I finished #Willowman by #IngaSimpson (#Hachette Australia Books 2022) on Wednesday, and I'm sure it will remain one of my favourites for 2023.

I loved Simpson's interrelated tale of the older batmaker, coping with the break-up of his marriage and reconnecting with his daughter through the crafting of willow bats and a shared love of cricket.

And the young cricketer, destined for greatness but who faces the trials and tribulations all cricket fans will recognise. While his sister seeks to make her mark in a traditionally male-orientated sport.

Yes, I'm a #cricket fan, but I suggest Willowman transcends sport. But then, the same could be said about cricket.

In a fitting coincidence, I finished the book and read Simpson's acknowledgements after watching the episode of Amazon Prime's #TheTest, dedicated to #PhillipHughes:

Thank you to Phillip Hughes, who should have played a hundred Tests, for the motivation to write this story. I loved watching you bat.

Here's a link to a special Book Club episode of ABC RN's #TheBookshelf, with host Kate Evans and guests discussing Willowman and The Bodyline Fix: How women saved cricket by Marion Stell:

https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/the-bookshelf/the-bookshelf-cricket-book-club-feat-inga-simpson-willowman/14110772

Really enjoyed this innings of ABC RN's The Bookshelf with Marion Stell, Warwick Hadfield and Michael Brissenden joining Kate Evans. And I've added #IngaSimpson's #Willowman (#Hachette) to my kit bag for Xmas. 🎅🏏📖

#books #cricket

https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/the-bookshelf/the-bookshelf-cricket-book-club-feat-inga-simpson-willowman/14110772