A Case for Books
Five Books to Look Out for in January | A Case for Books
updated
You can pre-order the book at your local bookshop and links to order a signed copy or special edition are here! https://linktr.ee/acaseforbooks
Pages & Co: The Book Smuggler is out this week in the UK, and in December in the US! Here are some places you can buy it!
Signed & personalised from my local indie (international shipping available): childrensbookshoplondon.com/product-page/pages-co-the-book-smugglers
Signed from Waterstones: waterstones.com/book/pages-and-co-the-book-smugglers/anna-james/9780008511265
Amazon: amazon.co.uk/Pages-Co-Smugglers-Anna-James/dp/000841081X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=pages+%26+co+book+4&qid=1631637469&qsid=257-6851670-9654160&sr=8-1&sres=000841081X%2C1984837346%2C0008229910%2C0008229953%2C0008229872%2C0008487596%2C1510105956%2CB07PK581MH%2CB08YQCQCWS%2CB01A7YX4HE%2C1777728479%2C1624149081%2C199047201X%2CB019PIOJYU%2CB08WJPL616%2C1857200950&srpt=ABIS_BOOK
Barnes & Noble: barnesandnoble.com/w/pages-co-anna-james/1139594011?ean=9780593327203
- Guest host Gavin Hetherington from @GavinReadsItAll interviews me about the newest Pages & Co adventure, The Book Smugglers, including a sneak peek reading!
- Nadia Shireen, author of Grimwood, answers big questions from Our Lady and St Anne's, about writing habits, favourite authors and biscuits.
- Maisie Chan, author of Danny Chung Does Not Do Maths and the Tiger Warrior series, tells you about three ways that she gets ideas for her writing.
You can find out more about, and buy, the books mentioned, here: uk.bookshop.org/lists/the-bookwanderers-club (This is an affiliate link, which means that if you buy a book via this link, I get a small commission which helps me make these videos, thank you!)
This is the last episode of Series 2 of The Bookwanderers Club, but there'll be more soon. Follow me on my social media (I'm @acaseforbooks on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok) for more information about what's coming next for bookwanderers..! You can also email me at thebookwanderersclub@gmail.com.
Time stamps for specific sections:
00:00 Introduction
1:03 Book Chat with Anna James (me!) with Gavin Hetherington
29:30 Big Questions with Nadia Shireen
47:31 Where Do You Get Your Ideas From? with Maisie Chan
- Polly Ho-Yen, author of How I Saved the World in a Week, talks about finding her characters voices, survival skills, and sets a writing task for you.
- Lucy Ivison, author of The House of Serendipity, answers big questions from Baden Powell and St Peters Junior School about ice cream, pets, and writing inspiration.
- Maria Kuzniar, author of the Ship of Shadows series, tells you about three ways that she gets ideas for her writing.
You can find out more about, and buy, the books mentioned, here: uk.bookshop.org/lists/the-bookwanderers-club
(This is an affiliate link, which means that if you buy a book via this link, I get a small commission which helps me make these videos, thank you!)
If you'd like to get in touch, share your writing or be part of Big Questions, you can email me at thebookwanderersclub@gmail.com. You can also find me on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok at @acaseforbooks.
Time stamps for specific sections:
00:00 Introduction
00:52 Book Chat with Polly Ho-Yen
30:37 Big Questions with Lucy Ivison
51:56 Where Do You Get Your Ideas From? with Maria Kuzniar
- Louie Stowell, author of Otherland, talks about creating her brilliantly horrible fairy land and sets a writing task for you.
- Tom Ellen, author of The Cartoons That Came to Life, answers big questions from Catton Grove primary school about everything from inspirations to football to what colour crayon he'd be.
- Patience Agbabi, author of the Leap Cycle series, tells you about three specific things that inspired the most recent instalment, The Time-Thief.
You can find out more about, and buy, the books mentioned, here: uk.bookshop.org/lists/the-bookwanderers-club
(This is an affiliate link, which means that if you buy a book via this link, I get a small commission which helps me make these videos, thank you!)
If you'd like to get in touch, share your writing or be part of Big Questions, you can email me at thebookwanderersclub@gmail.com. You can also find me on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok at @acaseforbooks.
Time stamps for specific sections:
00:00 Introduction
00:52 Book Chat with Louie Stowell
20:15 Big Questions with Tom Ellen
43:58 Where Do You Get Your Ideas From? with Patience Agbabi
- Efua Traoré, debut author of Children of the Quicksands, talks about how her book was inspired by her own childhood in Nigeria and sets a writing prompt.
- Francesca Gibbons, author of A Clock of Stars, which has just been shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize, answers some of your big questions - including what she would do if she found a penguin in her freezer!
- Aisha Bushby talks about where she finds ideas and inspiration, and Cornwall and Kuwait inspired her Moonchild duology.
You can find out more about, and buy, the books mentioned, here: uk.bookshop.org/lists/the-bookwanderers-club
(This is an affiliate link, which means that if you buy a book via this link, I get a small commission which helps me make these videos, thank you!)
If you'd like to get in touch, share your writing or be part of Big Questions, you can email me at thebookwanderersclub@gmail.com. You can also find me on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok at @acaseforbooks.
