Book Reviews From The Bookbag
Hello from The Bookbag, a book review site, featuring books from all the many walks of literary life - fiction, biography, crime, 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 author interviews, and all sorts of top tens - all of which you can find on our features page. If you're stuck for something to read, check out the recommendations page.
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Deep Secret by Berlie Doherty
Every now and again them there publisher people do this reviewer a big favour and reissue a book that she missed first time around. This is one of those now and thens. Anybody who loves words - child or adult - will love the way Berlie Doherty writes. Her graceful, lyrical prose just floats from the page and you lose yourself in the worlds she creates. She's known for her versatility too - writing realistic books about contemporary issues, fantasies and, as here with Deep Secret, historical novels. Full review...
Scrummy! by Leigh Hodgkinson
Sunny McCloud is back after losing, then finding, her smile. This time she's considering what kind of sandwich ingredients her family are. When her sandwich turns out to be a bit of a mundane cheese sandwich, she wonders what would spice up her sandwich and her family, going wild with bananas/monkeys and ice cream/penguins. Ice cream in a cheese sandwich? Hmm... Full review...
Limelight Larry by Leigh Hodgkinson
Limelight Larry is, like most peacocks, a bit of a show-off. He's absolutely delighted to be the star of his very own book, and can't help but preen and boast about how wonderful he is, and how amazing his book will be. When Mouse pops in to the corner of a page, Larry is annoyed to be sharing the limelight, and his frustration grows and grows as more and more creatures show up to talk about Larry's book. How will Larry be able to get the attention he so desperately craves? Full review...
Winnie In Space by Valerie Thomas and Korky Paul
Winnie The Witch is back, and this time she has a hankering to go into space. With a wave of her magic wand, she creates a rocket, and she and her cat Wilbur are whizzing along from planet to planet, exploring the cosmos, and getting into all sorts of trouble with space rabbits. Full review...
The Three Billy Goats Fluff by Rachael Mortimer and Liz Pichon
Mr Troll has a headache. The Billy Goats Fluff keep trip-trapping over his bridge, making an awful racket. He's not happy one little bit. He's cursing the newspaper advert that brought him under the bridge, and desperate for something to stop the goats from ruining his life. Whatever can a troll do in those circumstances? Full review...
C by Tom McCarthy
C follows the life of Serge Carrefax. Set in the early part of the twentieth century, the reader encounters Serge at various key moments in his life and each of these is quite fascinating and engrossingly related. It's one of those books that is like Dr Who's Tardis - so much happens that when he recalls an earlier part of his life, I found myself thinking 'oh yes, that was in this book too, wasn't it?' The book has been described as post-structuralist but don't let that literary labelling put you off. Yes, it's a complex book that can be read at many levels, (and one which I know I'll come back to), but it's completely readable and not at all 'difficult'. Full review...
The Book of Bones: A Kit Salter Adventure by Natasha Narayan
I thoroughly enjoyed Kit Salter's previous two adventures, The Mummy Snatcher of Memphis and The Maharajah's Monkey, so I was looking forward to her latest outing. Here in The Book of Bones I read anxiously as Kit and her friends were kidnapped by their arch enemies, The Baker Brothers. The Baker Brothers tell them that one of the friends has been poisoned, but not which one, and the only way to save themselves is if they undertake a dangerous journey to China in search of an ancient book about martial arts, the Book of Bones. En route the children do battle with pirates, doctors of phrenology as well as the Emperor's army. Will they discover which of them has been poisoned, or find the magical book, before it's too late...? Full review...
School Blues by Daniel Pennac
Daniel Pennac's book discusses the issue of children who struggle at school, and offers some ideas on how teachers can and should help them. It is not a dry textbook on educational theory. He writes from personal experience, as a teacher and novelist who was once 'un cancre', translated here as a dunce or a bad student. Full review...
