The Exquisite Book of Paper Flowers

The Exquisite Book of Paper Flowers

When you use the word "exquisite" in your title, you're setting the bar for your book pretty high. The Exquisite Book of Paper Flowers delivered!!!! Not only are the flowers exquisite, but the instructions are clear and easy-to-follow and there are templates for each project in the back of the book. Let's just say that thanks to this book, paper flowers are officially my new favorite hobby. 

I first found paper flower crafts on Pinterest (surprise, surprise). While the step-by-step photo instructions seemed clear, my flowers never turned out like the ones in the Pinterest pictures (surprise, surprise). I looked at a few paper flower books and after flipping through their pages at Barnes & Noble decided that The Exquisite Book of Paper Flowers looked like I was getting the most bang for my buck.

You can see from the pictures on this post that, while I am not going to be opening an Etsy paper flower shop anytime soon, the flowers actually look like flowers! There are 27 different types of flowers featured in the book. Each one comes with a template, a list of materials needed, step-by-step instructions, photos, and tips so that you can learn how to make poppies, roses, and sweat peas (to name a few). 

I can't say enough good things about this book! Instead, head over to my Instagram account @bookfaire to win a copy for yourself!

Title: The Exquisite Book of Paper Flowers 

Author: Livia Cetti

Publisher: Stewart, Tabori, & Chang

Published: April 8, 2014

Available: Amazon, Book Depository, and Barnes and Noble
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The Night Circus

The Night Circus

What a magical cover for a magical book! Seriously, I know they say don't judge a book by its cover, but how could you not pick up this book?

The Night Circus is beautifully written with an air of old world mystery. The two main characters, Celia and Marco, are used as pawns in a game to see which magician is stronger. Their chess board is a traveling circus where every night they must create a new object or tent full of magic that's meant to astound and mystify.

Yes, there is a love story between the Celia and Marco, but it was their magic that kept me drawn to the book. Every night I wanted to see what the new tent would hold. And every night I was not disappointed. The Night Circus creates a world that I so badly want to be a part of. I would do anything to be able to visit Le Cirque des Rêves. The setting of the book is a huge win for me because it is so unique. Circuses are generally thought of as playful with bright colors, but this one takes it to the next level as something powerful filled only with the colors of black and white. A sophisticated circus with a hint of danger...isn't it delicious?

This book is full of mystery...A circus that only opens at night. A cast all dressed in black and white. Two magicians locked in a deadly game. These are the ingredients for a memorable book, but add in beautiful writing, and you have a 5-star book!

Don't forget, all 5-star books are available for giveaway. Scroll down to the bottom of the post to enter!

Title: The Night Circus

Author: Erin Morgenstern

Publisher: Anchor Books

Published: July 3, 2012

Available: Amazon, Book Depository, and Barnes and Noble

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RULES OF GIVEAWAY:

1. Must be 18 years or older to enter (or have parental consent as I'll need your address)

2. Must live in a country where the Book Depository ships to (Do they ship to my country?)

3. Must love books

Shelf to Shelf

I've been told by multiple people that when it comes to books I am an extremely critical reader. I nitpick the details and am known to shoot down New York Times bestsellers because the author can't write worth a crap but somehow everyone thinks the book is genius.

What can I say? 

I think it has to do with the fact that my reading time is very valuable to me. I don't get a lot of downtime to read, so when I do pick up a book, I expect it to be worthwhile. 

Yes, I am a harsh critic, but to every con there is a pro. When I feel a book deserves praise, I sing it from the mountain tops. I'll recommend the book to friends and strangers alike, buy copies to give away as gifts, and of course write about it here on the blog. 

Because a 5 star book is hard to find (in my opinion), I've decided to take it one step further and do a #shelfshare link on every book from here on out that gets a 5 star rating on The Book Faire. Books are pricey, and I know that all bookworms hate choosing between that book sale and buying milk (for Captain Crunch Berries). To help out I want to share the books that I think are worth the milk money. 

When a book gets a 5 star rating, I will host a giveaway. Here are the rules for entering:

1. Must be 18 years or older to enter (or have parental consent as I'll need your address)

2. Must live in a country where the Book Depository ships to (Do they ship to my country?)

3. Must love books

That's it! Three requirements, and no limitations on how many entries you can submit per day (or per hour, or per minute...although that would be a bit obsessive of you.)

The number of books I'll giveaway will depend on the cost of the book.

I hope that this allows a few extra readers to get their hands on a book that I think is a worthwhile read!

Red Rising

Red Rising by Pierce Brown

"Ender, Katniss, and now Darrow."—Scott Sigler

Not going to lie, this endorsement is what snagged me! I've always enjoyed dystopian novels, but since The Hunger Games I feel that too many authors are trying to dabble in it. (Kind of like how vampire books took off after Twilight.) Thankfully, Pierce Brown not only rose to the genre's potential, he made his mark on it!

Red Rising is a mix of the Iliad and Star Trek where meddling Greek gods meet robotic weaponry and outer space war. The mix of ancient and futuristic references gives the book a very distinct and memorable feel. There were a few parts I had to reread in the beginning of the book, because it's so unique and the wording and vocabulary take a little getting used to. That's to be expected though. Any time you're dealing with slang or futuristic technology it's going to be an adjustment for the reader to get in sync with the language of the book. 

This world that Pierce creates is colorful (pun intended) with characters fueled with personality and motivations. Darrow easily won a spot on my list of favorite fictional characters. His depth and inner struggle of his wants versus the greater good is something everyone can relate to. He pushes the limits, not certain when he's crossed the line. Daring is a great quality. It's also a dangerous one, which makes him exciting to read about. 

Between the battle scenes and the suspense of the overall storyline, I finished this book in under 48 hours...something that hasn't happened since I read And Then There Were None in middle school. 

I highly recommend this book! 5 x 5 x 5! Seriously though, I've already sent it to friends in Brasil so they can enjoy it too.

Title: Red Rising

Author: Pierce Brown

Publisher: Random House Publishing Group 

Published: 28/01/2014

Available: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Book Depository

                            

       

                            











             









                   

The Aviator's Wife

The Aviator's Wife by Melanie Benjamin

The Aviator's Wife was a thrilling read for me, especially since I didn't know much about the Lindbergh's personal life. The emotional toll that Anne Morrow Lindbergh had to face while standing beside a husband the whole world knew and loved, is carefully crafted through Melanie's writing. I can't say enough good things about how Anne Morrow Lindbergh is written. 

The best characters are those you relate to, and I definitely can relate to Anne Morrow—strong minded, independent, outwardly quiet but full of internal chatter. Her progression from a naive girl with a celebrity crush, grows to a woman who understands what the world expects from the wife of a hero.

Historical accuracy woven with a fictional flourish, propels this story forward. Romance and reality mix together to create a touching account of the lives of the Lindberghs. Their marriage was full of true drama that made their struggles and triumphs that much harsher. 

I highly recommend this book! 5 x!

Title: The Aviator's Wife

Author: Melanie Benjamin

Publisher: Random House Publishing Group 

Published: 26/11/2013

Available: Amazon, Barnes and Noble