Hatter

by Daniel Coleman

This is a companion novel to Daniel Coleman's other story JABBERWOCKY. When I think about HATTER I am torn. There are times I prefer JABBERWOCKY and the unique take on the story, and other times I prefer HATTER and reading about well known characters in a new light.

As the name suggests, HATTER is a origin story of the Mad Hatter. The two characters of the story are complete opposites, and yet I felt a bond with both of them in some way. Hatta is the loveable, eccentric friend that you don't always understand what he is doing but you know that his heart is in the right place and he wouldn't hurt a fly. Chism on the other hand is the brash young man who you know will do the right thing, but instead of being discreet and thinking through the consequences does the first thing that comes to mind, which usually involves force of some kind.

The writing is as clean as always and though I had a vague idea of where the story was going, there were still plenty of surprises along the way. HATTER is another great book for young adults to read if they want a taste of a fantastical realm with real depth and imagery. Daniel Coleman paints a picture of human nature within each character that is spot on.

Finding Joy in the Now

There was an article recently about the end of summer blues and how after the Labor Day holiday people become depressed because they realize they haven't fulfilled all of their plans for the summer. I am sure I have felt this a time or two, in all seasons. I always have more plans then times and it is sometimes difficult to take pleasure in what I have accomplished rather than feeling bad at what I didn't.

When I was in high school I had the opportunity to read my great grandmother's journal. (She is one of the reasons I later started keeping a daily journal.) One of her entries has really stuck with me. She had the opportunity to go to California and was really looking forward to the trip. But before she even went on her trip she realized something that I think all of us could do more to think about. We spend too much time thinking about the exciting events in the future and not in what is currently happening. She made a promise to live each day to the fullest and not to waste time wondering how happy the future will be because when the happy future comes, she will enjoy that as well.

That is how I try to look at life now, though I am not very good at always remembering to find joy in the day to day. As my grandmother always says "Don't just have a good week, make it a good week."

*Man of her Dreams

Intro:I have read quite a few books that have romantic elements where there is a love triangle. I always feel bad for the normal character. This is my attempt of writing a romance.

Nicole traced the back of Paul's hand enjoying the feeling of his skin. The back of his hand was smooth, while the palm was calloused from his work at the woodshop. He always smelled of sawdust and when he had just come from the shop he often left a trail where he walked. The bell rang. She clutched his hand under the table and tried to pay attention to the teacher at the front of the room.

"We have a new exchange student today. Please welcome Bobby Longfellow. He is from Devonshire, England."

"Hello," he said.

Immediately every girl in class sat up a little straighter. Even if Mrs. Miller hadn't introduced him everyone would have known he was English from that one word alone. Paul's hand tightened as she continued to look at the dark haired boy at the front of the class. For the past two months she had seen this boy in her dreams, only there he wasn't human. He was something else, alien, and always asking for her help and was coming for her. Last night he'd said he would be here soon. She stared at him, her heart fluttering at the fact that a man from her dreams was now standing before her.

"Why don't you take a seat next to Nicole and Paul?"

Paul let out a grunt but remained silent because they were the only group with two people. Everyone else had three. Bobby slid onto the third stool, across from Paul and adjacent to Nicole. He smiled and held out his hand. With one more squeeze Paul let go and shook his hand.

"I'm Paul and this is my girlfriend, Nicole."

Bobby raised an eyebrow as he glanced at Nicole who met his gaze. His dark eyes almost seemed to look into her soul.

"It is a pleasure to meet you," Nicole said holding out her hand. "Welcome to Tennessee."

"Thank you. I'm sure I will love it here." He kissed the back of her hand and smiled. Nicole pulled her hand back and set it on her lap. Paul immediately picked it up again and brushed his thumb across the back. She glanced over at him and smiled.

At lunch Nicole sat with her friends and pulled out her home lunch, eating the cookies first. Paul had woodshop now and lunch during the second half.

"Oh, my, gosh. Is he headed this way?"

Nicole looked up from her sandwich and stared at Bobby as he meandered towards their table.

