Nasra > Recent Status Updates

I sense a tragic ending coming.

This book is like a coming-of-age story. I understand why it was made into a movie. Am I enjoying the pace, the characters and the plot? Yes, however, I would not read this book again or seek out a similar book.

I’m entertained.

This book is not extraordinary but it is really sweet so far. I feel the author is building up to something very interesting in the plot line. I hope I’m right.

This book is easy to get through; it’s like a mental break and yet entertaining.

I love every page of this book. I’m both trying to savor it and trying not to be overwhelmed by it.

5/5 so far. I’m savoring every chapter of this book.

The last few chapters have left me speechless, subhan Allah.

It took me a second to get into the rhythm of the language, however, as expected, I already love this book.

We’ve been learning about the different types of envy for the last few weeks or so. There are a few chapters/pages that I missed and have to read but this literature circle has been very nourishing for my soul. May Allah reward my sisters and the entire Masjid.

Currently on Don’t Apologize for What You’ve Done. I’m not entirely clear on the subject. The Stranger’s Bed was about love, perhaps love of country or romantic love or both. A State of Siege is clearly about the Palestine under occupation. However, this third book is unclear to me still. Maybe it’s left up to interpretation more than the other books?

I finished A State of Siege. I thought it was incredible, period. Also, it must’ve been incredibly painful to write and written works such as these come from incredibly difficult lived experiences. May Allah have mercy on Mahmoud Darwish.

I finished The Stranger’s Bed. I loved (loved!) about 6 poems in their entirety and many lines in almost all of the poems. There are plenty of concepts that I’m struggling to grasp and likely also can’t grasp because of a language/cultural barrier. Nonetheless, what an immensely beautiful book of poetry. On to A State of Siege!

The poems in the first book, The Stranger’s Bed, are pretty imaginative and metaphorical. They are somewhat hard to grasp, however, when I do understand them—or feel I do, I love them!

I’ve only read the forward and the first two poems so far but I suspect I will love this book, drawing much inspiration from it.

This book was so extraordinarily boring, all the way until the end. I was hoping the resolution would wrap everything up beautifully. Instead, it was not only corny but also pointless.

The last couple of chapters were on envy. I don’t necessarily feel I’ve been struggling with envy recently, however, chapters eight and nine are good reminders of the types of envy and their potential to cause damage in one’s heart.

If I could rate this book right now, I would give it two starts and that would be generous. I have a feeling that, by the end of this book, I will give it one star. This book is so incredibly hard for me to get through and, although I like the idea of the plot, the execution ruined the storyline for me.

The pace is picking up. I’m more interested now than I was before.

Decided to read a little more tonight.

It took me a second to get used to the writing style. The author must’ve been trying to convey that the main character does not speak English in her writing. This book is a little boring for me to get through, in all honesty.

I have to re-read the last few sections on my own. However, I’m realizing how more of a role model I have to be. May Allah guide me.

The main character is an old woman. I find that interesting.

Every section of this book that I’ve read so far has been so incredibly relevant at the exact time I’ve read it.

Kafka is on the section where he criticizes his father’s example as a “pious” man. This whole text is making me reflect on how, by not leading by example, our children are unable to retain our lessons. Of course, Kafka’s father was not the average father (abusive).

It’s crazy how, generations later, people can relate to what Kafka writes about. It also makes me sad that so much evil behavior is common, across time and culture.

I have to reread the last couple of chapters because I am sure I didn’t internalize the message.

I began this book months ago but put it down because I was having a hard time following the storyline. I feel I have more patience now so I hope I’m able to stick to it this time.