Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader's Reviews > A Place for Us
A Place for Us
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by
Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader's review
bookshelves: arcs, kindle-version, huggable-books, recent-favorites, 2018-reads, buddy-reads-1, 2018-summer-reads, to-read, living-room-tbr-small-2
Mar 17, 2018
bookshelves: arcs, kindle-version, huggable-books, recent-favorites, 2018-reads, buddy-reads-1, 2018-summer-reads, to-read, living-room-tbr-small-2
5 stars to A Place for Us, an emotionally-evocative and profound story of family and belonging! πππππ
I felt such an intense connection to this book, I needed time to process.
A Place for Us is the story of an Indian-American Muslim family living in California. At the opening, the family has come together to celebrate the eldest daughter, Hadiaβs, wedding. Amar, the estranged youngest brother, attends the wedding, after being away for years.
What unfolds is a gentle layering of time, past and present over decades, told in the voices of the family; all culminating in an honest portrait of this complex and loving family, with each member searching for belonging, or βplace.β
A Place for Us was a book to read slowly and savor. One in which to reflect on my own life, on my family growing up, on my parents, and most especially, how small decisions made by family members can leave indelible marks. I felt profound connections to the genuine characters portrayed in this book due to the authenticity in the writing. Culture-aside, the issues at play within this family were universal; however, the culture embedded here was enlightening and thought-stirring.
Fatima Farheen Mirza has the ability to convey emotions in the most sincere and open ways, and she captures the vulnerabilities in people with honesty and grace. As with all books, each person will take away messages that are personal based on her/his own path towards identity and belonging, especially within oneβs own family. A Place for Us is easily one of the best books I have ever read and gets my highest recommendation.
Thank you to Fatima Farheen Mirza for writing this treasure, Sarah Jessica Parker for selecting this book, Crown/SJP for Hogarth and Goodreads for sending us the physical copies for our group read, and to Netgalley.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
I felt such an intense connection to this book, I needed time to process.
A Place for Us is the story of an Indian-American Muslim family living in California. At the opening, the family has come together to celebrate the eldest daughter, Hadiaβs, wedding. Amar, the estranged youngest brother, attends the wedding, after being away for years.
What unfolds is a gentle layering of time, past and present over decades, told in the voices of the family; all culminating in an honest portrait of this complex and loving family, with each member searching for belonging, or βplace.β
A Place for Us was a book to read slowly and savor. One in which to reflect on my own life, on my family growing up, on my parents, and most especially, how small decisions made by family members can leave indelible marks. I felt profound connections to the genuine characters portrayed in this book due to the authenticity in the writing. Culture-aside, the issues at play within this family were universal; however, the culture embedded here was enlightening and thought-stirring.
Fatima Farheen Mirza has the ability to convey emotions in the most sincere and open ways, and she captures the vulnerabilities in people with honesty and grace. As with all books, each person will take away messages that are personal based on her/his own path towards identity and belonging, especially within oneβs own family. A Place for Us is easily one of the best books I have ever read and gets my highest recommendation.
Thank you to Fatima Farheen Mirza for writing this treasure, Sarah Jessica Parker for selecting this book, Crown/SJP for Hogarth and Goodreads for sending us the physical copies for our group read, and to Netgalley.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
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Reading Progress
March 17, 2018
– Shelved
June 1, 2018
–
Started Reading
June 14, 2018
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 74 (74 new)
message 1:
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Rachel
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rated it 4 stars
Jun 14, 2018 05:50PM
I CANNOT wait to read this book!!!
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Ashley wrote: "Whoa, this one might have to get bumped up the list. Canβt wait for your review, Jennifer!"
Thanks, Ashley! I think you should go ahead and bump it up! Trust me! π
Thanks, Ashley! I think you should go ahead and bump it up! Trust me! π
Antoinette wrote: "I canβt believe all the 5 stars on this one. Looking forward to your review."
Thanks, Antoinette! This one is getting a bunch of universal love!
Thanks, Antoinette! This one is getting a bunch of universal love!
Such a beautiful review, Jen! I especially love what you said here...What unfolds is a gentle layering of time, past and present over decades, told in the voices of the family; all culminating in an honest portrait of this complex and loving family, with each member searching for belonging, or βplace.β
I'm so happy to have shared this wonderful reading experience with you! You weren't a lone straggler...you just needed some space to absorb it all, and I love that <3
I'm so happy to have shared this wonderful reading experience with you! You weren't a lone straggler...you just needed some space to absorb it all, and I love that <3
Great review Jennifer! I have this one waiting for me at the library and can't wait to read it. Glad it was such a wonderful sisters read.
