Features

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

File:Booknewsletters.jpg November 2015 Newsletter

Happy November, Bookbaggers! We hate to be the eleventy billionth people to mention it to you, but Christmas is around the corner. Sorry, but it is! If you're looking for some bookish gift recommendations, scroll down to our features section where we have done our best to help you out. Read more...

Top Ten Crime Novels of 2015

We've tried to give you a varied selection of crime novels for 2015. They come from several continents and some have been translated and there are old favourites as well as some talented newcomers. Here they are, in alphabetical order by author. Read more...

Top Ten Fantasy Books of 2015

We had a fun time choosing our top ten fantasy novels of 2015, not least because it got us into a lot of do you remember...? conversations! It took quite a while to whittle our choices down to ten, particularly as we've excluded any books which are part of a series where you need to have read earlier books to appreciate this one. Here they are, in alphabetical order by author. Read more...

Top Ten Historical Fiction Books of 2015

We've noticed a growing appetite for top class historical fiction and there have been some very good examples in 2015. In making our selection we've avoided books which are the later parts of trilogies and where you really need to have read the earlier books to get the best from them, but here's our selection, in alphabetical order by author. Read more...

Top Ten General Fiction Books for 2015

2015 has been a good year for those books which you just want to enjoy reading and we think that we've found something for everyone's taste. Here they are, alphabetically by author. Read more...

Top Ten Books for Teens 2015

Choosing our top ten books for teens is always difficult and 2015 was no exception. We think there's something here for everyone and they're in alphabetical order by author Read more...

Top Ten History Books 2015

We seem to be celebrating a lot of anniversaries - and the books which accompany them - at the moment, but in selecting our top ten history books of 2015 we've tried to give as wide a selection of periods and subjects as possible so that there's something to appeal to everyone. Here they are in alphabetical order by author. Read more...

Top Ten Books for Confident Readers 2015

We stayed up late and argued about which books should be included in this top ten - and as 2015 has been rich in good books it wasn't an easy job. But - we finally managed to pick just ten and here they are in alpabetical order by author Read more...

Top Ten Picture Books 2015

We really struggled to pick just ten picture books from the brilliant editions we've seen this year and some of our personal favourites had to be left out, but here they are in alphabetical order, by author. Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To John Searancke

Sue was impressed by John Searancke's story of his father's war, Prunes for Breakfast and she had quite a few questions for John when he popped into Bookbag Towers. Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Chris Calder

Ani enjoyed Celeste Three is Missing by Chris Calder and thought it was a good, slow burning escapist thriller. She had quite a few questions for the author when he popped in to see us. Read more...

File:Booknewsletters.jpg October 2015 Newsletter

Hi, hello, and how the devil are you? Good, we hope!

The wait is over and we now know that Marlon James won the Booker Prize 2015. He's the first Jamaican to win and we couldn't be happier for him. Ani loved A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James, calling it multi-layered epiphany of a novel and if you haven't read it already, you really, really should. You can also find our reviews of all the short listed books here. They're all fabulous. Read more...

Man Booker Prize 2015

We're eagerly awaiting news of the winner of the 2015 Man Booker Prize and we have some exciting books on the shortlist. Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Sandy Hogarth

Rebecca enjoyed The Glass Girl by Sandy Hogarth, an exploration of the psychological effects of sexual trauma and relationship betrayals. She had quite a few questions for the author when she popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us. Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Frances Brody

Sue is a long-standing fan of Frances Brody's Kate Shackleton mysteries. She thought that the latest - A Death in the Dales - was ingenious, well researched and a darned good read. There were quite a few questions when Frances popped into Bookbag Towers. Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Jill Thrussell

Ani thought that I'll Meet You In Heaven was a story of love, loss and new beginnings which would be a great comfort to those who have suffered loss. She had quite a few questions for author Jill Thrussell when she popped in to see us. Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Kim Staflund Again

Sue's always been just a little bit keen to avoid the limelight, so when Kim Staflund's latest book, Successful Selling Tips for Introverted Authors landed on her desk she devoured it and had quite a few questions to ask the author when she popped into Bookbag Towers. Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Matt Addis

Sue has spent some very indulgent hours recently listening to books narrated by Matt Addis. Most recently she's wallowed in Rape of the Fair Country and The Hosts of Rebecca, both by Alexander Cordell, which she thought were amazing. When Matt popped into Bookbag Towers she wanted to know how it was all done. Read more...

