January is a strange month but I like it –  winter weather and New Year’s resolutions means it’s the small things that keep me happy: watching DVDs, reading new books, writing in my notebook and  burning candles.

Notes from The Perks of Being a Wallflower and The Silver Linings Playbook

I was given the complete Buffy collection, as a late Christmas present, I’ve wanted it for the longest time – I watched it religiously when it first aired. Although the special effects haven’t aged well it makes me happier than ever. I’m on season one at the moment which has some amazing episodes: Witch, Never Kill a Boy on the First Date and The Pack. Courtesy of Xander it has one of the best quotes, “I laugh in the face of danger – then I hide until it goes away.”

DVDs and books making January a whole lot better

I’ve read alot this month: in the last post I reviewed The Perks of Being a Wallflower, I also finished The Silver Linings Playbook a few days ago which I liked a lot  - they are incredibly similar in terms of protagonists and writing style. My mum gave me Philip Pullman’s Grimm Tales and C. J. Sansom’s Dominion as presents which I cannot wait to read –  the first book is a reworking of the Grimm’s Fairy Tales and Dominion is an alternative history thriller based in a 1950s Britain where Nazi Germany won the Second World War.

Grimm Tales

As I work Monday – Friday and I live in England where winter sunshine is non-existent I always go for a walk or a mini adventure at lunchtime. One of my favourite places to go is St Michael’s Flags and  Angel Meadow Park.

St Michael’s Flags and Angel Meadow Park Entrance

It’s centred around a church which was built in 1788 and later became a cemetery, don’t let that freak you out, in 1885 it was covered with flagstones (hence the name).

Winter in the Park

L S Lowry and Friedrich Engels have both used the park as inspiration for their work, the combination of fresh air and, hopefully, sunshine make my day so much better.