Features

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

File:Booknewsletters.jpg November 2016 Newsletter

Everything has gone a little bit crazy in dear old Blightly of late, hasn't it? Brexit has sent us all into a spin and there is a great deal of anger about. Our hope, in this November newsletter, is to bring you - whichever side of the Brexit divide you find yourself on - some of the joy and happiness found in reading for pleasure. Reading is the best escape of all. We'll never change our minds about that here at Bookbag Towers. Read more...

Top Ten Crime Novels 2016

For the most part we've avoided the big names in our favourites this year: it's good to see some new names coming through! These are our favourites in alphabetical order by author. Read more...

Top Ten Historical Fiction Books of 2016

A few years ago historical fiction was a niche genre, but now it's mainstream and we've seen some cracking books this year. These are our favourites in alphabetical order by author. Read more...

Top Ten Women's Fiction Books of 2016

There should be something for everyone's tastes here: they're all great fun and we've presented them alphabetically by author. Read more...

Top Ten Autobiographies and Biographies 2016

We've seen a lot of biographies and autobiographies in 2016 and it hasn't been easy to select just ten as our favourites, but here's what we finally settled on in alphabetical order by author. Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Leigh Bardugo

Olivia thought that Crooked Kingdom was all that she could want from a book and more, so she had quite a few questions when Leigh Bardugo popped in to Bookbag Towers to chat to us. Read more...

Top Ten Literary Fiction Books of 2016

It's been a rich year for literary fiction and we had great fun debating which were our favourites - but here they are in alphabetical order by author. Read more...

Top Ten Science Fiction and Fantasy Novels 2016

We've got some old favourites and some new names in this year's selection of our favourites. Here they are - in alphabetical order by author. Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Steven Burgauer

Ani thought that The Road To War: Duty & Drill, Courage & Capture by Steven Burgauer was personal, inspiring & insightful. She had quite a few points to discuss when Steven Burgauer popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us. Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Numba Pinkerton

For years Sue has bought mostly black clothes, because they seemed safe: Numba Pinkerton has shown her how to have a wardrobe which works and which she loves. When Numba, author of The No Black Project popped into Bookbag Towers, Sue had lots of questions she wanted to ask. Read more...

The Richard and Judy Book Club Autumn 2016

Seven great reads for the autumn - and we've read them all! Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Richard Smith about The Darzoids' Stone

Jill loved The Darziods' Stone - a fast-paced teen adventure - and had quite a few questions for author Richard Smith when he popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us. Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Gloria D Gonsalves About Lamellia: The Kingdom of Mushrooms

Jill enjoyed Lamellia: The Kingdom of Mushrooms by Gloria D Gonsalves and said that she'd be glad to read it to any child. She and the author had lots to chat about when Gloria popped into Bookbag Towers. Read more...

File:Booknewsletters.jpg October 2016 Newsletter

Well, hello there, Bookbaggers. Are you enjoying some autumnal colours? Kicking through some leaves? Splashing in the odd puddle or two? If so, enjoy!

We hope you didn't miss [Poetry Day]. Lots happened, not least Kate Tempest live on BBC2 at prime time on a Saturday night. She was fabulous, wasn't she? If you missed it, here is the trailer for Let Them Eat Chaos, the piece she performed. The whole thing is truly wonderful. Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Anthony Bidulka

Luke was impressed when he read Set Free by Anthony Bidulka not least because he liked the characters he felt he could invest in. He had quite a few questions when the author popped into Bookbag Towers. Read more...

Natasha Farrant Talks To Bookbag About First Discovering Jane Austen

We loved Lydia: The Wild Girl of Pride and Prejudice and it was fascinating to listen to author Natasha Farrant tell us about how she first came to dicover Jane Austen. Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Pamela Johnson

Rebecca was impressed when she read Taking in Water by Pamela Johnson - she was reminded of Iris Murdoch's The Sea, The Sea - and Johnson's writing style put her in mind of two of favourite authors, Tessa Hadley and Kate Atkinson. She had quite a few questions when the author popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us. Read more...

File:Booknewsletters.jpg September 2016 Newsletter

Hi, hello and how are you all, dear readers?

