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.