The Perfect Bath

Relaxation is never easy when there is always so much to do. One of the ways I like to relax is by taking a bath. I can read or watch a movie, listen to music or an audiobook, mull over the day or make plans. Basically, a bath is a great way to multi-task.

 

The beauty items I have acquired over the months came in to good use whenever I am worn down and in need of some self-care. For instance, the bath bomb from LUSH was perfect! Honey Bee smelled like pure sweetness and was as soothing as a cup of camomile tea.

 

To start, I removed all my makeup using the YES soothing facial cleansing wipes and ran a warm-verging-on-hot-bath. I filled my water bottle with cold water and played some mood music. 

Although I could have easily fallen asleep, I brought with me a supply of books to read. I was finally able to finish The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros, a book that my aunt lent me a while back and moved on to a couple other books I am currently reading. Fortunately I remembered to hydrate myself (hence the water bottle) amidst the engaging literature. 

 

After soaking for a while, I got out and dried off. My skin has been abnormally dry lately, so I decided to apply an absurd amount of body butter. (My favorite is Blueberry from the Body Shop, but as it is discontinued, I settle for the papaya scent.) I also applied Hope in a Jar by Philosophy, my favorite facial moisturizer at the moment. 

 

The result of all my efforts and time? Contentment and drowsiness. 

 

Sarah’s Key

A couple years ago, my cousin lent me a book she read as part of her high school English class. It seemed an easy read, so I read it. Later I found out it would be made into a book and recently I had the opportunity to see it.

 

The novel opens on the story of Sarah, a young Jewish girl swept into the tragedies of World War II who tries to protect her younger brother Michel by locking him in a secret compartment in their apartment. She and her parents are arrested and taken to the Velodrome to await their fate, along with thousands of other Jews.

 

Years later, a woman named Julia is researching the Velodrome for an international news magazine and stumbles upon Sarah’s story. She soon discovers that Sarah’s story is woven into her in-laws past and surreptitiously uncovers that the truth surrounding Sarah’s family and France during World War II.

 

The novel left me mourning for days over the great losses of the Holocaust and Sarah’s experiences during that time. The movie was a bit of a disappointment (as almost all movies are compared to the book). In particular, the transitions between Sarah and Julia’s life were very abrupt and vexing to the overall tale.

 

Fortunately, both mediums achieve the same overall effect: the provocation of courage and and hope for those who have suffered immense misfortune. As in all movies based around World War II, the question lingers: what would I have done during WWII?

 

One point I took from the book was the love Sarah had for her brother and her family. I am the first to admit that I am very attached to my family, especially my siblings. That characteristic alone made me particularly empathetic towards Sarah’s guilt in leaving her brother behind and the hope that she carries for her brother’s safety throughout her journey home is heart-breaking.

 

As much as I would like to recommend Sarah’s Key, I would not want to claim responsibility of any possible heartbreak resulting from it… However, if one is interested in the Holocaust and/or a tale of love encapsulated by secrets then I highly recommend Sarah’s Key.

Revenge Wears Prada

The sequel to the New York Times’ Bestseller The Devil Wears Prada picks up soon after it left off. Andrea (“Andy”) Sachs takes time to freelance and eventually meets up with her ex-nemesis and future best friend and business partner Emily. Together they create a wedding magazine in the high-fashion style of Runway. After building up the magazine they are offered a once-in-a-lifetime acquirement deal from the company Elias-Clark whom Miranda Priestly, Andy and Emily’s ex-boss, just happens to work for. The acquirement of their magazine would mean that Andy and Emily would be working for Miranda again. Many changes have occurred since working for Miranda, both on Miranda’s part and Andy’s, and Andy is left with a very difficult decision. Laced with the glamour of high-fashion and complicated relationships common in The Devil Wears Prada, Revenge Wears Prada succeeds in drawing readers to a new period in a working woman’s life – including the joys and difficulties of marriage and family.

 

Although I did not enjoy the sequel so much as I did the original, I did connect to it. The constant barrage of pressure on Andy is something relatable to all, whether it be work, friendships, or family. I frequently frustrated myself with how Andy tolerated everything, convinced that I would have handled things much differently. For instance, the obvious injustices she endures was enough to make me shut the book several times in one sitting to calm myself before continuing. That being said, Lauren Weisberger writes very convincingly and in such a way that readers are drawn into work politics and empathize as if the problems were their own.

The Ocean At the End of the Lane

My local library has a tower shelf of books each with green three-leaf clover stickers labelled “Lucky Day.” These books are available for just a few weeks without the possibility of renewal. The Lucky Day books are thus labelled because of their popularity and/or recent date of publication. Today I, for lack of a better-fitting exclamation, scored majorly.

 

The most recent book by Neil Gaiman, author of Coraline, was available for checkout! I began reading it in the car to my brother – skipping over the morbid parts, of course – and had even my mother enrapt in the story before we returned home.

 

The novel follows a middle-aged man back into his childhood to the small Sussex town where he met Lettie Hempstock and her family. Unbelievable events occur as a result of their friendship and leaves the not-so-young man to pull them from the depths of his memory years later.

 

It is not a coming-of-age tale, but the fantastical journey that Gaiman spins is likely to change any young reader it encounters – even those young of heart.

 

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book (considering I read it over the course of 7 hours, it is obvious) and I recommend it to all those in need of trust, courage, and consolation.

Animal Farm

 

I read Animal Farm as part of the challenge to read at least 50 books on the Modern Library’s 100 Best Novels List. Reading through the introduction and preface, I initially thought I wouldn’t be able to separate the novel from actual historical events. Animal Farm definitely served as a reminder as several revolutions in history. I took a class this past semester on revolutions in 20th century Latin America and much of what the animals on the farm were experiencing was experienced by actual citizens and revolutionaries of Latin American states. There was a sentiment written in the introduction that I agree completely with – the novel has a way of “[moving] by not seeking to move; almost, it seems, by not seeking to move.” Animal Farm has a way of presenting political tactics and rebellion in a simple and appealing manner. I would give it four and half (out of five) blueberries.