Takeout Sushi by Christopher Green

This is a compilation of lots of different stories set in Japan. I haven't finished them all yet but have been dipping in and reading the ones whose titles caught my eye. For that reason this is more of a spotlight than a full review but I'll write one when I do finish!

My favourite so far was Swirl, about a woman whose late husband won a haiku competition and what that leads her to discover. This was quite uplifting! However the very first story, Swallows, actually made me feel a little sad and I was disappointed with the slightly abrupt ending.

Book Summary

Takeout Sushi is a collection of 17 illustrated short stories set mostly in contemporary Japan that explore feelings of belonging, displacement, and the strangeness of everyday human interaction.

In an innovative, fast-paced company, a man’s job comes under threat when a team of robots are brought in to replace the HR department. A husband’s search for shortcuts to his domestic tasks goes painfully wrong. Overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, a foreigner takes a weekend break and discovers something other than solitude in the mountains.

Marking Christopher Green’s debut adult fiction and inspired by his own experiences, these whimsical slice-of-life tales are full of heart and humour—perfect for fans of Convenience Store Woman and Before the Coffee Gets Cold

Author Bio

A long-time resident of Japan, Christopher lives near Tokyo with his wife and daughter. Christopher writes short stories and children's stories. His first collection of short stories Takeout Sushi is due for publication by Neem Tree Press in May 2024.

For a little more about Christopher and his books, please visit www.greeninjapan.com

Lively Lila: A Dance of Happy Discovery by Ben Levey

Lila is fun and imaginative and every day is a new adventure for her. She might not always feel the same as everyone else but she doesn't let that stop her living her life!

There's so much information packed into this fun story. The rhyming words sound musical, living up to the title of a happy dance.

Book Summary

Step into Lila’s whirlwind world in A Dance of Happy Discovery

Embrace Lila’s unique sparkle as she twirls through life’s ups and downs with ADHD, showing us all how to love who we truly are.

Young readers, prepare to be dazzled by this exciting adventure that’s bursting with boldness, bravery, and the fun of being different.

Dive into Lila’s story and uncover a tale that’s all about standing strong, letting your creativity fly, and celebrating the superhero within!

Author Bio

Ben Levey is originally a Chartered Project Manager in the construction industry from East London, but he has tapped into his love for the creative world through his fashion brand and now, children’s books.

I've made a Happy Happy Cocktail, I ran out of triple sec so substituted with blue curacao which gave the cocktail this cool colour. I took the photo before stirring but please stir before drinking!

60ml vodka, 30ml triple sec (or other orange liqueur), 150ml orange juice. Fill a rocks glass with ice, pour all the ingredients in and give it a stir.

Spotlight on...
Clytemnestra's Bind by Susan C Wilson

Book Summary

Queen Clytemnestra's world shatters when Agamemnon, a rival to the throne of Mycenae, storms her palace, destroys her family and claims not only the throne but Clytemnestra herself.

Tormented by her loss, she vows to do all she can to protect the children born from her unhappy marriage to Agamemnon. But when her husband casts his ruthless gaze towards the wealthy citadel of Troy, his ambitions threaten, once more, to destroy the family Clytemnestra loves.

From one of Greek mythology's most reviled characters—a woman who challenged the absolute power of men—comes this fiery tale of power, family rivalry and a mother's burning love.

Author Bio

Susan C Wilson is a working-class Scottish writer. Her lifelong passion for ancient Greece was ignited as a child by stumbling across stories of gods and heroes in the dictionary. She loves to explore what makes us human: the eternal motivations, desires and instincts that cross time and place.

She has a degree in journalism from Napier University and, in preparation for writing her novels, gained a diploma in classical studies from the Open University. Clytemnestra’s Bind, her debut novel, was long-listed for the Mslexia Novel Competition 2019. It is the first in The House of Atreus trilogy and will be published by Neem Tree Press in June 2023.

Anna's Garden by Sarah Hewitt

Today I am thrilled to have an interview with Sarah, read on to find out more about her inspirations and what makes her happy. Spoiler (not really) alert, a lot of nature is involved!

Interview

To start with, would you like to say a little about your inspirations for the book?

