Love, Hate and Other Filters

by Samira Ahmed

A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

In this unforgettable debut novel, an Indian-American Muslim teen copes with Islamophobia, cultural divides among peers and parents, and a reality she can neither explain nor escape.
 
Seventeen-year-old Maya Aziz is torn between worlds. There’s the proper one her parents expect for their good Indian daughter: attending a college close to their suburban Chicago home and being paired off with an older Muslim boy her mom deems “suitable.” And then there is the world of her dreams: going to film school and living in New York City—and pursuing a boy she’s known from afar since grade school.

But in the aftermath of a horrific crime perpetrated hundreds of miles away, her life is turned upside down. The community she’s known since birth becomes unrecognizable; neighbors and classmates are consumed with fear, bigotry, and hatred. Ultimately, Maya must find the strength within to determine where she truly belongs.

• ISBN10: 1616959991
• ISBN13: 9781616959999
• Publish Date: 8 January 2019 (first published 16 January 2018)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Soho Teen
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 312
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9781616959999

Reviews

[nannah]

Oh boy, I think maybe contemporary romance is just not my thing. Everyone seems to love this book, but I didn’t enjoy it very much -- and mostly because the romance really just got on my nerves.

Content warnings:
- Islamophobia (in book)
- casual cissexism (“woman's body”)
- child abuse

Representation:
- the main character and her family are Indian-American Muslims
- one of her love interests is also Desi and Muslim

17yo Maya Aziz’s parents expect her to be a “good Indian daughter”, going to a college close to home to become a doctor or lawyer and marrying a muslim man. But Maya feels stifled and dreams of going to New York for film school -- not to mention there’s her whopping crush on the white (presumably Christian) jock at school that her parents would never approve of. Things get from tough to impossible when a suicide bomber kills hundreds of people in a nearby town, and a Muslim man is the suspect.

I really, really didn’t like the first half of the book. Many times I was tempted to give up, especially with all the cliches (swimming lessons so she could wear a bikini, the overly strict and overbearing parents, her falling for/liking the white boy [especially as a way to rebel], and the super wild best friend) and the overly sugary romance. The second is definitely just a matter of personal taste. All the same, the excessive blushing and giggling made it incredibly tiresome.

The romance(s) is placed front and center, with Maya’s wanting to go to film school and the terrorist attack being shoved back. This, I’m told, is what the romance genres are about (thank you, friend)! So I think I was expecting something different, is all.

The author's note, however, was gorgeous and nearly had me in tears (as well as the "Michigan Public Radio" insert in between two chapters).

[Kat @ Novels & Waffles]

In the beginning of January, I made a goal to try and read more books outside of my usual preferences (read: books that are not YA fantasy), and that resolution is already paying off. Without it, I wouldn’t have picked this book up and that would have been a shame. Ahmed’s #ownvoices debut novel is the perfect tie-dyed mix of fluffy romance and hard-hitting topics, such as racism and Islamophobia.

[Laurie]

2.5 Stars actually. I expected this book to go deep, but I was disappointed. It was a very quick read with some room for thought, but I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would. For me, it was too quick, too shallow and definitely too predictable. When I came to certain parts in the book, I somehow saw it coming. There is not much plot twist, which makes the book quite boring in my opinion. I know my opinion is unpopular, but I just didn't feel anything with this book. Therefore, I won't review it on my blog. It was just done and move on.

[lauriesbookshelf]

2.5 Stars actually. I expected this book to go deep, but I was disappointed. It was a very quick read with some room for thought, but I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would. For me, it was too quick, too shallow and definitely too predictable. When I came to certain parts in the book, I somehow saw it coming. There is not much plot twist, which makes the book quite boring in my opinion. I know my opinion is unpopular, but I just didn't feel anything with this book. Therefore, I won't review it on my blog. It was just done and move on.

[ellieroth]

DNF 30%

[Jo]

4.5 Stars.

Originally posted on Once Upon a Bookcase.

Trigger Warning: Terrorist attack and Islamophobia.

