132,602
edits
Changes
no edit summary
Check out the full lists of [[:Category: Interviews|interviews]], [[:Category: Lists|top tens]] and [[:Category: Comments|articles]].__NOTOC__<!-- Remove -->{{newfeature|category=lists|title=Top Ten Self-Published Books 2023|summary= We've seen some really good self-published books this year: they're up there with the best of traditional publishing. Here's our top ten, in alphabetical order, by author.}}{{newfeature|category=interviews|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Jeffrey Dunn|summary=Jill enjoyed [[Radio Free Olympia by Jeffrey Dunn|Radio Free Olympia]], a story blending prose and poetry with themes of ecology, folklore, love and loss. She didn't think it was the easiest read, but a rewarding one.}}{{newfeature|category=comments|title=How To Write a Fantasy Novel: The Full Guide|summary=Fantasy has always been our way out of the real world's limitations. It's a space where magic is real, mythical creatures roam, and heroes go on epic quests. This genre is loved by people of all ages and backgrounds. It allows us to explore new worlds and face unimaginable challenges, all without leaving our homes.
So, get ready for an adventure. This journey is not just about castles and wizards. It's also about the craft of writing. You'll learn to use language and imagination to make a rich, varied story. And who knows what unexplored realms you'll discover along the way?
}}
{{newfeature
|category=comments
|title=How Can Reading Improve Your Vocabulary: Best Practices
|summary=Reading is one of the most effective ways to improve your vocabulary. Not only does it expose you to new words and their meanings, but it also allows you to see them used in context, which is essential for understanding and using them correctly. With the rise of language learning apps, such as Promova, many people have turned to technology to improve their vocabulary. However, reading remains a tried-and-true method that has been used for centuries.
}}
{{newfeature
|category=comments
|title=3 Things You Didn't Know About Ghostwriters
|summary=How much do you know about ghostwriters? These professionals lurk in the shadows of the publishing industry (both self- and traditional publishing), with most members of the public having only ever heard of them because of the Pierce Brosnan film. Given the awkwardness a lot of people feel toward ghostwriters, it's no surprise that there are a number of misconceptions about what they do, so I'm hoping to clarify three important things in this post.
}}
{{newfeature
|category=interviews
|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Glenn DakinConrad Delacroix|summary=Sue really enjoyed [[Candle Man: Society of Dread The Lensky Connection by Glenn DakinConrad Delacroix|The Candle ManLensky Connection]] returns , a thriller set primarily in a second volume about a British - yes, British! - teen superheroRussia. Pacy and packed with rather marvellous villains, this steampunk and comic book-inspired series will be She had quite a big hit with tween readers. We asked Glenn Dakin all about itfew questions for author Conrad Delacroix when he popped into Bookbag Towers.
}}
{{newfeature
|category=lists
|title=Guardian Children's Fiction Prize 2011Top Ten Self-Published Books 2022|summary=Following hot on We're constantly amazed at the footsteps quality of [[Guardian Childrenthe self-published books which come our way and we's Fiction Prize 2010|last year's]] winnerve seen some real gems in 2022. Here they are, in alphabetical order, [[Ghost Hunter by Michelle Paver]], comes another wonderful selection of children's books in the 2011 Guardian Children's Fiction Prize.author:
}}
{{newfeature
|category=comments
|title=Caroline Lawrence's top 5 Western films for kids (and adults!)3 Things You Should Know About Literary Agents|summary=It is always a little worrying when an author finishes a popular and well-loved series If you're all set to start something new. Will the new characters be as interesting as the oldpublish your novel, familiar ones? Will the books just it might be time to [https://blog.reedsy.com/how-to-find-a pale retelling of the plots in -literary-agent/ get yourself a new context? But fans of Caroline Lawrence's Roman Mysteries need not worryliterary agent]. SheSince you's gone Western! To introduce us re essentially picking the person responsible for presenting and marketing your book to the genreworld, this is no easy task. When you've sent your [https://blog.reedsy.com/guide/how-to-write-a-query-letter/ query letters] and her new seriesstarted getting responses, Caroline called into Bookbag Towers to tell us all about her favourite Western moviesthese tips will help you choose the right person for you.
