Difference between revisions of "Features"

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Check out the full lists of [[:Category: Interviews|interviews]], [[:Category: Lists|top tens]] and [[:Category: Comments|articles]].__NOTOC__<!-- Remove -->
 
Check out the full lists of [[:Category: Interviews|interviews]], [[:Category: Lists|top tens]] and [[:Category: Comments|articles]].__NOTOC__<!-- Remove -->
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Kim Staflund Again
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|title=Self-Improvement Through Reading: How to Choose Books for Personal Growth
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|summary=Sue's always been just a little bit keen to avoid the limelight, so when Kim Staflund's latest book, [[Successful Selling Tips for Introverted Authors by Kim Staflund|Successful Selling Tips for Introverted Authors]] landed on her desk she ''devoured'' it and had quite a few questions to ask the author when she popped into Bookbag Towers.
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|summary=Reading provides insights and techniques for both personal and professional development, making it a potent tool for self-improvement. However, the impact of reading largely depends on choosing the right books to match your objectives. To simplify this process, consider using the Headway app – a platform that provides users with key insights from top research-based books through audio and text summaries, making it easier to incorporate learning into a busy schedule.
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Matt Addis
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|title=How to Write a Book Report: From Choosing the Book to Final Draft
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|summary=Sue has spent some very indulgent hours recently listening to books narrated by Matt Addis. Most recently she's wallowed in [[Rape of the Fair Country by Alexander Cordell|Rape of the Fair Country]] and [[The Hosts of Rebecca by Alexander Cordell|The Hosts of Rebecca]], both by Alexander Cordell, which she thought were amazing. When Matt popped into Bookbag Towers she wanted to know how it was all done.
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|summary=Need help on how to do a book report? Check out our step-by-step guide at thebookbag.co.uk and learn to craft compelling reports that impress today!
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Book report writing shouldn't be a headache! It's almost like telling a friend about a book but with a bit of structure.
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|title=How Serialized Stories Are Revolutionizing the Way We Read
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|summary=With technology gradually encroaching on every area of our lives, the change extends to literature as well. This brings serialized stories into focus, which overtook our reading habits with its stages, or small sequential parts of a narrated story. In this sense, this new approach is doing more than just changing how we read but also how authors will write, publishers, promote, and readers experience these works. The rise of digital platforms and book writing apps (e.g. [https://www.chapterly.com/ Chapterly]) are at the forefront of this change.
 
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|title=September 2015 Newsletter
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|title=Top Ten Self-Published Books 2023
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|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.
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Well, they say summer is the silly season but so much has been happening since we last wrote! And so much of what has been happening has tied into the world of books in our thoughts. MPs, given a free vote, [http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/mps-overwhelmingly-reject-plans-to-legalise-assisted-dying-for-people-with-terminal-illnesses-10496918.html rejected] an assisted dying bill. And that made us remember beloved Terry Pratchett, who so strongly [http://www.theguardian.com/society/2010/feb/02/terry-pratchett-assisted-suicide-tribunal supported] the idea. We miss you, Terry.
 
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Antony Wootten Again
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Jeffrey Dunn
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|summary=After she finished reading [[The Grubby Feather Gang (Bigshorts) by Antony Wootten|The Grubby Feather Gang]] Sue couldn't get the characters out of her mind.  The book had given her a lot to think about and she had quite a few questions for author [[:Category:Antony Wootten|Antony Wootten]] when he popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us.
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|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.
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To C B Calico
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|title=How To Write a Fantasy Novel: The Full Guide
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|summary=Rebecca was impressed by [[Dandelion Angel by C B Calico|Dandelion Angel]] and had quite a few questions when debut author C B Calico popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us.
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|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.
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But what if you could do more than just visit these magical lands? What if you could create your own? This is the magic of writing a fantasy novel. You have the power to build worlds with your words. You can turn simple ink and paper into landscapes that readers can explore.
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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?
 
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|title=August 2015 Newsletter
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|title=How Can Reading Improve Your Vocabulary: Best Practices
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|summary=  
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|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.
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Hi, hello and how are you? Good, we hope. We have some summer reading recommendations for you as ever this month. If you haven't been on your holidays yet, hopefully there's something there you'd like to take with you. If you have, well, you can still take a look - perhaps for some reading in the garden during the long evenings. Either way, happy summer reading everyone!
 
 
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|title=July 2015 Newsletter
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|title=3 Things You Didn't Know About Ghostwriters
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|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.
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How are you all doing with the summer weather? Aside from sweltering and moaning, that is. We can allow you to swelter but not to moan about it. Sorry! Did you watch Wimbledon? As we write, the tournament is still ongoing, so our fingers are still crossed for Andy Murray, as they were for our fabulous footballing lionesses. We need to review more books about sport, we really do.
 
