Action & Adventure
![Zarqa Nawaz - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_B00JAJXMUM.jpg)
Jameela Green Ruins Everything
"I think we got off on the wrong foot, with you telling me I had to be killed and then me getting all upset about it. Let's start again. My name is Jameela, and I'm a writer. What do you do, besides . . . assassinations? Is that a hobby or more of a full-time thing?"
Jameela Green has only one wish: to see her memoir on the New York Times bestseller list. When that doesn't work out, she decides that her best next step is to make a deal with God, so she heads over to her local mosque. The idealistic new imam, Ibrahim Sultan, is appalled by Jameela's shallowness but agrees to assist her, on one condition-that she perform a good deed.
Jameela reluctantly accepts his terms, kicking off a series of unfortunate events. The homeless man they try to help gets recruited by a terrorist group, causing federal authorities to become suspicious of Ibrahim. When the imam mysteriously disappears, Jameela is certain that the CIA has captured her new friend for interrogation and possibly torture.
Despite having no talent for this sort of thing, Jameela decides to set off on a one-woman operation to rescue him. Her quest soon lands her at the center of an international plan targeting the leader of the terrorist organization-a scheme that puts Jameela and count-less others, including her hapless husband and clever but disapproving daughter, at risk.
A no-holds-barred satire about the international cost of the American Dream, Jameela Green Ruins Everything is a compulsively readable, darkly comedic, yet unexpectedly touching story of one woman's search for meaning and connection.
Jameela Green has only one wish: to see her memoir on the New York Times bestseller list. When that doesn't work out, she decides that her best next step is to make a deal with God, so she heads over to her local mosque. The idealistic new imam, Ibrahim Sultan, is appalled by Jameela's shallowness but agrees to assist her, on one condition-that she perform a good deed.
Jameela reluctantly accepts his terms, kicking off a series of unfortunate events. The homeless man they try to help gets recruited by a terrorist group, causing federal authorities to become suspicious of Ibrahim. When the imam mysteriously disappears, Jameela is certain that the CIA has captured her new friend for interrogation and possibly torture.
Despite having no talent for this sort of thing, Jameela decides to set off on a one-woman operation to rescue him. Her quest soon lands her at the center of an international plan targeting the leader of the terrorist organization-a scheme that puts Jameela and count-less others, including her hapless husband and clever but disapproving daughter, at risk.
A no-holds-barred satire about the international cost of the American Dream, Jameela Green Ruins Everything is a compulsively readable, darkly comedic, yet unexpectedly touching story of one woman's search for meaning and connection.
Editorial Reviews
A Shondaland's "Best Books for May 2022" * A Pop Sugar "New Book That Is A Must Reads in 2022" -
"Jameela Green Ruins Everything" by Zarqa Nawaz is a deliciously dark comedy that takes on America's foreign policy in the Middle East, the lengths people are willing to go to for success, and one woman's search for meaning." - Popsugar
"A satire about ISIS is a big swing to take-but Zarqa Nawaz knows a thing or two about taking chances. Jameela Green Ruins Everything may be her first foray into the world of fiction, but Nawaz has made a career of being a trailblazer. . . . The book manages to weave American foreign policy and thwarting a terrorist organization with one woman's search for faith, meaning and redemption." - Chatelaine
"Nawaz's understated humour shines in this lovely comedy of errors-and faith." - Maclean's
"International politics is personal in this brilliant satire from the always provocative-and deeply funny-mind of Zarqa Nawaz." - Rick Mercer
"A breezy dark comedy about serious contemporary issues." - Quill and Quire
"Zarqa Nawaz is a comic genius who has done the impossible in this brilliant fiction debut: Jameela Green Ruins Everything is, all at once, an incisive examination of recent Middle East history, a biting indictment of Western imperialism, and a darkly comic satire on terrorism. Follow Jameela Green, the comic she-ro for our modern times, as she bumbles through the unimaginable on this hilarious whirlwind adventure. I guarantee you will never think about the phrase ‘East meets West' in quite the same way again. Three cheers for Jameela Green!" - Uzma Jalaluddin, author of Ayesha at Last and Hana Khan Carries On
"Zarqa Nawaz is one of the few writers around who can deftly navigate that minefield between high-stakes, war-torn, geopolitical upheaval, and one woman's hilarious but meaningful journey to find her place in her family and community. Is it a searing satire on America's war on terror, or a side-splitting family adventure? Well . . . yes, it is, and a crazy ride, too. Funny, moving, brilliant." - Terry Fallis, two-time winner of the Stephen Leacock Medal ...
