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<metadesc>Book review site, with books from most walks of literary life; fiction, biography, crime, cookery and children's books plus author interviews and top tens.</metadesc><h1 id="mf-title">The Bookbag</h1>Hello from The Bookbag, a book review site, featuring books from all the many walks of literary life - [[:Category:Fiction|fiction]], [[:Category:Biography|biography]], [[:Category:Crime|crime]], [[:Category:Cookery|cookery]] and anything else that takes our fancy. At Bookbag Towers the bookbag sits at the side of the desk. It's the bag we take to the library , the charity shop and the bookshop. Sometimes it holds the latest releases, but at other times there'll be old favourites, books for the children, books for the home. They're sometimes our own books or books from the local library. They're often books sent to us by publishers and we promise to tell you exactly what we think about them. You might not want to read through a full review, so we'll give you a quick review which summarises what we felt about the book and tells you whether or not we think you should buy or borrow it. There are also lots of author [[:Category:Interviews|author interviews]], and all sorts of [[:Category:Lists|top tens]] - all of which you can find on our [[Featuresfeatures]] page. If you're stuck for something to read, check out the [[Book Recommendations|recommendations]] page.

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==New Reviews=='''For new reviews by genre Want to find out more [[:Category:New ReviewsAbout Us|click hereabout us]].'''? __NOTOC__

{{newreview|author=Stella Whitelaw|title=Midsummer Madness|rating=4|genre=Women's Fiction|summary=You'll like Sophie Gresham. She wanted to be an actress but suffers from paralysing stage fright and when the side effects became too much for her she worked behind the scenes. She's a very good prompt despite the fact that you need to wrap up very warmly to survive in the prompt corner she loves her job and most of the cast in the theatre company. It's a bit of a shock though when she realises that the guest producer from Read [[:Category:New York is Joe Harrison, the man she helped out when he had nothing to eat and nowhere to sleep. Sophie was a little softer in those days – in the meantime she's had to develop a protective shell.Reviews|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0709089147</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Bonnie Greer|title=Obama Music|rating=3|genre=History|summary=This is an interesting read, but unless I'm missing something, the focus of the book seems a little difficult to graspnew reviews by category]]. It's best if I start with the author's intentions as set out in her Prologue. It is a mixture of tales of her own life growing up on the South Side, she writes, interspersed with stories and observations about Obama, linking it with the music, musicians and music scene, past and present, including hip hop, country, classical, and rock'n'roll. All of these, she notes, were heard on the President's Inauguration Day. To them she adds the blues, gospel, soul and jazz of the South Side, when the people began to build the great institutions and great solidarity that enabled him to become the most powerful man on the planet.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1906558248</amazonukbr>}}

'''Read [[:Category:Features|the latest features]].''' <!-- INSERT NEW REVIEWS BELOW HERE-->{{newreviewFrontpage|author=P J ParrishSeishi Yokomizo and Louise Heal Kawai (translator)|title=Dead of WinterThe Honjin Murders

|summary=Loon LakeTo many readers, Michigan the phrase 'locked room murder mystery' is picture-postcard pretty enough to make the book one to read; preferably quantified by the words 'clever' or 'good'. For those who need more, here is the extra background – an idyll that sits serenely and snugly we're in rural Japan in the midst of a pine-peppered winter wonderland1930s. Louis Kincaid needs a little serenity in his life and on arrival in Loon Lake he feels almost The oldest son of an esteemed family is belatedly getting married, although the whole affair is really not as ostentatious as if he it might be – hardly anybody has come hometurned up, what with it being arranged at great haste. Life She only has not been easy an uncle representing her family, for Kincaidone thing. A troubledEither way, unhappy child the celebrations have gone ahead as planned, only for the wedded couple to be slashed to death in their private annex before the sun rises on their marriage. What with a man missing parts of mixed racehis fingers being in the neighbourhood, passed around various institutions and foster homes, Louis figures that if he is going to put some integrity back into mysterious use of a traditional musical instrument at the time of the worldcrime, he will need to wear this case has a badge to do lot of the peculiar about it.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1847391346</amazonuk>1782275002

