576 ratings | 480 reviews | avg rating:4.23

Gill’s Year In Books

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Elizabeth John

435 books | 531 friends

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120 books | 824 friends

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72 books | 718 friends

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445 books | 217 friends

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9,902 books | 1,737 friends

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11 books | 111 friends

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9,381 books | 2,931 friends

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2026 Reading Challenge

2026

READING

CHALLENGE

Gill James has read 11 of 60 books.

18%

Gill James

Goodreads Author

Born

in West Bromwich, The United Kingdom

Website

http://www.gilljames.co.uk

Twitter

gilljames

Genre

Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Fiction

Member Since

July 2012

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Gill James writes novels for middle grade and young adults and short fiction for everyone. Her current work consists of a cycle of novels set mainly in Nazi Germany and of some texts of experimental fiction.

She is published by Crooked Cats, Tabby Cat Press, The Red Telephone and Butterfly. She is an associate lecturer in Creative Writing at Salford University, UK, where she formerly worked as a senior lecturer. She has published several academic papers.

Her stories are published on Litro, CafeLit, Alfie Dog, Ether Books and in several anthologies.

She offers workshops on creative writing, book-building, creative writing in other languages and the Holocaust and life in Nazi Germany.

Reviews by Gill can be found in Armadillo Magazine, IBBY, Tr ...more

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Gill James’s books

Average rating: 4.27 · 177 ratings · 75 reviews · 94 distinct works

	The House on Schellberg Street 4.52 avg rating — 25 ratings — published 2014 — 6 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Complete Guide to Learning a Language 3.05 avg rating — 21 ratings — published 2003 — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Prophecy 3.73 avg rating — 15 ratings — published 2008 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Babel 3.50 avg rating — 10 ratings — published 2011 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Spooking 4.13 avg rating — 8 ratings — published 2012 — 5 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Clara's Story: A Holocaust Biography (The Schellberg Cycle Book 2) 4.83 avg rating — 6 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Best of CaféLit 12 4.83 avg rating — 6 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Best of CaféLit 4 it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 5 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	140 x 140 4.40 avg rating — 5 ratings — published 2018 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Girl in a Smart Uniform (The Schellberg Cycle Book 3) 4.20 avg rating — 5 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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Gill James's Blog

Keeping the Lid on Social Media

Social media can be a boon and it certainly can help the isolated writer feel more connected with the world. During the Covid 19 pandemic it has probably been a life-line for many. It is powerful tool. But it also may become a tyrant and we have to make sure we master it and it doesn’t master us.

I start my day with a visit to either Twitter, Linked-in or Facebook. This time of year though,

Series by Gill James

The Peace Child Trilogy (2 books)
by

Gill James (Goodreads Author)

