Difference between revisions of "Features"

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Check out the full lists of [[:Category: Interviews|interviews]], [[:Category: Lists|top tens]] and [[:Category: Comments|articles]].__NOTOC__<!-- Remove -->
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Check out the full lists of [[:Category: Interviews|interviews]], [[:Category: Lists|top tens]] and [[:Category: Comments|articles]].<!-- Remove -->
 
 
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|title=November 2014 Newsletter
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|title=How to Write a Book Report: From Choosing the Book to Final Draft
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|summary=
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|summary=Need help on how to do a book report? Check out our step-by-step guide at thebookbag.co.uk and learn to craft compelling reports that impress today!
  
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Hi, hello and how are you?
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Book report writing shouldn't be a headache! It's almost like telling a friend about a book but with a bit of structure.
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November 17-21 was Anti-Bullying week here in the UK. And we were really happy to see the world of books get involved. Penguin launched a campaign called Choose Kind that ties in with the gorgeous [[Wonder by R J Palacio]], a book about a disfigured young boy attending school for the first time. We at Bookbag are all for anything that tries to inspire all people to be a little bit kinder to each other and so we'd like to add our voice to the chorus asking everyone to #choosekind.
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Konstantina Sozou-Kyrkou
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|title=How Serialized Stories Are Revolutionizing the Way We Read
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|summary=Sue enjoyed [[Black Greek Coffee by Konstantina Sozou-Kyrkou|Black Greek Coffee]], a series of short stories which look at the darker side of Greek domestic life and had quite a few questions when Konstantina popped into Bookbag Towers.
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|summary=With technology gradually encroaching on every area of our lives, the change extends to literature as well. This brings serialized stories into focus, which overtook our reading habits with its stages, or small sequential parts of a narrated story. In this sense, this new approach is doing more than just changing how we read but also how authors will write, publishers, promote, and readers experience these works. The rise of digital platforms and book writing apps (e.g. [https://www.chapterly.com/ Chapterly]) are at the forefront of this change.
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Christopher Bowden
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|title=Top Ten Self-Published Books 2023
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|summary=Jill thought that [[The Green Door by Christopher Bowden|The Green Door]] was an absorbing,evocative and truly enjoyable read.  She had a few questions for author Christopher Bowden when he popped into Bookbag Towers.
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|summary= We've seen some really good self-published books this year: they're up there with the best of traditional publishing.  Here's our top ten, in alphabetical order, by author.
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|title=October 2014 Newsletter
 
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Hello! How's it going? What have you been reading? There's so much good stuff about that we bet you are spoiled for choice. Read on for some of our recommendations for a fabulous reading experience this month. However, you don't have to wait until the end of the month to find out which books we're enjoying. You can always follow us on [https://twitter.com/TheBookbag Twitter], where we post links to reviews of the books we liked every single day. Get ahead of the Bookbag curve!
 
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Leigh Russell
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Jeffrey Dunn
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|summary=Peter thought that author Leigh Russell captured the atmosphere of the racecourse well in [[Race to Death (DI Ian Peterson 2) by Leigh Russell|Race to Death]] and he had quite a few questions for Leigh when she popped into Bookbag Towers.
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|summary=Jill enjoyed [[Radio Free Olympia by Jeffrey Dunn|Radio Free Olympia]], a story blending prose and poetry with themes of ecology, folklore, love and loss. She didn't think it was the easiest read, but a rewarding one.
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Matthew Tree
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|title=How To Write a Fantasy Novel: The Full Guide
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|summary=Sue thought that [[Snug by Matthew Tree|Snug]] was a deceptively simple novel with unsuspected layrs. It left her thinking about our colonial history and when Matthew Tree popped ino Bookbag Towers she had quite a few questions for the author.
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|summary=Fantasy has always been our way out of the real world's limitations. It's a space where magic is real, mythical creatures roam, and heroes go on epic quests. This genre is loved by people of all ages and backgrounds. It allows us to explore new worlds and face unimaginable challenges, all without leaving our homes.
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|title=September 2014 Newsletter
 
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Hi, hello and we hope all is well with you. Summer, what we had of it, is over. And it's time for the autumn books release rush. There's an awful lot of good stuff coming out over the next few weeks. Ian McEwan, Will Self, David Mitchell, Martin Amis, Sarah Waters, Howard Jacobson and Ali Smith all have new books to come. So keep an eye peeled on on the Bookbag homepage]. We'll be reviewing as much as we can as quickly as we can, promise!
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But what if you could do more than just visit these magical lands? What if you could create your own? This is the magic of writing a fantasy novel. You have the power to build worlds with your words. You can turn simple ink and paper into landscapes that readers can explore.
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So, get ready for an adventure. This journey is not just about castles and wizards. It's also about the craft of writing. You'll learn to use language and imagination to make a rich, varied story. And who knows what unexplored realms you'll discover along the way?
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To P De V Hencher
 
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|summary=Jill thought that [[The Leopard of Dramoor by P De V Hencher]] had an intricate and interesting plot with a vivid sense of time and place. She had a few questions for the author when he popped in to see us.
 
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Ed Straw
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|title=How Can Reading Improve Your Vocabulary: Best Practices
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|summary=Jill's not easily impressed by political books but she did enjoy [[Stand and Deliver: A Design for Successful Government by Ed Straw]]. She had quite a few questions for Ed when he popped into Bookbag Towers.
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|summary=Reading is one of the most effective ways to improve your vocabulary. Not only does it expose you to new words and their meanings, but it also allows you to see them used in context, which is essential for understanding and using them correctly. With the rise of language learning apps, such as Promova, many people have turned to technology to improve their vocabulary. However, reading remains a tried-and-true method that has been used for centuries.
 
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|title=August 2014 Newsletter
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|title=3 Things You Didn't Know About Ghostwriters
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|summary=
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|summary=How much do you know about ghostwriters? These professionals lurk in the shadows of the publishing industry (both self- and traditional publishing), with most members of the public having only ever heard of them because of the Pierce Brosnan film. Given the awkwardness a lot of people feel toward ghostwriters, it's no surprise that there are a number of misconceptions about what they do, so I'm hoping to clarify three important things in this post.
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Ok. Hi. We hope all is well with all of you. World news this month has been ''so'' horribly unhappy and depressing, hasn't it? Sometimes, it makes you feel utterly hopeless. We don't have any answers here at Bookbag but we do wish peace for all people in every country and we hope that one day humanity will achieve it. One possible way is, in the words of the proverb, to walk a mile in another man's shoes. Books can help us do this. Books allow us to see the world through someone else's eyes, to put ourselves in someone else's place. They can be distractions but they can also be tools of comings-together. And it's in that spirit of comings-together that we bring you this month's newsletter.  
 
