Bulfinch's Mythology

Remember those lessons in classic civilisation? Well this is the reference book about all those greek gods and goddesses compiled into one. Bulfinch was a professor at Harvard and found the need for a complete reference book which contained all the myths, hence this book. These myths, as far-fetched as the seem do actually relate to modern day life in one way or another, and it's a shame the connections aren't really exploited. So it's refreshing to be able to pick up a fantasy/fairytale and know it had a little part in history.

Although this is not the original by Bulfinch himself, it is an abridgment of all the fables, legends and myths put together. 

Type and Typography

Im currently reading this book and although it's quite a slow start, it is very useful for anyone that wants to get into typography. It gives plenty of examples when distinguishing the differences between the typefaces aswell go through the influences from where they came from. 

The only criticism I can give the book is that the writing style is very formal, which I tend to find harder to read.

Emotional Design

A really great book for anyone who is interested in advertising, product design and psychology. It gives a very persuasive argument how aesthetically pleasing objects tend to be preferred even if the product is useless at its job because it is innate for people to be attracted to beautiful/pretty things. It also follows on to discuss how people can become emotionally attached to certain objects, usually for sentimental reasons as it represents/symbolises a memory or something special. It also analyses other areas of design, linking it back to the effects on people.

It is a delightful read, so can be enjoyed casually rather than an educational book that needs to be read.

Styles, Schools and Movements

This is a really good reference book for most of the art movements through the past couple of centuries. Ignoring the name of the book (because it sounds rather childish), it has some really useful information for each movement as well as giving examples of the different artists that used those techniques.

Mustard Magazine

A smaller niche magazine full of funny jokes, lines and stories. It's still quite a small establishment so the price is very cheap for a good read. You can buy it online or it's free from The Original Oak/The Library pub (in Leeds) on specific comedy nights.

Buy and try because I have a feeling it will get bigger and bigger.

www.mustardweb.org

I lick my Cheese

Everyone loves the post-it note, and everyone who has been to uni will relate to this book. You either would have written or come across one yourself, different notes to guard different items in the kitchen.

And 'I lick my cheese' was actually written and stuck onto their cheese. Classic!