Changes

<pre><!-- 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|isbn=PUP_Rising|linktitle=CategoryRising 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}}{{Frontpage|Full Review]]isbn=Stevenson_Garden<br> <br> <br>|title=A Child's Garden of Verses</pre>|author=Robert Louis Stevenson|rating=2<!-- Stevenson -->|genre=Anthologies[[image:Stevenson_Garden.jpg|left|linksummary=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1910959103?ie=UTF8&tag=thebookbag-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1910959103]] ===[[A ChildRobert Louis Stevenson was a very versatile writer; he delved deep into the human psyche when he wrote ''s Garden The Strange Case of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson]]=== [[image:2starDoctor Jekyll and Mr Hyde'' but he did not restrict himself to representations of the gothic and the persecuted.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Anthologies|Anthologies]] [[:Category:ChildrenHe also wrote brilliant children's adventure stories such as ''Treasure Island''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 ''The Strange Case of Doctor Jekyll and Mr Hyde'' 'Kidnapped'', but , again, he did not restrict himself to representations prose writing because here he demonstrates his ability to write poetry.}}{{Frontpage|isbn=Esiri Poem|title=A Poem for Every Day of the gothic and the persecuted. He also wrote brilliant children's adventure stories such as ''Treasure Island'' and ''Kidnapped''Year|author=Allie Esiri|rating=4|genre=Anthologies|summary=For those who do not read much poetry, but, again, he did for those who do not restrict himself know where to prose writing because here he demonstrates his ability start, this is a fun and easy commitment to write poetrytake on. [[A ChildReading a poem a day does not take long, mere minutes, and with over three-hundred poems in here there's Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson|Full Review]]bound to be a poem that speaks to each reader directly.<br>}}{{Frontpage<!-- Esiri -->[[image:Esiri Poem.jpg|left|linkisbn=httpsHerbertson_Wordsworth|title=William and Dorothy Wordsworth://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1509860541?ieA Miscellany|author=UTF8&tagGavin Herbertson|rating=thebookbag-21&linkCode5|genre=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1509860541]]Anthologies|summary===[[A Poem for Every Day William Wordsworth was a defining member of the Year by Allie Esiri]]=== [[image:4starromantic literary era.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Anthologies|Anthologies]] [[:Category:Children's Rhymes He was part of the first wave, and Verse|Childrenhis poetry helped to shape a large part of it. Nature was the key: existing in nature, finding one's Rhymes own true nature and Verse]]becoming natural in the process were the driving forces behind it.}}{{FrontpageFor those who do not read much poetry, for those who do not know where to start, this is a fun |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 easy commitment to take on. Reading Muslim? This is a poem a day does not take long, mere minutes, and question these writers tackle with over threestunning clarity. Modern-hundred poems in here there's bound to be day British society has a poem that speaks varied sense of cultural heritage; it is a society that is changing and moving forward as it adds more and more voices to each reader directly. [[A Poem for Every Day of the Year by Allie Esiri|Full Review]]<br> <br> <br>  <!-- Herbertson -->[[image:Herbertson_Wordsworthpopulation, but it is also one that has an undercurrent of anxiety and fear towards those who are minorities.jpg|leftSo this collection displays how all that fear is received; it comes in the form of stereotypical labels and racial prejudice, which are themes eloquently reproduced here.}}{{Frontpage|linkisbn=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1903385598?ieHolland Cheap|title=UTF8&tagView from the Cheap Seats|author=thebookbag-21&linkCodeBarry Holland|rating=as2&camp4|genre=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1903385598]]Anthologies|summary===[[William and Dorothy WordsworthA little bit about Barry Holland: A Miscellany by Gavin Herbertson]]=== [[image:5starhe was born in Newport, South Wales, to working-class parents.