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Russell Celyn JonesCixin Liu|title=The Ninth Wave (New Stories from the Mabinogion) Death's End|rating=4.5|genre=Literary Science Fiction|summary=Pwyll rules If I'd been paying more attention when I picked this book up, I would have put it back on the shelf. Not because I didn't want to read it, but because I'd have figured out that it was the final part of a medieval-style fiefdom trilogy. Coming in part way through a post-climate change Wales. Life saga is different never the easiest thing to do and it's particularly true in many ways science fiction because without knowing the back- story thereare not just people whose names mean nothing to you (when it's a new-assumed they will) but-old social order built on feudalism and horsepower there are whole concepts that you won't understand. This latter is the main means particularly true of transport. But in many ways itCixin Liu's much the same work – his range is phenomenal. George R R Martin, who knows a thing or two about world- people still fight one anothercreation, towns still have sink estatesdescribed it as ''a unique blend of scientific and philosophical speculation, rich boys still have too much time on their hands conspiracy theory and cosmology''. All of that and precious little meaning in their livesmore. |amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1854115146</amazonuk>1784971650

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Owen Sheers1780894511|title=White Ravens (New Stories from the Mabinogion)Die Alone|author=Simon Kernick|rating=4.5|genre=Literary FictionThrillers|summary=In the old tale, Branwen Ray Mason is the sister of Bendigeidfran - the giant King of Britain. She marries the King of Ireland, who doesnin prison awaiting trial for murder and he't treat her well. She manages to send Bendigeidfran a message via a tamed starling and war and killings ensue. In this new tale, a young girl has just walked away from her brothers who, s in the wake of the devastating foot and mouth outbreak, are despoiling their heritage by rustling and illegally slaughtering sheep. She meets an old man who tells her vulnerable prisoner unit: as a story involving the superstitions about the ravens in the Tower of London, propaganda work during World War II, and an equally doomed love affair. |amazonuk=<amazonuk>1854115030</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Jennifer Bohnet|title=Follow Your Star|rating=3.5|genre=Womencop he's Fiction|summary=It's three years since Nanette Weston left Monaco. She'd been engaged to something of a Formula 1 racing driver and had lived target, but the life of unit is not as secure as the wealthy but inmates would have hoped and Mason is injured in a serious car accident had ended all thatriot. The accident could have killed her fiancé On his way to hospital he's broken free by armed men and she lost her driving licence because of the alcohol she'd consumedan offer is made to him. Her slow recovery was hindered by the end of her engagement but sheHe's found some contentment in being a nanny to two young children. When her friend and employer, Vanessa, remarries and takes an extended honeymoon in assassinate the Amazon Nanette man who is asked likely to take become the children back to Monaco where their father lives.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0709089090</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=J R Stephenson|title=Crooked Justice|rating=2.5|genre=General Fiction|summary=Meet Barry Johns. Youcountry'll see him coming - s next prime minister and he's five hundred pounds if ll then be given a new identity so that he's an ouncecan start afresh abroad. Just don't ever lend him money - he wonHis captors say that they't pay it back. A businessman with a share of a nightclub on Cyprusre MI6, he goes there for a customary break, and finds but Mason has his sort-of moll-type sort-of girlfriend has been installed as the bar dancerdoubts. He manages to tread both on the toes of his local colleague His choices are limited though and some Greek rivals. And when a rival in London chases him up for thousands of pounds owed he decides has personal reasons to pack up and shut up. It's a big stone believe that hides him, but he leaves a very awkward trail for everyone wanting to upturn it and get their revengewould be better if Alastair Sheridan was dead.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0955855713</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Stephen BakerAkwaeke Emezi|title=They've Got Your NumberPet

|genre=Popular ScienceTeens|summary=If you are in The people of the slightest bit paranoid, worry town Lucille believe that ''Big Brother'' is always watching or like all the monsters are gone. Their children are raised to believe understand that you they were saved by the angels, those who rid the town of evil, and there are not no monsters anymore. But one day, Jam accidentally cuts herself, and bleeds a number, but little onto one of her mother's paintings. The blood awakens a free man (or woman)bizarre, then this may not be the book for youterrifying-looking creature named Pet, as who somehow comes to life and declares that it will do nothing is here to dispel any of those worrieshunt the monster. If, on Though Jam tries to convince it that all the other handmonsters are gone, you think 'the mathematical modelling of humanity' sounds like Pet is certain that there is one of the sexiest things ever, still, and are chomping at that the monster is hiding in the bit to learn more about ithome of her best friend, then you might well be interested in what Business Week journalist Baker has to sayRedemption.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0099507021</amazonuk>0571355110

