The January Children – Safia Elhillo
Elhillo’s writing is beautiful and evocative. It’s hard not to be compelled to go and write after reading a book as striking as The January Children.
Bottles and Bones – Ayesha Chatterjee
In Bottles and Bones, Ayesha explores scents and smells, which in turn dives into memories, moments, and culture.
Farzana Doctor
Farzana’s writing is compelling, emotional, and all-around mind-blowing. She was first author I encountered who wrote about the small community of Islam my family comes from – reading that was such an affirming experience. Although Six Metres of Pavement and All Inclusive are novels, she also writes poetry.
Sanna Wani
Sanna has a talent for honing in on small, specific moments, and opening them up. I’m always excited to read any poem of hers.
Calling a Wolf a Wolf – Kaveh Akbar
I read each poem in Calling a Wolf a Wolf at least two times to soak in the way Akbar crafts language. The book, as well as all of Akbar’s work, is a must read.
Manahil Bandukwala is a Pakistani writer and artist, currently making her way through Ottawa. She is the author of Paper Doll (Anstruther Press, 2019) and Pipe Rose (battleaxe press, 2018), and is on the editorial board of Canthius. See her work at manahils.com.