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Anthologies|Anthologies]] William Wordsworth was He loves rugby and his son - his son is his favourite rugby player, which is just as it should be. He is a defining member qualified engineer but is unable to work because of the romantic literary eramental ill-health. He was part All of these things feed into ''View from the first waveCheap Seats'', and his poetry helped to shape which is a large part collection of it. Nature was the key: existing in nature, finding one's own true nature poems and imaginings as vivid and immediate and becoming natural in the process were the driving forces behind itstriking as you could hope for. [[William Barry sounds like a thoroughly nice bloke and Dorothy Wordsworth: A Miscellany by Gavin Herbertson|Full Review]]<br> <br> <br>his book was a pleasure to read.}}{{Frontpage<!-- Mahfouz -->[[image:Mahfouz_Muslim.jpg|left|linkisbn=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0863561462?ieMarshall EFT|title=UTF8&tagThe Book of English Folk Tales|author=thebookbag-21&linkCodeSybil Marshall and John Lawrence|rating=as2&camp4|genre=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=0863561462]]Anthologies|summary===[[From ghosts to witches, to giants and fairies, ''The Things I Would Tell You: British Muslim Women Write by Sabrina Mahfouz]]=== [[image:5starBook of English Folk Tales'' is a fascinating collection of stories retold by social historian and folklorist Sybil Marshall.jpg|link=Category:{{{ratingOut of print for over three decades, this beautiful new clothbound edition is complete with wood-engraved illustrations by John Lawrence and is sure to capture the attention of a new generation of lovers of folklore.}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Anthologies{{Frontpage|isbn=Trotman_Winter|Anthologies]] [[title=Winter:Category:Literary FictionA Book for the Season|Literary Fiction]]author=Felicity Trotman (editor)|rating=4|genre=AnthologiesWhat does it mean to be British and Muslim? |summary=This is seasonal anthology contains a question these writers tackle with stunning claritynice mixture of poetry, nature and travel pieces, and excerpts from longer works of fiction. Modern day British society has Felicity Trotman, a varied sense freelance editor and member of cultural heritage; it is a society that is changing the English Civil War Society, has arranged the material into three sections: 'The Old Year', 'Christmas, Sacred and moving forward as it adds more Secular', and more voices to the population, but it is also one that has 'The New Year'. This creates an undercurrent appropriate sense of anxiety chronological progression and fear towards those who are minoritiesalso serves to make Christmas the heart of the book. So this collection displays how all that fear is received; it comes in the form of stereotypical labels Black-and-white illustrations – maps, photographs and racial prejudiceengravings – are interspersed throughout, which are themes eloquently reproduced hereand each author gets a short paragraph of biography and background. [[The Things I Would Tell You: British Muslim Women Write by Sabrina Mahfouz|Full Review]]<br>}}{{Frontpage<!-- Holland -->|isbn=Elphinstone_Winter|title=Winter Magic[[image:Holland Cheap.jpg|leftauthor=Abi Elphinstone (Editor)|linkrating=https://www3.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1524633127?ie5|genre=UTF8&tagAnthologies|summary=thebookbag-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1524633127]] ===[[View With everything from the Cheap Seats by Barry Holland]]=== [[image:4stardragons 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.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Anthologies|Anthologies]] A little bit about Barry Holland: he was born in NewportAnthologies of short stories can sometimes fall flat, South Waleswith one or two good ones and then a bunch of mediocre fillers, to working class parentsbut this collection has no weak links... He loves rugby all the stories are good, and his son - his son is his favourite rugby player, which is just as it should be. He is a qualified engineer but is unable to work because most of mental ill healththem are brilliant. All of these things feed into ''View from I felt entirely caught up in each individual world as I read, loving the Cheap Seats'', which is a collection of poems varied and imaginings as vivid and immediate and striking as you could hope for. Barry sounds like a thoroughly nice bloke and his book was a pleasure to readextremely likeable heroines throughout.<br>}}<!