top 5 books i read in 2015!

My reading started out pretty well and peaked in summer, but I practically read nothing, coincidentally, whilst I was back at University (what a surprise, am I right?) Let's face it. Reading for fun is hard when you're studying English at University. I always feel guilty when I read a book for pleasure rather than for my degree and then I can't enjoy the book because I'm feeling tired and guilty... the list goes on. 'Meh' pretty much sums up my reading experience of 2015 but here those I enjoyed the most.

This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales

This book messed me up in a good way. It was so good, it gave me a mega book hangover. This book follows Elise, who discovers an underground night club which transforms her miserable life into a journey of self discovery, self acceptance, friendship, DJing and a lot of music. All things I'm really passionate about. It has amazing character development, music in its spine and is all round a really great read, especially if you're a fan of music and character development. (I know I am) I even wrote a raving review so go check that out if you want my in-depth thoughts!

Rat Queens by Kurtis J. Wiebe and Roc Upchurch

Technically this is a comic, but man do I love this series. I reviewed both the first and second volumes of Rat Queens and I thoroughly enjoyed both of them. The art style is great, the story focuses on questing women of varying colours, shapes, personalities and sexualities (yay for diversity!) Definitely check this series out if you want a great woman led comic series to delve into!

Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella 

Sometimes I'm a bit hesitant on reading books dealing with mental health but Kinsella did a pretty good job with this one. This book follows the protagonist, Audrey, as she deals with her social anxiety which is pretty severe to the extent that she wears sunglasses indoors and finds it hard to leave her house. Whilst I found the romance a little cheesy and rushed, I really liked the depiction of social anxiety, it was honest and accurate and didn't fall into the catastrophic 'boy saves girl from mental illness' trope.

Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion 

I found the premise of this book a bit creepy and off-putting, but turned out to be a pleasant surprise. A zombie falling in love seems a bit odd but this was a great alternative to the conventional zombie plot line. I'm such a sucker for zombies and I love finding books which offer a really unique and original spin on the conventional zombie plot line! ALSO THERE IS A SEQUEL COMING SOON!?

The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton 

This one was intriguing and had some magical realism, some mystery, some odd plot lines, and some difficult topics. Even though I read this right at the beginning of 2015, I remember being so intrigued and confused when finishing this book and it definitely left an impact on me.

After writing this post, I feel really motivated to read plenty more amazing books this year!
Have you guys read any of these? What did you think!? What were your favourite books of 2015!? This post is kind of late and maybe a little irrelevant but I'm sharing it anyway!

reasons to play life is strange

Life Is Strange has quickly become one of my favourite games.

It's an episodic game, following student, Max Caulfield as she navigates her life after acquiring the ability to rewind time. The decisions you make in the game impact the past, present and future and have different consequences which is always hella fun!

Just some reasons I love this game:

• It's beautifully written and the story involves time travel, a mysterious tornado and uncovering the secrets behind the disappearance of a fellow student. Also reconnecting with a friend and being all teenage and nostalgic.
• It made me feel all the feels. 
• It has an amazing soundtrack, so nostalgic and cute. 
• Has a female lead.
• The story is very character driven and has a female friendship at the forefront.
• ALL THE FEELS
• Shout out to the characters Warren and Kate, for being cute lil' cinnamon buns. 
• The character and complex and amazing.
• The graphics have a hand drawn aesthetic and are very beautiful.
• Time travel woo!
• IT MADE ME CRY FOR AN HOUR 
• Has tempted me to invest in a polaroid camera 
• And make a polaroid wall (as pictured above) 
• I just love this game and a limited edition (including the soundtrack and exclusive art book) has just been released! 

Has anyone else played Life Is Strange? If you haven't definitely give it a go!!

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saviour songs // january 2016

Saviour Songs is a monthly playlist, consisting of the songs that set the musical backdrop to Rosario's life. 

• 'We're just trying to find some colour in this black and white world.'
• This month's playlist consists of a whole block of Panic! At The Disco, why? Because they just released the album 'Death Of A Bachelor' and it is insanely amazing. I'm ready to conquer the universe when I listen to this album, it's really that good. One of my favourite thing about Panic! is the diversity of their music, every album is really different and I think everyone could find something they love from their earliest album (released ten years ago) to their most recent (this month) It was tempting to include every song on this album (which you should listen to because -mind-blown) but here are some I love especially. 
• I've included possibly my favourite Paramore song 'Anklebiters' which has my favourite lyrics (which one day I might get tattooed on myself so that I'm forced to see it everyday) 'fall in love with yourself.' I'm a firm believer that being comfortable in and with yourself is such a liberating feeling and this lyric just serves as a reminder that you are damn awesome and you should one hundred percent be your own biggest fan. 
• I recently got back into Foo Fighters and 'Stranger Things Have Happened' was one that made me happy this month. 
• My Sister recently lent me her Red Hot Chilli Peppers CD collection and I've been listening to Road Trippin' a lot! 
• The more I listen to Marina and the Diamonds the more I love her music (and her) 'Gimme love, gimme dreams, gimme a good self esteem.' Lyrically and sonically amazing. 

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today is never too late to be brand new

I often find myself feeling limited by who I have been. Feeling obliged to define myself based on who I have been, and the person people are expecting me to be. I sometimes make decisions based on what I think other people are expecting, rather than listening to myself, and it's really silly. I'm tired of trying to measure myself up to my past self, but also I've realised how unhealthy it is to be so stagnant and avoid change. I haven't got it all worked out, and that's fine.

So really, I just want to put it out there:
You are not obliged to be the same person you were last year or even yesterday.
You don't have to be defined by who you've been whether it's yesterday's self or last year's self, you don't have to make decisions based on who you have been or who you are expected to be.
You don't have to behave the same ways or try to and maintain an appearance simply because (you think) other people are expecting it.

Falling into the trap of comfort and familiarity out of obligation is easy and safe and also pretty boring. You are not obliged to be that person and don't have to loose that feeling of feeling unique. Don't stick to that version of yourself simply because it's safe and easier than taking conscious steps to bettering yourself. You can be brand new if you try and you always should because you are always evolving. Trying to be your past self will only stifle your growth. you have to change to grow. It's totally fine to slip up but don't have to try to so hard to be your past self simply because it's easier, safer or because that's who you used to be. It's not about who you have been, or even who you are, but who you want to be. Here's to becoming limited edition.

xoxo

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