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__NOTOC__Check out the full lists of [[:Category: Interviews|interviews]], [[:Category: Lists|top tens]] and [[:Category: Comments|articles]].__NOTOC__<!-- Remove -->
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|category=newsletterslists|title=July 2010 NewsletterTop Ten Self-Published Books 2023|summary=It's windy and rainy today, here at Bookbag Towers. What's going on? Where's our sunshine? Do we have to leave the shores of this sceptr'd isle to catch some rays, always, every single time? Sometimes, it sure does feel like it. Jill doesn't mind: she's swanning off to Tuscany for a fortnight, and it's bound to be hot there, right? Right?! We've been taking stock seen some really good self-published books this month. Weyear: they're not far away from a site containing five thousand book reviews and approaching that milestone has pulled us up shortthere with the best of traditional publishing. At Bookbag Here's birth five years agoour top ten, if you'd told usin alphabetical order, by author.
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To David GatwardJeffrey Dunn|summary=Bookbag thought Jill enjoyed [[The Dead (The Dark) Radio Free Olympia by David GatwardJeffrey Dunn|The DarkRadio Free Olympia]], a book story blending prose and poetry with themes of zombie horror positioning itself firmly in the Darren Shan marketecology, provided strong charactersfolklore, an interesting premise love and a wonderful sufficiency of goreloss. SoShe didn't think it was the easiest read, naaturally, we enjoyed asking David Gatward all about writing itbut a rewarding one.
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|title=How To Write a Fantasy Novel: The Full Guide
|summary=Fantasy has always been our way out of the real world's limitations. It's a space where magic is real, mythical creatures roam, and heroes go on epic quests. This genre is loved by people of all ages and backgrounds. It allows us to explore new worlds and face unimaginable challenges, all without leaving our homes.
{{newfeature|category=interviews|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Melanie Welsh|summary=Bookbag thought [[Mistress of But what if you could do more than just visit these magical lands? What if you could create your own? This is the Storm by Melanie Welsh|Mistress magic of writing a fantasy novel. You have the Storm]] was full of seafaring 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, mystery . This journey is not just about castles and intriguewizards. Naturally, we jumped at It's also about the chance craft of writing. You'll learn to shiver some timbers use language and buckle some swash with herimagination to make a rich, varied story. This is And who knows what we talked about!unexplored realms you'll discover along the way?
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|category=interviewscomments|title=The InterviewHow Can Reading Improve Your Vocabulary: Bookbag Talks To Heather GudenkaufBest Practices|summary=Bookbag found [[The Weight Reading is one of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf|The Weight of Silence]] 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 be an impressive debut with plenty of suspense see them used in context, which is essential for understanding and unexpected twistsusing them correctly. We were delighted by With the opportunity rise of language learning apps, such as Promova, many people have turned to ask Heather Gudenkauf some questions about ittechnology to improve their vocabulary. However, reading remains a tried-and-true method that has been used for centuries.
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|category=newsletterscomments|title=June 2010 Newsletter3 Things You Didn't Know About Ghostwriters|summary=Vuvuzelas, ehHow much do you know about ghostwriters? Who'd 'ave 'em? PersonallyThese professionals lurk in the shadows of the publishing industry (both self- and traditional publishing), here at Bookbag Towers, we prefer vuvuzelas to with most members of the public having only ever heard of them because of the World Cup but even we know that's a sacrilegious remark and so we shall say no more about itPierce Brosnan film... ... ahem. Possibly a more constructive topic is holiday reading. Do you pack books? Or do you rely on airport potboilers? Or stick to newspapers and magazines? We Bookbaggers obviously have Given the awkwardness a separate piece lot of luggage just for our bookspeople feel toward ghostwriters, and we carry it everywhere we go, 's no matter how heavy it gets. Fancy being stuck on holiday with nothing to read! Now surprise that there are a number of misconceptions about what they do, so I'''is''' sacrilege! m hoping to clarify three important things in this post.
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Joel StewartConrad Delacroix|summary=Bookbag has Sue really enjoyed Joel Stewart's recent work, including [[Dexter Bexley And The Big Blue Beastie On The Road Lensky Connection by Joel StewartConrad Delacroix|Dexter Bexley And The Big Blue Beastie On The RoadLensky Connection]] and [[Have You Ever Seen A Sneep? by Tasha Pym and Joel Stewart|Have You Ever Seen A Sneep?]] We were delighted , a thriller set primarily in Russia. She had quite a few questions for author Conrad Delacroix when he agreed to answer some of our questionspopped into Bookbag Towers.