Time stamps for specific sections:
00:00 Introduction
00:52 Book Chat with Efua Traoré
23:04 Big Questions with Francesca Gibbons
42:32 Where Do You Get Your Ideas From? with Aisha Bushby
- Radiya Hafiza, author of Rumaysa (the April Waterstones Children's Book of the Month) talks about putting her own spin on classic fairy tales and sets a writing prompt.
- Catherine Doyle, author of the Storm Keeper trilogy, introduces the epic conclusion to the series before answering some of your Big Questions.
- Annabelle Sami talks about where she finds ideas and inspiration, and how she creates her two series, Agent Zaiba Investigates and Llama Out Loud.
You can find out more about, and buy, the books mentioned, here: uk.bookshop.org/lists/the-bookwanderers-club
(This is an affiliate link, which means that if you buy a book via this link, I get a small commission which helps me make these videos, thank you!)
If you'd like to get in touch, share your writing or be part of Big Questions, you can email me at thebookwanderersclub@gmail.com. You can also find me on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok at @acaseforbooks.
Time stamps for specific sections:
00:00 Introduction
00:52 Book Chat with Radiya Hafiza
13:07 Big Questions with Catherine Doyle
30:24 Where Do You Get Your Ideas From? with Annabelle Sami
- Blue Peter Book Prize winner Elle McNicoll talks about her second novel, Show Us Who You Are, and sets a writing prompt.
- Struan Murray, author of the Orphans of the Tide series talks about its sequel, Shipwreck Island, and answers your Big Questions.
- Rashmi Sirdeshpande tells you about the three stages of putting together a non-fiction book and gives you some tips for writing about facts.
You can find out more about, and buy, the books mentioned, here: uk.bookshop.org/lists/the-bookwanderers-club
(This is an affiliate link, which means that if you buy a book via this link, I get a small commission which helps me make these videos, thank you!)
If you'd like to get in touch, share your writing or be part of Big Questions, you can email me at thebookwanderersclub@gmail.com! You can also find me on Twitter and Instagram at @acaseforbooks!
Time stamps for specific sections:
00:00 Introduction
00:50 Book Chat with Elle McNicoll
21:07 Big Questions with Struan Murray
46:18 Where Do You Get Your Ideas From? with Rashmi Sirdeshpande
52:56 Reading Round-Up
- Tamzin Merchant talks about her debut novel, The Hatmakers, and sets a writing prompt.
- Sam Sedgman, one half of the Adventures on Trains team, answers your Big Questions.
- Debut writer Hannah Gold shares three things that inspired her debut, The Last Bear.
You can find out more about, and buy, the books mentioned, here: uk.bookshop.org/lists/the-bookwanderers-club
(This is an affiliate link, which means that if you buy a book via this link, I get a small commission which helps me make these videos, thank you!)
If you'd like to get in touch, share your writing or be part of Big Questions, you can email me at thebookwanderersclub@gmail.com! You can also find me on Twitter and Instagram at @acaseforbooks!
Time stamps for specific sections:
00:00 Introduction
01:06 Book Chat with Tamzin Merchant
22:34 Big Questions with Sam Sedgman
48:45 Where Do You Get Your Ideas From? with Hannah Gold
54:41 Reading Round-Up
This episode Benjamin Dean talks about his debut novel, Me, My Dad and the End of the Rainbow, which is the current Waterstones Children's Book of the Month. Liz Pichon celebrates ten years of Tom Gates and answers some of YOUR big questions, and actress Helen Rutter tells us about where she got the idea for her debut novel, The Boy Who Made Everyone Laugh.
You can find out more about, and buy, the books mentioned, here: uk.bookshop.org/lists/the-bookwanderers-club
(This is an affiliate link, which means that if you buy a book via this link, I get a small commission which helps me make these videos, thank you!)
If you'd like to get in touch, share your writing or be part of Big Questions, you can email me at thebookwanderersclub@gmail.com! You can also find me on Twitter and Instagram at @acaseforbooks!
Time stamps for specific sections:
00:00 Introduction
00:54 Book Chat with Benjamin Dean
22:25 Big Questions with Liz Pichon
49:17 Where Do You Get Your Ideas From? with Helen Rutter
56:24 Reading Round-Up
This episode Kelly Yang talks about her book Front Desk, and how it was inspired by her childhood, and sets this week's writing prompt. PG Bell tells you a bit about Delivery to the Lost City, the last in his Train to Impossible Places trilogy, and Josh Lacey takes on your Big Questions!
You can find out more about, and buy, the books mentioned, here: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/the-boo...
(This is an affiliate link, which means that if you buy them via here I get a small commission which helps me make these videos, thank you!)
Gavin from Waterstones gives this week's Bookseller Top Tip. You can still order online from Waterstones at www.waterstones.com. You can find Gavin's channel, How to Train Your Gavin, here: youtube.com/channel/UChD0f9hEfDrWwuj2MmiEXIQ
If you'd like to get in touch, share your writing or be part of Big Questions, you can email me at thebookwanderersclub@gmail.com! You can also find me on Twitter and Instagram at @acaseforbooks!
Time stamps for specific sections:
00:00 Introduction
00:47 Book Chat with Kelly Yang
27:29 Where Do You Get Your Ideas From? with PG Bell
34:06 Big Questions with Josh Lacey
48:45 Reading Round-Up
50:20 Bookseller Top Tip with Gavin from Waterstones/How to Train Your Gavin
Series two has a brand new format that's a bit different from series one (all of which you can still watch on my channel!). Episodes will go up every other Friday at 10am and will feature three different author segments as well as a reading round up and a bookseller top tip.
