All My Rage is a young adult novel written by Pakistani-American author Sabaa Tahir, published in 2022. In the spring of 2023, I picked up this book at my local Barnes & Noble to entertain myself on a road trip, and it did not fail to disappoint. During the winter break of 2024, I listened to the audiobook version, and I equally enjoyed it.

The story begins years ago in Lahore, Pakistan. Misbah, a kind and sweet 18-year-old, dreads her arranged marriage. What if her husband turns out to be an alcoholic? Abusive? Aggressive? But when she meets Toufiq Malik, a gentle man who finished his schooling in England, he surprises her by asking about her dreams. She shares her hope of opening a restaurant or hotel filled with love. Misbah and Toufiq get married and immigrate to Juniper, California, where they open a family-owned motel.

The story then shifts to present-day Juniper, California, where we meet Noor and Sal. Salahudin Malik, an 18-year-old Pakistani-American, is dealing with a complicated life. His loving mother, Misbah, is battling a terminal illness, while his father is sinking into alcoholism to cope with grief. Sal feels like he can’t trust anyone with his problems, especially after his best friend, Noor, ended their friendship.

Noor Riaz, also an 18-year-old Pakistani-American, has dreams of going to college. But she’s stuck helping her uncle, Chachu, run his liquor store. Chachu hates his Pakistani roots and religion and doesn’t support Noor’s dreams. Noor is grieving the loss of Misbah, who was like a mother to her, while trying to figure out how to move forward.

After Misbah’s death, Sal and Noor’s lives fall apart. Sal struggles to save the motel his mom loved, help his father overcome alcoholism, and deal with his own feelings for Noor. Noor, on the other hand, is dealing with rejection from colleges, her uncle’s restrictions, and the loss of the only parental figure she truly cared about.

Will Noor fulfill her dreams of going to college? Can Sal and Noor repair their friendship and bridge the gap between them? Will Sal find a way to save the motel and help his father? To find out, you’ll need to read this incredible story.

If you enjoy stories about family, friendship, love, forgiveness, grief, hope, and coming of age, I highly recommend this book. However, I suggest it for readers 14 and older, as it tackles challenging topics like alcohol and substance abuse.

This story beautifully shows the power of perseverance, faith, and hope. The points of view of Misbah, Noor, and Sal make the story even more touching. The emotional journey of these characters will definitely move you and might even bring you to tears.

I highly recommend this award-winning book to anyone looking for a great read to start the year!

01/1/2025