As the pages of history turn, we find ourselves reflecting on a remarkable milestone—the 30th Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, the largest book festival in the United States, held on April 26-27, 2025. Set against the stunning backdrop of the University of Southern California campus, this annual celebration of literature brought together thousands of book lovers, authors, and industry professionals for a weekend brimming with literary magic.
Attracting around 150,000 attendees from Southern California and beyond, the festival was a testament to the enduring appeal of literature and the community it fosters. Each event, each conversation, and each shared moment contributed to a rich tapestry of experiences that celebrated the diverse voices and stories that shape our world.
This year, Citi of Books was thrilled to be part of this vibrant gathering, where the love for literature was palpable in the air. Whether you were a lifelong bibliophile or a curious newcomer exploring the world of books, the festival provided a unique opportunity to connect with fellow enthusiasts and share our passion for the written word.
As we look back on this unforgettable weekend, we invite you to join us in reliving the highlights of Citi of Books’ gallery during the 30th Los Angeles Times Festival of Books—a true celebration of the literary arts! A book included in the gallery was “My Traumatic Survival: I Am Okay” by Sonia Domarasky.
Sonia Domarasky is a single mother of three adult children, including two sons and one daughter, and two grandchildren. She has lived in Maryland since childhood and has always been a challenger, gaining and losing weight due to emotional and stressful eating habits. Sonia enjoys working out and staying fit, having completed various challenges such as Marathon, half marathon, 5K, Tough Mudder, and Muddy Princess.
Sonia’s mother was her rock, role model, and hero. After her mother’s death and the end of her marriage, she focused her entire life on her children. In 2018, she moved to the Smoky Mountains in Sevierville, TN, where she fell in love with the area’s beauty and southern charm. Sonia constantly sets goals and completes them, even if it’s not always easy.
While taking time for herself in Tennessee, she aimed to write an autobiography about her childhood trauma, adoption, love, loss, and survival. With the publication of this book, she can add authorship to her list of accomplishments. Sonia’s three children are her greatest accomplishments, and she wrote this book as a tribute to her mother, Soon Nam Lee, who sacrificed her life for her.
“My story will enlighten you on the traumatic experiences that I have lived through and how I coped with each of them. How I became tired of being a victim and feeling like a child afraid to speak up to a strong independent woman who can take on the world. How forgiving has set me free. Then I learned to reshape the shell and became a happy, healthy individual.” – words from the author.
Each person experiences some type of trauma with different type or degree, which affects oneself. How we choose to handle it will define who we are and who we become.
“My Traumatic Survival-I Am Okay!” explores the author’s personal journey through trauma caused by her mentally unstable father, from school, and racism from the society. The book recounts Sonia’s experiences of overcoming significant life challenges, including physical, emotional, and psychological struggles. She shares her story with honesty and vulnerability, reflecting on how trauma affected her mental health and sense of self.
Through her narrative, the author emphasizes the importance of self-care, therapy, and support systems in resilience and healing processes. It also delves into family relationships, sacrifice, strength, and honesty.
Ultimately, the book serves as an inspirational account of survival, encouraging readers to find strength in their own journeys of recovery and well-being. The strength of a human being is the ability to hold on to hope in the midst of despair.
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1 Comment
It’s powerful to see books like Sonia Domarasky’s being featured at such a major literary event—it brings much-needed visibility to stories of survival and personal strength. Sharing personal trauma so publicly takes real courage, and events like this help amplify those important voices.