Angel by L A Weatherly
If you loved the Twilight series, you will also love Angel, the first book in a new paranormal trilogy. However, even if you are among those who didn't see the attraction of Ms Meyer's books, there's a very good chance you will enjoy this: L A Weatherly is a gifted writer, and her take on paranormal romance is expertly crafted, full of exciting plot twists and well-rounded characters. Full review...
Bomber County by Daniel Swift
Bomber County is, of course, Lincolnshire where squadrons of Beaufighters, Wellingtons, Halifaxes and Lancasters were huddled in hangars for combined raids against enemy targets in German occupied Europe. As the war progressed the targets escalated, from attacks against the German Fleet, the industrial complex of the Ruhr and later, with the aim of breaking enemy morale, the targets included the cities - including Hamburg, Berlin, Dresden and Cologne. Night after night, crews already warmly dressed in jerseys and thick woollen socks zipped themselves into flying suits and made their way towards the enemy coast. Conditions were cramped and the temperatures plummeted as they gained altitude flying by the light of the moon to their appointed destinations. Full review...
The Passion of the Western Mind: Understanding the Ideas That Have Shaped Our World View by Richard Tarnas
With plaudits such as 'Ten years in the making' and a 'US Bestseller', this book has serious pedigree. It is a serious book in content also. At its very heart is the link between the disciplines of philosophy, religion and science. Small sentence, huge implications, I'm thinking right at the outset. Where to begin? Well, all the chapters are usefully sub-divided into bite-sized pieces. So, although this book may look daunting to some at first glance, the subject matter can be broken down very easily. Therefore, it starts with a section headed 'The Greek World View' and as many might expect, covers Socrates, Plato and Homer. Full review...
Decisions on the Rules of Golf 2010 - 2011 by Royal and Ancient
The rules of golf are complex, but designed so that they give no unfair advantages or disadvantages to any players across the full range of abilities. Followed faithfully and honestly they should ensure a fair and comfortable game for all. But times have changed and there are always situations which are not explicitly covered by the rules. The Royal and Ancient receives over three thousand written requests for clarification each year – and these are not frivolous requests since they will only be considered if they are submitted by a representative of the committee in charge of the particular competition. 'Decisions on the Rules of Golf' is the accumulated wisdom on situations which might be considered ambiguous. Full review...
Blood Ransom by Sophie McKenzie
It's not enough to find out you're a clone and to have both a renegade scientist and a fundamentalist terrorist group trying to kill you. Oh no. Because when MI5 and the FBI relocate you, they condemn you to living thousands of miles away from the only other person in the world that might understand what you've been through. It's safer that way, apparently. Full review...
Born Wild: The Extraordinary Story of One Man's Passion for Lions and for Africa by Tony Fitzjohn
Maybe it's just my rock-chick nature but "Born Wild" feels a little clunky as titles go. Surely it should have been "Born To Be Wild"? Perhaps that phrase has been copyrighted and wasn't available. Or maybe Fitzjohn was deliberately referencing Joy Adamson's book "Born Free" – since much of the early part of his own time in Africa was spent with her husband George. "Born To Be Wild" would have been more accurate as well. Many of the animals we meet weren't born wild at all – though a good few of them got to live out the remainder of their days and die that way. Full review...
Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in Space by Mary Roach
Space is big. Really big. And it's a long way away, too. I mean, I'm having enough trouble deciding what to pack for a year in Africa. I'd be hopeless if I were off to Mars. But then, no-one's written a book on what to stick in your suitcase for Sierra Leone. And Mary Roach has written a book on what to take to the red planet...
Except, this is so much more than a shopping list. This is the definitive inside scoop for anyone who has ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes in a world that is, well, out of this world. Full review...
The Badness of King George by Judith Summers
People know how to get round me: they offer me a book and then say 'It's about a dog' and like Pavlov's canine I say 'Oh, lovely'. And so it was with The Badness of King George. George is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and I have to quibble with the title – superb as it is – because George is not bad. If anything he's badly done by as Judith Summers, plagued by empty nest syndrome when her son goes to university, decides to foster rescue dogs. Poor George has absolutely no idea what she's let him in for. And nor has Judith. Full review...