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To The Queen
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Conrad Delacroix
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|summary=Her Majesty does not do interviews, but all at Bookbag dropped their Union Jack flags and waved a curtsy when The Queen of Twitter made a royal visit to Bookbag Towers.
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|summary=Sue really enjoyed [[The Lensky Connection by Conrad Delacroix|The Lensky Connection]], a thriller set primarily in Russia.  She had quite a few questions for author Conrad Delacroix when he popped into Bookbag Towers.
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Kim Staflund
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|title=Top Ten Self-Published Books 2022
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|summary=Sue was so convinced by Kim Staflund's book [[How to Publish a Bestselling Book ... and Sell It Worldwide Based on Value, Not Price! by Kim Staflund|How to Publish a Bestselling Book ... and Sell It Worldwide Based on Value, Not Price!]] that she was tempted to give it a go - and she hasn't even written a book.  When Kim popped in to see us she had a few questions to ask.
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|summary=We're constantly amazed at the quality of the self-published books which come our way and we've seen some real gems in 2022.  Here they are, in alphabetical order, by author:
 
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|title=Jim's Top 15 Books Reviewed in the Last 5 Years
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|title=3 Things You Should Know About Literary Agents
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|summary=We couldn't believe it when we realised that it was five years since Jim first reviewed for Bookbag. Time goes so quickly when you're enjoying yourself!  It was a tough job but Jim rose to the challenge of selecting his top fifteen books.
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|summary=If you're all set to publish your novel, 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 person responsible for presenting and marketing your book to the world, this is no easy task. When you've sent your [https://blog.reedsy.com/guide/how-to-write-a-query-letter/ query letters] and started getting responses, these tips will help you choose the right person for you.
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Melvin Burgess
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|title=Lolita Book Review: Most Important Things to Know
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|summary=Jill thought that [[Doing It by Melvin Burgess]] was a funny and truthful peek into the minds of sex-obsessed teenage boys. Girls aren't left out, either. Parents might find it shocking but the kids will find it real. When Melvin popped into Bookbag Towers it was Jim who was on hand to ask some questions.
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|summary=Lolita, a highly controversial book, is not subject to bans in American schools. Here are the most important things you need to know about it.
 
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|title=July 2014 Newsletter
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|title=Stylish Restaging of The Crucible is All Show and No Substance, According to Reviews
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|summary=
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|summary=The Crucible is a tragedy that’s been debated and discussed for many years. Its current running in theaters has received a rather intriguing review. Keep reading to find out more.
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Hi, hello, how are you? Happy summer! Got your holiday reading sorted out yet? If not, read on. We have plenty of recommendations for you.
 
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Guess what? We have some great news! The weekend of Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th July saw the UK's first ever YA Literature Convention, held as part of the established London Film and Comic Con. Curated by Malorie Blackman, Children's Laureate and author of many of our favourite books, including [[Noble Conflict by Malorie Blackman|Noble Conflict]], and organised with the help of Booktrust, LFCC organisers Showmasters, and many of the top YA publishers around, the event, held in Earls' Court 2, was a staggering success. Our man Jim was there and had a wonderful time. If you want to read more about, you can read all about  [[Jim Dean Talks To Bookbag About The UK's First Ever YA Literature Convention|his adventures]] over the weekend. Let's hope it all happens again next year!
 
 
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|title=Rebecca Mascull Talks To Bookbag About Writing Historical Fiction
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|title=How Bar Modeling Makes Word Problems Easy in Singapore Math
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|summary=Ani thought that [[The Visitors by Rebecca Mascull]] was a beautifully crafted mesh of conquering adversity/hist-fict/ghost story with a murder investigation slipped in for good measure and a satisfying novel that's worth every penny and, indeed, every moment spent in its company.
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|summary=Singapore Mathematics is a unique way of presenting this science. Parents and teachers will be able to understand and explain to children the simplest mathematical processes using images.  
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Lorraine Jenkin Again
 
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|summary=On a warm summer's day Sue sat in the garden and sank gratefully into [[Jam Tomorrow by Lorraine Jenkin]].  There were quite a few questions she wanted to ask Lorraine when she popped into Bookbag Towers.
 
 
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|title=Jim Dean Talks To Bookbag About The UK's First Ever YA Literature Convention
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|title=Finding More Time For Reading
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|summary=The weekend of Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th July saw the UK's first ever YA Literature Convention, held as part of the established London Film and Comic Con. Curated by Malorie Blackman, Children's Laureate and author of many of our favourite books, including [[Noble Conflict by Malorie Blackman|Noble Conflict]], and organised with the help of Booktrust, LFCC organisers Showmasters, and many of the top YA publishers around, the event, held in Earls' Court 2, was a staggering success.
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|summary=If there is one thing that a lot of people could benefit from having more of in their lives, it's [[A 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, and it's something that you might be able to approach in a number of ways if you want to make sure that you are getting back into reading again. But one of the most important parts of this is probably that you are able to find enough time for reading, and that can be harder than you might initially think.
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Alan Hamilton
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Gerry Brown and Randall S Peterson about Disaster in the Boardroom: Six Dysfunctions Everyone Should Understand
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|summary=Sue was blown away when she read [[Stalemate by Alan Hamilton|Stalemate]], a reworking of the unsolved murder of Julia Wallace in Liverpool between the wars.  Even knowing how it ''had'' to work out she still couldn't put the book down - and she had a lot to ask author Alan Hamilton when he popped in to chat to us.
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|summary=Sue was absolutely riveted to [[Disaster in the Boardroom: Six Dysfunctions Everyone Should Understand by Gerry Brown and Randall S Peterson]].  It's brilliantly readable but rather frightening: people's lives and livelihoods could be in the hands of company boards which are dysfunctional.  Sue wanted to know more.
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To N S Blackman
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|title=Top Ten Self-Published Books 2021
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|summary=Jill thought that [[The Secret Dinosaur: Giants Awake by N S Blackman|The Secret Dinosaur: Giants Awake]] was a super-fun adventure and she had quite a few questions when author N S Blackman popped into Bookbag Towers.
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|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's top ten consisted of eleven books (maths never was our strong point...) but this year we're going to have to make it a baker's dozen as we really couldn't split them apart. Here they are, in alphabetical order, by author...
 
