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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Rebecca ElliottJeffrey Dunn|summary=Bookbag really Jill enjoyed [[Milo's Pet Egg Radio Free Olympia by Rebecca ElliottJeffrey Dunn|Milo's Pet EggRadio Free Olympia]] , a story blending prose and jumped at the chance to ask Rebecca Elliott some questionspoetry with themes of ecology, folklore, love and loss. WeShe didn're delighted we did as she's provided some fascinating responses! We've subsequently t think it was the easiest read [[Just Because by Rebecca Elliott|Just Because]] which we loved all the more, and [[Cub's First Winter by Rebecca Elliott|Cub's First Winter]] which also really charmed usbut a rewarding one.
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|category=newsletterscomments|title=August 2010 NewsletterHow To Write a Fantasy Novel: The Full Guide|summary=Hello! How are you? WeFantasy has always been our way out of the real world're all good here at Bookbag Towerss limitations. Jill It's a space where magic is dealing with a glut of runner beansreal, mythical creatures roam, and heroes go on epic quests. Sue This genre is enjoying her new officeloved by people of all ages and backgrounds. Keith is making It allows us to explore new pals in deepest Wales. And we're worlds and face unimaginable challenges, all reading lots and lots of lovely bookswithout leaving our homes.
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|category=newsletterscomments|title=July 2010 NewsletterHow Can Reading Improve Your Vocabulary: Best Practices|summary=It's windy Reading is one of the most effective ways to improve your vocabulary. Not only does it expose you to new words and rainy todaytheir meanings, but it also allows you to see them used in context, here at Bookbag Towerswhich is essential for understanding and using them correctly. What's going on? Where's our sunshine? Do we have to leave With the shores rise of this sceptr'd isle to catch some rayslanguage learning apps, alwayssuch as Promova, every single time? Sometimes, it sure does feel like it. Jill doesn't mind: she's swanning off many people have turned to Tuscany for a fortnight, and it's bound technology to be hot thereimprove their vocabulary. However, right? Right?! We've been taking stock this month. We're not far away from reading remains a site containing five thousand book reviews tried-and approaching -true method that milestone has pulled us up shortbeen used for centuries. At Bookbag's birth five years ago, if you'd told us
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|category=interviewscomments|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To David Gatward3 Things You Didn't Know About Ghostwriters|summary=Bookbag thought [[The Dead How much do you know about ghostwriters? These professionals lurk in the shadows of the publishing industry (The Darkboth self- and traditional publishing) by David Gatward|The Dark]], with most members of the public having only ever heard of them because of the Pierce Brosnan film. Given the awkwardness a book lot of zombie horror positioning itself firmly in the Darren Shan marketpeople feel toward ghostwriters, provided strong characters, an interesting premise and it's no surprise that there are a wonderful sufficiency number of gore. Somisconceptions about what they do, naaturally, we enjoyed asking David Gatward all about writing itso I'm hoping to clarify three important things in this post.
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Melanie WelshConrad Delacroix|summary=Bookbag thought Sue really enjoyed [[Mistress of the Storm The Lensky Connection by Melanie WelshConrad Delacroix|Mistress of the StormThe Lensky Connection]] was full of seafaring adventure, mystery and intriguea thriller set primarily in Russia. Naturally, we jumped at the chance to shiver some timbers and buckle some swash with her She had quite a few questions for author Conrad Delacroix when he popped into Bookbag Towers. This is what we talked about!
