Browns Blog

I discovered the joy of reading relatively late, as a teenager, and haven’t looked back since!

From science fiction to reality, AI has dominated news headlines this decade.

The inaugural Browns Books Big Back To School Competition was an exciting opportunity for primary school students to showcase their artistic and creative writing talents.

Every month we carefully select our favourites from the fabulous new titles on offer.

It’s time to admit that I just don’t have it in me. Oh, I’ve tried. But there’s something they don’t tell you about crafting

Our fascination with crime stories has been around for many years, from Arthur Conan Doyle’s charismatic and unique character, Sherlock Holmes, solving the most perplexing of cases.

With World Book Day upon us, I thought it would be fun to look at books from completely other worlds. Not just in space or from the bottom of the sea, but completely other worlds.

Every month we carefully select our favourites from the fabulous new titles on offer.

BookTok is one of the biggest and most powerful subcommunities on the app TikTok, focusing on books and literature.

Do you play guitar? I have played guitar since the age of 8 and, as of writing, have been playing for 30 years (wow, now I feel old!).

Every month we carefully select our favourites from the fabulous new titles on offer.

Although as Stephen King rightfully said they are both ‘”Apples and Oranges”’, great books often make great movies (most of the time anyway).

I might be biased, and I probably am, but one of Bookmark Reading’s greatest accomplishments is the Your Story Corner project.

No matter what 2024 may bring, one thing is certain – there will be brilliant new books to educate, inspire and delightfully distract you!

Every month we carefully select our favourites from the fabulous new titles on offer.

On the 19th of December is the BBC Sports Personality of the Year celebrates its platinum birthday, and a lot has changed in its 70-year history.

The countdown to Christmas is on! Different things make us feel festive – it may be opening your first Advent Calendar door, hearing Mariah Carey warbling in the supermarket

When asked to write an article on Computer Science for Computer Science Education Week which takes place between 4th- 10th December,

2023 had many notable events – England making the final in the FIFA Women’s World Cup, the first Coronation of a UK Monarch for 70 years, the release of the brilliant Barbie film…

In our opinion there is no better gift than a book! Not only are they an easy shape to gift-wrap, they are much more interesting than socks, and fantastic value too.

November is Movember, and Sunday 19th November is International Men’s Mental Health Day

Every month we carefully select our favourites from the fabulous new titles on offer.

The days are getting shorter, and the wind is getting colder. Everywhere you look there are pumpkins smiling through their newly carved faces and monsters walk the streets chanting ‘Trick or Treat’.

This year Invisible Disabilities Week takes place 15th – 21st October, and celebrates 10 years since it was founded by the Invisible Disabilities Association (IDA).

Our 'Browns Super 6' highlights six of our favourite books on a chosen theme or topic, chosen by an experienced member of the Browns Selection Team. We hope you enjoy our selection!

The Week of October 2nd until 8th is Dyslexia Awareness Week, a celebration of being unique.

We talk to Gillian Wainwright, Reception Teacher and Phonics Lead at Waterloo Primary School, about Bug Club Phonics.

Every month we carefully select our favourites from the fabulous new titles on offer.

Grandchildren are a grandparent’s link to the future, whilst grandparents are the child’s link to the past.

All over the country students are returning to university or turning up for the first time.

Four Reasons why Continual Professional Development is Essential for the Modern Teacher

Once upon a time books were created and read by all throughout the land.

Students need to hit the ground running when term starts in September to feel fully prepared for their GCSE exams next summer.

Since I was a just a kid, drawing has been my passion. With a pencil in hand, I would let my imagination fly free, filling the pages of my notebooks with mythical creatures and vibrant characters.

For as long as I can remember I wanted to be a writer. Actually, that’s not quite true.

Roald Dahl, as you know, is the writer of many beloved children’s books, such as The BFG, Matilda, and my personal favourite, Fantastic Mr Fox.

With the Rugby World Cup in France just around the corner I thought I would share my experience of playing both Rugby Union and Rugby League.

Every month we carefully select our favourites from the fabulous new titles on offer.

We know how tough it is to keep on top of the wealth of amazing children’s fiction being published when you’re spending all your time in the classroom.

