This month we have come over all child-like so are focusing on all the books that switched us onto reading when we were little. Come join in let us know what your favourite books were when you were just starting out on your reading adventure.

Last week I succumbed to the dreaded 72 hour lurgy and ended up spending much of Sunday, Monday and Tuesday between the bed and the sofa.  Not fun especially as I’m not a particularly patient patient, I should also confess that when I’m under the weather reading is low on my list of recuperative tools and I turn to light telly to pass the time instead.  There is however only so much day-time TV that this girl can take so I started scouring the book-shelves for a good sick-bed read.

As it nears the end of the year it’s time to reflect back on all the books I have read throughout 2012 and selecting a couple that I would recommend to anyone – friend or foe.  So without giving away any plot spoilers in case they are on your ‘to-read’ list for 2013 here we go:

Spooks – how do you take yours scary or secretive?

We are delighted to open the review floor to Lucinda who won a copy of Philip Pullman’s Grimm Tales for Young and Old in our October free books giveaway. As a fan of both the author and classic fairytales Lucinda fell head-over-heels for the book and we simply had to share her love with you all. 

So without further ado over to you Lucinda...

As you know here at book exchange HQ we love a good infographic and the lovely designers over at Neo Mammalian Studios have created this brilliant one 50/50 Shades of Grey, taking a look at all the facts, figures and statistics behind E. L. James‘ hugely successful erotic novel.

A recent article in The New York Times, The Best Reviews Money Can Buy has grabbed the publishing industry by the scruff of its neck this week as it explored the murky world of paid-for author reviews.

As you know when I launched the book exchange we partnered with the Dyslexia Research Trust and now donate 20p for every book traded-in with us to the Trust to support them raise awareness of the condition in the UK.  I choose the DRT as coming from a family of dyslexic’s I am really interested in the unique strategies, methods and creative approaches dyslexic’s have to incorporate when reading and writing.   

Check out this lovely visual guide designed by Jared Faning illustrating the top 10 most read books in the world based on the numbers sold...

This tickled us quite a bit so we simply had to share it with you all.  Not only does it demolish the romantic myths that surround the inspiration, creation and development of fictional works - you know the one; pained artist, struck by an inspired idea beavers silently away in isolated harmony as the words flow effortlessly out of their fevered mind to create a masterful work which will change the lives of all who read it!