Bethkemp

LATEST ARTICLES ( 83 )

• What Makes a Great Historical Novel - My Views

  

  When I read historical fiction, there are two key things I'm after. I want to learn something as I read (although like any reader, I resent being lectured to... Read more

  Posted on 03 May 2013 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Review: The Night Rainbow by Claire King

  

  Charming literary debut with themes of loss, grief and the resilience of children Pea, Claire King's five-year-old narrator is our window into her quiet and,... Read more

  Posted on 29 April 2013 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Review: Emilie and the Hollow World by Martha Wells

  

  Great fun steampunk adventure for the younger YA bracketMysterious contraptions, rival scientists and fascinating new lands make this steampunk romp a great... Read more

  Posted on 26 April 2013 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Procrastination

  "Never leave your homework til the last minute." I don't know how many times in the last ten years I've given that particular piece of sage advice, but... Read more

  Posted on 24 April 2013 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Review: The Retribution by Val McDermid

  

  New Tony Hill/Carol Jordan novel - excruciatingly tense as ever! If you haven't read any of the Tony Hill/Carol Jordan series before, and you're a crime fan, I'... Read more

  Posted on 22 April 2013 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Review: Hysteria by Megan Miranda

  

  Fabulously tense YA thriller: a compelling tale of extreme emotions. I really enjoyed this suspenseful read, whipping through the pages to find out what was... Read more

  Posted on 19 April 2013 BOOKS, CULTURE

• The Reasons I Know It's Now Spring...

  

  We are feeding goldfinches regularly at the moment, and we saw a swallow flying over the garden today, so it's official - Spring is finally here! Read more

  Posted on 17 April 2013 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Spring into Summer: A Few of the Books I'm Looking Forward To

  

  There are so many brilliant books out all the time! Here is a small selection of books I'm personally looking forward to - one a month for the next six months. Read more

  Posted on 15 April 2013 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Review: Flying High by Sara Grant

  

  Second in the cute new witchy series for young readers I am loving this new series and will absolutely be looking out for more instalments in Trix's magical... Read more

  Posted on 12 April 2013 BOOKS, CULTURE

• April's A - Z Challenge

  

  A couple of years ago, I completed the A-Z in April blogging challenge. You blog for 6 days a week (Sundays off!), draw your theme from a different letter a day... Read more

  Posted on 10 April 2013 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Review: The Witching Hour by Sara Grant

  

  Great witchy fun for young and middle grade readers!This is the first in the charming new 'Magic Trix' series aimed at the younger reader (shelved as 5-8, I... Read more

  Posted on 08 April 2013 BOOKS, CULTURE

• #blogsync: Wasted Investment? Why Do So Many Teachers Leave the Profession in th...

  The simple and somewhat glib answer is: because teaching is a harder job than many realise.At this point in the term, I'm only capable of a slightly more comple... Read more

  Posted on 20 March 2013 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Review: The Day I Met Suzie by Chris Higgins

  

  Tense YA thriller focused on friendship, identity and trust I was gripped from the start by this fabulous teen thriller exploring trust, identity and friendship. Read more

  Posted on 19 March 2013 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Review: Bluefish by Pat Schmatz

  

  Beautiful Contemporary YA: poignant yet positive This book has a quiet kind of greatness. Well-written and character-driven, it achieves emotional depth... Read more

  Posted on 15 March 2013 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Top Fives: Witches

  From Hansel and Gretel to The Craft, witches have long fascinated us, thrilling and repelling in equal measure. I can never resist a witchy story, so here's a... Read more

  Posted on 13 March 2013 BOOKS, CULTURE

• A Reading School: Guest Post from Alan Gibbons

  

  I'm thrilled to have Alan Gibbons on the blog today. He's touring blogs to celebrate his latest teen publication with Indigo, Raining Fire, out last week. See... Read more

  Posted on 11 March 2013 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Review: Hidden Among Us by Katy Moran

  

  Brilliantly creepy YA urban fantasy with old-school fairies I loved this action-packed clash between our contemporary world and the old stories of the Fair... Read more

  Posted on 08 March 2013 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Words on Wednesday: Why I'm a Plotter

  I could never be a pantser. For me, it's plotting all the way - and here's why:I'm a control freakI'm not the kind of person who can head out for a walk... Read more

  Posted on 06 March 2013 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Review: Betrayal by Gregg Olsen

  

  Fab YA supernaturally-enhanced crime thriller I greatly enjoyed Envy, the first in the Empty Coffin series, and found this to be a brilliant follow up. Read more

  Posted on 04 March 2013 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Review: Waiting for Gonzo by Dave Cousins

  

  Teen realism with humour and heart: strongly recommended for teen boys and girlsDave Cousins has done it again! I was so impressed by his 15 Days Without a Head... Read more

  Posted on 01 March 2013 BOOKS, CULTURE