Thursday, 31 March 2016

Review: PRUDENCE AND THE CROW SUBSCRIPTION BOX





So after month of thinking about signing up for a book subscription box I finally found one that didn't cost all the money in the world. Prudence and the Crow  is a lovely vintage book box. oh my! Am I glad I finally took the plunge! I love this so much because everyone who signs up gets something a little bit different. It's also prefect for anyone that want to read something different. You might just be surprised at what you end up falling in love with!

What my box contained: 
Two tea bags
A glow in the dark star
Book Plate
Two Fruit-tella sweets
A postcard drawing 
Prudence and The Crow pencil
A library card with the date the book was dispatched, each one is stamped with a new number depending how many books you have had from them. (Eg mine was stamped No.1 as it was my first.)
A hand made book slip to protect your book.

The lovely people at Prudence and the Crow ask you to fill out a questionnaire when you first sign up so they can match you to a book they think you will love. You also get a few little things along with your book, the amount of love and care that Prudence and the Crow have for this box is clear. If you haven't already, go and check them out!

My book this month was one I wouldn't normally go for and one I have never heard of The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. 

Synopsis: According to Ponyboy, there are two kinds of people in the world: greasers and socs. A soc (short for "social") has money, can get away with just about anything, and has an attitude longer than a limousine. A greaser, on the other hand, always lives on the outside and needs to watch his back. Ponyboy is a greaser, and he's always been proud of it, even willing to rumble against a gang of socs for the sake of his fellow greasers--until one terrible night when his friend Johnny kills a soc. The murder gets under Ponyboy's skin, causing his bifurcated world to crumble and teaching him that pain feels the same whether a soc or a greaser.

Book Review: I really looked forward to being able to pick The Outsiders up each time. I also love that this book came before YA fiction became something with a name and as much right to the world as adult and children's fiction. 

It makes me think of a cross between Grease and West Side Story, but with less about teenagers falling in love. It was so refreshing not to have to read about love sick teenagers for once! 

The main character Poneyboy is brilliant character, you can't help but want everything to work out right for him and his brothers. This is a classic coming of age story.

Admittedly I was a little bit worried that there would be too much violence for my cup of tea.It turned out to be a wonderful book about making the most of what you have even when the going gets tough.

I can't believe this book slipped under my radar and I'd never heard of it. It's time to go back and visit some of these gems from the past.

I can't wait for my next surprise read from Prudence and the Cow.













Thursday, 3 March 2016

Review: USBORNE ILLUSTRATED STORIES FROM INDIA



Synopsis: Lose yourself in incredible tales of bravery, brilliance, battles and banquets. There are fearsome tigers, greedy elephants, mighty gods and goddesses, and even a dancing goat. beautifully illustrated with exquisite detail, this wonderful collection captures the magic of India.

Review: Yet another lovely book to look at and yet again I am falling in love with India. As children we all read/listen to those stories with a moral. This book contains beautiful moral stories which include well known gods and goddesses. Making you feel just little a child all over again. 

Each story is nice and short, perfect for bed time reading... or in my case reading in my lunch break at work!

My favourite short story included is Tigers and Cats. Any cat lover will enjoy this one as it explains how we ended up with the domestic cat. Who (as many of us will know) think they are mini tigers!

Every story has a lesson to teach. No matter how young or old you are, it is never too late to learn something new. Sometimes we need to be reminded of the good in the world as we get caught up in our own day to day life's. 

This book is a wonderful way to introduce children to a new culture and new ideas. It's also perfect for adults that have fallen head over heels in love with India. 

REVIEW: BEETLE BOY BY M.G. LEONARD



Synopsis: Thirteen-year-old Darkus Cuttle’s search for his kidnapped father leads him to discover a mountain of extraordinary beetles, and pits him against the mad-scientist of the fashion world, Lucretia Cutter, an haute couture villainess with an alarming interest in insects. 


Review: Can we all just take a moment to enjoy the page edges? Look at those beetles! The world can never have too many beautiful books!

While Beetle Boy is aimed at younger children and not for people in their 20's I can't help but loving this one. After reading the synopsis I really don't think it would have been one that I would normally go for, but when working in a bookshop you have a range of wonderful staff that are constantly telling you about their amazing reads. This is one of the staffs favourites at the moment. I just had to find out what all the fuss was about. Now I know!

Drarkus is a wonderful character with a brilliant plot. The story reminds me of 101 Dalmatians with a Cruella De Vil type character which gets the reader screaming at the book in anger (and a little bit of fear). Lucretia Cutter is the scariest children's Villain I've come across in a long time.

The writing style reminds me a bit of David Walliams. Lovers of his work will enjoy this one just as much. 

This would be the perfect book for children learning about beetles as Beetle Boy teaches without you know you're being taught.