Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion

This is the May Monthly Group Read discussion for Ayesha at Last by Uzma Jalaluddin. This will satisfy the prompt #24 A book written by a Muslim-American/Muslim-British author. This was selected in honor of the Islamic holiday Eid al-Fitr on May 31, 2021!

We will need an 'adorable analyzer' to lead this discussion. Please message either Nadine or Lynn to volunteer!

Every person reads at a different pace, so please use spoiler tags if you are sharing any plot-related surprises. This allows others to decide whether this information might reveal surprising information they have not yet read.

It can also be helpful to other readers if you post the location within the book noting your progress (chapter or page number) with the spoiler. That way, if someone else has read that far they can go ahead and open the spoiler, but if not, they'll know to skip it for now and return later...

TO ADD SPOILER TAGS:
Use this for spoilers, just remove the spaces:
< spoiler > write your spoiler here and close with < / spoiler >

Posts here should only be contributions to discussion about this book.

I was looking for this yesterday and couldn't find it. Apparently I was blind yesterday.

Hi everybody. I'm Brandy and I'm apparently your adorable analyzer this month! I will be familiar to you if you did Midnight Library last month ans I was also adorable then. :).

Tell me about your introduction to this book. What if anything did you know going in?

This book was recommended by my library last year and so I was hold person 1000 or something and spent half a year looking at the library recs list going, eventually I'm going to get to this book. It eventually came thorugh at a time when I had no chance of reading it and I forgot all about it until about a month ago it popped up on my library's no hold avaliable now list and I was like, "Now is my chance."

Brandy wrote: "I was looking for this yesterday and couldn't find it. Apparently I was blind yesterday.

Hi everybody. I'm Brandy and I'm apparently your adorable analyzer this month! I will be familiar to you i..."

I had come across this book briefly when it first came out, and I was interested, although the "romance" label put me off. I have a very low tolerance for romance in books, but since it's our monthly read, I'm going to give it a try. And my library had a copy of an audio version available, so I just checked it out. I'll get to it as soon as I get through a few other library books that will expire first. Hope we all enjoy this one!

Brandy wrote: "I was looking for this yesterday and couldn't find it. Apparently I was blind yesterday.

Hi everybody. I'm Brandy and I'm apparently your adorable analyzer this month! I will be familiar to you i..."

Hi Brandy and everyone,

This is the first monthly read I'm going to be joining, and I look forward to the experience.

I hadn't really heard about the book until I started the challenge and chose it for this category out of the corresponding listopia. I'm looking forward to it. Let's hope it's good!

I added this to the tbr last year because 'the first book you see in a bookstore' was a prompt for me to accomplish and this was the first book I saw in Chapters. I ended up using a different book.
This was randomly picked this year for a different book challenge for me plus BOTM here. I've decided to give it a shot. I've already accomplished the Canadian-Muslim author challenge by reading Accidentally Engaged.

Tell me about your introduction to this book. What if anything did you know going in?

I found this last year when I was looking for Austen retellings. I realized it was YA, so I marked it as a maybe and moved on. I love a good Austen retelling, but I'm super picky about them because I love the source material so much.

Edit: Now that I've started reading it, I realize that it isn't YA at all. Why have so many people on Goodreads shelved it as YA?

Kendra wrote: "Tell me about your introduction to this book. What if anything did you know going in?

I found this last year when I was looking for Austen retellings. I realized it was YA, so I marked it as a may..."

I was reading was listed as middle grade and the characters were in graduate school/internships/jobs and solving a pretty graphic crime. I was like, "this is not middle grade." But every single listing has it as middle grade.

1) Do you know why this book is listed as YA?
Shelved based on cover art, maybe? This was my best guess for the book I described above.

2) How do you feel about retellings?

I love a good retelling that uses the basic outline of a story to say something new for a modern audience or to expand on the world in some way beyond what we've seen.

2b Any favorite retellings?

