WINTER READS

As soon as London's temperature hits below 5 degrees, my plan is set in stone: I'll curl up on my bed with a good book and a handful of chocolates to nibble! It brings back childhood memories. I remember those days when I was munching Cadbury's whilst reading Archie comics. Most of my early teens were spent like that. I miss those days. So, last November I decided to read again. Social media gets the better out of my waking hours and it just feels wrong, at least for me. 

In Order to Live: A North Korean Girl's Journey to Freedom by Yeonmi Park

From the time that I started reading it, I cannot put this book down! It's a page turner. From start to finish. I don't normally read outside (specially when in motion) because I feel dizzy but I can't help but read a page or two when I got a chance. I highly recommend this book for so many reasons. It will excite you, bring you to tears and amaze you on how a 13 year old girl surpassed all those atrocities brought to her by the regime. On the last pages of the book, she made me realise an advantage most of us have often take for granted.

"Once I was home, all I did was read. I inhaled books like other people breathe oxygen. I didn't just read for knowledge or pleasure; I read to live. I bought books about Roman mythology and world history. I read biographies of Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt, and Hilary Clinton. I was interested in America, and I particularly loved biographies because they were about people who had to overcome obstacles and prejudices to get ahead. They made me think I could make it when nobody else believed in me, when I didn't even believe in myself." Page 229

Deliciously Ella by Ella Woodward
Gab gave me this book Christmas of 2015. It's very special in so many ways but I can say this is one of the turning point of my healthy eating. Her story is interesting because she herself is a living testament on how clean eating makes a difference in one's life. She was diagnosed with Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and she's been first to admit that her life was stuffed with junk food back then. She embraced eating natural food and ditching all processed food. Then I discovered this truth (and I feel stupid for not noticing this early enough): Fast food, packed noodles and canned goods are not food. They are a bunch of chemicals that appear to be food. I hope people will realise that sooner rather than later.

In the book, you'll find recipes that are so easy to whip up and are very nutritious. From starters to dessert, you'll have loads of ideas and the best part is, they all taste amazing!

What I Know for Sure by Oprah Winfrey
I've just finished reading this gem days ago. We all know Oprah, who doesn't? But reading her book allowed me to access her very emotions on certain topics. Here's an excerpt:

"The older I get, the less tolerance I have for pettiness and superficial pursuits. There's a wealth that has nothing to do with {money}, that comes from the perspective and wisdom of paying attention to your life. It has everything to teach you. And what I know for sure is that the joy of learning well is the greatest reward."

Humans of London by Cathy Teesdale

The book is unconventional. I don't usually read books that don't have much text on it but I thought to myself: What's a definition of a book? Then I had this aha moment that reading a book has nothing to do with word count. It has everything to do with the effect it has on you. Basically, Humans of London is a compilation of pictures and short caption of people who's lived in the city.

Bloom by Estee Lalonde
I just published a review of this book quite recently. It's a good read and I highly recommend. If you like style, stories and girl power, you should get hold of this one. I guess there's not too much to say because I've said everything on my review. Feel free to take a gander, HERE.

What about you? Do you like to read? What's your favourite book? -CMK