Features

Check out the full lists of interviews, top tens and articles.

Top Ten Books For Your Girlfriend

Whether it's a birthday, Christmas, or just a random occasion to tell her you love her, books make great presents for girlfriends. Yes, yes, we know we're playing up to all the stereotypes with historical fiction, romance, celebrities, and lashings of chick lit, but you know she's going to enjoy them. If it's an anniversary and she's looking to get you a gift too, then make sure to point her in the direction of our Top Ten Books For Your Boyfriend. Why not tell us about your favourite books to get for your girlfriend? Read more...

Top Ten Books For Your Boyfriend

Whether it's a birthday, Christmas, or just a random occasion to tell him you love him, books make great presents for boyfriends. Yes, yes, we know we're playing up to all the stereotypes with books about sport, music, trivia and everyone's favourite secret agent, but you know he's going to enjoy them. If it's an anniversary and he's looking to get you a gift too, then make sure to point him in the direction of our Top Ten Books For Your Girlfriend. Why not tell us about your favourite books to get for your boyfriend? Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Ian Stewart

Bookbag loved Ian Stewart's Hoard of Mathematical Treasures and couldn't resist the opportunity to ask him a few questions. We're delighted we did, as his answers are fascinating! Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To David Barrie

Bookbag was impressed by David Barrie's debut novel, Wasp-Waisted and couldn't resist the opportunity to ask him a few questions. Read more...

Top Ten Books To Drag The Kids Away From Computer Games For Ten Minutes At Least

Truth be told, we like computer games - they're great fun, a good way to let off steam, and man cannot survive on books alone. (What we don't like are Bluetooth headsets providing a constant commentary - eldest Murphy son, take note). There are times when tweens and teens need to be dragged away from the computer games though, and these books will keep them entertained and quiet when you're looking for a peaceful afternoon without an endless barrage of bleeps and explosions in the background. Some are high octane, some are a bit more thoughtful, but they're all gripping thrillers. Why not tell us about your favourites? Read more...

File:Booknewsletters.jpg September 2009 Newsletter

It's been a stressful month at Bookbag Towers. Our host's server had a major malfunction and we spent several days trying to sort out the aftermath of being hurriedly moved to a new one. After much weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth - Jill's children retired to their bedrooms with sandbags, and Sue's dogs did much the same - we think it's all ok now. We're very sorry if you experienced an interruption to service and we hope you'll forgive us. We promise to make it up to you, we do. Starting with our features section, which has the low down on this year's Booker prize. Jill is rooting for the utterly sublime Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel. What would you like to see win it? Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To K S Turner

Bookbag thinks that Kate Turner's Before the Gods is something rather special and we couldn't resist the opportunity to ask her a few questions. Read more...

Man Booker Prize 2009

We have reviews of all the books on the longlist and we'll let you know the winner as soon as we hear! Read more...

File:Booknewsletters.jpg August 2009 Newsletter

We know this is a newsletter about books, and we know that we keep opening with some remark or other about sport. It's completely off-topic, we know, and we're sorry, but we just can't help it, we're going to do it again. Did you see Usain Bolt? Did you? Isn't he just something else? And it's just as well he appeared on our summer scene because August is a quiet month for books. All the holiday reads are already published (and in your suitcases, packed for lazy days by the pool) and thoughts haven't quite turned to the run up to Christmas. But there's still plenty out there and we've done our best to bring the the worthwhile to your attention. You're going to need them, aren't you, what with the barbecue summer that never was.... Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Ben Kane

Bookbag loved Ben Kane's first two novels - The Forgotten Legion and The Silver Eagle, which bring Roman times to vivid life. He mixes history and emotion beautifully, making for a sometimes disturbing, but always entertaining read. After being fortunate enough to meet him at an evening at our local library recently, he was delighted to be put to the sword in Bookbag style. Read more...

Top Ten Picture Books For Overcoming Bedtime Woes

Everyone knows the cry of I want a glass of water! Bedtime can be a real problem, with children not wanting to settle down to sleep, being scared of the dark, or even frightened of being left alone. These picture books address the issues in a gentle manner, helping kids better understand their fears and thus overcome them. It's not all serious though: there's a good smattering of humour too, which makes them great fun to read. Why not tell us about your favourite books for overcoming bedtime woes? Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Jane Mitchell

Bookbag loved Jane Mitchell's novel Chalkline and was delighted to ask her some questions about it. It's a powerful story of a child soldier in Kashmir. It's beautifully written with great accuracy, doesn't flinch from its subject, but maintains a deeply affecting humanity. Read more...