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|category=interviewslists|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Anthony BrowneTop Ten Self-Published Books 2022|summary=Bookbag has long loved Anthony BrowneWe's work re constantly amazed at the quality of the self- particularly [[Little Beauty by Anthony Browne|Little Beauty]]. After being enthralled by the Children's Laureate's latest offering, [[Me and You by Anthony Browne|Me published books which come our way and You]], we jumped at the chance to ask him 've seen some questionsreal gems in 2022. Here they are, in alphabetical order, by author:
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|category=interviewscomments|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Joanne Owen3 Things You Should Know About Literary Agents|summary=Bookbag was really intrigued by If you're all set to publish your novel, it might be time to [[The Alchemist 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 Angel by Joanne Owen]]world, this is no easy task. ItWhen you's ve sent your [https://blog.reedsy.com/guide/how-to-write-a rather unique historical fantasy, well-researched query-letter/ query letters] and bursting with fascinating detail. Those with a taste started getting responses, these tips will help you choose the right person for colourful and slightly gothic folklore will love it, and Bookbag was delighted to ask Joanne Owen some questionsyou.
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|category=interviewscomments|title=The InterviewLolita Book Review: Bookbag Talks To Pete JohnsonMost Important Things to Know|summary=Bookbag really enjoyed [[The Vampire Blog by Pete Johnson]]Lolita, with its one liners and a horror element at a level perfect for late primary school readershighly controversial book, is not subject to bans in American schools. We jumped at Here are the opportunity most important things you need to interview Pete Johnson, and are glad we did: there's an exclusive revelation know about a sequel!it.
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|category=interviewscomments|title=Stylish Restaging of The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Mavis CheekCrucible is All Show and No Substance, According to Reviews|summary=We thought that Mavis Cheek's [[Truth to Tell by Mavis Cheek|Truth to Tell]] was The Crucible is a good story, thought-provoking, beautifully written tragedy that’s been debated and laugh out loud funny discussed for many years. Its current running in placestheaters has received a rather intriguing review. We wondered what Keep reading to find out more we could want and decided that we couldn't resist the opportunity to ask Mavis a few questions.
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|category=newsletterscomments|title=May 2010 NewsletterHow Bar Modeling Makes Word Problems Easy in Singapore Math|summary=The good: huzzah! The sun has finally come out. The bad: spending cuts are upon us. The ugly: there's worse in the offing. But fret ye not: there Singapore Mathematics is a silver lining in every cloud and we at Bookbag Towers see a good book as the best response to all unique way of the abovepresenting this science. Books don't cost a great deal of money Parents and most of us can afford teachers will be able to buy them, even in these straitened times. And even if we can't, we can always go understand and explain to children the library. And what better way to spend an afternoon than reading a good book in a sunny garden? You see? A good book. The answer to everything. And there's plenty to choose from on the site at the moment, so if you haven't paid us a visit lately, do come along and have a look. We've reviewed 84 books this month alonesimplest mathematical processes using images.
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|category=listscomments|title=Carnegie Medal Shortlist 2010Finding More Time For Reading|summary=We If there is one thing that a lot of people could benefit from having more of in their lives, it's [[A Bookbagger'know's View:What it' s like to be a reviewer|literature]]. Plenty of us have gone through this experience of suddenly finding that the judges we are going not reading as much as we used to have . There are a difficult time lot of possible reasons for this, and it's something that you might be able to approach in choosing a winner - we wouldn't like 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 have their job!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 Gregory HughesGerry Brown and Randall S Peterson about Disaster in the Boardroom: Six Dysfunctions Everyone Should Understand|summary=Gregory Hughes's Sue was absolutely riveted to [[Unhooking Disaster in the Moon Boardroom: Six Dysfunctions Everyone Should Understand by Gregory Hughes|Unhooking the MoonGerry Brown and Randall S Peterson]] came straight at us of leftfield and is one of our favourite books of the year so far. It's a bittersweet road trip of a novel, featuring a loyal brother, a street hustler, a cigar smuggler, a chart-topping rapper, some goddamn paedophiles, brilliantly readable but rather frightening: people's lives and livelihoods could be in the most entrancing central character you're ever likely hands of company boards which are dysfunctional. Sue wanted to meet. Unsurprisingly, we jumped at the chance of asking Gregory a few questionsknow more.
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|category=newsletterslists|title=April 2010 NewsletterTop Ten Self-Published Books 2021|summary=Wethought that 2020 was a strange year but 2021 has been equally so. Once again we've been reading like crazy this month as amazed by the quality of self-published books which have been pouring in - and there have been some very positive reviews from very satisfied reviewers, so do come visitour way. ThereLast year's bound to be something you liketop ten consisted of eleven books (maths never was our strong point... Overall, ) but this year we're feeling rather happy here at Bookbag Towers. We going to have good books to read. The sun has come out. We werenmake it a baker't abroad when the volcanic ash cloud hit and s dozen as we didnreally couldn't know anybody that wassplit them apart. Here they are, in alphabetical order, either - although we did feel very sorry for the poor people who wereby author... Volcanos, eh? Who'd 'ave 'em?
