Roses, in the Mouth of a Lion by Bushra Rehman is a book that more people need to be talking about. A modern day, coming of age story about a young girl who is trying to navigate being first generation America in a traditional Pakistani family. Raiza is a character that so many can connect with. Her journey through life, friendship, high school and blossoming romances will keep you turning the pages. I had the chance of listening to the audiobook thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio and it was perfectly done by the author herself. I listened to this one in one sitting and regret not listening sooner. Roses, in the Mouth of a Lion is a book I will now be recommending to everyone.

I loved this book. I am so saddened that I have put it off for as song as I have! A disservice indeed!

I recently read Roses, in the Mouth of a Lion which follows a young girl named Razia as she struggles between her family’s culture and her identity. I picked it up because in the summary it compares itself to On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous which is one of my favorite books. While this book was enjoyable enough, I think the comparison is a bit inaccurate.

Raiza is an understandable and relatable character. She’s growing up in Queens and wants to behave like the kids around her, but this causes stress between her and her family. The problems increase at home once Raiza realizes she’s attracted to women and pursues a relationship with a girl at school.

I don’t know what exactly it was that didn’t quite work for me with this book. I think maybe it’s that it just felt a bit cliche to me. I didn’t really feel like this said or did anything new with this concept of the conservative family attempting to restrict their child. At times, there are flashes where you think it might break from that mold, but it always settles back into forced marriages, abuse,?intolerance of people outside of the community, and a lack of understanding for why their daughter might want to pursue different options.

The one moment that does break the mold comes at the very end of the story. It’s something I felt invested in by the time that I got there and then it’s suddenly dropped in with no detail or explanation. I’m all for an ambiguous ending, but this felt rushed to me. It was almost as if there was a specific page limit, so the editor just chopped the ending off of it to make it fit.

Probably the best part of this book, imo, was Raiza. She is very relatable in her desires to fit in and be loved. She makes you want to root for her throughout the story and I was glad to see her standing up for herself.

I also really enjoyed the prose. Rehman is clearly a beautiful writer and that talent shined through even when the plot was dragging. Her description made things very vivid and I could easily see the things going on throughout the story.

All in all, if you enjoy stories that reflect on the experience of growing up as a first Gen American and the struggles between assimilation and remaining true to one’s familial culture, you may like this book. Just check the trigger warnings as there are some difficult and graphic moments in this book.

TW: Animal torture & death, homophobia, Spousal Abuse, Arranged Marriages

It's Friday! I am heading out with some friends on a nice little winter cabin weekend. We do this every year around this time and the main reasons are to eat great food, enjoy each other's company, hang out in a rejuvenating hot tub and of course gab a whole lot! What are you up to this weekend?

All right folks, I read this one all the way back in December and it has taken me a minute to post mostly because this book ruined me for a minute. The story is so relatable, both joyous and devastating.

ROSES IN THE MOUTH OF A LION by @writerbushra features Razia, a Pakistani-American growing up in Corona, Queens. Her friend Shamia is her closest ally until an incident pulls their families apart, As Razia explores more of New York, and meets others she starts to rebel against her traditional Muslim family and the expectations placed upon her. When an Aunty finds out she has a budding intimate relationship with another young woman, Razia will have to choose between her family and leading an authentic life.

Equal parts funny, delightful and upsetting, this story will tug at your heart strings, make you question whether parents always know best, and give a fundamental perspective on the need to live life for yourself and not just for others. I definitely bawled like a tiny baby at the end of this one and regret nothing.

Thank you to @netgalley, @macmillan.audio and the author for the audio ARC. Another bonus reason to pick up this audiobook is that is narrated by the author herself and I was not surprised to hear it was the author narrating because the performance had SO MUCH HEART and was one of my favorite audiobook experiences of 2022.

Roses in the Mouth of a Lion was a slow burn but once I started to understand our main character and the writing style, the whole book picked up for me. I wish we would’ve spent more time in her teen years because the earlier years felt pedantic but overall, a lovely coming of age story from a perspective we rarely see.