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|title=Sarah Skilton Talks To Bookbag About Writing ''High and Dry''
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|title=How to Write a Standout Book Review in a Saturated Market
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|summary=Jim was very impressed by Sarah Skilton's [[High and Dry by Sarah Skilton|High and Dry]] particularly because it was very differet to her last novel. Sarah chatted to us about the books.
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|summary=Book reviews are a crucial tool for the reading community — it’s via these that opinions are exchanged, ideas discussed, and recommendations found. But though the growth of book review sites is promising for readers, a saturated market also means that it’s getting increasingly difficult to make your mark as a book reviewer.
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If you’re looking for ways to freshen your voice and make a stronger impression, I’ve got a few tips that might help. As an avid reader of book reviews, I’ve noticed that the ones that stay with me usually follow these three guidelines.
 
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|title=June 2014 Newsletter
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Gerry Brown, Andrew Kakabadse and Filipe Morais about The Independent Director in Society|summary=Sue was an enthusiastic reader of [[The Independent Director in Society: Our current crisis of governance and what to do by Gerry Brown, Andrew Kakabadse and Filipe Morais|The Independent Director in Society: Our current crisis of governance and what to do]] and she had several points she wanted to discuss with the authors when they popped into Bookbag Towers.
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|summary=
 
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Hello there! We're writing this in the midst of World Cup fever. We don't mind a bit of football at .Bookbag Towers but we really don't get feverish about it. If you're the same, read on. We have plenty of reading recommendations for you and you might need them if all around you has gone Rio mad.  
 
 
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|title=Robert James Talks To Bookbag About Popular: The Launch
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|title=Comic Books Where the Bad Guys Won
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|summary=Jim went to the launch of [[Popular: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek (A Memoir) by Maya Van Wagenen]]. We insisted that he tell us all about it.
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|summary=Comic books and movies, in general, have been given the portrayal of good; always winning and saving the day. however, thanks to the creativity of writers, we have a few writers of comics who have managed to alter this unsaid rule, 'evil wins at the end of the day'. While it may not be a great thought to bear in mind, it is still something a bit fascinating to dwell on. And, we believe that it is a breath of fresh air to discover that we have something different from the cliché where the hero always emerges as the victor.
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Matt Carrell
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Gerry Brown About Making a Difference: Leadership, Change and Giving Back the Independent Director Way
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|summary=Sue was impressed by [[Vortex by Matt Carrell]] and the opportunity to ask the author a few questions when he popped into Bookbag Towers was simply too good to miss.
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|summary=Gerry Brown is so keen to see people geting involved that there's a free digital [https://www.degruyter.com/view/title/580618 download] of this £42 book.
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To W Scott Beaven
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|title=Top Ten Self-Published Books 2020
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|summary=Ani enjoyed W Scott Beaven's coming of age [[Riccarton Junction: 1 by W Scott Beaven|crime story]] about the temptations and troubles facing young people.  She had quite a few questions for the author when he popped in to see us.
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|summary= In this strangest of years we've been delighted by the self-published books we've read and they're all books which compare well with traditionally-published books in the same genres. We really couldn't narrow the choice down any further - so this year's top ten consists of eleven books and here they are, in alphabetical order by author...
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To R J Morgan
 
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|summary=Jim thought that [[Fifteen Bones by R J Morgan]] was a stunning debut dealing with some dark topics, but the great voice and gallows humour drew him in. He and Rebecca had lots to chat about when she popped into Bookbag Towers.
 
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Adrian Harvey
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Olga Kokshagina and Allen Alexander
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|summary=Sue loved [[Being Someone by Adrian Harvey]] - the story of a relationship and how early the seeds of destruction were sown.  She thought it was an intriguing tale, exquisitely written.  There was quite a lot to chat about when the author popped into Bookbag Towers.
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|summary=Sue was so impressed by [[The Radical Innovation Playbook: A Practical Guide for Harnessing New, Novel or Game-Changing Breakthroughs by Olga Kokshagina and Allen Alexander]] that she wished that she had a good business idea of her own so that she could use the book.  Perhaps that was what she was talking about when Olga and Allen popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us.
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Keris Stainton
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Andrew Hampshire
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|summary=Kicking off the Countdown to 5th June tour Keris Stainton popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us.  You'll find all the tour dates [http://www.countdownya.com here].
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|summary=Technology can seem frightening to people who don't have the background. In [[Creating Value Through Technology: Discover the Tech that Can Transform Your Business by Andrew Hampshire|Creating 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 how to get the most out of it. He and Sue had a lot to chat about when he dropped into Bookbag Towers.
 
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|title=Candy Harper Talks To Bookbag About The Inspiration For The ''Faith'' Series
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|title=Stand Up to Bullying With a Pulitzer Prize Winner
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|summary=Candy popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us about some stuff which helped her write some other stuff.
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|summary=In every generation, there are kids who become bullies. They bully their siblings, neighbor kids, and their classmates. They seem to believe that other kids look up to them and respect them. That is self-delusion, as most adults are aware, but kids don't have the experience to properly judge what is respect and what is merely fear.
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Robin Lloyd
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|title=From Sci Fi to Reality: How Dreams Turn Into Innovations
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|summary=Ani enjoyed [[Rough Passage to London: A Sea Captain's Tale, a Novel by Robin Lloyd]] and was intrigued by the background to the story.  There were quite a few questions she wanted to ask when Robin popped into Bookbag Towers.
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|summary=The gap between sci-fi and 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 smartphone 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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|title=Michael Grant Talks To Bookbag About The ''GONE'' TV Show
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|title=5 Great AI books to read in 2020
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|summary=One of Jim's favourite authors popped in to chat to us about the screen version of [[Gone by Michael Grant|Gone]].
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|summary=Artificial intelligence (AI) has expanded into one of the most important technologies in human history. It comes with so many benefits, from improving the efficiency of simple, basic tasks to helping to solve advanced problems by quickly analyzing large data sets.
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|title=April 2014 Newsletter
 
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|summary=
 
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Hi, hello, and what are you reading?
 
