Yuki Means Happiness. So Does Sake.

Yesterday evening was like a dream - the best kind of dream. There were surprises, but they were all good! I have to thank Birmingham Waterstones for their bright space and enthusiastic staff, and Blake Woodham of Brum Radio for being such a seasoned and interested MC. 

Brum radio's Blake Woodham was clever and engaging

I took the opportunity to read from Lillian on Life as well as Yuki Means Happiness, as I was living in Singapore when my first novel was published, and didn't get a chance to do any readings here ("It's my party and I'll read what I want to."). The assembled crowd was so warm and attentive, and it was wonderful to hear how much people enjoyed being read to. We do as children. We do as adults. Lovely.

 I also sang ("It's my party and I'll sing if I want to") a Japanese folk song, 'Habu no Minato'.

In order for everyone to have at least a tiny taste of Japan, we poured sake - Japanese rice wine - into disposable shot glasses and offered bowls of rice crackers and wasabi peas. The sake was drained, and the books sold out. 

Everyone had a little taste of Japan

The questions from the audience were great

This is my favorite photo from the event - I'm talking to a young man who is studying Japanese. Behind me a friend i met in China 32 years ago is laughing with a friend i met in Japan 23 years ago. 

This week I've been short on sleep, and long on satisfaction.

Many thanks to everyone involved.