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Sarah Bourne
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Conrad Delacroix
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|summary=When she read [[Two Lives by Sarah Bourne|Two Lives]] Rebecca thought that author Sarah Bourne was definitely going to be one to follow.  They had a lot to chat about when Sarah popped into Bookbag Towers.
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|summary=Sue really enjoyed [[The Lensky Connection by Conrad Delacroix|The Lensky Connection]], a thriller set primarily in Russia.  She had quite a few questions for author Conrad Delacroix when he popped into Bookbag Towers.
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To John Piper
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|title=Top Ten Self-Published Books 2022
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|summary=Ani was impressed when she read John Piper's [[Hibernia Unanimis: "Pro Deo, Rege et Patricia, Hibernia Unanimis" (For God, King and Country, Ireland is United) by John Piper|Hibernia Unanimis]] and she had quite a few questions to ask the author when he popped into Bookbag Towers.
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|summary=We're constantly amazed at the quality of the self-published books which come our way and we've seen some real gems in 2022.  Here they are, in alphabetical order, by author:
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Gerry Brown
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|title=3 Things You Should Know About Literary Agents
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|summary=Sue thought that [[The Independent Director: The Non-Executive Director's Guide to Effective Board Presence by Gerry Brown|The Independent Director: The Non-Executive Director's Guide to Effective Board Presence]] was fascinating and certain to become the go-to book for anyone thinking about taking on an independent directorship.  There were quite a few questions she wanted to ask when author Gerry brown popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us.
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|summary=If you're all set to publish your novel, it might be time to [https://blog.reedsy.com/how-to-find-a-literary-agent/ get yourself a literary agent]. Since you're essentially picking the person responsible for presenting and marketing your book to the world, this is no easy task. When you've sent your [https://blog.reedsy.com/guide/how-to-write-a-query-letter/ query letters] and started getting responses, these tips will help you choose the right person for you.
 
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|title=June 2015 Newsletter
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|title=Lolita Book Review: Most Important Things to Know
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|summary=Hi, hello and how the devil are you?
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|summary=Lolita, a highly controversial book, is not subject to bans in American schools. Here are the most important things you need to know about it.
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The days are getting long and for us here at Bookbag, it means the evenings are perfect for reading. Hopefully you feel the same and hopefully this newsletter will give you some ideas about what to read next.
 
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So, what's been going on in the book world? Well, there's been a flurry of laureate-related news.
 
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Firstly, the redoubtable [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-33046917 Chris Riddell has taken over] from the equally redoubtable Malorie Blackman as the new Children's Laureate. Hooray! We love Chris. He says he wants to put ''visual literacy'' front and centre during his tenure and he'd love to see children drawing every day. So would we. Good luck, Chris.}}
 
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|title=May 2015 Newsletter
 
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|summary=Hi, hello, how goes it with you? Post-election blues? Or post-election euphoria? Or simply thankful it's all over for another five years? Whichever, it's good to get back to talking about books, right? Right?!
 
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Penguin are hoping to raise £25,000 for the Teenage Cancer Trust through their [http://penguinblog.co.uk/2015/05/05/a-night-of-infinities/ Night of Infinities] on 26 June. Over the past three years, millions of people around the world have connected with the story of Gus and Hazel in John Green’s life-changing [[The Fault in Our Stars by John Green|The Fault in Our Stars]]. Night of Infinities is a a UK and Ireland wide, TFiOS-themed sleepover that will include all sorts of online fun. The Teenage Cancer Trust does remarkable work, so if you know anyone that might like to take part, do let them know.
 
 
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|title=April 2015 Newsletter
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|title=Stylish Restaging of The Crucible is All Show and No Substance, According to Reviews
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|summary=Hi there! Spring is in the air! Isn't it a relief? Politics is also in the air. There's a general election campaign on, in case you hadn't noticed. Somewhat less of a relief for many, we fear. If you're looking to escape Cameron, Miliband, Farage et al, and are looking for anything to read that isn't a party manifesto, stick with us. We have some great book recommendations for you this month.
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|summary=The Crucible is a tragedy that’s been debated and discussed for many years. Its current running in theaters has received a rather intriguing review. Keep reading to find out more.
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In other news, author David Nicholls says that browsing bookshops then buying online is a genteel form of shoplifting. Do you agree? We think bookshops are precious so we are inclined to concur. Having said that, there's nothing wrong with a choice of format. Not everybody feels the same way about books as objects. Perhaps, rather than the gladiatorial combat Nicholls describes, it would be better if people browsed in bookshops and then chose the physical book or a download at the checkout?
 
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To John Kemp
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|title=How Bar Modeling Makes Word Problems Easy in Singapore Math
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|summary=Sue thought that John Kemp’s book [[Caring for Shirley by John Kemp|Caring for Shirley]] was a remarkably upbeat, life-affirming read considering that it was about looking after his wife who was suffering from dementia and no longer recognised him as her husband.  it’s probably one of the most feared fates as you get older, and Sue had plenty to discuss with John Kemp when he popped into Bookbag Towers.
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|summary=Singapore Mathematics is a unique way of presenting this science. Parents and teachers will be able to understand and explain to children the simplest mathematical processes using images.  
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Michael Pronko
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|title=Finding More Time For Reading
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|summary=Rebecca enjoyed Michael Pronko's whimsical, poetic [[Beauty and Chaos: Slices and Morsels of Tokyo Life by Michael Pronko|essays on Tokyo life]] and she had quite a few questions for the author when he popped into Bookbag Towers.
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|summary=If there is one thing that a lot of people could benefit from having more of in their lives, it's [[A Bookbagger's View:What it's like to be a reviewer|literature]]. 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 of possible reasons for this, and it's something 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.
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Tricia Callow, sister of Lesley J Nickell
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Gerry Brown and Randall S Peterson about Disaster in the Boardroom: Six Dysfunctions Everyone Should Understand
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|summary=Ani is an enthusiast about 15th and 16th century history and enjoyed the different approach to the Wars of the Roses which she found in [[The White Queen of Middleham: Sprigs of Broom 1 by Lesley J Nickell]].  She'd have loved to chat to Lesley, but unfortunately she died in 2013.  Fortunately, Lesley's sister, Tricia Callow had the answers to many of Ani's questions.
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|summary=Sue was absolutely riveted to [[Disaster in the Boardroom: Six Dysfunctions Everyone Should Understand by Gerry Brown and Randall S Peterson]].  It's brilliantly readable but rather frightening: people's lives and livelihoods could be in the hands of company boards which are dysfunctional.  Sue wanted to know more.
 