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Most importantly this month, we'd like to say RIP Sue Townsend. Her creation, Adrian Mole, began with the teenager [[The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾ by Sue Townsend|navigating adolescence]] in Thatcher’s Britain and followed him [[Adrian Mole: The Prostrate Years by Sue Townsend|struggling into middle age]] during Tony Blair's third way.  
 
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Sara Crowe
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|title=A Baker's Dozen of Books to Keep the Kids Occupied When They Can't Go Out
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|summary=Jim gave five stars to [[Bone Jack by Sara Crowe]] and thought it was classic fantasy at its finest. He really couldn't wait when Sara popped in to chat to us.
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|summary= Are you running out of inspiration for what to do with the kids when they can't go out? We've come up with a baker's dozen of books to give you some brilliant ideas.
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Cat Clarke Again
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|title=Top Ten Self-Published Books 2019
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|summary=Jim loved [[A Kiss In The Dark by Cat Clarke]] and he had quite a few questions for Cat when she popped in to see us.
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|summary= We've seen some cracking self-published books this year and they're all books which compare well with traditionally-published books in the same genres.  We really couldn't narrow the choice down any further - so this year's top ten consists of eleven books and here they are, in alphabetical order by author...
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Clementine Beauvais and Sarah Horne
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|title=Desiree Villena Talks To Bookbag About 5 Key Tips for Writing a Critical-Yet-Fair Book Review
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|summary=Jim can't stop talking about the [[Sesame Seade Mysteries 1: Sleuth on Skates by Clementine Beauvais and Sarah Horne|Sesame Seade Mysteries]] so he was delighted when author Clementine Beauvais and ilustrator Sarah Horne popped in to see us.
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|summary=Writing a book review isn't difficult, you know, but there are a few things you need to keep us in mind.  Desiree Villena gives us five tips.
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Tess Sharpe
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Melanie Martin
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|summary=Robert thought that [[Far From You by Tess Sharpe]] was very difficult to review without giving away too much of the plot - but he had lots of questions ready when the author popped in to see us.
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|summary=|summary=In [[War and Love: A family's testament of anguish, endurance and devotion in occupied Amsterdam by Melanie Martin|War and Love: A family's testament of anguish, 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 was delighted when the author agreed to chat with her.
 
}}
 
}}
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{{newfeature
 
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|title=Sally Green Talks To Bookbag About Her Desert Island Books
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|title=Framing the Brexit narrative: immigration, myths and public perception
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|summary=Sally's hoping that she won't need a stack of 'how to' books and that she'll be able to indulge herself with some excellent books. We're just wondering how she's going to get them all there!
+
|summary=Loobna Joomun looks at how Brexit is likely to affect the publishing industry - and the wider country.
 
}}
 
}}
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|title=March 2014 Newsletter
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|title=8 ways to motivate yourself to write, right NOW by Jessica Jarlvi
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|summary=
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|summary=Ever felt that you've hit a brick wall with your writing? Jessica Jarlvi has eight tips yo get you writing again.
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Greetings, fellow book lovers. What have you been reading?
 
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Children up and down the country have been reading thanks to [http://www.worldbookday.com/ World Book Day], which took place earlier this month. We love World Book Day here at Bookbag Towers. Some fantastic titles by some fantastic authors were included this year. There's Robert Muchamore, Lauren St John, David Melling. There's even a Horrible History in there. All these books cost just £1, thanks to the annual celebration of reading. What a wonderful thing.
 
 
}}
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Lauren St John
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|title=Greg Hickey Talks To Bookbag About The Old Guard of Dystopian Fiction
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|summary=Robert thinks that the Laura Marlin mysteries is one of the best series for tweens and younger teens.  He was delighted when author Lauren St John popped in to see us.
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|summary=Where do you go when you move beyond classics like ''1984'' and ''Brave New World''?
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Robert Parker
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|title=Top Ten Self-Published Books 2018
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|summary=Being from the other side of the Pennines, Sue's not renowned for her love of Manchester, but she was impressed by the way the city came across in [[The Baby and the Brandy by Robert Parker|The Baby and the Brandy]] the first book in a planned new series by Robert Parker. She had quite a few questions when the author popped into Bookbag Towers.
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|summary= Choosing the top ten self-published books we read in 2018 was difficult as we'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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{{newfeature
 
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|category=comments
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|title=Fletcher Moss Talks To Bookbag About His Obsession With Age
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|title=James Donald Talks To Bookbag About The Death Of Norman Breyfogle
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|summary=When Fletcher Moss, author of [[The Poison Boy by Fletcher Moss|The Poison Boy]] popped in to see us he had us spellbound when he told us that his obsession with age began when he was in his twenties.
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|summary=One of the finest storytellers you've never heard of, who died in September 2018 at the age of 58.
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|title=February 2014 Newsletter
 
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|summary=
 
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Hey! How are you? Guess what? We have exciting news to report!
 
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You'll remember that we chose our [[Top Ten Self-Published Books 2013| top ten self-published books]] of last year a couple of months ago. Well, now we can share our excitement that one of them has been picked up for a traditional publishing contract. How great is that? [[Burden of the Desert by Justin Huggler]] is a story about the men, women and children in post-Saddam Iraq as well as those trying to project their voices and protect their lives. And it really is great. You can read our interview with Justin [[The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Justin Huggler|here]] and you can even win a copy of the book if you enter our [[Burden of the Desert by Justin Huggler|competition]]. Congratualations to Justin from all at Bookbag Towers.
 
 
}}
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Nikki Sheehan
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Melissa Leet
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|summary=Linda loved [[Who Framed Klaris Cliff? by Nikki Sheehan]] but it was Robert who won the competition to ask the questions.
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|summary=Sue was impressed when she read [[Landslide by Melissa Leet|Landslide]] by Melissa Leet and was surprised to find that it was a debut novel.  She had quite a few questions for Melissa when she popped into Bookbag Towers.
 
