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November 2013 Newsletter (view source)
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, 09:01, 15 November 2013Created page with "If you'd like to sign up for our monthly newsletter, just drop us [mailto:subscribe@thebookbag.co.uk an email]. We won't bother you more than once a month, but we'll tell you ..."
If you'd like to sign up for our monthly newsletter, just drop us [mailto:subscribe@thebookbag.co.uk an email]. We won't bother you more than once a month, but we'll tell you about what we've been reading at Bookbag and any news from the site. We promise never to pass your details on to anyone else. In fact... we won't even tell each other.
== November's News from Bookbag Towers ==
Hi, hello and how the devil are you?
Did you know that 2013 marks the 60th anniversary of the [http://www.thecwa.co.uk/ Crime Writers' Association]? To celebrate, they held a poll to find the greatest crime writer, crime series and crime novel. The fantabulous [[The Grand Tour: Letters and photographs from the British Empire expedition by Agatha Christie and Mathew Prichard (editor)|Agatha Christie]] topped the ratings for greatest writer with her novel ''The Murder of Roger Ackroyd'' as the greatest novel. [[Eliminate the Impossible: An Examination of the World of Sherlock Holmes on Page and Screen by Alistair Duncan and Steve Emecz|Sherlock Holmes]] was the greatest series. No surprises then, but it shows how much Christie and Conan Doyle are a part of our national pride and discourse.
But if you're looking for new things, Amazon have launched a literary journal. [[http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=1001224641|Day One]] will contain a short story and poem each week, plus some words from its editor. There will also be the odd interview and each cover will be especially commissioned from different literary illustrators. It all looks jolly exciting - but we are wondering whether or not they'll be able to keep up the quality on a weekly schedule. It'll be interesting to see how it pans out!
We ''know'' it's still November. We ''know'' that you'll groan when we say ''that'' word. Sorry. But Christmas - and the requisite shopping is coming up. Books make great gifts and our list of Christmas recommendations will be out soon. But if you're looking to do some early shopping, then we can help with that right now. Take a look at our [[:Category:Lists|lists]] category and you'll find our best picks for just about any kind of reader. For example, we've chosen the best of 2013's [[Top Ten Crime Novels 0f 2013|crime novels]], [[Top Ten Fantasy Books of 2013|fantasy novels]], and [[Top Ten Teen Books of 2013|teen novels]]. There's loads more so if you are stuck for ideas, do have a look.
'''Golden Hour'''
This month, we are highlighting [[The Iron Man (Faber Classics) by Ted Hughes|The Iron Man by Ted Hughes]] as our trip into the past. We love this children's sci-fi fairytale. ''The Iron Man came to the top of the cliff. How far had he walked? Nobody knows. Where had he come from? Nobody knows. How was he made? Nobody knows.'' Certainly deserving the name classic, this dramatic yet eerie oddity is well worth a revisit and happily, Faber Classics have given it a beautiful 45th anniversary edition, out this month.
'''Books of the Month'''
And on to to the new...
.
In fiction, Lesley loved [[The Year of Miracle and Grief by Leonid Borodin]]. A twelve-year-old newcomer to the shores of Lake Baikal explores the notorious Dead Man's Crag and there discovers the secret of the mountain that looks like a ruined castle. This is a magical tale of hurt and love laced with the remote wonder of Siberia.
In fiction too, Ani fell hard for [[The Purchase by Linda Spalding]], the haunting story of an early American Quaker family. If you're looking for a memorably beautiful novel that makes you get up in the middle of the night to read more (yes, Ani did), go no further. Linda Spalding seems to be writing with you in mind.
In non-fiction, John recommends [[Magic Words: The Extraordinary Life of Alan Moore by Lance Parkin]], a biography of perhaps the greatest ever writer of graphic novels. Compelling in its level of detail, this book shows us why Alan Moore is held in such high esteem – and deserves nothing less itself.
For teens, John was mightily impressed by [[Close Your Pretty Eyes by Sally Nicholls]]. A precocious, damaged girl faces a haunting from something even more 'evil' than she has been led to see herself as, in this flawless, gripping, teen horror. Read it even if you're older - you get two stories in one and a lot more besides.
For the little ones, Zoe loved [[The Sad Story of Veronica Who Played The Violin by David McKee]]. A hoot and a half, this story of a sassy little girl by the name of Veronica is bound to be a hit. It's super funny in a rather naughty way and it particularly lends itself to reading in a group.