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|category=interviewslists|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Heather GudenkaufTop Ten Self-Published Books 2022|summary=Bookbag found [[The Weight We're constantly amazed at the quality of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf|The Weight of Silence]] to be an impressive debut with plenty of suspense the self-published books which come our way and unexpected twistswe've seen some real gems in 2022. We were delighted Here they are, in alphabetical order, by the opportunity to ask Heather Gudenkauf some questions about it.author:
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|category=newsletterscomments|title=June 2010 Newsletter3 Things You Should Know About Literary Agents|summary=Vuvuzelas, eh? WhoIf you'd 'ave 'em? Personallyre all set to publish your novel, here at Bookbag Towers, we prefer vuvuzelas it might be time to [https://blog.reedsy.com/how-to -find-a-literary-agent/ get yourself a literary agent]. Since you're essentially picking the World Cup but even we know that's a sacrilegious remark person responsible for presenting and so we shall say marketing your book to the world, this is no more about iteasy task.When you've sent your [https://blog.reedsy. ... ahem. Possibly a more constructive topic is holiday reading. Do you pack books? Or do you rely on airport potboilers? Or stick com/guide/how-to newspapers and magazines? We Bookbaggers obviously have -write-a separate piece of luggage just for our books, -query-letter/ query letters] and we carry it everywhere we gostarted getting responses, no matter how heavy it getsthese tips will help you choose the right person for you. Fancy being stuck on holiday with nothing to read! Now that '''is''' sacrilege!
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|category=interviewscomments|title=The InterviewLolita Book Review: Bookbag Talks To Joel StewartMost Important Things to Know|summary=Bookbag has really enjoyed Joel Stewart's recent workLolita, including [[Dexter Bexley And The Big Blue Beastie On The Road by Joel Stewart|Dexter Bexley And The Big Blue Beastie On The Road]] and [[Have You Ever Seen A Sneep? by Tasha Pym and Joel Stewart|Have You Ever Seen A Sneep?]] We were delighted when he agreed a highly controversial book, is not subject to bans in American schools. Here are the most important things you need to answer some of our questionsknow about it.
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|category=interviewscomments|title=Stylish Restaging of The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Anthony BrowneCrucible is All Show and No Substance, According to Reviews|summary=Bookbag The Crucible is a tragedy that’s been debated and discussed for many years. Its current running in theaters has long loved Anthony Browne's work - particularly [[Little Beauty by Anthony Browne|Little Beauty]]received a rather intriguing review. After being enthralled by the Children's Laureate's latest offering, [[Me and You by Anthony Browne|Me and You]], we jumped at the chance Keep reading to ask him some questionsfind out more.
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|category=interviewscomments|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Joanne OwenHow Bar Modeling Makes Word Problems Easy in Singapore Math|summary=Bookbag was really intrigued by [[The Alchemist and the Angel by Joanne Owen]]. It's Singapore Mathematics is a rather unique historical fantasy, well-researched and bursting with fascinating detailway of presenting this science. Those with a taste for colourful Parents and slightly gothic folklore teachers will love it, be able to understand and Bookbag was delighted explain to ask Joanne Owen some questionschildren the simplest mathematical processes using images.
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|category=interviewscomments|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Pete JohnsonFinding More Time For Reading|summary=Bookbag really enjoyed If there is one thing that a lot of people could benefit from having more of in their lives, it's [[The Vampire Blog by Pete JohnsonA Bookbagger's View:What it's like to be a reviewer|literature]]. Plenty of us have gone through this experience of suddenly finding that we are not reading as much as we used to. There are a lot of possible reasons for this, with its one liners and it's something that you might be able to approach in a horror element at a level perfect for late primary school readersnumber of ways if you want to make sure that you are getting back into reading again. We jumped at But one of the opportunity most important parts of this is probably that you are able to interview Pete Johnsonfind enough time for reading, and are glad we did: there's an exclusive revelation about a sequel!that can be harder than you might initially think.
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Mavis CheekGerry Brown and Randall S Peterson about Disaster in the Boardroom: Six Dysfunctions Everyone Should Understand|summary=We thought that Mavis Cheek's Sue was absolutely riveted to [[Truth to Tell Disaster in the Boardroom: Six Dysfunctions Everyone Should Understand by Mavis Cheek|Truth to TellGerry Brown and Randall S Peterson]] was a good story, thought-provoking, beautifully written . It's brilliantly readable but rather frightening: people's lives and laugh out loud funny livelihoods could be in placesthe hands of company boards which are dysfunctional. We wondered what Sue wanted to know more we could want and decided that we couldn't resist the opportunity to ask Mavis a few questions.
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|title=Carnegie Medal Shortlist 2010Top Ten Self-Published Books 2021|summary=We thought that 2020 was a strange year but 2021 has been equally so. Once again we've been amazed by the quality of self-published books which have come our way. Last year'knows top ten consisted of eleven books (maths never was our strong point...) but this year we'' that the judges are re going to have to make it a difficult time in choosing a winner - baker's dozen as we wouldnreally couldn't like to have their job!split them apart. Here they are, in alphabetical order, by author...