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Rebecca Tope1686751680|title=Fear in the CotswoldsMy Mummy does weird things / Maman fait des choses bizarres|author=Amelie Julien and Gustyawan

|genre=CrimeFor Sharing|summary=Thea Osborne Which child doesn't think that there mother is a house sitter by profession. , well, ''weird''? When people go away she moves into It might be that in the morning their homes and looks after their animals and the property. mother doesn't like speaking much, when every self-respecting child knows that that is when you're at your brightest with lots to say? This time it's winter and she'Why'' then does Mummy stick her fingers in her ears? Then there's spending a month doing yoga in front of the Cotswold village of Hampnetttelevision, which could be worrying if it wasn't so funny. It wouldnWe won't be a job for all of us but Thea delights go into too much detail about what goes on in getting to know the local people bathroom and the area. In colour changes which have occured when Mummy emerges and frankly, the past she's also been involved with less said the police in solving various cases but it looks as though that might have come better about her reactions to an end as your artistic efforts on the relationship she had with DS Phil Hollis has crumbledwall. For the first time Thea feels like an outsider – and a foolish one - when she finds footsteps in the snow which lead to a body in a nearby field. When the police finally arrive the body has disappeared and the police obviously wonder if she's imagined it all.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0749007478</amazonuk>I mean, what else would you use paint for?

{{newreview|author=Tad Tuleja|title=A Dictionary of Foreign Words and Phrases|rating=3|genre=Home and Family|summary=Take I hope you haven't forgotten how it feels to be much too excited for bed. If you're a look parent at the cover design of this bookleast, and you'd be mistaken ll know how it is to persuade an excited small person that yes, it is in fact time for thinking this was bed. ''What Wonders DoYou See...'' sets out to cater to these children. Instead of trying to persuade them that night time is calm time, it takes a trivia compendium for all those foreign words slightly different tack. It tells them that have taken part sleep is actually an exciting time: a time of dreams in our English language since whenever they crossed which imagination takes over from their original homesand has no limit. But the title is definitely honesttrick in accessing this wonderful and exciting world, for this is a dictionary book to get calm and relaxed first, for reference, so that you can easily fall asleep and a browser for open the trivia buff seconddoor to it. |amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0709089562</amazonuk>194812422X

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Anne RiceMichael Harris|title=Angel TimeSolitude: In Pursuit of a Singular Life in a Crowded World|rating=2.5|genre=General FictionLifestyle|summary=Toby O'Dare This is an extremely efficient hit man with a passion for musicnot the book I was expecting it to be. For some reason I expected it to be another self-help manual on how to find calm, how to step outside the mainstream, history and playing his beloved lutebut it is not that at all. He Instead of telling us how, it is more about the ''s also something of a lost soul having turned his back on God many years ago. One day while on a why'job' he is visited by an Angel who offers him a chance at redemption. Toby agrees Harries examines how we're eroding solitude, which used to become the Angel's be a natural part of our human instrument life, and help save lives rather than take themwhy that matters. He is sent on an assignment to help a Jewish couple accused Of course he talks about how some people have found solitude and what has come of murder that, and eventually in 13th Century Englandthe final chapter he talks about his own experience of having deliberately sought it out, but mostly he wanders down the alleys and by-ways that his thinking about this lost art led him.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0701178140</amazonuk>1847947662

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Ian MortimerAndy Briggs|title=1415: Henry V's Year of GloryCtrl+S

|genre=HistoryScience Fiction|summary=The medieval, Life in fact time-honoured, view of King Henry V as one of Englandthe near future's greatest heroes was propagated though not originated by Shakespeareall bad. We've reversed global warming and fixed the collapsing bee population. We even created SPACE, a virtual-sensory universe where average guys like Theo Wilson can do almost anything they desire. But almost anything isn't enough for some. Every day, normal people are being taken, their emotions harvested - and again more recently lives traded - to some extent by Olivier's portrayal in filmcreate death-defying thrills for the rich and twisted. At least one historian Now Theo’s mother has called him 'disappeared. And as he follows her breadcrumb trail of clues, he'll come up against the greatest man most dangerous SPACE has to offer: vPolice, AI Bots and anarchists - as well as a criminal empire that ever ruled England''will kill to stop him finding her . . .|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0224079921</amazonuk>1409184641