}}
{{newfeature
|category=comments
|title=Should we popularise mathematics? If so, how? by Ian StewartLolita Book Review: Most Important Things to Know|summary=In support of his Lolita, a highly controversial book [[Mathematics of Life by Ian Stewart|Mathematics of Life]], Ian Stewart looks at is not subject to bans in American schools. Here are the pros and cons popularising mathematics, through books and other meansmost important things you need to know about it.
}}
{{newfeature
|category=interviewscomments|title=Stylish Restaging of The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Bali RaiCrucible is All Show and No Substance, According to Reviews|summary=[[Killing Honour by Bali Rai|Killing Honour]] The Crucible is an honest a tragedy that’s been debated and hard-hitting look at discussed for many years. Its current running in theaters has received a controversial issue by one of Bookbag's most trusted teen authorsrather intriguing review. We were delighted Keep reading to interview Bali Raifind out more.
}}
{{newfeature
|category=interviewscomments|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Stephanie PainHow Bar Modeling Makes Word Problems Easy in Singapore Math|summary=[[Farmer Buckley's Exploding Trousers by Stephanie Pain|Farmer Buckley's Exploding Trousers]] Singapore Mathematics is another fantastic book from New Scientist, a unique way of presenting this time looking at odd events on the way to scientific discoveryscience. It's brilliantly written Parents and compiled, teachers will be able to understand and endlessly fascinating. We leapt at explain to children the chance to interview editor Stephanie Painsimplest mathematical processes using images.
}}
{{newfeature
|category=newsletterscomments|title=May 2011 NewsletterFinding More Time For Reading|summary=We keep thinking If there is one thing that we really must update our [[Most Read Reviews on Bookbag|list]] a lot of people could benefit from having more of most-read reviews on the site. We are good at thinking. But thinking isn't doing and since we are are also good at forgettingin their lives, we haven't done it yet. It's on the to-do list, though. Last time we did this exercise the redoubtable Delia Smith was in pole position, with her [[Delia SmithA Bookbagger's Complete Cookery Course by Delia Smith|Delia SmithView:What it's Complete Cookery Courselike to be a reviewer|literature]]. Some might laugh at the sucking/scrambling eggs episode, but an awful Plenty of us have gone through this experience of suddenly finding that we are not reading as much as we used to. There are a lot more type her name into Googleof possible reasons for this, and it's clearsomething that you might be able to approach in a number of ways if you want to make sure that you are getting back into reading again. But one of the most important parts of this is probably that you are able to find enough time for reading, and that can be harder than you might initially think.
}}
{{newfeature
|category=interviews
|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Hilary FreemanGerry Brown and Randall S Peterson about Disaster in the Boardroom: Six Dysfunctions Everyone Should Understand|summary=We really loved the way that Hilary Freeman's Sue was absolutely riveted to [[Piccadilly Love StoriesDisaster in the Boardroom: Don't Ask Six Dysfunctions Everyone Should Understand by Hilary Freeman|Don't AskGerry Brown and Randall S Peterson]] looks at . It's brilliantly readable but rather frightening: people's lives and livelihoods could be in the way a lie can spiral and deals with some tough questionshands of company boards which are dysfunctional. We couldn't wait Sue wanted to ask her a few questionsknow more.
}}
{{newfeature
|category=lists
|title=Top Ten Self-Published Books 2021
|summary= We thought that 2020 was a strange year but 2021 has been equally so. Once again we've been amazed by the quality of self-published books which have come our way. Last year's top ten consisted of eleven books (maths never was our strong point...) but this year we're going to have to make it a baker's dozen as we really couldn't split them apart. Here they are, in alphabetical order, by author...
