Middle South follows Layla on a hilarious journey from the Southeast to the Middle East and back, where she finds out a little more about herself and, ultimately, what she is looking for in life and in love.

Set in Atlanta, Middle South, the debut novel of Maya Nessouli Abboushi, was said to examine the cultural differences experienced by Arabs living in the southern United States. I expected to be informed and enlightened. I was disappointed. There were a few brief mentions of different customs, but nothing of importance. 

The book was mostly the silly drinking, smoking, clubbing lifestyle of Layla, a juvenile 26-year-old, and her equally juvenile friends. Layla and her roommate, Jess, are constantly searching for "the one", and constantly being disappointed. Then there is Layla's mom, who calls her multiple times each day to be sure she is safe, reminds her not to let any man touch her, and constantly sets her up to meet her friends' sons, grandsons, and nephews.
 
It was not until the last few chapters that I began to learn more about the experiences with cultural differences. Some examples are the fact that most young couples do not announce their dates to their families until an engagement is near, the fact that Lebanon was a true hotspot for vacations before the civil war that threatened to destroy the country. There is also the fact that being under constant threat of bombings has desensitized the people to the threats -- they simply go about their lives as if nothing were wrong. Layla noticed the differences in how Americans rush through a meal in order to get to their next activity, while in Lebanon, the meal is the great attraction, and can take much longer to complete.  Most saddening was learning that the assassination of Prime Minister Hariri, who tried to put Lebanon back together, led to massive political demonstrations, and was key to Syria going into Lebanon and re-starting tension between Muslims and Christians.
 
Until I reached the last few chapters, it was a struggle to finish reading this book. Perhaps if I were an 18-to-25-year-old, I may have enjoyed it more. I was pleased at the end, to see Layla happy.
 
What Makes This Book Reviewer Grumpy?
 
The usual things:
improper placement of the word "only" within sentences;
the repeated use of the conjunction "and" to begin sentences.

I can't fully review this title because I didn't read it in its entirety. I found the voice to be annoying and the writing was not structured or well put together. The grammar was not good and I could not read past the first 100 pages.

The Mourning Parade
Dawn Reno Langley

Imagine opening a door to find yourself immersed in the Thai landscape where you can see, smell, hear and touch a place so beautiful, it’s as if you’re walking through an intricate, jewel-toned tapestry. Langley weaves her magic to transport her readers to Thailand simply by turning the pages of her latest novel, The Mourning Parade.

I must admit that I was initially reluctant to read a book with the devastating premise of a mother losing her two sons to gun violence. I was concerned that I would not be able to handle it emotionally. If you’re having similar concerns, let me reassure you that this novel is a masterpiece that soothes the soul of the reader by taking us on a journey that uplifts the spirit and gives us hope by laying out human and animal redemption and resilience.

I look forward to re-reading the novel as I frequently do with others that deeply touch me

Warning: This book will make you hungry. This is not something you’ll pick up in most reviews of this book, so I feel it is my duty to warn you. Abboushi crafts a rich world in her novel Middle South. This story follows our protagonist Layla as she grapples with her career and love during the early aughts in Atlanta.

As a Lebanese American, Layla has two cultures that have shaped her, and we travel with her between Beruit and Atlanta, as she journeys to find herself and maybe love.

I found this book to be funny, and having lived in Georgia in the early 2000s, I could identify with so much of the commentary on dating and fashion. Abboushi’s ancillary characters are developed thoughtfully and carry strong plotlines independently of Layla’s own main storyline. Readers can learn about the cultural and political history of Lebanon, while identifying with the universal themes of familial love and parents who overstep boundaries on occasion. Overall, this humorous journey has a little something for most readers and is worth a look.

I really wanted to enjoy this book but the stereotypes and body shaming made that difficult.