Tuesday, September 29, 2015

August 19, 2015

I am thrilled to announce the second Just Anna Book Club meeting! Olaf and I will be discussing two new books this time (and once again there may be spoilers.) Ready to go?


My book was Just Ella by Margaret Peterson Haddix and Olaf's was If You Met Snow White by Margo Lundell.



Me: Why did you pick this book, Olaf?
Olaf: Well, when you read that Snow White book last time I wanted to learn more about her character so I decided to read this.
Me: I can't believe I inspired you, that's so great! Okay, what was your favorite part?
Olaf: I love the picture of Snow wading.


Olaf: What got you to read Just Ella?
Me: MyLittleMegara actually met the author and was very excited about it. I overheard her talking about it and asked if I could borrow it. I'm glad I did!
Olaf: What did you like the best?
Me: I loved the part near the end where Ella realizes how wrong she's been about palace life and decides to take her destiny into her own hands, making the best out of an awful situation.


Have you read either of these books? Do you have suggestions for next time? Answer in comments and remember -- thank you so much for joining us at the Just Anna Book Club!


-Anna

Friday, September 11, 2015

August 4, 2015

It was evening, and Olaf and I had spent a nice day laughing and reading and exploring and playing games. After our wonderful adventures, we had climbed up onto the mantel and were settling in for a nice long chat when I began to gesture wildly while speaking. (I do this sometimes, and often find it embarrassing.)


My motions became too flamboyant and I lost my balance. Rather than stopping my fall, my stand caught my leg and, as I wrenched it away, I fell off of the small ledge.


In the space of one second, I thought that this was what it must be like to be Alice in Wonderland, but without a watch bearing rabbit and a certain destination other than painful splat. No sooner had I thought of said "splat" than my fall was broken by something warm and firm. Actually, two somethings. Like... arms?

My eyes flew open and locked onto a pair of deep brown ones, concernedly watching my face. Preparing to say something witty or intelligent to this strange new doll holding me, I opened my mouth.

"Thanks," I said stupidly, "that was like a crazy trust exercise or something." Was now really the moment to quote Olaf?!?!?

Suddenly, I realized that my arm was around the other doll's neck.


Before I could say anything else ridiculous, I moved my arm.

"Oh!" The blonde doll said, helping me sit on his... his what, exactly? Upon closer inspection, I discovered that I was sitting on a plush reindeer.


"You aren't hurt, are you?"

"No, I'm Anna! Er, I'm fine," I stammered as the Kristoff doll let go of me. In the process our hands met. It was unnerving and wonderful and terrifying and over before I could decide how I really felt about it.


"Well, um, I'm Kristoff and this is Sven," Kristoff said, gesturing to the reindeer who was functioning as my seat. Sven greeted me in reindeer noises so I scratched between his antlers.

"He seems to like you," Kristoff remarked.


"You think so? Well, I like hi-"

"HEADS UP!" A shout broke through my sentence as Olaf jumped off of the mantel and landed next to me, upside down, on Sven.


"Wow, a reindeer," he exclaimed while righting himself. "What's his name?"

"Sven," Kristoff and I chorused, then laughed. I smiled up at him. 


"What do you call the reindeer, Sven?"

"... Yes..." Kristoff said.

"That's so narcissistic, naming a reindeer after yourself. Sven and Sven. Or... WAIT! Do you call him Yes?"

"Wait, what?" Kristoff asked, looking utterly confused.


"Olaf, the reindeer is named Sven. But the blonde guy is named Kristoff," I explained.

"Oh, wow. I really messed that up, didn't I? Sorry, Kristoff!"

"It's fine," Kristoff answered. "Anna, how do you feel?"

"Pretty good, considering I just fell out of the sky," I joked.

"Do you think you can stand?" Kristoff still seemed very concerned.

"Yeah, I think so." The concern was cute and mildly distressing.

He helped me to my feet and kept one hand at my back, supporting me gently.


I was amazed at how that one action had the power to rid me of any normal thought. 

"Thanks again," I mumbled, pulling away.


"No problem."

"I... erm... unh... I should go. I have to, umm, do... things..." I wished I could just stop talking! Wincing, I walked away. I couldn't stop myself from looking back, though. 

Maybe I could get to know this Kristoff doll better...


-Anna