Someday; A Change is Gonna Come.

When I heard this prompt, the first thing that came into my head was Sam Cooke's 'A Change is Gonna Come'. This song reduced me to tears when I first heard it when I was young and it still remains a poignant and important message. My dad's always been an activist and from a young …

#ProjectLiteracy

I was recently catching up with my missed youtube videos when an advert popped up on my screen. I must admit, I'm normally a fast skipper when it comes to adverts. However, this one completely captivated me and by the time I had finished watching I was eager to get involved. Project Literacy is, as stated …

The Benefits of the Library

With libraries becoming more and more equipped, it's time to accept that they are moving with us into the new age. Numerous computers are installed, millions of research pages are only a click away and of course, the original USP remains the books. Personally, one of my favourite things about the library is the silence. While …

Falling Out of Love With Writing.

Sometimes I feel as though I have words spilling out of every crevice and at other times, I revel in my safety with academic writing as I don't truly have to give all of myself to it. I reckon 10-year old me wouldn't be able to comprehend this sensation. It's a completely foreign feeling to stare at …

The Media’s Attack on Teenage Girls

I remember listening to the radio shortly after the One Direction ‘break’ was announced and the first thing I heard was a woman telling parents of fans how to approach the situation with their children. It completely and utterly moved me. This woman spoke compassionately, sincerely and with the upmost respect about the aftermath of …

Mini Book Review: The Song Of Achilles / Madeline Miller

In all honestly, I knew after re-reading this book for a second time that the subsequent book post would soon follow and here we are. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller tells the story of Achilles and Patroclus during their childhood and the Trojan war, focusing on the breathtakingly beautiful romance they share. The …

Is Halloween the New Christmas?

Here we are again: neck-deep in the Halloween spirit as skeletons truly come out of closets and sweet bowls begin to get filled to the brim. Halloween, for me, has always been the holiday to beat. The ghost stories, the costumes and of course, the sweets always created a sense of enchantment for me. The whole …

Celebrity Culture: Death, Addiction and Mental Illness

As the news poured in about the death of Terry Prachett this year, I sat in silence as I mourned the loss of someone I've never seen beyond a picture on a screen. I've never read Terry Prachett's books but he was always a man I admired from afar after seeing his documentary on Euthanasia and yet …

Film Review: The Martian

I recently went to see the new Ridley Scott film, 'The Martian', and it was surprisingly fantastic. Not to rain on Matt Damon's parade but I wasn't expecting him to be anything special in this film however he completely proved me wrong. His performance was outstanding, and given that a lot of the film is character driven, …

The Teenage Girl Survival Guide: 10 Tips and Truths

It's okay to feel as though the world is against you, especially if you fall into the category of a POC woman or an LGBTQA+ member of society, but please remember that you have so much to offer and give. Your gender does not define you. Not having a vagina does not mean you're not a …