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|category=interviewscomments|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Anthony McGowanHow to Write a Standout Book Review in a Saturated Market|summary=Bookbag has always loved Anthony McGowan's workBook reviews are a crucial tool for the reading community — it’s via these that opinions are exchanged, ideas discussed, including [[The Knife That Killed Me by Anthony McGowan|The Knife That Killed Me]] and [[Henry Tumour by Anthony McGowan|Henry Tumour]]recommendations found. After laughing throughout his latest work ([[Einstein's Underpants - And How They Saved The World by Anthony McGowan|Einstein's Underpants - And How They Saved The World]]) we couldn't resist But though the opportunity growth of book review sites is promising for readers, a saturated market also means that it’s getting increasingly difficult to ask him some questionsmake your mark as a book reviewer.}}
{{newfeature|category=newsletters|title=March 2010 Newsletter|summary=Looking forward If you’re looking for ways to the Easter break? We certainly are - and if someone doesn't buy Jill an egg from Montezuma's this year, her nearest freshen your voice and dearest are going to be verymake a stronger impression, very sorryI’ve got a few tips that might help. We have been busy fund-raising for Sport ReliefAs an avid reader of book reviews, gadding about in London meeting publicists and going to birthday parties, and helping our heirs to plan gap year expeditions to Borneo - interestingly, we've also read two gap year novels recently, [[In I’ve noticed that the Trees by Pauline Fisk]] and [[The Island by Sarah Singleton]]. They're very different books, but they're both greatones that stay with me usually follow these three guidelines.
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Julie CohenGerry Brown, Andrew Kakabadse and Filipe Morais about The Independent Director in Society|summary=Julie Cohen's Sue was an enthusiastic reader of [[Nina Jones The Independent Director in Society: Our current crisis of governance and the Temple of Gloom what to do by Julie CohenGerry Brown, Andrew Kakabadse and Filipe Morais|Nina Jones The Independent Director in Society: Our current crisis of governance and the Temple of Gloomwhat to do]] is funny, quirky, compelling and intelligent - chick lit at its best - so we jumped at she had several points she wanted to discuss with the opportunity to interview herauthors when they popped into Bookbag Towers.
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|category=newsletterscomments|title=February 2010 NewsletterComic Books Where the Bad Guys Won|summary=HelloComic books and movies, in general, hellohave been given the portrayal of good; always winning and saving the day. however, hello! How are you? Less snowy than when we last spoke? Goodthanks to the creativity of writers, so are we. It's fun for have a day or sofew writers of comics who have managed to alter this unsaid rule, that white stuff, isn't it? After that though, it just becomes a slog. We evil wins at Bookbag are clinging to the hope that end of the fabled barbeque summer comes day'. While it may not be a year lategreat thought to bear in mind, and 2010 will be it is still something a scorcherbit fascinating to dwell on. A little bit of snow and And, we believe that it is a lot breath of sunshine, fresh air to discover that's what we likehave something different from the cliché where the hero always emerges as the victor.
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Ellie SandallGerry Brown About Making a Difference: Leadership, Change and Giving Back the Independent Director Way|summary=Ellie SandallGerry Brown is so keen to see people geting involved that there's a free digital [[Birdsong by Ellie Sandall|Birdsonghttps://www.degruyter.com/view/title/580618 download]] features a superb rhyme woven around lots of different bird calls. It's a picture this £42 book that any young book fan will love, so we jumped at the opportunity to interview her.
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|category=interviewslists|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Gary BlackwoodTop Ten Self-Published Books 2020|summary=Bookbag devoured Gary BlackwoodIn this strangest of years we's [[Mysterious Messages ve been delighted by the self- A History of Codes published books we've read and Ciphers by Gary Blackwood|Mysterious Messages they're all books which compare well with traditionally- A History of Codes and Ciphers]] and published books in the same genres. We really couldn't resist narrow the opportunity to ask him a few questionschoice 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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|category=newslettersinterviews|title=November 2009 NewsletterThe Interview: Bookbag Talks To Olga Kokshagina and Allen Alexander|summary=FirstlySue was so impressed by [[The Radical Innovation Playbook: A Practical Guide for Harnessing New, an apology: if you have visited us Novel or Game-Changing Breakthroughs by Olga Kokshagina and Allen Alexander]] that she wished that she had problems over a good business idea of her own so that she could use the last few weeks, then we are very sorrybook. We had some problems (you might even call them arguments) with our hosting company Perhaps that was what she was talking about when Olga and we have now moved Allen popped into Bookbag Towers to a home that is much more welcoming. It's more suited chat to our needs and we're sure there won't be any more of that nasty downtime getting in your way of a good book recommendation or twous.