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Deborah Gregory1609809378|title=Dancing With The DeadRabbits' Rebellion|author=Ariel Dorfman and Chris Riddell|rating=34.5|genre=Literary FictionConfident Readers|summary=I wanted to read We''Dancing with re in the realm of the Dead''rabbits, because I'm interested in family historyonly the foxes and wolves have taken over. The blurb on King Wolf, His Wolfiness, has declared the back of rabbits don't exist, but the book also mentioned Gill – our heroine of pesky birds have spread rumours from awing that the piece – was moving from Bristol (my current home) bunnies are in fact still around. Demanding a propaganda spree, King Wolf orders a humble monkey to Lincolnshire (where I was born and brought up)be his official portrait photographer, but whatever the poor innocent monkey prints out in his darkroom there is a distinct leporine hint. I felt with all these links Can King Wolf succeed in proving himself victorious, can the novel could not fail rabbits show their continued existence to interest me all who need to know of it – but this was not and what can the case.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1904529305</amazonuk>poor monkey caught in between do?

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Miss ReadInnosanto Nagara|title=Christmas at Thrush GreenM is for Movement

|genre=Women's FictionEmerging Readers|summary=Set in Indonesia, in the rural village of Thrush Greennot too distant past, this book is the latest in a series surrounding familiar charactersstory about social change. There is the feisty Ella Bembridge Dealing with some difficult issues, who is finally having to admit that old age is creeping up as her eyesight fails. Friends such as Dimity political corruption and Charles Henstock are concerned about hernepotism, but she refuses to accept any helpthe book is neither boring nor preachy. Albert Piggott has decided It educates gently, with vibrant, challenging illustrations, and it portrays how social movements need people who will try, even when it's time to retire now seems that his wife, Nelly, they will fail. The message is a successful cafe owner and can afford positive one; that in an increasingly uncertain world, we do still have the power to take care of him! And relative newcomer Phil Hurst and her husband are arranging the local nativity play, despite a number of set-backsinstigate change. Will everything be in place for Christmas? And will independent Ella make a decision about her future?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1409101592</amazonuk>1609809351

 {{newreviewFrontpage|isbn=1780724047|authortitle=Matt A Dictionary of Interesting and DaveImportant Dogs|titleauthor=Yuck's Robotic BottomPeter J Conradi

|genre=Confident ReadersPets|summary=ItI struggle to resist a book about dogs, but I did wonder why this one was so 's concerned me for 'thin'': given that I've never encountered a while that itdog who wasn's relatively easy to pick up early readers for girls – princesses, magic soft toyst interesting or important - and probably both, mermaids and pets abound – but there's I was expecting a much smaller choice for boysmassive tome. ItBut ''A Dictionary of Interesting and Important Dogs''s important too with early readers that the content is actually ''interestinga rich compendium of the world's most significant and beloved dogs'' and reading becomes more than just something which you it's certainly a rich treasure trove. We begin with Peter J Conradi'haves four collies: Cloudy, Sky. Bradley and Max. They're consecutive rather than simultaneous dogs, but what comes over is Conradi' to do at school s love for each and moves into being funevery one of them. Matt and Dave have found the answer I knew that I was in Yucksafe hands.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1847382991</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=John E Smelcer1785769294|title=The Great Death|rating=4|genre=General Fiction|summary='As Western Europeans settled Alaska, they brought with them diseases against which the indigenous people had no natural immunity. At the beginning of the twentieth century, fully two thirds of all Alaska natives perished from a pandemic of measles, smallpox, and influenza. No community was spared. In most cases, half of a village's population died within a week. In some cases, there were no survivors. It was Man at the end of an ancient way of life. Natives still refer to the dreadful period as the Great Death.'|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1842709194</amazonuk>}} {{newreviewWindow (Detective Cardilini)|author=Maxine Barry|title=River DeepRobert Jeffreys|rating=34.5|genre=Women's Fiction|summary=Two young women both have a love of the Thames. Melisande Ray's beloved hotel, the Ray of Sunshine is on the river bank. It's here that guests come who want to be pampered and looked after in the way that only the best hotels can do well, but when Wendell James checks in to the hotel it's not pampering he's looking for. He's buying a piece of land not far from the Ray of Sunshine and he's sussing out the competition. There's something personal in there too – if his new hotel means that the Ray of Sunshine goes under then that would be an added bonus. There's just a slight doubt in his mind when a red-haired maid catches his eye.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0709088930</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Joe Gores|title=Spade and Archer|rating=4

