Changes

<!-- Pop Up Projects -->{{Frontpage|isbn=1737030942|title=Bag O'Goodies|author=Jolly Walker Bittick|rating=4|genre= Anthologies|summary=Sometimes, you deserve a treat and mine was Jolly Walker Bittick's ''Bag O'Goodies''. I first encountered his writing about a year ago, when I read his [[image:PUP_RisingCape Henry House by Jolly Walker Bittick|Cape Henry House]], a rollicking tale of what happens when five young men find a base for their partying. Right now, I didn't want a full-length novel, so I turned to this anthology of verse and short stories. Bittick's writing has matured - and so have his characters. Well...jpgmost of them!}}{{Frontpage|isbn=140638853X|title=Somebody Give This Heart a Pen|author=Sophia Thakur|leftrating=5|linkgenre=https://wwwAnthologies|summary=Sophia Thakur's debut anthology is a collection of poems that are all unique, whether in relation to their style, length or theme. The collection is split into four sections, titled 'grow', 'wait','break' and 'grow again', guiding you through a process which is one of the foundations that the anthology is built on.amazonEach section begins with a foregrounded title page containing various small pieces of writing, ranging from a quote by a Nigerian playwright, to African proverbs.coThis provides a nice introduction to the section before you are immersed in the beautifully written and eloquent poems that Thakur has clearly put her heart and soul into.uk/gp/product/1910959375?ie}}{{Frontpage|isbn=UTF8&tag1789016789|title=thebookbag-21&linkCodeYou're the Froth On My Soy Cappuccino: Poems for the Present|author=as2&campDon Behrend|rating=1634&creative4|genre=6738&creativeASINAnthologies|summary=1910959375]]''You're the Froth On My Soy Cappuccino'' begins with ''A Modern Love Story'':

[[image:4star.jpgHa! How can you not laugh at this gently mocking take on love in the hipster world? }}{{Frontpage|linkisbn=CategoryPUP_Rising|title=Rising Stars:{{{New Young Voices in Poetry|author=Pop Up Projects|rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Anthologies=4|genre=Anthologies]] |summary=This collection brings together five emerging voices in poetry. And despite what the publisher says, I wouldn't personally impose an age restriction on the writing here. Each poet uses words that will appeal to many readers. I found this particularly so with Jay Hulme's poetry. [[Rising Stars: New Young Voices in Poetry by Pop Up Projects|Full Review]]<br> <br> <br>}}{{Frontpage|isbn=Stevenson_Garden|title=A Child's Garden of Verses<!-- |author=Robert Louis Stevenson -->[[image:Stevenson_Garden.jpg|leftrating=2|linkgenre=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1910959103?ie=UTF8&tag=thebookbag-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1910959103]]Anthologies|summary===[[A Child's Garden of Verses by Robert Robert Louis Stevenson]]=== [[image:2star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Anthologies|Anthologies]] [[:Category:Children's Rhymes and Verse|Children's Rhymes and Verse]] Robert Louis Stevenson was a very versatile writer; he delved deep into the human psyche when he wrote was a very versatile writer; he delved deep into the human psyche when he wrote ''The Strange Case of Doctor Jekyll and Mr Hyde'' but he did not restrict himself to representations of the gothic and the persecuted. He also wrote brilliant children's adventure stories such as ''Treasure Island'' and ''Kidnapped'', but, again, he did not restrict himself to prose writing because here he demonstrates his ability to write poetry. [[A Child's Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson}}{{Frontpage|Full Review]]<br> <!-- isbn=Esiri -->Poem[[image:Esiri Poem.jpg|left|linktitle=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1509860541?ie=UTF8&tag=thebookbag-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1509860541]] ===[[A Poem A Poem for Every Day of the Year by |author=Allie Esiri]]=|rating=4|genre=Anthologies [[image:4star.jpg|linksummary=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Anthologies|Anthologies]] [[:Category:Children's Rhymes For those who do not read much poetry, for those who do not know where to start, this is a fun and Verse|Children's Rhymes and Verse]] For those who do not read much poetry, for those who do not know where to start, this is a fun and easy commitment to take on. easy commitment to take on. Reading a poem a day does not take long, mere minutes, and with over three-hundred poems in here there's bound to be a poem that speaks to each reader directly. [[A Poem for Every Day of the Year by Allie Esiri|Full Review]]<br> <br> <br>}}{{Frontpage|isbn=Herbertson_Wordsworth|title=William and Dorothy Wordsworth: A Miscellany<!-- Herbertson -->|author=Gavin Herbertson[[image:Herbertson_Wordsworth.jpg|leftrating=5|linkgenre=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1903385598?ie=UTF8&tag=thebookbag-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1903385598]]Anthologies|summary===[[William William Wordsworth was a defining member of the romantic literary era. He was part of the first wave, and Dorothy Wordsworth: A Miscellany by Gavin Herbertson]]=== [[image:5starhis poetry helped to shape a large part of it.jpg|link=CategoryNature was the key:{{{rating}}existing in nature, finding one's own true nature and becoming natural in the process were the driving forces behind it.