Here's some cool news to start us off this month - an innovative new monthly print magazine for 8-12 year-olds is about to launch. Scoop will offer an inspiring mix of short stories, poetry, non-fiction features, comic strips and activities. It will feature some of the very best creators of literary and visual content for children - think Neil Gaiman, Eoin Colfer and Laura Dockrill, just for starters. Not least, Scoop is for children who will be thrilled to receive their very own magazine in the post, addressed only to them. We love the sound of Scoop. It reminds Jill of the Puffin Post, to which she enthusiastically subscribed as a child. If you have a child who loves to read, you should look it out. Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Ritchie Valentine Smith

Ani enjoyed Words of Power, the first volume of a new samurai fantasy series by Ritchie Valentine Smith. She had plenty of questions for the author when he popped in to see us. Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To S B Charles

Jill thought that Gliding With Black Swans by S B Charles was a roller coaster of a thriller and she couldn't wait to chat to author S B Charles when he popped in to chat to us. Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Christopher Bowden about 'The Purple Shadow'

It's not long since Jill enjoyed Christopher Bowden's novel The Green Door, so she was delighted when she had the opportunity to read his latest book The Purple Shadow. Read more...

File:Booknewsletters.jpg August 2016 Newsletter

Well, hello there, readers. We hope you're well. And we hope you're getting back to reading now that Rio 2016 and all the associated Olympic excitements are done and dusted. We have some great books for you to consider this month. So read on...

How many books do you think you might have read over the last three years? You'd be going some if you said a thousand, right? But what if you said 2.500? That would be amazing! Well, Faith Jackson, aged 12, has done just that. She has met authors, been given books, and now is about to be featured in Ripley's upcoming Odd Around the World. We like the cut of your jib, Faith. Keep reading! Read more...

File:Booknewsletters.jpg July 2016 Newsletter

Hello! We hope you are well. We hope you are not traumatised by Brexit. We hope you are not in despair at the apparent collapse of our political system. Of course you may be one or both. If so, you have our sympathies and our best efforts at distracting you from the various non-reading related stresses currently engulfing the country. Books are constant! Read more...

File:Booknewsletters.jpg June 2016 Newsletter

Let's get the snark out of the way first! Simon Literary Cowell has declared his intention to write a book for children because all the books he reads to his son are "boring". The internet responded O RLY? Simon, probably not up with youth speak, also got some advice from various children's authors, understandably somewhat miffed, including Philip Ardagh and Michael Rosen. We suggest Simon browses through the Bookbag children's section. He won't find much to bore him in there. We think the Mini Cowell might enjoy Traction Man Meets Turbo Dog by Mini Grey , for example. Oh, what a silly, silly man. Read more...

File:Booknewsletters.jpg May 2016 Newsletter

Hi, hello and how the devil are you? Read anything good lately? If you're looking for ideas, we can oblige with this month's recommendations and a blast from the past that's worth revisiting. If there's anything you think you can add, do let us know.

We'd like to take a moment to say goodbye to the fabulous Jenny Diski, who died from cancer recently. She wrote a diary in the London Review of Books post-diagnosis and it was as witty and acerbic as all her writing. We will truly miss her. Rest in peace, Jenny. Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Russell Mardell

Jill thought that Cold Calling was unexpectedly delightful and above all, very, very human. She had quite a few questions for author Russell Mardell when he popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us. Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Joel Mentmore

After she read Smart Ani realised that she would never be completely comfotable with her mobile phone again. She had quite a few questions for author Joel Mentmore when he popped into Bookbag Towers. Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Hazel McHaffie

Sue absolutely refused to be separated from Inside of Me until she found out what happened to anorexic India and her mother. She had quite a few questions for author Hazel McHaffie when she popped into Bookbag Towers. Read more...

File:Booknewsletters.jpg April 2016 Newsletter

Hello there, Bookbaggers, and how the devil are you? Well, we hope. What are you reading today? Anything we should know about? If you are undecided about what to read next, we have plenty to recommend to you from this month's releases. Guess what? In a poll commissioned by Amnesty International UK, parents were asked to choose the activity that they thought developed their child’s empathy the most - and reading was the runaway winner. We agree! Reading is a vicarious experience and really helps us all - not just children - to appreciate the world through someone else's eyes. Amnesty UK will also give a special commendation this year to one of the shortlisted books in the Carnegie and Kate Greenaway awards . This will be the first ever human rights commendation for children’s books and we think it's a really positive initiative. Read more...

Quentin Bates talks to Bookbag about about ''Thin Ice''

Author Quentin Bates popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us about Thin Ice, the seventh book in his Officer Gunnhildur series. Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To C E Robinson

Ani was impressed by the world building in Lilith: Eden's Planetary Princess and knew that there was an exciting series to come. She had quite a few questions for author C E Robinson when he popped into Bookbag Towers. Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Anthony Gardner

Jill thought that Fox by Anthony Gardner was plot-focused and had twists to suit every thriller fan. She was impressed by the serious depiction of the downtrodden individual against the erosion of hard-won civil liberties. There was quite a lot to chat about when the author popped into Bookbag Towers. Read more...

