The Diverse Bookshelf
Welcome to The Diverse Bookshelf. I’m Samia Aziz, celebrating the power of literature and the voices of authors and change makers from the global majority. Join me as we explore the stories that inspire, connect, and transform our world. Each week I interview an inspiring guest about a whole host of themes and issues while focusing on diverse literature.
Let’s uncover the stories that truly matter—together.
The Diverse Bookshelf
Tasneem Abdur-Rashid on writing YA, family & rebuilding after divorce
For today’s episode, I’m joined by Tasneem Abdur-Rashid for the third time in three years! Tasneem is a communications professional, writer, and author of the powerful new novel Odd Girl Out. Tasneem’s work explores identity, faith, family, and belonging, with characters and stories that speak to experiences rarely seen in mainstream publishing.
Odd Girl Out follows the story of 15-year-old Maariyah who is navigating friendship, love, and the weight of expectations, while also confronting the unspoken challenges of mental health and community pressures. Her life is uprooted following the divorce of her parents, and she leaves behind a life of glitz and glamour in Dubai, for the rather less impressive, London. It’s a novel that is both deeply relatable and refreshingly bold in its honesty.
In our conversation, we talk about the inspiration behind the book, Tasneem’s journey as a writer, divorce and family, and the importance of seeing authentic Muslim representation in literature.
I’m so honoured to share this conversation with you – it’s moving, insightful, and necessary.