Difference between revisions of "Features"

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|title=Top Ten Crime Books 2016
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|title=Top Ten Self-Published Books 2023
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|summary= For the most part we've avoided the big names in our favourites this year: it's good to see some new names coming through!  These are our favourites in alphabetical order by author.
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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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|title=Top Ten Historical Fiction Books of 2016
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Jeffrey Dunn
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|summary= A few years ago historical fiction was a niche genre, but now it's mainstream and we've seen some cracking books this year. These are our favourites in alphabetical order by author.
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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=How To Write a Fantasy Novel: The Full Guide
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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=Top Ten Women's Fiction Books of 2016
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|title=How Can Reading Improve Your Vocabulary: Best Practices
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|summary= There should be something for everyone's tastes here: they're all great fun and we've presented them alphabetically by author.
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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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|title=Top Ten Autobiographies and Biographies 2016
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|title=3 Things You Didn't Know About Ghostwriters
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|summary= We've seen a lot of biographies and autobiographies in 2016 and it hasn't been easy to select just ten as our favourites, but here's what we finally settled on in alphabetical order by author.
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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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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Leigh Bardugo
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Conrad Delacroix
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|summary=Olivia thought that [[Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo|Crooked Kingdom]] was all that she could want from a book and more, so she had quite a few questions when Leigh Bardugo popped in to Bookbag Towers to chat to us.
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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=Top Ten Literary Fiction Books of 2016
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|title=Top Ten Self-Published Books 2022
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|summary= It's been a rich year for literary fiction and we had great fun debating which were our favourites - but here they are in alphabetical order by author.
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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=Top Ten Science Fiction and Fantasy Novels 2016
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|title=3 Things You Should Know About Literary Agents
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|summary= We've got some old favourites and some new names in this year's selection of our favourites. Here they are - in alphabetical order by author.
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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=Lolita Book Review: Most Important Things to Know
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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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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Steven Burgauer
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|title=Stylish Restaging of The Crucible is All Show and No Substance, According to Reviews
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|summary=Ani thought that [[The Road To War: Duty & Drill, Courage & Capture by Steven Burgauer]] was personal, inspiring & insightful. She had quite a few points to discuss when Steven Burgauer popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us.
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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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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Numba Pinkerton
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|title=How Bar Modeling Makes Word Problems Easy in Singapore Math
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|summary=For years Sue has bought mostly black clothes, because they seemed ''safe'': Numba Pinkerton has shown her how to have a wardrobe which works and which she loves.  When Numba, author of [[The No Black Project by Numba Pinkerton|The No Black Project]] popped into Bookbag Towers, Sue had lots of questions she wanted to ask.
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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 Richard and Judy Book Club Autumn 2016
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|title=Finding More Time For Reading
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|summary= Seven great reads for the autumn - and we've read them all!
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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 Richard Smith about The Darzoids' Stone
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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=Jill loved [[The Darziods' Stone by Richard Smith|The Darziods' Stone]] - a fast-paced teen adventure - and had quite a few questions for author Richard Smith when he popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us.
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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=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Gloria D Gonsalves About Lamellia: The Kingdom of Mushrooms
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|title=Top Ten Self-Published Books 2021
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|summary=Jill enjoyed [[Lamellia: The Kingdom of Mushrooms by Gloria D Gonsalves]] and said that she'd be glad to read it to any child. She and the author had lots to chat about when Gloria popped into Bookbag Towers.
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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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|title=October 2016 Newsletter
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|title=How to Write a Standout Book Review in a Saturated Market
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|summary=  
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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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Well, hello there, Bookbaggers. Are you enjoying some autumnal colours? Kicking through some leaves? Splashing in the odd puddle or two? If so, enjoy!
 
  
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We hope you didn't miss [Poetry Day]. Lots happened, not least Kate Tempest live on BBC2 at prime time on a Saturday night. She was fabulous, wasn't she? If you missed it, here is the trailer for Let Them Eat Chaos, the piece she performed. The whole thing is truly wonderful.
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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 Anthony Bidulka
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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=Luke was impressed when he read [[Set Free by Anthony Bidulka]] not least because he liked the characters he felt he could invest in.  He had quite a few questions when the author popped into Bookbag Towers.
 
