Author aims to spread her love of books

Published 12:46 pm Monday, November 23, 2015

Inspired by her love for reading, life experiences and her 6-year-old son, Sequim author Lisa Amoni’s second book was released Nov. 10.

The children’s book “Bulls-Eye and Tigger Go to the Museum” takes readers on a series of adventures by unlocking doors to the past. At the heart of the story are two bold and curious house cats that encounter things such as Vikings, pirates and dinosaurs after sneaking into a museum.

“It shows that it’s OK to try new adventures, but it’s important to think about the consequences,” Amoni said.

Although the story is fictional, its characters, including both Bulls-Eye and Tigger are real. Along with her two cats, Amoni also incorporates herself, son and a close friend into the storyline.

“It’s fun to take people you know and build on their character,” she said.

Amoni adopted Bulls-Eye and Tigger about three years ago and shortly after getting them began jotting down the unexpected things the cats would do and the trouble they’d continuously get into.

“I thought they would make really good characters in a book,”  Amoni said.

Pulling from a fond and impressionable trip to the Royal British Columbia Museum as a child, Amoni built her own, unique museum setting and stage for Bulls-Eye and Tigger unveil their mischievous behavior.

“I’ve always liked museums,” she said. “Mostly because I really love learning new things.”

Like museums, books have been a constant tool Amoni has relied on throughout her life to learn and expand her view of the world.

“Books are important because you can learn so much from them,” she said. “A lot of people can’t afford to take trips all over the world, but almost everyone can open up a book.”

Amoni always has read and has a growing collection of signed books she plans to one day pass onto her son.

“My goal with my son is to get him to enjoy books just as much as I do,” she said.

“I love holding books, even the way a new one smells, and I think it’s sad that reading seems to be dwindling. It’s wonderful that we have technology that we can read on, but it’s not the same,” she said.

A friend and co-worker of Amoni’s, Joanna Mabrey, describes her as “old-fashioned” — a reflection of Amoni’s preference to read physical books instead of on a screen, a choice to not own a cell phone and the fact that she writes all her stories by hand before typing them.

Mabrey also points out Amoni’s kind and welcoming attitude toward everyone she meets.

“She’s always friendly and encouraging,” she said. “She has a passion for reading and now she’s contributing her own work to help keep books alive for generations to come.”

“Bulls-Eye and Tigger Go to the Museum,” published by Tate Publishing and Enterprises, LLC, is the second book in what Amoni anticipates becoming a series. However, her effort to continue developing the series is shared with her love of mystery novels.

“I like mysteries because they’re exciting and I love trying to solve them,” she said, noting one of her favorite authors is Agatha Christie.

“If she can do it, then why can’t I?” Amoni asked herself before plunging into her first attempt at writing a mystery novel of her own.

Already, Amoni is working on the third chapter of her first one and feels “it’s going well.”

As Amoni grows as an author, she intends to continue to write both children’s books and mystery novels, but the value she places on reading and her deep appreciation for books remain the fuel for her work.

“More than anything I just think people should keep reading,” she said.

“Bulls-Eye and Tigger Go to the Museum” is locally available at Imagine Gifts and Boutique, bookstores nationwide, from the publisher at www.tatepublishing.com or at barnesandnoble.com or amazon.com.