For centuries London and the people it attracts have provided brilliant inspiration for writers.

It’s the summer holidays! For many of us this will conjure thoughts of sunny days, trips to the park or beach, strolling around with an ice-cream or relaxing in the garden whilst wearing shorts and sandals.

Every month we carefully select our favourites from the fabulous new titles on offer.

It is time to celebrate the anniversary of one of my favourite series of books by the great John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

This week our Super 6 Blog celebrates Women’s Football and its long history in the UK.

Moving from Primary to Secondary school can be a big transition for many children.

World Book Day may seem like a distant memory now and the momentum to keep children passionate about reading can sometimes be a tricky one.

Every month we carefully select our favourites from the fabulous new titles on offer.

Browns Books select their favourite 6 books on various themes and topics.

One of the greatest privileges of being a Paralympian is getting to put something back. I love visiting schools to share my story of what it takes to become the best in the world. One question I get asked a lot is: “who was your sporting role model when you were our age?

2023 sees Refugee Week’s 25th anniversary. Founded in 1998 it is an annual, week-long event taking place this year between the 19th and 25th of June, coinciding with World Refugee Day on the 20th of June.

It is o-fish-ially World Ocean Day on the 8th of June! This is such an important day because it reminds us just how crucial healthy oceans are to our planet and what we can do to help them.

Grandparents can be very special people in our lives; there is a dedicated day to celebrate Grandparents in October but it’s a relationship many of us appreciate and cherish all year round.

Every month we carefully select our favourites from the fabulous new titles on offer.

One World begins at midnight, a time of magic and transformation in all stories.

Browns Books and Phil Earle were both born in Hull, and at Browns we’ve always had a soft spot for Phil and his amazing books, and are always delighted when he visits our head office in Hull.

Mental Health Awareness Week 2023 is from 15th – 21st May and has a theme of anxiety.

Browns Books select their favourite 6 books on various themes and topics.

If you are a fan of Star Wars, you probably know all about the movies and TV series.

Every month we carefully select our favourites from the fabulous new titles on offer.

Browns Books select their favourite 6 books on various themes and topics.

It is difficult to imagine a world without screens – they are everywhere you look.

Travel around the world to celebrate Shakespeare’s Birthday.

Browns Books select their favourite 6 books on various themes and topics.

Browns Books select their favourite 6 books on various themes and topics.

Every month we carefully select our favourites from the fabulous new titles on offer.

Browns Books select their favourite 6 books on various themes and topics.

We all know the sweet agony of finishing a new book in a series and then realising we'll have to wait a year until the next one is published...

Browns Books select their favourite 6 books on various themes and topics.

Gods, monsters, heroes, magic, love, hate, war, betrayal, vengeance, redemption

Every month we carefully select our favourites from the fabulous new titles on offer.

Get ready for WBD! Our weekly Blog is packed with ideas for low cost Book Character outfits

Browns Books select their favourite 6 books on various themes and topics.

We have recommended some of our favourite books that convey all the traditional and modern aspects of ‘love’ ,

Browns Books select their favourite 6 books on various themes and topics.

Every month we carefully select our favourites from the fabulous new titles on offer.

Wishing there was an easy way to revise for your exams?

Browns Books select their favourite 6 books on various themes and topics.

New year means new books and 2023 has struck gold.

Every month we carefully select our favourites from the fabulous new titles on offer.

Tis the season for gold, frankincense ... and murder! Giving the gift of crime solving this winter.

2022 has seen some fabulous shortlists and winners across a wide range of book prizes.

Read on to discover just a few of our highlights from this year…

Welcome to the Browns Black Friday deals blog!

Find the perfect book for everyone on your shopping list this Christmas

Every month we carefully select our favourites from the fabulous new titles on offer.

Scare yourself silly with R.L. Stine this Halloween

Our favourite locomotive literature

Titles to help ease anxiety

Every month we carefully select our favourite fresh new titles.

Celebrate with our Swashbuckling selection of books

Find Your New Favourite Fantasy Epic

Every month we carefully select our favourite fresh new titles, which is an almost impossible task in September as hundreds of brilliant books are published in this bumper month. We’re convinced you’ll love our choices though, and do remember to check back next month for our October top picks.