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|category=interviewscomments|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Gregory HughesHow to Write a Standout Book Review in a Saturated Market|summary=Gregory Hughes's [[Unhooking Book reviews are a crucial tool for the Moon by Gregory Hughes|Unhooking reading community — it’s via these that opinions are exchanged, ideas discussed, and recommendations found. But though the Moon]] came straight at us growth of leftfield and book review sites is one of our favourite books of the year so far. It's a bittersweet road trip of a novel, featuring a loyal brother, a street hustler, a cigar smugglerpromising for readers, a chart-topping rapper, some goddamn paedophiles, and the most entrancing central character you're ever likely saturated market also means that it’s getting increasingly difficult to meet. Unsurprisingly, we jumped at the chance of asking Gregory make your mark as a few questionsbook reviewer.}}
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Anthony McGowanGerry Brown, Andrew Kakabadse and Filipe Morais about The Independent Director in Society|summary=Bookbag has always loved Anthony McGowan's work, including Sue was an enthusiastic reader of [[The Knife That Killed Me Independent Director in Society: Our current crisis of governance and what to do by Anthony McGowanGerry Brown, Andrew Kakabadse and Filipe Morais|The Knife That Killed MeIndependent Director in Society: Our current crisis of governance and what to do]] and [[Henry Tumour by Anthony McGowan|Henry Tumour]]. After laughing throughout his latest work ([[Einstein's Underpants - And How They Saved The World by Anthony McGowan|Einstein's Underpants - And How They Saved The World]]) we couldn't resist she had several points she wanted to discuss with the opportunity to ask him some questionsauthors when they popped into Bookbag Towers.
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|category=newsletterscomments|title=March 2010 NewsletterComic Books Where the Bad Guys Won|summary=Looking forward to the Easter break? We certainly are - Comic books and if someone doesn't buy Jill an egg from Montezuma's this yearmovies, her nearest and dearest are going to be veryin general, very sorry. We have been busy fund-raising for Sport Reliefgiven the portrayal of good; always winning and saving the day. however, gadding about in London meeting publicists and going thanks to birthday partiesthe creativity of writers, and helping our heirs we have a few writers of comics who have managed to plan gap year expeditions to Borneo - interestinglyalter this unsaid rule, we've also read two gap year novels recentlyevil wins at the end of the day'. While it may not be a great thought to bear in mind, [[In the Trees by Pauline Fisk]] and [[The Island by Sarah Singleton]]it is still something a bit fascinating to dwell on. They're very And, we believe that it is a breath of fresh air to discover that we have something different books, but they're both greatfrom the cliché where the hero always emerges as the victor.
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Julie CohenGerry Brown About Making a Difference: Leadership, Change and Giving Back the Independent Director Way|summary=Julie CohenGerry Brown is so keen to see people geting involved that there's a free digital [[Nina Jones and the Temple https://www.degruyter.com/view/title/580618 download] of Gloom by Julie Cohen|Nina Jones and the Temple of Gloom]] is funny, quirky, compelling and intelligent - chick lit at its best - so we jumped at the opportunity to interview herthis £42 book.
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|category=newsletterslists|title=February 2010 NewsletterTop Ten Self-Published Books 2020|summary=Hello, hello, hello! How are you? Less snowy than when In this strangest of years we last spoke? Good, so are 've been delighted by the self-published books we. It's fun for a day or so, that white stuff, isnve read and they't it? After that though, it just becomes a slogre all books which compare well with traditionally-published books in the same genres. We at Bookbag are clinging to really couldn't narrow the hope that the fabled barbeque summer comes a choice down any further - so this year late, and 2010 will be a scorcher. A little bit 's top ten consists of snow eleven books and a lot of sunshinehere they are, that's what we likein alphabetical order by author...
