I have been an avid reader my whole life; reading is an outlet for me, an escape which allows my introverted mind to run off into another world. My dad has always called me 'Bubbles', saying that my head is full of them and my mind exists in a space which no one else truly understands. Recently I have reconnected with my love of reading, the power of words is incredible. They say a picture speaks a thousand words, but I would rather read those words ten times over and paint my own picture instead. Recently I have spent many sleepless nights reading some books that have truly inspired my outlook on life.
1. It - Alexa Chung
Okay so I know I'm slightly late on the bandwagon for this one, but I finally bit the bullet a few weeks back and bought 'it' (of course I splurged on the hardback version because it is pretty much the most beautiful coffee table book ever designed). The book is a mixture of memoirs, fashion, lifestyle and photographs, but it resonated with me in a way I never imagined it would. I have been a huge fan of Alexa ever since her ELLE cover shoot and interview back in 2010; she has the most beautiful and whimsical approach to life and this is a book I could read over and over again.
"I don't expect everyone to like me. It's just not realistic or how the world works. If someone I've never met is mean about me, it doesn't matter. But I cannot express how frustrating it is not to be believed"
2. Everything is Going to be OK
My friend Ellie gave me this book for my 19th birthday. That time of my life was a hard one, and I think I would say this is one of the most thoughtful gifts I have ever received. It's a small book and I have had it to hand every day for the two years ever since. It is just full to the brim of the most beautiful, positive and inspiring quotations all beautifully illustrated.
"Dare to wear your heart on your sleeve. Dare to shake off negativity and cynicism. Dare to hope, to dream."
"Dare to wear your heart on your sleeve. Dare to shake off negativity and cynicism. Dare to hope, to dream."
3. Be Body Beautiful - Lucy Mecklenburgh
As mentioned in a number of different blog posts, my main priority for 2015 is health. A surprising number of people don't understand my dedication to this at all. People find it hard to grasp that someone who weighs what I do could be classified as unhealthy, unfit and have a less than ideal percentage of body fat (something which has significantly decreased over the past month *woo*). Lucy was in the exact same position as me before overhauling her lifestyle and founding 'Results with Lucy', she described herself as 'skinny-fat', something I can largely relate to. Her book is unbelievably inspiring, it tells her own story, promotes a healthy and positive outlook on body image and is packed full of nutritious, filling and healthy recipes.
"Learn to love yourself. If you don't accept yourself, no one else will"
4. Eat Yourself Happy
This little beauty of a book was a surprise gift from my boyfriend (left on my bed along with a big bar of Fruit and Nut, slightly contradictory but the thought was there). He knows that I struggle with food. A combination of my allergies, not having an oven in my flat and sheer laziness have lead to me developing a routine of eating a combination of chocolate, cereal and cheese on toast for dinner. He also knows that I struggle with stress. Badly. This book actually manages to address both those things in one go, listing a whole manor of foods and recipes to help combat stress, lack of sleep and anxiety.
"By taking control of what you eat and drink, you can help your body get back to a place of calm, so that both physically and emotionally you are much better equipped to deal with whatever life throws at you"
Happy reading
I'm also currently reading It by Alexa Chung, loving it! I'm liking the sound of Eat Yourself Happy, may have to pick that one up x
ReplyDeletehttp://oliviaandlife.blogspot.co.uk/
Aw you should do, I think he bought it from Urban Outfitters xx
DeleteEat yourself happy! yes please food and happiness! x
ReplyDeletewww.claire-frances.blogspot.co.uk
It's a gorgeous book! xx
DeleteI love those books! They would be so pretty to sit on my coffee table in my living room. I've been meaning to get a few for that. :)
ReplyDeletexx
http://muchlovetori.blogspot.com/
Aw you should invest in these theyre all so lovely xx
DeleteI haven't heard of these, but I will definitely be taking a look at them! Great post, and I love the pictures - so cute! x
ReplyDeleteWill make a note of those. Just thought I'd share a great fiction book I'm reading at the mo- The book of Lost Things by John Connelly
ReplyDeleteooh thanks for the recommendation xx
DeleteI really want to read Lucy Mecklenburgh's and Alexa Chung's book! I definitely need to purchase them soon. xx
ReplyDeletetheyre both great, definitely worth the hype! xx
DeleteSome lovely picks, I was actually just thinking today I wanted to do a post on some books I love :)
ReplyDeletevvnightingale.blogspot.co.uk
thanks lovely, aww you should do! xx
DeleteOk, you have convinced me! I will be heading out and purchasing Eat Yourself Calm! A guide to better eating and a less stressful state of mind? I'm all in!
