Features
Check out the full lists of interviews, top tens and articles.
File:Booknewsletters.jpg August 2010 Newsletter
Hello! How are you? We're all good here at Bookbag Towers. Jill is dealing with a glut of runner beans. Sue is enjoying her new office. Keith is making new pals in deepest Wales. And we're all reading lots and lots of lovely books.
As we now have more than four thousand reviews on the site, we were wondering how you prefer to navigate them, and so we thought we'd tell you about our recommendations page this month. It gives some good options for finding a book you'd really like to read. If you're into all things new, you can check out the newest reviews sorted by category. If it's themes you're looking for, try our extensive list of top tens. The highest rated reviews by genre are the creme de la creme, although if you like browsing a bit more broadly, then you'll enjoy rummaging through all the 5 star reviews. On the other hand, if you're feeling lucky, you can just read a random review. Read more...
The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Alan Durant
Bookbag fell head over heels in love with Unfortunately by Alan Durant and Simon Rickerty - unfortunately we can't stop reading it, but fortunately it's super. We leapt at the opportunity to ask Alan Durant some questions. Read more...
File:Booknewsletters.jpg July 2010 Newsletter
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 this month. We're not far away from a site containing five thousand book reviews and approaching that milestone has pulled us up short. At Bookbag's birth five years ago, if you'd told us Read more...
The Interview: Bookbag Talks To David Gatward
Bookbag thought The Dark, a book of zombie horror positioning itself firmly in the Darren Shan market, provided strong characters, an interesting premise and a wonderful sufficiency of gore. So, naaturally, we enjoyed asking David Gatward all about writing it. Read more...
The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Melanie Welsh
Bookbag thought Mistress of the Storm was full of seafaring adventure, mystery and intrigue. Naturally, we jumped at the chance to shiver some timbers and buckle some swash with her. This is what we talked about! Read more...
The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Heather Gudenkauf
Bookbag found The Weight of Silence to be an impressive debut with plenty of suspense and unexpected twists. We were delighted by the opportunity to ask Heather Gudenkauf some questions about it. Read more...
File:Booknewsletters.jpg June 2010 Newsletter
Vuvuzelas, eh? Who'd 'ave 'em? Personally, here at Bookbag Towers, we prefer vuvuzelas to the World Cup but even we know that's a sacrilegious remark and so we shall say no more about it...
... 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 a separate piece of luggage just for our books, and we carry it everywhere we go, no matter how heavy it gets. Fancy being stuck on holiday with nothing to read! Now that is sacrilege! Read more...
The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Joel Stewart
Bookbag has really enjoyed Joel Stewart's recent work, including Dexter Bexley And The Big Blue Beastie On The Road and Have You Ever Seen A Sneep? We were delighted when he agreed to answer some of our questions. Read more...
The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Anthony Browne
Bookbag has long loved Anthony Browne's work - particularly Little Beauty. After being enthralled by the Children's Laureate's latest offering, Me and You, we jumped at the chance to ask him some questions. Read more...
The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Joanne Owen
Bookbag was really intrigued by The Alchemist and the Angel by Joanne Owen. It's a rather unique historical fantasy, well-researched and bursting with fascinating detail. Those with a taste for colourful and slightly gothic folklore will love it, and Bookbag was delighted to ask Joanne Owen some questions. Read more...
The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Pete Johnson
Bookbag really enjoyed The Vampire Blog by Pete Johnson, with its one liners and a horror element at a level perfect for late primary school readers. We jumped at the opportunity to interview Pete Johnson, and are glad we did: there's an exclusive revelation about a sequel! Read more...
The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Mavis Cheek
We thought that Mavis Cheek's Truth to Tell was a good story, thought-provoking, beautifully written and laugh out loud funny in places. We wondered what more we could want and decided that we couldn't resist the opportunity to ask Mavis a few questions. Read more...