}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Anthologies|Anthologies]]{{FrontpageWilliam Wordsworth was a defining member of the romantic literary era. He was part of the first wave, |isbn=Mahfouz_Muslim|title=The Things I Would Tell You: British Muslim Women Write|author=Sabrina Mahfouz|rating=5|genre=Anthologies|summary=What does it mean to be British and his poetry helped to shape Muslim? This is a large part question these writers tackle with stunning clarity. Modern-day British society has a varied sense of cultural heritage; it. Nature was the key: existing in natureis a society that is changing and moving forward as it adds more and more voices to the population, finding but it is also one's own true nature that has an undercurrent of anxiety and becoming natural in the process were fear towards those who are minorities. So this collection displays how all that fear is received; it comes in the driving forces behind it. [[William form of stereotypical labels and Dorothy Wordsworth: A Miscellany by Gavin Herbertson|Full Review]]racial prejudice, which are themes eloquently reproduced here.<br> <br> <br>}}{{Frontpage|isbn=Holland Cheap<!-- Mahfouz -->|title=View from the Cheap Seats[[image:Mahfouz_Muslim.jpg|leftauthor=Barry Holland|linkrating=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0863561462?ie4|genre=UTF8&tagAnthologies|summary=thebookbag-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=0863561462]] ===[[The Things I Would Tell YouA little bit about Barry Holland: British Muslim Women Write by Sabrina Mahfouz]]=== [[image:5starhe was born in Newport, South Wales, to working-class parents.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Anthologies|Anthologies]] [[:Category:Literary Fiction|Literary Fiction]] What does He loves rugby and his son - his son is his favourite rugby player, which is just as it mean to should be British and Muslim? This . He is a question these writers tackle with stunning clarityqualified engineer but is unable to work because of mental ill-health. Modern day British society has All of these things feed into ''View from the Cheap Seats'', which is a varied sense collection of cultural heritage; it is a society that is changing poems and moving forward imaginings as it adds more vivid and more voices to the population, but it is also one that has an undercurrent of anxiety immediate and fear towards those who are minoritiesstriking as you could hope for. So this collection displays how all that fear is received; it comes in the form of stereotypical labels Barry sounds like a thoroughly nice bloke and racial prejudice, which are themes eloquently reproduced herehis book was a pleasure to read. [[The Things I Would Tell You: British Muslim Women Write by Sabrina Mahfouz|Full Review]]<br>}}{{Frontpage<!-- Holland -->|isbn=Marshall EFT[[image:Holland Cheap.jpg|lefttitle=The Book of English Folk Tales|linkauthor=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1524633127?ieSybil Marshall and John Lawrence|rating=UTF8&tag=thebookbag-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1524633127]]4|genre===[[View from the Cheap Seats by Barry Holland]]===Anthologies [[image:4star.jpg|linksummary=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Anthologies|Anthologies]] A little bit about Barry Holland: he was born in Newport, South Wales, to working class parents. He loves rugby and his son - his son is his favourite rugby player, which is just as it should be. He From ghosts to witches, to giants and fairies, ''The Book of English Folk Tales'' is a qualified engineer but is unable to work because fascinating collection of mental ill healthstories retold by social historian and folklorist Sybil Marshall. All Out of these things feed into ''View from the Cheap Seats''print for over three decades, which this beautiful new clothbound edition is a collection of poems complete with wood-engraved illustrations by John Lawrence and imaginings as vivid and immediate and striking as you could hope for. Barry sounds like is sure to capture the attention of a thoroughly nice bloke and his book was a pleasure to readnew generation of lovers of folklore.<br>}}<!