ReplyDeleteRachel
http://rachelinflight.com
It's such a great concept isnt it! xx
DeleteYour blog is so pretty! I have recently started reading again at night, I don't know why I ever stopped. I can't wait to get some of the books on your list, thank you for your support on my blog xo
ReplyDeletewww.angelarosebenson.blogspot.ca
aw thank you! I'm the same, it really does help me to sleep xx
DeleteHii! I love the Alexa Chung's one! :) Is the 'Everything is Going to be OK' good? It sounds like one of those books I would like to read! :)
ReplyDeleteMuch love xx
Catarina // ohkori.blogspot.com
It's so lovely, its just full of such gorgeous quotes! xx
DeleteI really should check out Results with Lucy, I've made health and fitness a priority in 2015 too! :)
ReplyDeleteLayra | FASHION, EATS & TREATS
aw im sure youll love it then! xx
DeleteI don't read a lot but now I really want to read it by Alexa Chung.
ReplyDeleteThareninicola.weebly.com
You should do :) xx
DeleteEat Yourself Happy sounds like a really interesting read :) I love book related posts. But hold up - you don't have an oven?! I think I'd live off Super Noodles and soup every day if I didn't have one!
ReplyDeletealittlesoapbox.com
haha it's a nightmare!! i have a hob and microwave and then i bought a grill which i cook my meat on, but it does make things 10 times harder! xx
DeleteThis is a lovely post :) I've been wanting to read It for ages and you've just reminded me! And Everything is Going to be Okay sounds like the most wonderful book :)
ReplyDeleteaw thank you! xx
DeleteI just bought "It" but I just haven't had a chance to start reading it! I'm really excited about it! Your post has reminded me that I really should make time for it again!
ReplyDeleteoooh im sure youll love it! xx
DeleteI love Alexa Chung's book, I got it for Christmas in 2013 and it truly is such a gorgeous cover design. I love how you included quotes from each of the books you chose, I'm a sucker for pretty words.
ReplyDeleteI'm currently working on a favorite books post as well, come check it out in a few days! :)
-Jessica
http://sweetnessandsolitude.blogspot.com
i love the cover too! the texture is just gorgeous! xx
DeleteLove it "Bubbles" ;) .. I'll have to keep these book in mind for my flight back to Sydney next week :)
ReplyDeleteaww you should do! have a safe flight xx
DeleteI received Alexa Chung's book for Christmas and I love dipping in and out of it, reading a couple of pages now and again. x
ReplyDeletethats what i love too! just can just pick it up at any point its lovely xx
DeleteI would love IT! A gorgeous coffee table book.
ReplyDeleteGeorgina
foxonthehunt.com
you should read it its great :) xx
DeleteThank you for the wonderful suggestions! I can't to start reading some of these books. Have a great day!
ReplyDeletewww.dressdynamic.blogspot.com
thanks lovely xx
DeleteOooh, the "Eat Yourself Happy" book looks really good! I have to get my hands on that! Thanks for the recommendations Amy! xx
ReplyDeletehttp://lilliemysel.blogspot.com
it is great youll love it! xx
DeleteI haven't read any of these but I have seen Lucy Mecklenburgh's book in my local Asda. They all look like very informative books and good reads.
ReplyDelete~ Kazzie || Kazzie Athena
you should try one of them theyre such great books xx
DeleteI definitely need to pick up Alexa Chung's book just so i can understand what everyone's on about!x http://www.charlottebehappy.com
ReplyDeleteyou should do im sure youll love it xx
DeleteI love everything is going to be OK! And I think that I'll pick up 'It'.
ReplyDeletehttp://mychickchats.blogspot.com/
you should do, theyre both lovely books xx
DeleteHey Amy. Returning the favour <3 :) Love you blog such a cute design x www.therose.co
ReplyDeletethank you lovely xx
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