I might have gotten super invested in The Lizlzie Bennet Diaries when it first launched https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXfb...


2c Any books (or stories in general) you love so much you'll read anything? Any that you are "I just can't with another...."

The Christmas Carol (which is not Dicken's best book) is one of my absolute favorite books anyway.... I read it in 6th grade and from the first page

“Old Marley was as dead as a doornail.

Mind! I don't mean to say that, of my own knowledge, what there is particularly dead about a doornail. I might have been inclined, myself, to regard a coffin-nail as the deadest piece of ironmongery in the trade. But the wisdom of our ancestors is in the simile; and my unhallowed hands shall not disturb it, or the Country's done for. You will therefore permit me to repeat, emphatically, that Marley was as dead as a doornail.”

This book owned me. It is the use of language and humor which at 12 years old I just wasn't expecting from a classic. I love this book. I read it yearly. I watch a lot of really bad remakes and adaptations of it and some very, good ones. But yeah, I'm a sucker for it. And I know the story is so over done and I totally respect anybody who is just OVER IT. But for me I'm always looking for an adaptation that takes me to that place when I was 12.

And the best? Feel free to laugh but I am serious, the absolute most fitting with the feel of the original to me? Muppet Christmas Carol.

Also the Mickey Christmas Carol is not my favorite not by a long shot but I saw that way before I ever read the book and no depiction of Bob Cratchit's family ever feels poor enough to me after Mickey being left with one pea and slicing it in half with his knife and fork.


But if you can't anymore with Christmas Carol adaptations? I totally get that!

I've gone slightly off topic.

Pride and Prejudice has a lot of adaptations and whenever I think, "um, yeah, done with this." I'll find one that is quite worth it.

Any story you particularly want to see retold

I'm always up for an updated Rapunzel and I sort of HATE and always hope somebody will address my issues with it in the retelling. They probably has that's an often retold story. But I haven't read one that hits the spot I need itched.

I should write it. Wait, that would require talent and discipline..

First off, The Muppet's Christmas Carol is the best, no questions.

Next, on to the questions:

1) Do you know why this book is listed as YA?
The one MC is a high school TEACHER, that's about the only YA connection I've been able to find so far, but I'm only a few chapters in so far.

2) How do you feel about retellings?

I don't read a lot of retellings - either I'm too attached to the original version, or I don't care enough, but there are always exceptions. And I love all things related to Jane Austen.

2b Any favorite retellings?

My favorite retellings have been mostly based on fairy tales:
Spinning Silver - A retelling of Rumplestiltskin
Daughter of the Forest - A retelling of The Seven Swans

I also read Recipe for Persuasion & Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors last year and really enjoyed them.

2c Any books (or stories in general) you love so much you'll read anything? Any that you are "I just can't with another...."
Like I said, anything that references Jane Austen's books has a good chance of getting me to read it. (Or watch it, in terms of movies, tv miniseries etc)

3 Any story you particularly want to see retold?

Not really. Like I said, most times I'm just as happy with the source material.

I had no idea what to read for this prompt, so I was happy to see this suggested. I got it immediately from Libby and read it in a little over a day. I have been in a reading slump for the past month and haven't really enjoyed the books I did read, but I loved this book!

1) Do you know why this book is listed as YA?

Not a clue.

2) How do you feel about retellings?

I love retellings. Mostly I want retellings that update a story to be more inclusive or to have a better message.

2b Any favorite retellings?

I do love a Cinderella retelling. Cinder is terrific fyi.

2c Any books (or stories in general) you love so much you'll read anything? Any that you are "I just can't with another...."

I'll probably give Cinderella and Greek myths a try. The Song of Achilles was amazing.

I don't like beauty and the beast but somehow I keep reading things that are a retelling. Mostly I'd rather be sold on a book by it's story and then find out it's a retelling.

I can't think of any retellings that I want.

