Summer is almost here, and if you’re anything like us, you’re already curating the ultimate reading list for slow mornings, long commutes, days in the park and everything in between. If you’re searching for your next read, consider this your sign.

From searing cultural critique to lush fantasy worlds and coming-of-age tales shaped by grief, faith and identity, a new wave of Muslim authors are expanding the literary landscape in bold ways that go way beyond surface-level representation. With these new and upcoming books, you can delve into everything from a high-stakes vampire novel to a heart-wrenching forbidden romance and urgent cultural critique.

So, whether you’re looking for something thought-provoking, escapist or emotionally resonant, these new releases from exciting Muslim authors deserve a spot on your reading list.

The Othered Woman: How White Feminism Harms Muslim Women by Shahed Ezaydi

Award-winning writer and editor Shahed Ezaydi makes a powerful debut with her timely, brilliantly researched, and insightful investigation into how white feminism and Islamophobia have been deeply and uncomfortably entangled over time. Moving between overlooked histories and sharp contemporary critique, Ezaydi spotlights inspiring Muslim women while unpacking the damage caused by feminism that fails to be truly intersectional. Urgent, thought-provoking, and unapologetically direct, The Othered Woman is a must-read that puts our voices rightly at the front and centre where they have previously been undervalued and ignored.
Out now

Wimmy Road Boyz by Sufiyaan Salam

This bold, gritty and blistering debut from Sufiyaan Salam drops you straight into the beating pulse of Manchester’s Curry Mile, otherwise known as Wilmslow Road. Following three young South Asian men as they navigate heartbreak, brotherhood, faith and the pressures of masculinity, the exciting novel captures the chaos and colour of an underserved community full of heart and soul. Salam’s storytelling is raw, poetic and immersive, making this a vivid page-turner that bursts with energy from the very first page.
Out on 28 May

The Ocean Would Paint Me Blue by Zoulfa Katouh

In her highly anticipated follow-up to As Long As The Lemon Trees Grow, Zoulfa Katouh returns with a tender, moving and resonant story about grief, identity, and the healing power of art. Centered on Jihad, a Syrian American teen searching for a way forward after devastating loss, the novel blends unflinching explorations of Islamophobia with moments of strength amidst loss. As her drawings begin to take on a life of their own, Jihad’s journey becomes one of rediscovery, emerging from deep sorrow.
Out on 2 June

The Silver Kingdom from Radiya Hafiza

This South Asian-inspired romantasy is an exciting release from Radiya Hafiza that weaves together warring kingdoms, forbidden love and magical realism, inspired by true events. The slow-burn romance inspired by classics like Wuthering Heights and Romeo and Juliet layers tropes of forbidden love with political intrigue and imperial echoes, drawn from Radiya’s experience as a British Bangladeshi.
Out on 4 June

A Steeping of Blood by Hafsah Faizal

From the author of young-adult sensations We Hunt the Flame and A Tempest of Tea comes a razor-sharp return to a world of danger, desire, and deadly ambition. In this electrifying conclusion to the Blood and Tea duology, Hafsah Faizal makes the stakes higher than ever for the newly bitten vampires as alliances fracture, secrets unravel, and romances ramp up. From themes of found family and heartbreak to deadly secrets and mythical creatures, A Steeping of Blood lets you sink your teeth further.
Out now

The Tapestry of Fate by Shannon Chakraborty

Get ready for the highly anticipated, action-packed sequel to The Adventures of Amina El Sirafi. In Shannon Chakraborty’s follow-up, we see our heroine Amina set sail on a new adventure in the search for magical artefacts. But when she is forced into a marriage with a man willing to risk it all, she must undertake a seemingly impossible mission to save her family. Expect themes of family, motherhood and adventure in this exciting sophomore novel.
Out on 21 May