Angela Carter - The Bloody Chamber

This is a collection of fairy tales that most people would be familiar with, but don't be fooled into thinking this is your usual Disney fare. These traditional stories have been retold with Carter's own dark and unique take on them, and she infuses them with eroticism and violence -- you definitely won't find bluebirds bursting into merry song here. I can see why The Bloody Chamber is studied extensively in literature courses as these stories are full of symbolism and cultural references. This was a very evocative and rewarding read, and I'm sure each subsequent reading will reveal more to the reader (I really feel I ought to be studying this!). My favourites from this collection were: The Bloody Chamber; The Snow Child; and The Werewolf.

Melissa Bank - The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing

Hmmm... this was an interesting book. I was a little dense at first and didn't pick up immediately that it was not a novel, but rather a collection of short stories that focused mainly on one protagonist, Jane. I just thought it was a quirky way of writing and creating chapters (like how Terry Pratchett just doesn't do any chapters at all) and I was very thrown when one of the stories featured completely new characters. While the short stories were a delight to read, I think it would have been better to have brought the various stories of Jane together as a novel. Certainly in the way it was marketed, it sure made me think it was a novel. The writing was refreshing and witty, which left me wanting more, especially with the last story that left me hanging without a proper ending. I want to know what happens to Jane; I want to see the happy ending that she deserves! Kudos to the author for creating such a delightful character, it's a shame that readers couldn't stick it out to the end with Jane due to the nature of this book.