February Group Read Discussion: The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon led by Katrina!

[L Y N N]

This is the February Monthly Group Read discussion for The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon. This book can be used to fulfill prompt #43 A book that takes place entirely in one day. This prompt was selected in honor of Groundhog Day, a North American tradition observed in the US and Canada on February 2! This derives from a Pennsylvania Dutch superstition that if a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day and sees its shadow due to clear weather, it will retreat to its den, and winter will continue for 6 more weeks! If it does not see its shadow due to cloudiness, spring will arrive early! Per Wikipedia: Though this tradition remains popular in the 21st century, studies have found no consistent association between a groundhog seeing its shadow and the subsequent arrival of spring-like weather. (Just so you know this tradition hasn't been proven to be a scientifically reliable predictor! :))

Katrina is the "knowledgeable navigator" who has graciously volunteered to lead the discussion this month! THANK YOU, KATRINA!

Every person reads at a different pace, so please use spoiler tags if you are sharing any plot-related surprises. This allows others to decide whether this information might reveal surprising information they have not yet read.

It can also be helpful to other readers if you post the location within the book noting your progress (chapter and/or page number) with the spoiler. That way, if someone else has read that far they can go ahead and open the spoiler, but if not, they'll know to skip it for now and return later...

TO ADD SPOILER TAGS:
Use this for spoilers, just remove the spaces:
< spoiler > write your spoiler here and close with < / spoiler >

Posts here should only be contributions to discussion about this book.

[Katrina]

Good Afternoon,

I am honored to facilitate the discussion of The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon.

The first thing I want to establish is a reading schedule. This will be the page for you to get to by the date. This is approximately 48 pages every 3 days. I tend to be a slow reader and want to make sure to stay on track and manage the discussion. If you are a faster reader feel free to read ahead; just be mindful of the schedule and limit your discussion to those pages.
Reading Schedule
2/1-3 ~ P48
2/4-6 ~ P90
2/7-9 ~ P133
2/10-12 ~ P176
2/13-15 ~ P219
2/16-18 ~ P262
2/19-21 ~ P305
2/22-24 ~ P348

Here are a few opening questions to get us started:
1. Why have you chosen to read this book?
2. What significance do you think the title has to this text?
3. What are you wondering about?

Thank you all in advance for participating in this discussion. I hope I do you proud.
Katrina

(This is the edition I have.)

[Katrina]

1. Why have you chosen to read this book?
This book has been on my TBR for a few years. I figured that this would be a great chance to knock it off the list. This book also fulfills the following prompt: 43 (takes place in one day).

2. What significance do you think the title has to this text?
When I think about the sun, I think of how overlooked it is. The sun does and provides so much for us but it goes largely unnoticed. But stars are marveled at. Stars are thought of as something mystical and awe-inspiring. Maybe that is the metaphor for immigrants in America.

3. What are you wondering about?
I have not read this book and have only seen clips of the movie, so I guess I wonder why the author chose a love story to make a statement about immigration.

[Teri]

1. Why have you chosen to read this book?
I like reading the monthly reads as often as possible.

2. What significance do you think the title has to this text?
I have no idea, but since this is supposedly set in one day, I suppose it has to do with that.

3. What are you wondering about?
I know nothing about this book other than it is YA and written by a woman from Jamaica. I don't know the genre or anything, but I love going into these monthly reads knowing as little as possible about the book.

I have just requested this from the library, so it will be a couple of days until I can get started. Looking forward to the discussion.

[Katrina]

Teri wrote: "1. Why have you chosen to read this book?
I like reading the monthly reads as often as possible.

2. What significance do you think the title has to this text?
I have no idea, but since this is su..."

Awesome, I hope your book comes in on time.

[LeahS]

1. Why have you chosen to read this book?
I thought I would try to do some of the monthly reads for this year's challenge.

2. What significance do you think the title has to this text?
A reference to love?

3. What are you wondering about?
I'm interested in what looks like a romance type of book tackling 'hard' subjects like deportation and cultural expectations.

[Britany]

1. Why have you chosen to read this book?
This book has been on my TBR forever! Excited to finally have an excuse to get to it.

2. What significance do you think the title has to this text?
Must be something science-y? Not sure but I have faith Nicola Yoon will fill us in.

3. What are you wondering about?
Haven't started anything yet, so nothing comes to mind for this question. I read and LOVED her other book - Everything, Everything so I'm really excited to see how this one compares.