-- Marshall -->{{Frontpage[[image:Marshall EFT.jpg|leftisbn=Trotman_Winter|linktitle=httpsWinter://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1468313177?ieA Book for the Season|author=UTF8&tagFelicity Trotman (editor)|rating=thebookbag-21&linkCode4|genre=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1468313177]]Anthologies|summary===[[The Book This seasonal anthology contains a nice mixture of English Folk Tales by Sybil Marshall poetry, nature and travel pieces, and John Lawrence]]=== [[imageexcerpts from longer works of fiction. Felicity Trotman, a freelance editor and member of the English Civil War Society, has arranged the material into three sections:4star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Anthologies|Anthologies]]'The Old Year', 'Christmas, Sacred and Secular', [[:Category:Short Stories|Short Stories]] From ghosts to witches, to giants and fairies, ''The Book of English Folk TalesNew Year'' is a fascinating collection . This creates an appropriate sense of stories retold by social historian chronological progression and folklorist Sybil Marshallalso serves to make Christmas the heart of the book. Out of print for over three decadesBlack-and-white illustrations – maps, photographs and engravings – are interspersed throughout, this beautiful new clothbound edition is complete with wood engraved illustrations by John Lawrence and is sure to capture the attention of each author gets a new generation short paragraph of lovers of folklorebiography and background. [[The Book of English Folk Tales by Sybil Marshall and John Lawrence|Full Review]]<br> <br> <br>}}{{Frontpage<!-- Trotman -->|isbn=Elphinstone_Winter|title=Winter Magic[[image:Trotman_Winter.jpg|leftauthor=Abi Elphinstone (Editor)|linkrating=https://www3.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1445664747?ie5|genre=UTF8&tagAnthologies|summary=thebookbag-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1445664747]] ===[[Winter: A Book for the Season by Felicity Trotman (editor)]]=== [[image:3With everything from dragons to mysterious crimes, voice-stealing witches to time travel, and magical worlds to first performances of world-famous ballets, this is a collection of short stories that delights from start to finish.5star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Anthologies|Anthologies]]of short stories can sometimes fall flat, [[:Category:Reference|Reference]] This seasonal anthology contains with one or two good ones and then a nice mixture bunch of poetrymediocre fillers, nature and travel piecesbut this collection has no weak links...all the stories are good, and excerpts from longer works most of fictionthem are brilliant. Felicity TrotmanI felt entirely caught up in each individual world as I read, a freelance editor and member of loving the English Civil War Society, has arranged the material into three sections: 'The Old Year', 'Christmas, Sacred varied and Secular', and 'extremely likeable heroines throughout.}}{{Frontpage|isbn=Phinn_Virgin|title=The New YearVirgin Mary'. This creates an appropriate sense of chronological progression, and also serves to make s Got Nits|author=Gervase Phinn|rating=4.5|genre=Anthologies|summary=Christmas in our house is the heart of the book. Black-time we tend to get on a plane and-white illustrations – mapshead to either sun or snow, photographs and engravings – are interspersed throughoutanywhere that is far, far away from the madness at home, last-minute dashes to the shops on Christmas Eve and each author gets a short paragraph of biography and background.<br> <!-- Elphinstone -->[[image:Elphinstone_Winterfood cupboard stockpiles that would imply supermarkets are shutting for a month, nor a mere 36 hours.jpg|left|link=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1471159809?ie=UTF8&tag=thebookbag-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1471159809]] ===[[Winter Magic by Abi Elphinstone (Editor)]]=== [[image:5starBut I do remember the feeling of Christmas when I was younger, back when it was magical, and back when you knew exactly what the season would bring with carol concerts and school nativities and Christmas parties.jpg|link=Category:This book is an anthology of those moments, and it took me right back to the wonder of Christmas as a child.}}{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Confident ReadersFrontpage|isbn=Ayrton_Pasaran|Confident Readers]], [[title=No Pasaran:Category:AnthologiesWritings from the Spanish Civil War|Anthologies]] With everything author=Pete Ayrton (editor)|rating=4|genre=Anthologies|summary=In ''¡No Pasarán!: Writings from dragons to mysterious crimesthe Spanish Civil War'', voice-stealing witches to time travel, and magical worlds to first performances Pete Ayrton has chosen a majority of world-famous balletstexts by Spanish writers, this is a collection of short stories arguing that delights the conflict has long been written about from start to finishthe point of view of the international brigades. Anthologies of short stories can sometimes fall flat, with one or two good ones and then a bunch of mediocre fillers, but this collection has no weak links}}{{Frontpage|isbn=Edwards_Manor|title=Murder at the Manor: Country House Mysteries (British Library Crime Classics)|author=Martin Edwards (editor)|rating=4...all the stories are good5|genre=Anthologies|summary=I'm not big on short stories, and most of them are brilliantbut two factors nudged me towards this book. I felt entirely caught up in each individual world as I read Firstly, it's broadly golden age crime, one of my weaknesses and secondly, loving the varied and extremely likeable heroines throughout. editor is [[Winter Magic by Abi Elphinstone (Editor):Category:Martin Edwards|Full ReviewMartin Edwards]]<br> <!