Mr Yates hasn't appeared on my radar previously, probably because I'm not an angler, a theme that runs extensively through his media work and his writing. However, in his new book he's moved away from that interest to exploring the countryside at night and without the aid of a torch. Book blurbs view...

One of three books I agreed to read for this year’s Melissa Nathan Award for Comedy Romance shortlisting, I really enjoyed it! (A veil will be drawn over the other two as I didn’t even make it past chapter two of either – but then I’m not exactly target market for this kind view...

Back in the early 90s, as the new Marketing Director at Collins’ Educational division I was acutely aware of the public’s ‘brand recognition’ of Collins dictionaries and road atlases. It was a no-brainer to ‘extend the brand’ ie pinch it for the division’s view...

This is a brave piece of publishing by Canongate who are renowned for their willingness to tackle projects more cautious heads might let pass. Fortunately for them their track record is good – securing Barack Obama’s Dreams from My Father way, way ahead of his success in the US view...

Given that William Goldman wrote the screenplays for 3 of my all time top 10 films - All the President's Men, Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid and The Princess Bride -  I indulged my shiney new Kindle with a download of his novel, Magic. This, too, has been made into a film view...

Growing up in the north east I got to know the Yorkshire coast well. Family holidays at Marske – sand, spade, toe incident apparently – and Scarborough (in the rain). As a boy scout I vividly recall sleeping under a tarpaulin on the coast path and walking, shortly after daylight, into view...

I’ve finally succumbed to a Kindle which has brought a dilemma. As someone lucky enough to be surrounded by a choice of – physical - new books every day, what do I load on to this new device for my short holiday?   So here goes: The Dark Tower 1 by Stephen King because I enjoyed view...

In reading group 1 the other day - or was it 2? – we got onto the ‘why buy books from bookshops when there’s Amazon, charity shops, friends to borrow from’ debate. And I surprised some of the others by railing slightly at all three.   I’ve left libraries off view...

A somewhat curious choice in that Anne talked about this book enthusiastically at reading group, having re-read it recently. At the next meeting - which Anne was unable to attend - we were raking around for something to add to our programme when the idea of The Fountainhead was suddenly centre view...

It was John Harding at this year's Guildford Readers Day who made me face up to my long-standing prejudice. John is the author of One Big Damn Puzzler, a featured book in nb33, and, most recently, Florence and Giles.   His brief on the day was to talk about his favourite reads of 2010 view...

I wouldn't say I understood all of Wolf Hall but I did want to finish it and found myself sad when the end arrived. Whether I'll be up for reading the continuation Ms Mantel is currently working on is yet to be decided but there's no denying the quality of her writing. Here at newbooks Towers, view...

For our forthcoming 10th birthday issue, some bright spark thought it would be a good idea to ask the team one of those impossible questions. Now I know what it feels like to be on Desert Island Discs – of course it’s invidious to only be allowed one from so many. One of the biggest view...

I can't resist a wry smile when someone in the two reading groups I belong to here in Winchester suggests as a group read a book we've featured in newbooks. Pleasingly, (smugly???) those selections usually turn out well (although we did draw a veil over Howard Jacobson's Kalooki Nights which nobody view...

As part of the build up to our readers gathering in early October, I'm working my way through a selection of books on the theme of war. I daren't think how long ago it was I last read HE Bates but suffice to say I thought The Larkins were old hat (until I saw Catherine Zeta Jones in the TV view...

Having finished All Quiet of the Western Front – brilliant, don’t put off reading it – I’ve moved on to The Complete Maus by Art Spiegelman. This is a graphic novel about the Holocaust and equally as gripping as All Quiet although its a very different experience to view...

I’m happier to give up on books than I used to be – too many to read, not enough time etc. However, a deeply rooted Protestant work ethic insists I can’t do it lightly. Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese is tomorrow night’s discussion book for reading group 1 – view...

In choosing the books for our first Readers Gathering, I have to admit to an element of self-interest. Once we'd decided on a theme of war, we needed a reliable selection of books on a variety of criteria. They had to: • be in print and easily/cheaply available • be highly view...

On page 298 of Glenn Taylor's marvellous The Marrowbone Marble Company appears a word that has niggled at me since the 60s. Those of you old enough to remember The Monkees may vaguely recall a song sung by Micky Dolenz called - initially - Randy Scouse Git. Social mores of the time were view...

The What We're Reading page in the magazine is regularly praised when our readers tell us what they think of newbooks. So our spanking new website is the obvious place to add further information about the books we're loving - and not - and who knows, spark some debate about what's worth seeking view...