It's been way too long since a post solely devoted to books made an appearance on this blog so it was about time that was amended. I feel like I've been reading more than usual lately-I like to read on my trains to and from work but also occasionally on my lunch break and at the end of the day. Basically, any time I have free time I'll either be reading or re-watching The Crown on Netflix. You get the gist. Books are great, paperbacks and hardbacks not e-readers are life. Moving right along...

Book Club: My self-established book club on Goodreads has kinda taken an extended hiatus. I have been reading some other book club's recommendations though. For Our Shared Shelf, I've been reading The Handmaid's Tale which for some reason is taking me forever. Side note: I'm going to attempt to finish that in the next couple of weeks so I can report back but so far, I am still obsessed with Atwood's writing. For Between Two Books, I have been reading Too Much & Not the Mood by Durga Chew Bose. Ironically, I feel like I have to be in the mood to read this one but the experience is rewarding as I have several pages bookmarked and underlined. I also recently grabbed one of their past recommendations, Tristimania by Jay Griffiths but I am yet to read it. I will report back here or over on Goodreads though.

Time Out's Book Gifts: One of my two favourite bookstores in Auckland, Time Out have recently launched some rather rad book gifts. You can select a year of books subscriptions; monthly or bimonthly and will receive a book tailored to your reading tastes, a hand selected bundle of books, a gift registry for not so subtle hint dropping and more. Check them out here. I'm not going to lie, that subscription service is tempting me so much. 

Recently Read: / The Wonder by Emma Donoghue. This book is really outside my literary comfort zone, being historical fiction. It addresses topics like mental illness, eating disorders, religious imagery and the fascination with the supernatural or the unexplained. While the story is fictional, it was interesting to think about how illnesses like eating disorders were very much a new concept in 1850. I can see why so many people love Donoghue's writing. She flawlessly combines the grotesque with the beautiful and her prose is extremely compelling. / The Illustrated Mum by Jacqueline Wilson. My Jacqueline Wilson kick continues and I was particularly keen to revisit this one. I remember I used to own it but couldn't really remember much beyond the fact the mother had lots of tattoos, hence the title. I'm pretty sure it used to scare me too, given it deals with manic depression which I really wouldn't have comprehended. That being said, Wilson takes the subject matter extremely seriously and doesn't attempt to condescend or patronise her younger audience. I can only imagine how effective this book would be for a child facing a similar situation.  / Various magazines. Let me know if you want to see articles I've enjoyed, provided I can find the links online and/or know some I've loved lately. 

The Wishlist: / Olympia Le Tan, The Story of O.L.T. I've flicked through this book briefly in store and it is beautiful. Not only that it's packed to the brim with visual inspiration and I want it so badly for my bookshelf and eyes. / What Happened by Hillary Rodham Clinton. I actually have another of Hillary's memoirs on my shelves and I did start it and loved what I'd read so far but its her upcoming book I'm intrigued by. I think the title says it all really and her publishers are promising this to be her most candid book yet. / Vivienne Westwood. After reading and rating Westwood's diaries last year, I really want to read her memoirs. There's not much more to it than that really.

-What have you read and liked recently?