Shift Reading

I’m glad my son had to work today. We bought the latest Harry Potter from his place of part time employment when I dropped him off and I had most of the day to read it. When I picked him up, it was his turn. We are fairly dignified about sharing the book now, but it hasn’t always been like that.

I remember around book 4, we had one copy to share between 3 of us and the kids would take a plastic chair up on to the garage roof and sit up there and read it, mocking me. I am fairly afraid of heights. I knew if I went to the gym, or the shops, the book and the kids would end up on the garage roof and I would have no way of retrieving it until they were hungry or it got dark. Funny memories!

Our Harry Potter books have been read and reread. We’ve been to all the movies, yet only the first one all together on opening night. The movies were ok, but not nearly as gripping and fun as the books.

I’ve enjoyed what I’ve read so far, I’m almost reluctantly reading it because once it’s done, it’s done. My next shift will come in an hour or so when he goes out for dinner.

Monster Blood Tattoo Book One: Foundling

Imagine a world where there are monsters of all shapes and sizes and fear factors and whilst the humans of the world are very focused on killing them using all kinds of means, you feel empathy with them. The orphan with the girly name, Rossamund, faces just this dilemma.

Monster Blood Tattoo: Foundling by D.M. Cornish is another shortlisted book from the CBCA Awards. I found it tough at first, which is possibly a reflection of the genre and the limits of my imagination. Often when I start a fantasy book it takes a little to get myself a picture about the settings and characters.

I look forward to reading the rest of the series. The characters are interesting and lovable and the adventures and mysteries have me hooked now.

Solo Harry Potter

Going to the Movies Alone
Tonight I went to see Harry Potter on my own. My son had already seen it the first day, and no one else I knew was interested in going. I’m pleased I went. The first time I went to a movie on my own was in Fremantle when I was visiting my lifelong friend Jane. I went to see a ‘not to be missed film’, the title I can’t recall right now. I was in my early 30s. It was great. The experience of watching a movie alone that is. I have done it several times since then. I had previously thought of going to a film as a social activity and had really deprived myself.

Making Choices
I am always telling the young people I teach to choose for themselves and to do what they want to do, not what all their friends are doing. I have noticed lately that I often go along with what my significant other, or kids or friends want to do. I have committed to doing more things that I freely choose to do, even if I have to do them alone. So tonight’s excursion was just the beginning.

Harry Potter
I did enjoy the latest Harry Potter. I have read all the books and seen all the films and look forward to the final in the series. I am delighted with what the author J.K. Rowling has achieved for herself and for the world.