All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir

Does the racism and Islamophobia bring out all my rage...yes.
I just wanna protect my babies who are just trying their best. 
Sabaa Tahir makes me feel so many things and I was....like...so stressed out.
I cried at least twice.
384 Pages

The Monks of Tibhirine: Faith, love and terror in Algeria by John Kiser

What if the most effective way to fight terrorism is not to fight at all?  John Kiser explores this question in his book about the monks who chose to stay and continue their work in Algeria during the country's civil war.  The French Trappist monks lived in Tibhirine for many years leading a life of prayer and service to the local people.  They provided free medical care to those in need and strove to understand Islam, the religion of their neighbors and host country.  In the early 1990s however, the civil war in Algeria turned deadly for foreigners living in Algeria. Assassination, kidnapping, and murder became commonplace. In late March 1996, seven of the monks were kidnapped and their heads were found two months later.  Their deaths inspired ordinary Algerian Muslims to rise up in protest.  I read this book after seeing the film "Of Gods and Men" and recommend it for anyone interested in the clash of values between fundamentalist Islam and the western world. 352 pages.

The Butterfly Mosque by Willow Wilson

The Butterfly Mosque by Willow Wilson

In this memoir, Willow Wilson, who was raised by atheist parents, describes her search for religion after a serious illness. She was a college student when she fell ill, and as she began to investigate religions, she decided that she was a monotheist.  Islam seemed to her to be the choice she would be most comfortable with. She began to take college courses in Islamic Studies and other Middle Eastern courses.  After she graduated, she talked a girlfriend into moving to Cairo, Egypt with her to teach in an   English-language high school.

She converts to Islam once there, and begins to immerse herself in the culture and religion. It is a lot more difficult than she anticipated. She meets Omar, a young man who resents Western influences in his country. They forge a fast friendship, and begin to spend most of their time together.  In that culture, men and women do not date, so their relationship is challenging as they try to navigate the two cultures. Eventually they marry. Wilson records her struggle to forge a “third culture” that will accommodate her values without compromising them or alienating her friends and family at home, or those she comes to value in Egypt.

She offers insights into Islamic culture, distinguishing carefully between the radical fundamentalists who hate the West and the majority of peaceful Muslims. An interesting look at an often misunderstood and polarizing faith.

320 pages

No god but God: The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam

Author: Reza Aslan
Pages: 310
I'm always interested in learning of different religions and cultures, this book was just the ticket to learn about Islam. It explained all the key players and events in an easy to understand manner.  Im glad I read it and would definitely recommend it for anyone who is interested in learning about Islam.
Cover blurb:Though it is the fastest growing religion in the world, Islam remains shrouded by ignorance and fear. What is the essence of this ancient faith? Is it a religion of peace or war? How does Allah differ from the God of Jews and Christians? Can an Islamic state be founded on democratic values such as pluralism and human rights?Contrary to popular perception in the West, Islam is a religion firmly rooted in the prophetic traditions of the Jewish and Christian scriptures. Aslan begins with a vivid account of the social and religious milieu in which the Prophet Muhammad lilved. The revelations that Muhammad received in Mecca and Medina, which were recorded in the Quran, became the foundation for a radically more egalitarian community, the likes of which had never been seen before.