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Paul HowardAndrew Hampshire|summary=Bookbag really enjoyed Paul HowardTechnology can seem frightening to people who don's illustrations in t have the background. In [[The Penguin Who Wanted To Find Out Creating Value Through Technology: Discover the Tech that Can Transform Your Business by Jill Tomlinson and Paul HowardAndrew Hampshire|The Penguin Who Wanted To Find OutCreating 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 couldn't resist how to get the opportunity most out of it. He and Sue had a lot to ask him a few questionschat about when he dropped into Bookbag Towers.
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|category=interviewscomments|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Hilary McKayStand Up to Bullying With a Pulitzer Prize Winner|summary=Bookbag really enjoyed Hilary McKay's [[Wishing For Tomorrow by Hilary McKay|Wishing For Tomorrow]] (the sequel 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 [[A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett]]) them and couldnrespect them. That is self-delusion, as most adults are aware, but kids don't resist have the opportunity experience to ask her a few questionsproperly judge what is respect and what is merely fear.
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|category=listscomments|title=Top Ten Picture Books For HalloweenFrom Sci Fi to Reality: How Dreams Turn Into Innovations|summary=Boo! If our [[Top Ten Books For Children Who Love To Be Scared Silly]] was tooThe 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.. wellFor example, scary the smartphone has been around for youover 10 years now, then this is the selection for but if you. There are witches, pumpkins and black cats in abundance, so the littlest ones can join don’t have one in with the Halloween funtoday’s society, but there's nothing that'll give them nightmares. Why not [mailto:sue@thebookbag.coyou’d either be seen as crazy or just out of touch.uk tell us] about your favourites?
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|category=newsletterscomments|title=October 2009 Newsletter5 Great AI books to read in 2020|summary=Hi again from Bookbag Towers. The banner headline this month: Artificial intelligence (AI) has expanded into one of us had suspected swine fluthe most important technologies in human history. Nobody will actually give you a diagnosis thoughIt comes with so many benefits, so you lay sweating and shivering on from improving the sofa and take your Tamifluefficiency of simple, but you've no idea at all whether or not you'll have basic tasks to go through it all again when you actually ''do'' get it. Bah. The other banner headline, of course, is that the Booker judges met with our approval this year helping to solve advanced problems by giving [[Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel|Wolf Hall]] the big prize. If you haven't read it yet, you really are remiss. It's an absolutely wonderful book and will stay with you for a long, long timequickly analyzing large data sets.
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|title=Top Ten A Baker's Dozen of Books For Your Girlfriendto Keep the Kids Occupied When They Can't Go Out|summary=Whether it's a birthday, Christmas, or just a random occasion to tell her Are you love her, books make great presents running out of inspiration for girlfriends. Yes, yes, we know we're playing up what to all do with the stereotypes with historical fiction, romance, celebrities, and lashings of chick lit, but you know shekids when they can's going to enjoy them. If itt go out? We's an anniversary and sheve come up with a baker's looking dozen of books to get give you a gift too, then make sure to point her in the direction of our [[Top Ten Books For Your Boyfriend]]. Why not [mailto:sue@thebookbag.cosome brilliant ideas.uk tell us] about your favourite books to get for your girlfriend?
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|title=Top Ten Self-Published Books For Your Boyfriend2019|summary=Whether itWe's a birthday, Christmas, or just a random occasion to tell him you love him, ve seen some cracking self-published books make great presents for boyfriends. Yes, yes, we know wethis year and they're playing up to all the stereotypes books which compare well with traditionally-published books about sport, music, trivia and everyonein the same genres. We really couldn's favourite secret agent, but you know het narrow the choice down any further - so this year's going to enjoy them. If it's an anniversary top ten consists of eleven books and he's looking to get you a gift toohere they are, then make sure to point him in the direction of our [[Top Ten Books For Your Girlfriend]]alphabetical order by author. Why not [mailto:sue@thebookbag.co.uk tell us] about your favourite books to get for your boyfriend?
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|category=interviewscomments|title=The Interview: Bookbag Desiree Villena Talks To Ian StewartBookbag About 5 Key Tips for Writing a Critical-Yet-Fair Book Review|summary=Bookbag loved Ian Stewart's [[Professor Stewart's Hoard of Mathematical Treasures by Ian Stewart|Hoard of Mathematical Treasures]] and couldnWriting a book review isn't resist the opportunity to ask him difficult, you know, but there are a few questionsthings you need to keep us in mind. Desiree Villena gives us five tips. We're delighted we did, as his answers are fascinating!
