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Book Reviews

Reviewing a vast range of books including novels, poetry collections, short stories, and more. Staff reviews from the people at World of Books to guest writers and even kids’ reviews!

Book Reviews

A Head Full of Blue – Nick Johnstone | Book Review

*Note – this book review contains references to addiction and mental illness which are key themes within A Head Full of Blue*

By Nick Wells, Operations Senior OP

My name is Nick and I work in the packing department at Wob. I’d like to introduce a book that I first read twenty years ago. It had such an impact on me that I read it repeatedly over the following decade. This memoir, by Nick Johnstone, touched a chord with me as it deals with themes of mental health and addiction – issues I have dealt with in my personal life.

June 13, 2023

‘My 5 Best Graphic Novels’ by Luke aka @the_gingerbook_worm

my 5 best graphic novels @the_gingerbook_worm wob

The first use of the term “Graphic Novel” was seen in 1964 when it was coined by the writer Richard Kyle in his essay, “The Future of Comics”. But the first widely accepted graphic novel was a 1978 book, A Contract with God, and Other Tenement Stories by Will Eisner as he tried to bring a more sophisticated and adult twist to the comic format in the United States, which then in turn inspired the likes of Frank Miller and his incredible, The Dark Knight Returns in 1986 and Art Spiegelman’s Pulitzer Award-winning story, Maus in 1980. I could go on and mention the likes of Alan Moore with his Watchmen series or V for Vendetta. The point I’m trying to make is that graphic novels have been around for a long time; they were born from comics and used as tools to tell more hard-hitting and darker tales.

May 4, 2022

Book Reviews, Kids' Corner

Ten little Superheroes – Mike Brownlow | Book Review

Hi, I am Becky, back with another kids’ book review! Check out my last review of Night Night, Groot by Brendan Deneen. I spent a lot of time reading to my daughter to help her drift off to sleep and it has now become a part of our bedtime routine with a night-time story or three as we wind her down from her day. Personally, I loved books when I was growing up and I want her to appreciate and love them too. Today I’m reviewing another favourite, Ten Little Superheroes by Mike Brownlow, fantastically illustrated by Simon Rickerty.

February 19, 2021

Book Reviews, Competitions, Kids' Corner

Calling all little bookworms!

World of Books wants to hear from all of our keen little readers out there. We welcome you to share a short video recording of your child reviewing their favourite book from their bookshelf. Alternatively, you can share photos and text if you prefer not to include a video. We will be sharing their reviews* and awarding the best ones with an exciting prize.

February 1, 2021

Book Reviews

Playing Nice – JP Delaney | Book Review

It’s Vanessa, the lover of crime fiction, back again with another book review. Check out my last review of Harriet Tyce’s compelling debut, Blood Orange. I’m here reviewing another new thriller, JP Delaney’s Playing Nice. I enjoyed reading other JP Delaney books, with The Perfect Wife and The Girl Before as firm favourites. This new psychological thriller, Playing Nice, was published in August 2020. Still pretty hot off the press, it is perfect reading for colder, darker nights!

October 23, 2020

Book Reviews

Grief is the Thing With Feathers – Max Porter | Book Review

Grief is the Thing with Feathers is the debut novella of Max Porter. Published in 2015, it lead Porter to win the Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year Award. The magic of this short book lies in its form. Written in what could be described as prose poetry with intermittent verse, this book is easy to read and shockingly well paced considering the weight of the themes, namely loss, and all the pain and questions it carries.

September 17, 2020

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