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|title=March 2015 Newsletter
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|title=Top Ten Self-Published Books 2021
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|summary=Hello dear readers. We hope you're well and that winter is slowly seeping from your bones.
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|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...
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This last month has brought sad news. Sir Terry Pratchett, creator of Discworld and advocate of right to die reform, [http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/mar/15/sir-terry-pratchett-1948-2015-an-appreciation has died]. Lovely Sir Terry, whose stories satirised every aspect of the modern world and the human condition but who, in person, was kind and funny and twinkly, without a nasty bone in his body. We are all a little bit less without him.  
 
 
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|title=February 2015 Newsletter
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|title=How to Write a Standout Book Review in a Saturated Market
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|summary=Hi, hello, and how the devil are you? Reading feverishly, we hope. As ever, we've rounded up our favourite books out this month and hopefully you'll find something you - or your children - will enjoy in the picks.
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|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.
  
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The first reviews for the film adaptation of [[Fifty Shades Of Grey by EL James]] are out. Most are suggesting that the film is better than the book. It's a polarising volume, isn't it? Our reviewer Zoe is in the positive camp but there are many who aren't. It will be interesting to see what readers think: few of us ''ever'' prefer the film to the book.  
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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.
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Virginia Burges
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Gerry Brown, Andrew Kakabadse and Filipe Morais about The Independent Director in Society|summary=Sue was an enthusiastic reader of [[The Independent Director in Society: Our current crisis of governance and what to do by Gerry Brown, Andrew Kakabadse and Filipe Morais|The Independent Director in Society: Our current crisis of governance and what to do]] and she had several points she wanted to discuss with the authors when they popped into Bookbag Towers.
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|summary=Rebecca thought that [[The Virtuoso by Virginia Burges|The Virtuoso]] was a sensitive portrayal of a life in transition.  She had quite a few questions when author Virginia Burges popped into Bookbag Towers.
 
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To P J Davitt
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|title=Comic Books Where the Bad Guys Won
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|summary=Jill thought that [[One Shot at Glory by P J Davitt|One Shot at Glory]] was a truly relatable story about football hopefuls and author P J Davitt makes it warts and all. She had quite a few questions she wanted to ask when Paddy popped into Bookbag Towers.
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|summary=Comic books and movies, in general, have been given the portrayal of good; always winning and saving the day. however, thanks to the creativity of writers, we have a few writers of comics who have managed to alter this unsaid rule, 'evil wins at the end of the day'. While it may not 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 cliché where the hero always emerges as the victor.
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Nigel McClea
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Gerry Brown About Making a Difference: Leadership, Change and Giving Back the Independent Director Way
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|summary=Sue thought that [[A Word Glittering with Spikes by Nigel McClea|A Word Glittering with Spikes]] was a long, indulgent, romantic read and she had quite a few questions for author Nigel McClea when he popped into Bookbag Towers.
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|summary=Gerry Brown is so keen to see people geting involved that there's a free digital [https://www.degruyter.com/view/title/580618 download] of this £42 book.
 
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|title=Leonce Gaiter Talks To Bookbag About Why Men Are Only 20% of all Fiction Readers
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|title=Top Ten Self-Published Books 2020
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|summary=Leonce Gaiter is a prolific African American writer and proud Harvard Alum. His writing has appeared in the NYTimes, NYT Magazine, LA Times, Washington Times, and Washington Post, and he has written two novels. His newly released novel, [http://bit.ly/ZyqSuN In the Company of Educated Men] is a literary thriller with socio-economic, class, and racial themes.
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|summary= In this strangest of years we've been delighted by the self-published books we've read 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...
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To R D Shanks
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Olga Kokshagina and Allen Alexander
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|summary=Ani was quietly impressed by debut author Rachael Shanks' [[A Reverie of Brothers by R D Shanks|A Reverie of Brothers]] and she had quite a few questions when the author popped into Bookbag Towers.
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|summary=Sue was so impressed by [[The Radical Innovation Playbook: A Practical Guide for Harnessing New, Novel or Game-Changing Breakthroughs by Olga Kokshagina and Allen Alexander]] that she wished that she had a good business idea of her own so that she could use the book.  Perhaps that was what she was talking about when Olga and Allen popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us.
 
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|title=January 2015 Newsletter
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Andrew Hampshire
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|summary=Hi, hello and a very happy New Year. May 2015 be healthy, happy and fulfilling for each and every one of you.
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|summary=Technology can seem frightening to people who don't have the background. In [[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.
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We have the most wonderful book story for you this month. For the last three years, an anonymous artist has been leaving sculptures made from old books in and around Edinburgh. The sculptures are absolutely beautiful: delicate, evocative, inspiring. We at Bookbag love a bit of book art. Anf finally, the artist has spoken in an [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-30697553 interview with the BBC]. She still doesn't say who she is, though! We love this story.
 
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Femi Bolaji
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|summary=Sue was moved when she read [[God Tells the Sun to Shine: An Amazing Story of Love and Forgiveness by Femi Bolaji|God Tells the Sun to Shine: An Amazing Story of Love and Forgiveness]] and there were was quite a bit to chat about when author Femi Bolaji popped into Bookbag Towers.  
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|title=Stand Up to Bullying With a Pulitzer Prize Winner
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|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-delusion, as most adults are aware, but kids don't have the experience to properly judge what is respect and what is merely fear.
 