'''Features'''
Of course, we also have interviews for you this month. Sue was completely captivated by [[The Room Beyond by Stephanie Elmas]] and there was quite a lot to talk about when she and Stephanie [[The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Stephanie Elmas|chatted]]. Her book was a labour of love that lasted seven years!
Jill learned a great deal about Danes, about Americans and about herself when she read [[A Piece of Danish Happiness by Sharmi Albrechtsen|A Piece of Danish Happiness]]. She had quite a few things to discuss with author Sharmi Albrechtsen when she [[The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Sharmi Albrechtsen|popped in]] to Bookbag Towers. Sue thought that [[Speaking of Love by Angela Young|Speaking of Love]] was one of the most compelling pictures of mental illness which she'd read. There was quite a lot to talk about when author Angela Young came along to [[The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Angela Young|chat to us]].
Sue also thought that [[Canton Elegy: A Father's Letter of Sacrifice, Survival and Love by Stephen Jin-Nom Lee and Howard Webster]] was compelling and life-affirming reading. She had quite a few [[The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Howard Webster|questions]] for co-author Howard Webster. Robert felt that Julie Berry's exploration of the [[All The Truth That's In Me by Julie Berry||story of a voiceless girl]] was worth reading. He had quite a few points to raise when [[The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Julie Berry|they talked]].
Robert was impressed when he read [[The Gravity Between Us by Kristen Zimmer|The Gravity Between Us]] and delighted when author Kristen Zimmer [[The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Kristen Zimmer|popped in]] for an interview. Jill thought that [[The House by Sebastiana Randone]] was genre busting and she had quite a few questions for the author when [[The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Sebastiana Randone|they chatted]].
'''Reviewers'''
We're always on the look out for people to join our panel of reviewers at Bookbag. We need people who understand that the reader wants to know what the reviewer thinks about the book and not just what's written on the back cover. If you think that you're one of these special people that we're looking for, we want to hear from you. You can find details of how to apply [[Reviewer Vacancies|here]] on the site. Don't be shy!
'''Competitions'''
We have [[Competitions|competitions]] for some great books going this month, and every month, so get entering!
And that's about it for this month. If you're passing Bookbag Towers do pop in and see us – we're at [[The Bookbag|www.thebookbag.co.uk]].
'''''All at Bookbag Towers'''''
(PS – if you don't want to receive further copies of our newsletter please [mailto:unsubscribe@thebookbag.co.uk email us] and we'll see that you're deleted from the mailing list.)
[[Category:Newsletters|* 2013 11]]
== November's News from Bookbag Towers ==
Hi, hello and how the devil are you?
Did you know that 2013 marks the 60th anniversary of the [http://www.thecwa.co.uk/ Crime Writers' Association]? To celebrate, they held a poll to find the greatest crime writer, crime series and crime novel. The fantabulous [[The Grand Tour: Letters and photographs from the British Empire expedition by Agatha Christie and Mathew Prichard (editor)|Agatha Christie]] topped the ratings for greatest writer with her novel ''The Murder of Roger Ackroyd'' as the greatest novel. [[Eliminate the Impossible: An Examination of the World of Sherlock Holmes on Page and Screen by Alistair Duncan and Steve Emecz|Sherlock Holmes]] was the greatest series. No surprises then, but it shows how much Christie and Conan Doyle are a part of our national pride and discourse.
But if you're looking for new things, Amazon have launched a literary journal. [[http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=1001224641|Day One]] will contain a short story and poem each week, plus some words from its editor. There will also be the odd interview and each cover will be especially commissioned from different literary illustrators. It all looks jolly exciting - but we are wondering whether or not they'll be able to keep up the quality on a weekly schedule. It'll be interesting to see how it pans out!
We ''know'' it's still November. We ''know'' that you'll groan when we say ''that'' word. Sorry. But Christmas - and the requisite shopping is coming up. Books make great gifts and our list of Christmas recommendations will be out soon. But if you're looking to do some early shopping, then we can help with that right now. Take a look at our [[:Category:Lists|lists]] category and you'll find our best picks for just about any kind of reader. For example, we've chosen the best of 2013's [[Top Ten Crime Novels 0f 2013|crime novels]], [[Top Ten Fantasy Books of 2013|fantasy novels]], and [[Top Ten Teen Books of 2013|teen novels]]. There's loads more so if you are stuck for ideas, do have a look.
