Hello! I’m here with another installment in my Buzzword Readathon series. **And every day we are reminded that discrimination against marginalized communities is still a serious problem, so click here to find a compilation of resources where you can donate your time, money, or whatever you can to support these communities. I still encourage you to research these causes on your own to educate yourself and find the best way to lend your support.**
This is the ninth post in my Buzzword-a-thon series for 2022. In case you’re new here, Buzzword-a-thon (or Buzzword Readathon) was originally created by Kayla at the YouTube channel booksandlala. It centers around readers choosing books that include specific words or ‘types’ of words. This is the second year where all 12 prompts were selected in advance and it’s being loosely hosted once a month on sites like Goodreads and Storygraph. Last year had an even split of specific words and themed-words alternating every month, but this year it’s more themed-based with a few original buzzword catagories making a reappearance from past read-a-thons. In 2022, I am challenging myself to read at least one book that satisfies the prompt every month, and suggesting books I’ve read previsously that would also fufill it within these posts. September’s theme was light / dark, and I had surprisngly less books than I originally thought to choose from, but overall I am very pleased with my choice this month.
Book read in September: Light From Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki
“Shizuka Satomi made a deal with the devil: to escape damnation, she must entice seven other violin prodigies to trade their souls for success. She has already delivered six. When Katrina Nguyen, a young transgender runaway, catches Shizuka’s ear with her talent, Shizuka can almost feel the curse lifting, her freedom within reach – she’s found her final candidate. But in a donut shop off a bustling highway in the San Gabriel Valley, Shizuka meets Lan Tran, retired starship captain, interstellar refugee, and mother of four. Shizuka doesn’t have time for distractions crushes or coffee dates, what with her very soul on the line, but Lan’s kind smile and eyes like stars might just redefine a soul’s worth. And maybe something as small as a warm donut is powerful enough to break a curse as vast as the California coastline. As the lives of these three women become entangled by chance and fate, a story of magic, identity, curses, and hope begins, and a family worth crossing the universe for is found.”
I first came across this book because T.J. Klune was advertising an interview with the author, and after hearing her speak about it I knew I had to pick it up, and I’m glad this Buzzword challenge finally allowed me to get around to reading it. This book hit me a lot harder than I was expecting. The three main perspectives we read from are Katrina, Shizuka, and Lan, but the narrative does shift quite frequently to additional characters – from the violin repair woman to other members of Lan’s family to many others – to get their view on the events occuring at the time. My heart absolutely broke for Katrina as the story began – she’s running away from family who will not accept her and travels to a place where she thinks will be safe, but ends up in an apartment with people who do not respect her or her belongings in any capacity. Then she encounters Shizuka, and while yes, Shizuka does initially have an agenda – training Katrina to eventually give up her soul – the two of them start to form a close bond. And then there’s Lan, who is super protective of her family and will do anything to keep them safe, but at the same time has no idea how to act on her feelings towards Shizuka every time the woman walks through the doors of her doughnut shop. I loved how these characters were never supposed to meet, but nevertheless when they do, their lives become so interconnected that it’s as if they knew each other their entire lives, and will protect one another against all odds. There was so much diversity that never felt forced, but also included commentary about discrimination when certain communities may overlap, and that being a part of a minority does not excuse discrimination or bigotry against your own or other marginalized groups. While this book does not shy away from showing the evil words and actions brought about by humankind, there is so much light and hope threaded throughout every chapter. I would highly recommend this book, and feel like this is one I will revisit often myself. One word of advice – do not pick it up unless you have access to donoughuts, as you will have cravings.
In conclusion, this post may be a little late, but I’m still on track to complete each challenge during the appropriate month, and can’t see what the last three prompts of the year have in store.
Where to find Light From Uncommon Stars:
Bookshop
Amazon
Goodreads
Storygraph
Ryka Aoki’s site
Additional Recommendations:
–All the Things We Do in the Dark by Saundra Mitchell (YA Contemporary)
–Dark Matter by Blake Crouch (Adult Sci-fi)
–Picture Us in the Light by Kelly Loy Gilbert (YA Contemporary)
–The Dead and the Dark by Courtney Gould (YA Mystery / Thriller) [Review]
–We Set the Dark on Fire series (1 and 2) by Tehlor Kay Mejia (YA Fantasy)
Thoughts About Things 