-- Phinn -->[[image:Phinn_Virgin.jpg|left|link=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1444779400?ie=UTF8&tag=thebookbag-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1444779400]] ===[[The Virgin Mary, a man whose knowledge of golden age crime is probably unsurpassed and he's Got Nits by Gervase Phinn]]=== [[image:4.5star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Humour|Humour]], [[:Category:Anthologies|Anthologies]] Christmas in our house is the time we tend to get on a plane done us proud, not only with his selection but with the half-page biographies of the writers, which precede each story. There's just enough there to allow you to place the author and head to either sun or snowdirect you to other works if you're tempted. It's an elegant selection, anywhere that is far, far away from the madness at home, last minute dashes to the shops on Christmas Evewell known and the less well known, all set in and food cupboard stockpiles that would imply supermarkets are shutting for around the country house.}}{{Frontpage|isbn=Colfer_Place|title=Once Upon a month, nor a mere 36 hoursPlace|author=Eoin Colfer (editor)|rating=3. But I do remember 5|genre=Anthologies|summary=You know the feeling bit of Christmas when I was youngerthe blurb on every ''Artemis Fowl'' book, back when where Eoin Colfer had it was magical, and back when said about how you knew exactly what pronounce his name? That wasn't the season would bring with carol concerts intention of an up-and school nativities and Christmas parties-coming author to be recognisable; rather, it was pride. This book is an anthology Pride in the difference of those momentsit, and it took me right back to of the wonder Irishness of Christmas as a childit. [[The Virgin Mary's Got Nits by Gervase Phinn|Full Review]]<br> <!-- Ayrton -->[[image:Ayrton_Pasaran.jpg|left|link=https://www Ireland, it seems to me, is more full than usual of people, things and ideas, and places that are different by dint of their singular nationality – and so many deserve to have pride attached to them.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/184668997X?ie=UTF8&tag=thebookbag-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=184668997X]] ===[[No Pasaran: Writings from The places might not be the famous ones, but they can be the Spanish Civil War by Pete Ayrton (editor)]]===source of pride, and of stories, which is where this compilation of short works for the young comes in, with the authors invited to select their chosen place and write about it.}}{{Frontpage[[image:4star.jpg|linkisbn=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:AnthologiesCleeves_Murder|Anthologies]]title=The Starlings and Other Stories In ''¡No Pasarán!: Writings from the Spanish Civil War'', Pete Ayrton has chosen a majority of texts by Spanish writers, arguing that the conflict has long been written about from the point of view of the international brigades. [[No Pasaran: Writings from the Spanish Civil War by Pete Ayrton (editor)|Full Review]]<br> <br> <br> <!-- Edwards -->[[image:Edwards_Manor.jpg|left|link=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0712309934?ie=UTF8&tag=thebookbag-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=0712309934]] ===[[Murder at the Manor: Country House Mysteries (British Library Crime Classics) by Martin Edwards (editor)]]=== [[image:4.5star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Crime (Historical)|Crime (Historical)]], [[:Category:Anthologies|Anthologies]] I'm not big on short stories, but two factors nudged me towards this book. Firstly, it's broadly golden age crime, one of my weaknesses and secondly, the editor is [[:Category:Martin Edwards|Martin Edwards]], a man whose knowledge of golden age crime is probably unsurpassed and he's done us proud, not only with his selection, but with the half-page biographies of the writers, which precede each story. There's just enough there to allow you to place the author and to direct you to other works if you're tempted. It's an elegant selection, from the well known and the less well known, all set in and around the country house. [[Murder at the Manor: Country House Mysteries (British Library Crime Classics) by Martin Edwards (editor)|Full Review]]<br> <!-- Colfer -->[[image:Colfer_Place.jpg|left|link=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/191041137X?ie=UTF8&tag=thebookbag-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=191041137X]] ===[[Once Upon a Place by Eoin Colfer (editor)]]=== [[image:3.5star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Confident Readers|Confident Readers]], [[:Category:Anthologies|Anthologies]] You know the bit of the blurb on every ''Artemis Fowl'' book, where Eoin Colfer had it said about how you pronounce his name? That wasn't the intention of an up-and-coming author to be recognisable; rather, it was pride. Pride in the difference of it, of the Irishness of it. Ireland, it seems to me, is more full than usual of people, things and ideas, and places that are different by dint of their singular nationality – and so many deserve to have pride attached to them. The places might not be the famous ones, but they can be the source of pride, and of stories, which is where this compilation of short works for the young comes in, with the authors invited to select their chosen place and write about it. [[Once Upon a Place by Eoin Colfer (editor)|Full Review]]<br> <!