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|title=Chris Priestley Talks To Bookbag About A Christmas Carol And The Inspiration For The Last of the Spirits
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|title=From Sci Fi to Reality: How Dreams Turn Into Innovations
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|summary=Jim was blown away when he read [[The Last of the Spirits by Chris Priestley|The Last of the Spirits by Chris Priestley|The Last of the Spirits]] and he was delighted when author Chris Priestley popped into Bookbag Towers to chat about it.
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|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.
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Alan Kennedy
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|title=5 Great AI books to read in 2020
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|summary=Jill thought that [[Lucy by Alan Kennedy|Lucy]] was a vivid, clever story of love, art, war and missed opportunities.  She and author Alan Kennedy had quite a bit to chat about when he popped into Bookbag Towers.
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|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 efficiency of simple, basic tasks to helping to solve advanced problems by quickly analyzing large data sets.
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Dee Blick
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|title=A Baker's Dozen of Books to Keep the Kids Occupied When They Can't Go Out
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|summary=When Sue finished reading [[The Ultimate Guide to Writing and Marketing a Bestselling Book - on a Shoestring Budget by Dee Blick|The Ultimate Guide to Writing and Marketing a Bestselling Book on a Shoestring Budget]] she was enthused to write a book - until she realised that she was one of the few people who didn't have a book inside her - but there was still a lot to talk about when author Dee Blick popped into Bookbag Towers.
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|summary= Are you running out of inspiration for what to do with the kids when they can't go out?  We've come up with a baker's dozen of books to give you some brilliant ideas.
 
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|title=November 2014 Newsletter
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|title=Top Ten Self-Published Books 2019
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|summary=Hi, hello and how are you?
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|summary= We've seen some cracking 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...
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November 17-21 was Anti-Bullying week here in the UK. And we were really happy to see the world of books get involved. Penguin launched a campaign called Choose Kind that ties in with the gorgeous [[Wonder by R J Palacio]], a book about a disfigured young boy attending school for the first time. We at Bookbag are all for anything that tries to inspire all people to be a little bit kinder to each other and so we'd like to add our voice to the chorus asking everyone to #choosekind.
 
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Konstantina Sozou-Kyrkou
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|title=Desiree Villena Talks To Bookbag About 5 Key Tips for Writing a Critical-Yet-Fair Book Review
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|summary=Sue enjoyed [[Black Greek Coffee by Konstantina Sozou-Kyrkou|Black Greek Coffee]], a series of short stories which look at the darker side of Greek domestic life and had quite a few questions when Konstantina popped into Bookbag Towers.
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|summary=Writing a book review isn't difficult, you know, but there are a few things you need to keep us in mind.  Desiree Villena gives us five tips.
 
}}
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Christopher Bowden
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Melanie Martin
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|summary=Jill thought that [[The Green Door by Christopher Bowden|The Green Door]] was an absorbing,evocative and truly enjoyable read.  She had a few questions for author Christopher Bowden when he popped into Bookbag Towers.
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|summary=|summary=In [[War and Love: A family's testament of anguish, endurance and devotion in occupied Amsterdam by Melanie Martin|War and Love: A family's testament of anguish, endurance and devotion in occupied Amsterdam]] Melanie Martin reconstructs what happened to her family in occupied Amsterdam in WWII.  It's 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 her.
 
}}
 
}}
 
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|title=October 2014 Newsletter
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|title=Framing the Brexit narrative: immigration, myths and public perception
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|summary=Hello! How's it going? What have you been reading? There's so much good stuff about that we bet you are spoiled for choice. Read on for some of our recommendations for a fabulous reading experience this month. However, you don't have to wait until the end of the month to find out which books we're enjoying. You can always follow us on [https://twitter.com/TheBookbag Twitter], where we post links to reviews of the books we liked every single day. Get ahead of the Bookbag curve!
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|summary=Loobna Joomun looks at how Brexit is likely to affect the publishing industry - and the wider country.
 
}}
 
}}
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Leigh Russell
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|title=8 ways to motivate yourself to write, right NOW by Jessica Jarlvi
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|summary=Peter thought that author Leigh Russell captured the atmosphere of the racecourse well in [[Race to Death (DI Ian Peterson 2) by Leigh Russell|Race to Death]] and he had quite a few questions for Leigh when she popped into Bookbag Towers.
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|summary=Ever felt that you've hit a brick wall with your writing? Jessica Jarlvi has eight tips yo get you writing again.
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Matthew Tree
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|title=Greg Hickey Talks To Bookbag About The Old Guard of Dystopian Fiction
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|summary=Sue thought that [[Snug by Matthew Tree|Snug]] was a deceptively simple novel with unsuspected layers.  It left her thinking about our colonial history and when Matthew Tree popped ino Bookbag Towers she had quite a few questions for the author.
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|summary=Where do you go when you move beyond classics like ''1984'' and ''Brave New World''?
 
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|title=September 2014 Newsletter
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|title=Top Ten Self-Published Books 2018
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|summary=Hi, hello and we hope all is well with you. Summer, what we had of it, is over. And it's time for the autumn books release rush. There's an awful lot of good stuff coming out over the next few weeks. Ian McEwan, Will Self, David Mitchell, Martin Amis, Sarah Waters, Howard Jacobson and Ali Smith all have new books to come. So keep an eye peeled on on the Bookbag homepage]. We'll be reviewing as much as we can as quickly as we can, promise!
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|summary= Choosing the top ten self-published books we read in 2018 was difficult as we're constantly surprised at just how good some self-published books are. Here's our final top ten in alphabetical order by author...
 
