(I've decided I want to try my hands at making graphic banners for my posts, such as the one above. Constructive criticism is much appreciated, but this is my very first attempt. I'm not very good at editing stuff and the spacing is off, but I'd like to hear your thoughts.)

Book Review: The Dolphins, the Whales, and the Gudgeon by Aesop

The Dolphins, the Whales, and the Gudgeon
Aesop
Genre(s): Classics, Short stories
Published: February 26th 2015
Pages: 64
Rating: 5 stars

“Aesop's animal fables are some of the earliest stories ever told, thought to have been composed by a slave in Greek antiquity and giving glimpses of a world that is harsh, pitiless and yet also eerily familiar.”

Not only are the Penguin Little Black Classics the perfect size to slip into your bag, and the perfect length to read on a bus journey or in free time at work or college, they are the perfect introduction to classics.

The range available is very impressive, and as someone with a growing interest in classic authors and literature, I found myself drawn to a number of titles. Aesop's fables ended up extremely high on my list, and I'm beyond glad I got my hands on a copy.

Going in to it, I expected one or two long fables. Upon reading it, I found that there were lots - I didn't count each one so I don't know exact numbers, but I'd safely say well over 40.

Each fable was set out nicely on it's own page, making it easy to read and clear to see when one ended and another began. A lot also had their morals or meanings printed at the bottom, which I felt was a very nice touch, as sometimes lessons aren't always abundantly clear.

Overall, I felt this was a very easy, gentle introduction to classics and Greek work. And for 80p, you really can't go wrong.

DIY Painted Vase

We're trying something a little different this week, so please bear with me. Regular bookish posts will resume next Friday. But for now, we're going to be a little crafty.

Book Talk: Romance in Books

As you may know by now, I'm not a huge fan of romance stories, or romance in general. However, I recently read The Selection by Keira Cass, and I may be converted. I don't know what it was about the book that made me enjoy the romance but I did. America and Maxon had the right amount of friendship and flirting, but I could see deeper into it to the romance and it didn't bother me at all. In fact, I loved it. 

A lot.

Book Review: The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black

The Darkest Part of the Forest
Holly Black
Genre(s): Fantasy, Paranormal, Young adult
Published: January 13th 2015
Pages: 324
Rating: 2 stars

“Children can have a cruel, absolute sense of justice. Children can kill a monster and feel quite proud of themselves. A girl can look at her brother and believe they’re destined to be a knight and a bard who battle evil. She can believe she’s found the thing she’s been made for.

Hazel lives with her brother, Ben, in the strange town of Fairfold where humans and fae exist side by side. The faeries’ seemingly harmless magic attracts tourists, but Hazel knows how dangerous they can be, and she knows how to stop them. Or she did, once.

At the center of it all, there is a glass coffin in the woods. It rests right on the ground and in it sleeps a boy with horns on his head and ears as pointed as knives. Hazel and Ben were both in love with him as children. The boy has slept there for generations, never waking.

Until one day, he does…

As the world turns upside down, Hazel tries to remember her years pretending to be a knight. But swept up in new love, shifting loyalties, and the fresh sting of betrayal, will it be enough?”

The Darkest Part of the Forest doesn't waste any time in jumping in to the story of the sleeping faerie prince. I thought he would be a secret only the main characters knew about, but no, the whole town knows about him and has seen him. Just from this, I was disappointed by the story, and I wasn't even one chapter in.

There is a whole cast of characters introduced in the first 10 pages, which left me a little overwhelmed. The first chapter also talks about a changeling and other things related to the Folk - as they are referred to in this book - and how they are normal in the town of Fairfold. It wasn't quite what I was expecting and I'll admit that it did put me off and lower my expectations for the rest of the story.

I found that I didn't really like Hazel or Ben, either. I don't know what it was about them but I just didn't really connect or have feelings one way or another about them. To me, they came across as very cookie-cutter young adult characters, who were just rather mediocre all around. I think I was looking for something very wild and different going into this book, and ended up being let down on all counts.

However, things did improve after the horned boy - Severin - was woken. While the plot did pick up and things actually started to happen, I didn't feel like the pace did. It still took me while to get through, and I wasn't entirely sure - or sold - on where things were going. 

It's a shame, really. I consider myself a fan of Holly Black's work, but this fell short and left me fairly disappointed. If you're new to her work, or to fey fantasy in general, I'd say don't start with this.

Creative Blogger Award

Thanks to the lovely Freya over at The Sound of a Voice, I've been nominated to the Creative Blogger Award. The rules of this award are as follows:

Nominate 15-20 blogs and notify them via their social media

Thank and link back to the blog that nominated you

Share 5 facts about yourself

Pass the rules on to the nominees

Recommendations: Contemporary

Shift by Em Bailey

Laced with paranormal aspects, this story touches on friendship, music, and illness in a tactful and interesting way. Thoroughly unputdownable, it's a must read for those transitioning from fantasy to contemporary.

Bunheads by Sophie Flack

Perhaps better suited to dedicated followers of ballet, Flack weaves a tale of one girl's dedication and sacrifice for her hobby. With interesting and appealing characters, you'll enjoy it even if you don't understand all of the terminology.

This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales

More of a standard contemporary, this focuses on romance more heavily, as well as love for hobby like Bunheads. However, there are strong lessons on the value of friendship, family, and being true to oneself.