I've wanted to read Love, Hate & Other Filters by Samira Ahmed ever since taking part in the Ramadan Readathon last year, where it was highlighted as a book featuring a Muslim character yet to be released, and I was ecstatic when I discovered it was also being published in the UK. I expected it to be hard-hitting and horrible, and while it is at times, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was also cute and funny at times, too.

You could almost split the book into two parts, before the suicide bomber changes everything, and after. The first half was just brilliant. It felt a lot like Sofia Khan is Not Obliged by Ayisha Malik meets Jenny Han's YA novels; a sweet, Summery romance, but where our main character is a Muslim, who has parents who have certain expectations for the life of their Indian-American Muslim daughter. The only difference between the parents expectations in this book and in Sofia Khan is Not Obliged is that Sofia's parents behaviour and reactions are met with affectionate exasperation, and provide a fair amount of the comedy, but Maya's parents are deadly serious. They don't seem to understand why Maya would not want the life they expect her to lead; to marry a suitable Muslim boy, and become a lawyer or doctor, when she would rather make her own choices over who she dates, seeing as she is really into the white football captain at school, Phil, and go to NYU to study filmmaking, which is her passion. Their relationship becomes more strained as the story goes on, after the terrorist attack, but the first half of the book is actually really lovely, such a cute romance, and you're rooting for Maya and Phil. Even so, though, there is a sense of foreboding; as the reader, we know there's going to be a suicide attack, and every chapter ends with a few paragraphs from the terrorist's point of view,or a memory of his, as he's preparing to do the unthinkable. So all the while, while you're reading about Maya's everyday life, her arguments with her parents about which college she goes to, and the will-they-won't-they during Maya's swimming lessons with Phil, you know something terrible is coming that is going to shatter Maya's world.

And then it's here. And, my god. Whenever I hear about a terrorist attack on the news, no matter where in the world it's happened, I am engulfed by a wave of fear and sorrow. 2017 saw quite a few take place in the UK, and that fear would trigger my anxiety. Only last month there was a false alarm of a terror attack taking place ten minutes from where I work, while I was at work, and it was absolutely terrifying. The world we live in now, that fear is hard to escape. And Ahmed captured that feeling so brilliantly as Maya and the other students at school are in lockdown just after the attack happens. When they're locked in and they don't know why. When the texts come piling in, when various news outlets are saying different things about what happened, yet all in agreement on terrorist attack. The fear Maya feels - the fear they all feel - in that moment is palpable. And even though this is a book, and even though I knew it was coming, I was right there with them all, engulfed in that fear. I don't write fiction, but I can imagine how difficult it is to write a feeling that is almost beyond words, but Ahmed writes it perfectly.

But Maya's fear is different from mine, because her fear isn't just in reaction to the news of a terrorist attack, her fear is also very specific fear of what this will mean for her and other Muslims.

'I'm scared. I'm not just scared that somehow I'll be next; it's a quieter fear, and more insidious. I'm scared of the next Muslim ban. I'm scared of my dad getting pulled into Secondary Security Screening at the airport for "random" questioning. I'm scared for the hijabi girls I know getting their scarves pulled off while they're walking down the sidewalk--or worse. I'm scared of being the object of fear and loathing and suspicion again. Always.' (p140)*

Reading it, it was... shocking. And I was ashamed that it was eye-opening. I think it's part privilege and part being a decent human being who doesn't automatically think that all Muslims are to blame for all terrorist attacks, where the terrorist is - supposedly - a Muslim. I wasn't shocked by the things Maya was scared of happening, I watch the news, I go on Twitter, I carry a spare scarf in my bag, I know what happens. I was shocked that this fear, fear of what the backlash from the terrorist attack would mean for Muslims, is automatic. Of course it would be, when we have scumbags in the world who make the lives of Muslims hell when atrocities like this happen, committing atrocities of their own.

And we get to see some of those atrocities as Maya and her parents experience Islamophobia in the days and weeks following the terrorist attack, verbal and physical. It's disgusting, it's upsetting, it's scary. Maya may be Muslim, but really, she's no different from me, and it's so very easy to put myself in her shoes - especially as a woman - when she is being attacked, when her family is being attacked. It made me feel sick, it made me feel scared, and it made me dread what was to come. And again, I was smacked in the face with the awareness of my privilege, because I don't have to fear what might happen to me when I step outside my house every day in the wake of a terrorist attack, not because of my faith or my skin colour. It's really harrowing to read.

