Master of the Books by James Moloney

I was looking forward to reading this sequel to 'The Book of Lies'. It was just as gripping and further unravelled the lies and truths of the first novel.

The characters journey further and fight against evil once more. I hesitate to give too much away. I enjoyed this novel and the many twists and turns of the plot. The Book of Lies has been destroyed and Marcel finds the true source of his gift.

As before, I look forward to the promise of the third book. At the Writers Festival for Schools the year 7 & 8 students attended James Moloney's talk, and knowledgeably inform me that there will be another in this series. He keeps me wanting more.

Night Sky

Full Moon Shooting Star
Last night I couldn't sleep. It was a full moon, which I didn't realise until I stepped outside hoping some almost fresh air would change my state of tossing and turning in bed. I saw a shooting star. I was quite astounded because I wasn't expecting to see one on such a bright night. I was also delighted.

Upcoming Heavenly Event
Today I received an email as follows:
*Two moons on 27th August 2007*
*27th August; the day the Whole World is waiting for ......
Planet Mars will be the brightest in the night sky starting August. It will look as large as the full moon to the naked eye. This will cultivate on Aug. 27 when Mars comes within 34.65 Million miles of earth. Be sure to watch the sky on Aug. 27 12:30 am. It will look like the earth has 2 moons. The next time Mars may come this close is in 2287. Share this with your friends as NO ONE ALIVE TODAY will ever see it again.
Astrology Anyone?
Well that excited me no end. I'll definitely be up for that one. I can't find much info about any astrological implications of this event, but I will stay on the alert and let you know if I do. Any astrologers able to shine light on this one?

The Lollipop Shoes by Joanne Harris

Chocolat
The sequel to 'Chocolat', a long time favourite of mine, 'The Lollipop Shoes', is every bit as delicious as the original. I felt I could smell the chocolate and taste the sumptuousness of the feast described. It is just a pleasure to read.

Fairy Tales
Woven into this story are fairy tales told to Vianne by her mother and the theme as I have previously mentioned of the 'Red Shoes' and the allure of glamour and brightness when life is glum. There are other fairy tales throughout this novel in various forms. I love the imagery and the retelling.
Celebrating Life and Love
This is a story about the value of love and the awakening of living to the fullness. It has all the magic of the first novel, culminating in the mouth watering feast that decides the fates of the central characters. The administering of sweetness to the random and forlorn characters that frequent the shop, highlights how lonely and loveless strangers can create a warm circle of friends.
Shadows
The villain in this novel is not the church but a dark magician who appears so like Vianne, yet intends evil. The bad witch who sees this loveless reality

"....by then we'll all be sand, except for the One who has always been; the one that builds pyramids;raises temples; makes martyrs; composes sublime music; denies logic; praises the meek; receives souls into Paradise; dictates what to wear; smites the infidel; paints the Sistine Chapel; urges young men to die for the cause; blows up bandsmen by remote control;
promises much; delivers little; fears no one and never dies,
because fear of Death is so much greater than honour, or goodness, or faith, or love...."(p448)

frightens me more than the previous villain in Chocolat. The manipulative woman who entices and lures the teen to turn her power to satisfy lust and manipulate others is scary.

I wish I still had it to read and I'm going to check ebay for another Joanne Harris book as she is a writer that never fails to lure me into her story in an enticing way.

The Book of Lies by James Moloney

I want one! A book of lies, that is. The amazing book that this novel from James Moloney is centered around has the ability to discern if a person is speaking the truth or a lie. Truth can be a slippery thing though and the characters in this book soon find the the book can be an unreliable voice. I enjoyed it. There must be a sequel though as there are stories left untold when arriving at the last page. On his webpage, the author states the sequel is due in 2006. I haven't come across it yet.
James Moloney is one of my favourite writers. We teach "A Bridge to Wiseman's Cove" to our year 8s. I think "Lost Property", which I read earlier in the year was one of my favourite reads for this year. My son also enjoyed it.

Zefrank's Learning Strategies

Zefrank has some seriously good ideas delivered in his usual frank and delightful way. I am a fan.

Interestingly he uses divorced people as a metaphor and after spending a really positive evening with my ex-husband, current family and friends and ex-in-laws last night to celebrate my wonderful 18 year old's birthday, I know it works, interestingly enough. Watch the video, it may make sense. If not - Oh well. It was a great night.

The Secret

I finally purchased and watched "The Secret". Yes the
Secret.

It was a great refresher for the Law of Attraction and I want to watch it again and share it with my kids. It didn't contain anything I have never been exposed to and many of the anecdotes I have previously read. The hype kind of spoils it because it creates this expectation that new material is coming to light, when really it is not new. However, that said, I still maintain my often repeated to groaning students stance "Repetition Leads to Discovery".

It's always good to refresh these ideas because it seems at times as though the world surrounding us is constantly reinforcing a false reality. I am having new thoughts today that are more what I choose for myself, so it worked some magic on me.

Auntie Angela

An amazing coincidence today, the very same person I was referring to in my last post, came to visit. I looked up my planner and her name was there. I remembered I was intending to take my daughter to Echuca to visit Angela this mid-term break but had forgotten about it.Joh Blogs: Camping on the banks of the Murray
We were obviously in one another's orbits!