This episode Joseph Elliott takes on your big questions, Nizrana Farook talks about her inspiration for her latest book, and Kieran Larwood talks about his newest Five Realms story as well as setting this episode's writing prompt.
You can find out more about, and buy, the books mentioned, here: uk.bookshop.org/lists/the-bookwanderers-club
(This is an affiliate link, which means that if you buy them via here I get a small commission which helps me make these videos, thank you!)
Helen from The Barrister in Wonderland gives this week's Bookseller Top Tip. You can order books from her, and get recommendations here: wonderlandbookshop.co.uk
Signed copies of her pick are here: wonderlandbookshop.co.uk/product/the-forest-of-moon-and-sword-signed
If you'd like to get in touch, share your writing or be part of Big Questions, you can email me at thebookwanderersclub@gmail.com! You can also find me on Twitter and Instagram at @acaseforbooks!
Time stamps for specific sections:
00:00 Introduction
01:21 Big Questions with Joseph Elliott
16:16 Book Chat with Kieran Larwood
38:58 Where Do You Get Your Ideas From? with Nizrana Farook
43:21 Reading Round-Up
48:53 Bookseller Top Tip with Helen from The Barrister in Wonderland Bookshop
You can watch Part One here: youtu.be/CNV16mK6sZY
Let me know if you've read any of these and what you thought, and what your books of 2020 were!
You can find out more about the books (and the books that I write!) and buy them via my bookshop.org.uk store: uk.bookshop.org/lists/top-10-of-2020-new-releases
(This is an affiliate link, so if you choose to buy via this I will get a small commission! Thank you!)
You can find me online here:
Instagram: instagram.com/acaseforbooks
Twitter: twitter.com/acaseforbooks
And find out more about my books, the Pages & Co series, here:
UK: harpercollinschildrensbooks.co.uk/bookwanderer
US: penguinrandomhouse.com/series/PGC/pages-and-co
*EDIT: I hadn't realised when making this video that Doyle has recently come out as non-binary and uses they/him pronouns. Their name is Jude Ellison S. Doyle.*
Let me know if you've read any of these and what you thought, and what your new-to-you discoveries were this year!
(I've also since realised that Priestdaddy was first published in 2017, not 2018, but I totally missed that it had a hardback release first!)
You can find out more about the books (and the books that I write!) and buy them via my bookshop.org.uk store:
uk.bookshop.org/lists/top-10-of-2020-non-2020-releases
(This is an affiliate link, so if you choose to buy via this I will get a small commission! Thank you!)
You can find me online here:
Instagram: instagram.com/acaseforbooks
Twitter: twitter.com/acaseforbooks
And find out more about my books, the Pages & Co series, here:
UK: harpercollinschildrensbooks.co.uk/bookwanderer
US: penguinrandomhouse.com/series/PGC/pages-and-co
~10 days, 6 states, 25 hours of flights, 16 bookshops, 9 schools, 2300 kids~
Last year I was sent on my first international author tour to celebrate Pages & Co being published in the US. Here's a bit of a behind the scenes look at what it's like doing an author tour - or at least what it was like for me!
If you'd like to see more videos about behind the scenes author life, do leave questions or the sort of thing you'd be interested in seeing/hearing about in the comments!
Pages & Co in the UK: uk.bookshop.org/shop/acaseforbooks
Pages & Co in the US: penguinrandomhouse.com/books/607261/pages-and-co-the-bookwanderers-by-anna-james
Find me on Twitter: twitter.com/acaseforbooks
And Instagram: www.instagram.com/acaseforbooks
Music by instagram.com/adamcharlescollier
For the first "new" Bookwanderers Club, I have Katie & Kevin Tsang, author of Dragon Mountain, the first in the Dragon Realm series and the Waterstones Book of the Month for September! Katie is also the author of YA novels Wing Jones and Only Love Can Break your Heart and Katie & Kevin also write the Sam Wu series together. We chat about co-writing, wild imaginations and what sort of dragons Katie & Kevin would like to bond with.
Katie & Kevin's writing prompt is to think about if you were to create your own dragon that you were going to bond with, what would it be like? You can hear more with some ideas and inspiration at 32:44.
The bookshops that Katie & Kevin mentioned are:
Queen's Park Books: queensparkbooks.co.uk
Chicken & Frog: chickenandfrog.com
Tales on Moon Lane: talesonmoonlane.co.uk
Storytellers Inc: storytellersinc.co.uk
Waterstones Piccadilly: waterstones.com
You can find the special sprayed edge Waterstones edition of Dragon Mountain here: waterstones.com/book/dragon-mountain/katie-tsang/kevin-tsang/9781471193071
And you can find Katie on Twitter here: twitter.com/kwebberwrites
And Kev here: twitter.com/kevtsang
And me here: twitter.com/acaseforbooks
You can find out more about my books, Pages & Co, here: harpercollinschildrensbooks.co.uk/bookwanderer
Let me know if you'd like to see more, or if you'd like to hear more about the books themselves as I go!
