Salma Hussain's Reading & Music Recommendations:
Toronto writer Saeed Teebi wrote a short story, "Her First Palestinian" which made the 2021 CBC Short Story Prize Shortlist. For anyone who has grown up feeling the pull of different cultures or viewpoints or desires, the story feels personal and familiar, and yet is such a fresh and novel take. You can read the story for free HERE [[https://www.cbc.ca/books/literaryprizes/her-first-palestinian-by-saeed-teebi-1.5978617]]. His debut collection of short stories, Her First Palestinian, is forthcoming from House of Anansi on August 2, 2022.
Master storyteller, Cary Fagan, writes for adults and children. His most recent collection of short stories written for adults, Great Adventures for the Faint of Heart (Freehand Books, 2021) is a quiet, elegant masterclass in creating big stories out of "small" moments. Captivating and charming, this collection contains a medley of quirky, lovable characters. Long after the reading is done, the stories will continue to delight.
Carol Shields' writings (essays, notes, letters) on the craft of writing were compiled by her daughter and grandson in a book called, Startle and Illuminate: Carol Shields on Writing (Penguin Random House, 2017). The book shimmers with Carol Shield's trademark wit, humour and compassion. For anyone curious as to how writers (and particularly women writers), get it done - order this asap from your library/local bookstore and prepare to be amused, enthralled and enlightened.
Last but not least, artist/musician Soraia Ramos, who grew up in Portugal and now resides in Switzerland, created four minutes and forty-six seconds of bliss in a song, titled, O Nosso Amor. After randomly stumbling upon this gem, I've had it on a loop during my morning walks this past month. Find it on Spotify and enjoy!
Salma Hussain writes prose and poetry for children and adults. She grew up in the UAE to parents from Pakistan, and moved to Canada as a teenager. Her debut novel for kids and kids-at-heart, The Secret Diary Of Mona Hasan is forthcoming in May 2022 by Tundra/Penguin Random House. Follow: @salmahwrites.
Salma's story "Scribe" will be featured in the upcoming BIPOC Solidarities Special Issue of The Fiddlehead. Pre-order your copy today!
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