File:Booknewsletters.jpg July 2009 Newsletter

Ok, so we lied. Andy Murray didn't win Wimbledon. He will one day, though, and he did well, didn't he? AQA's prediction of doom this month? England will win the Ashes. Titter ye not, there's hope yet. One half of the Bookbag management isn't too fussed about sporting results for the next few weeks though: Jill is off to Tuscany and she just can't wait. One third of a suitcase is dedicated to books, so expect some relaxed-sounding and very generous reviews when she gets back, sated with sun, four cheese pizza and every flavour of ice cream the gelateria has to offer. Let's get down to business before she bursts with anticipation. Read more...

What's In A Name?

Kate Furnivall muses on the difficulty of getting just the right title for a book. Read more...

Top Ten Books About America

We're posting this top ten in honour of the 4th of July and our friends across the pond. Big, brash, bold, ever-optimistic, there's no missing America. Here are our favourite books in which the United States, or parts of it, take centre stage. Why not tell us about your favourite books about America? By the way, did you know that the 4th of July is also Liberation Day in Rwanda, St Bertha's day (who dat?!) and Michael Johnson's birthday. We've stolen him away for BBC athletics punditry. Sorry, you can't have him back. Read more...

Top Ten Children's Books About Weighty Subjects

Bookbag's certain belief is that fiction is perfectly placed to incite topical and philosophical debate amongst the young. It enables them to explore dangerous and painful subjects vicariously, so they're engaged emotionally, but have enough distance to feel secure and safe whilst doing it. We bemoan political uninterest in our teenagers, so what more perfect way than a good book is there to energise them about the social issues that affect us all? Here are some of our favourites, but there are many, many more. Why not tell us about your favourites too? Read more...

Booktrust Teenage Prize 2009

The 2009 Booktrust Teenage Prize longlist has been announced. Last year's winner was The Knife Of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness and previous winners include Henry Tumour by Anthony McGowan and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time by Mark Haddon. Teenagers can apply to be judges at Booktrust.org.uk before 27 July. The winner will be announced in November. Here's what Bookbag thought of the books. Why not tell us what you thought too. Read more...

Independent Booksellers' Prize 2009

The 2009 Independent Booksellers' Prize shortlist has been announced. You can vote for your favourite in independent bookshops around the UK, until 28 August, so get out there and support your friendly local bookseller! The winner will be announced in September. Here's what Bookbag thought of them. Why not tell us about your favourites too? Read more...

File:Booknewsletters.jpg June 2009 Newsletter

Hi again from Bookbag Towers. There's some stop press news: Andy Murray's going to win Wimbledon. You heard it first here. What year this might happen, well, we're reserving judgement. Jill's younger son is convinced it's this year though, so make sure you tune in. In the unlikely event you're not a great fan of tennis - and Jill's son thinks this is a silly thing to say, since everyone is a great fan of tennis, and cricket, and football, and rugby - then read on Macduff, we have some great books to talk about this month. Read more...

Top Ten Adult Books That Teens Should Read

Do you remember your first foray into adult fiction? We certainly do. There's a whole world of grown up books out there just waiting for you, and it's so exciting. Quality genre stuff is ideal for the child ready to move up a level, and anything involving a young protagonist is also great. Here are our favourite ten suggestions. Why not tell us about your favourites? On the flip-side of the coin, adults will love our Top Ten Teen Books That Adults Should Read. Read more...

Top Ten Books For Your Father

Dads deserve presents. They deserve an opportunity to put their feet up with a good book and relax. Whether it be for father's day, a birthday, Christmas, or just to show him that you love him, these are the perfect gifts to buy for your father. Why not tell us about your favourites books for your dad? Read more...

Orange Prize for Fiction 2009

Dawn Powell didn’t manage to get to the awards ceremony of the Orange Prize for Fiction 2009, but she did manage to get to the shortlist event at the Southbank Centre the day before (2nd June). She reports on the highlights of the event. Read more...

Top Ten Book Recommendations From Twitterers

We love Twitter. It's a great way to keep in touch with authors and other book fans, hear what they're up to, share what we're up to and find out what's going on in the world of books. If you've not already seen the Bookbag Twitter feed, get clicking! Inspired by Judy Astley's self-proclaimed (and Bookbag-admired) media-tart cheek, we asked people on Twitter what their favourite Bookbag reviews were. Here's what they said. Huge thanks to Judy Astley, Elise Blackwell, Ray Beckerman, Agnieszka's Shoes, Nina Douglas, Steve Emecz, Tamsyn Tweetie, Benjamin Glover and Jason Mark Curley. Read more...