@Brandy Yes, you ARE "adorable"! (I have a thing for alliteration! LOL)

Tell me about your introduction to this book. What if anything did you know going in?
I don't know much of anything about this book. I rarely research a book any further than reading the synopsis.

1) Do you know why this book is listed as YA?
Only 69 people listed it as "Young Adult" whereas 137 listed it as "Adult." I wouldn't dare guess without having read it.
I just finished reading Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line which is listed as "Adult" and I thought it felt much more like "Young Adult" in the use of language, perspective, etc. I love reading both YA and Adult...

2) How do you feel about retellings?
I don't really care all that much. I did just read Beauty, a retelling of Beauty and the Beast that I enjoyed. But it doesn't matter all that much to me. I typically am reading the book to see if I enjoy it. I might not even know it is a retelling and I'm okay with that!

2b Any favorite retellings?
No.

2c Any books (or stories in general) you love so much you'll read anything? Any that you are "I just can't with another...."
No.

Any story you particularly want to see retold?
Nope.

So I do have one comment about this book already...
Although I have another book to finish before starting this in earnest I did read the first five pages and GASPED at Farzana's statement regarding no more than (view spoiler)[600 guests for Khalid's wedding. More than that would be "showing off"! YIKES! I realize I am a bit jaded with regard to marriage/weddings. I am on my second marriage and never had a "wedding" and that is how I prefer it. My oldest son's wife and her family had what I secretly refer to as a "horse and pony show" of a wedding with over 200 people and that was outrageous, IMO! But...I had a sorority sister who lived in Chicago and had a wedding with 10 attendants, a dress that cost over $10,000, a fully plated meal for over 300 guests as well as an "open bar" for which her father paid the tab. Please know she was a member of a sorority and he was a member of a fraternity on the same campus, so there were probably 100 college students at this wedding...drinking...a lot...and her father paid for that. Plus he rented out half of a Motel 6 for anyone who didn't want to or felt they could not drive home that night. Cannot imagine what he spent in total. Purchased the attendants' dresses and tuxedos rather than renting or expecting them to pay for them... She filed for divorce 6 months later. That was a huge lesson for me and I realize it turned me against such elaborate celebrations of a marriage. (hide spoiler)] Anyway, that just struck me...

Brandy wrote: "I was looking for this yesterday and couldn't find it. Apparently I was blind yesterday.

Hi everybody. I'm Brandy and I'm apparently your adorable analyzer this month! I will be familiar to you i..."

Honestly, that has happened to me before... But I'm old... 😊

1) Do you know why this book is listed as YA?

No, so I'll be curious if it reads like YA.

2) How do you feel about retellings?

I tend to prefer retellings to the originals since my brain rejects the writing style found in most "classics" so I hope for the retellings to more accessible and enjoyable. Of course I miss out on the fun of knowing all the symbolism and connections to the original, but sometimes a book can still be enjoyable without that part.

2b Any favorite retellings?

I loved Home Fire, which I didn't know was a retelling until after. I also enjoyed Cinder and New Boy.

2c Any books (or stories in general) you love so much you'll read anything? Any that you are "I just can't with another...."

Not that I can think of.

3 Any story you particularly want to see retold?

Hmm, I remember liking the movie Maleficent, so I'd be interested in a book version of something like that.

Tell me about your introduction to this book. What if anything did you know going in?

I remember a friend telling me about this book right when it came out, but it took me a while to get myself to read it, just because so much was happening in life. BUT I knew that it was going to happen because I love Pride and Prejudice, and because, as a Muslim growing up in America, I was excited to see how this version of it was told! + I was so happy! It made me really really understand the importance of representation + feel like I was a part of something : )

1) Do you know why this book is listed as YA?

I was both surprised + not surprised when I realized this was YA, but I kinda wish it was around for me to read when I was a little bit younger!


2) How do you feel about retellings?

I love a good retelling! They're my favorite things to read because I get to relive stories I love but in different ways! 🥰


2b Any favorite retellings?