-- Cleeves -->[[image:Cleeves_Murder.jpg|left|link=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1909823740?ie=UTF8&tag=thebookbag-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1909823740]] ===[[The Starlings and Other Stories by Ann Cleeves (editor)]]=== [[image:4star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Crime|Crime]], [[:Category:Anthologies|Anthologies]] Six authors, known collectively as 'Murder Squad', and their six accomplices were each given photographs of the remote landscape of Pembrokeshire by acclaimed photographer David Wilson and asked to come up with a short story inspired by what they saw. Some of the stories will be more to your taste than others, as is only to be expected in such a varied anthology, but none are weak and if you enjoy crime short stories then this book could be a real treat. [[The Starlings and Other Stories by Ann Cleeves (editor)|Full Review]]<br> <!-- Milne -->[[image:Milne_Love.jpg|left|link=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1405276150?ie=UTF8&tag=thebookbag-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1405276150]] ===[[Love From Pooh (Winnie the Pooh) by A A Milne]]=== [[image:5star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Anthologies|Anthologies]] For a small book, a small review – this is a quite delightful little thing, about which not a lot can be said. It is a gift book pure and simple, much in the way that Pooh Bear was a little simple at times (''Pooh… thought how wonderful it would be to have a Real Brain which could tell you things''). With it comes a simple blurb, and almost instructions that it is for giving, and there is a space for a loving dedication at the beginning, which is again only apt, as it is all about love. Love of honey, love in friendship, love of all various kinds, but just love. It can't help but make you most warm-hearted. [[Love From Pooh (Winnie the Pooh) by A A Milne|Full Review]]<br> <!-- Walton -->[[image:Walton_Scifi.jpg|left|link=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1472111613?ie=UTF8&tag=thebookbag-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1472111613]] ===[[What Makes This Book So Great: Re-Reading The Classics Of Science Fiction And Fantasy by Jo Walton]]=== [[image:5star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Anthologies|Anthologies]], [[:Category:Fantasy|Fantasy]], [[:Category:Science Fiction|Science Fiction]] Jo Walton has published over ten books, several of which have been award winning. On top of that, she has a voracious appetite for books - both as a well respected writer of original fiction, but as a well respected reviewer too. Not only does she have time to do all that, but she also writes a regular column for Tor.com, on Science Fiction and Fantasy books, and it is these columns that a selection of which are collected here. [[What Makes This Book So Great: Re-Reading The Classics Of Science Fiction And Fantasy by Jo Walton|Full Review]]<br> <!-- Tennant -->[[image:Tennant_Grub.jpg|left|link=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0704372983?ie=UTF8&tag=thebookbag-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=0704372983]] ===[[Did We Meet on Grub Street? by Emma Tennant, Hilary Bailey and David Elliott]]=== [[image:3.5star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Entertainment|Entertainment]], [[:Category:Anthologies|Anthologies]], [[:Category:History|History]] Essentially, the three authors (all of whom have long careers in the book industry) revel in the idea of being whining old curmudgeons who miss the good old days of publishing. This unashamed nostalgia provides the focus of the book and allows the writers to recount numerous anecdotes from their days in the publishing business. Whilst the primary audience for this book may well be students of creative writing and media studies, it also serves as an interesting exploration of an aspect of modern history: how a once-burgeoning industry is now a shell of its former self, much like a lot of manufacturing. Because of this, I was disappointed that no space was given to a consideration of how the rise of the e-book and Kindle has directly damaged both the sale of books and the potential for new books to be written (fewer real books sold = fewer financial advances paid to writers = fewer books written). Also, given the clear love of books as treasured artifacts, the dismissal of the Harry Potter phenomenon seems truculent, given the impetus the series gave to reading amongst both the young and adults. [[Did We Meet on Grub Street? by Emma Tennant, Hilary Bailey and David Elliott|Full Review]]<br> <!-- Penzler -->[[image:Penzler_Big.jpg|left|link=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1784082252?ie=UTF8&tag=thebookbag-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1784082252]] ===[[The Big Book of Christmas Mysteries by Otto Penzler (editor)]]=== [[image:5star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Crime|Crime]], [[:Category:Anthologies|Anthologies]] Nostalgia is a big part of the Christmas experience, and that's provided in sack-loads by this hefty tome of short stories. Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot and Brother Cadfael jostle Morse, Rumpole and Vic Warshawski for space on these tightly packed pages, while lesser known and long since forgotten writers furnish new and unexpected pleasures for even the most well-read of book worms. [[The Big Book of Christmas Mysteries by Otto Penzler |author=Ann Cleeves (editor)|Full Review]]<br> {{newreview|title=Burnt Tongues: An Anthology of Transgressive Short Stories|author=Chuck Palahniuk, Dennis Widmyer and Richard Thomas

|genre=Short StoriesAnthologies|summary=Saying certain things out loud just don’t sound rightSix authors, known collectively as 'Murder Squad', and their six accomplices were each given photographs of the remote landscape of Pembrokeshire by acclaimed photographer David Wilson and asked to come up with a short story inspired by what they saw. Some things of the stories will be more to your taste than others, as is only to be expected in such a varied anthology, but none are so disturbing or politically incorrect that weak and if you are best off leaving them inside your headenjoy crime short stories then this book could be a real treat.}}{{Frontpage|isbn=Milne_Love|title=Love From Pooh (Winnie the Pooh)|author=A A Milne|rating=5|genre=Anthologies|summary=For a small book, a small review – this is a quite delightful little thing, or better yet about which not thinking of them at alla lot can be said. When these words are spoken they It is a gift book pure and simple, much in the way that Pooh Bear was a little simple at times (''Pooh… thought how wonderful it would be to have a Real Brain which could lead to the sensation of Burnt Tongue; an aftereffect of knowing what tell you said was wrongthings''). Are you prepared to enter With it comes a simple blurb, and almost instructions that it is for giving, and there is a space for a loving dedication at the world beginning, which is again only apt, as it is all about love. Love of Transgressive Fiction that aims to disturbhoney, love in friendship, alienatelove of all various kinds, disgust and question?|amazonuk=<amazonuk>178329552X</amazonuk>but just love. It can't help but make you most warm-hearted.

{{newreviewFrontpage|isbn=Walton_Scifi|title=What Makes This Book So Great: Re-Reading The Classics Of Science Fiction And Fantasy|author=Jo Walton|rating=5|genre=Anthologies|summary=Jo Walton has published over ten books, several of which have been award-winning. On top of that, she has a voracious appetite for books - both as a well-respected writer of original fiction, but as a well-respected reviewer too. Not only does she have time to do all that, but she also writes a regular column for Tor.com, on Science Fiction and Fantasy books, and it is these columns that a selection of which are collected here.}}{{Frontpage|isbn=Tennant_Grub|title=RoguesDid We Meet on Grub Street?|author=George R R Martin Emma Tennant, Hilary Bailey and Gardner Dozois (Editors)David Elliott

|summary=George R R Martin is undoubtedly Essentially, the three authors (all of whom have long careers in the book industry) revel in the idea of being whining old curmudgeons who miss the good old days of publishing. This unashamed nostalgia provides the focus of the book and allows the biggest name writers to recount numerous anecdotes from their days in the publishing business. Whilst the primary audience for this book may well be students of creative writing and media studies, it also serves as an interesting exploration of an aspect of modern day fantasyhistory: how a once-burgeoning industry is now a shell of its former self, much like a lot of manufacturing. Because of this, I was disappointed that no space was given to a consideration of how the rise of the e-book and Gardner Dozois an American science fiction author Kindle has directly damaged both the sale of considerable renownbooks and the potential for new books to be written (fewer real books sold = fewer financial advances paid to writers = fewer books written). HereAlso, given the clear love of books as treasured artefacts, the two collect twenty one stories by a list dismissal of well known the Harry Potter phenomenon seems truculent, given the impetus the series gave to reading amongst both the young and hugely loved authorsadults.}}{{Frontpage|isbn=Penzler_Big|title=The Big Book of Christmas Mysteries|author=Otto Penzler (editor)|rating=5|genre=Anthologies|amazonuksummary=<amazonuk>1783297190</amazonuk>Nostalgia is a big part of the Christmas experience, and that's provided in sack-loads by this hefty tome of short stories. Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot and Brother Cadfael jostle Morse, Rumpole and Vic Warshawski for space on these tightly packed pages, while lesser-known and long since forgotten writers furnish new and unexpected pleasures for even the most well-read of book worms.