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<metadesc>Book review siteExpert, with books full book reviews from most walks of literary life; fiction, biographynon-fiction, crime, cookery and children's books & self-published books plus author interviews and & top tens.</metadesc><h1 id="mf-title">The Bookbag</h1>Hello from The Bookbag, a book review site, featuring books from all the many walks of literary life - [[:Category:Fiction|fiction]], [[:Category:Biography|biography]], [[:Category:Crime|crime]], [[:Category:Cookery|cookery]] and anything else that takes our fancy. At Bookbag Towers the bookbag sits at the side of the desk. It's the bag we take to the library and the bookshop. Sometimes it holds the latest releases, but at other times there'll be old favourites, books for the children, books for the home. They're sometimes our own books or books from the local library. They're often books sent to us by publishers and we promise to tell you exactly what we think about them. You might not want to read through a full review, so we'll give you a quick review which summarises what we felt about the book and tells you whether or not we think you should buy or borrow it. There are also lots of [[:Category:Interviews|author interviews]], and all sorts of [[:Category:Lists|top tens]] - all of which you can find on our [[features]] page. If you're stuck for something to read, check out the [[Book Recommendations|recommendations]] page.
There are currently '''{{PAGESINCATEGORY: Reviews}}'''Read [[:Category:New Reviews|new reviews by genre]]at TheBookbag. '''<br>
Want to find out more [[About Us|about us]]? __NOTOC__ ==The Best New Books== '''Read [[:Category:New Reviews|new reviews by category]]. '''<br> '''Read [[:Category:Features|the latest features]].'''<!-- Remove -->{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Jeremy Haun and Jason A Hurley0008385068|title=The BeautyMidnight Feast|author=Lucy Foley
|rating=4.5
|genre=Graphic NovelsThrillers|summary=DonIt't we all just want that one little fillup to our looks – that tuck there, those pounds or wrinkles vanished, that little tweak to make us more sexually attractive s midsummer on the Dorset coast and virile? guests gather at The Manor. Well, if you catch The Beauty, you will indubitably end up, in what colloquial language has it, ''fitIt's their opening weekend and splendid celebrations are promised. It's all headed up by Francesca Meadows. But The Beauty is not to be caught as in a passing fad or itinerant beautician, but as a sexual disease. And itManor was her ancestral home and she's hit half converted it into an impressive retreat for the population – most of those willinglywealthy and famous. You feel feverish with itHer husband, but it's taken off big timeOwen, was the architect and Big Pharma work is happy with still ongoing on parts of the situationsite. Some violent anti-Beauty activists aren't, so special police units exist regarding it, but they, the Powers That Be, The heat is oppressive and amongst the underground scientists working against the disease guests are enemies as well as friends. Old scores are only going to be swamped when The Beauty shows its true face…|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1632155508</amazonuk>settled and it won't be long before a body is found.
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{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Robin StevensJames Baldwin|title=Jolly Foul PlayGiovanni's Room|rating=4.5|genre=Confident ReadersLiterary Fiction |summary= In ''Giovanni's Room'' follows the fourth adventure narrator David, an American man living in the Murder Most Unladylike seriesParis, as he navigates his torturous affair with Giovanni, we return an Italian bartender he meets in a gay bar. While David is engaged to Hella, who is travelling in Spain, the setting of the first book – Deepdean School for Girls. But things have changed. For real tension in the first time a Head Girl has been elected and Elizabeth Hurst didn't get novel arises not from his infidelity but from the position based on popularitydeeper conflict within himself. Instead, she manipulated and blackmailed her peers and, supported by her five prefects, sheIt is David's now terrorising the school. Responsible for so much misery, its little wonder everyone wishes Elizabeth dead. But someone has gone one step further – committing a murder crippling shame and presenting it as an accident. None denial of the adults even suspect 'foul play' so it's up to Daisy, Hazel and their Detective Society to uncover the truthhis sexuality that ultimately dooms his relationship with Giovanni.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0141369698</amazonuk>0141186356
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{{newreviewFrontpage|author= David WingroveAshley Hickson-Lovence|title= The Ocean of TimeWild East|rating= 34.5|genre= Science FictionTeens|summary= Written in verse, this is Ronny's story, a young black fourteen year old boy from Hackney who suddenly has to move to Norwich and start at a mostly white school. The War move is initiated by Ronny's mum who is worried for Time continues. From the frozen tundra of 13th Century Russia Ronny's safety after a tragic event, and so Ronny finds himself trying to the battle of Paltava settle in 1709 a new town, a new school, and beyondkeep himself out of trouble. He listens to music constantly, Otto Behr and has waged an unquestioning, unending war across time for his peoplealways dreamed of being a rapper. But now , in this new school, his teacher encourages him to be part of a third unidentified power has joined poetry writing workshop group and, slowly, Ronny begins to see the game across connections between rap and poetry, and the ocean power of time, creativity and everything Otto holds dear could be unmade…crafting your words.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>009195617X</amazonuk>0241645441