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To David BarrieMelanie Martin|summary=Bookbag was impressed by David Barrie|summary=In [[War and Love: A family's debut noveltestament of anguish, [[Wasp-Waisted endurance and devotion in occupied Amsterdam by David BarrieMelanie Martin|Wasp-WaistedWar 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 couldn't resist was delighted when the opportunity author agreed to ask him a few questionschat with her.
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|category=listscomments|title=Top Ten Books To Drag The Kids Away From Computer Games For Ten Minutes At LeastFraming the Brexit narrative: immigration, myths and public perception|summary=Truth be told, we like computer games - they're great fun, a good way Loobna Joomun looks at how Brexit is likely to let off steam, and man cannot survive on books alone. (What we don't like are Bluetooth headsets providing a constant commentary affect the publishing industry - eldest Murphy son, take note). There are times when tweens and teens need to be dragged away from the computer games though, and these books will keep them entertained and quiet when you're looking for a peaceful afternoon without an endless barrage of bleeps and explosions in the background. Some are high octane, some are a bit more thoughtful, but they're all gripping thrillers. Why not [mailto:sue@thebookbag.cowider country.uk tell us] about your favourites?
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|category=newsletterscomments|title=September 2009 Newsletter8 ways to motivate yourself to write, right NOW by Jessica Jarlvi|summary=ItEver felt that you's been ve hit a stressful month at Bookbag Towers. Our host's server had a major malfunction and we spent several days trying to sort out the aftermath of being hurriedly moved to a new one. After much weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth - Jill's children retired to their bedrooms brick wall with sandbags, and Sue's dogs did much the same - we think it's all ok now. We're very sorry if your writing? Jessica Jarlvi has eight tips yo get you experienced an interruption to service and we hope you'll forgive us. We promise to make it up to you, we do. Starting with our [[Features|features]] section, which has the low down on this year's [[Man Booker Prize 2009|Booker prize]]. Jill is rooting for the utterly sublime [[Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel]]writing again. What would you like to see win it?
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|category=interviewscomments|title=The Interview: Bookbag Greg Hickey Talks To K S TurnerBookbag About The Old Guard of Dystopian Fiction|summary=Bookbag thinks that Kate TurnerWhere do you go when you move beyond classics like ''1984''s [[Before the Gods (Chronicles of Fate and Choice) by K S Turner|Before the Gods]] is something rather special and we couldn't resist the opportunity to ask her a few questions.'Brave New World''?
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|title=Man Booker Prize 2009Top Ten Self-Published Books 2018|summary=We have reviews of all Choosing the top ten self-published books on the longlist and we'll let you know the winner as soon read in 2018 was difficult as we hear!'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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|category=newsletterscomments|title=August 2009 NewsletterJames Donald Talks To Bookbag About The Death Of Norman Breyfogle|summary=We know this is a newsletter about books, and we know that we keep opening with some remark or other about sport. It's completely off-topic, we know, and we're sorry, but we just can't help it, we're going to do it again. Did you see Usain Bolt? Did One of the finest storytellers you? Isn't he just something else? And it's just as well he appeared on our summer scene because August is a quiet month for books. All the holiday reads are already published (and in your suitcases, packed for lazy days by the pool) and thoughts haven't quite turned to the run up to Christmas. But there's still plenty out there and we've done our best to bring the the worthwhile to your attention. You're going to need themnever heard of, aren't you, what with who died in September 2018 at the barbecue summer that never was...age of 58.
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Ben KaneMelissa Leet|summary=Bookbag loved Ben Kane's first two novels - Sue was impressed when she read [[The Forgotten Legion Landslide by Ben KaneMelissa Leet|The Forgotten LegionLandslide]] by Melissa Leet and [[The Silver Eagle (Forgotten Legion) by Ben Kane|The Silver Eagle]], which bring Roman times was surprised to vivid lifefind that it was a debut novel. He mixes history and emotion beautifully, making She had quite a few questions for a sometimes disturbing, but always entertaining read. After being fortunate enough to meet him at an evening at our local library recently, he was delighted to be put to the sword in Melissa when she popped into Bookbag styleTowers.
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|category=listscomments|title=Top Ten Picture Books For Overcoming Bedtime Woes|summary=Everyone knows the cry of ''I want Faiz Kermani talks to Bookbag about how a glass of water!blue frog is helping Malawi'' Bedtime can be a real problem, with s vulnerable children not wanting to settle down to sleep, being scared of the dark, or even frightened of being left alone. These picture books address the issues in a gentle mannerlive safe, helping kids better understand their fears healthy and thus overcome them. It's not all serious though: there's happy lives|summary=Every child has a good smattering of humour too, which makes them great fun right to read. Why not [mailto:sue@thebookbag.co.uk tell us] about your favourite books for overcoming bedtime woes?medical care
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Jane Mitchell
|summary=Bookbag loved Jane Mitchell's novel [[Chalkline by Jane Mitchell|Chalkline]] and was delighted to ask her some questions about it. It's a powerful story of a child soldier in Kashmir. It's beautifully written with great accuracy, doesn't flinch from its subject, but maintains a deeply affecting humanity.
