Sunday 20 October 2019

BLOG TOUR: Effin' Birds: A Field Guide to Identification - Aaron Reynolds


Have you ever looked a bird dead in the eye and wondered what it was thinking?

With Effin Birds, the most eagerly anticipated new volume in the noble avocation of bird identification, you can venture into nature with confidence. This farcical field guide will help you identify over 200 birds, but more importantly, for the first time in history, it will also help you understand what these birds are thinking:

  • The vainglorious grebe is acutely aware of its own magnificence.
  • The hipster pelican thinks the world is a sh*tbarge.
  • The overbearing heron wishes you better luck next time, f*cknuts.
  • The counsellor swallow wants you to maybe try not being a d*ckhead.
Alongside beautiful, scientifically accurate illustrations and a whole lot of swearing is incisive commentary on modern life and the world we, as humans, must navigate. Or maybe it s just some pictures of effin birds, okay?


What did I think?

As soon as I saw the cover of Effin' Birds, I knew I had to read it and what a refreshing change of pace this was in my reading schedule. Described as 'pictures of birds with curse words', I sniggered and snorted my way through this book as it really appealed to my sense of humour.   I have to say, it really doesn't have a lot to do with birds so if you're an ornithologist, look away now.  


There are indeed lots of pictures of birds with curse words but there are also some funny descriptions of fictional bird breeds, describing their habitat and identifying characteristics.  I bet I wasn't the only reader trying to identify themselves or their colleagues in some of these hilarious sections.  If you're wondering, I'd be a Peevish Ringneck as I do like a good eye roll now and again.

Joking aside for just one moment, the illustrations are absolutely breathtaking and it makes the cursing even funnier as Aaron Reynolds imagines what the birds are thinking.  I mean have you ever wondered what a peacock was thinking as it strutted around shaking its feathers?  Well that mystery and more have now been solved.


Anyone who has a sense of humour will love this book; it's more of a snort your drink through your nose than a big belly laugh kind of book but it's highly entertaining.  If the first thing you did in French class was look up the rude words in the dictionary then you must buy this book.  I couldn't get enough of Effin' Birds and I'm delighted to see more illustrations on Twitter at @EffinBirds so make sure you follow Aaron Reynolds too!

Hilarious in its vulgarity, Effin' Birds reawakens your inner giggling schoolchild and puts a smile on your face.  It would make a fabulous gift for that impossible-to-buy-for person, as long as they have a good sense of humour.


I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:


Buy it from Amazon




About the author:

Aaron Reynolds is the writer of @EffinBirds and @swear_trek, and the curator of @BatLabels

He is also a software instructor, which is where most of his elfin' inspiration comes from.



















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1 comment:

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