|summary=Sam Spade decides, bravely, to set up his one-man detective agency. It's the 1920s in San Francisco so when we have the prohibition era and all read that that entails. Many locals, of course, choose a young boy is creeping reluctantly to disobey the law, stick two fingers up, so to speak and as a result thereteacher's lots of bootleg liquorbedroom one October night that we realise something is badly wrong. Straight away, itNowadays you ''might''s evident hope that Sam is a man something would be done about it fairly quickly but this was 1965 and child abuse was generally regarded as malicious mischief on the part of few wordsthe child. He has The boy would be safe that night though - albeit in the mannerisms of a cat - stealthy, quick on his feetmost horrific fashion. HeWhen he reached Captain Edmund's also a compulsive chain-smokerbedroom he found the man dead on the floor, but then again, most people werethe top of his skull missing. In The school's initial reaction was that era, holding this was a dreadful accident: there had been a cigarette cull of kangaroos in some nearby fields and it was an elegant, almost essential accessory. How times have changedobviously a stray bullet which had killed the Captain.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>140911323X</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Michael Morpurgo and Emma Chichester Clark1786695227|title=The Best of TimesInvisible in a Bright Light|author=Sally Gardner

|summary=Most children enjoy a good traditional tale and The beginning of this lovely book by Michael Morpurgo seems to have all excellent story will leave the right ingredients – a handsome prince and reader more than a beautiful princess little confused: who fall is the man in love, get married and live happily ever after. Or do they? Sadly, not long after Prince Frederico marries the lovely Princess Serafinagreen suit, she becomes very sad. Nobody knows what has caused such great sadnessis the Reckoning, but poor Prince Frederico and why are rows of people in a cave? But stick with it – Ms Gardner is desperate to find a cure for his wife's miseryvery cleverly letting us experience the same disorientation as our heroine. He tries everything We watch in his power and eventually decides dismay as the strange man, who seems to offer have no eyes, does his kingdom best to anyone who can make persuade her happy again before she dies of a broken heartto answer his questions. Lots of people come to the palace to try But for some reason Celeste, despite her bewilderment, remains wary and help but in the end the solution is a simple one provided by some very kind travellersgives nothing away.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1405232552</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Shirley Jackson1912374854|title=We Have Always Lived In The CastleViolet|author=S J I Holliday|rating=43.5|genre=Literary FictionThrillers|summary=Mary Katherine Blackwood, also known as Merricat, I've never been but understand that travelling is eighteen, all about meeting new people and lives forming instantaneous bonds with her older sister Constance people in the family home where 'Blackwoods had always livedoften chance situations. Well that'. Merricat quickly draws s exactly what happens when the reader into her world by two main/only characters meet in a travel agency in Beijing - Carrie is unsuccessfully trying to get a series of matter of fact but bizarre statements – her likes include her sister refund on an extra ticket for the Trans-Siberian train and death cap mushrooms, and everyone else in her family Violet is deadtrying to unsuccessfully buy a ticket for the same sold-out journey. The wealthy Blackwood family has always kept the house 'steady against As the world'two team up, shutting out other peopletravelling through Mongolia, Serbia and they live near into Russia, it could've been the start of a beautiful friendship but this a thriller after all so it quickly becomes a village. Merricat believes that 'The people tale of the village have always hated us'obsession, manipulation and tells us that she hates them tootoxic friendships.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0141191457</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Simon Weston1912374838|title=Nelson to the RescueNothing Important Happened Today|author=Will Carver

