Being a bit of a tree-hugger myself I delighted to see The Tree that Talked by Jenny Smedley (O Books, £10.99). It's a wonderful spiritual mystery novel which intertwines elements of nature wisdom, tree lore and past lives where a young woman's life and spirit are literally tangled in the roots of an ancient oak tree.

The story starts in 506 AD and stretches through the centuries up to 1987. Great events that affect the life of the tree are woven through the human history and highlight the interconnectedness of all life and spirit. Reading this book you have a real feeling for the sacredness and potential for deeper understanding that surrounds us. The psychic mystery factor dramatically pulls you along (more of this in the following books) and the additional Appendix of Fascinating Facts is a wee treasure trove.