-- Marshall -->{{Frontpage[[image:Marshall EFT.jpg|leftisbn=Phinn_Virgin|linktitle=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1468313177?ieThe Virgin Mary's Got Nits|author=UTF8&tagGervase Phinn|rating=thebookbag-21&linkCode4.5|genre=as2&campAnthologies|summary=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1468313177]] ===[[The Book of English Folk Tales by Sybil Marshall Christmas in our house is the time we tend to get on a plane and John Lawrence]]=== [[image:4star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Anthologies|Anthologies]], [[:Category:Short Stories|Short Stories]] From ghosts head to either sun or snow, anywhere that is far, far away from the madness at home, last-minute dashes to witches, to giants the shops on Christmas Eve and fairiesfood cupboard stockpiles that would imply supermarkets are shutting for a month, ''The Book of English Folk Tales'' is nor a fascinating collection mere 36 hours. But I do remember the feeling of stories retold by social historian Christmas when I was younger, back when it was magical, and folklorist Sybil Marshall. Out of print for over three decades, this beautiful new clothbound edition is complete back when you knew exactly what the season would bring with wood engraved illustrations by John Lawrence carol concerts and school nativities and Christmas parties. This book is sure to capture the attention an anthology of a new generation those moments, and it took me right back to the wonder of lovers of folkloreChristmas as a child. [[The Book of English Folk Tales by Sybil Marshall and John Lawrence|Full Review]]<br> <br> <br>}}{{Frontpage<!-- Trotman -->|isbn=Ayrton_Pasaran[[image:Trotman_Winter.jpg|left|linktitle=httpsNo Pasaran://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1445664747?ieWritings from the Spanish Civil War|author=UTF8&tag=thebookbag-21&linkCodePete Ayrton (editor)|rating=as2&camp4|genre=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1445664747]]Anthologies|summary===[[WinterIn ''¡No Pasarán!: A Book for Writings from the Season by Felicity Trotman (editor)]]=== [[image:3.5star.jpg|link=Category: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.}}{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:AnthologiesFrontpage|Anthologies]], [[isbn=Edwards_Manor|title=Murder at the Manor:Category:ReferenceCountry House Mysteries (British Library Crime Classics)|Reference]]author=Martin Edwards (editor)|rating=4.5This seasonal anthology contains a nice mixture of poetry|genre=Anthologies|summary=I'm not big on short stories, nature and travel piecesbut two factors nudged me towards this book. Firstly, and excerpts from longer works it's broadly golden age crime, one of fiction. Felicity Trotman, a freelance editor my weaknesses and member of the English Civil War Societysecondly, has arranged the material into three sectionseditor is [[:Category: 'The Old Year'Martin Edwards|Martin Edwards]], 'Christmas, Sacred a man whose knowledge of golden age crime is probably unsurpassed and Secularhe's done us proud, and 'The New Year'. This creates an appropriate sense of chronological progression, and also serves to make Christmas not only with his selection but with the heart half-page biographies of the bookwriters, which precede each story. Black- There's just enough there to allow you to place the author and-white illustrations – maps, photographs and engravings – are interspersed throughoutto direct you to other works if you're tempted. It's an elegant selection, from the well known and each author gets a short paragraph of biography the less well known, all set in and background.<br>around the country house.}}<!-- Elphinstone -->{{Frontpage[[image:Elphinstone_Winter.jpg|leftisbn=Colfer_Place|linktitle=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1471159809?ieOnce Upon a Place|author=UTF8&tag=thebookbag-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1471159809]] ===[[Winter Magic by Abi Elphinstone Eoin Colfer (Editoreditor)]]=|rating=3.5|genre=Anthologies [[image:5star.jpg|linksummary=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Confident Readers|Confident Readers]]You know the bit of the blurb on every ''Artemis Fowl'' book, [[:Category:Anthologies|Anthologies]] With everything from dragons to mysterious crimes, voicewhere Eoin Colfer had it said about how you pronounce his name? That wasn't the intention of an up-stealing witches and-coming author to time travelbe recognisable; rather, and magical worlds to first performances it was pride. Pride in the difference of world-famous