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{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Monica Wood1635866847|title=The One-in-a-Million BoyLavender Companion|author=Jessica Dunham and Terry Barlin Vesci
|rating=4.5
|genre=General FictionLifestyle|summary=It's strange, the things that make you ''immediately'' feel that this is the book for you. Before I do love it when I read a book that stays with me after started reading ''The Lavender Companion'', Ivisited the author've finished readings [https://www.pinelavenderfarm. This was one com/ website] and there's a picture of those books, rootling its way a little more into my heart each time slice of chocolate cake on the homepage. I don't eat cakes and desserts - but I picked it up to readwanted that cake viscerally. It(There's a recipe in the storybook, mostly of Miss Ona Vitkus, a one hundred which I'm avoiding with some difficulty!!) Then I started reading the book and four year old lady who has I was told to make a young boy scout come over to help her with jobs and how he ultimately ends up changing her life, and not at all mess of it. Notes in the way you might imagine since before we even begin margins are sanctioned. You get to fold down the story the boy is deadcorners of pages. You suspect that smears of butter would not be a problem. I ''loved'' this book already.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1472228359</amazonuk>
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{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Tom BowerJenny Valentine|title=Broken Vows: Tony Blair The Tragedy of PowerUs in the Before and After|rating=45|genre=BiographyTeens|summary=In May 1997 we went to vote gleefullyElk and Mab are best friends, sure or more than that there was going to be even, their friendship is a once in a change from the tired, sleaze-ridden Conservative government we'd been sufferinglifetime connection. The Blairs' entry into Downing Street the following They meet as children one day - through crowds of well-wishers - was like on a breath of fresh air and (perhaps fortunately) it would be years before I discovered that the trip out but unfortunately they don'well wisherst get each other' had been bussed in for s contact details at the eventtime. Looking But then chance brings them back now it seems that our hopes for what the 'New Labour' government could achieve were unreasonably high together, and there's a special place in hell reserved for those who disappoint us in this waythey are inseparable. I've often wondered quite how history will see Blair: Afghanistan Something has happened though, something terrible and Iraq as well as his failure to deal with Gordon Brown would always sour his premiership for metragic, but to what extent could his achievements such as the Good Friday Agreementand now they must work through their grief, the minimum wage and higher welfare payments be balanced against his failures?their friendship, together.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0571314201</amazonuk>1471196585
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{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=S E Durrant1787333175|title=Little Bits of SkyYou Don't Have to be Mad to Work Here|author=Benji Waterhouse
|rating=5
|genre=Confident ReadersPopular Science|summary=I was tempted to read ''You Don't Have to be Mad to Work Here''Iafter enjoying Adam Kay've put this story together from the diaries I kept when Zac and I were children. I wrote them in s first book {{amazonurl|isbn=1509858636|title=This is Going to Hurt}}, a glorious mixture of insight into the hope that life would get better for workings of the small unloved girl that was meNHS, humour and my even smaller unloved brotherautobiography. And if life didn ''You Don't get better or at least more interesting I was going Have to make it up - be Mad...'' promised the same elements but moved from physical problems to put witches mental illness and castles and rides in fast carsthe work of a psychiatrist. But I didn't need did wonder whether it was acceptable tobe looking for humour in this setting but the laughter is directed at a situation rather than a person and it is always delivered with empathy and understanding. Life got exciting all by itself...''|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0857633996</amazonuk>