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|title=July 2009 Newsletter
|summary=Ok, so we lied. Andy Murray didn't win Wimbledon. He will one day, though, and he did well, didn't he? AQA's prediction of doom this month? England will win the Ashes. Titter ye not, there's hope yet. One half of the Bookbag management isn't too fussed about sporting results for the next few weeks though: Jill is off to Tuscany and she just can't wait. One third of a suitcase is dedicated to books, so expect some relaxed-sounding and very generous reviews when she gets back, sated with sun, four cheese pizza and every flavour of ice cream the gelateria has to offer. Let's get down to business before she bursts with anticipation.
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|title=What's In Abi Silver Talks To The Bookbag About A Name?Few Of Her Favourite Things|summary= Kate Furnivall muses on the difficulty of getting ''just'We could definitely make a flying car – but that' s not the right title for hard part. The hard part is, how do you make a book.flying car that's super safe and quiet?'': Elon Musk
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|category=listsinterviews|title=Top Ten Books About AmericaThe Interview: Bookbag Talks To Daniel Peltz|summary=WeSue wasn't expecting to enjoy a novel about a ''building're posting this top ten in honour of the 4th of July and our friends across the pond. Big, brash, bold, ever-optimistic, there's no missing America. Here are our favourite books in which the United States, or parts of it, take centre stage. Why not but was surprised by just how compelling she found [[mailto:sue@thebookbag.coThe Indomitable Chiesa di Santa Maria by Daniel Peltz|The Indomitable Chiesa di Santa Maria]].uk tell us] about your favourite books There was a lot to chat about America? By the way, did you know that the 4th of July is also Liberation Day in Rwanda, St Bertha's day (who dat?!) and Michael Johnson's birthday. We've stolen him away for BBC athletics punditry. Sorry, you can't have him backwhen author Daniel Peltz popped into Bookbag Towers.
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|title=Top Ten Children's Self-Published Books About Weighty Subjects2017|summary=Bookbag's certain belief is that fiction is perfectly placed to incite topical and philosophical debate amongst Choosing the young. It enables them to explore dangerous and painful subjects vicariously, so they're engaged emotionally, but have enough distance to feel secure and safe whilst doing it. We bemoan political uninterest top ten self-published books we read in our teenagers, so what more perfect way than a good book is there to energise them about 2017 was one of the social issues that affect us toughest jobs we did all? year and involved a great deal of discussion. Here are some of 's our favourites, but there are many, many morefinal top ten in alphabetical order by author. Why not [mailto:sue@thebookbag.co.uk tell us] about your favourites too?
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|category=listsinterviews|title=Booktrust Teenage Prize 2009The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Chit Dubey|summary=The 2009 Booktrust Teenage Prize longlist has been announced. Last year's winner Sue was quietly impressed when she read [[The Knife Of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness]] 21 Doors to Happiness: Life Through Travel Experiences and previous winners include [[Henry Tumour Meditation by Anthony McGowanChit Dubey]] and [[The Curious Incident as it chimed with her personal view of the Dog in the Night Time by Mark Haddon]]life. Teenagers can apply She was delighted when Chit Dubey popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to be judges at [http://www.booktrust.org.uk/Prizes-and-awards/Booktrust-Teenage-Prize Booktrust.org.uk] before 27 July. The winner will be announced in November. Here's what Bookbag thought of the books. Why not [mailto:sue@thebookbag.co.uk tell us] what you thought too.}} {{newfeature|category=lists|title=Independent Booksellers' Prize 2009|summary=The 2009 Independent Booksellers' Prize shortlist has been announced. You can vote for your favourite in independent bookshops around the UK, until 28 August, so get out there and support your friendly local bookseller! The winner will be announced in September. Here's what Bookbag thought of them. Why not [mailto:sue@thebookbag.co.uk tell us] about your favourites too?
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{{newfeature
|category=newsletters
|title=June 2009 Newsletter
|summary=Hi again from Bookbag Towers. There's some stop press news: Andy Murray's going to win Wimbledon. You heard it first here. What year this might happen, well, we're reserving judgement. Jill's younger son is convinced it's this year though, so make sure you tune in. In the unlikely event you're not a great fan of tennis - and Jill's son thinks this is a silly thing to say, since everyone is a great fan of tennis, and cricket, and football, and rugby - then read on Macduff, we have some great books to talk about this month.