}}
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Jane Elson
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|title=Faiz Kermani talks to Bookbag about how a blue frog is helping Malawi's vulnerable children to live safe, healthy and happy lives
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|summary=Jill and Robert both loved [[A Room Full of Chocolate by Jane Elson|A Room Full of Chocolate]].  Jill got to do the review, but Robert was at the front of the queue with the questions when Jane popped in to see us.
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|summary=Every child has a right to medical care
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Leila Sales
 
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|summary=Robert thought that he should have been able to give [[This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales|This Song Will Save Your Life]] a sixth star.  Unfortunately he couldn't - but he could chat to author Leila Sales when she popped in to see us.
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Tom Avery
 
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|summary=Robert thought that [[My Brother's Shadow by Tom Avery|My Brother's Shadow]] was a well-written story about a young girl grieving for her older brother.  He had quite a few questions for Tom Avery when he popped into Bookbag Towers.
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Suzanne Rindell
 
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|summary=Robert was completely blown away by [[The Other Typist by Suzanne Rindell|The Other Typist]] and he had quite a few questions for author Suzanne Rindell when she popped in to see us.
 
 
}}
 
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|title=January 2014 Newsletter
 
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|summary=
 
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HAPPY NEW YEAR!
 
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Everyone at Bookbag Towers wishes you the best 2014 you could possibly imagine. Health, wealth, happiness to you, and, of course, a good book or two. We wanted to offer a wee thank you for reading our ramblings every month and so we have instituted a monthly prize draw for all newsletter subscribers. If you are our first lucky winner, congratulations! You'll find an Amazon voucher winging its way to you very soon.
 
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|category=comments
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|title=J Courtney Sullivan Talks To Bookbag About Eavesdropping
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|title=Abi Silver Talks To The Bookbag About A Few Of Her Favourite Things
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|summary=Sue loved [[The Engagements by J Courtney Sullivan]] and she was fascinated when the author popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us about Eavesdropping.
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|summary=''We could definitely make a flying car – but that's not the hard part. The hard part is, how do you make a flying car that's super safe and quiet?'': Elon Musk
 
}}
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To B R Collins
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Daniel Peltz
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|summary=Both Jill and Robert were impressed by [[Love in Revolution by B R Collins]] but it was Robert who won the battle to ask the questions when the author popped in to see us.
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|summary=Sue wasn't expecting to enjoy a novel about a ''building'', but was surprised by just how compelling she found [[The Indomitable Chiesa di Santa Maria by Daniel Peltz|The Indomitable Chiesa di Santa Maria]].  There was a lot to chat about when author Daniel Peltz popped into Bookbag Towers.
 
}}
 
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|title=Top Ten Self-Published Books 2013
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|title=Top Ten Self-Published Books 2017
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|summary=We've the utmost admiration for indie authors who go it alone in what's a very tough market and each year we pick the ten books which stood out for us.  These are the ones we loved in 2013...
+
|summary= Choosing the top ten self-published books we read in 2017 was one of the toughest jobs we did all year and involved a great deal of discussion.  Here's our final top ten in alphabetical order by author...
 
}}
 
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{{newfeature
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Dom Conlon
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Chit Dubey
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|summary=Sue had a lovely time reading Dom Conlon's [[I Am A Giant (Tiny the Giant) by Dom Conlon and Nicola Anderson|I Am A Giant]] and [[Tommy Tickletail: A Tall Tale by Dom Conlon and Carl Pugh|Tommy Tickletail: A Tall Tale]] and she was eager to chat to the author when he popped into Bookbag Towers.
+
|summary=Sue was quietly impressed when she read [[21 Doors to Happiness: Life Through Travel Experiences and Meditation by Chit Dubey]] as it chimed with her personal view of life.  She was delighted when Chit Dubey popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us.
 
}}
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Alex Kovacs
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|title=Melita Thomas Talks To Bookbag About The King's Pearl: Henry VIII and his Daughter Mary
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|summary=Sue was slightly unnerved by the prospect of interviewing an author whose protagonist interviews himself (after allowing a suitable time lapse between preparing the questions and answering them) in [[The Currency of Paper by Alex Kovacs|The Currency of Paper]], but the opportunity to chat to Alex Kovacs was not one to miss.
+
|summary= Melita Thomas tell us that Mary was a true Renaissance Princess
 
}}
 
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{{newfeature
 
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|category=interviews
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Matthew Crow
+
|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Elizabeth Fox and Martin le Comte
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|summary=We thought that [[In Bloom by Matthew Crow|In Bloom]] was a highly-enjoyable, life-affirming novel and with a lot more laughs than you would expect from a book about two teens with cancer.  Robert had quite a few questions for author Matthew Crow when he popped in to see us.
+
|summary=Peter thought that [[The Ten Golden Rules of Leadership by Elizabeth Fox and Martin le Comte|The Ten Golden Rules of Leadership]] was the best book on leadership he'd ever read and he couldn't resist asking authors Elizabeth Fox and Martin le Comte quite a few questions when they came to Bookbag Towers to chat to us.
 
}}
 
}}
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{{newfeature
 
{{newfeature
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Mark Lingane, Again
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Gabe Riggs
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|summary=Author Mark Lingane describes his latest book, [[I Love Lucid by Mark Lingane|I Love Lucid]] cyber-techno-thriller-alternate reality-procedural-pseudophilospophical dark comedy.  Ani wasn't about to disagree but she had a few questions for Mark when he popped into Bookbag Towers.
+
|summary=Luke thought that [[Punk Love Foucault by Gabe Riggs]] was an intense, emotional and visceral read that illuminates and educates with a strong voice and clear, capable prose.  There was a lot to talk about when Gabe popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us.
 
}}
 
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{{newfeature
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Rosie Best
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Sandra Aragona
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|summary=Robert thought that [[Skulk by Rosie Best]] was a wonderful urban fantasy with an outstanding heroine and an excellent plot.  He was delighted when Rosie popped in to Bookbag Towers to chat to us.
+
|summary=Sue loved Sandra Aragona's lightly-fictionalised [[Sorting the Priorities: Ambassadress and Beagle Survive Diplomacy by Sandra Aragona|autobiography]] of life as a diplomatic spouse.  There was a lot that she wanted to ask about when Sandra popped into Bookbag Towers.
 
