ESEA Book Club - Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki

Our June pick is Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki — a genre-bending novel about music, identity, and unexpected connections.

​As Pride Month unfolds and recent UK rulings spark fresh debate around gender and belonging, this book offers a timely, beautifully crafted reflection on what it means to seek joy, purpose, and community. We’re also proud to spotlight the incredible talent of ESEA authors like Aoki — join us in reading and celebrating!

​​Date & Time: Sunday, 22 June, 11:00am to 1:00pm

Location: Elephant & Castle, South London

​About the book

A cursed violin teacher bound by a deal with a demon, a runaway trans girl with raw, extraordinary musical talent, and an alien refugee running a doughnut shop all find their fates entangled in California’s San Gabriel Valley.

​Light from Uncommon Stars is a novel that moves between the earthly and the cosmic, the painful and the joyful. As these characters navigate past traumas, impossible bargains, and the search for belonging, they discover unexpected family, love, and redemption in a world that often feels cold to those who live on its edges. Ryka Aoki crafts a story that’s both fiercely tender and wildly imaginative, asking how music, identity, and human connection can help us not just survive — but truly live.

Available on Amazon from £8.99.

​🎟️ Tickets are non-refundable and cover facilitation and platform costs. Please consider before purchasing.

🍿 Ticket price includes light refreshments.

🤐 Spoiler alert: We encourage you to read the book before attending!

👥Please note that this space is reserved for women, trans, non-binary and genderqueer folk.

​​​​​We’re committed to making the book club inclusive! If you need assistance with the ticket fee, email us at eseabookclub@gmail.com. PDF copies are available (ticket purchase required first).

Book tickets at ESEA Book Club