File:Booknewsletters.jpg May 2010 Newsletter
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 is a silver lining in every cloud and we at Bookbag Towers see a good book as the best response to all of the above. Books don't cost a great deal of money and most of us can afford to buy them, even in these straitened times. And even if we can't, we can always go to 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 alone. Read more...
Carnegie Medal Shortlist 2010
We know that the judges are going to have a difficult time in choosing a winner - we wouldn't like to have their job! Read more...
The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Gregory Hughes
Gregory Hughes's Unhooking the Moon 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, and the most entrancing central character you're ever likely to meet. Unsurprisingly, we jumped at the chance of asking Gregory a few questions. Read more...
File:Booknewsletters.jpg April 2010 Newsletter
We've been reading like crazy this month as the books have been pouring in - and there have been some very positive reviews from very satisfied reviewers, so do come visit. There's bound to be something you like. Overall, we're feeling rather happy here at Bookbag Towers. We have good books to read. The sun has come out. We weren't abroad when the volcanic ash cloud hit and we didn't know anybody that was, either - although we did feel very sorry for the poor people who were. Volcanos, eh? Who'd 'ave 'em? Read more...
The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Anthony McGowan
Bookbag has always loved Anthony McGowan's work, including The Knife That Killed Me and Henry Tumour. After laughing throughout his latest work (Einstein's Underpants - And How They Saved The World) we couldn't resist the opportunity to ask him some questions. Read more...
File:Booknewsletters.jpg March 2010 Newsletter
Looking forward to the Easter break? We certainly are - and if someone doesn't buy Jill an egg from Montezuma's this year, her nearest and dearest are going to be very, very sorry. We have been busy fund-raising for Sport Relief, 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 the Trees by Pauline Fisk and The Island by Sarah Singleton. They're very different books, but they're both great. Read more...
The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Julie Cohen
Julie Cohen's Nina Jones and the Temple of Gloom is funny, quirky, compelling and intelligent - chick lit at its best - so we jumped at the opportunity to interview her. Read more...
File:Booknewsletters.jpg February 2010 Newsletter
Hello, hello, hello! How are you? Less snowy than when we last spoke? Good, so are we. It's fun for a day or so, that white stuff, isn't it? After that though, it just becomes a slog. We at Bookbag are clinging to the hope that the fabled barbeque summer comes a year late, and 2010 will be a scorcher. A little bit of snow and a lot of sunshine, that's what we like. Read more...
The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Ellie Sandall
Ellie Sandall's Birdsong features a superb rhyme woven around lots of different bird calls. It's a picture book that any young book fan will love, so we jumped at the opportunity to interview her. Read more...
The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Gary Blackwood
Bookbag devoured Gary Blackwood's Mysterious Messages - A History of Codes and Ciphers and couldn't resist the opportunity to ask him a few questions. Read more...
File:Booknewsletters.jpg November 2009 Newsletter
Firstly, an apology: if you have visited us and had problems over the last few weeks, then we are very sorry. We had some problems (you might even call them arguments) with our hosting company and we have now moved to a home that is much more welcoming. It's more suited 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 two. Read more...
The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Paul Howard
Bookbag really enjoyed Paul Howard's illustrations in The Penguin Who Wanted To Find Out and couldn't resist the opportunity to ask him a few questions. Read more...
The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Hilary McKay
Bookbag really enjoyed Hilary McKay's Wishing For Tomorrow (the sequel to A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett) and couldn't resist the opportunity to ask her a few questions. Read more...
Top Ten Picture Books For Halloween
Boo! If our Top Ten Books For Children Who Love To Be Scared Silly was too... well, scary for you, then this is the selection for you. There are witches, pumpkins and black cats in abundance, so the littlest ones can join in with the Halloween fun, but there's nothing that'll give them nightmares. Why not tell us about your favourites? Read more...
