The Reading List - Number 3

Now that I've finished university for the summer, I have endless hours to sit and read in the garden. I always look forward to having ~6 months to relax and read all the books that I haven't had the chance to enjoy over the rest of the year. Over the last couple of months I have been splurging on loads of books ready for the moment I submitted my last assignment. So again, I thought I would share with you another instalment of my 'The Reading List' series. These books are the ones at the top of my list and the ones that will probably get read within the next fortnight!

The Society of the Crossed Keys - Stefan Zweig // The Grand Budapest Hotel was recently added onto Netflix, and out of sheer exam revision procrastination I watched it. AND LOVED IT. As soon as the credits went up I went online to seek out the book on which it was based. At first I was a little confused as it didn't seem to be based on one particular book and rather a collection of short stories. I bought the collection in the hopes that it will tell a similar story to the film, and I can only let you know how I get on with it!

The Devil Wears Prada - Lauren Weisberger // A book I have been meaning to buy for forever. The Devil Wears Prada used to be one of my favourite films and I have watched it countless times. I was actually sorting through my Amazon wishlist when I found it hidden away and it immediately went straight into my basket! I'm sure I will love it as much as the film, and I will keep you posted on my thoughts once I start reading it!

Emotional Agility - Susan David // This book has been floating around my Amazon basket since its release in April, and I've actually had it saved under the premise of doing some academic reading. It has very recently made an impact on the blogging community and I finally picked it up so I can read it over the summer. If you didn't already know I'm a psychology undergraduate and I take an immense interest in anything related to mental health. Although this book deals with a potentially complex subject matter, it seems to be an easy and compelling read. Of the many books I've read on emotional intelligence, this is the one I have been the most excited to read.

Forensics, The Anatomy of Crime - Val McDermid // I've always been interested in crime. TV programmes, books, films - you name it I've probably watched/read it long before you've even heard of it. At the start of the year I selected my final year modules and of course Forensic Psychology was at the top of my list (with Business Psychology at the bottom obv), and I thought I would get a head start by reading this. The book discusses anything and everything to do with crime. The books charts centuries of development in forensic techniques with references to well known crimes and atrocities. From first glance, the book covers a wide range of subjects from toxicology, fingerprinting, blood spatter, and DNA, to facial reconstruction, and digital forensics.

Bridget Jones Mad About The Boy - Helen Fielding // I've been having a bit of a clear out recently and I found this stuffed at the back of a drawer. I've only recently finished re-reading the Edge of Reason, so it feels like the perfect time to get stuck into the final installment of the Bridget Jones series. Plus I clearly have to read it before the film version comes out in September!!

Breakfast at Tiffany's - Truman Capote // One of my all time favourite films.  I love anything with Audrey Hepburn in, and I wanted to read the book it was based on. I thought for ages that I already had this book, but it turns out not! I remember picking it up in Waterstones almost 2 years ago to the day, but I clearly didn't follow through and purchase it! The other day I was browsing through the Penguin Modern Classics collection list, and it reminded me I still needed to read it - so here it is on my list!

Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov // I'm quite a fan of classic novels. I've read quite a few in my lifetime (lmao makes me sound about 87), and again this is one I have been meaning to pick up for a while. It's about a pervert, who becomes obsessed with 12 year old Lolita and the book follows him on his quest to 'possess' her. It looks like a bit of a controversial read, but I can't wait to get into it nonetheless.

I have masses of time on my hands so if you have any recommendations of what I should read next, please leave them in the comments!! 

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The Joy Of Early Mornings

Since going back to university in September (and stupidly deciding to commute every single day), I have had my fair share of early starts. With 9am lectures, I end up having to leave the house by 7am before driving, taking two trains and then catching the university shuttle bus. And although I definitely don't consider myself a morning person at all, there is something quite nice about seeing the sun rise and all the hustle and bustle of the city center. Plus there's the well known saying "the early bird catches the worm" right? Of course there's nothing nicer than a lay in when you have nothing to do or nowhere to go, but I have surprisingly been enjoying getting up that bit earlier. So I thought I'd share with you what I'm getting out of waking up that little bit earlier (besides being on time and a better car parking space). 

You get more done

This is kind of a given thing as your days are longer, but in my 2015 reflection post I mentioned that since starting my second year of university I have had such a much better work ethic. All my assignments have been finished weeks in advance and I have a whole new outlook on life. I think all this is down to having to wake up really early, as I start the day with a mission to get things done and be proactive with my time. By starting things earlier, it means I get to finish earlier - so there is plenty of time for relaxing, and winding down before it's time to go to bed. 

You can do whatever you want

Ok... maybe not whatever you want, but if you have got up earlier than you need to you can do whatever you want to do with the time that you have. I make sure I set off in plenty of time to catch my train, and I usually end up getting to the train station about 20 minutes earlier. Before I leave I usually make a cup of tea in a little travel mug/ flask, and I use this time to properly start the day off. I'll sit in my car with a cup of tea and I'll read a book or catch up with the news - whatever I feel like doing at the time. Sometimes I'll treat myself to a muffin or some breakfast from Starbucks, and I'll just use the time to sit and watch the sunrise whilst I eat.

Peace

I'm not one for rushing around as I get really anxious and stressed out when I'm running late. But by getting everything ready the night before, I can start of my day with ease and don't have to worry about things like deciding what I want to wear or where my keys and books are. This means my mornings always start out super chilled and I'm ready to take on the day. Waking up early in the morning is nice because you get to experience the world before it has properly awoken. All the shops are still shut, the birds are chirping at the start of a new day, and there are generally a lot less people around.

Control

By dedicating time in the morning to plan out your day, you can choose exactly how your day is going to pan out. Obviously there are going to be some things that you can't control, but there are so many things that you can decide early on the day. I like to plan out my day to start off in the best way possible. I'll try and do things that I enjoy early on the day (like reading a book), so I start off in a better and happier mood. By doing this I never 'dread' the start of the day, I see it in the same way as I do getting to relax at the end of the day. 

Are you a morning person? What do you like about getting up early?

Thanks for reading!

Love Charlotte x

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