}}
{{newfeature
|category=comments
|title=How to Write a Standout Book Review in a Saturated Market
|summary=Book reviews are a crucial tool for the reading community — it’s via these that opinions are exchanged, ideas discussed, and recommendations found. But though the growth of book review sites is promising for readers, a saturated market also means that it’s getting increasingly difficult to make your mark as a book reviewer.
If you’re looking for ways to freshen your voice and make a stronger impression, I’ve got a few tips that might help. As an avid reader of book reviews, I’ve noticed that the ones that stay with me usually follow these three guidelines.
}}
{{newfeature
|category=interviews
|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Paul BressGerry Brown, Andrew Kakabadse and Filipe Morais about The Independent Director in Society|summary=We were intriqued by Sue was an enthusiastic reader of [[The Dysfunctional Family Independent Director in Society: Our current crisis of governance and what to do by Paul BressGerry Brown, Andrew Kakabadse and Filipe Morais|The Independent Director in Society: Our current crisis of governance and what to do]] written as a diary kept by four members of the titular dysfunctional family and we couldn't resist she had several points she wanted to discuss with the temptation of asking him a few questionsauthors when they popped into Bookbag Towers.
}}
{{newfeature
|category=comments
|title=Work At Home or Work Away From Home? Helen Black helps us to decide.Comic Books Where the Bad Guys Won|summary=It's very tempting to think that someone else's grass is greener than your ownComic books and movies, but in general, have been given the matter portrayal of working at home or commuting to your job Helen Black has experienced both good; always winning and wants us saving the day. however, thanks to know that there are the creativity of writers, we have a few things you need writers of comics who have managed to consideralter this unsaid rule, 'evil wins at the end of the day'. While it may not least be a great thought to bear in mind, it is still something a bit fascinating to dwell on. And, we believe that it is a breath of fresh air to discover that we have something different from the fluff in cliché where the hero always emerges as the tumble driervictor.
}}
{{newfeature
|category=interviews
|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To The Anonymous EditorGerry Brown About Making a Difference: Leadership, Change and Giving Back the Independent Director Way|summary=Gerry Brown is so keen to see people geting involved that there's a free digital [[Clients From Hell by ClientsFromHellhttps://www.degruyter.com/view/title/580618 download] of this £42 book.net}}{{newfeature|category=lists|Clients From Hell]] offers a hilarious collection title=Top Ten Self-Published Books 2020|summary= In this strangest of useryears we've been delighted by the self-submitted stories from designers dealing published books we've read and they're all books which compare well with rudetraditionally-published books in the same genres. We really couldn't narrow the choice down any further - so this year's top ten consists of eleven books and here they are, clueless and demanding clientsin alphabetical order by author.. We were delighted to interview its Anonymous Editor.
}}
{{newfeature
|category=interviews
|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Jenn AshworthOlga Kokshagina and Allen Alexander|summary=Sue loved Jenn's latest book, was so impressed by [[Cold Light The Radical Innovation Playbook: A Practical Guide for Harnessing New, Novel or Game-Changing Breakthroughs by Jenn Ashworth|Cold LightOlga Kokshagina and Allen Alexander]]. She met Jenn that she wished that she had a few months ago and really wanted to know how a nice girl like Jenn good business idea of her own so that she could think up a plot like thatuse the book. Thankfully, Jenn Perhaps that was what she was ready talking about when Olga and Allen popped into Bookbag Towers to talk chat to us...