File:Booknewsletters.jpg September 2015 Newsletter

Well, they say summer is the silly season but so much has been happening since we last wrote! And so much of what has been happening has tied into the world of books in our thoughts. MPs, given a free vote, rejected an assisted dying bill. And that made us remember beloved Terry Pratchett, who so strongly supported the idea. We miss you, Terry. Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Antony Wootten Again

After she finished reading The Grubby Feather Gang Sue couldn't get the characters out of her mind. The book had given her a lot to think about and she had quite a few questions for author Antony Wootten when he popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us. Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To C B Calico

Rebecca was impressed by Dandelion Angel and had quite a few questions when debut author C B Calico popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us. Read more...

File:Booknewsletters.jpg August 2015 Newsletter

Hi, hello and how are you? Good, we hope. We have some summer reading recommendations for you as ever this month. If you haven't been on your holidays yet, hopefully there's something there you'd like to take with you. If you have, well, you can still take a look - perhaps for some reading in the garden during the long evenings. Either way, happy summer reading everyone! Read more...

File:Booknewsletters.jpg July 2015 Newsletter

How are you all doing with the summer weather? Aside from sweltering and moaning, that is. We can allow you to swelter but not to moan about it. Sorry! Did you watch Wimbledon? As we write, the tournament is still ongoing, so our fingers are still crossed for Andy Murray, as they were for our fabulous footballing lionesses. We need to review more books about sport, we really do. Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Sarah Bourne

When she read Two Lives Rebecca thought that author Sarah Bourne was definitely going to be one to follow. They had a lot to chat about when Sarah popped into Bookbag Towers. Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To John Piper

Ani was impressed when she read John Piper's Hibernia Unanimis and she had quite a few questions to ask the author when he popped into Bookbag Towers. Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Gerry Brown

Sue thought that The Independent Director: The Non-Executive Director's Guide to Effective Board Presence was fascinating and certain to become the go-to book for anyone thinking about taking on an independent directorship. There were quite a few questions she wanted to ask when author Gerry brown popped into Bookbag Towers to chat to us. Read more...

File:Booknewsletters.jpg June 2015 Newsletter

Hi, hello and how the devil are you?

The days are getting long and for us here at Bookbag, it means the evenings are perfect for reading. Hopefully you feel the same and hopefully this newsletter will give you some ideas about what to read next.

So, what's been going on in the book world? Well, there's been a flurry of laureate-related news.

Firstly, the redoubtable Chris Riddell has taken over from the equally redoubtable Malorie Blackman as the new Children's Laureate. Hooray! We love Chris. He says he wants to put visual literacy front and centre during his tenure and he'd love to see children drawing every day. So would we. Good luck, Chris. Read more...

File:Booknewsletters.jpg May 2015 Newsletter

Hi, hello, how goes it with you? Post-election blues? Or post-election euphoria? Or simply thankful it's all over for another five years? Whichever, it's good to get back to talking about books, right? Right?!

Penguin are hoping to raise £25,000 for the Teenage Cancer Trust through their Night of Infinities on 26 June. Over the past three years, millions of people around the world have connected with the story of Gus and Hazel in John Green’s life-changing The Fault in Our Stars. Night of Infinities is a a UK and Ireland wide, TFiOS-themed sleepover that will include all sorts of online fun. The Teenage Cancer Trust does remarkable work, so if you know anyone that might like to take part, do let them know. Read more...

File:Booknewsletters.jpg April 2015 Newsletter

Hi there! Spring is in the air! Isn't it a relief? Politics is also in the air. There's a general election campaign on, in case you hadn't noticed. Somewhat less of a relief for many, we fear. If you're looking to escape Cameron, Miliband, Farage et al, and are looking for anything to read that isn't a party manifesto, stick with us. We have some great book recommendations for you this month.

In other news, author David Nicholls says that browsing bookshops then buying online is a genteel form of shoplifting. Do you agree? We think bookshops are precious so we are inclined to concur. Having said that, there's nothing wrong with a choice of format. Not everybody feels the same way about books as objects. Perhaps, rather than the gladiatorial combat Nicholls describes, it would be better if people browsed in bookshops and then chose the physical book or a download at the checkout? Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To John Kemp

Sue thought that John Kemp’s book Caring for Shirley was a remarkably upbeat, life-affirming read considering that it was about looking after his wife who was suffering from dementia and no longer recognised him as her husband. it’s probably one of the most feared fates as you get older, and Sue had plenty to discuss with John Kemp when he popped into Bookbag Towers. Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Michael Pronko

Rebecca enjoyed Michael Pronko's whimsical, poetic essays on Tokyo life and she had quite a few questions for the author when he popped into Bookbag Towers. Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Tricia Callow, sister of Lesley J Nickell

Ani is an enthusiast about 15th and 16th century history and enjoyed the different approach to the Wars of the Roses which she found in The White Queen of Middleham: Sprigs of Broom 1 by Lesley J Nickell. She'd have loved to chat to Lesley, but unfortunately she died in 2013. Fortunately, Lesley's sister, Tricia Callow had the answers to many of Ani's questions. Read more...