|genre=Confident ReadersGeneral Fiction|summary=Nelson used to pull Mike the Milk's milk float, but he has now retired. He lives in the stable at the back of the dairy along with Nothing Important Happened Today is a couple of tricky ratsdark, Rhodri and Rhystwisted, a pigeon who has no sense of directiondifficult read. Stories about cults often are, a frog who thinks hebut this is different; it's written with a secret agent spy and an old racehorse who spends most sense of his time sleeping. Rhodri and Rhys find a mysterious message on Mikestyle that is quite unlike anything I's fridge and the animals believe that Mike has been invited to Buckingham Palace to receive an MBE. Somehow our hero, Nelson, finds himself travelling down to London, pulling a ceremonial coach for Prince Charles as well as giving a TV interview about his experience.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1848510454</amazonuk>}}{{newreview|author=Elizabeth Baines|title=Too Many Magpies|rating=4|genre=Literary Fiction|summary=Becoming a mother brings a whole new world of fear into your lifeve read before. Suddenly you see the danger in every situation, and fear and trepidation I can be become your constant companions. In this novella, we meet a young mother who is married to a logical scientist. They attempt to control their children's futures on t remember ever having read a scientific basis, growing their own fruit and vegetables, giving their children nothing sugary, eating no eggs for a whole year until any adverse affects from them were disproved. But after meeting novel with such an enigmatic stranger our young mother begins to struggle as he introduces ideas of freedom into her world. She begins an affair with him, begins to let things slip at home and with the childrenodd, yet finds she is still continuously haunted by the sense of an ever-present dangerdistinctive narrative voice.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1844717216</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Katherine May|title=Burning Out|rating=4|genre=Literary Fiction|summary=Violet has it all – While a well-paid job, slim and a luxurious apartment all to herself. Everything is catered for; her mealsrelatively small book, her clothes, and her health are all how she would like them to be. But the life she is leading is beginning to take its toll. On the verge of snapping, a drained and somewhat outslow-moving nature of-sorts Violet, withdraws back to her home town. There, she meets someone familiar, a ghost reminding her of how she used to be ten years earlier – a young carefree girl, full of life. Only this isn't a ghost, but a girl living the life Violet once lived – exactly the same. Haunted by the past Violet realizes history is repeating itself and is convinced events will happen againplot makes it feel far larger than its 276 pages. Events that will in turn haunt the girl.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1906727392</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Amanda Downumwilliamabbey|title=The Drowning CityPursuit of William Abbey|author=Claire North

|genre=FantasyParanormal|summary=In When William Abbey fails to prevent the lynching of a nutshell, youyoung boy in 1880're reading this because you're wondering whether The Drowning City is goods South Africa, bad or mediocre. You've probably glanced at he finds himself cursed by the rating and guessed the lattergrieving mother. I'm afraid it's not quite that simple. This is a debut that provokes decidedly mixed feelings. I started off convinced that I was going to love this book. The cover art is effortlessly coolA naïve English Doctor, he slowly learns the premise intriguing, weight of the characters laden with potential for greatness and the backdrop is certainly evocative.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1841498149</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Tove Jansson|title=The True Deceiver|rating=5|genre=Literary Fiction|summary=Most people of my age will have come across Jansson's work unwittinglycurse upon him, via as the televised renditions shadow of the Moomin tales. The readers amongst us would then have been entranced a few years ago dead boy begins to discover that at last Thomas Teal had set about follow him across the translation into Englishworld. Never stopping, first of The Summer Book always growing – it crosses oceans and then mountains in pursuit of a collection of short stories which were published as 'A Winter Book'William. |amazonuk=<amazonuk>0954899571</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Daniel Kehlmann |title=Me and Kaminski|rating=4.5|genre=Literary Fiction|summary=After reviewing several long books, it's been refreshing As he finds himself unable to read such a fluent yet pared down story as 'Kaminski and Me'. In it, Sebastian Zollner, resist speaking the obnoxious main character, shoves himself forward truths that he hears in a desperate attempt to research a best seller which will re-ignite his career as an art critic. Kaminskiothers, he also learns that the proposed subject, was a fashionable painter long ago, but now, ancient dark shadow is deadly – and chronically ill, has virtually slid into oblivion. So seeks to kill the second-rate writer is on a loser unless one he can dig up some juicy details to hook loves the art world and general public.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1847249892</amazonuk>most…

