Today's post is inspired by one I saw earlier in the week over on Emma's fabulous blog. Despite having a rather ridiculous 'to be read' pile, there are still books I want to re-read. Sometimes I like doing this when I can't decide what to read next, or if I feel like I need a break from a particular genre. Ironically, most of the ones below are young adult fiction. Anyway, here's some books I want to read again..

Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult and Samantha Van Leer-After reading Off The Page a couple of weeks ago I really want to read the first book in this series again. The ideas of characters within stories interacting with people in the real world, and the idea of book characters being like actors in a play really appealed to me. 

Yes Please by Amy Poehler-When things are a bit 'meh' I always like to read something entertaining and that I know will make me laugh. Amy Poehler's book is guaranteed to do just that. I also read it quite fast initially so I'd like to take my time reading it again. 

Paper Towns by John Green-Given the movie is coming out next month it's the perfect time to revisit this one. I actually didn't enjoy this as much as some of John Green's other books when I first read it. Maybe I was just in an off mood reading it because I know heaps of people love it. Either way, I'm willing to give it another go.

Wildwood by Colin Meloy-This series is like Famous Five mixed with the fantasy of the Narnia series. There's magic, talking animals, a political uprising of sorts and royalty. It's really unlike any other children's book that I have read or can think of. Even adults would enjoy these books too. I loved the gorgeous illustrations throughout and I may have to add this to my collection at some point.

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell-Like Paper Towns, I liked this on the first read but didn't love it. I think because I held Eleanor & Park, also by Rowell in such high esteem that this was going to be really toughly judged by me. Is anyone else like that with books by authors they love? Again though I know this book is really popular so I want to give it another chance before the spin-off book about Simon Snow is released later in the year.

-Which books would you re-read? 

Two videos in one week?! Aren't you all lucky things. I've made the hard decision and whittled down all the books I've read this year to a mere ten. There's fiction, a few memoirs and some home-inspiration. All the things I love in books. Some of these probably won't be a surprise if you're following me on Instagram or Goodreads but maybe you'll find some new material to add to your wishlist of books. Enjoy! 

A few posts back I mentioned how I've been trying to get out of my literary rut which has been successfully achieved. In fact, I'd say that I've been reading a lot more lately than just watching TV series to while away the hours. It's funny how things go full circle like that. Anyway, as you can see I've been frequenting the Auckland libraries lately for some friend+booktuber recommendations and in short, they're (almost) all fabulous. I'll let my mini reviews do the talking though from here on in...

Across The Universe by Beth Revis-Despite a reference to The Beatles in the title, this has nothing to do with the fab four. This novel is probably the most out of my typical reading comfort zone. As Tara so aptly put it, this book fits into the dystopian sci-fi genre, for teens. Amy, a 17 year old from America and her parents are cryogenically frozen on a ship, Godspeed where they believe they will wake on a new planet three hundred years into the future. Amy however is woken from her slumber early and all is not as it seems. Now I usually avoid sci-fi books like the plague but I really enjoyed this. I think because it's unlike anything I've read before it was all the more intriguing. If you like The Hunger Games then you'd probably like this too. 

Wildwood by Colin Meloy-Wildwood was a book I picked up in a specialty store in Auckland a few months back and it was quickly added to my 'to read' list. Whimsical illustrations, a story that takes the characters from Portland into an enchanted wood and brilliantly crafted writing. This is for children but it's easily a book I can imagine adults enjoying as well-I know I loved it. I could not put this, or the other two books in the trilogy down. 

It's Kind Of A Funny Story by Ned Vizzini-One of my American blogging friends Hannah recommended this book to me in one of our many novel-length emails a long time back. This is the story of Craig, a New York teenager who happens to attend an extremely prestigious school and also battles with severe depression. After attempting to end his life, he admits himself into a hospital where he spends five days in a psychiatric ward. This all sounds rather dark, I guess in many ways it is. However this is not a sad, nor depressing book. It's funny, it's enlightening and it'll make you think. As Vizzini himself battled with depression this book doesn't glamourise the subject and for anyone wanting an insight into mental illness this is such a worthwhile read.

