Book 1: Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen

Sarah Dessen is one of my absolute favourite authors. I have read this book so many times that I have lost count. So for the sake of the challenge I have decided to read one of my old favourites again. Prepare for spoilers within my review!

My review:
The story follows Auden, a girl whose world is turned upside down by the divorce of her parents. Her parents break up with no explanation, leaving a gap in her life. The book then starts a few years later just after she has finished her senior year, and deciding how to spent her summer. Being an over achiever Auden decides to spent her summer getting ready for college and studying. Both her parents are professors, so she studies to impress them. For years of being unable to sleep due to her parents fighting, Auden has been unable to sleep at night. Having enough of staying with her mum for the summer, she goes to stay with her father and his new young wife Heidi. Who have just had their first daughter together, Auden's half sister.

During this time away, Auden reconnects with her dad and meets Eli a withdrawn teenager with a lot of his own secrets. I found Auden and Eli's relationship inspiring, it starts small but leads to an easy friendship and then relationship. Something that Auden had not experienced well before. Not only does Auden meet Eli, but she breaks free of her mother's expectations and learns about herself.

Reading this book again, brought me back to the emotions of my teenage self, who was just trying to find herself. A lot like Auden in this book who is trying to find herself no matter what the consequences are. My favourite aspect of Dessen's work is her ability to give great character development, whilst being able to continue on with the main plot of the story. Coming away from reading her books always leaves you thinking about the deep meaning that Dessen puts into her books. Reading Along for the Ride was just the same, I learnt the values of meaning and friendship from Auden and the book keep me on my toes all the way through.

So for that reason I give the book 5/5 stars, Auden's story is a spine tinkling journey of life from a realistic perspective.

November Favourties

So I thought my first (proper) post would be with my monthly favorites. This month I have had a several of favorites.

Clean & Clear Morning Energy Shine Control Daily facial scrub: 

I don't use this facial scrub every day, at most a few times a week. As I find it to much to remember every morning otherwise. I have found I only need to use it about once a week as a lot of it goes a long way and the exploitation is just enough for me. it works really well at cleaning out my pores and getting rid of black heads. So if you want to get rid of them this is great.

Kleenex Facial Cloths:
I love these. They are great for removing make up (on the odd occasion I wear it). Applying to your face to use with any cleanser. They even remove nail polish. It is not normally something that I would buy but I found them in the 99p shop (a steal). They are really worth buying , as they even can clean your face by just adding water. This really worked for me and I would say that this is my absolute favourite of the last month.

BabyLips Hydrate:
I love this lipbalm it has been a constant favourite over the last month, I use this all the time, it is so great for those winter chapped lips. It completely does what it says in the name. My lips are so much smoother and it smells great to. Bonus!

Markwins International Pink Lipstick: 
I think this lipstick is from their Colour Institute range, it was in a gift set I was given so I am not really sure.  This colour is amazing as it easy to apply and is slightly darker than my normal lip colour, so it makes them look flawless. The only problem is that it constantly needs reapplying every few hours.

Rival de Loop Berlin Natural Touch Concealer:  
I bought this concealer when I was on holiday in Germany a few years ago, and I have only just started to use it recently. This concealer is great at hiding blemishes and spots. The only problem is that it doesn't appear to be long lasting on my skin. It's either that my skin is simply too oily or it just doesn't last well. I don't know by it the coverage is great and when I wear it doesn't feel like I have any make up on. So I really recommend it to try and see if it works with your own skin tone.

Rose Scented Candle (I can't remember who made it ): 
This candle is great. It smells so strong that I do not need to light it. So my room smells fresh and nice. The great thing is that it is not to overpowering it smells just right. I love candles like this.