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Ellie SandallOlga Kokshagina and Allen Alexander|summary=Ellie Sandall's Sue was so impressed by [[Birdsong The Radical Innovation Playbook: A Practical Guide for Harnessing New, Novel or Game-Changing Breakthroughs by Ellie Sandall|BirdsongOlga Kokshagina and Allen Alexander]] features that she wished that she had a superb rhyme woven around lots good business idea of different bird callsher own so that she could use the book. It's a picture book Perhaps that any young book fan will love, so we jumped at the opportunity was what she was talking about when Olga and Allen popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to interview herus.
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Gary BlackwoodAndrew Hampshire|summary=Bookbag devoured Gary BlackwoodTechnology can seem frightening to people who don's t have the background. In [[Mysterious Messages - A History of Codes and Ciphers Creating Value Through Technology: Discover the Tech that Can Transform Your Business by Gary BlackwoodAndrew Hampshire|Mysterious Messages - A History of Codes and CiphersCreating Value Through Technology: Discover the Tech that Can Transform Your Business]] Andrew Hampshire discusses the tech that can add quantifiable value to your business and couldn't resist how to get the opportunity most out of it. He and Sue had a lot to ask him a few questionschat about when he dropped into Bookbag Towers.
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|category=newsletterscomments|title=November 2009 NewsletterStand Up to Bullying With a Pulitzer Prize Winner|summary=FirstlyIn every generation, an apology: if you have visited us and had problems over the last few weeks, then we there are very sorrykids who become bullies. We had some problems (you might even call them arguments) with our hosting company They bully their siblings, neighbor kids, and we have now moved their classmates. They seem to a home believe that other kids look up to them and respect them. That is much more welcoming. Itself-delusion, as most adults are aware, but kids don's more suited t have the experience to our needs properly judge what is respect and we're sure there won't be any more of that nasty downtime getting in your way of a good book recommendation or twowhat is merely fear.
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|category=interviewscomments|title=The InterviewFrom Sci Fi to Reality: Bookbag Talks To Paul HowardHow Dreams Turn Into Innovations|summary=Bookbag really enjoyed Paul Howard's illustrations in [[The Penguin Who Wanted To Find Out by Jill Tomlinson gap between sci-fi and Paul Howard|The Penguin Who Wanted To Find Out]] and couldn't resist reality is not so big anymore. You don’t have to go that far back in time to see huge developments in technology. For example, the opportunity to ask him a few questionssmartphone has been around for over 10 years now, but if you don’t have one in today’s society, you’d either be seen as crazy or just out of touch.
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|category=interviewscomments|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Hilary McKay5 Great AI books to read in 2020|summary=Bookbag really enjoyed Hilary McKay's [[Wishing For Tomorrow by Hilary McKay|Wishing For Tomorrow]] Artificial intelligence (AI) has expanded into one of the sequel most important technologies in human history. It comes with so many benefits, from improving the efficiency of simple, basic tasks to [[A Little Princess helping to solve advanced problems by Frances Hodgson Burnett]]) and couldn't resist the opportunity to ask her a few questionsquickly analyzing large data sets.
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|title=Top Ten Picture A Baker's Dozen of Books For Halloweento Keep the Kids Occupied When They Can't Go Out|summary=Boo! If our [[Top Ten Books For Children Who Love To Be Scared Silly]] was too... well, scary for Are you, then this is the selection running out of inspiration for you. There are witches, pumpkins and black cats in abundance, so what to do with the littlest ones kids when they can join in 't go out? We've come up with the Halloween fun, but therea baker's nothing that'll dozen of books to give them nightmares. Why not [mailto:sue@thebookbagyou some brilliant ideas.co.uk tell us] about your favourites?
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|title=Top Ten Self-Published Books For Your Girlfriend2019|summary=Whether itWe's a birthday, Christmas, or just a random occasion to tell her you love her, ve seen some cracking self-published books make great presents for girlfriends. Yes, yes, we know wethis year and they're playing up to all books which compare well with traditionally-published books in the stereotypes with historical fiction, romance, celebrities, and lashings of chick lit, but you know shesame genres. We really couldn's going to enjoy them. If itt narrow the choice down any further - so this year's an anniversary top ten consists of eleven books and she's looking to get you a gift toohere they are, then make sure to point her in the direction of our [[Top Ten Books For Your Boyfriend]]alphabetical order by author. Why not [mailto:sue@thebookbag.co.uk tell us] about your favourite books to get for your girlfriend?
