BOOKS ARE MY BAG is a nationwide campaign to celebrate bookshops. This collaboration between publishers, bookshops and authors is the biggest ever promotion of bookshops. For many people bookshops conjure fond images of book readings, in-store cafes and delight at the discovery of a new author. In fact, 56% of all book buying decisions are made by consumers in a bookshop and high street bookshops (both chains and independents) still account for almost 40% of books bought by consumers. Yet, many high street bookshops are under threat.
This october book lovers everywhere have been celebrating their love of books and most important their local book stores, when I was asked what my favourite bookshop was I wanted to answer with a quirky independent store, but the truth is we don’t have one. We have a couple of used book stores in the city which as a lover of popular fiction isn’t ideal for picking up the latest chart topper, we have a book store solely themed around design related books but not fiction.
Taking this into consideration my favourite store would have to be the big dogs that are Waterstones. We have a few of their stores and my favourite has to be on Deansgate in Manchester city centre, it’s a large store with the most majestic black, floor to ceiling bookcases. I could easily spend hours browsing and lose track of time.
To celebrate Books Are My Bag I took my tote off to my favourite store to see if I could pick up something special to read!
My first purchase was this ever so beautiful copy of My True Love Gave to Me, 12 festive short stories written by a selection of fantastic authors including favourite such as David Levithan and Rainbow Rowell! I’m saving this book for the start of my maternity leave mid-December so I can really enjoy it. Hopefully next to the Christmas tree!
I also purchased this very cute board book copy of Peepo, of course this isn’t for me, it’s for our impending arrival. It’s so easy to get carried away buying your own favourite childhood books! I’ve already been reading this to the bump and apparently he’s a fan!
Let us know in the comments below if you have any special book stores in your town and what it is you love about them, and tell us what you’re reading!
You can learn more about Books Are My Bag and purchase your own tote at booksaremybag.com