Moorehawke Trilogy: The Crowded Shadows by Celine Kiernan
At the end of the first book of the Moorehawke Trilogy, The Poison Throne, Wynter Moorhawke, her childhood friend Razi, and her romantic interest Christopher were all desperately trying to find Razi's half-brother Alberon, whose father Jonathon appeared to be driven insane. I thought I knew exactly what to expect from this second novel in the sequence, but was thrown sideways by the massive detour taken. Full review...
Swimming with Piranhas at Feeding Time: My Life Doing Dumb Stuff with Animals by Richard Conniff
This isn't quite the book it seems. From the subtitle, I inferred a memoir or autobiography. Instead Richard Conniff has chosen twenty-three of his journal articles to reprint from a clutch of prestigious magazines, including National Geographic and Smithsonian. Taken together, they illustrate his wide range of interests in the animal world. While this glimpse of some of the most peculiar creatures on the planet makes for fascinating reading, it's definitely not a book to be galloped through in a single sitting. Full review...
Lightbringer: The Black Prism by Brent Weeks
Gavin Guile is the Prism, the only person able to split light into its entire spectrum of colours, which makes him the most powerful man in the world. Peace between the seven Satrapies relies on his power, his charm and wit. And a fragile peace has been maintained for the past sixteen years, since the False Prism War that devastated the world. Full review...
Tilly's Pony Tails: Parkview Pickle, the Naughty Show Pony by Pippa Funnell
Here at Bookbag Towers we first met Tilly Redbrow in Neptune the Heroic Horse. Tilly's back home from her holiday in Cornwall and back at the Silver Shoe Riding Stables as often as she can be – which is before school, after school and every minute she can be at weekends and in the holidays. There's a lot of excitement at the stables when they find out that a new show pony is moving in. Parkview Pickle is a real beauty, although perhaps a little bit on the plump side and with a rather nervous rider and the ultimate pushy parent. Full review...
The Children of the Lost by David Whitley
Mark and Lily have left Agora and they have no idea what to expect from the land beyond the city walls. They have been brought up within a rigid system based on barter in a city where everything can be traded: goods, services, people, even emotions are up for sale. They have also been taught that outside the city walls is a wilderness, with no civilised life. Do bear in mind here that their idea of civilisation is Agora…They are ill equipped to survive, and immediately make things worse by arguing with one another. Mark is furious with Lily for her part in their banishment and his actions lead to Lily being placed in great danger. Full review...
The Fan Tan Players by Julian Lees
The story opens with a vividly described cyclone in 1920s Macao. I found Lees' writing was such in the opening chapter that it felt almost apocalyptic. The loss of life, the damage to property and ... 'sounds of the surf regurgitating gurgling carcasses of belly-bulging cows.' I couldn't help but think of the real-life tragedy unfolding in Pakistan. I felt a bit queasy when I was reading this, to tell you the truth. Full review...
The Wrong Miss Richmond by Sandra Wilson
Mr Richmond had been married twice. From his first marriage he had a daughter, Christina and another daughter, Jane from his second marriage. Christina is quiet, sensible, bookish and, in her mid-twenties, with no expectations of matrimony. Jane, or the other hand, is the heiress of her mother's fortune, just a little wild and loves the bright, society life. That's probably not unreasonable as she's not yet twenty and whilst the girls are chalk and cheese they love each other dearly. Christina is pleased when Jane makes a good match – she's to marry Lord St Clement – until she meets her lordship, when she realises that her heart might not be quite so hardened to emotion as she thought. Full review...
The Three Little Witches by Georgie Adams and Emily Bolam
What happens when three little witches decide to throw a Halloween party? This entertaining story takes us through their decisions over who to invite: Baby Dragon and Wizard Wink are definite, but what about the naughty little witch called Melissa? Then once the invitations have been sent they need to clean the house, await every one's replies, shop for the party and finally host the Halloween celebrations. Full review...
