On Sunday at 9:30am our French exchange student, Aude, arrived. Wondrously I made it out of bed to pick her up from the school after enjoying a combined 40th and 30th birthday party on Saturday night. Hidden behind dark sunglasses and copious amounts of breath freshener my daughter and I arrived at the school with a few minutes to spare (phew). I am not sure whether it was the litres of vodka, lime and soda that I somehow managed to pour into my body or something else, but seeing the kids meet with their counterparts from France brought a tear to my eye and emotions to my sleeve. Standing in the warm sunlight I started to yearn for those years where the simple things in life hold wonder, if only I could have the same knowledge and retain that wonder of the world. Watching the children started me thinking about some of the movies and books that I have read about reunions, the conclusion that I came up with, for my favourite Reunion story is funnily enough Reunion by Andrea Goldsmith.

This novel (Reunion) is set in Melbourne, Australia and is about the journey of four friends whose friendship has withstood the trials of life after university. Four friends are brought back together via a new foundation created by one of the friend’s husbands. Emotionally charged and packed full of elaborate plot, and more twists and turns than fighter pilot has in a dog fight. Essentially though, it is a story of relationships and the frailty of us humans that go to make up those connections. 

Parties: I’m not sure how everyone else feels but I have this problem of age, it seems each time I celebrate a birthday I am also reminded that this passing of time does not allow me to celebrate all night like a teenager, well at least when I try it takes me a day and a half to recover. Famous words – “I’m never going to do that again” seem to be popping out of my mouth all to regularly lately. Anyway Happy Birthday again to James and Katherine you are both wonderful people and hope that you  enjoy many more fantastic  times – just not at the Grand Hotel at 2:30 am in the morning (with me anyway).

I finished a couple more book reviews on the weekend – most importantly the review for Mr Rosenblum’s List. I read this book a couple of weeks ago while on holiday and it added that special ingredient to my time away that will be treasured. Natasha Solomon again I say – Great Work! Give me more.

Okay, thanks again for taking time to send me emails and comments about the blogging experience – I do have quite a few reviews to post from our contributors and will work this content management site out this week so that I can do same.

Good Times.

David Hibbins – bookblog – appreciating the written word