 
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|title=Natasha Farrant Talks To Bookbag About First Discovering Jane Austen
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|title=Comic Books Where the Bad Guys Won
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|summary=We ''loved'' [[Lydia: The Wild Girl of Pride and Prejudice by Natasha Farrant|Lydia: The Wild Girl of Pride and Prejudice]] and it was fascinating to listen to author Natasha Farrant tell us about how she first came to dicover Jane Austen.
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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 Pamela Johnson
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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=Rebecca was impressed when she read [[Taking in Water by Pamela Johnson]] - she was reminded of Iris Murdoch's ''The Sea, The Sea'' - and Johnson's writing style put her in mind of two of favourite authors, Tessa Hadley and Kate Atkinson.  She had quite a few  questions when the author popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us.
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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=September 2016 Newsletter
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|title=Top Ten Self-Published Books 2020
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|summary=  
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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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Hi, hello and how are you all, dear readers?
 
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Here's some cool news to start us off this month - an innovative new monthly print magazine for 8-12 year-olds is about to launch. [http://www.scoopthemag.co.uk/ Scoop] will offer an inspiring mix of short stories, poetry, non-fiction features, comic strips and activities. It will feature some of the very best creators of literary and visual content for children - think Neil Gaiman, Eoin Colfer and Laura Dockrill, just for starters. Not least, Scoop is for children who will be thrilled to receive their very own magazine in the post, addressed only to them. We ''love'' the sound of Scoop. It reminds Jill of the Puffin Post, to which she enthusiastically subscribed as a child. If you have a child who loves to read, you should look it out.
 
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Ritchie Valentine Smith
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Olga Kokshagina and Allen Alexander
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|summary=Ani enjoyed [[Words of Power: Volume 1 by Ritchie Valentine Smith|Words of Power]], the first volume of a new samurai fantasy series by Ritchie Valentine Smith.  She had plenty of questions for the author when he popped in to see us.
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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=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To S B Charles
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Andrew Hampshire
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|summary=Jill thought that [[Gliding With Black Swans by S B Charles]] was a roller coaster of a thriller and she couldn't wait to chat to author S B Charles when he popped in to chat to us.
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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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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Christopher Bowden about 'The Purple Shadow'
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|title=Stand Up to Bullying With a Pulitzer Prize Winner
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|summary=It's not long since Jill enjoyed Christopher Bowden's novel [[The Green Door by Christopher Bowden|The Green Door]], so she was delighted when she had the opportunity to read his latest book [[The Purple Shadow by Christopher Bowden|The Purple Shadow]].
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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=August 2016 Newsletter
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|title=From Sci Fi to Reality: How Dreams Turn Into Innovations
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|summary=  
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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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Well, hello there, readers. We hope you're well. And we hope you're getting back to reading now that Rio 2016 and all the associated Olympic excitements are done and dusted. We have some great books for you to consider this month. So read on...
 
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How many books do you think you might have read over the last three years? You'd be going some if you said a thousand, right? But what if you said 2.500? That would be amazing! Well, Faith Jackson, aged 12, has done [http://www.knutsfordguardian.co.uk/news/14659644.display/ just that]. She has met authors, been given books, and now is about to be featured in Ripley's upcoming ''Odd Around the World''. We like the cut of your jib, Faith. Keep reading!
 
 
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|title=July 2016 Newsletter
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|title=5 Great AI books to read in 2020
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|summary=  
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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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Hello! We hope you are well. We hope you are not traumatised by Brexit. We hope you are not in despair at the apparent collapse of our political system. Of course you may be one or both. If so, you have our sympathies and our best efforts at distracting you from the various non-reading related stresses currently engulfing the country. Books are constant!
 