I have to say I loved the conversation Maya had with her parents about the terrorist attack, and how it's nothing to do with Muslim. It's the kind of thing you hear on the news, when someone high up in the Muslim community is interviewed for the news after a terrorist attack, condemning what happened. But it's also a teachable moment for those who maybe don't watch the news, or don't pay any attention.

'My father picks up where my mother leaves off. "These terrorists are the antithesis of Islam. They're not Muslim. Violence has no place in religion, and the terrorists are responsible for their own crimes, not the religion and not us."
"Then why is there so much fighting in the Middle East, and why are so many suicide bombers Muslim?"
"Terrorism has no religion. Think of Dylann Roof and that church in Charleston or the attack on the Sikh gurdwara in Wisconsin. Terrorists have their own ideaology. Who knows what hatred compels them? They're desperate and unthinking and followers--"
I interrupt my mother. "Too bad none of that matters. We all get painted like we're un-American, and terrorist sympathizers, no matter how loudly we condemn terrorism and say it's un-Islamic. It's guilt by association."' (p148)*

I have to say I also really loved the sections at the end of every chapter, leading up to and after the terrorist attack, first from the terrorist's point of view, and then from the media, as they discover more about the attack and the terrorist himself. It was so very, very clever. And it was interesting getting to find out about the terrorist's background, from interviews with people who knew him, and from memories of his, even though he's now dead. Terrorists do such horrific things, I think we tend to forget that they're human, too. That they're people. And while what we read is absolutely no excuse for what he did, because it's unforgivable, it does give an insight into what may have led him down this road. It's actually quite sad, and I found myself feeling sorry for him. Which just seems appalling. But I do think it was very clever of Ahmed to give us this guy's background, to show us his humanity. I also think it's pretty wonderful, too, that Ahmed would do this, for this fictional terrorist, when real terrorists commit such unspeakable crimes, to make us think that they are people too, that we don't know what they've been through. It's not forgiveness, it's not, but it's something other than hatred for this person. And I think it's really telling that Ahmed can think about the terrorists' humanity when they've done such terrible things, when bigots jump straight to hatred of those who have done absolutely nothing wrong, who are, as Maya puts it, guilty by association. And I really, really admire Ahmed for giving this terrorist his humanity, and his story.

I do have a few quibbles with Love, Hate and Other Filters, though. It's so, so short, and the terrorist attack doesn't happen until the half-way point. Which works well, it's an even balance between the normal, the everyday, the cute, sweet romance, and the horrific things that follow. But, as it's short at 272 pages as a physical book, there isn't really a huge amount of either. That sounds like I want more Islamophobia,and I really don't; what they Azizs experience is too much as it is. However, a lot of time goes by in this book,  though, to be honest, I only really knew that because Maya would think something like she hasn't smiled properly like this in months, and then I know quite a bit of time has gone by, when I thought it was only a few days, so the passing of time isn't made very clear. But months go by after the terrorist attack, the longer lasting affects of Islamophobia aren't shown, exactly. There are specific affects that are specific to Maya and her parents' disagreements about her future, but there's not really anything about the affects to her parents' dental practice over time, for example. There is an attack on the practice, so how does that affect their business? Do patients stop coming, for fear of being hurt during another possible attack, or because they themselves are scumbags who no longer want to be around Muslims? Do they lose money? Do they start to struggle financially? I don't know, because it's not covered. And that's what I mean about there not being a huge amount of  before and, more specifically after the attack. I do wish the book was longer, and we got more of the sweet side of things, and more of the affects of Islamophobia.

But all in all, Love, Hate & Other Filters is such an incredible book - and not only incredible, but so very important. It's powerful, and it's needed. I absolutely loved it, and I look forward to reading what Ahmed writes in the future - whether sweet, cute stories, or hard-hitting, powerful stories, or more of both.

*All quotes have been checked against a final copy of the book.

Thank you to Hot Key Books via NetGalley for the eProof.