}}
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To P De V Hencher
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|title=James Donald Talks To Bookbag About The Death Of Norman Breyfogle
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|summary=Jill thought that [[The Leopard of Dramoor by P De V Hencher]] had an intricate and interesting plot with a vivid sense of time and place.  She had a few questions for the author when he popped in to see us.
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|summary=One of the finest storytellers you've never heard of, who died in September 2018 at the age of 58.
 
}}
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Ed Straw
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Melissa Leet
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|summary=Jill's not easily impressed by political books but she did enjoy [[Stand and Deliver: A Design for Successful Government by Ed Straw]].  She had quite a few questions for Ed when he popped into Bookbag Towers.
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|summary=Sue was impressed when she read [[Landslide by Melissa Leet|Landslide]] by Melissa Leet and was surprised to find that it was a debut novel.  She had quite a few questions for Melissa when she popped into Bookbag Towers.
 
}}
 
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|title=August 2014 Newsletter
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|title=Faiz Kermani talks to Bookbag about how a blue frog is helping Malawi's vulnerable children to live safe, healthy and happy lives
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|summary=Ok. Hi. We hope all is well with all of you. World news this month has been ''so'' horribly unhappy and depressing, hasn't it? Sometimes, it makes you feel utterly hopeless. We don't have any answers here at Bookbag but we do wish peace for all people in every country and we hope that one day humanity will achieve it. One possible way is, in the words of the proverb, to walk a mile in another man's shoes. Books can help us do this. Books allow us to see the world through someone else's eyes, to put ourselves in someone else's place. They can be distractions but they can also be tools of comings-together. And it's in that spirit of comings-together that we bring you this month's newsletter.
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|summary=Every child has a right to medical care
 
}}
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To The Queen
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|title=Abi Silver Talks To The Bookbag About A Few Of Her Favourite Things
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|summary=Her Majesty does not do interviews, but all at Bookbag dropped their Union Jack flags and waved a curtsy when The Queen of Twitter made a royal visit to Bookbag Towers.
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|summary=''We could definitely make a flying car – but that's not the hard part. The hard part is, how do you make a flying car that's super safe and quiet?'': Elon Musk
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Kim Staflund
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Daniel Peltz
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|summary=Sue was so convinced by Kim Staflund's book [[How to Publish a Bestselling Book ... and Sell It Worldwide Based on Value, Not Price! by Kim Staflund|How to Publish a Bestselling Book ... and Sell It Worldwide Based on Value, Not Price!]] that she was tempted to give it a go - and she hasn't even written a book.  When Kim popped in to see us she had a few questions to ask.  
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|summary=Sue wasn't expecting to enjoy a novel about a ''building'', but was surprised by just how compelling she found [[The Indomitable Chiesa di Santa Maria by Daniel Peltz|The Indomitable Chiesa di Santa Maria]].  There was a lot to chat about when author Daniel Peltz popped into Bookbag Towers.
 
}}
 
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|title=Jim's Top 15 Books Reviewed in the Last 5 Years
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|title=Top Ten Self-Published Books 2017
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|summary=We couldn't believe it when we realised that it was five years since Jim first reviewed for Bookbag.  Time goes so quickly when you're enjoying yourself!  It was a tough job but Jim rose to the challenge of selecting his top fifteen books.
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|summary= Choosing the top ten self-published books we read in 2017 was one of the toughest jobs we did all year and involved a great deal of discussion.  Here's our final top ten in alphabetical order by author...
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Melvin Burgess
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Chit Dubey
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|summary=Jill thought that [[Doing It by Melvin Burgess]] was a funny and truthful peek into the minds of sex-obsessed teenage boys. Girls aren't left out, either. Parents might find it shocking but the kids will find it real. When Melvin popped into Bookbag Towers it was Jim who was on hand to ask some questions.
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|summary=Sue was quietly impressed when she read [[21 Doors to Happiness: Life Through Travel Experiences and Meditation by Chit Dubey]] as it chimed with her personal view of life. She was delighted when Chit Dubey popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us.
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|title=July 2014 Newsletter
 
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|summary=Hi, hello, how are you? Happy summer! Got your holiday reading sorted out yet? If not, read on. We have plenty of recommendations for you.
 
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Guess what? We have some great news! The weekend of Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th July saw the UK's first ever YA Literature Convention, held as part of the established London Film and Comic Con. Curated by Malorie Blackman, Children's Laureate and author of many of our favourite books, including [[Noble Conflict by Malorie Blackman|Noble Conflict]], and organised with the help of Booktrust, LFCC organisers Showmasters, and many of the top YA publishers around, the event, held in Earls' Court 2, was a staggering success. Our man Jim was there and had a wonderful time. If you want to read more about, you can read all about  [[Jim Dean Talks To Bookbag About The UK's First Ever YA Literature Convention|his adventures]] over the weekend. Let's hope it all happens again next year!
 
