Has reading a book become a lost art??

I love to read - so much so that a man who sees me regularly whilst waiting for my bus home from work commented "You're always reading a book". Random comment, but it really reminded me of how much I love reading. In today's fast paced online world, the joy of reading a (physical) book seems to have been lost. We all read on a regular basis but this tends to be tweets, Facebook posts and comments, daily mail articles or magazines, I'm sure we're all guilty of one the above, right? 

Somewhere along the way we've forgotten to read books. Whilst on my daily travels it is rare to see a fellow commuter reading a book. Looking at their phones yes, but no book! When was the last time you actually sat and read a book? 

Reading has continually been part of my life but more recent in the last year. Since January I've read about 15 books and I have to admit it was a struggle at first. It felt as though I was learning how to read all over again. Focusing on the story and not getting lost in other thoughts was difficult. Learning to follow the story line and think about what might happen next and understanding the characters all seemed new to me. Finding a book that has meaning, that leaves you feeling something is always my main aim. This is a challenge within it's self as it's often difficult to find an exciting and interesting book that's keeps you wanting to turn the page. Great writers can detail something so clearly that you can be transported there in a moment. 

Books can be life changing, they teach us things about ourselves and others that no other medium can. Reading is one of the things that keeps me mentally sane and stops me from worrying about life. 

It fills my boring bus journeys and Saturday afternoons in front of the fire when it's freezing. They are a way to escape our sometimes mundane lives, because let's be honest life's not always fun. Whilst my heads in a book I can forget about the stresses and imagine myself in that world. I also think I might single handedly be able to keep my local library in business (despite government cut backs.)

If you're a book lover or newbie novel reader here's some of my favourites  - 

Savages by Shirley Conran 

The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion 

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte 

The Girl on the Train - Paula Hawkins

The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton

The Lesser Bohemians by Eimear McBride

Ph credit teachingliteracy.tumblr.com via Pinterest

Topshop Reclaim to Wear - Sustainable fashion on the highstreet

I subscribe to the Topshop mailing list and last week this arrived in my mailbox - the new Reclaim to Wear collection. At last our favourite high street retailers are cottoning on to the fact that it's customers are interested in sustainable fashion. So let's get down to the details, the Topshop Reclaim to Wear range is made from sustainable and up-cycled fabrics and boasts zero waste.
Topshop state 'We're all about upcycling! Topshop Reclaim does sustainable fashion with conscience in this collection created from ethical fabrics and production cut-offs'. 

The range has a 90's vibe with patchwork denim, patterned slip dresses and logo sweatshirts (very on trend at the moment.)  

The collection does have an array of unusual designs including a beautiful floral blouse and a matching slip dress. A patchwork denim dress and a pair of two tone denim jeans. Take a peak for yourselves here.

Weekend Inspiration #11 - The Yorkshire Sculpture Park KAWS Exhibit

From top to bottom  - All This Time, Along the Way, Good Intentions and Small Lie.

Last Sunday I took a trip to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, which is an amazing outdoor space filled with art and sculptures to inspire our weekends.
I particularly went to see the new KAWS exhibit, KAWS is a US artist born in New Jersey. He creates characterful sculptures and complex colourful paintings that blur the boundaries between contemporary culture and fine art.
During his time as an artist KAWS has created many characters that resemble many cartoons and brand mascots from modern culture, including The Simpsons, Sponge bob and Mickey Mouse. But for them to appeal to an array of audiences KAWS adds emotion and meaning to them.
For instance Small Lie (which stands at 10 meters tall) 'looks like a child caught out telling a fib, knowing it has done wrong – head down in embarrassment and knees knocked in a protective, humbled, position. Being made of wood and with a long nose it brings to mind the story of Pinocchio, told to children as a thinly veiled warning about the consequences of lying.' (ysp.co.uk)
The KAWS exhibition will be at The Yorkshire Sculpture Park till 12.06.16, if you get chance this long Easter weekend I would definitely recommend a visit. 

The new and improved Playboy

Last week saw Playboy launch its first non nudie issues since its first publication in 1953. I'm sure there's many individuals around the globe that may be outraged by this. Even Playboys German publisher Flanders retorted 'are you kidding?'

The magazine has recently seen plummeting sales that have averaged 600,000 copies per month, have in mind in its hey day (1972) the publication sold a whooping 7.2m copies globally per month. I'm guessing it was time to take drastic action - even Hugh Hefner the 89 year old editor-in-chief said 'the time is right'. Let's be honest, a magazine with nude women on the cover seems rather dated for 2016, let's face it a few mouse clicks on your computer can pull up any adult content required, regardless of sexual preference or gender. 

I'm not going to judge the women who have graced the covers for decades because as women we are fine to do with our bodies what we please. But I will say women don't need to show their tits to look amazing - as the new playboy cover of the March issue shows us (its snapchat and selfie star Sarah Mc Daniels.) She quips 'we are much more relaxed with our bodies and images of ourselves. This is very intimate'. 

Maybe now picking up your monthly issue of playboy (now placed with the 'normal' mags, yes - it will now take pride of shelf with vogue and Conde Nast Traveller) won't be so embarrassing, gone is the time of having to reach to the top shelf and peel back the plastic whilst nearby shoppers watch. 

I'm guessing the creators of playboy are hoping this re-design will bring a new audience to the magazine and the latter should make that easier. 

It's not only the cover that's had a overhaul - new columnists have joined the magazine and for the first time in the history of playboy, a woman will write the sex Column 

All this talk of playboy has got me thinking about being exposed and comfortable - I know personally I'm not ready for bikini season just yet! Clothed - I'm just about okay with. Hopefully my techno friend/app 'my fitness pal' has me somewhere towards that goal. But really on a day to day basis how many of us are actually okay with being nude? Or even semi- clothed? I've only just realised there's no cubicles in the changing rooms at the gym. Instead of being given the option of whether to change in front of strangers or behind the privacy of a curtain, you are presented with a communal bench and a locker! Going topless on the beach if you're past a C cup (like me) feels like a no go area but for those who dare - why not. Is this to tan those white bits or is it about something else all together? Self-esteem, confidence, not giving a shit, egotistic? Who knows? Maybe this is where the saying 'if you've got it flaunt it' works best. 

As for the future of no nudie playboys, I'm sure the creators and Hugh are wanting to see the newly re-invented magazine carry on influencing and entertaining individuals for the next few decades and if not at least they didn't go down without trying. 

Image Source - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail