Songs of My Grandmother: On Finding Ourselves, Each Other, and the Things That Make Us Come Alive

A poetic memoir that offers comfort, community, and belonging through stories of love, loss, pain, and rebirth.

“I want to share the stories I kept silent, in the hope that I and those who read my book will feel freer from me doing so.”

"Songs" are the stories, poems, and prayers shared with a community. They include the lived experiences of those both older and younger than you, that help you grow and learn to be more yourself, celebrate your individuality, and—above all—realize that you are not alone on your journey.

The daughter of Pakistani-Muslim immigrants who moved to South Texas to give their daughter a better life, Sara Surani explores universal feelings and experiences through poetry, prose, memoir-style writing, and vignettes inspired by her work with women and girls across the globe. Each chapter uses color to evoke a feeling:

· Violet: the gut punch of loss
· Indigo: a slow, lonely grief
· Blue: anxiety, fear, and uncertainty
· Green: when spring returns to you
· Yellow: the first ray of sun on snow, a thawing
· Orange: a warm cup of tea, hope
· Red: fire, rebirth, an inner spark

So often we are told that the core of spiritual development is "inner work," but this book is about all that we share and conjures a deep sense of belonging—one that is needed now, more than ever.