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Louis Barfe1643785036|title=Turned Out Nice Again: The Story of British Light EntertainmentWondrous Apothecary|author=Mary E Martin

|genre=EntertainmentGeneral Fiction|summary=Light entertainment is often looked down uponThose who have known Alexander Wainwright, as if itthe landscape artist famous for his Turner prize winning ''The Hay Wagon''s a bit naff, tepid and ignorableRinaldo, renowned conceptual artist would say that they're chalk and cheese, if not sworn enemies. What If you's often forgotten is ve watched the relationship, as has our narrator, art dealer Jamie Helmsworth, you'd have said that it's hugely popularthey were magnets, enjoyable drawing and much of it is of the highest qualityrepulsing each other in equal measure. Louis Barfe's Turned Out Nice Again tells Wainwright was at the complete story socially acceptable end of British light entertainment.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1843543818</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Jim Helmore and Karen Wall|title=Oh No, Monster Tomato!|rating=4|genre=For Sharing|summary=Marvin is entering the Great Grislygust Grow-Offartistic continuum, but just like himwith Rinaldo it was all too obvious that there was but a fine dividing line between conceptual art and public nuisance. As time has worn on, his tomatoes arenhe't growing very big. He takes s frequently been brought to the only sensible course attention of action: he sings his tomatoes a songthe police. On this latest occasion we see him charged with arson and theft of ''The results are spectacular. Victory is surely within his graspHay Wagon''.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>140524741X</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Joseph Delaney Mary H.K. Choi|title=The Spook's Stories: WitchesPermanent Record

|summary=Pablo, a college drop-out, is working at a New York bodega. He'Warning: Not to be read after darks massively in debt,' are the only words on the back of ''The Spookhe's Stories''avoiding his mother, and on the inside flaphe finds his joy in creating unusual snacks with random ingredients! Whilst working one evening, he'The Times' warns us s surprised to discover that this book the girl he is 'seriously scary'...  The whole thing kickschatting with as he serves is a super-off relatively tamelyfamous pop star and, thoughas unlikely as it may seem, with they start a story about a young Spook (a sort of monster-hunter) relationship. With one character who falls in love with a witch and is forced trying very hard not to bear be seen or noticed by anyone, and the consequences when other who is seen and followed and hounded by everyone all over the witchworld, it's sister comes to stay an interesting clash as they come together. This isn't just a love story though, and exhibits a taste for actually it's really just Pab's story, about the neighborjourney he takes in his life via his meet-childrenup with Leanna Smart.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0370329961</amazonuk>0349003459

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Lisa Unger1609809319|title=Die For YouLong-Haired Cat-Boy Cub|author=Etgar Keret, Aviel Basil and Sondra Silverston (translator)|rating=3.5|genre=CrimeConfident Readers|summary=Best-selling novelist Isabel Connelly One day a boy is married to successful video game designer Marcus Raine. Or so she thinks. But when her husband fails to return from work, she realises something is wrong. Going to in the zoo with his office to try to find out what happens to himfather, she when the man gets attacked called away on urgent business. The boy isn't hustled into a cab and ends up in hospitaltaken home first, while his co-workers are killed. Things get worse for herthough, howeverno – he's given hot dog money, when investigating detective Grady Crowe reveals that Marcus Raine has been dead for several yearsand taxi money, and the man she married was using a false identitytold to just stick around on his own and enjoy himself. Infuriated by the betrayal Well, and the realisation that sheit's been living a lie no surprise that the orphan-for -an-afternoon sensation the past five yearslad feels doesn't make him happy, Izzy takes matters into her own hands and sets out to find her husband and work out why so he lied to her thinks of a species name for so long. Ignoring police warningshimself, she delves deeper and deeper curls himself up into a nasty underworldan empty cage, and finds as if he were a tale which has its roots in Prague and rivals anything she could have plotted in one of her novelsnew exhibit.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0099522179</amazonuk> And it's then the drama begins…

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Lisa McMann1785785516|title=WakeFucking Good Manners|author=Simon Griffin

|genre=TeensLifestyle|summary=Janie is seventeen Manners maketh man, they say. It certainly makes life easier if everybody abides by a set of conventions, some of which are ages old and studying hard for collegeother which have evolved over time. She Manners are not about how much to tip or how you should behave if you get an invitation to Buckingham Palace, they have nothing to do with class or financial status: they's also working lots of hours at a local nursing home re about getting the basics right before we try to earn money for college as deal with more difficult matters. Of course we all have more relaxed manners when we're with family and friends, but it's unlikely her alcoholic mother is going best if we learn to provide much in the way of resourcesdistinguish between our public and private lives and to act appropriately. College is Janie ''s only chance at a life better than the one sheFucking Good Manners's lived so far and so you can't blame her for being so single-minded in aims to help us on the pursuit of her goal. Only one thing stands in her way...|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1847385036</amazonuk>