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|category=listscomments|title=Top Ten Books For Your BoyfriendDesiree Villena Talks To Bookbag About 5 Key Tips for Writing a Critical-Yet-Fair Book Review|summary=Whether itWriting a book review isn's a birthdayt difficult, Christmas, or just a random occasion to tell him you love him, books make great presents for boyfriends. Yes, yes, we know we're playing up to all the stereotypes with books about sport, music, trivia and everyone's favourite secret agent, but there are a few things you know he's going need to enjoy them. If it's an anniversary and he's looking to get you a gift too, then make sure to point him keep us in the direction of our [[Top Ten Books For Your Girlfriend]]mind. Why not [mailto:sue@thebookbag.co Desiree Villena gives us five tips.uk tell us] about your favourite books to get for your boyfriend?
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Ian StewartMelanie Martin|summary=Bookbag loved Ian Stewart's |summary=In [[Professor StewartWar and Love: A family's Hoard testament of Mathematical Treasures anguish, endurance and devotion in occupied Amsterdam by Ian StewartMelanie Martin|Hoard War and Love: A family's testament of Mathematical Treasuresanguish, endurance and devotion in occupied Amsterdam]] Melanie Martin reconstructs what happened to her family in occupied Amsterdam in WWII. It's a highly compelling if occasionally shocking read. Days after she finished the book Sue could not stop thinking about what she had read and couldn't resist was delighted when the opportunity author agreed to ask him a few questionschat with her. We're delighted we did, as his answers are fascinating!
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|category=interviewscomments|title=The InterviewFraming the Brexit narrative: Bookbag Talks To David Barrie|summary=Bookbag was impressed by David Barrie's debut novelimmigration, [[Wasp-Waisted by David Barrie|Wasp-Waisted]] myths and couldn't resist the opportunity to ask him a few questions.}} {{newfeature|category=lists|title=Top Ten Books To Drag The Kids Away From Computer Games For Ten Minutes At Leastpublic perception|summary=Truth be told, we like computer games - they're great fun, a good way Loobna Joomun looks at how Brexit is likely to let off steam, and man cannot survive on books alone. (What we don't like are Bluetooth headsets providing a constant commentary affect the publishing industry - eldest Murphy son, take note). There are times when tweens and teens need to be dragged away from the computer games though, and these books will keep them entertained and quiet when you're looking for a peaceful afternoon without an endless barrage of bleeps and explosions in the background. Some are high octane, some are a bit more thoughtful, but they're all gripping thrillers. Why not [mailto:sue@thebookbag.cowider country.uk tell us] about your favourites?
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|category=newsletterscomments|title=September 2009 Newsletter8 ways to motivate yourself to write, right NOW by Jessica Jarlvi|summary=ItEver felt that you's been ve hit a stressful month at Bookbag Towers. Our host's server had a major malfunction and we spent several days trying to sort out the aftermath of being hurriedly moved to a new one. After much weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth - Jill's children retired to their bedrooms brick wall with sandbags, and Sue's dogs did much the same - we think it's all ok now. We're very sorry if your writing? Jessica Jarlvi has eight tips yo get you experienced an interruption to service and we hope you'll forgive us. We promise to make it up to you, we do. Starting with our [[Features|features]] section, which has the low down on this year's [[Man Booker Prize 2009|Booker prize]]. Jill is rooting for the utterly sublime [[Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel]]writing again. What would you like to see win it?
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|category=interviewscomments|title=The Interview: Bookbag Greg Hickey Talks To K S TurnerBookbag About The Old Guard of Dystopian Fiction|summary=Bookbag thinks that Kate TurnerWhere do you go when you move beyond classics like ''1984''s [[Before the Gods (Chronicles of Fate and Choice) by K S Turner|Before the Gods]] is something rather special and we couldn't resist the opportunity to ask her a few questions.'Brave New World''?
