FEELING NUDE

Is it me or is there something so magical about the beauty halls in department stores?  Maybe it is because they always remind me of Christmas, when they welcome you in from the cold outside and you can't help treating yourself with a little something.  Or maybe it is because as a little girl everything looked so glamorous and exciting: all I wanted to do was try some of the perfumes and pretend I was all grown up.

IT'S ALL ABOUT ME // IDENTITY & SELF

I think everyone goes through stages in their life when they kind of lose who they are, I know I definitely have and it makes me feel indecisive and lacking any sort of confidence.

I remember going through it in those awkward teenage years when I wanted to be in the group which meant bending my personality and taste to reflect my peer group; then there was when I was in a long term relationship and almost my husband  and I became one in terms of identity; and most recently my individual identity has become dominated by the job of being a mother and the two little girls I adore.

THE WASP FACTORY // IAIN BANKS

I was watching one of my favourite YouTubers (sunbeamsjess) and she was mentioning the books that she had bought and The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks was mentioned.  It peaked my interest and so I decided I had to read it.  

It is a hard book to explain: it is from the view point of Frank, a sixteen year old boy who lives with his Dad in the upmost north of Scotland.  It is a first person narrative of his past and present.  

I really enjoyed it and at times found it to be quite chilling but definitely gripping.  It isn't the longest book so I managed to read it really quickly which I always take as a good sign.  I also think it is a modern classic and I know it features on quite a few English university degree programmes.  

I should warn you though it is quite violent and Frank isn't the nicest character, in some ways he is very hard to warm to, but don't let this put you off, I think it is definitely a book worth trying.