Laila Lalami is a Moroccan-American novelist, essayist, and journalist, who is currently a professor of creative writing at the University of California, Riverside. Born in Rabat, Morocco, Lalami moved to the United States in 1992 and has been living in California since then. Her work often focuses on the lives of immigrants and people in minority positions as well as the intersections between race, gender, and class. Lalami’s literary career has been truly exceptional. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Rabat University, a master’s degree in linguistics from Georgetown University, and a Ph.D in linguistics from the University of Southern California. Before turning to full-time writing, Lalami worked as a journalist for The Los Angeles Times. Her career as a novelist began in 2004 with the publication of her debut novel, Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits. The novel tells the story of four Moroccan immigrants who make a dangerous journey across the Mediterranean Sea in order to seek a better life in Europe. Since then, Lalami has written several books, including: The Moor’s Account, and Secret Son, both of which were nominated for several awards; The Other Americans; and Conditional Citizens. Her latest book, The Need, was released in 2020. In 2008, hoping to inspire aspiring writers, she founded the online forum Moorishgirl.org, which is dedicated to celebrating the literature of the North African diaspora. Through her latest venture, South Cahoots, Lalami seeks to provide a space for writers of all backgrounds to share their work and connect with each other. Lalami is also an international Lecturer, travelling to various literary festivals and speaking in front of diverse audiences. Her talks emphasize the importance of diversity in literature, and she encourages young writers of all backgrounds to take risks and find their own unique voice.
Add missing EndorsementLaila Lalami’s Conditional Citizens: On Belonging in America is an exploration of the identity crisis that many American citizens experience due to a lack of belonging and a pervasive sense of unease ...
Laila Lalami’s Conditional Citizens: On Belonging in America is an exploration of the identity crisis that many American citizens experience due to a lack of belonging and a pervasive sense of unease ...
This is an urgent, compelling, and persuasive book, written by one of our most important critics of the American character. Laila Lalami has given us a clear-eyed, even-handed assessment of this country’s potential—and its limits—through her insightful notion of conditional citizenship. Her book is a gift to all Americans—if they are willing to receive it.
Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention by Manning Marable is a gripping and deeply researched biography of the iconic civil rights leader Malcolm X. It tells the story of his tumultuous life, from his brill...