First Sentences In (Fan)Fiction the 7th

The mini-hiatus is over, but I must admit that Canterlot Boutique didn't do much for me.  It certainly wasn't a bad episode, but I couldn't make much of the message behind it.  Or the economics; how is Rarity planning to support both the Canterlot and Ponyville stores with only stuff she makes?  I've seen other people suggest she'll be able to support herself with a "unique designs only" policy based on the last part of the episode, but I don't buy it; her manager sold 100 Princess Dresses at full price in less time than it took Rarity to unload five original designs, and those five were all at sale prices to boot.  Seems to me that Canterlot Boutique isn't long for this world, unless Rarity either learns to embrace mass production and a designer role for herself in her fledgling empire, or closes down the Ponyville branch to focus on supporting a single store.

Or maybe the Magic of Friendship will prove as effective at handling unsustainable business practices as it is at vanquishing unbeatable monsters.  Yeah, probably that one.  Anyway, click down below the break for my thoughts on the first sentences I've read recently!

Mini-Reviews Round 96

Football is back!  You'll all be indifferent to know that I've put my stinking-it-up streak on the line by entering the same fantasy football pool I always do.  I felt like I had a pretty good draft, which probably means I can pencil in another season at about 4-8, following season-ending injuries to any or all of Eddie Lacy, Drew Brees, LeSean McCoy, or Alshon Jeffery.  Oh wait; those last two are already listed as "questionable" on their respective injury reports, and their teams haven't even played their first games of the season.  Its... it's gonna be a long year, I think.

But let's talk about things y'all presumably do care about, like fanfiction!  Short reviews, below the break.

Fandom Classics Part 124: The Brony International Guard

To read the story, click the image or follow this link

The first few days back at work after the summer off always leave me feeling tired; I'm not an "up at five" person by nature, and even though I try not to let my sleeping habits completely revert during vacation, I never quite succeed.  Having to get up early every day is hard.

Of course, if both the sleep studies that've been done on children and teens, and my own experience, are anything to go by, then it's even harder for the kids.  Ah well; as complaints about work go, "starts too early in the morning" isn't the worst one to have.  Now head down below the break for my review of psychicscubadiver's The Brony International Guard!

Mini-Reviews Round 95

Ever since I've gotten back from vacation--even well after I've gotten "caught up" on everything I missed--I've been feeling very behind on almost everything.  Probably not a good thing to be feeling right as the school year is about to begin.  Oh well, at least it's not quite time to face the music/children again quite yet.  If you're looking for some suggestions on what to read (or not) on your last day of the Labor Day weekend, click down below the break!

Fandom Classics Part 123: The Price of Grace

To read the story, click the image or follow this link

Hey, it's Fandom Classic number 123!  I don't have anything to add to that, other than that 123 is fun to type.  123, 123, 123!  Your results may vary; I actually pick up my left hand and put the ring finger on the 1 to type numbers, rather than using the number pad or staying on the home row and beginning from my pinkie like your supposed to, and either of those methods are probably less satisfying.

But enough about typing idiosyncrasies; on to reviews!  My thoughts on Sparkle's The Price of Grace, below.

For a Change, Let's Talk About Actual Books (Part 19)

To answer the question resounding through the minds of the Chris-review fandom: yes, I'm aware that Somber's Project Horizons, the most famous Fallout: Equestria side-story, is now complete.  Seeing as it clocks in at well over one and a half million words, though, don't expect to see it reviewed anytime soon.  Maybe over vacation next year, but I'm not even committing to that.  It's... it's a lot of words, is what I'm trying to say.

Speaking of vacation, though, I always take the opportunity to go to a few used bookstores and stock up, and now I'm enjoying going through all the stuff I bought!  Click below the break for my thoughts on the stuff I'm currently reading.