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|title=Man Booker Prize 2009Top Ten Self-Published Books 2018|summary=We have reviews of all Choosing the top ten self-published books on the longlist and we'll let you know the winner as soon read in 2018 was difficult as we hear!'re constantly surprised at just how good some self-published books are. Here's our final top ten in alphabetical order by author...
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|category=newsletterscomments|title=August 2009 NewsletterJames Donald Talks To Bookbag About The Death Of Norman Breyfogle|summary=We know this is a newsletter about books, and we know that we keep opening with some remark or other about sport. It's completely off-topic, we know, and we're sorry, but we just can't help it, we're going to do it again. Did you see Usain Bolt? Did One of the finest storytellers you? Isn't he just something else? And it's just as well he appeared on our summer scene because August is a quiet month for books. All the holiday reads are already published (and in your suitcases, packed for lazy days by the pool) and thoughts haven't quite turned to the run up to Christmas. But there's still plenty out there and we've done our best to bring the the worthwhile to your attention. You're going to need themnever heard of, aren't you, what with who died in September 2018 at the barbecue summer that never was...age of 58.
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Ben KaneMelissa Leet|summary=Bookbag loved Ben Kane's first two novels - Sue was impressed when she read [[The Forgotten Legion Landslide by Ben KaneMelissa Leet|The Forgotten LegionLandslide]] by Melissa Leet and [[The Silver Eagle (Forgotten Legion) by Ben Kane|The Silver Eagle]], which bring Roman times was surprised to vivid lifefind that it was a debut novel. He mixes history and emotion beautifully, making She had quite a few questions for a sometimes disturbing, but always entertaining read. After being fortunate enough to meet him at an evening at our local library recently, he was delighted to be put to the sword in Melissa when she popped into Bookbag styleTowers.
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|category=listscomments|title=Top Ten Picture Books For Overcoming Bedtime Woes|summary=Everyone knows the cry of ''I want Faiz Kermani talks to Bookbag about how a glass of water!blue frog is helping Malawi'' Bedtime can be a real problem, with s vulnerable children not wanting to settle down to sleep, being scared of the dark, or even frightened of being left alone. These picture books address the issues in a gentle mannerlive safe, helping kids better understand their fears healthy and thus overcome them. It's not all serious though: there's happy lives|summary=Every child has a good smattering of humour too, which makes them great fun right to read. Why not [mailto:sue@thebookbag.co.uk tell us] about your favourite books for overcoming bedtime woes?medical care
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|title=What's In Abi Silver Talks To The Bookbag About A Name?Few Of Her Favourite Things|summary= Kate Furnivall muses on the difficulty of getting ''just'We could definitely make a flying car – but that' s not the right title for hard part. The hard part is, how do you make a book.flying car that's super safe and quiet?'': Elon Musk
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|category=listsinterviews|title=Top Ten Books About AmericaThe Interview: Bookbag Talks To Daniel Peltz|summary=WeSue wasn't expecting to enjoy a novel about a ''building're posting this top ten in honour of the 4th of July and our friends across the pond. Big, brash, bold, ever-optimistic, there's no missing America. Here are our favourite books in which the United States, or parts of it, take centre stage. Why not but was surprised by just how compelling she found [[mailto:sue@thebookbag.coThe Indomitable Chiesa di Santa Maria by Daniel Peltz|The Indomitable Chiesa di Santa Maria]].uk tell us] about your favourite books There was a lot to chat about America? By the way, did you know that the 4th of July is also Liberation Day in Rwanda, St Bertha's day (who dat?!) and Michael Johnson's birthday. We've stolen him away for BBC athletics punditry. Sorry, you can't have him backwhen author Daniel Peltz popped into Bookbag Towers.
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|title=Top Ten Children's Self-Published Books About Weighty Subjects2017|summary=Bookbag's certain belief is that fiction is perfectly placed to incite topical and philosophical debate amongst Choosing the young. It enables them to explore dangerous and painful subjects vicariously, so they're engaged emotionally, but have enough distance to feel secure and safe whilst doing it. We bemoan political uninterest top ten self-published books we read in our teenagers, so what more perfect way than a good book is there to energise them about 2017 was one of the social issues that affect us toughest jobs we did all? year and involved a great deal of discussion. Here are some of 's our favourites, but there are many, many morefinal top ten in alphabetical order by author. Why not [mailto:sue@thebookbag.co.uk tell us] about your favourites too?