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{{newfeature
|category=lists
|title=Top Ten Adult Books That Teens Should Read
|summary=Do you remember your first foray into adult fiction? We certainly do. There's a whole world of grown up books out there just waiting for you, and it's so exciting. Quality genre stuff is ideal for the child ready to move up a level, and anything involving a young protagonist is also great. Here are our favourite ten suggestions. Why not [mailto:sue@thebookbag.co.uk tell us] about your favourites? On the flip-side of the coin, adults will love our [[Top Ten Teen Books That Adults Should Read]].
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{{newfeature
|category=lists
|title=Top Ten Books For Your Father
|summary=Dads deserve presents. They deserve an opportunity to put their feet up with a good book and relax. Whether it be for father's day, a birthday, Christmas, or just to show him that you love him, these are the perfect gifts to buy for your father. Why not [mailto:sue@thebookbag.co.uk tell us] about your favourites books for your dad?
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{{newfeature
|category=comments
|title=Orange Prize for Fiction 2009Melita Thomas Talks To Bookbag About The King's Pearl: Henry VIII and his Daughter Mary|summary= Dawn Powell didn’t manage to get to the awards ceremony of the Orange Prize for Fiction 2009, but she did manage to get to the shortlist event at the Southbank Centre the day before (2nd June). She reports on the highlights of the event.Melita Thomas tell us that Mary was a true Renaissance Princess
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{{newfeature
|category=listsinterviews|title=Top Ten Book Recommendations From TwitterersThe Interview: Bookbag Talks To Elizabeth Fox and Martin le Comte|summary=We love Twitter. It's a great way to keep in touch with authors Peter thought that [[The Ten Golden Rules of Leadership by Elizabeth Fox and other Martin le Comte|The Ten Golden Rules of Leadership]] was the best book fans, hear what theyon leadership he're up to, share what we're up to d ever read and find out whathe couldn's going on in the world of books. If you've not already seen the [http://twitter.com/TheBookbag Bookbag Twitter feed], get clicking! Inspired by Judy Astley's self-proclaimed (t resist asking authors Elizabeth Fox and Martin le Comte quite a few questions when they came to Bookbag-admired) media-tart cheek, we asked people on Twitter what their favourite Bookbag reviews were. Here's what they said. Huge thanks Towers to chat to [http://twitter.com/Judyastley Judy Astley], [http://twitter.com/EliseBlackwell Elise Blackwell], [http://twitter.com/RayBeckerman Ray Beckerman], [http://twitter.com/agnieszkasshoes Agnieszka's Shoes], [http://twitter.com/ninadouglas Nina Douglas], [http://twitter.com/steveemecz Steve Emecz], [http://twitter.com/TamsynTweetie Tamsyn Tweetie], [http://twitter.com/BenjaminGlover Benjamin Glover] and [http://twitter.com/JasonMarkCurley Jason Mark Curley]us.
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|category=listsinterviews|title=Top Ten Beach Reads For TeensThe Interview: Bookbag Talks To Gabe Riggs|summary=For fear of hearing the dreaded phrase "I'm booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooored" on the beach this summerLuke thought that [[Punk Love Foucault by Gabe Riggs]] was an intense, fling your teen this must-emotional and visceral read list before you gothat illuminates and educates with a strong voice and clear, capable prose. Kerry's picked her favourite holiday reads for teenagers There was a lot to talk about when Gabe popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us. Why not [mailto:sue@thebookbag.co.uk tell us] about your favourites?
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|category=interviews
|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Penelope EvansSandra Aragona|summary=Bookbag Sue loved Penelope EvansSandra Aragona' s lightly-fictionalised [[The Weight of Water Sorting the Priorities: Ambassadress and Beagle Survive Diplomacy by Penelope EvansSandra Aragona|The Weight of Waterautobiography]] and couldn't resist the opportunity of life as a diplomatic spouse. There was a lot that she wanted to ask her some questions about her workwhen Sandra popped into Bookbag Towers.
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{{newfeature
|category=listsinterviews|title=Top Ten Beach Reads For GirlsThe Interview: Bookbag Talks To K J Lawrence|summary=Ah, summer's hereSue was delighted when she read [[The Cossack by K J Lawrence|The Cossack]] as it restored her faith in the thriller genre. The sun is shining, When the sky is clearauthor, the weather is gorgeousK J Lawrence, and the planes flying overhead look mighty tempting. What's nicer than lying on the beach with a bookpopped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us, soaking up the sun and losing yourself in Sue had quite a good book. Kerry's picked her favourite holiday reads for women. Men can check out the [[Top Ten Beach Reads For Boys]]. (Of course, there's nothing stopping men enjoying these choices and vice versafew questions ready!) Why not [mailto:sue@thebookbag.co.uk tell us] about your favourites?