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{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Sophia BennettMariana Enriquez|title=Love SongA Sunny Place for Shady People|rating=45|genre=TeensShort Stories|summary= The Point Mariana Enriquez writes horror that is the ''hottest'' rock band in the worlddisturbingly real, in every sense of the word. While Nina has always enjoyed their music, she isn't one of the millions of fan-girls utterly obsessed with the four 19 year-old boys. She prides herself achieving this uncanny familiarity by basing her paranormal plots on being more than just a ''girl'' girl. So when a chance encounter ends up with gritty realities: her being offered the job settings include an abandoned field full of assistant disused refrigerators due to the lead singer's diva fiancée, touring with the bandan urban planning mishap, she takes it simply as an opportunity to travel the globe as part of the entourage, overcrowded homeless shelter and inject a little bit crime-ridden neighbourhood where safety meetings are routine - all within Argentina. The circumstances of excitement into her life. Little does she realise characters are so plausible that the craziness that she is getting herself supernatural or otherworldly horror which seeps into, as she finds herself unwittingly drawn into the lives of the boys and all their messy dramathese spaces adopts a similarly tangible texture. |amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1910002720</amazonuk>1803511230
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{{newreviewFrontpage|author= Reif LarsenOnyi Nwabineli|title= I Am RadarAllow Me to Introduce Myself|rating= 4.5|genre= General Fiction|summary= Racial tensionsAnuri spent her childhood on display to the world, identitythanks to her step-mother Ophelia's increasingly popular presence on social media, parental responsibility, a childwhere she posted every step of Anuri's best interestchildhood for sponsorships and influencer deals and, lovebasically, sciencemonetary gain. Now Anuri is in her twenties and she is slowly trying to regain her confidence and to get her life back, war – Reif Larsen's ''I Am Radar'' falls nothing short of having rich thematic suing her step-mother to take down the contentabout her. Its cornucopia of thematic explorations Anuri is interwoven into a complex web of storiesbattling alcoholism, taking the reader on a journeyfailing to start her PhD, both literal undergoing therapy and secretly abusing people online and figurativereceiving money from them for doing so. Most importantly, she is desperately worried about her little sister, from suburban New Jersey to an Arctic no manwho is the new focus of Ophelia's land to Congo online empire. Can she save her sister, and perhaps herself and her relationship with her father at the Bosnian warzone.same time?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0099593645</amazonuk>0861546873
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{{newreviewFrontpage|author= E G RodfordDavid Chadwick|title=The Bursar's WifeHeadload of Napalm|rating= 34.5|genre= CrimeThrillers|summary=Private investigator George Kocharyan struggles along on the seedy side It's September 1973 in Hicks, California. Hicks is a Mojave desert town of Cambridge, following the odd unfaithful spouse or checking up on benefit claimants for the Department a few thousand people with its nearest neighbours of Work LA and PensionsLas Vegas both a significant drive away. Not much happens in Hicks. This just about pays for his invaluable part-time assistant Sandra who knows how to work A silver mine and a defence contractor are the office computermain local employers but otherwise, there's not much of note other than dive bars and her teenage son who George occasionally hires to do some of the leg workJoshua trees. Into this grubby world walks Sylvia BookerLife is quiet, wife of the bursar at Morley College, overprotective mother, glamorous middle-aged womanuntil.. Worried that her daughter has fallen in with a bad crowd she hires George to look into it. Then one of the unfaithful wives George had been following turns up dead, and life begins to get complicated.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1785650033</amazonuk>B0D321VJ76
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{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Elaine EverestTom Percival|title=The Woolworths GirlsWrong Shoes|rating=45|genre=Historical FictionConfident Readers|summary=It Will's life is Christmasdifficult, 1938, and three young ladies are excited about starting their new jobs at Woolworths in Eritha multitude of ways. For each one of them He is bullied because he has 'the wrong shoes', he has the job is a means wrong shoes because his dad can't work and doesn't have enough money for even the most basic of escape: Sarah wants to escape her snobbish things like food, and controlling mother; newlywed Maisie his dad can't abide her bullying mother work because he lost his job at the college, was working a cash-in law; -hand job on a building site and shy Freda is running away from her abusive stepfather had an accident. Throw into that mix the fact that his mum and dad are separated, and searching for her brotherWill's life seems bleak in every direction. And yet, who he still has escaped from prisona tiny amount of hope. The ''Woolworths Girls'' soon become close friends He is good at art, but with and clings to the threat moments of war looming largejoy when he is drawing, and tragedy just around that feel like a light at the cornerend of a long, they are going to need to rely on each other more than ever beforedark tunnel.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>144729548X</amazonuk>1398527122
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{{newreviewFrontpage|author= Toni Morrison Sylvie Cathrall|title= God Help A Letter to the ChildLuminous Deep|rating= 45|genre= Literary Science Fiction|summary=A truly complex and emotionally raw portrayal, that seeks There are few greater joys than a book which lives up to cover issues of race, gender, and paedophiliaa compelling premise. A slim volume, yes, but And this is one that is powerful in its punchof them.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0099555921</amazonuk>0356522776