}}
 
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{{newfeature
 
{{newfeature
 
|category=interviews
 
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Richard Smith
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To K J Lawrence
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|summary=Jill thought that [[Time Trap by Richard Smith]] was a riproaring adventure and loved the real locations and the book's interactive website.  She had quite a few questions when the author popped into Bookbag Towers.
+
|summary=Sue was delighted when she read [[The Cossack by K J Lawrence|The Cossack]] as it restored her faith in the thriller genre.  When the author, K J Lawrence, popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us, Sue had quite a few questions ready!
 
}}
 
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{{newfeature
 
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|category=newsletters
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|category=interviews
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|title=November 2013 Newsletter
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Stuart Burrell
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|summary=
+
|summary=Sue found Start Burrell's book [[Twelve Times To The Max: One Man's Journey to, and Recollections of, Setting Twelve Verified World Records by Stuart Burrell|Twelve Times To The Max: One Man's Journey to, and Recollections of, Setting Twelve Verified World Records]] an inspiring, feel-good read. She wanted to know more when Stuart popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us.
−
 
 
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Hi, hello and how the devil are you?
 
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Did you know that 2013 marks the 60th anniversary of the [http://www.thecwa.co.uk/ Crime Writers' Association]? To celebrate, they held a poll to find the greatest crime writer, crime series and crime novel. The fantabulous [[The Grand Tour: Letters and photographs from the British Empire expedition by Agatha Christie and Mathew Prichard (editor)|Agatha Christie]] topped the ratings for greatest writer with her novel ''The Murder of Roger Ackroyd'' as the greatest novel. [[Eliminate the Impossible: An Examination of the World of Sherlock Holmes on Page and Screen by Alistair Duncan and Steve Emecz|Sherlock Holmes]] was the greatest series. No surprises then, but it shows how much Christie and Conan Doyle are a part of our national pride and discourse.
 
 
}}
 
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{{newfeature
 
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|category=interviews
 
|category=interviews
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Stephanie Elmas
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Wes Stuart
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|summary=Sue was completely captivated by [[The Room Beyond by Stephanie Elmas]] and there was quite a lot to talk about when Stephanie popped in to Bookbag Towers.
+
|summary=Luke enjoyed the combination of compellingly-written science fiction which blends themes of innocence and growth with some well depicted moments of horror in [[My Name is Sam by Wes Stuart|My Name is Sam]] and he had quite a few questions for author Wes Stuart when he popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us.
 
}}
 
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{{newfeature
 
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|category=interviews
 
|category=interviews
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Kristen Zimmer
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To B C R Fegan
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|summary=Robert was impressed when he read [[The Gravity Between Us by Kristen Zimmer|The Gravity Between Us]] and delighted when author Kristen Zimmer popped in for an interview.
+
|summary=Sue giggled like a child when she read [[Henry and the Hidden Treasure by B C R Fegan and Lenny Wen]]: it's a good story with some valuable lessons.  It was a real pleasure to chat to writer B C R Fegan when he popped into Bookbag Towers.
 
}}
 
}}
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{{newfeature
 
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|category=interviews
 
|category=interviews
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Sebastiana Randone
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Annie Ingram
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|summary=Jill thought that [[The House by Sebastiana Randone]] was genre busting and she had quite a few questions for the author when she popped into Bookbag Towers.
+
|summary=Very few people believe that dogs can talk so it was something of a relief when Sue met author, Annie Ingram.  She has lengthy conversations with her cocker spaniel Kammie and has shared them with us in her [[Conversations with Kammie by Annie Ingram|book]].  There was a lot to talk about when she popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us.
 
}}
 
}}
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{{newfeature
 
{{newfeature
 
|category=interviews
 
|category=interviews
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Kristen Zimmer
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|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Stephan Santiago
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|summary=Robert was impressed when he read [[The Gravity Between Us by Kristen Zimmer|The Gravity Between Us]] and delighted when author Kristen Zimmer popped in for an interview.
+
|summary=Ani was quietly moved by [[Returning Home by Stephan Santiago|Returning Home]] and there were several points she wanted to discuss with author Stephan Santiago when he popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us.
 
}}
 
}}
  
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Check out the full lists of [[:Category: Interviews|interviews]], [[:Category: Lists|top tens]] and [[:Category: Comments|articles]].
+
Move to [[Recommended Resources]]
−
 
 
 
[[Category:Features|*]]
 
[[Category:Features|*]]

Revision as of 19:38, 14 August 2024

Check out the full lists of interviews, top tens and articles.

Bookcomments.jpg How to Write a Book Report: From Choosing the Book to Final Draft

Need help on how to do a book report? Check out our step-by-step guide at thebookbag.co.uk and learn to craft compelling reports that impress today!

Book report writing shouldn't be a headache! It's almost like telling a friend about a book but with a bit of structure. Read more...

Bookcomments.jpg How Serialized Stories Are Revolutionizing the Way We Read

With technology gradually encroaching on every area of our lives, the change extends to literature as well. This brings serialized stories into focus, which overtook our reading habits with its stages, or small sequential parts of a narrated story. In this sense, this new approach is doing more than just changing how we read but also how authors will write, publishers, promote, and readers experience these works. The rise of digital platforms and book writing apps (e.g. Chapterly) are at the forefront of this change. Read more...

Booklists.jpg Top Ten Self-Published Books 2023

We've seen some really good self-published books this year: they're up there with the best of traditional publishing. Here's our top ten, in alphabetical order, by author. Read more...

Bookinterviews.jpg The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Jeffrey Dunn

Jill enjoyed Radio Free Olympia, a story blending prose and poetry with themes of ecology, folklore, love and loss. She didn't think it was the easiest read, but a rewarding one. Read more...

Bookcomments.jpg How To Write a Fantasy Novel: The Full Guide

Fantasy has always been our way out of the real world's limitations. It's a space where magic is real, mythical creatures roam, and heroes go on epic quests. This genre is loved by people of all ages and backgrounds. It allows us to explore new worlds and face unimaginable challenges, all without leaving our homes.

But what if you could do more than just visit these magical lands? What if you could create your own? This is the magic of writing a fantasy novel. You have the power to build worlds with your words. You can turn simple ink and paper into landscapes that readers can explore.

So, get ready for an adventure. This journey is not just about castles and wizards. It's also about the craft of writing. You'll learn to use language and imagination to make a rich, varied story. And who knows what unexplored realms you'll discover along the way? Read more...