 {{newreview|author=Jaclyn Moriarty |title=The Spell Book of Listen Taylor|rating=3.5|genre=Teens|summary=Listen Taylor's father has just moved in with his girlfriend and they are adopted into the Zing family, with all of its delightful eccentricities and unusual behaviour – the Zings meet every Friday night for dinner and then disappear into the garden shed to work on the 'Zing Family Secret'. Marbie Zing is terrified of doing something wrong and losing Nathaniel and Listen. Her sister Fancy is becoming increasingly disillusioned with her home life, and her daughter's year two teacher is coming to terms with a break up. The stories of these people come together to create a tale of life, love, and ultimately, what being part of a family means.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0330446363</amazonuk>}} {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=F G Cottam0008324859|title=The Magdalena Curse|rating=2.5|genre=Horror|summary=Mark Hunter is the sort of father who would do anything for his son. After losing his wife and daughter in a tragic accident, his surviving son Adam has become his whole world. And Adam is an exceptional child – beautiful, incredibly smart and mature beyond his ten years – only recently he's been channelling the voices of the dead. Plagued by horrific dreams, able to speak Russian in the hours after he wakes, drawing occult symbols when he doodles, Hunter believes Adam to be possessed. Doctor Elizabeth Bancroft is sceptical, until she meets Adam, and witnesses the horrors the poor boy endures for herself.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0340980982</amazonuk>}} {{newreviewFowl Twins|author=Jon Berkeley|title=The Lightning Key (Circus Trilogy)Eoin Colfer|rating=4.5

|summary=I shall start with a word of advice. When you're being hounded by a circus masterRelax, and a magicianeveryone – our old friend Artemis may be off planet, for but the soul of a tiger thatbaddies aren's contained in a tiger's egg that's contained in the brain of your teddy bear, and your best friend - a fallen angel - is trying her best to make sure the other angels do t getting away with skulduggery any time soon because they now have not turn on you in a big way - then you're probably living the third book in a fantasy trilogy. Still - never mind, the angel's efforts will involve you entering a dream world one but two members of flight and cloud cities, the chase after your enemies will take you across the world Fowl family to desert oases and back, and friends new and old will be on board to helpcontend with.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1847384447</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Sue Townsend|title=Adrian Mole: The Prostrate Years|rating=5|genre=General Fiction|summary=Adrian Mole is Those cute little twins are now 39¼ eleven (and living, quite literally, in a pigstyfrankly, sharing an all too thin party wall with his parents cute no longer) and working in a bookshop. It's not quite how life was supposed to turn out. As he spends his days wrestling his strong willed 5 year old Gracie into her school uniform, trying to reassure glamorous wife Daisy that life in the provinces is not as bad as she would like to believethis, and desperately attempting to talk his mother out of her quest to appear on the vile ''Jeremy Kyle'' show, worrying over his increasingly frequent visits to the toilet is really the last thing he needs. And yet, the worst is still to come. Think a crumbling economy, redundancy, affairs, deaththeir first independent adventure, they meet a family member challenging him in the novel writing stakes troll and without even trying manage to make two deadly enemies: a query over nobleman obsessed with immortality whatever the big C – it's going cost (to be a tough year for the Molesother people), and there's little that ol' Adrian can do except sit back and watch his life spin out of control around him.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0718153707</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Lauren Kate|title=Fallen|rating=4.5|genre=Teens|summary=A 17 year old girl at a new school meets a mysterious and impossibly goodan unusual interrogator-looking boy, who she's immediately drawn tonun. He seems determined to either ignore her or be outright rude to herThe boys are chased, until he saves her lifekidnapped, arrested and even killed (though not for long), all with the two help of them end up drawn together. This isn't Stephenie Meyer's ''Twilight'', but it certainly has striking similaritiesone trainee fairy.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0385738935</amazonuk>