I'm currently in the Alps, in the most gorgeous chalet nestled in the snowy mountains. I should be flatlining it down the slopes on my snowboard with the squad, however I unfortunately tore my left shoulder muscle a couple days ago, so I’m seizing the rare opportunity to post a blog. It’s been too long.
In 2017, I read 55 books. I’m not entirely sure how, but out of curiosity, I decided to keep a log throughout the year and it seems the pages you read on your daily commute really tot up. I thought it only right to share the ones that stood out from the shelf.
1. THE TIMELESS CLASSIC
This book was recommended on Pinterest under the title ’11 books that will make you fall in love with reading’ and it lived up to the acclaim.  I saved it for when I was in New York and Boston at the start of the year, as it felt apt to do so. The coming-of-age tale is called a classic for a reason: the story is timeless, it was written so beautifully, with great insight. I also really resonated with Francie, the protagonist from the very start, which helps.
*An ideal book if you’re able to read for chunks of time, if you’re travelling, or have long commutes. You want to get lost in it.
2. THE RELATIONSHIP COUNSELLOR
A colleague lent this to me, else I wouldn’t have taken a second glance at it. Looks more like the Karma Sutra than an insightful journey through the psychology of a fictional marriage.
It’s voyeuristic in nature as you’re taken through the course of a married couple’s relationship, and framed within this romantic narrative, it offers pearls of wisdom within its pages.
3. THE CREATIVITY INJECTION
I’ve read a couple of Elizabeth Gilbert’s books before and I appreciate the way her mind works, so this one naturally caught my eye.
I often struggle to find time to prioritise creative projects, and so this was the perfect inspiration to help weave creativity into my every day. It especially motivated me to prioritise writing. The phrase from the book that stuck with me is the notion of taking your craft ‘lightly, but seriously’; the idea of putting your skills and energy into something, but not being over-precious about what you produce. Let it flow, and let it go. Woah, I just came up with that.
4. THE MYTH BUSTER
I’ve studied the topic of personalities a fair amount over the past few years, and it’s been enlightening and very helpful on a day-to-day level. This book has been on my to-read list for a while, and I finally got round to reading it in 2017.
Although this book is incredibly affirming for introverts, terming it as such is a misnomer and a disservice to what the book can offer. It’s a valuable topic to explore for anyone owning a personality. I’m more on the extroverted side of the scale and found it hugely valuable and have had many interesting conversations off the back of it.
5. THE HOLIDAY PAGE TURNER
My boss lent me this book so I felt pressure to like it and I had my doubts as it’s not the genre I’d normally make a beeline for. Fortunately,  the book surprised me and I swallowed it up. It was a really easy, entertaining read. It may not make you think differently, or implement anything new in your life as a result, but a cheeky bit of escapism now and again is more than fine with me.
6. THE FEAR FACER
This book that intrigued me the moment I set eyes on it and I picked it up in the sale shortly after.
Written by a brain surgeon with a terminal illness, this helps you face fears and consider the value of life head on. Its one of the most incredibly profound books I’ve ever read. It’s somehow heart wrenching, yet also comforting. Exploring themes of death and faith, it was very powerful and beautifully written.
7. THE POETRY WITH A PUNCH
I was surprised by this book for my birthday. I don’t read a lot of poetry, but this hit me around the teeth. She’s an audacious, talented writer whose words pack a punch.
I’ve heard it said of poetry, that it’s a medium where you know it all already, but just haven’t expressed it yourself, so the level on which you resonate with the words is really profound.
This was definitely true for me.