#3 Happy Distraction-Good books & good tea are good for the soul

Lately I have been trying to make more of an effort to have more 'down time' and more time for myself. In this day and age, the internet and social media can be a wonderful, useful, inspiring and powerful tool...however it can also cause problems with socialising, relaxing, over-thinking things and making it sometime impossible to be 'off-line' yourself.

I have always been a massive bookworm and was brought up with one of my parents reading me a bedtime story every-night without fail before I went to sleep. That love for books and reading has followed me through to my adult life and I get great pleasure out of discovering a new read and getting completely captivated with it and lost within another world for a short while. 

I love both fiction and non-fiction and think both can help change your mood, inspire you and teach you something. I am also a big fan of what some people like to call 'self-help' books. No matter where I am in my life or how I am feeling, good or bad, I enjoy reading these types of literature, as they inspire me and give me food for thought. Below are some of my favourite titles in this area of the book world I am currently enjoying;

'The Mindfulness Journal'-by Corinne Sweet 

This book offers great tips and mind exercises to do, to help relax and hopefully teach you how to lead a less stressful and more peaceful life)

'eat, pray, love'-by Elizabeth Gilbert 

Also turned into a film with Julia Roberts, but I personally prefer the book. This is a truly inspiring read about one woman's search for everything. If you haven't read this already I really suggest you do, however be warned, after reading you will want to travel and visit Italy to eat the amazing pizzas there she talks about in the book)!

'the five people you meet in Heaven'-by Mitch Albom

This has to be one of my favourite books of all time! My copy is getting quite tattered looking now (which I secretly quite like), as I have read it so many times. It is a story about a man named Eddie who tragically dies on his 83rd birthday whilst trying to save another person's life. It then follows him through his journey to the after-life where he learns that Heaven is a place where your earthly life is explained to you by five people who were in it. I won't say anymore than that, but I cannot recommend this book enough!

'How Starbucks saved my life'- by Michael Gates Gill

I purchased this book about 9 years ago, when I was waiting for a connecting flight at Chicago airport. I had never heard of the title but straight away I was intrigued as to how Starbucks could save anyone's life?! This is a true story and written by the man himself, who had it all then lost it all and found it again where he least expected too...at Starbucks.

This is another book I have read and leant to people time and time again and would highly suggest you read it, perhaps whilst in Starbucks, enjoying your favourite hot drink ;)

At the moment with where I am in my life, I am taking the time to embrace my own company, enjoy a comforting cup of tea (either Tetley breakfast tea or green tea) and loosing myself within a good book. Sometimes it's just exactly what you need!

What type of books do you enjoy and what atmosphere do you like to create when reading? I would love some new material to read, so please do leave suggestions in the comment box below!