'''Golden Hour'''
This month, we are highlighting [[The Iron Man (Faber Classics) by Ted Hughes|The Iron Man by Ted Hughes]] as our trip into the past. We love this children's sci-fi fairytale. ''The Iron Man came to the top of the cliff. How far had he walked? Nobody knows. Where had he come from? Nobody knows. How was he made? Nobody knows.'' Certainly deserving the name classic, this dramatic yet eerie oddity is well worth a revisit and happily, Faber Classics have given it a beautiful 45th anniversary edition, out this month.
'''Books of the Month'''
And on to to the new...
.
In fiction, Lesley loved [[The Year of Miracle and Grief by Leonid Borodin]]. A twelve-year-old newcomer to the shores of Lake Baikal explores the notorious Dead Man's Crag and there discovers the secret of the mountain that looks like a ruined castle. This is a magical tale of hurt and love laced with the remote wonder of Siberia.
In fiction too, Ani fell hard for [[The Purchase by Linda Spalding]], the haunting story of an early American Quaker family. If you're looking for a memorably beautiful novel that makes you get up in the middle of the night to read more (yes, Ani did), go no further. Linda Spalding seems to be writing with you in mind.
In non-fiction, John recommends [[Magic Words: The Extraordinary Life of Alan Moore by Lance Parkin]], a biography of perhaps the greatest ever writer of graphic novels. Compelling in its level of detail, this book shows us why Alan Moore is held in such high esteem – and deserves nothing less itself.
For teens, John was mightily impressed by [[Close Your Pretty Eyes by Sally Nicholls]]. A precocious, damaged girl faces a haunting from something even more 'evil' than she has been led to see herself as, in this flawless, gripping, teen horror. Read it even if you're older - you get two stories in one and a lot more besides.
For the little ones, Zoe loved [[The Sad Story of Veronica Who Played The Violin by David McKee]]. A hoot and a half, this story of a sassy little girl by the name of Veronica is bound to be a hit. It's super funny in a rather naughty way and it particularly lends itself to reading in a group.
'''Features'''
Of course, we also have interviews for you this month. Sue was completely captivated by [[The Room Beyond by Stephanie Elmas]] and there was quite a lot to talk about when she and Stephanie [[The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Stephanie Elmas|chatted]]. Her book was a labour of love that lasted seven years!
Jill learned a great deal about Danes, about Americans and about herself when she read [[A Piece of Danish Happiness by Sharmi Albrechtsen|A Piece of Danish Happiness]]. She had quite a few things to discuss with author Sharmi Albrechtsen when she [[The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Sharmi Albrechtsen|popped in]] to Bookbag Towers. Sue thought that [[Speaking of Love by Angela Young|Speaking of Love]] was one of the most compelling pictures of mental illness which she'd read. There was quite a lot to talk about when author Angela Young came along to [[The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Angela Young|chat to us]].
Sue also thought that [[Canton Elegy: A Father's Letter of Sacrifice, Survival and Love by Stephen Jin-Nom Lee and Howard Webster]] was compelling and life-affirming reading. She had quite a few [[The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Howard Webster|questions]] for co-author Howard Webster. Robert felt that Julie Berry's exploration of the [[All The Truth That's In Me by Julie Berry||story of a voiceless girl]] was worth reading. He had quite a few points to raise when [[The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Julie Berry|they talked]].
Robert was impressed when he read [[The Gravity Between Us by Kristen Zimmer|The Gravity Between Us]] and delighted when author Kristen Zimmer [[The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Kristen Zimmer|popped in]] for an interview. Jill thought that [[The House by Sebastiana Randone]] was genre busting and she had quite a few questions for the author when [[The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Sebastiana Randone|they chatted]].
'''Reviewers'''
We're always on the look out for people to join our panel of reviewers at Bookbag. We need people who understand that the reader wants to know what the reviewer thinks about the book and not just what's written on the back cover. If you think that you're one of these special people that we're looking for, we want to hear from you. You can find details of how to apply [[Reviewer Vacancies|here]] on the site. Don't be shy!
'''Competitions'''
We have [[Competitions|competitions]] for some great books going this month, and every month, so get entering!
And that's about it for this month. If you're passing Bookbag Towers do pop in and see us – we're at [[The Bookbag|www.thebookbag.co.uk]].
'''''All at Bookbag Towers'''''
(PS – if you don't want to receive further copies of our newsletter please [mailto:unsubscribe@thebookbag.co.uk email us] and we'll see that you're deleted from the mailing list.)
[[Category:Newsletters|* 2013 11]]