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|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 <!-- |author=Robert Louis Stevenson -->[[image:Stevenson_Garden.jpg|left|linkrating=2|genre=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1910959103?ie=UTF8&tag=thebookbag-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1910959103]]Anthologies|summary===[[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 -->|isbn=Herbertson_Wordsworth[[image:Esiri Poem.jpg|left|linktitle=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1509860541?ieWilliam and Dorothy Wordsworth: A 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 to each reader directly. [[A Poem for Every Day of varied sense of cultural heritage; it is a society that is changing and moving forward as it adds more and more voices to 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 the first wavethese things feed into ''View from the Cheap 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. Barry sounds like a thoroughly nice bloke and his book was a pleasure to read. [[William and Dorothy Wordsworth: A Miscellany by Gavin Herbertson|Full Review]]<br> <br> <br>}}{{Frontpage|isbn=Marshall EFT<!-- Mahfouz -->|title=The Book of English Folk Tales[[image:Mahfouz_Muslim.jpg|leftauthor=Sybil Marshall and John Lawrence|linkrating=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0863561462?ie4|genre=UTF8&tagAnthologies|summary=thebookbag-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=0863561462]] ===[[From ghosts to witches, to giants and fairies, ''The Things I Would Tell You: British Muslim Women Write Book of English Folk Tales'' is a fascinating collection of stories retold by Sabrina Mahfouz]]=== [[image:5starsocial 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 and moving forward as it adds more and more voices to the populationEnglish Civil War Society, has arranged the material into three sections: 'The Old Year', but it is also one that has an undercurrent 'Christmas, Sacred and Secular', and 'The New Year'. This creates an 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 racial prejudice-white illustrations – maps, which photographs and engravings – are themes eloquently reproduced hereinterspersed throughout, and 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=thebookbagWith everything from dragons to mysterious crimes, voice-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1524633127]] ===[[View from the Cheap Seats by Barry Holland]]=== [[image:4starstealing 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, with one or two good ones and then a bunch of mediocre fillers, South Wales, 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 bemost of them are brilliant. He is a qualified engineer but is unable to work because of mental ill healthI felt entirely caught up in each individual world as I read, loving the varied and extremely likeable heroines throughout. All of these things feed into ''View from the Cheap Seats}}{{Frontpage|isbn=Phinn_Virgin|title=The Virgin Mary'', which is a collection of poems 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 reads Got Nits|author=Gervase Phinn|rating=4.<br>5|genre=Anthologies<!-- Marshall |summary=Christmas in our house is the time we tend to get on a plane and head to either sun or snow, anywhere that is far, far away from the madness at home, last-->[[image:Marshall EFTminute dashes to the shops on Christmas Eve and food 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/1468313177?ie=UTF8&tag=thebookbag-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1468313177]] ===[[The Book But I do remember the feeling of English Folk Tales by Sybil Marshall 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 John Lawrence]]=== [[image:4starChristmas parties.jpgThis book is an anthology of those moments, and it took me right back to the wonder of Christmas as a child.}}{{Frontpage|linkisbn=CategoryAyrton_Pasaran|title=No Pasaran:{{{Writings from the Spanish Civil War|author=Pete Ayrton (editor)|rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:=4|genre=Anthologies|Anthologies]], [[summary=In ''¡No Pasarán!:Category:Short Stories|Short Stories]] From ghosts to witches, to giants and fairies, Writings from the Spanish Civil War''The Book of English Folk Tales'' is , Pete Ayrton has chosen a fascinating collection majority of stories retold texts by social historian and folklorist Sybil Marshall. Out of print for over three decadesSpanish writers, this beautiful new clothbound edition is complete with wood engraved illustrations by John Lawrence and is sure to capture arguing that the conflict has long been written about from the attention point of a new generation view of lovers of folklorethe international brigades. [[The Book of English Folk Tales by Sybil Marshall and John Lawrence|Full Review]]<br> <br> <br>}}{{Frontpage<!-- Trotman -->|isbn=Edwards_Manor[[image:Trotman_Winter.jpg|left|linktitle=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1445664747?ieMurder at the Manor: Country House Mysteries (British Library Crime Classics)|author=UTF8&tagMartin Edwards (editor)|rating=thebookbag-21&linkCode4.5|genre=as2&campAnthologies|summary=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1445664747]] ===[[Winter: A Book for the Season by Felicity Trotman (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 [[image:3.5star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:AnthologiesMartin Edwards|AnthologiesMartin Edwards]], [[:Category:Reference|Reference]] This seasonal anthology contains a nice mixture man whose knowledge of poetry, nature golden age crime is probably unsurpassed and travel pieceshe's done us proud, and excerpts from longer works not only with his selection but with the half-page biographies of fiction. Felicity Trotmanthe writers, a freelance editor which precede each story. There's just enough there to allow you to place the author and member of the English Civil War Society, has arranged the material into three sections: to direct you to other works if you'The Old Yearre tempted. It's an elegant selection, 'Christmas, Sacred from the well known and Secular'the less well known, all set in and 'The New Year'. This creates an appropriate sense of chronological progression, and also serves to make Christmas around the heart of the bookcountry house. Black-and-white illustrations – maps, photographs and engravings – are interspersed throughout, and each author gets a short paragraph of biography and background.<br> <!-- Elphinstone -->[[image:Elphinstone_Winter.jpg}}{{Frontpage|left|linkisbn=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1471159809?ieColfer_Place|title=UTF8&tagOnce Upon a Place|author=thebookbag-21&linkCodeEoin Colfer (editor)|rating=as2&camp3.5|genre=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1471159809]]Anthologies|summary===[[Winter Magic by Abi Elphinstone (Editor)]]=== [[image:5starYou 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.