by Mj Rain

After the wonderful success of the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden and constant requests from the people, a museum entirely dedicated to the life and work of Dr. Seuss is being built in his hometown and birthplace.

by Laura W

As if we couldn’t love her anymore (I mean, come on, she was a billionaire and lost that status because she donated so much to charity), J. K. Rowling has gone and done it again. She’s approved a bibliography behind the making of her hit book series, Harry Potter. Now we’re finding out that a new book, J.K. Rowling: A Bibliography 1997-2013, is being released. The book is going to be detailing some of the action that took place behind the scenes of the hit series.

by Ben Mapp

In 1960, Harper Lee published her first novel, the internationally renowned and best selling To Kill A Mockingbird. The novel deals with the then-controversial themes of racism, rape, as well as America’s own flawed legal system, and further involves exploration of class and gender roles in the south of the United States (specifically within the fictionalised Maycomb County). Partially based on her own personal upbringing, the novel initially received a mixed reception but ultimately went onto to become a worldwide sensation. It has been adapted in many formats over the years, with the Oscar-winning 1962 film version (starring Gregory Peck) perhaps being the most famous incarnation of the story.

by Laura W

It’s like one of my biggest literary dreams has come true – there is finally an actual, illustrated version of Harry Potter. To think that, now, there are actually pictures to go along with the story takes the “magic” of the books that much higher!

by Charlotte Dibley

There’s one good thing about being plunged into the start of 2015: the winners of the 2014 Costa Book Awards have been announced!

With past winners including Roald Dahl, J. K. Rowling, Seamus Heaney, Claire Tomalin, Ian McEwan and Hilary Mantel, the prestigious Costa Book Awards seek to celebrate some of the most exceptional literary achievements of the year by authors who are based in the UK and Ireland.

Prizes are given in the following categories: Children’s Book, Poetry, Biography, Novel and First Novel. At the end of January, an awards ceremony sees one of the five category victors crowned as overall Book of the Year.

So, who came out on top in 2014? (We’ve even included the blurb for each one, aren’t we kind?)

By Ellie Bowker

Most people know Amber Benson as Tara Maclay from the long running TV series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Since then, Benson has continued to work as an actress but hasn’t stopped there. Being the creative lady she is, Amber Benson has applied her talents to writing, and (drum roll, please) will be releasing a new book. Actually, not just a “new book” but the first in a series! The Witches of Echo Park is set to hit bookshops on January 6th.

By Laura W

I’m pretty sure that nearly every child, and nearly every adult, knows, or knows of, Clifford the Big Red Dog. Sadly, the author of the famed books, Norman Bridwell, passed away last Friday, at the age of 86. His most famous works were the Clifford, the Big Red Dog books.  Sadly, he is not the first children’s author we’ve lost this year. Eric Hill, the author of the Spot the Dog books, passed away earlier in the year.

by Hayley Charlesworth

In news that will delight Rainbow Rowell fans and internet denizens everywhere, hit teen novel Fangirl is getting a spin-off! Yes, Rowell’s story of fan fiction and devotion is being followed up by a book focusing on the object of hero Cath’s adoration, the Simon Snow series.

By Charlotte Dibley

Crossfire fans, raise your hands! Are you having withdrawals from author Sylvia Day’s power couple, Gideon and Eva? Fear not, you don’t have to wait much longer for the fourth instalment in the hugely popular series. Captivated by You is published in the UK by Penguin on 18th November.

By Emlyn Roberts - Harry

Waterstones has announced the shortlist for its Book Of The Year prize, which, as the name suggests, is intended to recognise and highlight the best work of fiction or non-fiction that year, as nominated by Waterstones booksellers across the UK. Due to the sheer number of great books published in 2014, they've had to expand the shortlist from six titles to eight in order to reflect the quality and diversity of current publishing - which can only mean good things for us readers!