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{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Timothy Knapman and Laura Hughes1786482126|title=Goodnight TigerThe Janus Stone (Dr Ruth Galloway)|author=Elly Griffiths|rating=4.5|genre=For SharingCrime|summary=It Builders were demolishing an old house in Norwich - the site was the middle of the night, but Emily could going to hold seventy-five 'luxury'not'' sleep for apartments - when they discovered the noisebones of a child beneath a doorway. There was bellowing and stomping and growling and trumpetingno skull. Brave girl that she wasWas this a ritual killing or murder? Inevitably, she got out of bed and looked out of the window, thinking that the animals had escaped from the zoo, but the street was emptyDr Ruth Galloway finds herself working with DCI Harry Nelson. Then she checked all the usual hiding places as well as her toy box - and suddenly realised that the noises were coming from the animals in her wallpaper. EmilyIt's not just brave - shedifficult as Ruth knows, but Nelson doesn's resourceful too and t, that she set about settling the jungle down for is pregnant with his child as a result of the one nightthey spent together some three months ago. And one solution turns out Her condition will be obvious before long, not least because Ruth is prone to work just perfectlysudden bouts of sickness.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1848691866</amazonuk>
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{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Helen GarnerJoan Didion|title=This House The Year of GriefMagical Thinking|rating=4.5|genre=True CrimeAutobiography|summary= This book is an Joan Didion's heartbreaking autobiographical account of a harrowing event in Australiathe grief she endured following her husband's recent history: the drowning of three young boys when the car being driven by their fathersudden death. Books that shed light on taboo topics like death are such a beautiful and necessary resource to help people feel less alone. Didion unpicks unpleasant feelings surrounding death like self-pity, Robert Farquharsondenial and delusion and makes them utterly normal, veered off the road and fell into lends them a dam. The father escaped unhurt. The tragedy was appropriated by the national media and led human face to a drawn-out prosecution of the father for murderwear.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1925240681</amazonuk>0007216858
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{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn= Michelle Robinson and Emily Fox0008551324|title= Elephant's PyjamasThe Devil You Know (D S Max Craigie)|author=Neil Lancaster|rating= 4.5|genre= For SharingCrime|summary= IIt've read s unusual for anyone from the Hardie family to approach the police. Neither side likes or has any respect for the other. But Davie Hardie is struggling in prison and he's prepared to tell the police where the body of a lot of stories recently about animals missing person is buried and who don't have many friendswas responsible for her death. This person, he promises, at least at is someone big and it will be worth the beginning of their talepolice doing what he wants. For this age group it's pretty much a given that by And what he wants is to be transferred to an open prison to serve the last page they'll have lots remainder of lovely companions with whom his sentence and to spend their daysget an early parole date. Elephant Not much to ask, is not one of those unlucky souls, though. He has TONS of friends it? The new Deputy Police Constable doesn't think so and heshe's just been invited even prepared to a party do the other thing that Hardie demanded - make certain that DS Max Craigie and anyone who works with all of them. Lucky thinghim is kept well away from what's happening.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0007580037</amazonuk>
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{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn= Fabi Santiago1739526910|title= Tiger in a TutuWhere I've Not Been Lost|author=Glen Sibley|rating= 4.5|genre= For SharingGeneral Fiction|summary=Everyone should have the chance to dance''One year after a suicide attempt blows apart musician Brian O’Malley's life, non? Especially he arrives in such a wonderful city as Paris, bursting as it is with artists and appreciators of the artsan unfamiliar Devon town to recover. It is Living with a sad heart, then, that I must tell you about Max. Every dayan unexpected housemate at his former manager’s holiday home, he goes to ballet school, and every day dreams of reconnecting with everything he is turned awayhas lost. Not only is he lacking the requisite attireBut as those tentative plans falter, but he's becomes swept up in a boylocal world of unlikely friendships, mobile discos and a tigersurprising romantic possibilities. And apparently that is not allowed.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>140833688X</amazonuk>''