}}
{{newfeature
|category=interviews
|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Peter GillAndrew Hampshire|summary=We enjoyed Peter GillTechnology can seem frightening to people who don's riff on t have the number 42 - background. In [[42 Creating Value Through Technology: Discover the Tech that Can Transform Your Business by Andrew Hampshire|Creating Value Through Technology: Discover the Tech that Can Transform Your Business]] Andrew Hampshire discusses the tech that can add quantifiable value to your business and how to get the most out of it. He and Sue had a lot to chat about when he dropped into Bookbag Towers.}}{{newfeature|category=comments|title=Stand Up to Bullying With a Pulitzer Prize Winner|summary=In every generation, there are kids who become bullies. They bully their siblings, neighbor kids, and their classmates. They seem to believe that other kids look up to them and respect them. That is self- Douglas Adamsdelusion, as most adults are aware, but kids don' Amazingly Accurate Answer t have the experience to properly judge what is respect and what is merely fear.}}{{newfeature|category=comments|title=From Sci Fi to Reality: How Dreams Turn Into Innovations|summary=The gap between sci-fi and reality is not so big anymore. You don’t have to go that far back in time to see huge developments in technology. For example, the smartphone has been around for over 10 years now, but if you don’t have one in today’s society, you’d either be seen as crazy or just out of touch.}}{{newfeature|category=comments|title=5 Great AI books to Liferead in 2020|summary=Artificial intelligence (AI) has expanded into one of the most important technologies in human history. It comes with so many benefits, from improving the Universe and Everything efficiency of simple, basic tasks to helping to solve advanced problems by Peter Gillquickly analyzing large data sets.}}{{newfeature|category=lists|42 - Douglas Adamstitle=A Baker' Amazingly Accurate Answer s Dozen of Books to Life, Keep the Universe and Everything]] and Kids Occupied When They Can't Go Out|summary= Are you running out of inspiration for what to do with the chance kids when they can't go out? We've come up with a baker's dozen of books to ask him give you some brilliant ideas.}}{{newfeature|category=lists|title=Top Ten Self-Published Books 2019|summary= We've seen some questions was too good to misscracking self-published books this year and they're all books which compare well with traditionally-published books in the same genres. We really couldn't narrow the choice down any further - so this year's top ten consists of eleven books and here they are, in alphabetical order by author...
}}
{{newfeature
|category=newsletterscomments|title=April 2011 NewsletterDesiree Villena Talks To Bookbag About 5 Key Tips for Writing a Critical-Yet-Fair Book Review|summary=Do you buy books from Tesco? Is your favourite author to be found on the best-selling lists or do you like to search out Writing a wider range of reading matter? In Selling Well Is The Best Revengebook review isn't difficult, Linda Gillard tells Bookbag why being dropped by her publisher two years ago has turned out to be a positive event. How so? you ask. Wellknow, she published her fourth novel on Amazon for Kindle all by herself - and at but there are a selling price of £1few things you need to keep us in mind.90 per copy, she is making more than she did from her previous dead tree books. And her book is selling well Desiree Villena gives us five tips.
}}
{{newfeature
|category=interviews
|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Ali McNamaraMelanie Martin|summary=It takes real skill to write a book like |summary=In [[From Notting Hill with War and Love... Actually : A family's testament of anguish, endurance and devotion in occupied Amsterdam by Ali McNamaraMelanie Martin|From Notting Hill with War and Love... Actually: A family's testament of anguish, endurance and devotion in occupied Amsterdam]] thatMelanie Martin reconstructs what happened to her family in occupied Amsterdam in WWII. It's packed a highly compelling if occasionally shocking read. Days after she finished the book Sue could not stop thinking about what she had read and was delighted when the author agreed to chat with fun her.}}{{newfeature|category=comments|title=Framing the Brexit narrative: immigration, myths and public perception|summary=Loobna Joomun looks at how Brexit is likely to affect the publishing industry - and provides comfortable, easy reading, so the opportunity wider country.}}{{newfeature|category=comments|title=8 ways to ask Ali McNamara motivate yourself to write, right NOW by Jessica Jarlvi|summary=Ever felt that you've hit a few qestions was too good to missbrick wall with your writing? Jessica Jarlvi has eight tips yo get you writing again.
