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!

I'll spare you all the usual, 'where has the year gone' statement. That'll come tomorrow... December's been a darn good month. For so many reasons it's my favourite month of the entire year so I'm glad it lived up to its expectations. It was also a good month for favourites as well and there could easily have been a fair few more items in here. For now though, here's the eyeshadow I'm quite smitten with, a book I wish I'd read sooner and everything in between...

Printicular App-This app's had a fair bit of the limelight around these parts so I'll keep this brief. Cheap, cheerful, Instagram sized images at your disposal. If you live in New Zealand and have a Warehouse Stationery handy you need to give this app a go. These are also great to gift somebody else as well of course as keep tangible versions of your visual memories.

Mac Satin Lipstick in Brave-Thanks to the lovely Fiona this lipstick made its way into my life this month. Whether or not it is Kylie J's shade of choice, it is a stunning colour. It's a lovely pink nude, with the slightest pearlised sheen running through it. Go give it a swatch and be prepared to swoon.

Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerise Eyeshadow in Bette-Dear Charlotte, please bring your luxurious makeup to the Southern Hemisphere in 2016. Love from Sophie x. These cream shadows are heaven in a frosted glass jar. They're so moussy which makes blending them a dream and the pigmentation is spot on. Bette is a golden bronze hue, perfect for the Summer months. It might be a bold claim but this is definitely one of the best cream eyeshadow formulas I have ever tried.

Essence Mattifying Compact Powder in Light Beige*-This powder was sent to me months ago and I remember liking it at the time but it ended up lost in my makeup drawer. It's definitely getting a thrashing at the moment though, when my face begins to resemble the reflective surface of a CD. Every day in other words. This powder is porcelain-skin friendly, doesn't look cakey and helps to keep shine at bay. It mightn't be the most long-wearing of powders but given how cheap and cheerful it is you can't really complain.

About A Boy by Nick Hornby-It took me far too long to read this one, given I watched the movie months ago and bought the book at the beginning of the year. Whoops. For those unfamiliar with the story it charts the journeys of Will, a thirty-something singleton and Marcus, an adolescent+outcast. Their paths cross and ultimately they both have a lot to learn from one another. This novel offers an interesting insight into life in 1990's London as well as the contrast between youth and adulthood. It's well worth the read.

Gilmore Girls-No brainer: I'm doing that thing where I rewatch Gilmore Girls and love it+inevitably declare it a current favourite. Let's be real, it's at all-time favourite status now. It doesn't even need a proper explanation.

Memories by Lang Leav-When I spotted this in the bookstore it was one of those moments where I judged the book solely on its cover. It didn't disappoint. Biographical, nostalgic, mesmerising poetry is contained within its pages. If you like inspiring writing give this a try.

-What have you loved during December?

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