The Shadow of the Wind

I've recently finished reading The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón and I thought I would reflect on it and give a short review on here.

The book follows Daniel on his quest to discover about the life and mysterious findings of the author Julian Carax after he chooses his book from the 'Cemetery of Forgotten Books'. It is a  book full of mystery and discovery and as you find out more  along Daniel's journey to discover the truth you become more intrigued into the characters lives and the secrets that have been hidden.

Carlos Ruiz Zafón is the perfect storyteller and his writing is remarkable. The book also celebrates and highlights the importance of literature with words reveling in the joy and the art of digging into a good book.

"Bea says the art of reading is slowly dying, that it's an intimate ritual, that a book is a mirror that offers us only what we already carry inside us, that when we read, we do it with all our heart and mind, and great readers are becoming more scarce by the day."

This quote from the book shows that we should celebrate literature and read more books- you'll never know what your heart and mind might discover! To books! :) 

Pick me up Playlist!

The sun is out and that generally means happier moods! Yay!

The sun makes us want to go outside in the garden, make a cool iced drink, listen to music and smile :)

However, sometimes there can still be a lot on our minds, we could still be feeling like my previous post...  Still. 

And so…it’s important that we pick ourselves up. I’m a big music lover and I believe songs can make us feel so much, make us relate to so much and can instantly change our moods. As a result of this I thought I would write a Pick me up Playlist of happy, encouraging songs so that people can choose to search, listen and possibly download and have their spirits lifted.

So here goes…

1)      Eliza Doolittle- Pack Up

I love Eliza’s laid back approach to her songs, it is perfect for summer days lounging about and the lyrics are positive too! “Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag and bury them beneath the sea”

2)      S Club 7 – Bring It All Back

Going back to 90’s pop, this first single from S Club 7,  much like their other singles, is cheery and upbeat, an old classic! Again its lyrics are full of positivity and offer a release from any bad days or hard times. “When the world is on your shoulders just smile and let it go”

3)      Kelly Clarkson- People Like Us

Kelly loves her pop anthems and this song does not disappoint. This is another uplifting song that makes you want to dance about and sing loudly. It is essentially an empowering song for those of us who feel like outcasts, or generally feel alone and not able to ‘fit in’. “We are all misfits living in a world on fire”

4)      Avril Lavigne- Here’s To Never Growing Up

Another feel good tune this is about having fun, living in the moment and never growing up- yay! “Singing Radiohead at the top of our lungs with the boom box blaring as we’re falling in love”

5)      Fall Out Boy- Young Volcanoes

Last but certainly not least is this song from the band who never fails when it comes to creating catchy rock songs with quirky lyrics.This is a really cool song and has been one of my favourites since discovering it a few weeks ago. “Tonight the foxes hunt the hounds, and it’s all over now before it has begun, we’ve already won”