I requested and listened to the audio version of Roses in the Mouth of a Lion, the story of Razia, growing up in Corona, Queens, part of a large Muslim immigrant neighborhood. I want to say this immediately: this is definitively one of those times when hearing the author read her novel was a phenomenal plus! In fact, I kept re-listening to parts of the book, unable to let myself miss even a minute if I was distracted.

Razia's family is Pakistani, close-knit, religiously observant and protective. Still, they strongly encourage Razia's academic giftedness. It is impossible for me to do this book justice, because so much of my response is one of appreciation for the exceptional job Rehman does bringing us into the mind and live of a young, female Pakistani immigrant. Through the story, we understand the complexities that can exist in the religious and cultural experiences of Muslims from different countries and/or different levels of religious observance, The "Aunties" are the older, married women who act as enforcers to the community and command respect. When Razia is a tween, she loses her best friend to a dispute between their families. She then gets close to Saima who is a Pakistani immigrant.

At Saima's home, Razia gets to watch some American television, not just pre-approved videos and to dance to popular music. When Saima's older sister goes away to college without being engaged, it's fodder for gossip. Razia must wear modest clothing and keep her hair long. She must carry out the religious observances required daily of a devout Muslim. She is generally cooperative, but obviously pushing back, particularly through minor conflicts with her mother. Little by little, often in cahoots with Saima, Razia experiments in ways that are increasingly obvious and alarming to her mother. Meanwhile, at sixteen, girls she knows are getting married and having children. Razia at sixteen is in a whole new world, because she was admitted to Stuyvesant High School, an exclusive high school for academically gifted students a long commute from Corona and worlds away from her experiences till then.

So many reviewers describe this as a queer coming of age story and, since the publisher and reviewers give just about everything away, this is absolutely a fair description of the novel. But there are barely hints that Razia might find herself attracted to girls until we are 80% through the book. The rich, beautiful pictures of the coming of age of a Pakistani immigrant girl that we have been gifted with before this theme arises are -- all by themselves --extraordinary. We fully get it that Razia's duty, even though she is allowed to attend Stuyvesant and even though she is expected to go to college is to marry a Pakistani man and have children and keep house. Only then does she meet Angela, a classmate. Angela who is kind of punk/goth. Angela, whose mother works. Angela, whose parents are divorced. Angela, whose apartment is empty all day. Angela, who has her fathers collection of 1970s music. Angela. Razia is instantly drawn to her, wants to be with her, and then falls in love with her. The attraction is palpable as is the danger. But: we can only understand what happens as a result of this relationship because of all that went before these last chapters. Angela never understands the risks Razia is taking or the true nature of her upbringing and family life, even though she describes it. Angela has not read this book.

This is a book about friendship, family and transcendence. Roses in the Mouth of a Lion is one of the best books I have ever read. It is beautifully written, the characters all drawn with care. It is funny, poignant and tragic. The comparisons to "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" are apt. It is right up there with my favorites of all time and, when I am through writing this, I will be purchasing a copy so I can read it in print. Highly, highly recommend.

I finished this fine piece of art called Roses, in the Mouth of a Lion by Bushra Rehman @writerbushra
I let myself call it this way because it takes some skills to be able to write a coming-of-age novel that sounds/reads like a memoir.

Razia, the first generation of Pakistani-Americans in the 80s, goes through different stages of self-discovery. She juggles between expectations of her traditional household and the cultural boom of the US at that time. I am enthralled to meet Razia because the way she describes her life shows great respect for her heritage and her family. I have learned a lot. She has also a way of telling the story, where her loved ones come out of the page like living, breathing people. That should tell you a lot about the narration in this book.

Razia, across the story, starts asking interesting questions. One might find them inappropriate, but her curiosity about the world matches her bravery to take what she deserves as a woman. I admire that about her, and her story touches my heart in a very special way. Especially, when I was not sold at the beginning. I found the start a little bit boring. I was certainly wrong because there is a smart way of building up to a certain point, which concludes using all the pieces of the puzzle.

A heartfelt, powerful coming-of-age novel about a Middle-Eastern American girl who wants to be good but gradually comes to question whether her family's values leave room for her to live a good-enough life on her own terms.

This debut novel is set in working-class Queens, my own hometown, and while the story is specifically set in an immigrant community, many of the stories of Razia's childhood could have come from my own childhood. The thrill of reading literature so specific and yet so universal is a big part of what raised this book to the top of my 2023 list of great novels.