balletsit, this is a collection of short stories that delights from start the Irishness of it. Ireland, it seems to finish. Anthologies me, is more full than usual of short stories can sometimes fall flatpeople, things and ideas, with one or two good ones and then a bunch of mediocre fillers, but this collection has no weak links...all the stories places that are good, and most different by dint of them are brillianttheir singular nationality – and so many deserve to have pride attached to them. I felt entirely caught up in each individual world as I read, loving The places might not be the varied and extremely likeable heroines throughout. [[Winter Magic by Abi Elphinstone (Editor)|Full Review]]<br> <!-- Phinn -->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.}}{{Frontpage[[image:Phinn_Virgin.jpg|leftisbn=Cleeves_Murder|linktitle=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1444779400?ieThe Starlings and Other Stories|author=UTF8&tagAnn Cleeves (editor)|rating=thebookbag-21&linkCode4|genre=as2&campAnthologies|summary=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1444779400]] ===[[The Virgin MarySix authors, known collectively as 'Murder Squad's Got Nits , and their six accomplices were each given photographs of the remote landscape of Pembrokeshire by Gervase Phinn]]=== [[image:4acclaimed photographer David Wilson and asked to come up with a short story inspired by what they saw.5star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Humour|Humour]]Some of the stories will be more to your taste than others, [[:Category:Anthologies|Anthologies]] Christmas as is only to be expected in our house is the time we tend to get on such a plane varied anthology, but none are weak and head to either sun or snow, anywhere that is far, far away from if you enjoy crime short stories then this book could be a real treat.}}{{Frontpage|isbn=Milne_Love|title=Love From Pooh (Winnie the madness at homePooh)|author=A A Milne|rating=5|genre=Anthologies|summary=For a small book, last minute dashes to the shops on Christmas Eve, and food cupboard stockpiles that would imply supermarkets are shutting for a monthsmall review – this is a quite delightful little thing, nor about which not a mere 36 hourslot can be said. But I do remember It is a gift book pure and simple, much in the feeling of Christmas when I way that Pooh Bear was younger, back when a little simple at times (''Pooh… thought how wonderful it was magicalwould be to have a Real Brain which could tell you things''). With it comes a simple blurb, and back when you knew exactly what the season would bring with carol concerts almost instructions that it is for giving, and school nativities and Christmas parties. This book there is a space for a loving dedication at the beginning, which is an anthology of those momentsagain only apt, and as it took me right back to the wonder is all about love. Love of honey, love in friendship, love of Christmas as a childall various kinds, but just love. It can't help but make you most warm-hearted. [[The Virgin Mary's Got Nits by Gervase Phinn|Full Review]]<br>}}{{Frontpage<!-- Ayrton -->|isbn=Walton_Scifi[[image|title=What Makes This Book So Great:Ayrton_Pasaran.jpgRe-Reading The Classics Of Science Fiction And Fantasy|leftauthor=Jo Walton|linkrating=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/184668997X?ie5|genre=UTF8&tag=thebookbag-21&linkCodeAnthologies|summary=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=184668997X]] ===[[No Pasaran: Writings from the Spanish Civil War by Pete Ayrton (editor)]]=== [[image:4starJo 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.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Anthologies|Anthologies]] In ''¡No Pasarán!: Writings from the Spanish Civil War'', Pete Ayrton has chosen Not only does she have time to do all that, but she also writes a majority of texts by Spanish writersregular column for Tor.com, on Science Fiction and Fantasy books, arguing and it is these columns that the conflict has long been written about from the point a selection of view of the international brigadeswhich are collected here. [[No Pasaran: Writings from the Spanish Civil War by Pete Ayrton (editor)|Full Review]]<br> <br> <br>}}{{Frontpage<!-- Edwards -->|isbn=Tennant_Grub|title=Did We Meet on Grub Street?[[image:Edwards_Manor.jpg|leftauthor=Emma Tennant, Hilary Bailey and David Elliott|linkrating=https://www3.