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{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Amelia Freer0008405026|title=Cook. Nourish. Glow.A Stranger in the Family (Maeve Kerrigan 11)|author=Jane Casey|rating=45|genre=CookeryCrime|summary=It's just about a sixteen years since nine-year since I read Amelia Freer's [[Eat-old Rosalie Marshall disappeared from her bed one summer night. Nourish She was never found and the investigation ground to a halt. Glow.: 10 easy steps for losing weight Now, her mother, Helena, looking younger and feeling healthier by Amelia Freer|Eather father are dead in their bed. Nourish. Glow.]] Initially, it looks like a book which quietly impressed me and which I hung on to (not straightforward murder/suicide but there's something I do regularly) and have referred back to many times for inspiration about the positioning of the bodies that makes DS Maeve Kerrigan and a quick boost to the spirither boss DI Josh Derwent suspicious. Most of the principles behind the book seemed sound, although I wasn't prepared to go down the wheat-free road What looked as I've no reason though it was going to think that I'm sensitive to gluten be an open- and I do wonder how most of the world would be fed if we all gave up eating wheat - but if I felt the book had shut case is now a shortcoming, it was the lack of recipescomplex double murder. Well, Kerrigan is convinced thatthe explanation lies in Rosalie's now been remedieddisappearance: others (such as Derwent's boss, Una Burt) are less convinced.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1405924187</amazonuk>
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{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Elizabeth Schaefer and Brian Rood1529077745|title=Star Wars The Force Awakens Illustrated StorybookDark Wives (D I Vera Stanhope)|author=Ann Cleeves
|rating=4.5
|genre=Emerging ReadersCrime|summary=A long time ago man walking his dog in the early morning discovered the body of a galaxy far, far away… Well, ours, last yearman in the park near Rosebank, really… A film came along that seriously impressed lots of mature audience members who had very valid reasons to doubt it, and that made goggle-eyed popcorn munchers of a lot of youngsterscare home for troubled teens. It had rollicking spacecraft dogThe dead man was Josh -fights, it had emotional revisits for well-loved characters, and had a sting in its tail that lasted at least a couple one of days before being leaked the care workers who was due to work a shift the wider worldnight before but who had never turned up. D I know there Vera Stanhope is a DVD and Blucalled in to investigate the murder -Ray of it coming within days of me writing this, but I can her only assume clue is the reason disappearance of one of the junior books about residents, fourteen-year-old Chloe Spencer. Some people believe that Chloe was responsible for the film are being released now and not in time with its cinematic release death but Vera thinks this is down unlikely as the girl's diary makes it clear that she adored Josh. She knows that she has to the chatter of the young and their rampant ability find Chloe to say discover what they shouldn't – which includes what happens about eighteen pages before the end of the story herehappened to Josh.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1405284021</amazonuk>
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{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Michael Kogge1399613073|title=Star Wars The Force Awakens NovelMoral Injuries|author=Christie Watson|rating=4.5|genre=Confident ReadersThrillers|summary=A long time ago in Olivia, Laura and Anjali met on the first day of medical school and their friendship would keep them inseparable for a quarter of a galaxy far, far away… century. ActuallyOlivia is ruthlessly ambitious, it was any place on this planet which is a bonus when you care aim to mentionbe a cardiothoracic surgeon. Adults took their children along to see Laura is a perfectionist and a proper time machine – one that would take trauma doctor. Anjali is the free spirit of the parents back to group and she becomes a GP. When we first meet them they're at a futuredrug and alcohol-seeming science fantasy action film, fuelled party and would transport children it's going to an ideal place where derring-do did, where spacecraft never bothered with taking fourteen parsecs to do the Kessel Run when they could do it end in twelve, and where high-octane action was to be hadtragedy. The time machine was called The Force Awakens, We don't know who suffered the seventh film in tragedy or the enduring seriesconsequences. But when they got home Twenty-five years later there were no books suitable for will be an eerily similar event that will impact the young readers to use to engage with what they'd just seenthree friends. The Alan Dean Foster adaptation of the script was for adults – This time, it was a lot longer and more wordy than they were used to. They had to wait months for a book telling the story 's their way. But now it’s arrivedteenage children who are involved.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1405283939</amazonuk>
