For anyone who has been following this blog, you will know that I am a HUGE fan of Canada Reads!  It is an amazing celebration of Canadian authors as 5 defenders sit around a table in the CBC studio and debate great Canadian books.

We Have Always Been Here is written by Samra Habib, a strong woman who identifies herself as both Queer and Muslim. She moved to Canada from Pakistan to flee the persecution of her family.  She has dealt with racism, homophobia, Islamaphobia and has spent decades not only accepting herself but struggling with the relationships with her family, her community and her faith.

As she journeys to acceptance, so does her family.  It is hard to believe that this young girls was pushed into an arranged marriage as a teenager.  Thankfully she shares that her relationship with her family continued to evolve and that she continues to experience the love of her family despite the strict teaching of their mosque.

This is a great memoir for Canadians to learn and understand the challenges of new Canadians, members of the LGBTQ community and Muslim women. It is written in an honest, non-judgemental way to open eyes and make readers think about the rich fabric of Canada!

Although Canada Reads has been postponed for 2019, check out the great content on the CBC website here.