The Companion by Lorcan Roche
Closeted away in the opulence of his parents' Madison Avenue apartment, Ed, bound to a wheel-chair because muscular dystrophy has laid claim to his body, spends his days veiled from the outside world. Ed's sadness manifests itself in curious ways, though largely, via spectacular, spoiled-brattish outbursts designed to get the parental attention he craves but that is palpably absent from his confined life. Then he meets Trevor. Full review...
Dear Vampa by Ross Collins
Bram Pire is writing to his Vampa about their new neighbours, the Wolfsons. The Pires love dressing in black, staying up all night and getting up to all sorts of fiendish fun. They have a hard time adapting to the Wolfsons with their sunny dispositions, unpleasantly cheerful pets and jolly parties. Ick! Whatever can be done? Full review...
Where Giants Hide by Mij Kelly and Ross Collins
A little girl has stopped believing in giants. She ain't never seen no fairy neither, nor mermaids, witches or trolls. As she wanders around the world decrying the lack of magic, strange things seem to happen around her, until she discovers just where the magic lurks. Full review...
The Orchard Book Of Nursery Rhymes For Your Baby by Penny Dann
All your favourite nursery rhymes are here, from Hickory Dickory Dock, through Little Bo Peep and Three Blind Mice, to Sing A Song Of Sixpence. With over sixty nursery rhymes to choose from, all the big names are presented in a beautiful compendium that you'll treasure for years. Full review...
Fortunately, Unfortunately by Michael Foreman
Milo is returning his Granny's umbrella to her. As he sets out, it begins to rain. One thing leads to another, and he finds himself caught up in a thrilling adventure involving a whale, pirates, dinosaurs and aliens. He swings between good news and bad news as he gets up to all sorts of scrapes and japes. Will Granny ever get her umbrella in one piece? Full review...
Father Christmas Needs A Wee by Nicholas Allan
Father Christmas is doing his rounds, drinking all the treats that the boys and girls have left out for him. With that much liquid sloshing around inside him, he's soon bursting for a wee, but he then realises that he's forgotten to deliver the presents, so has to rush back again. Will he ever get to the toilet in time? Full review...
Aesop's Fables by Aesop, Fiona Waters and Fulvio Testa
Everyone knows and loves Aesop's Fables. They're part of our literary tapestry and our everyday lives. We know sour grapes, we know the tortoise and the hare, the boy who cried wolf and so many more. Fiona Waters has retold 60 of the most famous fables in this delightful anthology. Full review...
The Big Green Book by Ian Winton and Fred Pearce
Well, the title's right: it's big, it's green (in message, not colour) and it's a book. The Big Green Book is a super guide to environmental issues for young kids. It's packed to the brim with information, and has more flaps and pop-ups than you could shake a stick at. Full review...
Immortal Remains (Weirdsville) by Rook Hastings
Welcome back to Weirdsville, sorry Woodsville, the town set in a truly creepy hollow, whose forest contains the greatest concentration of ghosts you'll find anywhere in England. Fresh from vanquishing a ghost army and enabling Emily to pass on to the other side and be reunited with her mother, our four reluctant ghosthunters have a new mystery to solve. Freak accidents have killed four local girls in the last four months, and Charlotte is convinced she will be next. She's the only one left alive from a seance she and her friends took part in, and she is certain that death is stalking her. Full review...
Three By The Sea by Mini Grey
Dog, Cat and Mouse live together by the sea, each with their own chores to take care of in their own special way. They think that they're happy, but when a stranger turns up from the Winds of Change companny, each of them reassesses their position in their friendship. Full review...
Rebel Heiress by Fiona Mountain
Based on the life of a pioneer in the world of butterfly collecting, this novel was an enchanting and enthralling read. Born into a rigorously devout Puritan family, young Eleanor is an anomaly both in her outlook and attitude - and her butterfly collecting interests set her further apart from the more traditional ladies. The prejudices of the times are well explained, and the level of historical detail is sufficient to give the reader a good understanding of the tensions of the period. Full review...