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|category=listsinterviews|title=Booktrust Teenage Prize 2009The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Chit Dubey|summary=The 2009 Booktrust Teenage Prize longlist has been announced. Last year's winner Sue was quietly impressed when she read [[The Knife Of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness]] 21 Doors to Happiness: Life Through Travel Experiences and previous winners include [[Henry Tumour Meditation by Anthony McGowanChit Dubey]] and [[The Curious Incident as it chimed with her personal view of the Dog in the Night Time by Mark Haddon]]life. Teenagers can apply She was delighted when Chit Dubey popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to be judges at [http://www.booktrust.org.uk/Prizes-and-awards/Booktrust-Teenage-Prize Booktrust.org.uk] before 27 July. The winner will be announced in November. Here's what Bookbag thought of the books. Why not [mailto:sue@thebookbag.co.uk tell us] what you thought too.
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|title=Orange Prize for Fiction 2009Melita Thomas Talks To Bookbag About The King's Pearl: Henry VIII and his Daughter Mary|summary= Dawn Powell didn’t manage to get to the awards ceremony of the Orange Prize for Fiction 2009, but she did manage to get to the shortlist event at the Southbank Centre the day before (2nd June). She reports on the highlights of the event.Melita Thomas tell us that Mary was a true Renaissance Princess
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|category=listsinterviews|title=Top Ten Book Recommendations From TwitterersThe Interview: Bookbag Talks To Elizabeth Fox and Martin le Comte|summary=We love Twitter. It's a great way to keep in touch with authors Peter thought that [[The Ten Golden Rules of Leadership by Elizabeth Fox and other Martin le Comte|The Ten Golden Rules of Leadership]] was the best book fans, hear what theyon leadership he're up to, share what we're up to d ever read and find out whathe couldn's going on in the world of books. If you've not already seen the [http://twitter.com/TheBookbag Bookbag Twitter feed], get clicking! Inspired by Judy Astley's self-proclaimed (t resist asking authors Elizabeth Fox and Martin le Comte quite a few questions when they came to Bookbag-admired) media-tart cheek, we asked people on Twitter what their favourite Bookbag reviews were. Here's what they said. Huge thanks Towers to chat to [http://twitter.com/Judyastley Judy Astley], [http://twitter.com/EliseBlackwell Elise Blackwell], [http://twitter.com/RayBeckerman Ray Beckerman], [http://twitter.com/agnieszkasshoes Agnieszka's Shoes], [http://twitter.com/ninadouglas Nina Douglas], [http://twitter.com/steveemecz Steve Emecz], [http://twitter.com/TamsynTweetie Tamsyn Tweetie], [http://twitter.com/BenjaminGlover Benjamin Glover] and [http://twitter.com/JasonMarkCurley Jason Mark Curley]us.
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|category=listsinterviews|title=Top Ten Beach Reads For TeensThe Interview: Bookbag Talks To Gabe Riggs|summary=For fear of hearing the dreaded phrase "I'm booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooored" on the beach this summerLuke thought that [[Punk Love Foucault by Gabe Riggs]] was an intense, fling your teen this must-emotional and visceral read list before you gothat illuminates and educates with a strong voice and clear, capable prose. Kerry's picked her favourite holiday reads for teenagers There was a lot to talk about when Gabe popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us. Why not [mailto:sue@thebookbag.co.uk tell us] about your favourites?
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Penelope EvansSandra Aragona|summary=Bookbag Sue loved Penelope EvansSandra Aragona' s lightly-fictionalised [[The Weight of Water Sorting the Priorities: Ambassadress and Beagle Survive Diplomacy by Penelope EvansSandra Aragona|The Weight of Waterautobiography]] and couldn't resist the opportunity of life as a diplomatic spouse. There was a lot that she wanted to ask her some questions about her workwhen Sandra popped into Bookbag Towers.