I really liked Eligible: A Modern Retelling of Pride & Prejudice + The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet! I also remember enjoying Cameron Dokey. Ooh and Clueless is a classic!

2c Any books (or stories in general) you love so much you'll read anything? Any that you are "I just can't with another...."

I think modern day fairy tale retellings are fun - but they have to be done right! If they're not, it ruins the whole thing!

Any story you particularly want to see retold

I think that if authors found a way to retell history - not changing facts necessarily but adapting them to fit a book/fiction - that could be so fun! Like Hamilton did!

Lauren wrote: "Hmm, I remember liking the movie Maleficent, so I'd be interested in a book version of something like that."

So Holly Black has this one Heart of the Moors: An Original Maleficent: Mistress of Evil Novel. I have a copy and have yet to read it so I can't recommend it, but Holly Black is one of my favourite authors. Fyi it's middle grade.

Lauren wrote: "2) How do you feel about retellings?

I tend to prefer retellings to the originals since my brain rejects the writing style found in most "classics" so I hope for the retellings to more accessible and enjoyable. Of course I miss out on the fun of knowing all the symbolism and connections to the original, but sometimes a book can still be enjoyable without that part."
i never considered the fact that writing styles in classics can be so different and that might be a drawback. I guess my mind typically adjusts to the style...and perhaps that is one reason I don't find as many classic books unenjoyable as some other readers do... Thanks for that insight, Lauren!

On page 14, I particularly appreciated that Khalid's (view spoiler)[attire is described in more detail and we learn that he wishes to depict his religious belief not only internally, but externally to the world at large as well. I also didn't realize that the robe and skull cap are indicative of Islam in the same way as a female's hijab. (hide spoiler)] I love additional insights such as this!

Zainab wrote: " Tell me about your introduction to this book. What if anything did you know going in?

I remember a friend telling me about this book right when it came out, but it took me a while to get myself to read it, just because so much was happening in life. BUT I knew that it was going to happen because I love Pride and Prejudice, and because, as a Muslim growing up in America, I was excited to see how this version of it was told! + I was so happy! It made me really really understand the importance of representation + feel like I was a part of something : )"
That is a beautiful recommendation! So glad you shared your reactions to it!

Johanna wrote: "I had no idea what to read for this prompt, so I was happy to see this suggested. I got it immediately from Libby and read it in a little over a day. I have been in a reading slump for the past mon..."

Two of my favorite things right there a book that is available when I want to read it and a book that gets me out of my slump!

Zainab wrote: " as a Muslim growing up in America, I was excited to see how this version of it was told! + I was so happy! It made me really really understand the importance of representation + feel like I was a part of something : )"

LOVE THIS!!!!

I am loving all the great comments but especially all the great retelling recommendations!

What were your first impressions of Khalid?"

I'm not sure I've ever read a book like this that started with the male POV. I like that (view spoiler)[that it is his mom who is so intent on getting her son married and that he's not resistant to it (hide spoiler)] as that feels fresh for me in not only P&P update but also just this type of book in general.

My first impression of both Khalid and Ayesha was not good. It took more chapters for me to like them because the author had more time to develop them plus I need humor to connect with a character. I'm at about 10 chapters in and optimistic that this will be a 4 or 5 star read if that helps.

Also I really want onion pakoras right now.

What were your first impressions of Khalid?
(Through chapter 13...)
Although I do not personally ascribe to any organized religion, I admire people when they persist in behaviors noting their devout beliefs, regardless of what the "majority" people may think... So I had a lot of (view spoiler)[respect for him not allowing others to distract him from or change his mind about his beliefs, which just happened to include how he dressed. IMO, each of us needs to allow others to express themselves as long as they are not disrespectful. Khalid had perfect manners. He was respectful. He was a dedicated and hard worker. He just dressed "differently" from what many "Westerners" would expect. Big freakin' deal. The fact that he has strong beliefs in Islam does NOT make him an extremist or terrorist! You should get to know another person before evaluating their beliefs. And Khalid found in his religion what, IMO, anyone who follows a specific religion should find: a calm spirit, a sense of purpose, and comfort in daily life. Asshole Sheila needs to get over herself and "it"! Boy do I despise that woman! (hide spoiler)]