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{{newfeature
|category=listsinterviews|title=Top Ten Beach Reads For BoysThe Interview: Bookbag Talks To Stuart Burrell|summary=Ah, summerSue found Start Burrell's here. book [[Twelve Times To The sun is shiningMax: One Man's Journey to, the sky is clearand Recollections of, the weather is gorgeous, and the planes flying overhead look mighty tempting. WhatSetting Twelve Verified World Records by Stuart Burrell|Twelve Times To The Max: One Man's nicer than lying on the beach with a bookJourney to, soaking up the sun and losing yourself in a good book. Kerry's picked her favourite holiday reads for men. Women can check out the [[Top Ten Beach Reads For GirlsRecollections of, Setting Twelve Verified World Records]]. (Of coursean inspiring, there's nothing stopping women enjoying these choices and vice versa!) Why not [mailto:sue@thebookbagfeel-good read.co She wanted to know more when Stuart popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us.uk tell us] about your favourites?
}}
 
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|category=interviews
|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Marcus SedgwickWes Stuart|summary=Bookbag loved Marcus Sedgwick's Luke enjoyed the combination of compellingly-written science fiction which blends themes of innocence and growth with some well depicted moments of horror in [[Revolver My Name is Sam by Marcus SedgwickWes Stuart|RevolverMy Name is Sam]]. It's densely written and chilling in every sense of the word. We jumped at the opportunity he had quite a few questions for author Wes Stuart when he popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to ask him some questions about his workus.
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{{newfeature
|category=newslettersinterviews|title=May 2009 NewsletterThe Interview: Bookbag Talks To B C R Fegan|summary=Hello! Wimbledon has Sue giggled like a new roof, did you see? At child when she read [[Henry and the rate rain is coming down at Bookbag Towers, it's looking as though Hidden Treasure by B C R Fegan and Lenny Wen]]: it's going to be needed. We're still holding out for a heatwave though. Last month, we told you about our new text alert service and asked for feedback. We've listened to what you had to say, and made good story with some changesvaluable lessons. There are now four services: BOOKS2U (adults), TEENBOOK2U (teens), KIDBOOKS2U (8-13s) and SHARING2U (2-7s). Each will send just one text It was a week costing 25p, so you can mix and match what you'd like to receive. We're hoping to add more services for adults in the future, but let's see how you like version two first.}} {{newfeature|category=lists|title=The Guardian Children's Fiction Prize 2009|summary=We've been looking at the books longlisted for The Guardian's Children's Fiction Prize 2009 and we're impressed. Picking the shortlist - never mind the winner - is going real pleasure to be no easy job. }} {{newfeature|category=lists|title=Top Ten Books About London|summary=You might not share Dr Johnson's famous sentiment, but London is certainly one of the world's - and literature's - iconic cities. It inspired countless non-fiction books, it is a customary setting of a lot of popular novels, from Dickens chat to modern chick-lit, and sometimes it becomes a character in its own right. writer B C R Fegan when he popped into Bookbag selected its very own top ten London books: a list as diverse and idiosyncratic as the city itself. There is history and crime, politics and literature, and even an alternative London in a parallel worldTowers. Why not [mailto:sue@thebookbag.co.uk tell us] about your favourites?
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{{newfeature
|category=interviews
|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Sarah DyerAnnie Ingram|summary=Bookbag Very few people believe that dogs can talk so it was charmed by the unique illustrations something of a relief when Sue met author, Annie Ingram. She has lengthy conversations with her cocker spaniel Kammie and quirky tale has shared them with us in her [[The Girl With The Bird's Nest Hair Conversations with Kammie by Sarah DyerAnnie Ingram|book]]. We jumped at the chance There was a lot to ask Sarah some questions talk about her workwhen she popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us.
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{{newfeature
|category=lists
|title=Top Ten Books for Young Readers That Feature a Passage Between Worlds
|summary=Magda has compiled her top ten novels which feature a portal between worlds. In most of them, a character from our reality enters an alternative (and often, but not always, a magical) world, but in some, the journey is the other way, or both worlds are different from ours. Why not [mailto:sue@thebookbag.co.uk tell us] about your favourites?
}}
 
{{newfeature
|category=interviews
|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Michelle LovricStephan Santiago|summary=Bookbag loved Michelle Lovric's Ani was quietly moved by [[The Undrowned Child Returning Home by Michelle LovricStephan Santiago|The Undrowned ChildReturning Home]]. It's a wonderful alternate world historical fantasy, pitting myth and legend against science. We jumped at the opportunity there were several points she wanted to discuss with author Stephan Santiago when he popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to ask her a few questionsus.
}}
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