}}
{{newfeature
|category=comments
|title=Why is it important to have good and challenging fiction for teens? by Gillian PhilipGreg Hickey Talks To Bookbag About The Old Guard of Dystopian Fiction|summary=Gillian Philip is one of BookbagWhere do you go when you move beyond classics like 's favourite authors for teens. She can write in any genre and even blends them together sometimes. And she's always real, even when she1984's writing fantasy. Her latest book, [[The Opposite of Amber by Gillian Philip|The Opposite of Amber]] is a chilling thriller that blends with a realistic story of relationship breakdown and social issues. If anyone can tell us why teens need books to challenge them, it's Gillian. So we thank her for passing by to give us her view - and promise you she is ''nothingBrave New World'' like ?}}{{newfeature|category=lists|title=Top Ten Self-Published Books 2018|summary= Choosing the top ten self-published books we read in 2018 was difficult as gnarled as Charlie Sheen!we're constantly surprised at just how good some self-published books are. Here's our final top ten in alphabetical order by author...
}}
{{newfeature
|category=comments
|title=Selling Well Is James Donald Talks To Bookbag About The Best Revenge by Linda GillardDeath Of Norman Breyfogle|summary=We fell in love with Linda Gillard when we read [[Star Gazing by Linda Gillard|Star Gazing]]. Sue described it as intelligent women's fiction and since then weOne of the finest storytellers you've searched out and read her back cataloguenever heard of, but we were getting worried that there wasn't another book for us to read! Then Linda told us that she was publishing [[House who died in September 2018 at the age of Silence by Linda Gillard|House of Silence]] as an ebook and she was publishing it herself. And she's agreed to explain why58.
}}
{{newfeature
|category=interviews
|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Anne O'BrienMelissa Leet|summary=We've really enjoyed both Sue was impressed when she read [[Virgin Widow Landslide by Anne O'BrienMelissa Leet|Virgin WidowLandslide]] by Melissa Leet and [[Devil's Consort by Anne O'Brienwas surprised to find that it was a debut novel. She had quite a few questions for Melissa when she popped into Bookbag Towers.}}{{newfeature|category=comments|Deviltitle=Faiz Kermani talks to Bookbag about how a blue frog is helping Malawi's Consort]] so the opportunity vulnerable children to ask Anne O'Brien live safe, healthy and happy lives|summary=Every child has a few qestions was too good right to miss.medical care
}}
{{newfeature
|category=comments
|title=Celia Rees tells us about Abi Silver Talks To The Bookbag About A Few Of Her Favourite Things|summary=''We could definitely make a flying car – but that's not the inspiration for hard part. The Foolhard part is, how do you make a flying car that's Girlsuper safe and quiet?'': Elon Musk}}{{newfeature|category=interviews|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Daniel Peltz|summary=Sue wasn't expecting to enjoy a novel about a ''building'', but was surprised by just how compelling she found [[The Fool's Girl Indomitable Chiesa di Santa Maria by Celia ReesDaniel Peltz|The Fool's GirlIndomitable Chiesa di Santa Maria]] is . There was a truly enjoyable mix lot to chat about when author Daniel Peltz popped into Bookbag Towers.}}{{newfeature|category=lists|title=Top Ten Self-Published Books 2017|summary= Choosing the top ten self-published books we read in 2017 was one of Shakespearean characters and historical people the toughest jobs we did all year and involved a novel for teens and adults to savourgreat deal of discussion. Here, Celia Rees tells us all about how she came to write it's our final top ten in alphabetical order by author...
}}
{{newfeature
|category=interviews
|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Natasha SolomonsChit Dubey|summary=We were really Sue was quietly impressed by when she read [[The Novel in the Viola 21 Doors to Happiness: Life Through Travel Experiences and Meditation by Natasha Solomons|The Novel in the ViolaChit Dubey]], published in May 2011, which took us back as it chimed with her personal view of life. She was delighted when Chit Dubey popped into Bookbag Towers to Dorset in the war years and we couldn't pass the opportunity chat to ask author Natasha Solomons a few questionsus.