I'm through Chapter 13 and admit I'm not wild about the (view spoiler)["Oh, I'll just pretend to be someone else for awhile and it will all turn out fine..." trope. But I can handle it. It's just not my favorite and typically requires me to talk myself into accepting it... (hide spoiler)] Other than that, I am really enjoying this, especially being inside a "male" devout Muslim's mind. I agree that it is refreshing to have the male viewpoint. This reminds me of Born Under a Million Shadows by Andrea Busfield, a book I typically recommend rather than or in addition to The Kite Runner. The protagonist is a young child who is male and Muslim and IMO it gives much information regarding how Islamic beliefs affect daily life. It also depicts the diversity of people who are non-Muslim interacting with him and his mother. Anyway...I digress! I like this book so far!

What were your first impressions of Khalid?

Honestly, my first impression was that he was a bit boring - which is actually kinda perfect for a modern Darcy. (The whole point of P&P is don't trust first impressions😉)

1) Do you know why this book is listed as YA?

I am a high school teacher and read YA books on a regular basis. I didn't even know this was listed as YA until I saw this thread. When I borrowed it from the library it was not listed under YA. So, I have no idea why it would be listed as YA in some situations. The only connection between YA is that Ayesha is a secondary teacher, but that doesn't have a connection with most YA readers.

2a) How do you feel about retellings?

I enjoy most retellings, especially when it is done well and in a different setting.

2b) Any favorite retellings?

One of my favorite movies growing up was The Wizard of Oz. A few years ago I read Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige and really enjoyed this version of the story. Amy Gumm, a bullied teenager that has a pet rat and lives in Kansas, travels to Oz via twister and experiences a tyrannical ruler that we all know as Dorothy. It is a fun read!

2c) Any books (or stories in general) you love so much you'll read anything? Any that you are "I just can't with another...."

I will check out any Wizard of Oz retellings. I also enjoy retellings of The Christmas Carol, Disney movies (Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel, Aladdin, Mulan, and so forth...), and Fairy Tales.

3) Any story you particularly want to see retold

I would like to see some of the classics retold with a more modern day twist. The classics that come to mind are Frankenstein, Pride and Prejudice, Crime and Punishment, Animal Farm, Lord of the Flies, and The Scarlet Letter. I enjoyed reading them in high school, but would like to see them retold.

What were your first impressions of Khalid?

To be honest, I thought he was a misogynistic momma's boy. He was also too invested in following the rules of his religion to focus on what will make him happy and how his religion should help influence his choices.

What were your first impressions of Khalid?

I thought he was uptight and had no backbone. Just does what his domineering mother wants. I do appreciate people who do their own thing, though, despite outside pressure to conform.

So I finished and gave it 4 stars. I loved all the Shakespeare quotes thrown in along the way but not the Jane Austen ones. Weird.

I have been trying to comment since Sunday. Lets see if this works.

In honor of mothers day thoughts on Khalid's mother in comparison/contrast of Mrs. Bennet? Or any thoughts on the use of family in the novel?

And

What were your initial impressions of Ayesha?

so it is HTML that is keeping me from being able to post!?!?!

Yep. So you have to post without the HTML, then go back in and edit it to put the HTML in.

Kendra wrote: "Yep. So you have to post without the HTML, then go back in and edit it to put the HTML in."


oh, score. that's annoying but less annoying than no html. ;)

See what I did there? I went back and edited in the quote. :)

Thanks.

I didn't love Ayesha's attitudes towards her day job. I've done that day job and I'm not sad I'm no longer doing it and I certainly can relate to being in a job that isn't working for you and feeling like you are getting farther from rather than closer to your dreams but I found her attitude towards the day job off putting.

