Given two-thirds of the year are almost gone I've begun to think about favourite books, and beauty products for the year. With that logic in mind, I decided to round up my five top reads of 2015 so far. Side note: These are in no particular order because I can't rank things. That just makes life more difficult. Anyway, here's my top five...

All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven-I won't be surprised if this book ends up in my favourite reads video for the year because it was fantastic. It tells the story of Violet and Finch, two teens whose paths cross at school one day when Violet talks Finch down from the ledge he is contemplating jumping from. Both these characters have troubling backstories but it is through working together on a class project that their friendship develops and they both save one another to an extent. It's a bit of a heavy read but it explores the topics of mental illness, depression and feeling like an outsider so, so well. 

Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen-Believe it or not until this year I'd read nothing by Sarah Dessen. Despite her books often being bought out during SSR in English, my curiosity was never piqued. Sydney lives in the shadow of her brother Peyton whose past mistakes haunt her family. She moves to a new school and falls in with a new crowd who she really gels with. It's a little bit sad but I really did enjoy this book. If you have any recommendations of other Sarah Dessen titles I should look for let me know.

The Book of Joan by Melissa Rivers-Side note: I just read online that Fashion Police is returning to tv again soon and it will not be the same. Anyway, this collection of essays by Joan's daughter Melissa provides a heap of insights into the treasured comedian. There's stories which will make you laugh and even some which might make you a bit teary. Joan's speech to Melissa's graduating class was one of my favourite anecdotes but if you love a good memoir/life-essay then you'll like this.

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell-One of my cousins recommended this book and Fangirl to me, both by Rowell but this one has to be my favourite. It's about two teenagers, both outsiders who meet one day on the bus and bond over mixtapes and comic books. It's a cute story but it does have elements of darkness to it. I really loved this book even though parts really had me feeling all of the feels.

This Star Won't Go Out by Esther and Lori Earl-This book follows Esther Earl as she documents her life as an average teenage girl living through not so average circumstances. Esther has cancer and she keeps a diary about her experiences as well as sharing encounters with Harry Potter fans online and the Nerdfighter community. In fact, she befriends John Green. Perhaps this is where he got the inspiration for Hazel Grace Lancaster? Hmm.. Throughout her parents and siblings contribute their thoughts and musings as well. I wasn't expecting to enjoy this book as much as I did but it was so well put together and really inspirational. It did make me feel all the feels too, like many all of the other books on this list.

-What books have you read and liked so far in 2015?

I'm sounding the monthly favourites klaxon, reference c/Anna . This month's been a bit of in with the old and the new when it comes to beauty. I've rediscovered just how good a certain concealer is and found my new favourite bronzer. There's also my monthly book favourites and a DVD which I am sure will come as no surprise to many of you.. 

Beauty

Real Techniques Bold Metal Brushes, #100 and #300-My brushes are dirty so yep, I have not cleaned them. *taps wrist for being a bad blogger* On the other hand, that just shows how well loved and used these gems are. I've already written about these here but in short, the powder brush is amazing for setting makeup down. Its density means it doesn't pick up too much product so you aren't left looking caked in powder. The blush brush is ideal if you find application scary. Its tapered edge fits perfectly into the cheekbone area. Lovelovelove. 

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Vanilla-My concealer of choice for blemishes and whatnot offers great coverage but I find the heat just makes it slip off my face way too fast. I rediscovered this Nars one this month and haven't looked back. I love that I don't really need to touch up concealer with this on because it just stays put. The colour range is fantastic as well and it provides decent coverage without being too thick. 

Soap and Glory Solar Powder-Aside from its cardboard packaging, this bronzer is perfect. It's matte so there's no shimmer if that's something you like to avoid. These two shades are perfect for paler complexions as there's no orangey tones to them whatsoever. If you can get your hands on this bronzer, get one asap. 

Mac Lip Pencil in Soar-This seems to be sold out everywhere online but try in stores because they may be floating around there. You've probably already seen this liner online a lot. According to Kim K, it's little sister Kylie's liner of choice. This mauve-pink liner is such a flattering colour. It'd complement a range of skintones. It makes your pout look fuller, regardless of whether you overdraw your lips. I like to wear this on its own or under my more brown based nudes. 

Fairydrops Quattro Mascara, a gift-Fairydrops is notoriously difficult to find unless you're in Japan or can easily access a BeautyMart. One of my friends bought this back for me from her travels recently and I'm not gonna lie, I was quite excited. The wand on this one is quite bizarre, google it to see what I mean. The effect it has on the lashes however is stunning. It's not the most dramatic of mascaras but it really separates the lash and holds a curl.

Extras

All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven*-This has to be one of the best young-adult novels I have read in a long, long time. The way it presents mental illness, dealing with grief and the multi-faceted role that is being a young adult is fantastic. In no way does this book romanticise any of the serious issues at hand which some YA books/films tend to do. I found this book really touching and beautifully written. Read it. 

New Girl Season One-As always, I'm a bit late to the bandwagon with this one. I freakin' love New Girl though. It's one of those shows that never fails to put me in a good mood. The hilarity and awkwardness of Zooey's character, while a bit too relatable at times, is brilliant. Not gonna lie, I think Schmidt is rather fit as well. 

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell-I couldn't pick one book this month so you're getting two. Again, Eleanor and Park deals with some heavier issues. It also unites two outcasts who bond over pop culture and their different upbringings. It's a sweet story but be warned, it will make you feel all the feels. 

-What have you been loving during February?

*PR Sample

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell-Now this has been on my 'to-read' list for over a year so I added it to a recent online order. Set in the eighties, without the daggy outfits, we meet two teens, Eleanor and Park. They're both somewhat social outcasts who meet and bond over a love of music, mix tapes and comic books. Eleanor comes from a dysfunctional family and Park saves her to an extent. I won't spoil anything else for you but this was brilliant. It's such a sweet story. Funny, adorable, a little bit cringe-worthy in parts and even a touch sad. I loved it and it was a great introduction to Rowell's writing.

All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven*-One of the most highly anticipated YA debuts of 2015 and it really didn't disappoint. As the blurb states, it tells the story of the girl who learned to live from the boy who wants to die. Violet and Finch are in their last year of high school before they depart for college. They work together on a class geography project, make their way around Indiana spots and always leave something behind wherever they visit. This book touches on first loves, mental illness and learning to live again after more trying times. It doesn't glorify or romanticise the issues at all, which was fantastic. This novel is beautifully done. You'll laugh and you will cry. Everyone needs to read this. 

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell-Another read from Rainbow Rowell. This one centres around Cath's experiences as she heads off to college. Her first encounters with romance, classes and of course her fan fiction about Simon Snow are explored. The fan fiction in question is very Harry Potter-esque, maybe it was just me that thought that. Like Eleanor & Park this was a sweet, heartwarming story. I did feel like it was over too quickly though so I'll definitely have to go back for a re-read of this at some point. 

Stuff I've Been Reading by Nick Hornby-Nick Hornby's books are probably going to be making their way into these posts for the next while, just a heads up for y'all. Anyway, this book contains Hornby's essays about books that he penned for a magazine/newspaper (I think). It's actually really interesting and I'm loving this at the moment. The majority of books he's featured are ones I've not heard of too so I've been adding to my ever-increasing 'to-read' list.

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

*Press Copy