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== November's News from Bookbag Towers ==
Hello! It's that time of year. You know the one. The obsessive time during which you simply cannot find a space free of festive features. The time of relentless commercialism disguising the season's real message of goodwill to all men. We're not sure where one finds all this goodwill amongst the adverts, are you? Or is that too cynical? There is goodwill, of course, but it does tend to get buried under the flurries of suggestions for things to buy. Well, Bookbag's no different. We have produced our very own list of Christmas - there, we said it - purchase suggestions. Sorry! But we think you'll like it. Books don't break the bank and they make great gifts, expanding horizons and opening new worlds for those who receive them. So we don't feel too badly about joining the throng. If you're stuck for a present, take a look at our [[Bookbag's Christmas Gift Recommendations 2010|Christmas gifts recommendations]]. You'll find something there for just about anyone, no matter how tricky they are to buy for. And we hope you enjoy a wonderful festive season, books or no books.
[[Amazon Kindle|Kindles have been occupying us this month]]. We bought some! And, by and large, the verdict is positive. You can find out what we think [[Amazon Kindle|here]]. Do you own a Kindle? Another e-reader? What do you think? We'd love to know, so please do visit the page and leave your thoughts in the comments section. We truly believe there's great potential here, but are publishers making the most of it? We hope you enjoy a wonderful festive season, books or no books. We'll be too busy Kindling to write to you again in December, so see you at the end of January. Have fun!
'''Features'''
Who said the literary biography is losing ground? We don't think so. In non-fiction, John was mightily impressed by [[Tolstoy: A Russian Life by Rosamund Bartlett]]. It's a full and satisfying biography of the Russian aristocrat and novelist, author of ''War and Peace'', who became a fervent Christian anarchist. It also paints a wonderful complimentary picture of Russia, a nation going through great changes in which he lived and worked.
We think it's about time the redoubtable Andy Stanton got a mention hereabouts and so our children's choice for November is [[Mr Gum and the Secret Hideout by Andy StantonMr Stanton|Mr Gum and the Secret Hideout ]]. Despite a couple of minor misfires recently, the series is really back on track here. The scenario is absurd, the characters stupid when needed to be, heroic when needed to be, and - in the case of Surprising Ben - surprisingly surprising. This is the only series you can turn to for such effortless wordplay, such inventive and intelligent wackiness, and so many returning in-jokes.
'''Reviewers'''
And that's about it for this month. If you're passing Bookbag Towers do pop in and see us – we're at [[The Bookbag|www.thebookbag.co.uk]].
What were we reading [[November 2009 Newsletter|last year]]?
'''''All at Bookbag Towers'''''