Our VLeBook platform is growing considerably and we are working hard to ensure the site runs as best as possible. Not only do we keep welcoming many new institutions; we are continuously adding new updates to improve functionality for our users. So do continue to send us your feedback and we will always consider every single one.

Moving from Primary school to Secondary school is an exciting time, but for many children it can be a daunting experience. A new school equals new challenges, new teachers, new subjects and a whole new set of friends. Every child is different when it comes to change and it is important to offer emotional support and take the stress out of taking the next big step. Here’s our top 5 tips for a trouble-free transition:

Whether planning your next adventure or simply dreaming of far-away places, books can transport us (without the long airport delays!) to places we love or would love to visit.

The likelihood of us stumbling across a time machine in our local coffee shop is small, but fear not… The simple truth is that BOOKS are the most effective time travel machine that have ever been invented!

The temperature is rising, making way for the hottest new books. Whether you’re staying at home this Summer or taking a holiday these new titles are certainly going places. Books jewelled with royalty for Her Majesty the Queen’s Jubilee, empowered with diversity for Pride Month and energised with events for a sporting season. Go travelling this summer from your armchair and let our hand-picked books help you escape.

Our VLeBook platform has grown considerably over the past year. Not only have we have welcomed many new institutions, we have also introduced new and improved functionality. We have listened to what our customers and users want and need whilst also keeping up to date with the latest industry developments. So do continue to send us your feedback and we will always consider every single one.

Instead of trying to find something similar to watch why not find something similar to read?

Great books have been censored, banned or even burned for hundreds of years. The magic of literature has always been in its ability to tell unique and varied stories. From diverse characters seeking racial justice to LGBTQ+ individuals providing an insight into their lives. Often the subject matter would be considered too taboo and authorities would fight to silence meaningful novels.

Spring is blooming with a whole host of new characters, plot twists and debut authors. Not only are these books filled with pancakes and Easter eggs, this season also sees titles focusing on personal wellbeing (in aid of Mental Health Awareness week 9th-15th May) and stories to expand the imagination (2022 marks the 100th Anniversary of Children’s Book Week 3rd-9th May).

It may seem like a Thursday like any other but when Harry Potter, Elmer, Ruby Redfort, Hetty Feather, The Cat in the Hat and Percy Jackson come through the school gates you realise it can only mean one thing… it’s World Book Day!

No matter what 2022 may bring, one thing is certain – there will be brilliant new books to educate, inspire and delightfully distract you!

In our opinion #BookTok is one of the best things to come from the latest social media craze TikTok, with creators sharing their recommendations, old favourites and ones to watch, its bringing so many new people to the book community, whether you like reading an old hardback, laying down and listening to an audiobook or reading as fast as your fingers can scroll on your mobile device, we're pretty sure we've got a new recommendation that might just give you another reason to stay in tonight!

As winter sets in we've curated some great highlights that might just make this season just that little bit better. We've got books for every age group working our way from Early Years all the way up to Academic, so whether you're looking to stock up for the season ahead or wanting to pick up the next big thing in the world of books, take a look and you might just find that perfect present you've been looking for!

Over the last 3 years there have been significant changes in the library ebook market, many of which have been accelerated by Covid. The sudden onset of the Covid lockdown in Spring 2020 created an immediate need to provide students with remote access to digital learning materials; a function often previously fulfilled through library provision of printed books.

October was certainly an exciting one, with new titles being released left, right and center! We also saw a few of our favourite books make it to the big screen, be that in the cinema or video streaming sites such as Netflix. Check out this list of 3 titles to both read and watch before winter sets in!

Sure, you've got the sweets ready and you've even got your costume picked out, but you're missing something...

Each year, people from all around the world come together to celebrate World Space Week, a global event dedicated to recognizing the incredible contributions to science, technology and exploration.

New VLeBooks functionality coming this summer!

After 40 years based in Hull’s city centre, we are moving our operations to a brand new, purpose-built facility at Melton Enterprise Park, 8 miles from our current premises.

Here at Browns Books, we could not be prouder as a company to join in with the celebrations and have even put together a list of our favourite books that celebrate LGBTQ+ communities and serve as beautiful reminders that we are all in this together.