[Katrina]

Happy Sunday! I am glad to see some others joining in the discussion. I think to make the discussions more fluid since Goodreads doesn't allow threaded conversations, I will put the discussion prompts in separate posts. This way you can reply to the original post and readers can still have context.

Prompt 1
The book's prologue is a commentary on Carl Sagan's quote "if you want to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent the universe." It ended with the thought "To make something as simple as an apple pie, you have to create the whole wide world." In reading this, I wondered why this was placed as the prologue. What significance do you think this will have in the themes of the book?

[LeahS]

That nothing exists on its own, everything is interconnected. Perhaps to do with taking control of your fate if that's possible.

[Katrina]

Prompt 2

In the family vignette (p15-16), there is a reflection on knowing who we are, where we are from, and what holds us together. It says that being an immigrant is "an act of faith". This got me thinking about the foundation of America and how it began as a place where people could be "free" to express themselves as who they are without judgment. It was meant to be a safe place for all immigrants. I was just curious what your thoughts were on this.

[Dedra ~ A Book Wanderer]

1. Why have you chosen to read this book?

This book was waiting on my shelf, and I had it penciled in for the 'takes place in one day' prompt. I was excited to see it's the current monthly read. This will be my first time joining in!

2. What significance do you think the title has to this text?

Probably science related, but also maybe that we can be more than one thing??

3. What are you wondering about?

This will be my first Nicola Yoon book, although I've read and enjoyed all of her husband's books (David Yoon). I'm wondering if they'll be similar at all.

[LeahS]

Prompt 2: I think it's probably not true to say that the States were always a place where you could express yourself without judgement. New England was fine if you were a Puritan who'd been persecuted in England, not so great if you challenged Puritan orthodoxy. I don't think there's a country on earth (certainly including my own) that has always been a safe place for all immigrants - some are welcomed, some not, there are people who welcome them, people who don't.

[Katrina]

LeahS wrote: "That nothing exists on its own, everything is interconnected. Perhaps to do with taking control of your fate if that's possible."

That is interesting. I didn't look at it that way. I was looking at it more like there are no original ideas. It's like everything you do rests on the foundation of those before.

[Katrina]

Dedra ~ A Book Wanderer wrote: "1. Why have you chosen to read this book?

This book was waiting on my shelf, and I had it penciled in for the 'takes place in one day' prompt. I was excited to see it's the current monthly read. T..."

Glad you have joined the discussion.

[Katrina]

LeahS wrote: "Prompt 2: I think it's probably not true to say that the States were always a place where you could express yourself without judgement. New England was fine if you were a Puritan who'd been persecu..."

I totally agree. I was just thinking about how that was the "intention" for people to be "free" from judgment but never quite lived up to it.

[Kendra]

1. Why have you chosen to read this book?
I read Frankly in Love by David Yoon last year and I wanted to read one of Nicola Yoon's books this year to compare. When this book was chosen for the monthly read, the decision was made.

2. What significance do you think the title has to this text?
I was actually thinking about how important the sun is - it's the biggest thing in the sky, the world revolves around it and it seems so important, yet it is just one of many stars in the universe.

3. What are you wondering about?
When will my library hold come in?? I read pretty fast, so I'll catch up as soon as it comes in, but for right now I'm behind.

[Katrina]

Kendra wrote: "1. Why have you chosen to read this book?
I read Frankly in Love by David Yoon last year and I wanted to read one of Nicola Yoon's books this year..."

Don't worry, I'm behind too. This week has been a lot with parent/teacher conferences.

[Teri]

Response to Prompt 1
The book's prologue is a commentary on Carl Sagan's quote "if you want to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent the universe." It ended with the thought "To make something as simple as an apple pie, you have to create the whole wide world." In reading this, I wondered why this was placed as the prologue. What significance do you think this will have in the themes of the book?

That's a great quote, but it is hard to know exactly how it will apply to a book. Obviously the protagonists are unlikely to be creating a "whole wide world." So I am assuming that this means that they are creating a new world for themselves, using the pieces they find along their lives' pathways. I will be interested to see how this quote fits.

[Teri]

Response to Prompt 2
In the family vignette (p15-16), there is a reflection on knowing who we are, where we are from, and what holds us together. It says that being an immigrant is "an act of faith". This got me thinking about the foundation of America and how it began as a place where people could be "free" to express themselves as who they are without judgment. It was meant to be a safe place for all immigrants. I was just curious what your thoughts were on this.

