provoking. She masterfully questions societal norms and finds humor, leaving me with a sense of admiration for her youthful courage. If I could turn back time, I'd want to be as daring as she was. This book is a must-read for tweens, teens, and adults alike.

[Ayesha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This made me wish I hadn't finished it in 2 hours. Definitely worth it though. This was genuine humor that, for me, is usually hard to find in books. The absolute best part was that I could actually RELATE to the stories, which is rare. All the places mentioned, I could picture them perfectly. Especially the deal with siblings and parents [I'm not alone :')]
Nada Faris did an awesome job in portraying the struggles of our society in an entertaining manner.

[EnglishLiteraryClub · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that could be re-read tons and never get tired of. So much relateable happenings (especially living in the same country), references, comedic & witty. The writing style is simple yet astounding because of how she points out her experiences through her collection of short stories. This is a book i’d go back to if i wanted a break from reading heavy ploted books or if i just want a good laugh. Mischief Diary is a must read everyone! Or you’re missing out

[me · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this mid-summer and I couldnt help but reread it twice!
I love how i could see myself in similar situations as Nada. I remember reading this next to my mom and she witnessed me laugh & asked what was so funny and thats when i dragged her to read the book too. Great job with constructing this book looking forward to more of her works.

[Huda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another well done from Nada Faris!! This was such a refreshing read, the lighthearted humor and dramatic dialogues were my favorite parts! Definitely something I’ll find myself rereading after a long day!

[Mohammed Amin · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's rare to find a book that "speaks" to all ages ... people from different ages can read this book .. kids, teens and adults, as this book is never boring and it's funny with completing this book you actually re-discover and appreciate your childhood

[Noura Marafi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hilarious, clever, and super relatable read. I laughed, I nodded, and I loved every page. I resonated with so many of the stories, being a Kuwaiti girl born and raised in the 80’s and 90’s in Kuwait. A MUST READ.