Messages from readers

What’s the best thing about being an author? Messages & emails from readers. Here’s two my co-writer Aaron Fa’Aoso recently received about his memoir So Far, So Good. And yes, it IS still available at Booktopia, thanks for asking.

From a young man:
I just read “So Far, So Good” and man it was a great read, it had me in a head lock ahah. I finished the book in 3 days and I’m not even much of a reader, that’s actually only the 2nd book I’ve read.

The cultural insight, untold history of our country, racism, living between 2 worlds, insight into an industry that is so foreign to Indigenous people especially TSIs, relationships, mental health awareness, suicide awareness, taking accountability, pushing through and facing the storm and to just being an average man that said yes to an opportunity that changed his life.

This was brilliant. I commend you for putting your life on paper for the world to see the good, the bad and ugly, it’s very brave and admirable. Your love for our culture and community is next level and how you’re moving and what you’re planning in King-like.

I thank you and Michelle Scott Tucker for this read, it’s so inspiring. I’m not ashamed to say this but I actually idolise you and wish to be a strong leader and voice for my/our people one day as well. If you talk I will follow if you ever need me. Big Esso.

From a young woman:
I just wanted to say THANKS HEAPS for writing ur book SO FAR, SO GOOD. I haven’t read a book in a very long time but I found myself unable to put down your book! I can’t even begin to imagine how difficult it was to write ur book and relive many of those events/things/traumas/memories that you’ve endured, experienced for most of ur life! I’m still blown away by ur story and that of ur family’s!

I’m not going to say I know how it feels to go through what you’ve gone through but I can relate to a few of the things you’ve shared and touched on in your life but as you would know, we all have our own individual journeys and paths we live/take/walk/experience and it definitely doesn’t define us. Nah it doesn’t aye!

They’ll always be the knockers and people who think they know you, those quick to judge unfairly and are still stick in the past and not to forget that tall poppy syndrome that exists! Aaron, ur honesty, rawness, openness and owning ur mistakes is to be admired and applauded! Not many people would be as brutally honest and open as you have been. You can definitely hold ur head up high and know 100% that all the good things that comes ur way now and into the future is so blardyyy deserved! From this Blekgal to you, Aaron (a deadly/smart/talented/hard working/culturally strong and proud man), I say thanks again to you for ur book!

Thanks for being insightful, thought provoking, and for inspiring me and motivating me on so many levels with how I want to live my life and what I want to achieve and do personally and professionally. Stay deadly but take care of urself and keep enjoying country, culture and time with family and friends.