Although the book is often referred to as a queer coming-of-age story, I appreciated that the main character has a crush on a boy in her neighborhood years before she meets the girl, Angela, who steals her heart. The authenticity of her passionate feelings for many people in her world resonated deeply with me. The novel is about friendship, family, split loyalties, unrequited yearning, and all the other elements that shape a girl's life. Razia's intelligence, humanity and courage shine. There is no way to read this book without loving her.

Thank you to Netgalley and MacMillan Audio for providing me with an advance copy of this audiobook, which was brilliantly narrated by the author herself. I truly felt I received a gift getting to hear this one, and I can easily imagine enjoying the book all over again in print sometime in the future.

ROSES, IN THE MOUTH OF A LION is a wonderful queer coming-of-age story about a Pakistani-American Muslim teen girl named Razia, growing up in Queens with her best friend Saima.

This was a slow burn story that was so moving and really drew me in. The audiobook was narrated by Bushra Rehman, and I really thought they were a great choice for narration. At the heart of it all, I just loved that this novel features girls who want more than what they are told they can be one day, and Razia pushes those boundaries.

*many thanks to Flatiron Books and Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

This book was a slow burn but discussed many important topics. I really enjoyed it. The narrator was great. I learned a lot from the book and it kept me listening.

Full Review: https://bakingthroughbookclub.com/2022/12/23/the-search-for-virtue/

** Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the chance to review this book **

There is a Pakistani expression that says, “Turn your face to virtue and your back to vice.” Bushra Rehman’s new book, Roses, in the Mouth of a Lion is the summation of this sentiment. The book follows Razia, a young Pakistani girl living in the Queens neighborhood of Corona. It is the quintessential coming-of-age story, but one that explores the dichotomy of growing up in a religious community while the broader American values of freedom and independence tug at your existence. Razia’s internal conflict throughout the book revolves around her feeling “too westernized” for many members of her community while also feeling typecast as an immigrant to those outside of the community.

While Rehman’s writing is poetic and inviting, there is a lack of cohesion throughout the book. Each story seems like its own episode, and little is done to tie it together. The chapters finally begin flowing together at the end when Razia starts questioning and exploring her sexuality. After she discovers that she is attracted to her friend, Angela, the book begins focusing on that theme. Some readers might be bothered by the randomness of the plot, but I thought it made the book feel more realistic. Let’s face it– most of our everyday lives do not follow the arc of story elements. Each day brings random events, some of which are predictable and some of which are not. We’re scattered by design.

While I appreciated Rehman’s writing and the insight I gained from Razia’s experiences, I couldn’t connect with this book. Razia’s life is very different from my own, so I can’t envision myself making the same decisions she did, especially at the end of the book. I can, however, understand how she got there. While it might not be for me, I can see Roses, in the Mouth of a Lion being magical for other readers who see themselves represented in the characters of this book. The writing is beautiful, and I wish I could learn more about Razia’s fate as she enters the next chapter of her life. Roses, in the Mouth of a Lion would make a great selection for book clubs. It is sure to drive some lively discussions about the expectations people face both within their families and their communities.

A great queer coming of age story featuring a Pakistani-American Muslim teen girl living in 1980s/90s NYC during the AIDs crisis. Great on audio and recommended for fans of Tahereh Mafi. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early ALC in exchange for my honest review!

Thanks, Netgalley!

It is the coming-of-age story of Razia, a Muslim American girl growing up in Queens in the 80s. It felt a lot like The House on Mango Street. I loved Razia and how she had to find her place in a community that she knew and one that she was unfamiliar with. I enjoyed seeing what it is like for a Muslim American girl to grow up as the first generation of immigrants and to learn what is expected of them and how they grow and become independent. The ending was beautiful and I highly recommend this book. It was a heartfelt and touching novel about friendship, growing up, and growing apart.

Razia Mirza grows up amid the wild grape vines and backyard sunflowers of Corona, Queens, with her best friend, Saima, by her side. When a family rift drives the girls apart, Razia’s heart is broken. She finds solace in Taslima, a new girl in her close-knit Pakistani-American community. They embark on a series of small rebellions: listening to scandalous music, wearing miniskirts, and cutting school to explore the city.