Well, I finished it. I don't know why it took me so long to get through it but I definitely loved it. I think Amir is my favourite character.

So I'm about halfway through the audiobook and I noticed something interesting in the beginning. When I first started listening to it the writing style was distracting. It felt very choppy and simple. I thought, "oh, maybe this is why it's shelved as YA?" but then tried to compare to other YA books I've read that didn't necessarily feel that way. I then bumped the narration speed from 1.25x to 1.5x and it made a big difference. I'm no longer distracted by the writing, so I'm now curious how much narration speed affects the reading experience...

My first impression of Khalid was that I appreciated his determination to be true to himself and his beliefs (in the way he dresses, for example), but I thought he was a bit too quick to judge Ayesha before meeting her (or hearing her poetry).

Ayesha took a little more warming up for me, since it wasn't too clear what her motivations were at the beginning. Her personality took more time to develop (although the poem at the beginning helped). I also thought her view of her job was more detached than I might have expected.

What prejudiced or preconceived assumptions did you notice in this book?

I felt like every character to some degree or another made assumptions of the others at some point. The spectrum from Khalid's boss near cartoon villainy down to the sort of snap judgements most people probably aren't even aware that they make every day.

Brandy wrote: "What prejudiced or preconceived assumptions did you notice in this book?

I felt like every character to some degree or another made assumptions of the others at some point. The spectrum from Khali..."

I like your description of "the near cartoon villainy" hahaha. I'm on chapter 9.

The marriage proposals Hafsa receives would also be another example of prejudiced/preconceived assumptions. She makes a choice based on pictures, income, whatever else was sent to her. Even though it is arranged it feels similar to online dating.

Brandy wrote: "What prejudiced or preconceived assumptions did you notice in this book?

I felt like every character to some degree or another made assumptions of the others at some point. The spectrum from Khali..."

I think that's the most prominent theme in the story... I'm guessing that's the main tie-in to the original story (Pride and Prejudice - I haven't read it)? I listened to the audiobook so I'm already forgetting some names, but Khalid's sister's situation came with a lot of judgment in multiple directions.

how many dishes can you make? And other questions/moments you found sort of funny and sort of.. "ummmm..."

Is that a thing? Counting recipes?

I'm listening to the audiobook and stopped what I was doing to mentally count in my head how many recipes I have memorized. None. I do not have any recipes memorized.

Growing up, my Mom made sure I could cook/bake/follow a recipe/modify a recipe on the fly, but it was always assumed I'd have a recipe there to start off with. So while I have many recipes I could almost make from memory, most I need to check for exact measurements. (And that's supposed to be the difference between bakers and cooks - cooks do by feel, bakers by exact measurements. Guess which one I am. 😉)

What prejudiced or preconceived assumptions did you notice in this book?

The one that struck me the most was the assumption that because Khalid's sister was forced into an arranged marriage, as a reader, I expected it to be revealed that she had been asking for money so she could 'escape' but she actually had been very happy, but still wanted to come back to Canada for her daughter.

Kendra wrote: "What prejudiced or preconceived assumptions did you notice in this book?

The one that struck me the most was the assumption that because Khalid's sister was forced into an arranged marriage, as a ..."

So much this!

I am a little late to the party but I love this book! I actually read this book last year with a friend when we were trying to collect a bunch of Pride and Prejudice retellings to read over the summer together so technically I have already read this book but I wanted to take part in the discussion.

This book is probably shelved as a YA because it doesn't have a lot of language or sex scenes? I don't know. I am just guessing.

If you couldn't tell I love Jane Austen retellings- even the cheesy ones! A similar one to Ayesha at Last that I also loved is a book called Unmarriageable and is a Pride and Prejudice retelling that I would highly recommend. I have only read a handful of the Jane Austen retellings but I always love looking for them and trying to fit them in when I have time.

