Full Title: Laughing all the way to the mosque: a memoir of sorts from the creator of Little Mosque on the Prairie

Zarqa’s “memoir of sorts” is a comical, light hearted glimpse into what it means to embrace many identities. Zarqa is more than a TV show creator, she is a devout Muslim, a mother, a wife, a daughter, a feminist, a  comedian and a Canadian.

WIth honesty and candor, Zarqa shares her experiences as a young Muslim woman growing up in Canada. From her ‘arranged’ marriage – to her struggle for gender equality in the mosque – to the unique bathroom rituals of Muslims, Zarqa’s memoir is rich with spirit and humour! Her optimistic and joyous approach to life is both entertaining and inspiring.

Zarqa demonstrates how to balance conservatism with a free-thinking (albeit sometimes controversial) attitude to religious rituals and Muslim culture. Readers will learn much about the religion of Islam, including traditions such as hajj, the yearly pilgrimage to Mecca, and Eid al-Fitr, the feast to mark the end of Ramadan. Above all, Zarqa’s book is about establishing one’s own unique sense of identity despite the pressures to conform that surround us.

Laughing all the way to the mosque is a celebration of life, love and happiness. Try it for yourself and borrow a copy from your local Vaughan Public Library today!

Daniela’s Picks for new Indie Flicks in five minutes or less!

Gritty, dark and controversial, Lars von Trier strikes a chord with his latest film, Nymphomaniac. Captured in two volumes, Nymphomaniac tells the wild and poetic story of Joe (Stacy Martin; Charlotte Gainsbourg), a hypersexual woman and her descent into a world of depravity. Along the way, she’ll make some heartbreaking choices that will threaten to destroy her and the people she loves. Be forewarned of graphic and disturbing content.

The movie Palo Alto (and book by the same name) is the brainchild of actor, author and director James Franco. It tells the story of April (Emma Roberts), a sensitive, shy teenager, torn between her affections for her soccer coach Mr. B (James Franco), and Teddy, a sweet, but flakey stoner. The movie also weaves in the characters of Emily – a girl who’ll sleep with anyone who crosses her path – and Teddy’s friend Fred, a reckless class clown whose goofy attitude masks a troubled mind. The title is available via Hoopla. Register for free with your library card.

Kill Charlie Countryman is a quirky film about Charlie (Shia LaBeouf) and the biggest adventure of his life. When his mother passes away suddenly, Charlie speaks to her in a vision and she tells him to go to Bucharest. A strange and poignant turn of events on his flight will put him in the path of Gabi (Evan Rachel Wood), a beautiful Romanian beauty with a dark past.

The Weekend follows a one-night-stand turned weekend-long romance between two young, but very different men. Both are surprised by the strong feelings they develop for one another. The Weekend is a truly refreshing glimpse into relationships, friendships and the bonds that tie us together.

Borrow all these titles and more at your local Vaughan Library.

*****Summer Shortlist Pick!*****

If you’re looking for an ‘off the beaten path’ romance, I highly recommend “The Rosie Project,” #1 bestseller and first novel by Graeme Simsion.

Socially awkward genetics professor Don Tillman can’t seem to figure out women. He’s tried lots of times before, but to no avail. It’s not just women; Don has a difficult time making connections with anyone. Perhaps it’s because he’s always saying the wrong things. Perhaps it’s because his standards are too high. Perhaps it’s his extremely rigid personal schedule.

To solve the riddle, Don devises the Wife Project, an intricate and detailed questionnaire designed to filter out the wrong candidates and lead him to his perfect match. Don’s convinced he’s finally on the right path to finding a wife.

Don doesn’t know it yet, but he’s about to meet the love of his life in the form of Rosie, a mysterious woman who’s on a quest of her own: to find her biological father.

What ensues is one of the most unconventional romances. Not so much a romance at all. At times more of a comedy. But in the end the perfect book to cuddle up with on the beach this summer!

Borrow The Rosie Project from your local Vaughan library today! For more Adult Summer Shortlist titles, check out http://www.vaughanpl.info/src2014/adults.php.