Nicola Yoon discusses her provocative adult debut, One of Our Kind, and the surprising inspiration from The Stepford Wives that sparked her daring new story.
Writing inspiration can sometimes strike in the most unlikely places. Podcast listening in the shower electrified a story Nicola Yoon had never expected to write.
Join us for an enlightening conversation with the bestselling young adult novelist as she discusses her provocative debut adult novel, One of Our Kind.
Today, she shares how The Stepford Wives inspired her thought-provoking thriller, and how she hopes to ignite book club conversation through her story’s pages.
Yoon also shares the mission behind her imprint, Joy Revolution Books, which she co-founded with her husband, David Yoon, to celebrate love stories by and about people of color. It’s a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes and a tribute to the couple’s dedication to these storytellers.
Patrons can dive into the One of Our Kind ending through today’s spoiler chat, where we discuss Yoon’s motivations behind her characters, the book’s ending, and the connections she hopes the reader will make as they finish that last page.
Nicola Yoon Discusses Her Provocative Debut (One of Our Kind)
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Listen below or listen on your favorite podcast listening platform! You can download the transcript below.
One of Our Kind Book Summary From the Publisher
Jasmyn and King Williams move their family to the planned Black utopia of Liberty, California hoping to find a community of like-minded people, a place where their growing family can thrive.
King settles in at once, embracing the Liberty ethos, including the luxe wellness center at the top of the hill, which proves to be the heart of the community.
But Jasmyn struggles to find her place. She expected to find liberals and social justice activists striving for racial equality, but Liberty residents seem more focused on booking spa treatments and ignoring the world’s troubles.
Jasmyn’s only friends in the community are equally perplexed and frustrated by most residents’ outlook. Then Jasmyn discovers a terrible secret about Liberty and its founders. Frustration turns to dread as their loved ones start embracing the Liberty way of life.
Will the truth destroy her world in ways she never could have imagined?
Thrilling with insightful social commentary, One of Our Kind explores the ways in which freedom is complicated by the presumptions we make about ourselves and each other.
BONUS BOOK LIST: Take advantage of these 23 must-read social horror books for a summer immersion. You’ll love these thought-provoking book selections, from eerie dystopias to unsettling societal critiques.
Meet Nicola Yoon
Nicola Yoon is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Instructions for Dancing, Everything, Everything, The Sun Is Also a Star, and a co-author of Blackout and Whiteout.
She is a National Book Award finalist, a Michael L. Printz Honor Book recipient, a Coretta Scott King New Talent Award winner and the first Black woman to hit #1 on the New York Times Young Adult bestseller list. Two of her novels have been made into major motion pictures.
She’s also the co-publisher of Joy Revolution, a Random House young adult imprint dedicated to love stories starring people of color. She grew up in Jamaica and Brooklyn, and lives in Los Angeles with her husband, the novelist David Yoon, and their daughter.
One of our Kind is her adult debut.
Mentioned in this episode:
BONUS SUMMER CONTENT:
Summer reading season is in full swing. Grab a digital copy of my 2024 Summer Reading Guide, featuring incredible novels like One of Our Kind. All purchases support this year’s programming.
BONUS LIST: These Social Horror Books Will Make You Think
Join the 2024 MomAdvice Book Club
One of Our Kind by Nicola Yoon
When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole
The Warehouse by Rob Hart
Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon
Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon
The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon
Blackout by Nicola Yoon, Angie Thomas & more
Whiteout by Nicola Yoon, Dhonielle Clayton & more
Joy Revolution Books
The Stepford Wives by Ira Levin
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