3.64 avg rating — 25 ratings

Gill is Currently Reading

Gill James is currently reading

Elmet

by Fiona Mozley

bookshelves: currently-reading

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Nov 25, 2019 12:29AM

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Gill’s Recent Updates

Gill James liked a quote “You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you.” Ray Bradbury
21 hours, 33 min ago · like · more quotes by Ray Bradbury · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Zen in the Art of Writing by Ray Bradbury. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Zen in the Art of Writing by Ray Bradbury <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Gill James rated a book really liked it The Girls Who Disappeared by Claire Douglas (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
three young women who disappear and the friend they leave behind. WE have to get o know a lot of oharcters. e..g. the one left behind, the journalist who sets up a pod cast about the case, the mothereof the girl left behind. We are kept guessing righ ...more
May 13, 2026 03:23PM · 1 like · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Girls Who Disappeared by Claire Douglas. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Girls Who Disappeared by Claire Douglas <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Gill James rated a book really liked it Picture Imperfect (Illustrated Mum, #2) by Jacqueline Wilson	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
As ever Jacqueline Wilson brings us characters we love and creates convincing setting and story . In this book we meet characters we've met before. Now Star and Dolphin are as old as Marigold was when we first met her. I was however a little disappoi ...more
May 03, 2026 05:03AM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Picture Imperfect by Jacqueline Wilson. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Picture Imperfect by Jacqueline Wilson <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Gill James rated a book it was amazing Prunes for Breakfast by John Searancke (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
I read a lot of works set in the 19140a and \World WarII, usually about civilian life. This is fascinating because it's a soldier's account, Serancke went through many of the same situations thatsd my fathrrm.tedr. I wonder whether they ever met. We ...more
Apr 26, 2026 12:35PM · 1 like · like · see review
Gill James rated a book really liked it The Jewish Pedlar: An Untold Criminal History by Tony Kushner	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Theodor75
Apr 10, 2026 07:53AM · 1 like · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Jewish Pedlar by Tony Kushner. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Jewish Pedlar by Tony Kushner <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Gill James rated a book really liked it The Florence Sisters by Tessa Harris (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
I's alseys good reading about resrsirance to facism and aboutappreciation of art. Th women in this storyr are colourful feisty an passionate about art. Ath romantic thread is fascinating. I would have liked a slightly closer view of some of the women.. ...more
Mar 29, 2026 04:11AM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Florence Sisters by Tessa Harris. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Florence Sisters by Tessa Harris <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Gill James rated a book it was amazing The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
a fascinating read, giving goo insight into maternity services and handling Spanish 'flu in the early 20th century. Main character Nurse Julie Power is very well drawn ...more
Mar 17, 2026 02:18AM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Gill James rated a book it was amazing The Mystery of Adventure Island (The Mystery #2) by Paul Moxham (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
This took m BACKak to thr easte holidaysy hen I wsas eigh yEARSrOLDe. I went swimming every day and then to the library an Took our three more books I devoured theffamous Five and the Secret Seven ones This was a similar adventure, there is excellent ...more
Mar 14, 2026 01:19AM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Mystery of Adventure Island by Paul Moxham. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Mystery of Adventure Island by Paul Moxham <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Gill James rated a book it was amazing The Resistance Daughter by Joanne Kormylo	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Mar 10, 2026 02:58AM · 1 like · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Resistance Daughter by Joanne Kormylo. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Resistance Daughter by Joanne Kormylo <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Gill James rated a book really liked it The Paris Code by Natasha Lester (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Feb 24, 2026 02:28AM · like

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Gill’s Quotes

“I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by.”
― Douglas Adams, The Salmon of Doubt: Hitchhiking the Galaxy One Last Time

tags: deadlines, humor, humour, work, writing

32172 likes

“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”
― Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

tags: 1970, inspirational, stories, writing

31587 likes

“There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.”
― Ernest Hemingway

tags: good, writing

19433 likes

“You have to write the book that wants to be written. And if the book will be too difficult for grown-ups, then you write it for children.”
― Madeleine L'Engle

tags: books, children, difficult, grown-ups, write, writers, writing

16950 likes

“If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.”
― Toni Morrison

Gill’s Year In Books

Gill James’s Followers (44)

Gill’s Bookshelves

Gill’s Friends (646)

2026 Reading Challenge

Gill James

Goodreads Author

Learn more
Ask the Author

Popular Answered Questions

Combine Editions
Gill James’s books

229 posts
Gill James's Blog

Keeping the Lid on Social Media

Series by Gill James

Gill is Currently Reading

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Gill’s Recent Updates

See a Problem?

Preview — Zen in the Art of Writing by Ray Bradbury

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Preview — The Girls Who Disappeared by Claire Douglas

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Preview — Picture Imperfect by Jacqueline Wilson

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Preview — The Jewish Pedlar by Tony Kushner

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Preview — The Florence Sisters by Tessa Harris

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Preview — The Mystery of Adventure Island by Paul Moxham

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Preview — The Resistance Daughter by Joanne Kormylo

Gill’s Quotes

recent posts
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Gill James’s Followers (44)

Gill James

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rssGill’s Recent Updates

See a Problem?

Preview — Zen in the Art of Writing by Ray Bradbury

See a Problem?

Preview — The Girls Who Disappeared by Claire Douglas

See a Problem?

Preview — Picture Imperfect by Jacqueline Wilson

See a Problem?

Preview — The Jewish Pedlar by Tony Kushner

See a Problem?

Preview — The Florence Sisters by Tessa Harris

See a Problem?

Preview — The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue

See a Problem?

Preview — The Mystery of Adventure Island by Paul Moxham

See a Problem?

Preview — The Resistance Daughter by Joanne Kormylo

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