[girlinthepages]

*Thanks so much to NetGalley and Soho Teen for providing an ARC copy for review!

What a better way to start 2018 off than to receive one of those coveted emails from NetGalley that one of my "wishes" had been granted? I was jumping up and down with glee when I saw the email come through only a few days into the new year, as Love, Hate & Other Filters is no doubt one of the most coveted YA releases of 2018. I eagerly downloaded the title to my Kindle and read Maya's story about love, family, fear and hope in just two sittings, and I can safely say that it was a strong debut novel that created a vivid family setting while integrating diversity in a seamless way.

Maya is the American born daughter of parents who immigrated from India to America, and are also Muslim, making them a minority group event within the Indian community in the United States. These protagonists who are straddling two culture narratives seem to be increasingly popular in YA lit (which I love, such as American Panda or I'm Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter), and I think these are narratives that a lot of readers will find relateable (I'm personally first generation born in America on my mom's side so these narratives are familiar in some ways, yet I also learn so much about each individual protagonist's struggles and culture with each new book). However, this book differed a bit from other narratives with similar topics that I've read in YA recently as it was split half the time between being a book about diversity and social issues, and the other half of the time as being a fluffy teen romance. Based on the novel's synopsis, I wasn't expecting this juxtaposition, but I actually found myself enjoying this split because it felt realistic- yes, there is a heavier focus on terrorism and racism and it's repercussions in Maya's life, but she's also an American teenager doing what American teenagers do and that was refreshing and realistic. There were also a lot of elements about this book that I found were really positive portrayals of Maya's family system, peer relationships, and sense of self confidence, such as:

+ Though Maya struggles on and off throughout the story with her parent's strict rules and expectations of her, I did find them to be more understanding and supportive (most of the time) than portrayals I've seen in other narratives.

+ Maya has an awesome aunt who has shirked a lot of the stereotypes and expectations of women in her culture- she's unmarried, has a successful career as a graphic designer, lives on her own, etc. and yet despite these differences still has a close relationship with her more traditional sister and brother-in-law. I thought this was really empowering to show females who have taken a less traditional route still be able to be involved in their traditional culture.

+ There is a LOT of romance in this book (which at times worked for me and at other times didn't), yet all of the relationships portrayed were pretty healthy and mutually supportive. Maya has an almost relationship with a family friend from her Indian Muslim community, and when things don't work out there's not bitterness, rather they form a strong friendship and continue to talk throughout the book, which is SO important, as the stereotype is usually the "toxic" ex. There's also Maya's relationship with Phil, which though at times felt a little bit unbelievable to me (I didn't really see the chemistry personally), he was always very supportive and polite and YES we need to break the "hot guys are jerks and that's ok" YA narrative and this book totally does that.

+Though Maya, like most teens, struggles with what she wants vs. her parent's expectations, I found she had a real sense of self and was super dedicated to her passion (filmmaking) and it was empowering to see her pursue her dreams and be so self assured at such a young age (especially because it's rare to know what you want to do with the rest of your life at 17!) I liked that her hobby wasn't something that she kept a secret from people too- she was constantly filming and talking about her love for movies with others, and I loved her openness in discussing her strengths and passions that energized her.

About halfway through the novel there's a terrorist attack that happens in Maya's state that really impacts her life and the way people treat her family. The way the attack is initially framed by the media, and who they initially point the finger of suspicion to, is a very telling and realistic portrayal of Islamophobia and how speculation can often do more harm than the truth. Maya and her family face dangerous repercussions in a community that's been their home for years, and while frightening it's an important reminder that fear can breed hatred and intolerance where there previously wasn't any. However, I did find the inclusion of the terrorist's POV a bit jarring and unnecessary (it's integrated after Maya's chapters and to be honest at first I thought my Kindle was glitching and taking me to another book). I understand the intent to show that terrorists are humans too and the desire to show what leads one to choose such a catastrophic path, however I think Maya's narrative was strong enough to stand alone.

Overall: I really enjoyed Love, Hate & Other Filters! Despite the jarring shift in POVs at times and the unexpected "fluffiness" of the novel, it was an interesting story that handled the topic of a protagonist straddling two cultures exceptionally well. I could read narratives with these premises all day long, and I love seeing an #ownvoices novel such as this starting off the new release buzz in the YA community!