File:Booknewsletters.jpg February 2016 Newsletter

Hi, hello and a very happy February to all our readers. It's been a long slog but we are nearing winter's end and that's a relief, isn't it? We're looking forward to some spring sunshine and some fabulous spring books.

David Bowie died. And the nation was shocked and grief-stricken. We were no different. And so, in memory of one our great cultural icons, we perused this list of the great man's top 100 books. The list is as eclectic as you'd expect and inspirational, too. Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Michael Pronko about 'Motions and Moments'

Last year Rebecca enjoyed Michael Pronko's first book of essays on Tokyo life and she was delighted to be able to review his third book, Motions and Moments: More Essays on Tokyo. She had quite a few questions for Michael when he popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us. Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Haraldur Erlendsson and Keith Hagenbach

Stacey thought that The Man Who Drew Triangles: Magician, mystic or out of his mind? by Haraldur Erlendsson and Keith Hagenbach was a thrilling, plot-twistingly good tale of folklore, legends, spirits and ultimately of thinking a little differently. She had quite a few questions for the authors when they popped into Bookbag Towers. Read more...

File:Booknewsletters.jpg January 2016 Newsletter

HAPPY NEW YEAR! We hope you had a wonderful festive season and if you were affected by the awful floods, you have our sympathy, solidarity and very best wishes. And at least one book in your Christmas stocking. Read more...

Top Ten Self-Published Books 2015

We've seen some great self-published books this year and had great fun choosing our top ten books. Here they are, in alphabetical order by author. Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Spadge Whittaker

Jill thought that Braver Than Britain, Occasionally by Spadge Whittaker in which Spadge researches Britain's top ten fears and faces them all over the course of a year was funny and silly and, yes, brave. It's a joyous little book. EXCEPT FOR THE SPIDERS. Read more...

Bookbag's Christmas Gift Recommendations 2015

We know that you could do your Christmas present book shopping from Amazon's best seller lists, but we like to suggest more unusual books that we've enjoyed over the year. Hopefully you'll find something for everyone here. Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Dr Kris J Sime

Jill thought that Dragon's Flight was FUN and that's not something she often says, so she had quite a few questions for authgor Kris Sime when he popped into Bookbag Towers. Read more...

Top Ten Women's Fiction 2015

We've been looking for intelligent women's fiction that provides a good read and we think that we've found some crackers. Here they are, in alphabetical order by author. Read more...

File:Booknewsletters.jpg November 2015 Newsletter

Happy November, Bookbaggers! We hate to be the eleventy billionth people to mention it to you, but Christmas is around the corner. Sorry, but it is! If you're looking for some bookish gift recommendations, scroll down to our features section where we have done our best to help you out. Read more...

Top Ten Crime Novels of 2015

We've tried to give you a varied selection of crime novels for 2015. They come from several continents and some have been translated and there are old favourites as well as some talented newcomers. Here they are, in alphabetical order by author. Read more...

Top Ten Fantasy Books of 2015

We had a fun time choosing our top ten fantasy novels of 2015, not least because it got us into a lot of do you remember...? conversations! It took quite a while to whittle our choices down to ten, particularly as we've excluded any books which are part of a series where you need to have read earlier books to appreciate this one. Here they are, in alphabetical order by author. Read more...

Top Ten Historical Fiction Books of 2015

We've noticed a growing appetite for top class historical fiction and there have been some very good examples in 2015. In making our selection we've avoided books which are the later parts of trilogies and where you really need to have read the earlier books to get the best from them, but here's our selection, in alphabetical order by author. Read more...

Top Ten General Fiction Books for 2015

2015 has been a good year for those books which you just want to enjoy reading and we think that we've found something for everyone's taste. Here they are, alphabetically by author. Read more...

Top Ten Books for Teens 2015

Choosing our top ten books for teens is always difficult and 2015 was no exception. We think there's something here for everyone and they're in alphabetical order by author Read more...

Top Ten History Books 2015

We seem to be celebrating a lot of anniversaries - and the books which accompany them - at the moment, but in selecting our top ten history books of 2015 we've tried to give as wide a selection of periods and subjects as possible so that there's something to appeal to everyone. Here they are in alphabetical order by author. Read more...

The wait is over and we now know that Marlon James won the Booker Prize 2015. He's the first Jamaican to win and we couldn't be happier for him. Ani loved A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James, calling it multi-layered epiphany of a novel and if you haven't read it already, you really, really should. You can also find our reviews of all the short listed books here. They're all fabulous. Read more...

Man Booker Prize 2015

We're eagerly awaiting news of the winner of the 2015 Man Booker Prize and we have some exciting books on the shortlist. Read more...

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