This year was a big year for films, two of my favourite books were made into films, I anticipated for a while as I am always weary when books that I’ve fallen in love with are made into a film. I now tend to view them as two different things that have a similar storyline so my expectations of the characters aren’t ruined. My top 5 books this year aren’t necessarily books that were published in 2014′ they are books that I’ve discovered and have had a long lasting effect on me. To me, there is no better a feeling than when you’ve read a book and it is left lingering in your mind for days. I decided to narrow it down to merely 5 books and films so I could squeeze in a bit of writing about how they’ve each made an impact upon me.
Films
Saving Mr Banks 
Saving Mr Banks was a magical family film. I’m a huge Disney fan and I’ve always been intrigued by Walt Disney and his imagination. The film told the story of the author of Mary Poppins and how Walt Disney convinced her to turn the book into a film. I adored the way they portrayed the strong and stern woman Mrs Travers and how throughout the film you saw the story behind the book and how she gradually warmed to Walt Disney and his ideas.
The Fault In Our Stars 
The bar was set very high for this film. The Fault In Our Stars was my favourite book, it made me roar with laughter and absolutely sob my heart out. The film had a lot to live up to but I absolutely adored it. It pretty much stuck completely to the book and I loved the way Shaileen Woodley played Hazel Grace, she was exactly how I imagined her to be. I cried a lot at the film, I’ll be honest though, I cried more at the book. I think it was because I was a lot more in love with Augustus from the book as opposed to Augustus in the film.
Divergent
I was a bit hesitant about how much I’d like the fact that the lead of Divergent “Tris” was played by Shaileen Woodley who played Hazel Grace in The Fault In Our Stars. They’re two completely different characters but she did a fantastic job. The film was fast paced, climatic and stayed very true to the book. I was entranced by Divergent and I felt it did the book so much justice. I’m excited to see Insurgent in the New Year.
Love, Rosie
Everybody loves a Rom-Com and Love, Rosie was my highlight of this year. It was set in the UK and told the story of a young girl and young man and their friendship throughout their life. They both clearly were in love with each other but never quite got round to telling each other. Yes, it’s cheesy and slightly predictable but I really enjoyed it and it warmed my heart a little bit.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s
You’re probably reading this thinking WHO ARE YOU because I hadn’t seen this classic film until a few months ago. I know, I’m a disgrace to womankind but as soon as I watched it, it instantly became one of my all time favourite films. I love New York and it truly is the perfect New York film. I believe every girl can identify with Holly and we all have huge adoration towards her cat. It is a timeless film that I plan to watch over and over again. Considering I sobbed inconsolably at the end.
Books
I am an Emotional Creature
By Eve Ensler 
This book was recommended to me by my friend Anna James (you can view her blog here). She is the ultimate book expert so I asked her to recommend me a book that would change my life. She suggested I am an emotional creature and it definitely had an impact on me. It is a book made up of monologues written by young women all around the world. It talks about sexism and feminism and all the monologues are so poignant and moving. I read the whole book in one sitting and since then I’ve read it another three times. I’m a feminist and this book really opened my eyes to sexism and the pressures put on women.
The Happiness Project
By Gretchen Rubin 
This book quite literally changed my life. The title really says it all, it was written by a woman living in New York who didn’t feel like she was getting by in life feeling adequate but not really enhancing her happiness. She decided to make a “happiness project” that involved her making “resolutions for life” that would strengthen her happiness. Each chapter focused on a different resolution and slowly but surely improved her life for the better. This book taught me a lot, especially how to prioritise looking after yourself.
Anna and the French Kiss
By Stephanie Perkins 
I read this book on holiday in the summer and I found it the perfect summer read. Sometimes I feel it is important to enjoy a nice relaxed read on the beach. Anna and The French Kiss is quite a big book and I read it in a day. It’s a love story about two teenagers that attend a boarding school in France. It’s cute, it’s funny and the perfect book to make you smile.
The Handmaid’s Tale
By Margret Attwood I am a massive fa
n of Margaret Attwood and I’m so glad I discovered this book. It’s a well known book set in the 80s, during the anti feminist backlash and it tells a touching story about fertile women being forced to bear children for elite couples. Women are told to stay at home to cook, clean and have babies and if they refuse to do this they’re labeled “unwoman”. The book tells the story of a woman named “Offred” and her life in this dystopian tale.
In Bloom
By Matthew Crow 
This was another book I read on holiday and I was gripped from he first page. It tells heartwarming story of Francis, a quirky fifteen year old boy who suffers from Leukemia . The story is life-affirming, emotional and humorous. Although it is about a boy with cancer it is not a cancer book, there is a lot more to the story such as the lives of the interesting characters and their relationships, bringing Francis and his friend Amber’s young love to life.