[Amber (The Literary Phoenix)]

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I fell in love with Maya immediately.

I don’t take to characters that quickly very often. Usually it takes a couple chapters, but Maya is instantly lovable. She’s sweet, kind, and trying desperately to be independent. She is Indian Muslim and with that come certain expectations. Her mother wants her to marry young, and she must marry appropriately. She does not drink wine or eat pork – Islam forbids it. Family and obedience is important, and her parents have a career planned out for her.

But Maya Aziz wants to kiss a boy. She wants to go to NYU and she wants to make movies. She isn’t a bad daughter. She doesn’t mean to disrespect her culture. She just wants to follow her dreams, even if that means doing it secretly.

Whatever headway she makes vanishes as a terrorist attack in Springfield, OH is attributed to a Muslim man and Islamophobia rears its ugly head.

I am not Indian, and I am not Muslim, so I cannot speak to how this book fares in its representation. From what I’ve read in other reviews, I hear that the Indian rep is pretty good (if somewhat stereotypical at times) and the Muslim rep is not as prominent as readers would like. As this is an #OwnVoices book, I like to think that the culture and sentiments expressed as Samira Ahmed’s, and they are true to her. I thought it was great, but I have no right to judge.

Beyond that, I absolutely adored this book. Contemporary is very hit-or-miss for me, but when I love it, I really love it. I loved Love, Hate, & Other Filters. I admired Maya’s courage, her friendships, and her normality. She never felt like a caricature, as too often happens in contemporary. She’s rounded, well-written… and as I said in the beginning, so so likable. Violet, her best friend, is steadfast and true. In both Phil and Violet, I like to believe there’s a better version of America than the one that so often makes the news. Neither of these two characters ever see Maya for the color of her skin or where she goes to pray. They are respectful, but not awkward. They are good friends, and prove themselves over and over.

The only part I would criticize is the ending. Story-wise, I actually liked it. As someone who was disowned by her parents for several years (after, like Maya, making life choices that starkly stood against their beliefs), it was strange and nice to see that in a book. I imagine it will be an ending like mine – where things are strained but new trust and understanding is sown with the help of others and a relationship is reformed. What I didn’t love about the ending was how rushed it felt. In a few short pages, everything is tied together with a boy in a summary, back and forth in different scenes. After all the time I spent getting to know Maya and rooting for her, it felt anticlimactic.

Otherwise, I cannot recommend this book enough. It was thoughtful and intriguing. It added more diversity to YA in places sorely missing it. But I don’t think this book should be read just because it is an #OwnVoices novel. This is a genuinely good book with excellent writing and characters (Hina. Amazing.) and a story that will make readers think about the way their behave and perceive things. There are so many strong quotes and lines and I loved it.

[Joséphine]

January 16, 2018

Full book review is up on Word Revel.

____________

January 5, 2018

Actual rating: 4.5 stars

Initial thoughts: For the most part, I've outgrown cute, fluffy romances. I used to devour them years ago but not anymore in recent times. Love, Hate & Other Filters though, slipped past for I enjoyed it a great deal. It was cute but also remained grounded, which I think was a crucial element that led to my enjoyment. At the same time, it dealt with current affairs of Islamophobia and extremism, and how these have a far-reaching impact even beyond those directly affected.

____________

Note: I received a review copy from a local distributor in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

[Amber]

For such a short book, Love, Hate & Other Filters packs quite a punch. It tackles Islamophobia, identity struggles, first love, and so much more.

It took me no time at all to get sucked into this book and fall in love with Maya. She’s such a great main character and I loved following her on her journey as she tried to be a Muslim, and an Indian, and an American, and a teenager.

The romance really took a back seat here. Sure, it was present throughout the book, but everything was really about Maya, instead of Maya and the love interest(s).

I felt like it could have been longer, because once I was sucked in it was over in no time at all, and I would have happily read another 100 pages of Maya’s story. The pacing was really good though, and I can’t fault it.

Love, Hate & Other Filters was a fantastic #ownvoices read. I’d highly recommend it!