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YA Book Prize shortlist: Adiba Jairgirdar talks about Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating
Caroline CarpenterCaroline is deputy features editor at The Bookseller and chair of the YA Book Prize, as well as being a co-host of children's book radio ...more
Adiba Jaigirdar answers our questions about her novel Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating (Hachette Children’s), a queer novel centring two Bengali Irish girls that puts a fresh twist on the fake relationship trope, which has been shortlisted for the YA Book Prize 2022.
Caroline is deputy features editor at The Bookseller and chair of the YA Book Prize, as well as being a co-host of children's book radio ...more
How would you describe Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating to someone who hasn’t read it?
It’s a romcom about two very different Bengali girls who start a fake relationship, and figure out some very real things about each other and also about themselves.
What inspired the story?
The story was inspired by a lot of media I watched when I was younger where queer relationships were often only portrayed with tragic endings; usually with one of the characters dying. I was very tired of consuming this kind of media and I think it does so much damage to young queer kids who begin to internalise that they are only capable of having tragic endings to their love stories. And so, I wanted to write this book which utilises one of the most popular rom-com tropes, gives it to two queer Bengali girls, and lets them have their happily ever after.
Which character in the book is your favourite, and why?
My favourite character to write was probably Ishu. She has such a sharp voice and her bluntness meant that many of her scenes and dialogue were so fun to write. I love writing comedy and making myself laugh and so writing Ishu led to a lot of comedic instances. It was very easy to get into her character, her mindset and her worldview.
What’s your favourite scene in Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating, and why?
My favourite scene is when Hani calls Ishu up to ask her if she would be willing to start a fake relationship. It was a really fun scene to write because it was one of the first times the two girls really interact with each other. I loved showing the vast differences between the two characters; both to the reader and to each other.
What does being on this year’s YA Book Prize shortlist mean to you?
I’m so honoured and excited to be on the YA Book Prize shortlist. Bengali people have a long and important history in the United Kingdom but sadly we are very lacking in literature in general. I feel honoured that I got to write this story about two Bengalis, and even more honoured that their story is being recognised by the YA Book Prize and by audiences in the UK.
What’s the best thing about writing for young adults?
I think that young adults often connect with books on such a deep and visceral level, so the best thing is definitely knowing that readers have connected with my book in that way. Seeing their excitement, hearing that they see themselves in my stories and characters is definitely the best thing.
What was your favourite book as a teenager?
I used to be obsessed with Meg Cabot books. My two favourite series were The Princess Diaries, and The Mediator series.
What is your top writing tip?
My top writing tip is to finish writing your story all the way through. It’ll make you a better writer because you’ve finished something from beginning to end and now you can go back, reread it, revise it, make it better.
What songs would be on a playlist for your book?
"All About Love" by Marina, "Feelings" by Hayley Kiyoko, "Paris in the Rain" by Lauv, and "Dil Jaane Na" from the soundtrack of the movie “Dil Juunglee”.
Which book, film or TV show would you recommend to someone who enjoyed your book?
To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, the book and the film because they’re both amazing.
Read the first chapter of Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating here