File:Booknewsletters.jpg March 2015 Newsletter

Hello dear readers. We hope you're well and that winter is slowly seeping from your bones.

This last month has brought sad news. Sir Terry Pratchett, creator of Discworld and advocate of right to die reform, has died. Lovely Sir Terry, whose stories satirised every aspect of the modern world and the human condition but who, in person, was kind and funny and twinkly, without a nasty bone in his body. We are all a little bit less without him. Read more...

File:Booknewsletters.jpg February 2015 Newsletter

Hi, hello, and how the devil are you? Reading feverishly, we hope. As ever, we've rounded up our favourite books out this month and hopefully you'll find something you - or your children - will enjoy in the picks.

The first reviews for the film adaptation of Fifty Shades Of Grey by EL James are out. Most are suggesting that the film is better than the book. It's a polarising volume, isn't it? Our reviewer Zoe is in the positive camp but there are many who aren't. It will be interesting to see what readers think: few of us ever prefer the film to the book. Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Virginia Burges

Rebecca thought that The Virtuoso was a sensitive portrayal of a life in transition. She had quite a few questions when author Virginia Burges popped into Bookbag Towers. Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To P J Davitt

Jill thought that One Shot at Glory was a truly relatable story about football hopefuls and author P J Davitt makes it warts and all. She had quite a few questions she wanted to ask when Paddy popped into Bookbag Towers. Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Nigel McClea

Sue thought that A Word Glittering with Spikes was a long, indulgent, romantic read and she had quite a few questions for author Nigel McClea when he popped into Bookbag Towers. Read more...

Leonce Gaiter Talks To Bookbag About Why Men Are Only 20% of all Fiction Readers

Leonce Gaiter is a prolific African American writer and proud Harvard Alum. His writing has appeared in the NYTimes, NYT Magazine, LA Times, Washington Times, and Washington Post, and he has written two novels. His newly released novel, In the Company of Educated Men is a literary thriller with socio-economic, class, and racial themes. Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To R D Shanks

Ani was quietly impressed by debut author Rachael Shanks' A Reverie of Brothers and she had quite a few questions when the author popped into Bookbag Towers. Read more...

File:Booknewsletters.jpg January 2015 Newsletter

Hi, hello and a very happy New Year. May 2015 be healthy, happy and fulfilling for each and every one of you.

We have the most wonderful book story for you this month. For the last three years, an anonymous artist has been leaving sculptures made from old books in and around Edinburgh. The sculptures are absolutely beautiful: delicate, evocative, inspiring. We at Bookbag love a bit of book art. Anf finally, the artist has spoken in an interview with the BBC. She still doesn't say who she is, though! We love this story. Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Femi Bolaji

Sue was moved when she read God Tells the Sun to Shine: An Amazing Story of Love and Forgiveness and there were was quite a bit to chat about when author Femi Bolaji popped into Bookbag Towers. Read more...

Chris Priestley Talks To Bookbag About A Christmas Carol And The Inspiration For The Last of the Spirits

Jim was blown away when he read The Last of the Spirits by Chris Priestley|The Last of the Spirits and he was delighted when author Chris Priestley popped into Bookbag Towers to chat about it. Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Alan Kennedy

Jill thought that Lucy was a vivid, clever story of love, art, war and missed opportunities. She and author Alan Kennedy had quite a bit to chat about when he popped into Bookbag Towers. Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Dee Blick

When Sue finished reading The Ultimate Guide to Writing and Marketing a Bestselling Book on a Shoestring Budget she was enthused to write a book - until she realised that she was one of the few people who didn't have a book inside her - but there was still a lot to talk about when author Dee Blick popped into Bookbag Towers. Read more...

File:Booknewsletters.jpg November 2014 Newsletter

Hi, hello and how are you?

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. Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Konstantina Sozou-Kyrkou

Sue enjoyed 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. Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Christopher Bowden

Jill thought that 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. Read more...

File:Booknewsletters.jpg October 2014 Newsletter

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 Twitter, where we post links to reviews of the books we liked every single day. Get ahead of the Bookbag curve! Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Leigh Russell

Peter thought that author Leigh Russell captured the atmosphere of the racecourse well in Race to Death and he had quite a few questions for Leigh when she popped into Bookbag Towers. Read more...

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Matthew Tree

Sue thought that Snug was a deceptively simple novel with unsuspected layers. 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. Read more...

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