Absolutely fabulous review, Jennifer ;). It is so great to keep seeing all these five star ratings for this book. So glad you loved it too!! π
Beautiful review, Jennifer. You are so right - itβs a universal story in so many ways . On my list of favorites as well!
Kristin (KC) - Traveling Sister wrote: "Such a beautiful review, Jen! I especially love what you said here...What unfolds is a gentle layering of time, past and present over decades, told in the voices of the family; all culminating in a..."
Thank you, Kris! That means a lot coming from you! π It did take some time to absorb it all, and it was well worth the experience. π
Thank you, Kris! That means a lot coming from you! π It did take some time to absorb it all, and it was well worth the experience. π
Jen wrote: "Love your review! Canβt wait to
Get this one!!!"
Thank you, Jen! I have a pretty good feeling you will love this too, and I cannot wait to read your thoughts!
Get this one!!!"
Thank you, Jen! I have a pretty good feeling you will love this too, and I cannot wait to read your thoughts!
PorshaJo wrote: "Great review Jennifer! I have this one waiting for me at the library and can't wait to read it. Glad it was such a wonderful sisters read."
Thank you, PorshaJo! I am so excited for your thoughts on this one, especially because of the Indian cultural aspects. I wish you could have read this one with us, too.
Thank you, PorshaJo! I am so excited for your thoughts on this one, especially because of the Indian cultural aspects. I wish you could have read this one with us, too.
Brenda - Traveling Sister wrote: "Beautiful review, Jennifer!"
Thank you, Brenda! It was a pleasure sharing in the experience of this book with you and all our sisters! π
Thank you, Brenda! It was a pleasure sharing in the experience of this book with you and all our sisters! π
(Bern) Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas wrote: "Beautiful review Jennifer. I can see how this one touched you."
Thanks so much, Bern! It was an emotional read for sure.
Thanks so much, Bern! It was an emotional read for sure.
KAS wrote: "Absolutely fabulous review, Jennifer ;). It is so great to keep seeing all these five star ratings for this book. So glad you loved it too!! π"
Thank you, KAS! This book is worthy! Xo β₯οΈ
Thank you, KAS! This book is worthy! Xo β₯οΈ
Mischenko wrote: "Lovely review, J! β€"
Thanks so much, favorite M! This is one you will want to make sure to read. Xo π
Thanks so much, favorite M! This is one you will want to make sure to read. Xo π
Angela M wrote: "Beautiful review, Jennifer. You are so right - itβs a universal story in so many ways . On my list of favorites as well!"
Thanks, Angela! I had a feeling we would both love this one. Full of all the things we love!
Thanks, Angela! I had a feeling we would both love this one. Full of all the things we love!
Yay Jennifer!!! Such a beautiful heart felt review! I am so glad we all read this together and it was such a masterpiece! π»π
Absolutely, astounding and beautiful review Jennifer. You captured the beauty of this book, and so many of its take-aways so well. I love that we all connected with the characters.. I think each reader will! Thank you for making my heart feel everything wonderful about this book all over again!
Fabulous review, Jennifer. I wasnβt able to get an ARC but clearly this is must read. So many enthusiastic reviews like your popping up.
Kendall wrote: "Yay Jennifer!!! Such a beautiful heart felt review! I am so glad we all read this together and it was such a masterpiece! π»π"
Thanks, Kendall! I agree, and it was definitely a masterpiece! π
Thanks, Kendall! I agree, and it was definitely a masterpiece! π
Susanne wrote: "Absolutely, astounding and beautiful review Jennifer. You captured the beauty of this book, and so many of its take-aways so well. I love that we all connected with the characters.. I think each re..."
Aww, thank you for that comment, Suze! I agree, everyone can connect to this book. So much to connect to! An enormous pleasure sharing in this read with you! β€οΈ
Aww, thank you for that comment, Suze! I agree, everyone can connect to this book. So much to connect to! An enormous pleasure sharing in this read with you! β€οΈ
Beautiful review Jennifer, stated so well! Itβs so true that everyone can find something or someone in this book to relate to.
Great review Jennifer. I hstarted this book last night. Your excellent review makes me even more anxious to read it. Thanks.
Jennifer-I'm so glad you loved this book as much as I did. It was lovely to read your review as you touched on so many of the same feelings that I had. Marvelous book, equally marvelous review!
I have this besides my chair in my to read stack,Jennifer! After reading you review it will be moved up. I can tell that it really touched you.