My video with Rosalind Jana about The Power: youtube.com/watch?v=1Nvhp9AyLGU
KIN: open.spotify.com/artist/47JAFv0YP5Dur3XMe4LxRv?si=S_GwJk9qS5yggyYOQ4hThw
Pages & Co UK: www.harpercollins.co.uk/9780008229948/tilly-and-the-map-of-stories-pages-and-co-book-3
Pages & CO US: www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/607261/pages-and-co-the-bookwanderers-by-anna-james
Twitter: twitter.com/acaseforbooks
Instagram: instagram.com/acaseforbooks
Jasbinder Bilan, author of Asha and the Spirit Bird, joins Anna to talk about winning the Costa Prize, writing about places you've never been, and planning her books.
Jasbinder's writing prompt is to create your own spirit animal. Think about what it would be; the spirit of somebody that means something special to you, or someone linked to you but you don't know who they are. Think about an animal that you absolutely love, that you feel a bond with and write down what they look like physically, what characteristics they have that you admire, and finally write about the first time that you meet them. You can see Jasbinder talk more about his prompt in more detail at 28:23.
The bookshop Jasbinder recommends is:
Mr B's in Bath: mrbsemporium.com
You can find Jasbinder on Twitter here: twitter.com/jasinbath
And on Instagram here: instagram.com/jasbinderbilan
And you can find out more about Jasbinder and her books, including her upcoming book Tamarind and the Star of Ishta here: jasbinderbilan.co.uk
You can follow Anna on Twitter here: twitter.com/acaseforbooks
And on Instagram here: instagram.com/acaseforbooks
And you can find out more about Pages & Co here: harpercollins.co.uk/author/cr-120954/anna-james
Thomas Taylor, author of Malamander and its brand new sequel Gargantis, joins Anna to talk about maps, book dispensaries, and the newly announced film adaptation of Malamander!
Thomas' writing prompt is to find a nearby book - any book - and write out the first line. Then close that book, take the first line and write your own version of what might happen next without using ideas from the book. You can see Thomas talk more about his prompt in more detail at 30:49.
The bookshop Thomas recommends is:
The Book Nook in Hove: booknookuk.com
You can find Thomas on Twitter here: twitter.com/ThomasHTaylor
And on Instagram here: instagram.com/thomskagram
And you can find out more about Eerie-on-Sea and Thomas' books here: eerie-on-sea.com
You can follow Anna on Twitter here: twitter.com/acaseforbooks
And on Instagram here: instagram.com/acaseforbooks
And you can find out more about Pages & Co here: harpercollins.co.uk/author/cr-120954/anna-james
Ross Montgomery, author of books including Perijee & Me, Christmas Dinner of Souls and the upcoming The Midnight Guardians, joins Anna to talk about imaginary friends, coming up with ideas, and to give the first ever reading from the new book!
Ross' writing prompt is to imagine what might happen if one day your own imaginary friend appeared in real life and what would happen next. If you've never had an imaginary friend, have a go at making one up - what might they be like and what kind of adventures would you have? You can see Ross talk more about his prompt in more detail at 32:22.
The bookshop Ross recommends is:
Tales on Moon Lane in south London: talesonmoonlane.co.uk
You can find Ross on Twitter here: twitter.com/mossmontmomery
And you can find out more about Ross and his books - including The Midnight Guardians - here: http://rossmontgomery.co.uk
You can follow Anna on Twitter here: twitter.com/acaseforbooks
And on Instagram here: instagram.com/acaseforbooks
And you can find out more about Pages & Co here: harpercollins.co.uk/author/cr-120954/anna-james
Michelle Harrison, author of books including A Pinch of Magic and A Sprinkle of Sorcery, joins Anna to talk about witches, sisters, and her new series, Midnight Magic.
Michelle's writing prompt is to have a look around your home and find three objects that interest you, then make a list of all the power that object could have if it was magical. Then think about how a character might find that object and finally think about what could go wrong if the magical object ended up in the wrong hands. You can see Michelle talk more about her prompt in more detail at 29:30.
The bookshops Michelle recommends are:
Waterstones Stafford: waterstones.com
Chicken and Frog Bookshop in Essex: chickenandfrog.com
You can find Michelle on Twitter here: twitter.com/MHarrison13
And you can find out more about Michelle and her books here: michelleharrisonbooks.com
You can follow Anna on Twitter here: twitter.com/acaseforbooks
And on Instagram here: instagram.com/acaseforbooks
And you can find out more about Pages & Co here: harpercollins.co.uk/author/cr-120954/anna-james
Jenni Spangler, author of The Vanishing Trick, joins Anna to talk about gothic inspirations, seances, and creating characters.
Jenni's idea prompt is to pick a random subject, such as unpleasant noises or things you can't do in Macdonalds and make a list of things in that category until you fill a page. You can see Jenni talk more about her prompt at 27:24.
The bookshops Jenni recommends are:
Seven Stories in Newcastle: sevenstories.org.uk
Mr B's Emporium in Bath: mrbsemporium.com
You can find Jenni on Twitter here: twitter.com/JenniSpangler1
And you can find out more about The Vanishing Trick here: simonandschuster.co.uk/books/The-Vanishing-Trick/Jenni-Spangler/9781471190377
You can follow Anna on Twitter here: twitter.com/acaseforbooks
And on Instagram here: instagram.com/acaseforbooks
And you can find out more about Pages & Co here: https://www.harpercollins.co.uk/autho...
