Loosely inspired by her romance with husband and fellow novelist David Yoon, best-selling author Nicola Yoon’s swoon-worthy 2016 novel brings together two teens in a whirlwind love story set over the course of a single day in New York City. The Sun Is Also a Star, which became a National Book Award finalist, follows skeptical pragmatist Natasha and idealistic dreamer Daniel through a day they spend together as each faces personal challengesNatasha’s family is due to be deported to Jamaica while Daniel, a first-generation Korean American, is being pressured by his family to attend Yale and become a doctor. Told from Natasha, Daniel and a variety of other characters’ points of view, The Sun Is Also a Star is a modern and thought-provoking take on the star-crossed lovers trope. In 2019, the much-beloved book was made into a hit movie starring Yara Shahidi and Charles Melton. —Megan McCluskey

Buy Now: The Sun Is Also a Star on Bookshop | Amazon

More Must-Reads from TIME

Contact us at letters@time.com.

EDIT POST