In general, I am not a fairy tale fan, but I wouldn't be surprised if I find a modern version that peaked my interest and I can't think of anything off the top of my head that I would like to see a modern retelling of.

Since I think I knew what to expect I fell in love with the characters right away. My first impressions of Khalid was that he was devoted to his family and faith. He wants to show the world that he isn't hiding who he is just because of societal pressures which I really respect and admire.

Khalid's mother is overbearing, sneaky, manipulative, and loves finding the dirt on others, probably to deflect the secrets in her own life. She is similar to Mrs. Bennett in that she really wants her child to get married into a wealthy or at least socially upstanding family. Unlike Mrs. Bennett Khalid's mom is not always "complaining about her nerves" and is less flighty and agitated. I think of Khalid's mother as a little more like Lady Catherine de bourgh in some instances.

My initial impressions on Ayesha? She is so similar to me! I tried to go into teaching and I was not cut out for it so I can really relate there. She is sweet and has strong opinions and seeks to be understood.

Yes! I completely agree with the description "cartoonish villain" for Khalid's boss. I actually play this book like a Rom-Com in my head and I think it would be perfect for that medium.

I think Amir was the character that was easy to be prejudiced towards. He was obnoxious and sexist leaving me to discount the character completely. (view spoiler)[When Khalid confronts him about his alcoholism we actually get to see a more layered character and it's not so out of left field that he steps up and helps in the end. (hide spoiler)]

Erica wrote: "I think Amir was the character that was easy to be prejudiced towards. He was obnoxious and sexist leaving me to discount the character completely. [spoilers removed]"

I actually had pegged him as the Wickham character at first. And then he turned out to be my favourite character. 😁

I finally started this book last night, so am looking forward to reading all of your responses as I go along.

Tell me about your introduction to this book. What if anything did you know going in?

All I knew about it was that it was a Pride and Prejudice retelling. I'm not big on the romance genre, but I can handle it if well done. Hope this is. So far so good.

As has been mentioned, the Muppet Christmas Carol is fantastic.

1) Do you know why this book is listed as YA?
People are sheep. ;) Honestly, there is no good reason to justify it.

2) How do you feel about retellings?

I do not seek out retellings, but I love it when I run across them without being aware I would, like in the Cinder series.

2b Any favorite retellings?

The Cinder series, Ella Enchanted, and others I can't think of right now. Oh, and I found Pride and Prejudice and Zombies hilarious.

2c Any books (or stories in general) you love so much you'll read anything? Any that you are "I just can't with another...."

Somehow I typically end up with Cinderella or Pride & Prejudice stories. Can't think of anything I would avoid necessarily.

What were your first impressions of Khalid?

Rather fascinating, actually, as I apparently haven't read much about Muslims. I'm enjoying the insights into that world, especially into his very strict viewpoint. I can't see that I would want to marry him, but I really admire people that live the way they believe. He has up to this point lived life exactly as he has wanted to, and is content to let it unfold as it will. But he is one serious guy, for sure.

In honor of mothers day thoughts on Khalid's mother in comparison/contrast of Mrs. Bennet? Or any thoughts on the use of family in the novel?
Khalid's mother isn't quite as silly as Mrs Bennet, but she does have a one-track mind about her son (so far). Same goes for Hafsa, who isn't as silly as the youngest Bennet sisters, but is just as irresponsible.

What were your initial impressions of Ayesha?
She's a bit of a hot mess, really. But she's just trying to figure out where she fits into a life that can be quite regimented. (view spoiler)[I never really like when one person pretends to be another, no matter the reason. It's always a bad idea. (hide spoiler)]

I have never married, even though I grew up in a religious culture where not doing so was very unusual. So although Ayesha seems to protest too much that she isn't wanting to get married, I understand the impulse to always have to explain why you are single, whether you want to be or not.

And I also understand feeling that you have to pick a job that is acceptable for a woman, as I grew up in the 60s and there were very definite male and female roles.