 
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|title=June 2016 Newsletter
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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=  
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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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Let's get the snark out of the way first! Simon Literary Cowell has declared his intention to write a book for children because all the books he reads to his son are "boring". The internet responded O RLY? Simon, probably not up with youth speak, also got some advice from various children's authors, understandably somewhat miffed, including [http://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/may/25/simon-cowell-advice-write-childrens-book-michael-rosen-philip-ardagh Philip Ardagh] and [https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2016/may/27/simon-cowell-childrens-book-x-factor?CMP=share_btn_fb Michael Rosen]. We suggest Simon browses through the Bookbag children's section. He won't find much to bore him in there. We think the Mini Cowell might enjoy [[Traction Man Meets Turbo Dog by Mini Grey ]], for example. Oh, what a silly, silly man.  
 
 
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|title=May 2016 Newsletter
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|title=Top Ten Self-Published Books 2019
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|summary=  
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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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Hi, hello and how the devil are you? Read anything good lately? If you're looking for ideas, we can oblige with this month's recommendations and a blast from the past that's worth revisiting. If there's anything you think you can add, do let us know.
 
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We'd like to take a moment to say goodbye to the fabulous Jenny Diski, who [http://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/apr/28/author-jenny-diski-cancer-dies died from cancer] recently. She wrote a diary in the ''London Review of Books'' post-diagnosis and it was as witty and acerbic as all her writing. We will truly miss her. Rest in peace, Jenny.  
 
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Russell Mardell
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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=Jill thought that [[Cold Calling by Russell Mardell|Cold Calling]] was unexpectedly delightful and above all, very, very human.  She had quite a few questions for author Russell Mardell when he popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us.
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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 Joel Mentmore
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Melanie Martin
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|summary=After she read [[Smart by Joel Mentmore|Smart]] Ani realised that she would never be completely comfotable with her mobile phone again.  She had quite a few questions for author Joel Mentmore 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=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Hazel McHaffie
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|title=Framing the Brexit narrative: immigration, myths and public perception
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|summary=Sue absolutely refused to be separated from [[Inside of Me by Hazel McHaffie|Inside of Me]] until she found out what happened to anorexic India and her mother.  She had quite a few questions for author Hazel McHaffie when she popped into Bookbag Towers.
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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=April 2016 Newsletter
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|title=8 ways to motivate yourself to write, right NOW by Jessica Jarlvi
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|summary=  
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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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Hello there, Bookbaggers, and how the devil are you? Well, we hope. What are you reading today? Anything we should know about? If you are undecided about what to read next, we have plenty to recommend to you from this month's releases.
 
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Guess what? In a poll commissioned by Amnesty International UK, parents were asked to choose the activity that they thought developed their child’s empathy the most - and reading was the runaway winner. We agree! Reading is a vicarious experience and really helps us all - not just children - to appreciate the world through someone else's eyes. Amnesty UK will also give a special commendation this year to one of the shortlisted books in the Carnegie and Kate Greenaway awards . This will be the first ever human rights commendation for children’s books and we think it's a really positive initiative.
 
 
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|title=Quentin Bates talks to Bookbag about about ''Thin Ice''
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|title=Greg Hickey Talks To Bookbag About The Old Guard of Dystopian Fiction
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|summary=Author Quentin Bates popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us about [[Thin Ice (Officer Gunnhildur) by Quentin Bates|Thin Ice]], the seventh book in his Officer Gunnhildur series.
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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=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To C E Robinson
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|title=Top Ten Self-Published Books 2018
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|summary=Ani was impressed by the world building in [[Lilith: Eden's Planetary Princess (The Michael Archives Book 1) by C E Robinson|Lilith: Eden's Planetary Princess]] and knew that there was an exciting series to come. She had quite a few questions for author [[:Category:C E Robinson|C E Robinson]] when he popped into Bookbag Towers.
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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 Anthony Gardner
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|title=James Donald Talks To Bookbag About The Death Of Norman Breyfogle
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|summary=Jill thought that [[Fox by Anthony Gardner]] was plot-focused and had twists to suit every thriller fan.  She was impressed by the serious depiction of the downtrodden individual against the erosion of hard-won civil liberties.  There was quite a lot to chat about when the author popped into Bookbag Towers.
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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=February 2016 Newsletter
 
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Hi, hello and a very happy February to all our readers. It's been a long slog but we are nearing winter's end and that's a relief, isn't it? We're looking forward to some spring sunshine and some fabulous spring books.
 
