I Used to love collecting shells as a child and I still find them fascinating. I was surprised to learn that there were so many diverse varieties!

Similar to the book on orchids, it is beautifully illustrated and detailed.

The detail in the illustrations is impressive and the illustrator is clearly talented. There is also a great deal of accompanying information which taught me a lot about shells. Who knew they had families? Or that they had feeding behaviour?! Looks great for any novice or expert on shells alike.

An excellent addition to any non fiction nature collection.

Thanks to the publisher, authors and Netgalley for access to this informative and interesting eARC.

My thanks to Quarto Publishing Group - Ivy Press for a temporary digital edition via NetGalley of ‘The Little Book of Shells’ by M. G. Harasewych and Fabio Moretzsohn in exchange for an honest review.

This book is intended as an introduction to the extraordinary variety of forms into which molluscs mould their shells. It is oriented towards science and marine biology, stressing their evolutionary journeys. Both authors are academics, who have researched marine molluscs for many years and collaborated on other works about shells.

After an introductory section, the bulk of the book is taken up with a listing of 75 shells accompanied by images, mostly derived from classical iconographies. These listings contain brief details about each shell and small world maps that pinpoint the distribution and habitat of each one. There are even details of feeding habits. When considering shells I have to admit I never think of them as having feeding habits and yet they do.

Following the listings are two indexes: one for common names and the other for scientific names.

This is very much a book to dip into and it would make a lovely gift for a shell lover or for someone interested in learning more about these fascinating creatures.

I was provided a free copy of this book via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I thought this book was going to be more of a seashore shell guide and whilst I’d does have clear images to help you identify shells and distribution maps, it used a lot more scientific wording than I was expecting. Particularly the intro and “what is a shell” sections used a lot of complicated wordings and new scientific terms I’d not encountered before. There is a very thorough glossary in the back and two indexes of the shells by their common and scientific names which I think would make this book great if you want to learn more about the biology of shells.

The authors are both academics so it is clear that there has been lots of accurate research and the information would be reliable to those beginning their shell journey. I also really liked the little fact list accompanying each shell illustration such as where they are found and what they feed on, which reminds you that shells contain living animals, it’s something I think people forget when they collect empty shells on the beach.

Thank you Net Galley. This was a disappointment as the book downloaded sans illustrations. I cannot review the book as I could not really "read" the book.