When I see the problems and horrors that those who are trying to illegally enter the USA at the southern border face, it makes me so sad to think about how terrible their lives must have been in their home countries to even make the attempt. They cling so desperately to a dream, having no idea how it will turn out. It is so brave. And I want everything to work out for all of them. And all of us who are trying to live up to our ancestors' dreams.

Most of my ancestors came to the USA from the British Isles in the mid to late 1800s because they had joined an American church and wanted to be with those who believed likewise. Incredibly brave. However, they did not find it a place where they could be free. They were chased from place to place until they left the USA to claim land in what was the Mexican Territory at the time. Religious freedom still can unfortunately be hard to find for those who believe outside the accepted groups. While I owe them my life, obviously, I no longer believe as they did and wouldn't mind being British. Still, I come from tough stock and need to remember that I can get through hard times as well.

[Bea]

Just got my library copy yesterday, so I will be playing the Catch Up game this weekend.

Reading Schedule
2/1-3 ~ P48
2/4-6 ~ P90
2/7-9 ~ P133
2/10-12 ~ P176
2/13-15 ~ P219
2/16-18 ~ P262
2/19-21 ~ P305
2/22-24 ~ P348

Here are a few opening questions to get us started:
1. Why have you chosen to read this book?
I am not in a book club and the way the monthly books are chosen and discussed resembles my idea of a book club, so I thought I would give the monthly choices a try. So far I have done both December and January...and have read books that I would not have chosen for myself. Liked both.

2. What significance do you think the title has to this text?
That the sun...often taken for granted but VERY IMPORTANT...can also be magical and inspiring.

3. What are you wondering about?
Whether this is a book that I will enjoy mostly.

[Katrina]

Teri wrote: "Response to Prompt 2
Incredibly brave. However, they did not find it a place where they could be free. They were chased from place to place until they left the USA to claim land in what was the Mexican Territory at the time..."

It is for reason like this that I wonder why people still believe in America as some magical place where everything will be better why when the country has not lived up to that ideal.

[Katrina]

Bea wrote: "Just got my library copy yesterday, so I will be playing the Catch Up game this weekend.

Reading Schedule
2/1-3 ~ P48
2/4-6 ~ P90
2/7-9 ~ P133
2/10-12 ~ P176
2/13-15 ~ P219
2/16-18 ~ P262
2/19-21 ..."

Glad to have you!

[Teri]

Katrina wrote: "It is for reason like this that I wonder why people still believe in America as some magical place where everything will be better why when the country has not lived up to that ideal."

It only leads me to believe that it must be so much worse in some of the countries in Central and South America. My nephew spent a couple of years in El Salvador, and he said the conditions they live in are appalling. They all dream of coming to America because the worst here is better than they will ever have there.

But yes, we could and should be so much better than we are.

[Teri]

I am caught up to the reading as of last night (pg 133), and I am enjoying the book so far. Daniel and Natasha are compelling characters, and I am rooting for good things for their futures. I'm not a big fan of romance stories, but this one is about so much more.

[Dedra ~ A Book Wanderer]

Katrina wrote: "Teri wrote: "Response to Prompt 2
Incredibly brave. However, they did not find it a place where they could be free. They were chased from place to place until they left the USA to claim land in wha..."

I wonder if it's also because of how the media paints America. Films, TV, even Instagram. In America we're good at painting everything with forgiving brushstrokes. And we live with excess, which makes it seem easy to attain. Just my random thoughts.

[Bea]

Prompt 1
The book's prologue is a commentary on Carl Sagan's quote "if you want to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent the universe." It ended with the thought "To make something as simple as an apple pie, you have to create the whole wide world." In reading this, I wondered why this was placed as the prologue. What significance do you think this will have in the themes of the book?

The beginning of everything is the beginning of all the universe. After that, creation is simply putting the already created elements together in new ways to form something new. I am not yet sure how this is manifest in this book...but there is potential.

[Bea]

Prompt 2:

In the family vignette (p15-16), there is a reflection on knowing who we are, where we are from, and what holds us together. It says that being an immigrant is "an act of faith". This got me thinking about the foundation of America and how it began as a place where people could be "free" to express themselves as who they are without judgment. It was meant to be a safe place for all immigrants. I was just curious what your thoughts were on this.

America has never been a place where people can be free unless you are of the "in group". Once immigrants began coming to America, the natives found their lives no longer "free" but rather subject to those coming in. And, once here, those who established themselves over time resented others who came for the same reason ~ "to be free".

[Bea]

OK... caught up to 2/12 reading.