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David Bowie died. And the nation was shocked and grief-stricken. We were no different. And so, in memory of one our great cultural icons, we perused this list of the great man's [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/books/what-to-read/david-bowie-the-man-who-loved-books/ top 100 books]. The list is as eclectic as you'd expect and inspirational, too.  
 
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Michael Pronko about 'Motions and Moments'
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Melissa Leet
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|summary=Last year Rebecca enjoyed Michael Pronko's [[Beauty and Chaos: Slices and Morsels of Tokyo Life by Michael Pronko|first book]] of essays on Tokyo life and she was delighted to be able to review his [[Motions and Moments: More Essays on Tokyo by Michael Pronko|third book]], Motions and Moments: More Essays on Tokyo.  She had quite a few questions for Michael when he popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us.
+
|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=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Haraldur Erlendsson and Keith Hagenbach
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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=Stacey thought that [[The Man Who Drew Triangles: Magician, mystic or out of his mind? by Haraldur Erlendsson and Keith Hagenbach]] was a thrilling, plot-twistingly good tale of folklore, legends, spirits and ultimately of thinking a little differently.  She had quite a few questions for the authors when they popped into Bookbag Towers.
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|summary=Every child has a right to medical care
 
}}
 
}}
 
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|title=January 2016 Newsletter
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|title=Abi Silver Talks To The Bookbag About A Few Of Her Favourite Things
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|summary=  
+
|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
−
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
 
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We hope you had a wonderful festive season and if you were affected by the awful floods, you have our sympathy, solidarity and very best wishes. And at least one book in your Christmas stocking.
 
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}}
 
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|title=Top Ten Self-Published Books 2015
 
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|summary= We've seen some great self-published books this year and had great fun choosing our top ten books.  Here they are, in alphabetical order by author.
 
 
}}
 
}}
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Spadge Whittaker
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Daniel Peltz
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|summary=Jill thought that [[Braver Than Britain, Occasionally by Spadge Whittaker]] in which Spadge researches Britain's top ten fears and faces them all over the course of a year was funny and silly and, yes, brave. It's a joyous little book. EXCEPT FOR THE SPIDERS.
+
|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=Bookbag's Christmas Gift Recommendations 2015
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|title=Top Ten Self-Published Books 2017
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|summary=We know that you could do your Christmas present book shopping from Amazon's best seller lists, but we like to suggest more unusual books that we've enjoyed over the year. Hopefully you'll find something for everyone here.  
+
|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 Dr Kris J Sime
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Chit Dubey
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|summary=Jill thought that [[Dragon's Flight by Dr Kris J Sime|Dragon's Flight]] was ''FUN'' and that's not something she often says, so she had quite a few questions for authgor Kris Sime when he popped into Bookbag Towers.
+
|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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|category=comments
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|title=Top Ten Women's Fiction 2015
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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=We've been looking for intelligent women's fiction that provides a good read and we think that we've found some crackers.  Here they are, in alphabetical order by author.
+
|summary= Melita Thomas tell us that Mary was a true Renaissance Princess
 
}}
 
}}
 
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|category=newsletters
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|category=interviews
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|title=November 2015 Newsletter
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Elizabeth Fox and Martin le Comte
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|summary=  
+
|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.
−
Happy November, Bookbaggers! We hate to be the eleventy billionth people to mention it to you, but Christmas is around the corner. Sorry, but it is! If you're looking for some bookish gift recommendations, scroll down to our features section where we have done our best to help you out.
 