Justin Somper, author of the Vampirates series, joins Anna to talk about the new editions of the series,
Justin's writing prompt is to imagine a school for pirates and what you would name it. You can see Justin talk more about his prompt at 30:41. You can find out more about all of Justin's Vampirates-inspired writing challenges here: vampirates.co.uk/videos
The bookshops Justin recommends are:
Pickled Pepper Books in north London: pickledpepperbooks.co.uk
The Bookworm in north London: nationalbooktokens.com/m/find-a-bookshop?details=2151&name=The+Bookworm+Ltd-London
Daunt Books, branches across London: dauntbooks.co.uk
Booka Bookshop in Oswestry, Shropshire: bookabookshop.co.uk
Simply Books in Bramhall, Cheshire: http://www.simplybooks.info
The Book Nook in Hove: booknookuk.com
You can find Justin on Twitter here: twitter.com/JustinSomper
And on Instagram here: instagram.com/justinsomper
You can follow Anna on Twitter here: twitter.com/acaseforbooks
And on Instagram here: instagram.com/acaseforbooks
And you can find out more about Pages & Co here: harpercollins.co.uk/author/cr-120954/anna-james
Something slightly different today as I'm joined by my boyfriend Adam who interviews me about Pages & Co as requested! We chat about what to expect in book three, what music I listen to when I write, and my past booky jobs.
My writing prompt is to imagine you have bookwandered into a fairy tale.
My bookshop recommendation is Muswell Hill Children's Bookshop: childrensbookshoplondon.com
You can follow me on Twitter here: twitter.com/acaseforbooks
And on Instagram here: instagram.com/acaseforbooks
And you can order the paperback of Tilly and the Lost Fairy Tales here: waterstones.com/book/pages-and-co-tilly-and-the-lost-fairy-tales/anna-james/9780008229917
Kiran Millwood Hargrave, author of The Girl of Ink and Stars, The Island at the End of Everything, and The Way Past Winter, joins Anna to talk about writing for different ages, how she names her characters and what she's been reading on lockdown.
Kiran's writing prompt is gather together some everyday objects and imagine a magical reason for the way they are. You can see Kiran talk more about her prompt at 30:29.
The bookshops Kiran recommends are:
Book-ish in the Brecon Beacons: book-ish.co.uk
The Book House in Oxfordshire: thebookhousethame.co.uk
You can find Kiran on Twitter here: twitter.com/Kiran_MH
And on Instagram here: instagram.com/kiran_mh
You can find out more about Kiran and her books here: kiranmillwoodhargrave.co.uk
You can follow Anna on Twitter here: twitter.com/acaseforbooks
And on Instagram here: instagram.com/acaseforbooks
And you can find out more about Pages & Co here: harpercollins.co.uk/author/cr-120954/anna-james
Katherine Rundell, author of books including Rooftoppers, The Explorer and The Good Thieves, joins Anna to talk about editing her new project, The Book of Hopes, what she's been reading on lockdown, and how an old film inspired her.
You can read The Book of Hopes here: literacytrust.org.uk/family-zone/9-12/book-hopes
Katherine's writing prompt is to think about the "what ifs" that are at the heart of every story and to write twenty "what if" questions which could be the start of a story, before choosing your favourite to your story about.
The bookshops Katherine recommends are:
Primrose Hill Books in London: primrosehillbooks.com
Booka Bookshop in Oswestry: bookabookshop.co.uk
You can find Katherine on Instagram here: instagram.com/katherine.rundell
You can find out more about Katherine and her books here: bloomsbury.com/author/katherine-rundell
You can follow Anna on Twitter here: twitter.com/acaseforbooks
And on Instagram here: instagram.com/acaseforbooks
And you can find out more about Pages & Co here: harpercollins.co.uk/author/cr-120954/anna-james
SF Said, author of Varjak Paw and Phoenix, joins Anna to talk about why children's books are so important, working for seven years on one book, and why cats make such brilliant characters. There's also a look at the trailer for Phoenix with artwork by Dave McKean.
SF's writing prompt is to forget about writing! Think about reading or movies or TV or comics - whatever you like a story to be. If you could have any story - what would it be? What do you secretly in your heart of hearts most want a story to be about? And then sit down and write it yourself, whether you think anyone else would like or not, just have fun and write!
You can read SF's blog for the British Library here: bl.uk/collection-items/varjak-paw-by-sf-said-illustrated-by-dave-mckean-manuscript-drafts-and-printed-book
The bookshops SF recommended were:
Burley Fisher Books in east London: burleyfisherbooks.com
Kenilworth Books: kenilworthbooks.co.uk
You can find SF on Twitter here: twitter.com/whatSFSaid
You can find out more about SF and his books here: http://www.sfsaid.com
You can follow Anna on Twitter here: twitter.com/acaseforbooks
And on Instagram here: instagram.com/acaseforbooks
And you can find out more about Pages & Co here: harpercollins.co.uk/author/cr-120954/anna-james
LD Lapinski, author of The Strangeworlds Travel Agency, joins Anna to talk about magical suitcases (and fish bowls), finding your characters voices, and writing for children.
LD's writing prompt is to choose an item - like a suitcase, or a fish bowl - and imagine that it can transport you to another world - or worlds!