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|category=listsinterviews|title=Top Ten Beach Reads For GirlsThe Interview: Bookbag Talks To K J Lawrence|summary=Ah, summer's here. The sun is shining, the sky is clear, the weather is gorgeous, and the planes flying overhead look mighty tempting. What's nicer than lying on the beach with a book, soaking up the sun and losing yourself in a good book. Kerry's picked her favourite holiday reads for women. Men can check out the Sue was delighted when she read [[Top Ten Beach Reads For BoysThe Cossack by K J Lawrence|The Cossack]]as it restored her faith in the thriller genre. (Of course, there's nothing stopping men enjoying these choices and vice versa!) Why not [mailto:sue@thebookbag.co.uk tell us] about your favourites?}} {{newfeature|category=lists|title=Top Ten Beach Reads For Boys|summary=Ah, summer's here. The sun is shining, When the sky is clearauthor, the weather is gorgeousK J Lawrence, and the planes flying overhead look mighty tempting. What's nicer than lying on the beach with a bookpopped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us, soaking up the sun and losing yourself in Sue had quite a good book. Kerry's picked her favourite holiday reads for men. Women can check out the [[Top Ten Beach Reads For Girls]]. (Of course, there's nothing stopping women enjoying these choices and vice versafew questions ready!) Why not [mailto:sue@thebookbag.co.uk tell us] about your favourites?
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Marcus SedgwickStuart Burrell|summary=Bookbag loved Marcus SedgwickSue found Start Burrell's book [[Revolver Twelve Times To The Max: One Man's Journey to, and Recollections of, Setting Twelve Verified World Records by Marcus SedgwickStuart Burrell|Revolver]]. ItTwelve Times To The Max: One Man's densely written Journey to, and chilling in every sense Recollections of the word, Setting Twelve Verified World Records]] an inspiring, feel-good read. We jumped at the opportunity She wanted to know more when Stuart popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to ask him some questions about his workus.
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|category=newslettersinterviews|title=May 2009 NewsletterThe Interview: Bookbag Talks To Wes Stuart|summary=Hello! Wimbledon has a new roof, did you see? At Luke enjoyed the rate rain combination of compellingly-written science fiction which blends themes of innocence and growth with some well depicted moments of horror in [[My Name is coming down at Bookbag Towers, it's looking as though it's going to be needed. We're still holding out for a heatwave though. Last month, we told you about our new text alert service Sam by Wes Stuart|My Name is Sam]] and asked for feedback. We've listened to what you he had to say, and made some changes. There are now four services: BOOKS2U (adults), TEENBOOK2U (teens), KIDBOOKS2U (8-13s) and SHARING2U (2-7s). Each will send just one text quite a week costing 25p, so you can mix and match what you'd like few questions for author Wes Stuart when he popped into Bookbag Towers to receive. We're hoping chat to add more services for adults in the future, but let's see how you like version two firstus.
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|category=listsinterviews|title=The Guardian Children's Fiction Prize 2009Interview: Bookbag Talks To B C R Fegan|summary=We've been looking at Sue giggled like a child when she read [[Henry and the books longlisted for The GuardianHidden Treasure by B C R Fegan and Lenny Wen]]: it's Children's Fiction Prize 2009 and we're impresseda good story with some valuable lessons. Picking the shortlist - never mind the winner - is going It was a real pleasure to chat to be no easy jobwriter B C R Fegan when he popped into Bookbag Towers.
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Sarah DyerAnnie Ingram|summary=Bookbag Very few people believe that dogs can talk so it was charmed by the unique illustrations something of a relief when Sue met author, Annie Ingram. She has lengthy conversations with her cocker spaniel Kammie and quirky tale has shared them with us in her [[The Girl With The Bird's Nest Hair Conversations with Kammie by Sarah DyerAnnie Ingram|book]]. We jumped at the chance There was a lot to ask Sarah some questions talk about her workwhen she popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us.
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Michelle LovricStephan Santiago|summary=Bookbag loved Michelle Lovric's Ani was quietly moved by [[The Undrowned Child Returning Home by Michelle LovricStephan Santiago|The Undrowned ChildReturning Home]]. It's a wonderful alternate world historical fantasy, pitting myth and legend against science. We jumped at the opportunity there were several points she wanted to discuss with author Stephan Santiago when he popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to ask her a few questionsus.
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