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{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn= Stefan Mohamed0241636604|title= Ace of SpidersThe Trading Game: A Confession|author=Gary Stevenson|rating= 4.5|genre= General FictionAutobiography|summary= Stanly is frustrated. Having set himself If you were to bring up as Londonan image of a city banker in your mind, you's protectorre unlikely to think of someone like Gary Stevenson. A hoodie and jeans replaces the pin-stripe suit and his background is the East End, where he's finding that the everyday practicalities of superheroism are challenging at bestwas familiar with violence, poverty and downright tedious at worstinjustice. So it's almost a relief when an attempt is made There was no posh public school on his life CV - but he had been to the London School of Economics. Stevenson is bright - extremely bright - and Stanly finds himself rushing headlong into he has a twisted adventure, facility with enemies new and old coming out numbers which most of the woodworkus can only envy. He also realised that most rich people expect poor people to be stupid. However It was his ability at what was, even essentially, a card game which got him an internship with his friends and his ever-increasing power behind himCitibank. Eventually, he may have bitten off more than he can chew this timeturned into permanent employment as a trader. The monsters are coming… and nothing will ever be the same!|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1784630675</amazonuk>
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{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Alex T SmithLeanne Egan|title=Claude Going for Gold!Lover Birds
|rating=4.5
|genre=For SharingTeens|summary=IWhen new girl, Isabel, moves to Lou've been a fan s hometown of Claude Liverpool from the beginningLondon Lou immediately feels Isabel's disdain for everything around her. He charmed me from the startA misunderstanding between them leaves them hating each other, but Lou feels her pulse racing every time she looks at Isabel or speaks with his plump tummyher, little legsand that's definitely because Isabel makes her feel so cross, red jumper and rather fetching beret. isn't it? I canBecause Lou is straight, isn't help but love a dog who wears a beret! she? He also has a charming best friendEven though none of her relationships with boys have gone very well so far, Sir Bobblysock, (who is indeed and she's never had a woolly sock) who always makes me laugh. good kiss with any of them? In this particular book they are off on another hunt for an adventureSo she just finds herself watching Isabel, and although it seems for a while that there wanting to hang out with her because fighting with her is simply no fun to be had outside of the house they finally fall, literallyand she definitely just hates Isabel, into a Very Exciting Sports Competition!doesn't she?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1444926489</amazonuk>000862657X
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{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn= Lisa Beazley1009473085|title= Keep Me Posted|rating= 4|genre= Women's Fiction|summary='Keep me Posted' is written in a lightThe Conservative Effect 2010 -hearted, informal style, narrated by a young mother called Cassie who lives in New York. She and her husband Leo have twin toddlers, and her life is busy, full of technology and fast food. Her older sister Sid is more laid back, and something of a technophobe; although they used to be close, they haven't really been in touch much since Sid and her family moved to Singapore. |amazonuk=<amazonuk>1925240754</amazonuk>}}{{newreview2024|author=Helen Docherty Anthony Seldon and Mark Beech|title=Do You Remember?Tom Egerton (Editors)
|rating=5
|genre=For SharingPolitics and Society|summary=We have various picture books in our house Sometimes it's simpler to explain a book by describing what it ''isn't'' and that have a tendency applies to leave me a little blurry eyed, whilst my children remain entirely nonplussed! ''The Conservative Effect: 2010-2024 - 14 Wasted Years?''. Aimed at sparking some parental emotionIf you're looking for an easy read which will deliver the inside story about what ''really'' happened on certain occasions, then this isn't the stories behind them are often a little lackingbook for you. This If that's what you're looking for, I don't think Anthony Seldon's book, however{{amazonurl|isbn=B0BH7SKG2S|title=Johnson at 10}}, works can be bettered for both children and grown ups, in a really lovely waythose tumultuous years. Beginning with a small childIt's cry of a compelling read and should be compulsory for anyone who thinks Johnson should return to politics. ''I canThe Conservative Effect't do it!'is an entirely different beast. It' s the mum seventh book in a series which looks at the story reminisces about all impact a government has made and co-editor Sir Anthony Seldon regards this as the most important. This book follows the well-established format: a series of experts from various fields review the state of the nation when the many different (and funny) things that her child has learned to do coalition took over in 2010, the years, encouraging her changes that she has always got there occurred and the situation in the end2024.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0571321143</amazonuk>
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{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Pippa Goodhart and Sam UsherMax Boucherat|title=What Will Danny Do Today?The Last Life of Lori Mills
|rating=4.5