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0712309934?ie5|genre=UTF8&tagAnthologies|summary=thebookbag-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=0712309934]] ===[[Murder at Essentially, the Manor: Country House Mysteries three authors (British Library Crime Classicsall of whom have long careers in the book industry) by Martin Edwards (editor)]]=== [[image:4revel in the idea of being whining old curmudgeons who miss the good old days of publishing.5star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Crime (Historical)|Crime (Historical)]]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, [[:Categoryit also serves as an interesting exploration of an aspect of modern history:Anthologies|Anthologies]] I'm not big on short storieshow a once-burgeoning industry is now a shell of its former self, but two factors nudged me towards this bookmuch like a lot of manufacturing. Firstly, it's broadly golden age crime, one Because of my weaknesses and secondly, the editor is [[:Category:Martin Edwards|Martin Edwards]]this, I was disappointed that no space was given to a man whose knowledge consideration of how the rise of golden age crime is probably unsurpassed the e-book and he's done us proud, not only with his selection, but with Kindle has directly damaged both the half-page biographies sale of books and the writers, which precede each storypotential for new books to be written (fewer real books sold = fewer financial advances paid to writers = fewer books written). There's just enough there to allow you to place Also, given the author and to direct you to other works if you're tempted. It's an elegant selectionclear love of books as treasured artefacts, from the well known and dismissal of the less well knownHarry Potter phenomenon seems truculent, all set in given the impetus the series gave to reading amongst both the young and around the country houseadults. [[Murder at the Manor: Country House Mysteries (British Library Crime Classics) by Martin Edwards }}{{Frontpage|isbn=Penzler_Big|title=The Big Book of Christmas Mysteries|author=Otto Penzler (editor)|Full Review]]rating=5<br>|genre=Anthologies <!-|summary=Nostalgia is a big part of the Christmas experience, and that's provided in sack- Colfer -->[[image:Colfer_Placeloads by this hefty tome of short stories.jpg|left|link=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/191041137X?ie=UTF8&tag=thebookbagSherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot and Brother Cadfael jostle Morse, Rumpole and Vic Warshawski for space on these tightly packed pages, while lesser-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 (editor)|Full Review]]<br> <!-- Palahniuk -->[[image:Palahniuk_Burnt.jpg|left|link=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/178329552X?ie=UTF8&tag=thebookbag-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=178329552X]] ===[[Burnt Tongues: An Anthology of Transgressive Short Stories by Chuck Palahniuk, Dennis Widmyer and Richard Thomas]]=== [[image:4star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Short Stories|Short Stories]], [[:Category:Anthologies|Anthologies]] Saying certain things out loud just don’t sound right. Some things are so disturbing or politically incorrect that you are best off leaving them inside your head, or better yet not thinking of them at all. When these words are spoken they could lead to the sensation of Burnt Tongue; an aftereffect of knowing what you said was wrong. Are you prepared to enter known and long since forgotten writers furnish new and unexpected pleasures for even the world most well-read of Transgressive Fiction that aims to disturb, alienate, disgust and question? [[Burnt Tongues: An Anthology of Transgressive Short Stories by Chuck Palahniuk, Dennis Widmyer and Richard Thomas|Full Review]]<br> <!-- Martin -->[[image:Martin_Roguesbook worms.jpg|left|link=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00L20BOQQ?ie=UTF8&tag=thebookbag-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=B00L20BOQQ]] ===[[Rogues by George R R Martin and Gardner Dozois (Editors)]]===}}Move on to [[image:3.5star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Newest Art Reviews]] [[:Category:Anthologies|Anthologies]] George R R Martin is undoubtedly the biggest name in modern day fantasy, and Gardner Dozois an American science fiction author of considerable renown. Here, the two collect twenty one stories by a list of well known and hugely loved authors. [[Rogues by George R R Martin and Gardner Dozois (Editors)|Full Review]]<br>