Yay! My copy of the The Casual Vacancy, the new adult novel by JK Rowling arrived this morning with a yummy Cadbury Bubbly chocolate and a can of Red Bull! Perfect timing as the school holidays start tomorrow!
Thanks to Penguin Books!
The Casual Vacancy by JK Rowling
The Casual Vacancy
Thursday the 27th September 2012 will see the world-wide launch of the first adult novel, The Casual Vacancy, by the legendary JK Rowling. Rowling is the author of the bestselling Harry Potter series, which has sold over 450 million copies world-wide.
Her new release, The Casual Vacancy, is set in Pagford, a seemingly idyllic English town with a cobbled town square and ancient abbey. When a member of the town council, Barry Fairbrother, dies suddenly at the age of 40, the town is forced into an election process to replace him. This convoluted event throws the once peaceful hamlet into turmoil, unearthing all of it’s skeletons and turning Pagford into a war zone.
The novel is posed to be thought-provoking and darkly comedic with surprising elements along the way.
Reflections in Motion
We all understand the importance of treasured memories, especially those of us who have lost loved ones. Photography has always been my way of preserving precious memories and I love looking back at my photos to see how my girls have grown. Another way to preserve these memories is through journaling, something I wish my mom had done for me.
I thought I would share these wonderful journals with you, brought to South African by Martine Donachie, the founder of Reflections in Motion.
Having lost her father to Chronic Kidney Disease in 2009, Martine was inspired to change her life, find a way to add more meaning to it and somehow, honour the memory of her late father. After achieving a Certificate in Coaching Practice, Martine founded her own coaching business, Reflections in Motion, which focused on life and business coaching, making use of journaling to reflect on one’s life journey.
In 2011, Martine was introduced to the “From You to Me” concept. Having a clear understanding of journaling and experiencing the loss of a parent, Martine immediately recognised the synergies between these two concepts… and the rest is history.
From You to Me was founded in the UK by Neil Coxon, and is now brought to South Africa by Reflections in Motion.
Bump to Birthday is a pregnancy and first year journal, allowing you to record your pregnancy, birth and “firsts” in great detail, in a gorgeous hard cover journal. There are lovely framed areas to put your ultrasound pics or photographs of yourself, as your “bump” grows. What a wonderful way to record this amazing time in your life and then show your child once they are old enough to understand!
Our Story – For My Daughter is a wonderful way for you as a mom or dad to record all the amazing things that happen in your precious daughters life. From her first year, you can record all life’s little adventures, where she went to school, what her favourite food was, things that you may not remember when she is older. You also have place to stick photos and make notes about her likes and dislikes. Oh and not to forget the pretty pink and red illustrations!
Our Story – For My Son is identical to the journal for my daughter but you guessed it – it’s blue!
With these journals there is no excuse for not remembering all the important milestones in your child life: when they took their first step, when they said their first word or for that matter what it was. It is something wonderful that you can do for your son or daughter and then present it to them when they are all grown-up!
Reflections in Motion hard cover journals are perfect to give as gifts; they are so pretty, beautifully illustrated and anyone would be delighted to receive one! If you would like to find out more about these and the other journals that Reflections in Motion sell, click over to their website here.
Disclaimer: These journals were provided to Super Mom Blog by Reflections in Motion for review purposes.
What's On My Reading List
These are the two books that have been keeping me company the past few nights. Thought I would just share what’s on my reading list and what book reviews you have to look forward to in the next week or two and perhaps even a book giveaway! 🙂 I was also in the mood to take a few pics!
What are you reading at the moment? Do you have a favourite author or category of writing? Are you a fiction or non-fiction gal?
The Gorgeous Sophie Dahl
The gorgeous Sophie Dahl was born in London on the 15 September 1977. Born Sophie Holloway, she is the daughter of actor Julian Holloway and writer Tessa Dahl. Her maternal grandparents were author Roald Dahl and actress Patricia Neal. Her paternal grandparents were actor Stanley Holloway and actress and chorus dancer Violet Lane. Sophie was the inspiration for the main character, Sophie, in her grandfather, Roald Dahl’s book The BFG.
Sophie began her career as a fashion model, but writing has always been her first love. In 2003 she published her first book, an illustrated novella and Times bestseller, “The Man with the Dancing Eyes”. Following this she wrote “Playing With The Grownups” – published in 2007.
As a devoted food lover and cook she published two cook books: “Miss Dahl’s Voluptuous Delights”, published by Harper Collins (2009) and “From Season To Season” (2011). Sophie is a contributing editor at British Vogue. She has also written for others publications such as: American Vogue, Waitrose Kitchen, The Observer, The Guardian, and The Saturday Times Magazine.
Dahl then went on to write and present her six-part cookery series, currently airing on BBC (South Africa), entitled “The Delicious Miss Dahl” – which I am loving. It features some great recipes, for more on the series visit the BBC Food website. She also wrote and presented a television programme about the Victorian cook, Isabella Beeton which was aired on BBC2, in September 2011.
Sophie with husband Jamie Cullum
Sophie currently lives with her husband, Jamie Cullum and daughter, Lyra in England where she continues write and is a regular contributor to both fashion and food magazines. To find out more about this amazing woman visit her website – Sophie Dahl.