"Jameela Green Ruins Everything" by Zarqa Nawaz is a deliciously dark comedy that takes on America's foreign policy in the Middle East, the lengths people are willing to go to for success, and one woman's search for meaning." - Popsugar
"A satire about ISIS is a big swing to take-but Zarqa Nawaz knows a thing or two about taking chances. Jameela Green Ruins Everything may be her first foray into the world of fiction, but Nawaz has made a career of being a trailblazer. . . . The book manages to weave American foreign policy and thwarting a terrorist organization with one woman's search for faith, meaning and redemption." - Chatelaine
"Nawaz's understated humour shines in this lovely comedy of errors-and faith." - Maclean's
"International politics is personal in this brilliant satire from the always provocative-and deeply funny-mind of Zarqa Nawaz." - Rick Mercer
"A breezy dark comedy about serious contemporary issues." - Quill and Quire
"Zarqa Nawaz is a comic genius who has done the impossible in this brilliant fiction debut: Jameela Green Ruins Everything is, all at once, an incisive examination of recent Middle East history, a biting indictment of Western imperialism, and a darkly comic satire on terrorism. Follow Jameela Green, the comic she-ro for our modern times, as she bumbles through the unimaginable on this hilarious whirlwind adventure. I guarantee you will never think about the phrase ‘East meets West' in quite the same way again. Three cheers for Jameela Green!" - Uzma Jalaluddin, author of Ayesha at Last and Hana Khan Carries On
"Zarqa Nawaz is one of the few writers around who can deftly navigate that minefield between high-stakes, war-torn, geopolitical upheaval, and one woman's hilarious but meaningful journey to find her place in her family and community. Is it a searing satire on America's war on terror, or a side-splitting family adventure? Well . . . yes, it is, and a crazy ride, too. Funny, moving, brilliant." - Terry Fallis, two-time winner of the Stephen Leacock Medal ...
Readers Top Reviews
tulipAlyssa Laurel
This is one of the best books I have read in a long time. The story is hysterical and writing comedy is not easy. At the same time there is depth and meaning in what happens to the characters. Excellent!!
Bridget Ratliff
This was a GoodReads giveaway book. I received the ARC of this book. Jameela is accused of being a terrorist and all kinds of hilarity ensues. It is a humorous story of Jameela Green's unintended journey to stronger faith. Through a comedy of errors, she makes a new friend and finds her faith again. Imagine Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, but Muslim.
Karl J.
I was looking for fiction, not too light but engrossing, to get through a medical treatment. After reading the first 3 pages, this book felt like it fit the bill. It did not disappoint--I read the entire book in one day, unable to put it down. The characters with all their conflicts were well portrayed, the plot engrossing, and I highly recommend the book. Was it all totally believeable? Probably not but it's fiction.
Sarzi
You wouldn’t think this would be such a funny book from the first chapter but the writing is great and super engaging. It’s been a real page turner and I enjoyed seeing the characters grow.
Kindle
I loved this book! And the characters are wonderful to get to know. If these characters were to show up again, I would definitely read it, just like I will read any and all of this authors books! I don't do synopses, please read it yourself, it is so worth it! Intelligent, and timely for any year, decade or century. And it did make me laugh, out loud on occasion.
