For people who are solely devoted to fiction, I am sure the idea of nonfiction may seem boring or uninteresting. That is a sweeping generalisation but more often than not, when I ask people why they don't like nonfiction they say it's because they don't want to read something cemented in reality, or more often than not, something that will remind them of school. That's fair but I think the best nonfiction acts as a form of escapism and inspiration. There's a reason I am so taken with memoirs. The best stories from real people, written to perfection can shine just as strongly as the novels we devour with enthusiasm. Today we have five new (to me) nonfiction tomes. There's home inspiration, words from loved writers and musings on lipstick and feminism. The essentials of course...

The Coveteur-One of my Christmas presents, admittedly thanks to some less than subtle hinting on my part. I've been a fan of The Coveteur since 2011, according to these here archives. Crazy thinking it's been that long. Anyway, they released this coffee-table book filled with some of the best of the best homes and possessions from their archives. Tavi Gevinson, Lisa Eldridge and more are included. Even if you have seen these pictures before, it's something else seeing them off a screen and instead on paper. This would make a beautiful gift really and I think anyone with a love for style, design and the stories behind prized possessions would enjoy this.

Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher-I'd been wanting to read Carrie's books for a while and have now read two in the last couple of months. My only qualm is they are not very long and that there is the painful reality that there won't be any more. Unless of course some are released posthumously. Wishful Drinking is a collection of essays and anecdotes from Carrie about her not so normal upbringing, Star Wars, her experiences with mental illness and more. Yes some of the topics are heavier but Carrie presents them in a way that is relatable and at times pretty darn hilarious. It's so important to be able to find joy in dark times and comedy can be perfect for that. Such a great read.

The Yellow Wall Paper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman-A book I bought inspired by Emma. I think we just basically encourage each other's retail habits. Anyway, The Yellow Wall Paper is a collection of short stories, which I have only just realised. Whoops. It is one of those texts that does get referenced and recommended as must-have feminist reading though so I am glad to finally have it. 

A to Z of Lipstick* by Poppy King-To those in the know, Poppy King is the creator of Lipstick Queen, a brand we can now access through Mecca Maxima here in Christchurch, soon to be Wellington and online. Yay. The A to Z of Lipstick is a little book, jam packed with everything you'd ever want to know about lipstick. It is beautifully designed and would be perfect for any makeup lover, more so the lipstick queens among us. #seewhatididthere #wowsosubtle

Artful by Ali Smith-The Oxford lectures of Ali Smith, all available in one paper volume. She looks at literature, the consideration of art and life and the significance and importance of literature. It sounds a bit nerdy perhaps. Although if you are a lover of words and appreciate Smith's prose, it will no doubt be required reading.

-Have you read any of these books? What did you think of them?

December and January are always some of my strongest reading months. Study's more or less on hold, the city empties out and I read, read and read some more. Especially outdoors. I love it. I've flitted in and out of a few books over the last two months so today I've rounded up some of them into this nifty little list for you all. There's poetry, diaries and a couple of books you should add to your handbag or coffee table...

The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher-This read was unfortunately very timely. I requested it from the library a while ago and it was waiting for me in the days following Carrie's passing. As someone whose never seen a Star Wars film, it may surprise people that I read and loved this. In fact, I'm not going to lie just writing about this book feels fraudulent. What you may not know is I have often been a fan of Carrie's non-galactic work, her other roles, her interviews and her general badassery as a woman who was never afraid to speak her truth. I really loved this book and at times, passages were a bit too real given the recent events however it was still a worthwhile read. In fact, since reading it, I've ordered Wishful Drinking.

The Universe of Us by Lang Leav-I'd read Leav's poetry before and loved it but honestly, I found her latest volume a little underwhelming. Don't get me wrong, there were still a handful of passages that resonated with me but for the most part it felt a little unorganised. I also feel like it's wrong to label it as entirely poetry but maybe that is just me. Instead, I'd recommend you read her previous volume, Memories instead.

Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler-Sweetbitter has been on my to-read list for a while now and after waiting an eternity on the library's waitlist I finally read it this month. I'd describe this as The Devil Wears Prada meets Girls. I'm a foodie but I know next to nothing about restaurant culture, particularly on the running side of things and I found that so interesting. As well as that of course there's the drama and scandal involved in a twenty-something's life in NYC. It's as addictive and decadent, as an unputdownable dessert. 

Get A Life! by Vivienne Westwood-It's a big claim but this might be the best book I have impulse-bought in a while. Get A Life was long, coming in at just under five hundred pages but so inspiring and informative. If you want to learn about climate change, this is just one of the topics Westwood is so well informed on and passionate about. It's not strictly a fashion book per se but you are provided glimpses into the process her and Andreas go through when curating their collections. I also loved her writing on art and its history+significance in the present. Those sections were particularly well done. I gave this 3.5 stars, only because I did not always agree with some of her more sweeping statements on environmentalism and politics but on the whole I thoroughly enjoyed these diary entries.

This Modern Romance by Will Darbyshire-This was a birthday present from one of my friends last year and I have to admit, I'd not heard of Will before reading this. I'm a bad YouTube watcher, whatever. This Modern Romance is the kind of book that is lovely to dip in and out of, reading people's beautiful words on relationships in their three main stages. The book is broken up into love letters intended to wax lyrical on the beginning, middle and end of a relationship as well as being interspersed with Darbyshire's own photos. It's just beautiful and some of the letters are utterly heartbreaking. For the most part though this is a book of hope and optimism. Gift it to any of the lovers of words in your life, they are bound to treasure it. 

-What have you read in January? Leave your recommendations below!