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Confident Readers|Confident Readers]] Pride in the difference of it, [[:Category:Anthologies|Anthologies]] With everything from dragons of the Irishness of it. Ireland, it seems to mysterious crimesme, voice-stealing witches to time travelis more full than usual of people, things and magical worlds to first performances of world-famous balletsideas, this is a collection and places that are different by dint of short stories that delights from start their singular nationality – and so many deserve to have pride attached to finishthem. Anthologies The places might not be the famous ones, but they can be the source of short stories can sometimes fall flatpride, with one or two good ones and then a bunch of mediocre fillersstories, but which is where this collection has no weak links...all compilation of short works for the stories are goodyoung comes in, with the authors invited to select their chosen place and most of them are brilliant. I felt entirely caught up in each individual world as I read, loving the varied write about it.}}{{Frontpage|isbn=Cleeves_Murder|title=The Starlings and extremely likeable heroines throughout. [[Winter Magic by Abi Elphinstone Other Stories|author=Ann Cleeves (Editoreditor)|Full Review]]rating=4<br>|genre=Anthologies <!-- 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|summary=Six authors, known collectively as 's Got Nits Murder Squad', 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 in our house as is the time we tend only to get on be expected in such a plane and head to either sun or snow, anywhere that is far, far away from the madness at home, last minute dashes to the shops on Christmas Evevaried anthology, but none are weak and food cupboard stockpiles that would imply supermarkets are shutting for if you enjoy crime short stories then this book could be a month, nor a mere 36 hoursreal treat. But I do remember }}{{Frontpage|isbn=Milne_Love|title=Love From Pooh (Winnie the feeling of Christmas when I was younger, back when it was magicalPooh)|author=A A Milne|rating=5|genre=Anthologies|summary=For a small book, a small review – this is a quite delightful little thing, and back when you knew exactly what the season would bring with carol concerts and school nativities and Christmas partiesabout which not a lot can be said. This It is a gift book is an anthology of those momentspure and simple, and it took me right back to much in the wonder of Christmas as way that Pooh Bear was a child. [[The Virgin Marylittle simple at times (''s Got Nits by Gervase Phinn|Full Review]]<br> <!-- Ayrton -->[[image:Ayrton_PasaranPooh… thought how wonderful it would be to have a Real Brain which could tell you things'').jpg|left|link=https://www.amazon 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.co Love of honey, love in friendship, love of all various kinds, but just love.uk/gp/product/184668997X?ie=UTF8&tag=thebookbag It can't help but make you most warm-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creativehearted.}}{{Frontpage|isbn=6738&creativeASINWalton_Scifi|title=184668997X]]What Makes This Book So Great: Re-Reading The Classics Of Science Fiction And Fantasy|author=Jo Walton|rating=5|genre==[[No Pasaran: Writings from the Spanish Civil War by Pete Ayrton (editor)]]===Anthologies[[image:4star.jpg|linksummary=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Anthologies|Anthologies]] In ''¡No Pasarán!: Writings from the Spanish Civil War''Jo Walton has published over ten books, Pete Ayrton several of which have been award-winning. On top of that, she has chosen a majority voracious appetite for books - both as a well-respected writer of texts by Spanish writersoriginal fiction, arguing but as a well-respected reviewer too. Not only does she have time to do all that the conflict has long been written about from the point of view of the international brigades, 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. [[No Pasaran: Writings from the Spanish Civil War by Pete Ayrton (editor)|Full Review]]<br> <br> <br>}}{{Frontpage<!-- Edwards -->|isbn=Tennant_Grub[[image:Edwards_Manor.jpg|lefttitle=Did We Meet on Grub Street?|linkauthor=https://wwwEmma Tennant, Hilary Bailey and David Elliott|rating=3.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0712309934?ie5|genre=UTF8&tag=thebookbag-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=0712309934]]Anthologies|summary===[[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, [[it also serves as an interesting exploration of an aspect of modern history:Category: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 much like a lot of manufacturing. Because of this book. Firstly, it's broadly golden age crime, one I was disappointed that no space was given to a consideration of how the rise of my weaknesses the e-book and secondly, Kindle has directly damaged both the editor is [[:Category:Martin Edwards|Martin Edwards]], a man whose knowledge sale of golden age crime is probably unsurpassed books and he's done us proudthe potential for new books to be written (fewer real books sold = fewer financial advances paid to writers = fewer books written). Also, not only with his selectiongiven the clear love of books as treasured artefacts, but with the half-page biographies dismissal of the writersHarry Potter phenomenon seems truculent, which precede each story. There's just enough there given the impetus the series gave to allow you to place reading amongst both the author young and to direct you to other works if you're temptedadults. 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 }}{{Frontpage|isbn=Penzler_Big|title=The Big Book of Christmas Mysteries |author=Otto Penzler (British Library Crime Classics) by Martin Edwards (editoreditor)|Full Review]]rating=5<br> <!-- Colfer -->|genre=Anthologies[[image:Colfer_Place.jpg|left|linksummary=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/191041137X?ie=UTF8&tag=thebookbagNostalgia is a big part of the Christmas experience, and that's provided in sack-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=191041137X]] ===[[Once Upon a Place loads by Eoin Colfer (editor)]]=== [[image:3this hefty tome of short stories.5star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}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.}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Confident Readers|Confident Readers]], [[:Category:Anthologies|Anthologies]] You know the bit of the blurb Move 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 the world 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_Rogues.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)]]=== 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>