Informed by his experiences teaching English in Kyoto and later traveling throughout Asia, the novels of public-relations professional and former reporter
John Shors are rich in color and full of tactile detail. At the heart of his latest,
The Wishing Trees: Japan's wishing trees, onto which people tie written prayers. The book follows Ian as he traverses Asia with his daughter, Mattie, after his wife dies. Ian and Mattie overcome their grief by leaving paper communiqués on the branches of ancient trees as they move from country to country. In an event celebrating the book's September release, Shors appears at the Plaza Branch of the Kansas City Public Library (4801 Main, 816-701-3407) at 6:30 p.m. See
kclibrary.org to RSVP for this free event.
— Chance Dibben
Mon., Sept. 13, 6:30 p.m., 2010