 
}}
 
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|title=Rebecca Mascull Talks To Bookbag About Writing Historical Fiction
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|title=Melita Thomas Talks To Bookbag About The King's Pearl: Henry VIII and his Daughter Mary
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|summary=Ani thought that [[The Visitors by Rebecca Mascull]] was a beautifully crafted mesh of conquering adversity/hist-fict/ghost story with a murder investigation slipped in for good measure and a satisfying novel that's worth every penny and, indeed, every moment spent in its company.
+
|summary= Melita Thomas tell us that Mary was a true Renaissance Princess
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Lorraine Jenkin Again
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Elizabeth Fox and Martin le Comte
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|summary=On a warm summer's day Sue sat in the garden and sank gratefully into [[Jam Tomorrow by Lorraine Jenkin]].  There were quite a few questions she wanted to ask Lorraine when she popped into Bookbag Towers.
+
|summary=Peter thought that [[The Ten Golden Rules of Leadership by Elizabeth 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.
 
}}
 
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|title=Jim Dean Talks To Bookbag About The UK's First Ever YA Literature Convention
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Gabe Riggs
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|summary=The weekend of Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th July saw the UK's first ever YA Literature Convention, held as part of the established London Film and Comic Con. Curated by Malorie Blackman, Children's Laureate and author of many of our favourite books, including [[Noble Conflict by Malorie Blackman|Noble Conflict]], and organised with the help of Booktrust, LFCC organisers Showmasters, and many of the top YA publishers around, the event, held in Earls' Court 2, was a staggering success.
+
|summary=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.
 
}}
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Alan Hamilton
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Sandra Aragona
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|summary=Sue was blown away when she read [[Stalemate by Alan Hamilton|Stalemate]], a reworking of the unsolved murder of Julia Wallace in Liverpool between the wars.  Even knowing how it ''had'' to work out she still couldn't put the book down - and she had a lot to ask author Alan Hamilton when he popped in to chat to us.
+
|summary=Sue loved Sandra Aragona's lightly-fictionalised [[Sorting the Priorities: Ambassadress and Beagle Survive Diplomacy by Sandra Aragona|autobiography]] of life as a diplomatic spouse.  There was a lot that she wanted to ask about when Sandra popped into Bookbag Towers.
 
}}
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To N S Blackman
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To K J Lawrence
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|summary=Jill thought that [[The Secret Dinosaur: Giants Awake by N S Blackman|The Secret Dinosaur: Giants Awake]] was a super-fun adventure and she had quite a few questions when author N S Blackman popped into Bookbag Towers.
+
|summary=Sue was delighted when she read [[The Cossack by K J Lawrence|The Cossack]] as it restored her faith in the thriller genre.  When the author, K J Lawrence, popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us, Sue had quite a few questions ready!
 
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|title=Sarah Skilton Talks To Bookbag About Writing ''High and Dry''
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Stuart Burrell
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|summary=Jim was very impressed by Sarah Skilton's [[High and Dry by Sarah Skilton|High and Dry]] particularly because it was very different to her last novel.  Sarah chatted to us about the books.
+
|summary=Sue found Start Burrell's book [[Twelve Times To The Max: One Man's Journey to, and Recollections of, Setting Twelve Verified World Records by Stuart Burrell|Twelve Times To The Max: One Man's Journey to, and Recollections of, Setting Twelve Verified World Records]] an inspiring, feel-good read.  She wanted to know more when Stuart popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us.
 
}}
 
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|title=June 2014 Newsletter
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Wes Stuart
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|summary=Hello there! We're writing this in the midst of World Cup fever. We don't mind a bit of football at .Bookbag Towers but we really don't get feverish about it. If you're the same, read on. We have plenty of reading recommendations for you and you might need them if all around you has gone Rio mad.  
+
|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 few questions for author Wes Stuart when he popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us.
 
}}
 
}}
 
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|category=comments
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|title=Robert James Talks To Bookbag About Popular: The Launch
+
|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To B C R Fegan
−
|summary=Jim went to the launch of [[Popular: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek (A Memoir) by Maya Van Wagenen]]. We insisted that he tell us all about it.
+
|summary=Sue giggled like a child when she 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.
 
}}
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Matt Carrell
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Annie Ingram
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|summary=Sue was impressed by [[Vortex by Matt Carrell]] and the opportunity to ask the author a few questions when he popped into Bookbag Towers was simply too good to miss.
+
|summary=Very few people believe that dogs can talk so it was something of a relief when Sue met author, Annie Ingram.  She has lengthy conversations with her cocker spaniel Kammie and has shared them with us in her [[Conversations with Kammie by Annie Ingram|book]].  There was a lot to talk about when she popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us.
 
}}
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To W Scott Beaven
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Stephan Santiago
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|summary=Ani enjoyed W Scott Beaven's coming of age [[Riccarton Junction: 1 by W Scott Beaven|crime story]] about the temptations and troubles facing young people.  She had quite a few questions for the author when he popped in to see us.
+
|summary=Ani was quietly moved by [[Returning Home by Stephan Santiago|Returning Home]] and there were several points she wanted to discuss with author Stephan Santiago when he popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us.
 
}}
 
}}
  
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Move to [[Recommended Resources]]
−
Check out the full lists of [[:Category: Interviews|interviews]], [[:Category: Lists|top tens]] and [[:Category: Comments|articles]].
 
−
 
 
 
[[Category:Features|*]]
 
[[Category:Features|*]]

Latest revision as of 08:41, 3 October 2024

Check out the full lists of interviews, top tens and articles.

Bookcomments.jpg Self-Improvement Through Reading: How to Choose Books for Personal Growth

Reading provides insights and techniques for both personal and professional development, making it a potent tool for self-improvement. However, the impact of reading largely depends on choosing the right books to match your objectives. To simplify this process, consider using the Headway app – a platform that provides users with key insights from top research-based books through audio and text summaries, making it easier to incorporate learning into a busy schedule. Read more...