File:Booknewsletters.jpg October 2009 Newsletter
Hi again from Bookbag Towers. The banner headline this month: one of us had suspected swine flu. Nobody will actually give you a diagnosis though, so you lay sweating and shivering on the sofa and take your Tamiflu, but you've no idea at all whether or not you'll have 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 by giving 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 time. Read more...
Top Ten Books For Your Girlfriend
Whether it's a birthday, Christmas, or just a random occasion to tell her you love her, books make great presents for girlfriends. Yes, yes, we know we're playing up to all the stereotypes with historical fiction, romance, celebrities, and lashings of chick lit, but you know she's going to enjoy them. If it's an anniversary and she's looking to get you a gift too, then make sure to point her in the direction of our Top Ten Books For Your Boyfriend. Why not tell us about your favourite books to get for your girlfriend? Read more...
Top Ten Books For Your Boyfriend
Whether it's a birthday, Christmas, or just a random occasion to tell him you love him, books make great presents for boyfriends. Yes, yes, we know we're playing up to all the stereotypes with books about sport, music, trivia and everyone's favourite secret agent, but you know he's going to enjoy them. If it's an anniversary and he's looking to get you a gift too, then make sure to point him in the direction of our Top Ten Books For Your Girlfriend. Why not tell us about your favourite books to get for your boyfriend? Read more...
The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Ian Stewart
Bookbag loved Ian Stewart's Hoard of Mathematical Treasures and couldn't resist the opportunity to ask him a few questions. We're delighted we did, as his answers are fascinating! Read more...
The Interview: Bookbag Talks To David Barrie
Bookbag was impressed by David Barrie's debut novel, Wasp-Waisted and couldn't resist the opportunity to ask him a few questions. Read more...
Top Ten Books To Drag The Kids Away From Computer Games For Ten Minutes At Least
Truth be told, we like computer games - they're great fun, a good way to let off steam, and man cannot survive on books alone. (What we don't like are Bluetooth headsets providing a constant commentary - 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 tell us about your favourites? Read more...
File:Booknewsletters.jpg September 2009 Newsletter
It's been 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 with sandbags, and Sue's dogs did much the same - we think it's all ok now. We're very sorry if 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 section, which has the low down on this year's Booker prize. Jill is rooting for the utterly sublime Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel. What would you like to see win it? Read more...
The Interview: Bookbag Talks To K S Turner
Bookbag thinks that Kate Turner's Before the Gods is something rather special and we couldn't resist the opportunity to ask her a few questions. Read more...
Man Booker Prize 2009
We have reviews of all the books on the longlist and we'll let you know the winner as soon as we hear! Read more...
File:Booknewsletters.jpg August 2009 Newsletter
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 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 them, aren't you, what with the barbecue summer that never was.... Read more...
The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Ben Kane
Bookbag loved Ben Kane's first two novels - The Forgotten Legion and The Silver Eagle, which bring Roman times to vivid life. He mixes history and emotion beautifully, making 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 Bookbag style. Read more...
Top Ten Picture Books For Overcoming Bedtime Woes
Everyone knows the cry of I want a glass of water! Bedtime can be a real problem, with 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 manner, helping kids better understand their fears and thus overcome them. It's not all serious though: there's a good smattering of humour too, which makes them great fun to read. Why not tell us about your favourite books for overcoming bedtime woes? Read more...
The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Jane Mitchell
Bookbag loved Jane Mitchell's novel 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. Read more...
File:Booknewsletters.jpg July 2009 Newsletter
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. Read more...
What's In A Name?
Kate Furnivall muses on the difficulty of getting just the right title for a book. Read more...
Top Ten Books About America
We'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 tell us about your favourite books 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 back. Read more...
Top Ten Children's Books About Weighty Subjects
Bookbag's certain belief is that fiction is perfectly placed to incite topical and philosophical debate amongst 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 in our teenagers, so what more perfect way than a good book is there to energise them about the social issues that affect us all? Here are some of our favourites, but there are many, many more. Why not tell us about your favourites too? Read more...
