Well-Read: Sakura Aoki-Danielson
What a full-time corp drone/beauty guru reads.
Another week, another instalment of Well-Read. And I know what you’re thinking: What does a Gemini sun with a Cancer moon like to read? Luckily, Sakura Aoki-Danielson (you may know her as @shitskinchat) is here to share her favourite literary genius and some historical fiction meets magical realism in answer to your question.
Tell me a little about yourself and what you like to read.
Konnichiwa, I’m Sakura and I am a beauty obsessed, former self-acclaimed chairman of the Jaqueline Wilson fan club and full-time corp drone/girlie living in East London.
I was born and raised in Auckland, New Zealand and it’s fair to say that my family and I tick a few of the cultural diversity boxes. Come Xmas day, our table is no stranger to a roast ham, miso soup and taro with coconut cream competing for space. And much like my family’s East meets West approach to food, it was also very much how I was raised and to this day how I live my life is very much rooted into those values and traditions.
As far as star signs go, I am a Gemini sun with a Cancer moon, I know what you’re thinking, the bio I’m giving makes me sounds chaotic and unhinged but I promise I’m one of the good ones.
Now let’s chat books. Growing up mixed race I was read both English and Japanese books, again the best of both worlds. But as I grew older it was Roald Dahl and Jacqueline Wilson that truly stole my heart and cemented my love for a great coming-of-age story. Now what I don’t read and have never enjoyed is romance and chick-lit. As a genre of movie, a ‘90s chick-flick is my vice, but as a genre of book, absolutely fucking not. But other than that, I’m happy to read just about anything, as long as it’s written well and tells a great story, I’m in.
What are your must-read books?
I’m going to keep this brief as I love going into a book knowing as little as possible.
The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne
Boyne is a literary genius and this book is one of my all-time favourites. If you loved A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara you will love this.
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
A terrifically unique and clever piece of fiction. It would make a great gift.
The Island Of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak
Set in 1970 Cyprus, this story combines historical fiction with magical realism like nothing I’ve ever read before. Truly captivating and deeply moving.
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
It won the Women’s Prize for Fiction for a reason, but what I love most about this novel is that Kingsolver, like the protagonist, is also Appalachian and so she writes from her heart with love and understanding for her community that is so often ridiculed and known for its poverty and addiction. It’s truly a beautiful book.
Auē Becky Manawatu
This is NZ literature at its finest. It’s harrowing and traumatic but amongst the darkness there is real joy, hope and elation too.
What are you reading next?
I am currently reading Water by John Boyne which follows the story of a woman who upon reaching a small island off the coast of Ireland immediately changes her name and features drastically. What can I say? I love Irish literature and John Boyne is an epic storyteller, a no brainer.
Enjoy! (And while you’re at it, enjoy the previous Well-Read interviews too.)