Bookcomments.jpg How to Write a Book Report: From Choosing the Book to Final Draft

Need help on how to do a book report? Check out our step-by-step guide at thebookbag.co.uk and learn to craft compelling reports that impress today!

Book report writing shouldn't be a headache! It's almost like telling a friend about a book but with a bit of structure. Read more...

Bookcomments.jpg How Serialized Stories Are Revolutionizing the Way We Read

With technology gradually encroaching on every area of our lives, the change extends to literature as well. This brings serialized stories into focus, which overtook our reading habits with its stages, or small sequential parts of a narrated story. In this sense, this new approach is doing more than just changing how we read but also how authors will write, publishers, promote, and readers experience these works. The rise of digital platforms and book writing apps (e.g. Chapterly) are at the forefront of this change. Read more...

Booklists.jpg Top Ten Self-Published Books 2023

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. Read more...

Bookinterviews.jpg The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Jeffrey Dunn

Jill enjoyed 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. Read more...

Bookcomments.jpg How To Write a Fantasy Novel: The Full Guide

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.

But what if you could do more than just visit these magical lands? What if you could create your own? This is the magic of writing a fantasy novel. You have the power to build worlds with your words. You can turn simple ink and paper into landscapes that readers can explore.

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? Read more...

Bookcomments.jpg How Can Reading Improve Your Vocabulary: Best Practices

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. Read more...

Bookcomments.jpg 3 Things You Didn't Know About Ghostwriters

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. Read more...

Bookinterviews.jpg The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Conrad Delacroix

Sue really enjoyed The Lensky Connection, a thriller set primarily in Russia. She had quite a few questions for author Conrad Delacroix when he popped into Bookbag Towers. Read more...

Booklists.jpg Top Ten Self-Published Books 2022

We're constantly amazed at the quality of the self-published books which come our way and we've seen some real gems in 2022. Here they are, in alphabetical order, by author: Read more...

Bookcomments.jpg 3 Things You Should Know About Literary Agents

If you're all set to publish your novel, it might be time to get yourself a literary agent. Since you're essentially picking the person responsible for presenting and marketing your book to the world, this is no easy task. When you've sent your query letters and started getting responses, these tips will help you choose the right person for you. Read more...

Bookcomments.jpg Lolita Book Review: Most Important Things to Know

Lolita, a highly controversial book, is not subject to bans in American schools. Here are the most important things you need to know about it. Read more...

Bookcomments.jpg Stylish Restaging of The Crucible is All Show and No Substance, According to Reviews

The Crucible is a tragedy that’s been debated and discussed for many years. Its current running in theaters has received a rather intriguing review. Keep reading to find out more. Read more...

Bookcomments.jpg How Bar Modeling Makes Word Problems Easy in Singapore Math

Singapore Mathematics is a unique way of presenting this science. Parents and teachers will be able to understand and explain to children the simplest mathematical processes using images. Read more...

Bookcomments.jpg Finding More Time For Reading

If there is one thing that a lot of people could benefit from having more of in their lives, it's literature. 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 of possible reasons for this, and it's something 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. Read more...

Bookinterviews.jpg The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Gerry Brown and Randall S Peterson about Disaster in the Boardroom: Six Dysfunctions Everyone Should Understand

Sue was absolutely riveted to Disaster in the Boardroom: Six Dysfunctions Everyone Should Understand by Gerry Brown and Randall S Peterson. It's brilliantly readable but rather frightening: people's lives and livelihoods could be in the hands of company boards which are dysfunctional. Sue wanted to know more. Read more...

Booklists.jpg Top Ten Self-Published Books 2021

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... Read more...

Bookcomments.jpg How to Write a Standout Book Review in a Saturated Market

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. Read more...

Bookinterviews.jpg The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Gerry Brown, Andrew Kakabadse and Filipe Morais about The Independent Director in Society

Sue was an enthusiastic reader of The Independent Director in Society: Our current crisis of governance and what to do and she had several points she wanted to discuss with the authors when they popped into Bookbag Towers. Read more...

Bookcomments.jpg Comic Books Where the Bad Guys Won

Comic books and movies, in general, have been given the portrayal of good; always winning and saving the day. however, thanks to the creativity of writers, we have a few writers of comics who have managed to alter this unsaid rule, 'evil wins at the end of the day'. While it may not 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 cliché where the hero always emerges as the victor. Read more...

Bookinterviews.jpg The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Gerry Brown About Making a Difference: Leadership, Change and Giving Back the Independent Director Way

Gerry Brown is so keen to see people geting involved that there's a free digital download of this £42 book. Read more...

Booklists.jpg Top Ten Self-Published Books 2020

In this strangest of years we've been delighted by the self-published books we've read 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... Read more...

Bookinterviews.jpg The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Olga Kokshagina and Allen Alexander

Sue was so impressed by The Radical Innovation Playbook: A Practical Guide for Harnessing New, Novel or Game-Changing Breakthroughs by Olga Kokshagina and Allen Alexander that she wished that she had a good business idea of her own so that she could use the book. Perhaps that was what she was talking about when Olga and Allen popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us. Read more...

Bookinterviews.jpg The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Andrew Hampshire

Technology can seem frightening to people who don't have the background. In 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. Read more...

Bookcomments.jpg Stand Up to Bullying With a Pulitzer Prize Winner

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-delusion, as most adults are aware, but kids don't have the experience to properly judge what is respect and what is merely fear. Read more...

Bookcomments.jpg From Sci Fi to Reality: How Dreams Turn Into Innovations

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. Read more...

