Bird Summons — Leila Aboulela

Three Muslim women search for freedom and happiness in the Scottish Highlands in this novel of “psychological acuity [and] rich characterization” (Washington Post).

When Salma, Moni, and Iman -- friends and active members of their local Muslim Women's group -- decide to take a road trip together to the Scottish Highlands, they leave behind lives often dominated by obligation, frustrated desire, and dull predictability. Each wants something more out of life, but fears the cost of taking it.

Salma is successful and happily married, but tempted to risk it all when she's contacted by her first love back in Egypt; Moni gave up a career in banking to care for her disabled son without the help of her indifferent husband; and Iman, in her twenties and already on her third marriage, longs for the freedom and autonomy she's never known. When these women are visited by the Hoopoe, a sacred bird from Muslim and Celtic literature, they are compelled to question their relationships to faith and femininity, love, loyalty, and sacrifice.