Bookcomments.jpg How Can Reading Improve Your Vocabulary: Best Practices

Reading is one of the most effective ways to improve your vocabulary. Not only does it expose you to new words and their meanings, but it also allows you to see them used in context, which is essential for understanding and using them correctly. With the rise of language learning apps, such as Promova, many people have turned to technology to improve their vocabulary. However, reading remains a tried-and-true method that has been used for centuries. Read more...

Bookcomments.jpg 3 Things You Didn't Know About Ghostwriters

How much do you know about ghostwriters? These professionals lurk in the shadows of the publishing industry (both self- and traditional publishing), with most members of the public having only ever heard of them because of the Pierce Brosnan film. Given the awkwardness a lot of people feel toward ghostwriters, it's no surprise that there are a number of misconceptions about what they do, so I'm hoping to clarify three important things in this post. Read more...

Bookinterviews.jpg The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Conrad Delacroix

Sue really enjoyed The Lensky Connection, a thriller set primarily in Russia. She had quite a few questions for author Conrad Delacroix when he popped into Bookbag Towers. Read more...

Booklists.jpg Top Ten Self-Published Books 2022

We're constantly amazed at the quality of the self-published books which come our way and we've seen some real gems in 2022. Here they are, in alphabetical order, by author: Read more...

Bookcomments.jpg 3 Things You Should Know About Literary Agents

If you're all set to publish your novel, it might be time to get yourself a literary agent. Since you're essentially picking the person responsible for presenting and marketing your book to the world, this is no easy task. When you've sent your query letters and started getting responses, these tips will help you choose the right person for you. Read more...

Bookcomments.jpg Lolita Book Review: Most Important Things to Know

Lolita, a highly controversial book, is not subject to bans in American schools. Here are the most important things you need to know about it. Read more...

Bookcomments.jpg Stylish Restaging of The Crucible is All Show and No Substance, According to Reviews

The Crucible is a tragedy that’s been debated and discussed for many years. Its current running in theaters has received a rather intriguing review. Keep reading to find out more. Read more...

Bookcomments.jpg How Bar Modeling Makes Word Problems Easy in Singapore Math

Singapore Mathematics is a unique way of presenting this science. Parents and teachers will be able to understand and explain to children the simplest mathematical processes using images. Read more...

Bookcomments.jpg Finding More Time For Reading

If there is one thing that a lot of people could benefit from having more of in their lives, it's 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, and it's something that you might be able to approach in a number of ways if you want to make sure that you are getting back into reading again. But one of the most important parts of this is probably that you are able to find enough time for reading, and that can be harder than you might initially think. Read more...

Bookinterviews.jpg The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Gerry Brown and Randall S Peterson about Disaster in the Boardroom: Six Dysfunctions Everyone Should Understand

Sue was absolutely riveted to Disaster in the Boardroom: Six Dysfunctions Everyone Should Understand by Gerry Brown and Randall S Peterson. It's brilliantly readable but rather frightening: people's lives and livelihoods could be in the hands of company boards which are dysfunctional. Sue wanted to know more. Read more...

Booklists.jpg Top Ten Self-Published Books 2021

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's top ten consisted of eleven books (maths never was our strong point...) but this year we're going to have to make it a baker's dozen as we really couldn't split them apart. Here they are, in alphabetical order, by author... Read more...

Bookcomments.jpg How to Write a Standout Book Review in a Saturated Market

Book reviews are a crucial tool for the reading community — it’s via these that opinions are exchanged, ideas discussed, and recommendations found. But though the growth of book review sites is promising for readers, a saturated market also means that it’s getting increasingly difficult to make your mark as a book reviewer.

If you’re looking for ways to freshen your voice and make a stronger impression, I’ve got a few tips that might help. As an avid reader of book reviews, I’ve noticed that the ones that stay with me usually follow these three guidelines. Read more...

Bookinterviews.jpg The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Gerry Brown, Andrew Kakabadse and Filipe Morais about The Independent Director in Society

Sue was an enthusiastic reader of The Independent Director in Society: Our current crisis of governance and what to do and she had several points she wanted to discuss with the authors when they popped into Bookbag Towers. Read more...

Bookcomments.jpg Comic Books Where the Bad Guys Won

Comic books and movies, in general, have been given the portrayal of good; always winning and saving the day. however, thanks to the creativity of writers, we have a few writers of comics who have managed to alter this unsaid rule, 'evil wins at the end of the day'. While it may not be a great thought to bear in mind, it is still something a bit fascinating to dwell on. And, we believe that it is a breath of fresh air to discover that we have something different from the cliché where the hero always emerges as the victor. Read more...

Bookinterviews.jpg The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Gerry Brown About Making a Difference: Leadership, Change and Giving Back the Independent Director Way

Gerry Brown is so keen to see people geting involved that there's a free digital download of this £42 book. Read more...

Booklists.jpg Top Ten Self-Published Books 2020

In this strangest of years we've been delighted by the self-published books we've read and they're all books which compare well with traditionally-published books in the same genres. We really couldn't narrow the choice down any further - so this year's top ten consists of eleven books and here they are, in alphabetical order by author... Read more...

Bookinterviews.jpg The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Olga Kokshagina and Allen Alexander

Sue was so impressed by The Radical Innovation Playbook: A Practical Guide for Harnessing New, Novel or Game-Changing Breakthroughs by Olga Kokshagina and Allen Alexander that she wished that she had a good business idea of her own so that she could use the book. Perhaps that was what she was talking about when Olga and Allen popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us. Read more...

Bookinterviews.jpg The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Andrew Hampshire

Technology can seem frightening to people who don't have the background. In Creating 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 how to get the most out of it. He and Sue had a lot to chat about when he dropped into Bookbag Towers. Read more...

Bookcomments.jpg Stand Up to Bullying With a Pulitzer Prize Winner

In every generation, there are kids who become bullies. They bully their siblings, neighbor kids, and their classmates. They seem to believe that other kids look up to them and respect them. That is self-delusion, as most adults are aware, but kids don't have the experience to properly judge what is respect and what is merely fear. Read more...

Bookcomments.jpg From Sci Fi to Reality: How Dreams Turn Into Innovations

The gap between sci-fi and 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 smartphone 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. Read more...