The Kid: A True Story by Kevin Lewis
Kevin Lewis grew up on a poverty-stricken London council estate in the sort of home that the neighbours complain about. His mother – inadequate by any measure – hated him more than most of her six children and he was beaten and starved by both of his parents. You might think that Social Services would have stepped in and removed him, but any relief was to be short-lived. Eventually he was put into care but even then the support was inadequate and Kevin found himself caught up in a criminal underworld where he was known simply as 'The Kid'. Full review...
Marketing Lessons from the Grateful Dead: What Every Business Can Learn from the Most Iconic Band in History by David Meerman Scott and Brian Halligan
'Marketing Lessons from the Grateful Dead' sounds like a gimmick, doesn't it? Or, if not a gimmick, then the lessons that you learn when you see how it shouldn't be done. Over the past few years I've read quite a few marketing books and I've generally come away with the thought that they weren't aimed at a business like Bookbag and required far too much control. We're not that sort of people! We want to enjoy Bookbag and we want other people to do the same and we're definitely not in the business of trying to pull in every penny that we can. Full review...
All the Hopeful Lovers by William Nicholson
I had previously read Nicholson's The Society Of Others and thoroughly enjoyed it so I was looking forward to reading this book. Nicholson writes a modern-day story which is relevant and bang up to date. We first meet Laura and Belinda. Two middle-aged, middle-class wives and mothers. Feeling sort of okay with their lives generally but all too aware also, that the marital 'spark' in their marriages is now a low peep - if there at all. Belinda in particular, knows she is bumbling along in life. She's not sure what to do to make things more interesting in the sex department. A fling would probably help - but would it be the answer? Full review...
Trash by Andy Mulligan
Raphael lives in Behala, a slum that's grown up around a landfill site in an unnamed South American country. He's a dumpsite boy - this means he and his family scrape a living by combing through the detritus of richer people's lives. Behala replaced Smoky Mountain, another slum that got so dangerous that landslides killed dozens of people and the authorities closed it. What a home, eh? But Raphael has a smile that lights up his whole face and lifts the spirits of all those upon whom he bestows it. And he has good things in his life - a close extended family, a best friend called Gardo - and an exciting secret. Full review...
How to Keep a Pet Squirrel by Axel Scheffler
So, how do you keep a pet squirrel? Well, the simple answer is that you don't. They're wild animals and not at all suitable for keeping in captivity, but accepted thinking didn't always run that way. It was whilst he was dipping into The Children's Encyclopaedia of 1910 that Axel Scheffler came across a small but indispensible guide to obtaining and caring for your pet squirrel. His inventive mind came up with these beautiful illustrations to accompany the text and if you're looking for an amusing gift for an animal-loving adult then this book could well be the answer. Full review...
Seasons of Life: The Biological Rhythms That Living Things Need to Thrive and Survive by Russell Foster and Leon Kreitzman
"Seasons of Life" aims to present a rounded picture of the way seasonality affects human life as well as the rest of nature. Covering everything from Seasonal Affective Disorder to the potential for animals to adapt to climate change, this book would be an interesting read for anyone with an enquiring mind and an interest in the natural world. Full review...
Zero History by William Gibson
It's almost obligatory when writing anything about William Gibson to recall that in an earlier short story, he invented the term 'cyberspace'. Gibson remains at the cutting edge of what is 'cool'. Like most of his books, Zero History is a thriller, but at its core are issues surrounding technology, how we interact with it, branding and marketing. It would be easy to criticise much of his content as being too shallow and concerned with 'nothing' - but then that's part of his point. Full review...
Vintage Magic by Sally Anne Morris
With the life she thought was before her ruined by her fiancé's cheating ways, Rose Taylor swiftly leaves her life in London and seeks refuge with her mother Mimi and her sister Lily in the beautiful city of Bath. Reeling from her fiancé's deceptions, now is as good a time as any for Rose to reinvent herself, although she is determined to win her fiancé back. Having always had an eye for clothes, starting a vintage dress shop seems like a perfect idea and soon 'Vintage Magic' is opened. Full review...
