Lilian's Tree

 I have read seven books this month with a new author, Hira Arikawa being my featured author. I didn't have any books by an author, with the surname starting in A, so I asked a good friend, Wendy and she made the suggestion.  The book she suggested was The Travelling Cat Tails,  by Hira Arikawa. Set in Japan, it tells the story of Satoru and his cat Nana. Satoru takes Nana to visit several friends, with the hope that they will take Nana for him. The story is told from Nana's point of view and you learn about Satoru at different stages of his life, through this journey. Beautifully written but have your tissues ready. 84, Charing Cross Road, by Helene Hanff, was mentioned by a friend, Kerry Farmer and I found my copy and read it. It is a series of letters between Helene and a bookshop at 84, Charing Cross Road. A delightful read. Two more of Jane Bettany's were also read, Murder at Maple Grange and Murder on Bluebell Hill.  Featuring Violet Brewster as the amateur sle...

 Well the Sydney weather has been cold, wet and windy, just right for curling up with a book. As you know I try and read a book, whose author's surname starts with the letter of the month. Well have three months start with J stretched my author list.  January I did Penelope Janu. June was Rachel Johns, could I read more of their books for July. No, I told myself that would be cheating. This is where it's good to have friends that read and  Deb  recommended a book by Catherine Jinks, Traced. Set in both 2020 and 2015, you soon become gripped by the story. 2020, Jen, a Covid contact tracer, makes a call and the woman on the other end panics. Her partner doesn't like her having visitors or going out, he has her phone and calls several time a day to make sure she is home, how can she explain this. Jen tries to reassure her that something can be done and asks the partners name. Jen  immediately flashes back to 2015, when the same person did the same thing to Jen's fa...