|genre=For SharingConfident Readers|summary=Every day we face a multitude of choices, from what We meet Lori on the first evening she's got the house to wear and what to eat to what herself – no neighbour to do when we get home pop in the evening, babysitter poorly, mother at work, just an avidly rule-breaking eleven year old, on her lonesome. This book is all about making decisions, but What could possibly go wrong? Snuggled in a very simple blanket fort, she has one main intention, and fun way that encourages discussion with your toddleris to log on to Voxminer, the world-building, critter-collecting game that is a hit in Lori's world. The character we are deciding for is But first Lori has a little boy called Dannytiny inkling that this stormy night doesn't find herself entirely on her own, and we follow him through then she finds something even more spooky. For the course server she and her bestie and nobody else should be able to enter shows signs of one daytampering. When malevolent eyes spark up on her phone screen, and her safe place in the game has been doctored – well, thinking about what he will decide on each page.where is a girl to turn?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1405275103</amazonuk>0008666482
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{{newreviewFrontpage|author= Tony Bradman and Tom Morgan-JonesFyodor Dostoyevsky|title= The Boy and the GlobeWhite Nights|rating= 45|genre= Dyslexia FriendlyShort Stories|summary= This lively and enjoyable story is set As always in early seventeenth century London where young orphan Toby Cuffe is living on the streets where life is hard. In order to surviveDostoyevsky, the resourceful Toby joins the gang of boys who character work for Moll Cut-Purse as thievesis sublime. Moll sends Toby to the Globe Theatre to do some pickpocketing where Toby becomes so engrossed in the play being performed that he forgets about his own safety. Caught by the theatre's owners Toby meets the writer of the play he has just seen performed, the famous playwright William Shakespeare. Then our young hero One is given an opportunity that he had not expected. Toby never left wondering what a character is full of enthusiasm for the theatre thinking or feeling because Dostoyevsky lays bare their innermost dispositions and rekindles the Bard's enthusiasm too so that together they team up to save the threatened theatretemperaments with remarkable clarity.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1781125031</amazonuk>0241619785
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{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn= Kevin MacNeilB0DGDJRHYD|title=The Brilliant and ForeverNowhere Man|author=Deborah Stone|rating= 3.54|genre= HumourGeneral Fiction|summary= You know sometimes when someone tells In a jokequiet suburban house, everyone else laughsPatrick is making his final plans. A meticulous man, he makes sure of every preparation, down to the last detail. Some last reflections, and youthen he says goodbye to his wife, the world, and his life. It're sat there wondering s horribly sad. At work in her shop, his wife Diana is fending off yet another phone call about her ageing and ailing mother, who needs extricating from yet another accident. It will be a while before Diana realises what was so funny?|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1846973376</amazonuk>Patrick has done.
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{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Malorie BlackmanVirginie Despentes|title=Chasing the StarsKing Kong Theory|rating=4.5|genre=TeensAutobiography |summary=Olivia - Vee ''King Kong Theory'' is a hard- hitting memoir and her brother Aidan are trying to get back feminist manifesto, which can be seen as a call to Earth after arms for women in a mystery virus killed everyonephallocentric society broken at its core. Originally written in French, including their parents, on their ship. It's been the book is a lonely three years and collection of essays in which Virginie Despentes explores her experiences as a dangerous one, too, as they've tried woman through the complex prism of her varied life: from rape to avoid the dangerous sex work and xenophobic Mazonspornography. But sometimes Though these discussions are intertwined, their placement within the Mazons book can't be avoided and this is one feel somewhat disjointed, a reflection of them: when dozens of human beings are being attacked and only Vee and Aidan close enough to launch a rescue missiontheir original form as independent essays.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0857531417</amazonuk>191309734X
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{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Hannah RothschildAlba de Cespedes |title=The Improbability of LoveForbidden Notebook
|rating=4
|genre=General Literary Fiction|summary=It's set to be the sale This Italian work of feminist fiction holds an air of the century: Russian oligarchs, Arab sheikhs, rappers suspense and heiresses are all lined up to bid for ''The Improbability of Love'', a small Antoine Watteau oil painting depicting a courting couple overlooked by a clown. The painting was missing until six months ago, when Annie McDee bought it tension from a junk shop for £75 as a birthday present for an incompatible fellow she met through Internet dating. When he didn't show for dinner and the junk shop mysteriously burnt down so that she couldn't ask for a refundmoment our protagonist, the painting became hers. Thirty-year-old Annie had been in a rut: after a painful break-up from DesmondValeria Cossati, purchases her forbidden notebook, with whom she ran a cheese shop and café learns about herself in Devon, she moved to London the most intimate and was working as a PA to randy Italian film director Carlo Spinetti. She also acquired an unwanted roommate: her alcoholic mother, Evierevealing ways.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1408862476</amazonuk>1782278222