Overall, my impression is that this book is not aimed at me during this stage of my life. I read a lot of Young Adult books...but this seems younger to me at this point. Less of teens on the edge of adulthood and more of teens just exploring relationships...early teens.

I do like learning more about the social and cultural issues that the author is addressing...but, otherwise, there is little so far that I connect with in this book.

[Katrina]

Dedra ~ A Book Wanderer wrote: "Katrina wrote: "Teri wrote: "Response to Prompt 2
I wonder if it's also because of how the media paints America. Films, TV, even Instagram. In America we're good at painting everything with forgiving brushstrokes. And we live with excess, which makes it seem easy to attain. Just my random thoughts."

I totally agree. We as Americans tend to put blinders on when it comes to the unsavory things that happen here.

[Katrina]

Bea wrote: "OK... caught up to 2/12 reading.

Overall, my impression is that this book is not aimed at me during this stage of my life. I read a lot of Young Adult books...but this seems younger to me at this ..."

I understand what you mean. It doesn't connect with me personally but I am finding value in it. It might just be because I am a high school teacher and see it through a different lense.

[Katrina]

Prompt 3:
"There's a Japanese phrase that I like: koi no yokan. It doesn't mean love at first sight. It's closer to love at second sight. It's the feeling when you meet someone that you're going to fall in love with them. Maybe you don't love them right away, but it's inevitable that you will." P 74 Daniel's inter monologue is thinking this as he struggles to answer Natasha because he is so struck by her. Natasha is against love in general but especially "love at first sight". After reading this , what are your thought on the idea of "love at second sight" or "destined love".

[Bea]

Katrina wrote: "I understand what you mean. It doesn't connect with me personally but I am finding value in it. It might just be because I am a high school teacher and see it through a different lense."

And I am looking at it from a great distance past the ages...I am in my 70s.

I do appreciate the view from the immigrant and illegal stay status points of view...especially for the children of those who made the decisions.

[Bea]

Prompt 3:
"There's a Japanese phrase that I like: koi no yokan. It doesn't mean love at first sight. It's closer to love at second sight. It's the feeling when you meet someone that you're going to fall in love with them. Maybe you don't love them right away, but it's inevitable that you will." P 74 Daniel's inter monologue is thinking this as he struggles to answer Natasha because he is so struck by her. Natasha is against love in general but especially "love at first sight". After reading this , what are your thought on the idea of "love at second sight" or "destined love".

I don't believe in "love at first sight". That said, I must say that I am a thinker...and not one who trusts emotional responses easily. For me, I can choose to fall in love with someone...someone I trust, like a lot, and even need in the sense that they fill me somehow. I commit fully to that person, warts and all. But, that emotional response...it comes later for me.

[Katrina]

Bea wrote: "Prompt 3:
"There's a Japanese phrase that I like: koi no yokan. It doesn't mean love at first sight. It's closer to love at second sight. It's the feeling when you meet someone that you're going to..."

It sounds like you are a lot like Natasha. It is interesting to see how she seems to be falling for Daniel "at second sight".

[Bea]

Katrina wrote: "It sounds like you are a lot like Natasha. It is interesting to see how she seems to be falling for Daniel "at second sight"."

Hmm. I hadn't realized that, but I think you are right. I always thought I was a freak.

[Katrina]

Prompt 4:
Nicola Yoon uses many different narrators over the course of the book, as I began this book it kind of seemed unneeded. They actually kind of got on my nerves. As I continued reading, they really enhanced my enjoyment of the story. How do you think these various narrators change the story being told? How would the story change if it were only narrated by either Natasha or Daniel?

[Kendra]

Prompt 4:

I loved it. I think it ties into the 'to make an apple pie, you first have to create the universe' thing - because it shows how to have Natasha & Daniel's story, there are so many other people's stories that have to happen first/at the same time. And I love how they also show how Natasha & Daniel's stories affect other people.

[Bea]

Comment: Well, this week's reading finally brought the title of the book into the discussion. Mentioned by Natasha in response to Daniel's focus on stars in the sky. Interesting. To me, she was saying that he should consider even the obvious and present rather than always looking for the mysterious and past. What did y'all think?

[Bea]

Prompt 4:
Nicola Yoon uses many different narrators over the course of the book, as I began this book it kind of seemed unneeded. They actually kind of got on my nerves. As I continued reading, they really enhanced my enjoyment of the story. How do you think these various narrators change the story being told? How would the story change if it were only narrated by either Natasha or Daniel?

