It's three more sleeps till Christmas. most of the gifts are wrapped and I baked cookies. That's pretty much all it takes to get me on the Christmas Train (or The Polar Express). Right now, I'm, mostly excited about food, seeing family, and food. Did I mention food? Oh, and chocolate!

Before I make myself even more hungry, I read a book the other day that was quite fun to read.  The title of the book isn't lying, it is literally the scrapbook of Frankie Pratt and describes itself (by way of a sub-title) as being a novel in pictures. 

It's a wonderful sneak peek into Frankie Pratt's life as she finishes high school and heads off into the world. She goes to college, travels abroad, and is ultimately on the lookout for love while trying to become a writer. 

Set in the 1920's, Frankie's scrapbook is full of classic memorabilia from the time period: buttons, advertisements, and pictures. Her thoughts are pasted on to the pages in short sentences from an old typewriter that gives you a pretty detailed picture of what is going on it that bobbed-haired head of hers. 

Time just seemed to fly by when I was reading this book because besides reading the story there is quite a bit to look at and read on the side. It's definitely an unique way capture someones life and a pleasant read if I do say so myself. It was perfect for me right now with Christmas right around the corner. It made me smile and forget all the things I needed to do...at least for an hour or so...

The Wakeful Dreamer






 
I like listening to the radio in the car to and from work. The drive to work is very short (5 minutes tops) but I can hear a lot of news in those few minutes. Some stories seem to go on forever and others are very short and strange

Last week they were discussing about whether or not it's appropriate for teenagers to wear sweat/yoga pants to school. Now hear me out before you start yelling about me "gettin' up in your grill" (I'm a gansta, yo)... I think sweatpants can be comfortable and yes, yoga pants can be stylish but there are appropriate times and places for all things. 

There are also appropriate body types and because the phrase "muffin top" exists, I don't really think I need to go any further (I'm sorry if you're a visual person). So, the radio story coupled with a picture a friend of mine took of a woman not wearing any pants in a Starbucks brought my to this flowchart which made me chuckle quite a bit.

Oh and who could forget this song:
Here's to asking those very valuable questions: Are you wearing pants? And if so, are they on the ground?

The Wakeful Dreamer
 
I know. I know I didn't post on Monday but you have to believe when I say that Monday was very manic and I did it for a good, literary cause. I went to my first/last book club meeting of the year. After months of trying to go, I finally made it! Aren't you proud of me? We discussed books and had good food. It was wonderful.

Don't feel bad though because I'm making it up to you right now with this review. Of a new book. So new in fact that it came from the new fiction section and I could only take it out for seven days instead of the normal two weeks. Impressed? I should think so because it was a total fluke. 

I usually only browse the new fiction section when I have left my book list at home and can't remember a single book title or author that was on it. I stand in front of the car picking up books at random. Sighing at some and chewing my lip at others. Then I find one that grabs my attention and says: OH! READ ME! and I take it home. 

The Maid said those very words to me mostly because it is a novel of Joan of Arc. That's what it says on the front: A novel of Joan of Arc. I've always enjoyed Joan of Arc. There is a lot of mystery and intrigue surrounding her life. Though this book is a work of fiction the author does try to keep to as much as the facts as possible (which are outlined in a handy summary in the Author's Notes). She also does a great job of telling the story. You are not bogged down by the facts, you just float, letting the current of the story take you along and turn them over like stones.

There is some swearing in the books which comes up only when the soldiers are around (though Joan says that they have to stop swearing or God will not fight with them) and Joan is called some nasty names by the English (Joan gives them more then one chance to surrender and they don't, so she beats them in battle). 

I'm not sure if she really heard from the saints but I do know that she gave France hope and Kimberly Cutter paints a wonderful picture of the girl who defied her social status to bring victory to her country. Even if she was captured in the end and betrayed... that darn king.

The Maid was an unexpected novel that stood its worth. Even when picked from the new fiction book cart at random...

The Wakeful Dreamer 




 
I just checked and it has been just about two months since I last wrote the first blog of the Harry Potter Series.  I have to admit that being in the middle of a series is pretty terrible because after a while you just want to know how it all turns out. Does good defeat evil? Does evil overcome good and people suffer? WHAT HAPPENS IN THE END?

... *ahem* The answer to this major question was to simply read the last four books. Which I did, after a small struggle with the library (it shouldn't be that hard but it was), and I'm now going to share these findings with you.

Having so much time pass between the books I was able to see how much they change from book one to book seven. You definitely grow up with the characters. The problems that they face, not just the major "saving the world" problem, become more grown up: Harry and Ron care more about girls. Hermoine shows more of her feelings. They take on more responsibilities at school - on a side note, I would just like to add that I'm glad school gets harder for them and that Rowling shows them trying to work hard and that they care about the grades they get - and the feelings that they wrestle with, especially Harry, reminded me of what it felt like when I was around that age. 

The themes in the books: friendship, love, and death, show up in book one and by book seven are still around but the gravity of their meanings sinks in a little deeper every time you read about them. For example, Harry's parents sacrificed their lives for him. In the later books you are able to see him understand what that kind of love really means and how that love is better than all the powers in the world.

Having just recently finished Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, I have to say that I really enjoyed the mystery in this one. Don't worry I won't spoil it for those of you haven't read it but I think Rowling does a good job of wrapping everything up. Oh, and having a chapter at the end called "Nineteen years Later" gives you a little more peace about what happens to some, if not all, your favorite characters. 

I have to say that I enjoyed cuddling up with these books and diving into the world of a boy wizard. It does make me wish that I could do some kind of magic because making fire appear on these cold winter nights is very tempting...

The Wakeful Dreamer 





 
You know your Monday is going to be interesting when you know the city is going to work on the water pipes and you find in your mailbox a nice letter saying that you'll have to boil your water if you want to consume it in anyway until they say it is safe to drink. My first thought was that it'll be about ten years before we're able to drink water from the tap again... dramatic much?

Despite my skepticism, my day was fairly good. Though cold. Very cold. This is why I'm writing this blog post snuggled in a blanket and have the electric heater on at full blast. If you are cold this always seems to be the perfect solution. 

I know I didn't write a blog post on Thursday, again, but after a tangle with the library and some intense reading I think I should get some credit for reading three books in the last 2 weeks. Expect a longer-ish (made-up word) post on Thursday. 

In the meantime, please enjoy this video:
I just hope they did it all in one take because setting it all back up would be painful...

The Wakeful Dreamer