Bookcomments.jpg 5 Great AI books to read in 2020

Artificial intelligence (AI) has expanded into one of the most important technologies in human history. It comes with so many benefits, from improving the efficiency of simple, basic tasks to helping to solve advanced problems by quickly analyzing large data sets. Read more...

Booklists.jpg A Baker's Dozen of Books to Keep the Kids Occupied When They Can't Go Out

Are you running out of inspiration for what to do with the kids when they can't go out? We've come up with a baker's dozen of books to give you some brilliant ideas. Read more...

Booklists.jpg Top Ten Self-Published Books 2019

We've seen some cracking 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... Read more...

Bookcomments.jpg Desiree Villena Talks To Bookbag About 5 Key Tips for Writing a Critical-Yet-Fair Book Review

Writing a book review isn't difficult, you know, but there are a few things you need to keep us in mind. Desiree Villena gives us five tips. Read more...

Bookinterviews.jpg The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Melanie Martin

In War and Love: A family's testament of anguish, endurance and devotion in occupied Amsterdam Melanie Martin reconstructs what happened to her family in occupied Amsterdam in WWII. It's 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 her. Read more...

Bookcomments.jpg Framing the Brexit narrative: immigration, myths and public perception

Loobna Joomun looks at how Brexit is likely to affect the publishing industry - and the wider country. Read more...

Bookcomments.jpg 8 ways to motivate yourself to write, right NOW by Jessica Jarlvi

Ever felt that you've hit a brick wall with your writing? Jessica Jarlvi has eight tips yo get you writing again. Read more...

Bookcomments.jpg Greg Hickey Talks To Bookbag About The Old Guard of Dystopian Fiction

Where do you go when you move beyond classics like 1984 and Brave New World? Read more...

Booklists.jpg Top Ten Self-Published Books 2018

Choosing the top ten self-published books we read in 2018 was difficult as we're constantly surprised at just how good some self-published books are. Here's our final top ten in alphabetical order by author... Read more...

Bookcomments.jpg James Donald Talks To Bookbag About The Death Of Norman Breyfogle

One of the finest storytellers you've never heard of, who died in September 2018 at the age of 58. Read more...

Bookinterviews.jpg The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Melissa Leet

Sue was impressed when she read Landslide by Melissa Leet and was surprised to find that it was a debut novel. She had quite a few questions for Melissa when she popped into Bookbag Towers. Read more...

Bookcomments.jpg Faiz Kermani talks to Bookbag about how a blue frog is helping Malawi's vulnerable children to live safe, healthy and happy lives

Every child has a right to medical care Read more...

Bookcomments.jpg Abi Silver Talks To The Bookbag About A Few Of Her Favourite Things

We could definitely make a flying car – but that's not the hard part. The hard part is, how do you make a flying car that's super safe and quiet?: Elon Musk Read more...

Bookinterviews.jpg The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Daniel Peltz

Sue wasn't expecting to enjoy a novel about a building, but was surprised by just how compelling she found The Indomitable Chiesa di Santa Maria. There was a lot to chat about when author Daniel Peltz popped into Bookbag Towers. Read more...

Booklists.jpg Top Ten Self-Published Books 2017

Choosing the top ten self-published books we read in 2017 was one of the toughest jobs we did all year and involved a great deal of discussion. Here's our final top ten in alphabetical order by author... Read more...

Bookinterviews.jpg The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Chit Dubey

Sue was quietly impressed when she read 21 Doors to Happiness: Life Through Travel Experiences and Meditation by Chit Dubey as it chimed with her personal view of life. She was delighted when Chit Dubey popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us. Read more...

Bookcomments.jpg Melita Thomas Talks To Bookbag About The King's Pearl: Henry VIII and his Daughter Mary

Melita Thomas tell us that Mary was a true Renaissance Princess Read more...

Bookinterviews.jpg The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Elizabeth Fox and Martin le Comte

Peter thought that 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. Read more...

Bookinterviews.jpg The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Gabe Riggs

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. Read more...

Bookinterviews.jpg The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Sandra Aragona

Sue loved Sandra Aragona's lightly-fictionalised autobiography of life as a diplomatic spouse. There was a lot that she wanted to ask about when Sandra popped into Bookbag Towers. Read more...

Bookinterviews.jpg The Interview: Bookbag Talks To K J Lawrence

Sue was delighted when she read The Cossack as it restored her faith in the thriller genre. When the author, K J Lawrence, popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us, Sue had quite a few questions ready! Read more...

Bookinterviews.jpg The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Stuart Burrell

Sue found Start Burrell's book Twelve Times To The Max: One Man's Journey to, and Recollections of, Setting Twelve Verified World Records an inspiring, feel-good read. She wanted to know more when Stuart popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us. Read more...

Bookinterviews.jpg The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Wes Stuart

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 and he had quite a few questions for author Wes Stuart when he popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us. Read more...

Bookinterviews.jpg The Interview: Bookbag Talks To B C R Fegan

Sue giggled like a child when she 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. Read more...

Bookinterviews.jpg The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Annie Ingram

Very few people believe that dogs can talk so it was something of a relief when Sue met author, Annie Ingram. She has lengthy conversations with her cocker spaniel Kammie and has shared them with us in her book. There was a lot to talk about when she popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us. Read more...

Bookinterviews.jpg The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Stephan Santiago

Ani was quietly moved by Returning Home and there were several points she wanted to discuss with author Stephan Santiago when he popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us. Read more...

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