Bookcomments.jpg 5 Great AI books to read in 2020

Artificial intelligence (AI) has expanded into one of the most important technologies in human history. It comes with so many benefits, from improving the efficiency of simple, basic tasks to helping to solve advanced problems by quickly analyzing large data sets. Read more...

Booklists.jpg A Baker's Dozen of Books to Keep the Kids Occupied When They Can't Go Out

Are you running out of inspiration for what to do with the kids when they can't go out? We've come up with a baker's dozen of books to give you some brilliant ideas. Read more...

Booklists.jpg Top Ten Self-Published Books 2019

We've seen some cracking self-published books this year and they're all books which compare well with traditionally-published books in the same genres. We really couldn't narrow the choice down any further - so this year's top ten consists of eleven books and here they are, in alphabetical order by author... Read more...

Bookcomments.jpg Desiree Villena Talks To Bookbag About 5 Key Tips for Writing a Critical-Yet-Fair Book Review

Writing a book review isn't difficult, you know, but there are a few things you need to keep us in mind. Desiree Villena gives us five tips. Read more...

Bookinterviews.jpg The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Melanie Martin

In War and Love: A family's testament of anguish, 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 was delighted when the author agreed to chat with her. Read more...

Bookcomments.jpg Framing the Brexit narrative: immigration, myths and public perception

Loobna Joomun looks at how Brexit is likely to affect the publishing industry - and the wider country. Read more...

Bookcomments.jpg 8 ways to motivate yourself to write, right NOW by Jessica Jarlvi

Ever felt that you've hit a brick wall with your writing? Jessica Jarlvi has eight tips yo get you writing again. Read more...

Bookcomments.jpg Greg Hickey Talks To Bookbag About The Old Guard of Dystopian Fiction

Where do you go when you move beyond classics like 1984 and Brave New World? Read more...

Booklists.jpg Top Ten Self-Published Books 2018

Choosing the top ten self-published books we read in 2018 was difficult as we're constantly surprised at just how good some self-published books are. Here's our final top ten in alphabetical order by author... Read more...

Bookcomments.jpg James Donald Talks To Bookbag About The Death Of Norman Breyfogle

One of the finest storytellers you've never heard of, who died in September 2018 at the age of 58. Read more...

Bookinterviews.jpg The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Melissa Leet

Sue was impressed when she read Landslide by Melissa Leet and was surprised to find that it was a debut novel. She had quite a few questions for Melissa when she popped into Bookbag Towers. Read more...

Bookcomments.jpg Faiz Kermani talks to Bookbag about how a blue frog is helping Malawi's vulnerable children to live safe, healthy and happy lives

Every child has a right to medical care Read more...

Bookcomments.jpg Abi Silver Talks To The Bookbag About A Few Of Her Favourite Things

We could definitely make a flying car – but that's not the hard part. The hard part is, how do you make a flying car that's super safe and quiet?: Elon Musk Read more...

Bookinterviews.jpg The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Daniel Peltz

Sue wasn't expecting to enjoy a novel about a building, but was surprised by just how compelling she found The Indomitable Chiesa di Santa Maria. There was a lot to chat about when author Daniel Peltz popped into Bookbag Towers. Read more...

Booklists.jpg Top Ten Self-Published Books 2017

Choosing the top ten self-published books we read in 2017 was one of the toughest jobs we did all year and involved a great deal of discussion. Here's our final top ten in alphabetical order by author... Read more...

Bookinterviews.jpg The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Chit Dubey

Sue was quietly impressed when she read 21 Doors to Happiness: Life Through Travel Experiences and Meditation by Chit Dubey as it chimed with her personal view of life. She was delighted when Chit Dubey popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us. Read more...

Bookcomments.jpg Melita Thomas Talks To Bookbag About The King's Pearl: Henry VIII and his Daughter Mary

Melita Thomas tell us that Mary was a true Renaissance Princess Read more...

Bookinterviews.jpg The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Elizabeth Fox and Martin le Comte

Peter thought that The Ten Golden Rules of Leadership was the best book on leadership he'd ever read and he couldn't resist asking authors Elizabeth Fox and Martin le Comte quite a few questions when they came to Bookbag Towers to chat to us. Read more...

Bookinterviews.jpg The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Gabe Riggs

Luke thought that Punk Love Foucault by Gabe Riggs was an intense, emotional and visceral read that illuminates and educates with a strong voice and clear, capable prose. There was a lot to talk about when Gabe popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us. Read more...

Bookinterviews.jpg The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Sandra Aragona

Sue loved Sandra Aragona's lightly-fictionalised autobiography of life as a diplomatic spouse. There was a lot that she wanted to ask about when Sandra popped into Bookbag Towers. Read more...

Bookinterviews.jpg The Interview: Bookbag Talks To K J Lawrence

Sue was delighted when she read The Cossack as it restored her faith in the thriller genre. When the author, K J Lawrence, popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us, Sue had quite a few questions ready! Read more...

Bookinterviews.jpg The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Stuart Burrell

Sue found Start Burrell's book Twelve Times To The Max: One Man's Journey to, and Recollections of, Setting Twelve Verified World Records an inspiring, feel-good read. She wanted to know more when Stuart popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us. Read more...

Bookinterviews.jpg The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Wes Stuart

Luke enjoyed the combination of compellingly-written science fiction which blends themes of innocence and growth with some well depicted moments of horror in My Name is Sam and he had quite a few questions for author Wes Stuart when he popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us. Read more...

Bookinterviews.jpg The Interview: Bookbag Talks To B C R Fegan

Sue giggled like a child when she read Henry and the Hidden Treasure by B C R Fegan and Lenny Wen: it's a good story with some valuable lessons. It was a real pleasure to chat to writer B C R Fegan when he popped into Bookbag Towers. Read more...

Bookinterviews.jpg The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Annie Ingram

Very few people believe that dogs can talk so it was something of a relief when Sue met author, Annie Ingram. She has lengthy conversations with her cocker spaniel Kammie and has shared them with us in her book. There was a lot to talk about when she popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us. Read more...

Bookinterviews.jpg The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Stephan Santiago

Ani was quietly moved by Returning Home and there were several points she wanted to discuss with author Stephan Santiago when he popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us. Read more...

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