The story of the book's creation can be read in detail here. My inspiration came from my own experience as a child with dyspraxia and my late daughter Beth's love of gardening.  I hope Anna's Garden empowers all children to be the wonderful people they really are. As a child I wished I could be like everyone else, but now I feel blessed by the things I can do well such as writing and drawing, because while neurodiversity can bring challenges, it can also bring wonderful gifts. Anna's Garden is also a book about kindness - I truly believe that most problems can be solved by simple kindness and understanding and that it is the most important lesson we can teach our children.

I love the illustrations, have you always liked to draw as well as write?

Thank you! Drawing is my first love. I was always encouraged by my family and spent many hours with my maternal grandfather in particular, drawing and painting. He was the inspiration for my first picture book 'Grandad'. The transformational experience of being a mature student on the Children's Book illustration MA at Cambridge School of Art when I was 46, was magical, and underpins all that I do creatively. I describe the illustration process for Anna's Garden step by step here.

Do you have a garden of your own? What is your favourite flower?

I do have a garden - although I am so busy with my books in my spare time that the gardening is usually done by my lovely husband Richard - helped by our labrador Indy!

My favourite flower changes with the seasons - I always feel happy when I see the daffodils appearing because it means that all is to come with the promise of sunshine, spring and summer. The smell of roses always takes me back to wonderful summer childhood days spent in the garden with my dad. 

Here is Anna sitting in our garden:) 

What a wonderful message at the end, 'Do What Makes You Happy!' What are some of the little things that make you happy?

The things that make me happy are spending time with my family and friends, and of course drawing (which always makes me happy, even on the days when I wake up feeling sad). I also treasure hearing the birds and watching the seasons change when I'm with Indy on our early morning walks. So much makes me happy - the common denominator to all my friendships is laughter - and it is definitely the best medicine.

Finally, what is your favourite cocktail or drink?

My favourite cocktail is an espresso martini - I love the fact it is like choosing the coffee creme chocolate from a selection box every time! My favourite drink is Guinness served at the perfect temperature, enjoyed with friends, ideally in a bar in the Irish countryside.

Book Summary

Anna knows what she likes and what she is good at.

Even though catching a ball is not her favourite game and loud noises make her ears hurt, there are lots of other things that Anna can do.

Although she likes to spend time on her own, she is also very kind and loves sharing with others.

'Anna’s Garden' is a classic rhyming picture book with a charming art style. With a memorable cast and unique handling of its themes, this story will help young readers embrace their true selves.

Anna doesn't necessarily want to do the same things everyone else considers fun, but that doesn't mean she doesn't care about them all and want to be friends. She has a present for everyone and at the end shares what makes her happiest with all of them. I loved the wonderful descriptions of each of the people Anna meets on her way and the delightful, dreamy illustrations. The rhyming words flow so beautifully and lyrically.

Sarah's favourite cocktail is an Espresso Martini, but as I've already featured the usual one on my blog I thought I'd try an adaptation I've seen online. So here is an Espresso Rumtini!

Shake and strain into a cocktail glass - 45ml gold rum, 30ml espresso, 20ml coffee liqueur, dash of sugar syrup (according to your taste for sweetness!).

Spotlight on...
Paper Forests by Tegan Anderson

Today's spotlight is one of the finalists from 2023 BBNYA. Find it on Goodreads here. For more information on the BBNYA competition, see details at the end of the post. 

Book Summary

Once upon a time, Oliver wakes up in a Forest full of magic and monsters, not quite dead, but not quite alive either. He wakes with three other people whose lives have been cut short, each more tragically than the last.

Together, they embark on a journey that will take them deep into the heart of the Forest, where they will have to face the ghosts of their pasts and their long-hidden secrets. Secrets that will force Oliver to choose between finding a new life in the trees and finding a way home.

Welcome to the Paper Forest.

Author Bio

On a cold Autumn evening back in 2008, seven-year-old Tegan Anderson began to write their first short stories, finding a more creative way to learn their spellings. Many years and many more short stories later, they haven't stopped for anything. Now, they're writing more than they ever believed possible. Tegan may write the worlds they would prefer to exist in but currently lives in Devon with their overflowing bookshelves and expanding imagination.

About BBNYA

BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 finalists and one overall winner.

If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official. BBNYA is brought to you in association with the @Foliosociety (if you love beautiful books, you NEED to check out their website!) and the book blogger support group @The_WriteReads.