The bookshops LD recommended were:
Wonderland Bookshop in Nottinghamshire: wonderlandbookshop.co.uk/about
The Alligator's Mouth in Richmond: thealligatorsmouth.co.uk
You can find LD on Twitter here: twitter.com/ldlapinski
You can find out more about LD and The Strangeworlds Travel Agency here: ldlapinski.com
You can follow Anna on Twitter here: twitter.com/acaseforbooks
And on Instagram here: instagram.com/acaseforbooks
And you can find out more about Pages & Co here: harpercollins.co.uk/author/cr-120954/anna-james
Ross MacKenzie, author of books including Evernight and The Nowhere Emporium, joins Anna to talk about stories inspired by history, what toshing is, and how to invent a spell.
Ross's writing prompt is to write a spell like Lara does - check back in the video at 14:55 to hear Ross reading from when Lara writes her first spell for inspiration.
The bookshops Ross recommended were:
Seven Stories in Newcastle: sevenstories.org.uk
The Old Bank Bookshop in Wigtown, Scotland: oldbankbookshop.co.uk
You can find Ross on Twitter here: twitter.com/RossAuthor
You can find out more about Evernight here: penguin.co.uk/books/111/1117446/evernight/9781783448319.html
You can follow Anna on Twitter here: twitter.com/acaseforbooks
And on Instagram here: instagram.com/acaseforbooks
And you can find out more about Pages & Co here: harpercollins.co.uk/author/cr-120954/anna-james
Join Anna and her partner, Adam, for a family book quiz! Test your knowledge of children's books with your families across four rounds - all you need to join in is a pen and paper.
The quiz is of course open to absolutely everybody but is loosely aimed at children who are 7+!
Catherine Doyle, author of The Storm Keeper's Island and The Lost Tide Warriors, joins Anna to talk about how her family history inspired the books, Irish mythology, and which authors she'd have to a dinner party.
Catherine's writing prompt is to write a story about the "SS Chaos" - a ship she named during our chat - and imagine what its crew would be like, and what adventures it might get up to.
The bookshop Catherine recommends is Charlie Byrne's Bookshop in Galway, who are still taking orders online and via phone: https://www.charliebyrne.ie/
You can find Catherine on Twitter here: twitter.com/doyle_cat
You can find out more about Catherine and her books here: catherinedoylebooks.com
You can follow Anna on Twitter here: twitter.com/acaseforbooks
And on Instagram here: instagram.com/acaseforbooks
And you can find out more about Pages & Co here: https://www.harpercollins.co.uk/97800...
Aisha Bushby, author of A Pocketful of Stars, joins Anna to talk about video games, angry characters, and her upcoming book, Moonchild.
Aisha's writing prompt is to find something that smells interesting - whether good or bad - and describe it in one sentence. Secondly, introduce one of your other senses and finally think of a setting where you might smell that thing and write a paragraph about it.
The bookshops Aisha recommended are:
The Book Nook in Hove: booknookuk.com
The Little Ripon Bookshop: http://www.littleriponbookshop.co.uk
You can find Aisha on Twitter here: twitter.com/aishabushby
And on Instagram here: instagram.com/aishabushby
You can find Rachael Dean, the illustrator of Moonchild, on Instagram here: instagram.com/rachaeladean
You can follow Anna on Twitter here: twitter.com/acaseforbooks
And on Instagram here: instagram.com/acaseforbooks
And you can find out more about Pages & Co here: harpercollins.co.uk/9780008229917/pages-and-co-tilly-and-the-lost-fairy-tales-pages-and-co-book-2
Chris Smith, co-author of the Kid Normal series, joins Anna to talk about villains, inspiration for character names, and writing the last book in the series.
Chris' writing prompt is to use a map to find a character name and write a story about them and a heavily-guarded mountaintop laboratory!
Check in with your local bookshop to order the most recent Kid Normal book - most bookshops are still able to take order online or over the phone! You can find out more about places to order here: bloomsbury.com/uk/kid-normal-and-the-final-five-9781408898918
You can find Chris on Twitter here: twitter.com/itschrissmith
And on Instagram here: instagram.com/chrissmithstagram/?hl=en
Dominique Valente, author of the Starfell series, joins Anna to talk about world-building, unlikely inspiration, and why sometimes the most normal powers can be the most useful.
Dominique's writing prompt is to imagine that you fall down your stairs bu instead of slipping down, you slip back into the past and bump into a member of your own family as a child. If you met your parents or grandparents as children what would they be like, and what would you talk about?
You can find out more about Dominique and her books here: dominiquevalente.com
Dominique's favourite bookshops are:
Waterstones: waterstones.com
Stillwater Books in Felixstowe: twitter.com/StillwaterFelix
Cressida Cowell, current Children's Laureate and author of the How to Train Your Dragon and Wizards of Once series, joins Anna to talk about needing a bit of chaos to write, real life inspiration for her characters and which of her books she'd bookwander into.
Cressida's writing prompt is to write something imagining that you have a magical power OR to create a magical creature.
You can find out more about Booktrust's HomeTime here: booktrust.org.uk/books-and-reading/have-some-fun
The bookshops that Cressida mentioned are:
Waterstones: waterstones.com
The Alligator's Mouth: thealligatorsmouth.co.uk
Pickled Pepper Books: pickledpepperbooks.co.uk
Simply Books: http://www.simplybooks.info
Kenilworth Books: kenilworthbooks.co.uk
The Book Nook: booknookuk.com
Mr B's: mrbsemporium.com
Nicola Skinner, author of Bloom and Storm, joins us to talk her writing shed, angry girls, and breaking rules.