Booktrust Teenage Prize 2009
The 2009 Booktrust Teenage Prize longlist has been announced. Last year's winner was The Knife Of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness and previous winners include Henry Tumour by Anthony McGowan and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time by Mark Haddon. Teenagers can apply to be judges at Booktrust.org.uk before 27 July. The winner will be announced in November. Here's what Bookbag thought of the books. Why not tell us what you thought too. Read more...
Independent Booksellers' Prize 2009
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 tell us about your favourites too? Read more...
File:Booknewsletters.jpg June 2009 Newsletter
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. Read more...
Top Ten Adult Books That Teens Should Read
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 tell us about your favourites? On the flip-side of the coin, adults will love our Top Ten Teen Books That Adults Should Read. Read more...
Top Ten Books For Your Father
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 tell us about your favourites books for your dad? Read more...
Orange Prize for Fiction 2009
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. Read more...
Top Ten Book Recommendations From Twitterers
We love Twitter. It's a great way to keep in touch with authors and other book fans, hear what they're up to, share what we're up to and find out what's going on in the world of books. If you've not already seen the Bookbag Twitter feed, get clicking! Inspired by Judy Astley's self-proclaimed (and Bookbag-admired) media-tart cheek, we asked people on Twitter what their favourite Bookbag reviews were. Here's what they said. Huge thanks to Judy Astley, Elise Blackwell, Ray Beckerman, Agnieszka's Shoes, Nina Douglas, Steve Emecz, Tamsyn Tweetie, Benjamin Glover and Jason Mark Curley. Read more...
Top Ten Beach Reads For Teens
For fear of hearing the dreaded phrase "I'm booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooored" on the beach this summer, fling your teen this must-read list before you go. Kerry's picked her favourite holiday reads for teenagers. Why not tell us about your favourites? Read more...
The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Penelope Evans
Bookbag loved Penelope Evans' The Weight of Water and couldn't resist the opportunity to ask her some questions about her work. Read more...
Top Ten Beach Reads For Girls
Ah, summer's here. The sun is shining, the sky is clear, the weather is gorgeous, and the planes flying overhead look mighty tempting. What's nicer than lying on the beach with a book, soaking up the sun and losing yourself in 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 versa!) Why not tell us about your favourites? Read more...
Top Ten Beach Reads For Boys
Ah, summer's here. The sun is shining, the sky is clear, the weather is gorgeous, and the planes flying overhead look mighty tempting. What's nicer than lying on the beach with a book, 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 Girls. (Of course, there's nothing stopping women enjoying these choices and vice versa!) Why not tell us about your favourites? Read more...
The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Marcus Sedgwick
Bookbag loved Marcus Sedgwick's Revolver. It's densely written and chilling in every sense of the word. We jumped at the opportunity to ask him some questions about his work. Read more...
File:Booknewsletters.jpg May 2009 Newsletter
Hello! Wimbledon has a new roof, did you see? At the rate rain is coming down at Bookbag Towers, it's looking as though 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 some changes. There are now four services: BOOKS2U (adults), TEENBOOK2U (teens), KIDBOOKS2U (8-13s) and SHARING2U (2-7s). Each will send just one text 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. Read more...
The Guardian Children's Fiction Prize 2009
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 to be no easy job. Read more...
Top Ten Books About London
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 to modern chick-lit, and sometimes it becomes a character in its own right. 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 world. Why not tell us about your favourites? Read more...
The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Sarah Dyer
Bookbag was charmed by the unique illustrations and quirky tale in The Girl With The Bird's Nest Hair by Sarah Dyer. We jumped at the chance to ask Sarah some questions about her work. Read more...
Top Ten Books for Young Readers That Feature a Passage Between Worlds
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 tell us about your favourites? Read more...
The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Michelle Lovric
Bookbag loved Michelle Lovric's The Undrowned Child. It's a wonderful alternate world historical fantasy, pitting myth and legend against science. We jumped at the opportunity to ask her a few questions. Read more...
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