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{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Philip DentOttessa Moshfegh|title=Mutable Passions: Charlotte Bronte: A Disquieting AffairMy Year of Rest and Relaxation
|rating=3
|genre=Historical Literary Fiction |summary=As the 200th anniversary of Charlotte Brontë's birth approachesAt best, it this novel is a perfect time for reading about her. Philip Dent's second novel chooses a lesser known period scathing critique of modern society and reveals the fragility of her life to dramatize. All her siblings are now deadhuman relationships; during a hard winter when she at worst, it is unable to visit her best friendthe cynical, Ellen Nussey, Charlotte spends her time finishing ''Villette'', her final novelpredictable and slightly trite tale of an unlikeable protagonist. The family servantThis unlikely heroine, Tabbya slim, ribs Charlotte about attractive and newly orphaned girl in her romantic prospects – including Patrick Brontë's curatetwenties is disillusioned with the world, Arthur Bell Nicholls. Charlotte responds with indignationbut resolves not to lose sleep over it: 'I could no more kiss the lips of a man with a beard as big as rooks' nests than I could yoursin fact, Tabbyher solution lies in her hibernation.'|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>178589093X</amazonuk>1784707422
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{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Helen SimonsonJo Callaghan|title=The Summer Before the WarLeave No Trace|rating=54|genre=Historical FictionCrime|summary=Summer 1914: Beatrice Nash arrives in Rye following When a man is found crucified on the death top of her fathera hill in Nuneaton, hoping DCS Kat Frank finds herself assigned to earn a living as a Latin tutor. Despite being the sort of woman with ideas of case alongside her ownsidekick, she has allies in the family of local pillar of the community Lady AgathaAI detective Lock. Agatha may not have realised just how modern Beatrice is but sheIt'll stand by her after s their first live case together, having previously been her sponsor for the post initiallyvery successful with several cold cases. Meanwhile Agatha's nephew, medical student Hugh soon warms to Beatrice but his heart belongs to Lucy, his surgeon professor's daughter. Soon, though, the events of But when there is a small town summer will fade in importance; the Balkans will explode and Europe is thrown into second body found crucified a war that's far from the swift, romanticfew days later, consequence-free conflict of which summer daydreams are made.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1408837641</amazonuk>|amazonus=<amazonus>1408837641</amazonus>}}{{newreview|author=Rebecca Thornton|title=The Exclusives: No One Can Hurt You More Than a Friend|rating=4.5|genre=General Fiction|summary=Josephine Kat is suddenly struggling with a successful archaeologist on potential serial killer and a dig in Amman when she gets the email she never expected: Freya wants to meet up with her. The reason isn’t such very high profile case that draws a surprise though. In 1996 Freya and Josephine were best friends at boarding school till the aftermath lot of a night out clubbingunwanted attention to their AI Future Policing project. Freya desperately wants Will they be able to talk to Jo about solve the events that ripped their friendship apartcase in time, or will Kat find herself taken off the events that Josephine has avoided speaking or thinking about in more than a decade.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1785770128</amazonuk>}}{{newreview|author=Paul Tobin|title=The Genius Factor: How to Capture an Invisible Cat |rating=4.5|genre=Confident Readers|summary=Delphine is quite a normal 6th grader, if with a few eccentric traits. She has dozens of friends, argues with her siblings, misbehaves in class but not too muchcase and, disobeys her parents but not too seriouslypotentially, and earns extra pocket money by dog-walking. She spends this money on cake. Mostly. Nate is not like Delphine. He has no friends and mostly goes under the radar out of 6th grade society. But Delphine has noticed him and for good reason: Nate is a genius. He's so clever that he's even been studied by foreign academics. Not that this gains him much currency with his peers.career?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1408869977</amazonuk>139851120X
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{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Adrian SelbyB0DB64PYV5|title=SnakewoodThe White Rose|author=Dave Baines
|rating=4
|genre=FantasyDystopian Fiction|summary=KailenIn 2033, a superstorm known as the White Rose devastates the Northern Hemisphere. And it's Twenty are an elite; the type of mercenaries not a storm that live on in legend. It therefore stands to reason that the authorities want them dead but they aren't the only onesgathers, wreaks havoc, then dissipates. As the guerrilla war between rebels and governing classes rages onInstead, a lone assassin, as elite as it hovers across half the TwentyEarth with its octopus-like tentacles, unknown even to those on the same side is on their trail. Who is he not giving up and why the vendetta? The answer will be revealed one day to those still alive to hear itnever going away.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0356505529</amazonuk>|amazonus=<amazonus>0356505529</amazonus>
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