I loved the additional information about people and events in both Natasha and Daniel's home worlds. It helped to flesh out who each truly was. And, we are not individual fully created units...we are a compilation of our past and those who have influenced our thoughts and actions.

I think that, without that info, both Natasha and Daniel would have been less as characters.

[Katrina]

Bea wrote: "Comment: Well, this week's reading finally brought the title of the book into the discussion. Mentioned by Natasha in response to Daniel's focus on stars in the sky. Interesting. To me, she was say..."

I'm not sure what you are asking. I like the idea of how we as people will look at all the surrounding things and not look at what is most important. Or is it that importance is relative based on the person? What's important to one person is different that what is important to another. Maybe that's the point.

[Bea]

Katrina, no wonder you couldn't figure out what I was saying...neither could I when I first re-read my statement! But, your comment was right on. Thanks.

[Dedra ~ A Book Wanderer]

Katrina wrote: "Prompt 3:
"There's a Japanese phrase that I like: koi no yokan. It doesn't mean love at first sight. It's closer to love at second sight. It's the feeling when you meet someone that you're going to..."

I had to catch up!

When I was younger I wanted to believe in love at first sight or that love was destined, but now I think it's more lust at first sight. I think it's more about chemistry and personal preference, but I do like the idea of love at second sight. While fate is a romantic idea, I no longer think it's realistic. But I still enjoy books based on the premise.

[Dedra ~ A Book Wanderer]

Katrina wrote: "Prompt 4:
Nicola Yoon uses many different narrators over the course of the book, as I began this book it kind of seemed unneeded. They actually kind of got on my nerves. As I continued reading, th..."

It took me a second to connect with the style, but once I did, I enjoyed it. It's a reminder that we never really know what another person is going through, and often we're more connected than we think.

[Britany]

Starting this tonight!

[Bea]

OK...finished. Partly because I have to get it back to the library. Partly because it finally got more interesting with the characters becoming more real...and I wanted to get to the outcome of the day.

The ending felt realistic to me. Enjoyed it. Overall 3*.

[Katrina]

Bea wrote: "Katrina, no wonder you couldn't figure out what I was saying...neither could I when I first re-read my statement! But, your comment was right on. Thanks."

image:

[Teri]

Response to Prompt 3:
"There's a Japanese phrase that I like: koi no yokan. It doesn't mean love at first sight. It's closer to love at second sight. It's the feeling when you meet someone that you're going to fall in love with them. Maybe you don't love them right away, but it's inevitable that you will." P 74 Daniel's inter monologue is thinking this as he struggles to answer Natasha because he is so struck by her. Natasha is against love in general but especially "love at first sight". After reading this , what are your thought on the idea of "love at second sight" or "destined love".

I really like the idea of this Japanese phrase. It's been a long time since I've dated and fallen in love, but I remember the feeling when meeting someone that they would be important to me. Maybe not immediately, but someday soon. I would consider this "second sight." Would have enjoyed knowing that back in the day.

Unfortunately, I think I was blessed with "third sight," which would cause me to break off every relationship after a year or two. My third sight was a bad mix of daddy issues and mommy issues - didn't trust anyone long term because they will inevitably let you down. Best to break it off before it gets too far. Or else I just really love being single, which is true.

[Teri]

Response to Prompt 4:
Nicola Yoon uses many different narrators over the course of the book, as I began this book it kind of seemed unneeded. They actually kind of got on my nerves. As I continued reading, they really enhanced my enjoyment of the story. How do you think these various narrators change the story being told? How would the story change if it were only narrated by either Natasha or Daniel?

I really enjoyed the side stories. I still think of the one of Irene, who delayed Natasha at the check-in area, and how her message saved her life. I hope I keep thinking of it and let people know how much I appreciate them.

I finished the book and then watched the movie. Unsurprisingly, the book is better. The movie had to cut out all these side stories, and in a way it left me unable to connect to the story. It was hard to see the love developing between the two of them because it was too rushed.

[Teri]

Bea wrote: "Comment: Well, this week's reading finally brought the title of the book into the discussion. Mentioned by Natasha in response to Daniel's focus on stars in the sky. Interesting. To me, she was saying that he should consider even the obvious and present rather than always looking for the mysterious and past. What did y'all think?"

I like both yours and Katrina's comments. I also thought that the saying was about looking at the things that are close to us that sustain us and nurture us, as well as looking at the big picture.

[Teri]

I really enjoyed the book and gave it 4 stars. I thought the ending worked well. Romance isn't a favorite genre, so I'm always delighted and surprised when I find one I like.