"May I sit with you?"

The girls slid closer together without saying anything. Bobby sat down across from Nicole and smiled at her. She focused on her half-eaten sandwich. Her friends talked and laughed as Bobby told them about his life in England and the differences he'd already seen between the two countries. She hurried out of the lunch room as soon as the bell rang but in her math class Bobby strolled in and sat down next to her. He leaned close to her but the bell rang and he sat up, a frown on his face. Two minutes into class, a piece of paper fell onto her desk. She opened it up, her hands shaking.

"Can I talk with you after school?"

With her heart in her throat she bowed her head.

Paul picked her up from her last class when school ended. He pulled her into an empty hallway and kissed her, brushing his lips against hers. When he pulled back his face was flushed. He'd never kissed her in school before and she smiled giving him a hug.

"Come on, let's head home."

They walked out of the building, hand in hand. Bobby stood under a tree and started towards them. He paused looking at Paul before shaking his head and jogging up.

"I need to talk with you, Nicole." He glanced at Paul. "Alone."

Nicole bit her lip and pulled her hand from Paul. "I'll meet you at the park."

Paul caressed her cheek and his rough skin rasped against her. She smiled and stepped back. Paul jammed his hands in his pockets and walked off. The park was two blocks away on their way home. In the winter they drove the two miles home but in the spring they enjoyed the fresh air.

"Nicole," Bobby stepped forward and reached out for her. She felt his smooth fingers against her cheek where Paul had just touched her. "I need your help. I'm here for you."

"Bobby," she said softly. "I didn't think—"

He moved even closer and she could smell the almost fruity smell wafting from him. It had been the same in her dreams. Every night he stood a little closer. Last night he had leaned in to kiss her but she'd woken up before anything happened. His hand still caressed her cheek.

"My ship is waiting for us. Come with me, help me."

She closed her eyes and placed a hand on his chest. She shoved him back, her face flushed.

"Stay away from me."

Bobby rubbed his chest where she'd pushed him. "You're going to stay with him? Paul? I'm offering you everything you could ask for."

Nicole held up a finger. "You aren't offering me what I am asking for. You are a man from my dreams, not of my dreams. I'm seventeen and don't want to travel the universe. I want to live here, find a man who loves me, and raise a family. If anything, Paul can offer me that. You only offer trouble." She walked past him. Bobby made noises of protest but she didn't even turn around. Paul sat on one of the swings staring at the ground. She watched him for a second and smiled. A carpenter was much more the man of her dreams than an alien could ever be.

The Evolution of Thomas Hall

by Kieth Merrill

I borrowed THE EVOLUTION OF THOMAS HALL from my mom because she wanted someone to read it so she could talk about it. Though I was interested in it, I wasn't sure if I would enjoy it as much as she did. I am glad I had the opportunity to read this book. It was a great book that really made me think about religion and science and the balance of them.

The story follows the artist Thomas Hall. He is a proclaimed agnostic, because he doesn't believe there is a deity but doesn't feel like he wants to proclaim himself an atheist. When the book starts he is an egotistical braggart who doesn't have any idea how to act as a decent human. He has been commissioned to paint a mural for the evolution display at a science museum and part way through the project the museum director changes as well as the scope of the project. At this time he is also presented with the opportunity to paint a mural for a hospital that is centered on Jesus Christ. Through the book a variety of characters discusses evolution, miracles, and faith.

At the hospital Thomas meets Cass who has more belief in him than he has and put her job on the line to get him as the painter. He also meets Christina a young girl who is a patient at the hospital. She was in a car accident and suffered series burns, broken bones, and yet has faith that everything is going to turn out fine, despite what everyone says. The more time Thomas spends with these two women, the more he learns of himself and what is important in life.

The descriptions of this book are beautiful. I love how Kieth Merrill describes people and scenes through Thomas Hall. He sees people as works of art, describing them with colors and details that make me look at the world in a different light. The development of Thomas is realistic and I enjoyed all of the characters.