📖 Overview
Adiba Jaigirdar is a Bangladeshi-Irish author known for writing young adult fiction that explores themes of identity, sexuality, and cultural intersection. Her debut novel "The Henna Wars" achieved significant recognition, being named one of Time magazine's 100 Best YA Books of All Time.
Born in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Jaigirdar spent her early years between Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh before immigrating to Ireland at age ten. She holds degrees from University College Dublin and the University of Kent, specializing in English, History, and Postcolonial Studies.
Her works frequently draw from her personal experiences as a queer Muslim woman of color living in Ireland. Jaigirdar's novels, including "Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating," address the complexities of intersectional identity and representation in young adult literature.
In addition to her career as a novelist, Jaigirdar contributes to Book Riot as a writer. Her writing consistently centers on themes of cultural identity, belonging, and the experiences of young LGBTQ+ individuals within Muslim and South Asian communities.
👀 Reviews
Readers appreciate Jaigirdar's authentic representation of South Asian and queer characters, with many citing relatable cultural experiences and family dynamics. Multiple reviews highlight her skill at writing complex mother-daughter relationships and depicting Bengali traditions.
Common praise focuses on:
- Natural dialogue between teen characters
- Food descriptions and cooking scenes
- Balance of serious themes with lighter romantic elements
Main criticisms mention:
- Predictable plot developments
- Pacing issues in middle sections
- Some character reactions feeling forced
Ratings across platforms:
Goodreads:
Hani and Ishu's Guide: 4.0/5 (16,000+ ratings)
The Henna Wars: 3.9/5 (21,000+ ratings)
If You Still Recognize Me: 3.8/5 (2,000+ ratings)
Amazon:
Hani and Ishu's Guide: 4.4/5
The Henna Wars: 4.4/5
Several readers noted wanting more depth in secondary character development, but most recommend her books for YA readers seeking LGBTQ+ stories with cultural specificity.
📚 Books by Adiba Jaigirdar
The Henna Wars
A story about two teenage girls - Nishat and Flávia - who find themselves competing in a school business competition with rival henna businesses while navigating their growing feelings for each other and the complexities of cultural appropriation.
Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating Two Bengali girls in Ireland enter a fake dating arrangement - Hani to prove her bisexuality to her friends and Ishu to boost her social standing for head girl elections - but their pretense begins to feel increasingly real.
The Love Match A Bangladeshi-American teenager balances her mother's attempts at matchmaking with her own romantic feelings for a coworker while trying to pursue her dreams of becoming a writer.
If You Still Recognise Me A summer story following Elsie as she helps track down her online friend's long-lost cousin while dealing with her feelings for her childhood best friend who has unexpectedly returned to London.
Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating Two Bengali girls in Ireland enter a fake dating arrangement - Hani to prove her bisexuality to her friends and Ishu to boost her social standing for head girl elections - but their pretense begins to feel increasingly real.
The Love Match A Bangladeshi-American teenager balances her mother's attempts at matchmaking with her own romantic feelings for a coworker while trying to pursue her dreams of becoming a writer.
If You Still Recognise Me A summer story following Elsie as she helps track down her online friend's long-lost cousin while dealing with her feelings for her childhood best friend who has unexpectedly returned to London.
👥 Similar authors
Sabina Khan writes YA novels featuring South Asian LGBTQ+ protagonists navigating family expectations and cultural identity. Her works like "The Love & Lies of Rukhsana Ali" explore similar themes of queerness within Muslim communities.
Sara Farizan centers her YA fiction on Iranian-American LGBTQ+ characters dealing with family, culture, and romance. Her books like "If You Could Be Mine" examine queer identity within Muslim contexts while balancing traditional values.
Leah Johnson writes contemporary YA novels featuring Black queer teen protagonists discovering themselves through romance and friendship. Her work addresses intersectional identity and coming-of-age experiences in ways that mirror Jaigirdar's approach.
Tahereh Mafi creates YA fiction featuring Muslim protagonists and explores themes of cultural identity and belonging. Her contemporary works like "A Very Large Expanse of Sea" deal with post-9/11 Muslim experiences in Western countries.
Alice Oseman writes YA novels centered on LGBTQ+ teen experiences and questioning identity. Her works focus on friendship and romance while exploring sexuality and self-discovery in contemporary settings.
Sara Farizan centers her YA fiction on Iranian-American LGBTQ+ characters dealing with family, culture, and romance. Her books like "If You Could Be Mine" examine queer identity within Muslim contexts while balancing traditional values.
Leah Johnson writes contemporary YA novels featuring Black queer teen protagonists discovering themselves through romance and friendship. Her work addresses intersectional identity and coming-of-age experiences in ways that mirror Jaigirdar's approach.
Tahereh Mafi creates YA fiction featuring Muslim protagonists and explores themes of cultural identity and belonging. Her contemporary works like "A Very Large Expanse of Sea" deal with post-9/11 Muslim experiences in Western countries.
Alice Oseman writes YA novels centered on LGBTQ+ teen experiences and questioning identity. Her works focus on friendship and romance while exploring sexuality and self-discovery in contemporary settings.