Top Ten Beach Reads For Teens

For fear of hearing the dreaded phrase "I'm booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooored" on the beach this summer, fling your teen this must-read list before you go. Kerry's picked her favourite holiday reads for teenagers. Why not tell us about your favourites? Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Penelope Evans

Bookbag loved Penelope Evans' The Weight of Water and couldn't resist the opportunity to ask her some questions about her work. Read more...

Top Ten Beach Reads For Girls

Ah, summer's here. The sun is shining, the sky is clear, the weather is gorgeous, and the planes flying overhead look mighty tempting. What's nicer than lying on the beach with a book, soaking up the sun and losing yourself in a good book. Kerry's picked her favourite holiday reads for women. Men can check out the Top Ten Beach Reads For Boys. (Of course, there's nothing stopping men enjoying these choices and vice versa!) Why not tell us about your favourites? Read more...

Top Ten Beach Reads For Boys

Ah, summer's here. The sun is shining, the sky is clear, the weather is gorgeous, and the planes flying overhead look mighty tempting. What's nicer than lying on the beach with a book, soaking up the sun and losing yourself in a good book. Kerry's picked her favourite holiday reads for men. Women can check out the Top Ten Beach Reads For Girls. (Of course, there's nothing stopping women enjoying these choices and vice versa!) Why not tell us about your favourites? Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Marcus Sedgwick

Bookbag loved Marcus Sedgwick's Revolver. It's densely written and chilling in every sense of the word. We jumped at the opportunity to ask him some questions about his work. Read more...

File:Booknewsletters.jpg May 2009 Newsletter

Hello! Wimbledon has a new roof, did you see? At the rate rain is coming down at Bookbag Towers, it's looking as though it's going to be needed. We're still holding out for a heatwave though. Last month, we told you about our new text alert service and asked for feedback. We've listened to what you had to say, and made some changes. There are now four services: BOOKS2U (adults), TEENBOOK2U (teens), KIDBOOKS2U (8-13s) and SHARING2U (2-7s). Each will send just one text a week costing 25p, so you can mix and match what you'd like to receive. We're hoping to add more services for adults in the future, but let's see how you like version two first. Read more...

The Guardian Children's Fiction Prize 2009

We've been looking at the books longlisted for The Guardian's Children's Fiction Prize 2009 and we're impressed. Picking the shortlist - never mind the winner - is going to be no easy job. Read more...

Top Ten Books About London

You might not share Dr Johnson's famous sentiment, but London is certainly one of the world's - and literature's - iconic cities. It inspired countless non-fiction books, it is a customary setting of a lot of popular novels, from Dickens to modern chick-lit, and sometimes it becomes a character in its own right. Bookbag selected its very own top ten London books: a list as diverse and idiosyncratic as the city itself. There is history and crime, politics and literature, and even an alternative London in a parallel world. Why not tell us about your favourites? Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Sarah Dyer

Bookbag was charmed by the unique illustrations and quirky tale in The Girl With The Bird's Nest Hair by Sarah Dyer. We jumped at the chance to ask Sarah some questions about her work. Read more...

Top Ten Books for Young Readers That Feature a Passage Between Worlds

Magda has compiled her top ten novels which feature a portal between worlds. In most of them, a character from our reality enters an alternative (and often, but not always, a magical) world, but in some, the journey is the other way, or both worlds are different from ours. Why not tell us about your favourites? Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Michelle Lovric

Bookbag loved Michelle Lovric's The Undrowned Child. It's a wonderful alternate world historical fantasy, pitting myth and legend against science. We jumped at the opportunity to ask her a few questions. Read more...

Top Ten Books To Help Down-Size And Make Ends Meet

Sick of the rat race? You're down-sizing, cutting back or just what to make the most of what you've got? We sort out the books that will make it easier and give you a better life. Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Sarah Prineas

Bookbag loved Sarah Prineas' The Magic Thief and The Magic Thief: Lost. We were thrilled with the opportunity to ask her some questions about it, and get to know her a bit better. Read more...

Top Ten War Novels

So, you've read Catch-22, Slaughterhouse 5 and Birdsong. You're looking for more war novels to move you with tales of bravery, to make you cry at the futility, and to help you look deep inside yourself. Work your way through our top ten war novels, and realise that whilst war may not be the answer, books about war so frequently are. Why not tell us about your favourite books about war? Read more...