}}
{{newfeature
|category=comments
|title=Research? But itMelita Thomas Talks To Bookbag About The King's Only Pearl: Henry VIII and his Daughter Mary|summary= Melita Thomas tell us that Mary was a Romantic Novel! true Renaissance Princess}}{{newfeature|category=interviews|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Elizabeth Fox and Martin le Comte|summary=Peter thought that [[The Ten Golden Rules of Leadership by Sophie PageElizabeth Fox and Martin le Comte|The Ten Golden Rules of Leadership]] was the best book on leadership he'd ever read and he couldn't resist asking authors Elizabeth Fox and Martin le Comte quite a few questions when they came to Bookbag Towers to chat to us.}}{{newfeature|category=interviews|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Gabe Riggs|summary=When we finished reading Luke thought that [[Punk Love Foucault by Gabe Riggs]] was an intense, emotional and visceral read that illuminates and educates with a strong voice and clear, capable prose. There was a lot to talk about when Gabe popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us.}}{{newfeature|category=interviews|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Marry A Prince Sandra Aragona|summary=Sue loved Sandra Aragona's lightly-fictionalised [[Sorting the Priorities: Ambassadress and Beagle Survive Diplomacy by Sophie PageSandra Aragona|autobiography]] of life as a diplomatic spouse. There was a lot that she wanted to ask about when Sandra popped into Bookbag Towers.}}{{newfeature|category=interviews|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Marry A PrinceK J Lawrence|summary=Sue was delighted when she read [[The Cossack by K J Lawrence|The Cossack]] we started wondering exactly how you did as it restored her faith in the thriller genre. When the research for author, K J Lawrence, popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us, Sue had quite a few questions ready!}}{{newfeature|category=interviews|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Stuart Burrell|summary=Sue found Start Burrell's book like that. I mean - you can[[Twelve Times To The Max: One Man't just tag along for a couple s Journey to, and Recollections of week, Setting Twelve Verified World Records by Stuart Burrell|Twelve Times To The Max: One Man's work experienceJourney to, and Recollections of, Setting Twelve Verified World Records]] an inspiring, can you? feel-good read. She wanted to know more when Stuart popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us.}}{{newfeature|category=interviews|title=The book gives Interview: Bookbag Talks To Wes Stuart|summary=Luke enjoyed the combination of compellingly-written science fiction which blends themes of innocence and growth with some well depicted moments of horror in [[My Name is Sam by Wes Stuart|My Name is Sam]] and he had quite a real feel few questions for what the life is like so we asked Sophie author Wes Stuart when he popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to tell us how .}}{{newfeature|category=interviews|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To B C R Fegan|summary=Sue giggled like a child when she did read [[Henry and the Hidden Treasure by B C R Fegan and Lenny Wen]]: it's a good story with some valuable lessons. It was a real pleasure to chat to writer B C R Fegan when he popped into Bookbag Towers.
}}
{{newfeature
|category=interviews
|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Stephen Mark NormanAnnie Ingram|summary=[[:Category:Stephen Mark Norman|Stephen Mark Norman]] is the Very few people believe that dogs can talk so it was something of a relief when Sue met author of , Annie Ingram. She has lengthy conversations with her cocker spaniel Kammie and has shared them with us in her [[Meklyan and the Fourth Piece of the Artefact Conversations with Kammie by Stephen Mark NormanAnnie Ingram|Meklyan and the Fourth Piece of the Artefactbook]]. We realised that there There was more a lot to talk about when she popped into Bookbag Towers to the book than met the eye and we couldn't refuse the opportunity chat to ask him a few questionsus.
}}
{{newfeature
|category=interviews
|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Annette HartStephan Santiago|summary=Ani was quietly moved by [[:Category:Annette HartReturning Home by Stephan Santiago|Annette HartReturning Home]] is a teacher, mother of four children and the there were several points she wanted to discuss with author of [[Blood and Allegiance by Annette Hart|Blood and Allegiance]], the first of a series of books. We couldn't resist asking her how she managed Stephan Santiago when he popped into Bookbag Towers to pack so much in chat to her busy lifeus.
}}
[[Category:Features|*]]