Berlin Street Style by Angelika Taschen-Now this was the book I probably enjoyed the least. It's not awful as such, there was just one too many "style advice" type pages for my liking. I'm very picky when it comes to fashion books. The street style photography and photography throughout though is stunning. If you're a fashionista or someone looking for a book that's just quick and easy to flick through then you're bound to like this.

I hope you enjoyed this little insight into what I've been reading. Books are such a huge part of my life so I'm trying to introduce them more to Nana Wintour. Keep an eye out for a lil' book haul which will be up on my blog this time next week. In the meantime, feel free to check out what else I've been reading over on my Goodreads page.

*Have you read any of these books? If not, what have you read lately and enjoyed?

I'll spare y'all the generic 'end of the month' introduction and get straight into the lack of products this month. I was certainly trying a lot of new things, more on that next month and many of these are in fact new and also well-loved. There just didn't seem to be as many products that sprung to mind when I was making this list. Anyway, I digress, here's what was on my radar during August...

Soap and Glory Sugar Crush Body Wash, a gift-Who doesn't want to smell good? Sure, it'd be nice to have some Jo Malone body products if funds allowed but in the meantime this is pretty delicious. Scent aside, this is also rather moisturising on dry limbs, especially when combined with a body scrub.

L'Oreal Paris Colour Riche Mono Eyeshadow in Cafe Saint Germain, a gift-This picture really isn't doing this justice but if you like eyeshadows that have more of a sheen than a shimmer you'll like this. That was such a terrible description but you know what I mean. The dewy sheen that runway models often have to their eye makeup. Go on Style.com if this is not making any sense. These eyeshadows really are stunning-the matte formulas rock too. Hopefully they'll be released here eventually.

Origins Zero Oil Purifying Toner-My old toner ran out at the beginning of the month so I went to DFS in search of an Origins alternative. Now as the name would suggest, this toner is pretty intensive. It's possibly a touch too intensive for my skin but it's still doing the job. If you don't have extremely oily skin though then I'd steer clear of this. It removes every scrap of makeup+dirt from your face and my skin's been noticeably blemish free which could be down to this. Only time will tell..

The Wildwood Chronicles by Colin Meloy-Lately I've been really getting back into reading. It's one of my favourite ways to pass time and has been often neglected so I'm trying to get back into it again. Anyway, these books have been on my to-read list for a long time and they're so good. Yes, it's children's fiction but they're really not written in a simplistic way so grown ups (like me, ha) can enjoy them as well. The story is unlike anything else and the beautiful illustrations really just enhance the books. I'm currently reading the third and most recent novel and I cannot put it down. 

By Terry Ombre Blackstar Cream Eyeshadows-Swoon.These eyeshadows are more on the pricy side, but these are similar, and cheaper. If you are feeling spendy though then these are well worth the splurge. There's such stunning, unique colours in the range. Seen here are Misty Rock and Bronze Moon, two offerings that veer more on the neutral side of things. They certainly add an extra ounce of pizzazz to makeup looks and the lasting power is incredible.

Tommy Hilfiger 'Tommy Girl' Body Spray*-This isn't coming up online but if you're in New Zealand, I imagine this'd be in most major department stores and also at Farmers. Body Sprays aren't for everyone but this blend of lime blossom, lilac and honeysuckle has been my go-to in place of perfume this month. It's one of those scents that doesn't fade super fast and is great to spritz if you need a bit of a refresh. 

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Lipstick in Ole Flamingo, a gift-A matte lip product that is not drying? Say it isn't so! These lipsticks dry down to more of a satin finish, hence their wearability and comfort on the lips. This vibrant fuschia would suit anyone. If you're less brave, there's a new nude shade that has that whole Kylie Jenner nude lip vibe about it. Adding to the wishlist as we speak...