 
}}
 
}}
 
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|title=Top Ten Crime Novels of 2015
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Gabe Riggs
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|summary= We've tried to give you a varied selection of crime novels for 2015.  They come from several continents and some have been translated and there are old favourites as well as some talented newcomers.  Here they are, in alphabetical order by author.
+
|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=Top Ten Fantasy Books of 2015
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Sandra Aragona
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|summary= We had a fun time choosing our top ten fantasy novels of 2015, not least because it got us into a lot of ''do you remember...?'' conversations! It took quite a while to whittle our choices down to ten, particularly as we've excluded any books which are part of a series where you need to have read earlier books to appreciate this one.  Here they are, in alphabetical order by author.
+
|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=Top Ten Historical Fiction Books of 2015
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To K J Lawrence
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|summary=We've noticed a growing appetite for top class historical fiction and there have been some very good examples in 2015.  In making our selection we've avoided books which are the later parts of trilogies and where you really need to have read the earlier books to get the best from them, but here's our selection, in alphabetical order by author.
+
|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=Top Ten General Fiction Books for 2015
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Stuart Burrell
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|summary= 2015 has been a good year for those books which you just want to enjoy reading and we think that we've found something for everyone's taste.  Here they are, alphabetically by author.
+
|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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|category=interviews
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|title=Top Ten Books for Teens 2015
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Wes Stuart
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|summary= Choosing our top ten books for teens is always difficult and 2015 was no exception.  We think there's something here for everyone and they're in alphabetical order by author
+
|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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|title=Top Ten History Books 2015
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To B C R Fegan
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|summary= We seem to be celebrating a lot of anniversaries - and the books which accompany them - at the moment, but in selecting our top ten history books of 2015 we've tried to give as wide a selection of periods and subjects as possible so that there's something to appeal to everyone.  Here they are in alphabetical order by author.
+
|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=Top Ten Books for Confident Readers 2015
 
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|summary= We stayed up late and ''argued'' about which books should be included in this top ten - and as 2015 has been rich in good books it wasn't an easy job.  But - we finally managed to pick just ten and here they are in alpabetical order by author
 
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}}
 
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|category=lists
 
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|title=Top Ten Picture Books 2015
 
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|summary= We really struggled to pick just ten picture books from the brilliant editions we've seen this year and some of our personal favourites had to be left out, but here they are in alphabetical order, by author.
 
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{newfeature
 
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|category=interviews
 
|category=interviews
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To John Searancke
+
|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Annie Ingram
−
|summary=Sue was impressed by John Searancke's story of his father's war, [[Prunes for Breakfast by John Searancke|Prunes for Breakfast]] and she had quite a few questions for John when he popped into Bookbag Towers.
+
|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.
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{newfeature
 
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|category=interviews
 
|category=interviews
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Chris Calder
+
|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Stephan Santiago
−
|summary=Ani enjoyed [[Celeste Three is Missing by Chris Calder]] and thought it was a good, slow burning escapist thriller.  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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{{newfeature
 
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|category=newsletters
 
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|title=October 2015 Newsletter
 
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|summary=
 
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Hi, hello, and how the devil are you? Good, we hope!
 
−
 
 
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The wait is over and we now know that Marlon James [http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/oct/13/marlon-james-wins-the-man-booker-prize-2015 won the Booker Prize 2015]. He's the first Jamaican to win and we couldn't be happier for him. Ani loved [[A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James]], calling it ''multi-layered epiphany of a novel'' and if you haven't read it already, you really, really should. You can also find our reviews of all the short listed books [[Man Booker Prize 2015|here]]. They're all fabulous.
 
 
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|title=Man Booker Prize 2015
 
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|summary= We're eagerly awaiting news of the winner of the 2015 Man Booker Prize and we have some exciting books on the shortlist.
 
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}}
 
−
 
−
Check out the full lists of [[:Category: Interviews|interviews]], [[:Category: Lists|top tens]] and [[:Category: Comments|articles]].
 
  
 +
Move to [[Recommended Resources]]
 
[[Category:Features|*]]
 
[[Category:Features|*]]

Latest revision as of 12:01, 29 December 2023

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

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...

Move to Recommended Resources

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