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

[Katrina]

Britany wrote: "Starting this tonight!"

Good Luck! We will try not to spoil it.

[Katrina]

Teri wrote: "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, that seems rough. Hope you have came out on the other side.

[Katrina]

Teri wrote: "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."

Me too... Romance is not my go-to read. I usually find it unrealistic. I am glad this one was more realistic.

[Katrina]

Prompt 5:
As I was reading this, it struck me that the "American Dream" and the search for what is was central to this story. Each of the families saw this concept differently. How would you define the "American Dream"? Is it possible to achieve it? Did any of the characters achieve it?

[Britany]

I finished the book last night and ended up right around 3.5 stars. I loved the short chapters and appreciated all the side stories. Sometimes with YA, I find some of the maturity a little hard to believe for teenagers, but usually just go right along with it.

[Bea]

Prompt 5:
As I was reading this, it struck me that the "American Dream" and the search for what is was central to this story. Each of the families saw this concept differently. How would you define the "American Dream"? Is it possible to achieve it? Did any of the characters achieve it?

American Dream: the freedom to achieve whatever you truly desire to work towards. It is available for many, but race and economic level can, unfortunately, make it seem impossible to others. Maybe.

[Dedra ~ A Book Wanderer]

Katrina wrote: "Prompt 5:
As I was reading this, it struck me that the "American Dream" and the search for what is was central to this story. Each of the families saw this concept differently. How would you define..."

The "American Dream" means something different to everyone, but I'd say in general, it's achieving a comfortable living situation, typically being "better off" than our parents.

I think Daniel came closer to achieving that definition, although his parents might disagree.

I ended up giving this book four stars. I enjoyed it overall. I think Yoon did a good job setting it within one day, but still providing the reader with plenty of things to ponder.

[Katrina]

Katrina wrote: "Prompt 5:
As I was reading this, it struck me that the "American Dream" and the search for what is was central to this story. Each of the families saw this concept differently. How would you define..."

I would say that I think each of the characters achieved "their" "American Dream". It think once they started living for themselves and not holding their desires against the acts of others, they were truly able to step into who they were.

[Katrina]

I see that some people have already done this, but to wrap up what are your overall thoughts of the book?

I gave the book🌟 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Overall, I thought the book was really well done. I appreciated the realistic ending. I was hoping that Yoon wouldn't give some kind of "fairytale" ending of happily ever after. The ending made sense and came full circle. The moment with the security guard really came around to you just really never know how your action can affect another person.

[Teri]

Response to Prompt 5:
As I was reading this, it struck me that the "American Dream" and the search for what is was central to this story. Each of the families saw this concept differently. How would you define the "American Dream"? Is it possible to achieve it? Did any of the characters achieve it?

The illusive American Dream. For me it means to be able to live life on your own terms, doing the things that are important to you, making the world a better place by your being in it. It is often not possible because other people's American Dreams can get in the way (like Daniel's parents almost did with him), but it is good to keep striving to achieve it.

As far as the characters go, each of them had such different ideas of what the American Dream is. I think Natasha and Daniel are well on their way to achieving their ideas. Daniel's parents have mostly achieved their version, while Natasha's parents have not.

[Teri]

Katrina, I really liked the Prompts idea and may steal it the next time I lead a discussion.

[L Y N N]

1. Why have you chosen to read this book?
I was thrilled this was selected for a Monthly Group Read since I have been meaning to read a Nicola Yoon for a couple of years!

2. What significance do you think the title has to this text?
Although the sun is very important it is just another star...some stars are more important to a specific planet than others?

3. What are you wondering about?
I am mostly wondering if I will enjoy Yoon's writing. I have a feeling I will...

[L Y N N]

Katrina wrote: "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?"
My thoughts... Nothing is truly "simple." Everything happens within a context--a Universal context, if you will.

[L Y N N]

Katrina wrote: "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.."
It is an admirable and perhaps idealistic goal. If only we had been able to achieve it. While I do believe the MAJORITY of people living in the US are not only accepting, but also respectful, and even appreciative of immigrants currently entering this country, there are, unfortunately, still some prejudiced, discriminatory, and bigoted people here who refuse to do so. However, I do believe that eventually our society will evolve to be even more positive toward immigrants than we currently are. I am an optimist overall, since to believe otherwise is too depressing!

[L Y N N]

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 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"."
Wow. In my two marriages, I have apparently experienced both of these to some degree. With my first husband it was immediate, but I was also only 20 years old. With my second husband it was more the "second sight" version. We immediately became best friends, going everywhere and doing everything together for 9 months before we even considered a more intense, stronger attraction that may lead to a more intimate relationship. I was also in my early 40s at that time. In my lifetime, I believe aging made a difference for me in this regard. Perhaps I was simply much more hesitant to establish an intimate relationship without the shared commonalities and friendship first... I certainly had no intention of ever marrying again in this lifetime...but he was going to have no health insurance and it was easy to sign a license and have him covered on mine. We lived together for 5 years before being legally married. If not for the insurance issue, we wouldn't have signed a paper.

[L Y N N]

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, 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 was very impressed with this format from the beginning. I felt as if the other stories worked to expand upon Natasha and Daniel's relationship and to also demonstrate the interrelatedness of humans--those 'unintended consequences' of each and every interaction we have...

[L Y N N]

Katrina wrote: "Prompt 5:
As I was reading this, it struck me that the "American Dream" and the search for what is was central to this story. Each of the families saw this concept differently. How would you define the "American Dream"? Is it possible to achieve it? Did any of the characters achieve it?"
I have never really liked that phrase. It is interpreted differently by each individual, IMO, meaning different things to different people. Natasha's family certainly didn't seem to thrive in this country, but rather just survive. While it was an immense disappointment to Natasha (and I believe her mother) to return to Jamaica, it seemed as if her father and brother were anxious to do so. The fact that Natasha's father was unsuccessful in his career of choice (acting) was very disappointing to him and his family, and as a result, their finances were very limited while living here. Whereas Daniel's family appeared to be doing fairly well financially and therefore the children had opportunities of which they could take advantage to further develop themselves, probably more so than in their home country.

I also believe that just being in the US provides an environment that may well be conducive to expanding a person's horizons beyond what may have been considered possible in their home country, so it's not just financial success, but also personal development and the freedom to make choices that might not otherwise exist in their home country.

[L Y N N]

I LOVED this book! My review:
This is definitely a 10-star read for me! I adore this book! Although I cried quite a bit at the end, it is one of the best books I've read thus far this year. I just had a feeling from Yoon's photo that I would enjoy her writing. I rarely get such a feeling, but it was definitely well-founded in this case!

So many excellent quotes and I found the unique format to be compelling while at the same time satisfying the science-y nerd in me!! This book hits so many of my favorite reading tropes! This is definitely an author whose backlist I will seek out and whose books will be a must-buy upon release!

And just remember...you never know what kind of impact you may have on another person's life...so be nice! ;)

[L Y N N]

Definitely like the idea of the reading prompts, Katrina! Thank you for doing this!

[LeahS]

I really enjoyed this book too and was quite surprised because it is about people much younger than I am and a romance, which is not my usual reading.

I liked the combination of romance, social problems and science/philosophy. I agree with Lynn that there were lots of quotable parts. I was not familiar with Nicola Yoon before but will look out for other books by her.

Thanks to Katrina for the thoughtful prompts.

[Katrina]

Thank you all for going on this journey with me. Your engagement was motivating.