Changes

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|title=Joe Speedboat

|author=Tommy Wieringa

|rating=4.5

|summary=Life in a Dutch backwater through the eyes of Frankie, severely disabled through an accident. Layers of meaning permeate this eccentric but affecting book and there are plenty of laughs, in both good and bad taste.

}}

|title=Raven: Blood Eye

|author=Giles Kristian

|rating=4

|summary=A vivid and energetic story set in a Britain just coming out of the Dark Ages and facing waves of Scandinavian raids. It's a vital and visual book, combining romance, violence and adventure as it goes a-viking. Fans of historical fiction will love it.

}}

|title=Return to Sender

|author=Zoe Barnes

|rating=5

|summary=Holly Bennett is on a mission to find out more about her biological mother, but that isn't the only worry the Bennett family is going through. A warm hearted and enjoyable read about families, trust and love.

}}

|title=Asboville

|author=Danny Rhodes

|rating=4

|summary=Asboville is a great debut novel from Danny Rhodes. It's a real what you see is what you get number, utterly unpretentious, very sympathetic and also very honest. Do read it.

}}

|title=Good Omens

|author=Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman

|rating=5

|summary=A collaboration of two literary giants of the fantasy world which works far better than you might expect. Gaiman's dark influnence perfectly balances Pratchett's humour.

}}

|title=Empire of the Sun

|author=J G Ballard

|rating=5

|summary=It's not really possible to sum up Empire of the Sun in just a few words if not to simply say, "Don't miss it." It's a book about war. It's about more than just the fighting. In fact, there isn't any fighting. It's beautifully written. It's mesmerising. It provides a revealing background to Ballard's later novels. It's a great definition of that made-up word, "dystopia". Oh, just don't miss it. Ok?

}}

|title=Mister Pip

|author=Lloyd Jones

|rating=5

|summary=Beautifully written with not a word wasted, Great Expectations meets tropical island in this look at the love of reading, the terrors of war, post-colonialism and personal integrity. Highly, highly recommended.

}}

|title=Centurion (Roman Legion 8)

|author=Simon Scarrow

|rating=3.5

|summary=More punchy action in Simon Scarrow's long-running Eagle series. This one sees Macro and Cato pitted against the Parthians and a traitor from their past. Historically accurate and great fun, if a little light. Think Cornwell's Sharpe, not his Arthur.

}}

|title=Red Dog

|author=Louis de Bernieres

|rating=4

|summary=Red Dog is a lovely little piece of modern folklore suitable for adults and younger readers just beginning to find their feet with books for grown ups. It follows its eponymous hero's adventure through Western Australia in a timeless tale of the littlest of lives.

}}

|title=Submarine

|author=Joe Dunthorne

|rating=5

|summary=Funny, naughty, rude and beautifully observed, Holden Caulfield meets Adrian Mole in Swansea for a wonderful debut novel. It's missing the most satisfying of climaxes (no pun intended), but that's all. You can also read an [[The Interview: Bookbag talks to Joe Dunthorne|interview]] with Joe Dunthorne.

}}