When Razia is accepted to Stuyvesant, a prestigious high school in Manhattan, the gulf between the person she is and the daughter her parents want her to be, widens. At Stuyvesant, Razia meets Angela and is attracted to her in a way that blossoms into a new understanding. When their relationship is discovered by an Aunty in the community, Razia must choose between her family and her own future.

I was so excited to read this book but was sadly disappointed. I found the chapters didn’t build to a story but talked about the same one her childhood memories or childhood best friend the fax she was a Muslim American and all that entails and then she meets a girl from class name Alice who fully puts her in to her authentic mindframe of being a non-heterosexual in a heterosexual world and also a member of a religion that does not sanction such lifestyles and on some occasions have met death for other members of that religion who thought just like Rasha. I was very disappointed by the stagnant way the story was told if there was even a story and can only blame this on myself for believing the hype once again. I know a lot of people love the story but there has to be those like me who did not enjoy it so much. I would recommend this book only because the popular opinion can’t be wrong but as far as my own personal opinion had I known what it was like I would’ve had a hard pass. I listen to the audiobook and thought the narrator did a stellar job and kudos to her but as far as the book goes I can’t say I liked it. I love the message but not the execution. I received this book from NetGalley and flat iron books but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

I read half of this book and it just wasn’t for me. It reminded me a lot of the house on mango street and I loved that it was read by the author. I may come back to it at a later date and finish it—might just have not been the right time!

Wow! From the first story in this book I was drawn in. The author does a splendid job pulling you back into your own childhood to remember what it was like being a young girl, but in this case, through the eyes of a Pakistani American girl named Razia. The stories are sweet, powerful and authentic accounts of growing up not only feeling different but trying to find the boundary between upholding family customs while simultaneously rejecting those that seem damaging through the eyes of one who has had exposure to other ways of life and was not purely encapsulated in the culture. The author was masterful in capturing the innocence of Razia throughout the story and then her strength and courage when she eventually has to take a stand as she finds herself challenged to uphold her heritage or become the woman she wants to be . Highly recommend.

Wow. I can't pick which is more beautiful, the writing or the story. I really enjoyed walking alongside Raiza during her journey as a Queer, Pakistani teen navigating her community, her identity, and her principles. As a South Asian person, it was amazing to read about a Pakistani and Muslim teen - there were just as many similarities as there were differences since I'm Indian and was raised Hindu. Listening to this audiobook narrated by Bushra Rehman was enchanting, she spoke in such a poetic way. It was hard to tear myself away from the audiobook, and that's not the even the format I often read in! Please check the TW/CW and read this book!!

Razia Mirza is a teenager living in Queens, specifically in Corona, NYC. She is of Pakistani descent and follows the customs of her family and neighbors. But Razia, like many American teenagers, has a rebellious streak. She cuts her hair, buys clothes typical of American teens in the 1980s, hides them in her closet, and skips class on occasion with her girlfriend, Angela.
Bushra Rehman's writing is lovely, she's not one for poetic verse, but her character-building is phenomenal. Having grown up a teen in the 1980s, I recognized and connected with Razia, a teen forging her way through life, trying to find her voice and independence.
I sympathized with the other teens in her neighborhood that have arranged marriages, experienced violence at the hands of other ethnic groups in Corona, and the teens that are shunned for defying tradition and wanting a different life.
The narration is well executed, and I recommend the audio version to readers.
Overall, a fascinating book, and I recommend the book to readers that enjoy reading about the 1980s, Pakistani and Muslim culture, and coming-of-age novels.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bushra Rehman, and MacMillan Audio for an advanced audio copy of Roses, in the Mouth of a Lion.

it just couldn’t hold my interest! I really thought I would like it, but maybe it just wasn’t a novel for Audiobooks for me.

This book wasn’t even on my radar until a friend posted an early review. I love coming of age stories and here we follow the life of Razia, a young Pakistani girl growing up in New York. She feels as though she doesn’t fit in with her community at home and when she’s accepted to a private high school she becomes even more of a misfit. She struggles between the traditional expectations of her family, and the life she wants to design for herself. This is the story of identity, family, and friendship.