Top Ten Books For The Defenders Of Reason

We are living in one of the most prosperous periods in the history of humanity, and our lives are longer and healthier than they have ever been before. Despite that, people seem to be getting more worried about a huge number of issues, some clearly valid, some ridiculously improbable, some downright loony. A growing (and often justified) mistrust in government and big business is paralleled by a growing (and completely unjustified) belief in outlandish conspiracy theories, alternative therapies that work worse than placebo and non-existing pseudo-science. The human brain, adapted to small hunter-gatherer groups roaming the Pleistocene savannah has some trouble dealing with the information overload of modern global culture. Magda has chosen a selection of books which won't rewire our brains but can go some way to making us more aware and more wary of the creeping ways of unreason. Why not tell us about your favourite books by and for the defenders of reason? Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Elizabeth Laird

Bookbag loved Elizabeth Laird's Witching Hour - just as it's loved all her previous books. We were thrilled with the opportunity to ask her some questions about it, and get to know her a bit better. Read more...

Book Slam

Dawn Powell tells us about a different type of night club - this one's devoted to books and poetry readings. Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Julia Green

Bookbag really enjoyed Breathing Underwater by Julia Green - an engaging story of coming to terms with grief. We jumped at the chance to ask her some questions about her work. Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Benjamin J Myers

Bookbag loved Twisted Symmetry and Strange Energy - the first two books in Benjamin J Myers' The Bad Tuesdays series. We jumped at the chance to ask him some questions about them. Read more...

File:Booknewsletters.jpg April 2009 Newsletter

Well, we've been at it again. Adding stuff. The chocolate rush over Easter got us all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed and we decided to go mobile. So, you can now receive the choicest Bookbag morsels direct to your mobile phone. If you're away from the computer, or if you're in a bookshop and spoiled for choice, you can use our updates to choose a good book to read. All you need to do is text BOOKS2U for adults or KIDBOOKS2U for children to 63336 to subscribe. Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld

Bookbag loved the fun, quirkiness and directness of Duck! Rabbit! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld. It takes a single optical illusion and weaves a narrative around it. The opportunity to ask its author and illustrator a few questions was one that we couldn't pass up. Read more...

Top Ten Books about Britain, Britishness, and the Brits

Magda, she of the missing articles, has chosen her favourite books about Britishness. Read about how we see ourselves and how we are seen by others. What are our totems, aside from a nice cup of tea? We are a peculiar people at times, you know, even if our articles are better than hers. <ducks>. Why not tell us about your favourite books about Britain? Read more...

Top Ten Retellings of Myths, Legends and Fairy Tales

We all know the classic myths and legends - we've picked up bits and pieces of them, from a myriad of sources over the years. We think we know them like the back of our hand, but do we really? Here are the best retellings of historical legends, to refresh our memories and rekindle our love of the great and timeless tales, from many civilisations and cultures. Why not tell us about your favourites? Read more...

Top Ten Books About Language

To paraphrase one of our reviewers, books are Bookbag's business and Bookbag's love, and books are made of words. Words, among other things, make language. Language is one of the things that make us human. This is a mixed-bag top 10 of books that deal with language, with words, with communication of meaning that goes beyond language, and with our favourite variety of language: the one that makes books. Why not tell us about your favourites? Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Shirley Hughes

Bookbag really enjoyed Bye Bye Birdie - Shirley Hughes' first graphic novel for adults. The chance to ask such an icon of children's literature a few questions was more than we could resist. She was absolutely lovely and we were thrilled to talk to her. Read more...

Top Ten Books About Vampires

You've read Dracula and devoured all the Anne Rice books. You love books about vampires but don't know which to read next. These are the books that scare us, that make us jump, that make us check under the bed for things that are going to bite us. Here are the best books about vampires. Why not tell us about your favourites? You may also enjoy our Top Ten Books For Children Who Love To Be Scared Silly. Read more...

File:Booknewsletters.jpg March 2009 Newsletter

Hello! The telltale signs of spring are in the air. Bookbag has seen some sunshine! At last! We didn't do too much basking though; we were too busy getting ourselves set up on Twitter, the latest thing in interweb and mobile communication. If you'd like to keep up with us in a more chatty way Read more...