Nicola's writing prompt is to think about what sort of ghost you would be, and how you would react to somehow living in the house you were haunting! Share your writing with Nicola (@skinnerwriters) and me (@acaseforbooks) on Twitter!
Nicola's favourite bookshop is Mr B's Emporium of Reading Delights in Bath, who are still taking orders via their website, which you can find here: mrbsemporium.com
You can find out more about Nicola and her books here: http://nicola-skinner.com
Sharna Jackson, author of the High Rise Mystery series, joins us to talk about how to write a satisfying murder mystery, working with diverse publisher Knights Of, and what it's like to live on a ship!
Sharna's writing prompt is to write something inspired by your most embarrassing moment..! Share your writing with Sharna (@sharnajackson) and me (@acaseforbooks) on Twitter!
You can find out more about Site Gallery, where Sharna works, here: sitegallery.org/. The artists she recommends are Phoebe Davies (http://www.phoebedavies.co.uk/index) and Rafaël Rozendaal (newrafael.com) whose Toilet Paper project is here: http://www.papertoilet.com/.
Sharna's favourite bookshops are Round Table Books and Storysmith! Round Table are currently closed due to the pandemic, but you can follow their updates on their Twitter: twitter.com/BooksRound. Storysmith is still able to process online orders for delivery: storysmithbooks.com
Food writer and cook, Kate Young, joins us for some Friday baking inspiration. Kate is the author of two cookbooks, The Little Library Cookbook and The Little Library Year. you can find out more about here and her books here: http://thelittlelibrarycafe.com
Kate talks a bit about how she started writing about food in books, and shares her recipe for Anzac biscuits live! You can find her recipe here: http://thelittlelibrarycafe.com/blog/2015/4/21/anzac-
biscuits-possum-magic
Kate's favourite bookshop is the London Review Bookshop who can currently do limited home delivery, there is more information here: londonreviewbookshop.co.uk/blog/2020/3/how-to-order-while-we-re-shut
Frank Cottrell-Boyce, author of nine books including Millions and Cosmic, talks about bionic limbs, very polite robots, and runaway trains, and his most recent book Runaway Robot.
Frank's writing prompt is to imagine you go to a Lost Property Office to reclaim something you've lost, but spot something strange that someone else has left behind...
Frank's favourite bookshops are Pritchards in Crosby and Linghams Booksellers. You can keep track of when Pritchards reopen after the lockdown via their Twitter account here: twitter.com/PritchardsBooks . Linghams is currently taking orders between 10am and 2pm via phone and email. More information on how to order from them here: linghams.co.uk
Ross Welford, author of The Kid Who Came from Space and Time Travelling With a Hamster, talks about twins, aliens, writing tips, and the wisdom of dogs!
Ross' writing prompt is to think of something absolutely impossible, and see where it takes you!
Ross' chosen bookshop, Lutyens & Rubinstein, is currently closed but you can support them here when they reopen: lutyensrubinstein.co.uk/bookshop
Signed and dedicated copies of Pages & Co can be ordered from my local bookshop, the Children's Bookshop Muswell Hill: https://www.childrensbookshoplondon.c...
Robin Stevens, author of the Murder Most Unladylike series, talks about finishing the series, her World Book Day mini-mystery, and we get a special guest episode from Watson, her bearded dragon!
Support Robin's chosen bookshop, Round Tables Books, here: roundtablebooks.co.uk/online-shop
Signed and dedicated copies of Pages & Co can be ordered from my local bookshop, the Children's Bookshop Muswell Hill: childrensbookshoplondon.com/product-page/tilly-and-the-lost-fairy-tales-exclusive-signed-pre-order
Robin's writing prompt: robin-stevens.co.uk/writing-prompt-mondays-prompt-1
Robin's YouTube channel: youtube.com/channel/UCgltjvy3Y8h2ivNOii5CYIgf
(Apologies for the lower quality video, I had technological woes with this one.)
The six books are:
- The Idiot by Elif Batuman
- The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock by Imogen Hermes Gowar
- Sight by Jessie Greengrass
- When I Hit You by Meena Kandasamy
- Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie
- Sing Unburied Sing by Jesmyn Ward
Eric's channel: youtube.com/channel/UCYOfhQvPzZ7ALqeXa8NleHQ
My interview with Art Spiegelman: penguin.co.uk/articles/in-conversation/interviews/2018/feb/art-spiegelman-maus-70th-birthday
My interview with Irvine Welsh: penguin.co.uk/articles/in-conversation/interviews/2018/mar/irvine-welsh-dead-mens-trousers-interview
Lush Book Club with Clare Mackintosh: http://player.lush.com/channels/lushlife/tv/lush-book-club-clare-mackintosh-let-me-lie
My event at the Lush Summit with some of the contributors to Make More Noise: http://player.lush.com/tv/lush-book-club-presents-suffragettes-new-generation-lush-summit-2018
- She Persisted by Chelsea Clinton & Alexandra Boiger
- Sam Wu is Not Afraid of Ghosts by Katie & Kevin Tsang
- The Children of Castle Rock by Natasha Farrant
- Make More Noise published by Nosy Crow
- Things a Bright Girl Can Do by Sally Nicholls
- Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
- Maus by Art Spiegelman
- How Do You Like Me Now by Holly Bourne
- The Pisces by Melissa Broder
- Let Me Lie by Clare Mackintosh
- Felix Culpa by Jeremy Gavron
- Dead Men's Trousers by Irvine Welsh
- Only Love Can Break Your Heart by Katherine Webber
- State of Sorrow by Melinda Salisbury
- The Storm Keeper's Island by Catherine Doyle
- The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin
- Educated by Tara Westover
I'm changing from a "Five Books to Look Out For" format to this, as that format kept me tied to release dates, which is not really how I prefer to read. I still read almost entirely advance books or very recent releases so hopefully this format is still interesting and useful!
