Finally I have part 2 up of my favourite Books, TV and Films of 2014... this took a lot longer than I expected! Below are more of my favourites that I highly recommend checking out in 2015. You can find Part 1 - here.
Top Films of 2014
Dallas Buyers Club - This wasn't a typical watch for me but Matthew McConaughey's role in this blew me away. A gritty story set in mid-80's Texas of a man who learns he has Aids and refuses to give up. It's so much more than this but I don't want to give anything away! Watch on Now TV or buy for £5.00 - Amazon here.
About Time - This was a film I gave a go... I generally can't stand typically British films but with the addition of Rachel McAdams I thought I could over look this problem and Bill Nighy... and I 100% did! About Time is possibly the most endearing and heart warming film that I won't want to give too much away about. If you love films that give you a warm fuzzy feeling then give this a watch. Watch on Now TV or buy for £5.00 - Amazon here.
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire - After enjoying Hunger Games Part 1 I actually put off watching Catching Fires as I'd convinced myself it couldn't be as good. But how wrong I was! I found it even more thrilling and with a strong plot. Now eager to watch The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1. Watch on Netflix or buy for £6.99 - Amazon here.
The Way, Way Back - This coming-of-age comedy drama was a mid-week watch that I wasn't expecting much from but as it starred Steve Carell I went for it. Surprisingly Carell plays a not so nice character in it that you will inevitably hate but this just add to the story of 14-year-old Duncan who starts to find his place in the world when he makes friends with a manager of a water park who gives him a job. This is a comedy drama with ups and downs. Definitely worth a watch. Watch on Now TV or buy for £6.00 - Amazon here.
Arthur Christmas - Last but not least my most recent watch and one that is of course appropriate to mention right now. Arthur Christmas is a festive film for both children and adults. I haven't watched an animated film in the longest time but was amazed at how quickly Iforget that is it animated, also the humour and clever storyline had me thoroughly impressed. A must-watch this Christmas! Watch on Now TV or buy for £4.20 - Amazon here.
Top Books of 2014
The Shock of the Fall by Nathan Filer - This was a summer read that I gobbled up in a matter of days. Telling the story of one man's decent into mental illness but with humour, compassion and a wonderful writing style. I can't remember all aspects of this books but I can remember not being able to put it down. I may have to go back to it in 2015. Buy for £3.85 - Amazon here.
Pretty Honest by Sali Hughes - I've mentioned this countless times on Makeup Savvy over the past few months and deservingly so as this is the best beauty book in the past 5, even 10 years! Sali Hughes knows her stuff when it comes to beauty, she cuts the usual crap and gets down to what we really need to know. Covering a whole matter of beauty topics and more this really is the new beauty bible that every makeup/beauty lover needs. I know I will be continuously dipping in and out of this book. Buy for £12.50 - Amazon here.
How To Be a Woman by Caitlin Moran - Part memoir, part feminist stand on a number of topics this a a book to read if you're... basically a woman! Before reading this I didn't have much of a clue who Caitlin Moran was but that didn't matter. This is an incredible honest and funny book that will have you thinking and laughing all the way through. If you haven't read this book then make sure it's one of your reads in 2015! Buy for £6.74 - Amazon here.
Top Books of 2014
The Shock of the Fall by Nathan Filer - This was a summer read that I gobbled up in a matter of days. Telling the story of one man's decent into mental illness but with humour, compassion and a wonderful writing style. I can't remember all aspects of this books but I can remember not being able to put it down. I may have to go back to it in 2015. Buy for £3.85 - Amazon here.
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green - Possibly the book of 2013 which I finally got around to reading this year and oh, how it lived up to all I'd heard about it. A book focused around Cancer is never going to be a happy one, but if you're John Green then you will know how to put it in the best way possible and have the reader engaged and in love with all the characters. This will leave you sad but ultimately glad you've read it. Buy for £3.85 - Amazon here.
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion - Another summer read that I enjoyed on holiday besides the pool. This quirky fiction had me smiling throughout and it just a wonderful story with great main characters. I won't give anything away but let you discover the both charming and amusing characters for yourself. Buy for £3.85 - Amazon here.
Pretty Honest by Sali Hughes - I've mentioned this countless times on Makeup Savvy over the past few months and deservingly so as this is the best beauty book in the past 5, even 10 years! Sali Hughes knows her stuff when it comes to beauty, she cuts the usual crap and gets down to what we really need to know. Covering a whole matter of beauty topics and more this really is the new beauty bible that every makeup/beauty lover needs. I know I will be continuously dipping in and out of this book. Buy for £12.50 - Amazon here.
How To Be a Woman by Caitlin Moran - Part memoir, part feminist stand on a number of topics this a a book to read if you're... basically a woman! Before reading this I didn't have much of a clue who Caitlin Moran was but that didn't matter. This is an incredible honest and funny book that will have you thinking and laughing all the way through. If you haven't read this book then make sure it's one of your reads in 2015! Buy for £6.74 - Amazon here.
Top TV Programmes of 2014
Karl Pilkington The Moaning of Life - Now you probably have to be a fan of Karl Pilkington to enjoy this series, but if you haven't watched anything from him before then seriously get on it! This series takes Karl on a journey to see how people deal with life's big events - marriage, death, birth and money. This is not only hilarious throughout but interesting as he visits India, South Africa and American to discover how different cultures manage different aspects of life. Very much worth getting if you love Karl but missed his latesst series on Sky. Buy DVD series for £5.40 - Amazon here.
Life and Death Row - This was a 3-part series focusing on three young men as their days are numbered on death row. I found this incredibly hard hitting and detailed; more so than any other prison documentary I've ever watched. Each three episodes were as good as each other and really gripping. Sadly this isn't available on BBC iPlayer anymore but is worth looking for online.
Life and Death Row - This was a 3-part series focusing on three young men as their days are numbered on death row. I found this incredibly hard hitting and detailed; more so than any other prison documentary I've ever watched. Each three episodes were as good as each other and really gripping. Sadly this isn't available on BBC iPlayer anymore but is worth looking for online.
Broad Church - A TV crime drama series here that focuses on the murder of a young boy in a small coastal town. I thought this was excellently done and very realistic. I also wasn't a fan of David Tennant but his performance in this really won me over. One to watch if you enjoy TV crimes series such as "Happy Valley" and "The Fall". Buy DVD series for £9.00 - Amazon here.
Louis Theroux LA Stories - Another 3-part TV documentary series here and one by my favourite person on TV - Louis Theroux! The first episode is strangely on dogs and I'll be honest is worth giving a miss. But the 2nd and 3rd episodes look at terminally ill people in America's health facilities and also how California deals with sex offenders after they leave prison. Both episodes are cutting edge and amazing in their own right. If only Louis Theroux would come out with more documentaries! You can watch all three hour-long episodes on YouTube here for £1.89 each.
Game of Thrones - Game of Thrones was another favourite of mine in 2014. This definitely isn't my normal type of show I enjoy watching, far from it in fact, but somehow the characters and fast paced storyline just absorb and submerge you within the second episode. Amazing attention to detail, amazing characters and yes, basically amazing everything! I won't go into the storyline as I'm sure most people have a rough idea now but trust me, even if you don't think you will enjoy it it's worth giving a go! Buy Series 1 for £14.99 - Amazon here or watch the complete series on Netflix.
Hope this has given you a few things to enjoy in the new year!
I'd love to know a few of your own favourites when it comes to books, films and TV of 2014 in the comments, below.
Fee xo.