Top Ten Tube Reads

When you're hopping from Tube to Tube, you want a book in bite-size chunks that you can pick up and put down at a moment's notice. Some are quick and light, others are perfect escapism when when you're delayed for half an hour on the Circle Line, and others will make the best use of our time by improving our minds. These are our favourite books for reading when we're on the Underground - but you could read them on any bus, train, plane, donkey or bicycle if you wanted. ...Maybe not the last one. Why not tell us about your favourites? Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks to Knife and Packer

Bookbag enjoyed the silliness in Return of the Chocoholic Vampires and couldn't resist the opportunity to ask Knife and Packer a few questions about it. Read more...

Top Ten Books For Your Mother

Mums deserve presents. They deserve an opportunity to put their feet up with a good book and relax - whether it be for mother's day, a birthday, Christmas, or just to show her that you love her, these are the perfect gifts to buy for your mother. Why not tell us about your favourite book for your mum? Read more...

Top Ten Crime Novels

Don't worry - these are not the top ten crime books which you ought (dreadful word!) to read or the most-hyped books. These are ten books which we think you'll love – the ones where you just have to keep turning the pages to find out what happens next. There are a few names you'll know well, but quite a few which might be new to you. Why not tell us about your favourites? Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks to Peter Akinti

Bookbag was deeply affected by Peter Akinti's novel Forest Gate, about contemporary life in Britain. It moulds urban, black and refugee experiences and deals unflinchingly with suicide. It hurts to read - but never, ever forgets that love can save us all. Peter Akinti was kind enough to be interviewed by Bookbag. Read more...

The Richard and Judy Shortlist 2009

Richard and Judy's favourite books for 2009. Read more...

Top Ten Books With Gorgeous Illustrations

Here at Bookbag, we love books. We love words, but that's not all a book is. These are the best books for poring over, soaking up the atmosphere and just flat out enjoying. These are books featuring our favourite illustrators - so often the unsung heroes. Why not tell us about your favourites? Read more...

Top Ten Books For Dog Lovers

We're dog lovers here at Bookbag Towers, well, apart from those who prefer cats and we've found some wonderful books to share with you. There's fiction and non-fiction and something for every age group. Why not tell us about your favourites? Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks to Jenny Valentine

Jenny Valentine's third novel The Ant Colony is a deeply humane and heartwarming story of mistakes and regrets and how to put them right. It's witty, wise and full of unforgettable characters. We think Jenny Valentine just gets better and better, so we jumped at the chance to talk to her. Read more...

Top Ten Quirky Kids' Books

Bookbag thinks quirky is a very good word. We love a little bit of subversion. Life wouldn't be the same without it. Children love subversion too, and here we have some glorious indiscipline, some sweetness without saccharine, and some illustrations that you'll look at over and over again. Why not tell us about your favourites? Read more...

Top Ten Books For Slightly Geeky People

Geeks are cool. They're brimming with knowledge, wisdom, and a quirky attention to detail. They love immersing themselves in science, trivia, facts, lists and history. Here are the best books to buy for the geeks in your life. Why not tell us about your favourites? Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks to Patricia Fara

Patricia Fara's definitive history of science is a wonderfuly informative read. It's packed with interesting detail and thought-provoking conclusions. She was kind enough to discuss Science: A Four Thousand Year History further with Bookbag. Read more...

Top Ten Love Stories For Teenagers

They say the first love is the sweetest - and certainly, we all remember our first loves. But they also say that course of true love never runs smooth - and this selection looks at first love in all its guises, in all sorts of situations. They cover apartheid, sexual ambiguity, mortality and abuse. They take place all over the world, and the styles are just as diverse. There's kitchen sink drama and magic realism. But most of all, there's first love. Enjoy! Why not tell us about your favourites? Read more...

Top Ten Teen Chick Lit Books

Chick lit often gets a bad name, but we don't see why. Girls like girlie things. Boys like, um, what do boys like? Fart jokes? Well, girls don't. They like love stories, and rivalries, and chocolate, and bonding. Teen girls are no different, and good for them. Here are some great examples of chick lit for them. Why not tell us about your favourites? Read more...

File:Booknewsletters.jpg February 2009 Newsletter

Hello! It snowed! Thank heavens that's over - it sends Brits into a complete tizzy, doesn't it, that white stuff? You'd think we'd all be happy sledging and building snowmen and making the most of an event that comes just once every other decade. But oh no, we moan about the roads, the trains, the schools and the hospitals. We demand snow ploughs in plenty - but we only moaned about the cost of our council tax last week. Read more...

Waterstone's Children's Book Prize 2009

The 2009 Waterstone's Children's Book Prize was announced on 18 February. The judging panel had a hard time picking from the wonderful shortlist, but ultimately decided on The Thirteen Treasures by Michelle Harrison as the winner. Read more...

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