My interview with Penelope Lively and Kamila Shamsie about the Penguin Women's Writer series: penguin.co.uk/articles/in-conversation/interviews/2018/jan/lively-shamsie-classic-books-by-women
My review of Sourdough for Lush: uk.lush.com/article/lush-library-recommends-sourdough
My review of Fire Sermon for Lush: uk.lush.com/article/lush-library-recommends-fire-sermon-jamie-quatro
Scoop magazine: http://www.scoopthemag.co.uk
What I Read (links go to Foyles):
Sky Song by Abi Elphinstone: http://tidd.ly/af462ab2
Tin by Padraig Kenny: http://tidd.ly/d7758d85
Bookworm by Lucy Mangan: http://tidd.ly/a4642cf5
Meatless Days by Sara Suleri: http://tidd.ly/a103918d
Her Bodies and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado: http://tidd.ly/bdbd842f
Zenith by Sasha Alsberg and Lindsay Cummings: http://tidd.ly/d94b035e
The Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden: http://tidd.ly/8774246c
The Lark by E. Nesbit: http://tidd.ly/255588d9
The Devil's Highway by Gregory Norminton: http://tidd.ly/b88a282f
Lullaby by Leila Slimani: http://tidd.ly/62003e34
Sourdough by Robin Sloan: http://tidd.ly/f4cbd5ab
Fire Sermon by Jamie Quatro: http://tidd.ly/3a714f8
This video is part of the Vlog Tour celebrating the book's release, and was sponsored by Faber.
Please like and subscribe, I'll be back posting more regularly from now on! You can also follow me on Twitter here: twitter.com/acaseforbooks
You can follow Alwyn on Twitter here: twitter.com/AlwynFJH and find out more about her and her books here: alwynhamilton.com
(Apologies for the erratic lighting in this one, my camera didn't cope very well with the changing morning light.)
We'd love to hear from you if you read these books, or if you have any thoughts about the subjects we cover in this video. There are lots and lots of ways to get in touch and don't forget to subscribe to this and Eric's channel so you don't miss any book club videos.
Email: annaericbookclub@gmail.com
Tweet & Instagram with #AnnaAndEric
GoodReads Group: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
Videos:
Our introduction to the Anna & Eric Book Club: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33zfi...
Book Club 1: Nine Folds Makes a Paper Swan & The Good Immigrant: youtube.com/watch?v=Xutv8Cl3o_E
Matthew's videos: youtube.com/watch?v=577n6gG_bR8 & youtube.com/watch?v=AUtKXXM01Ng
Jennifer's video (which we loved but only watched after we'd filmed this!) youtube.com/watch?v=aO03OcwWXoU
Future Book Club Timings:
Sept/Oct books: Your Heart is a Muscle the Size of a Fist by Sunil Yapa & Under the Udala Trees by Chinelo Okparanta
Oct/Nov books: Bone Gap by Laura Ruby & All We Shall Know by Donal Ryan
I chatted to Greg & Chris about this and their debut children's novel, Kid Normal (http://tidd.ly/504d4695), at Waterstones Tottenham Court Road.
If you enjoyed this do let me know what other sorts of videos you'd like me to film with Cat.
You can find Cat at these places:
twitter.com/doyle_cat
instagram.com/cat_doyle0/?hl=en
catherinedoylebooks.com
We'd love for you to read along with us, and the first two books we're going to be discussing are The Good Immigrant and Nine Folds Make a Paper Swan at the end of July.
Get in touch with your thoughts and questions, and join in. Leave a comment here, email us at annaericbookclub@gmail.com or tweet us. Anna's @acaseforbooks and Eric's @lonesomereader and if you use the hashtag #annaanderic we'll see!
UPDATE: We have a GoodReads group! Join in here: goodreads.com/group/show/224724-the-anna-eric-book-club
To win a copy of one of the eight books on the list, comment on this video telling us which one you'd like to read and why (UK only).
The full list:
Nine Folds Make a Paper Swan by Ruth Gilligan: http://tidd.ly/dfe01d00
Under the Udala Trees by Chinelo Okparanta: http://tidd.ly/2ada47d8
All We Shall Know by Donal Ryan: http://tidd.ly/c7ae824f
An Unrestored Woman by Shobha Rao: http://tidd.ly/92cfc9f3
The Arab of the Future by Riad Sattouf: http://tidd.ly/ef5ca466
Bone Gap by Laura Ruby: http://tidd.ly/f1ef17b8
The Good Immigrant edited by Nikesh Shukla: http://tidd.ly/e9a0dc87
Your Heart is a Muscle the Size of a Fist by Sunil Yapa: http://tidd.ly/b18d64df