Books Are My Bag!

Last Saturday it was 'Books are my Bag' day! For those of you that don't know what this means, it's a national day to raise awareness and appreciation for independent bookshops. It's not something I had heard of until about 2 weeks ago when suddenly pictures of these lovely orange bags kept popping up everywhere and I think it is such an amazing campaign! It encourages everyone to go to their local bookshop and buy some books to support them and get a fab free bag (no kittens included i'm afraid) to go with it!
Even Mary Berry got involved!


I'm among the guilty who tend to buy my books on amazon as it's cheap and pretty easy but over the past year or so I have made a conscious effort to support bookshops more and my love for independent bookshops has resurfaced. I just love the indie bookshops - they have so much life and character to them. I find that because each one is different and quirky in its own way, it makes it feel like an adventure waiting to be discovered!

I also think that the orange 'Books are my Bag' bags are fab! What a great way to celebrate BAMB day and raise awareness by having not only a lovely bag to carry all your books in, but for it to stand out and grab the attention of everyone!

The team at Harlequin HQ got their bags through last week and posted up some pictures of them having fun with them...

Another thing I have started to notice, is the uplift and spreading of book tote bags. You can get some really amazing ones, including Mira Ink's 'Book Geek' ones, that not only serve a great purpose (and are environmentally friendly) but show off that you're a book lover! I think it has definitely become cool to be a reader and to love books and so what better than to have a book bag to tell the world!

This popped up on twitter the other day - and how amazing! Do you think book themed bags are the way to increase numbers of readers and booklovers out there? Does it make reading cooler?

Do you have any book tote bag favourites? I managed to get a tote from Hay festival this year and I love it - I end up carrying it with me all the time!

What would you love to see on a tote bag? I'd love to have the Waterstone's ad slogan on one - I think it sums up bookshops for me:

But I am definitely proud to carry round a book themed bag, and I can't wait to use my Books Are My Bag bag and spread the bookshop love!

And to spread the love even more, so you can join in Books Are My Bag day for a little bit longer... here's a small giveaway competition!

WIN!

In celebration of Books Are My Bag and all things book-loving, Mira Ink have got a lovely goodie bag of books to give away! Enter below by telling us What you love most about bookshops!

(Comp ends Sunday midnight)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

How do you choose your books?

How do you choose what book to read next?

Now this is something that I started thinking about after an outing through a bookshop with my boyfriend. Both being lovers of books, we spent a long time walking among the bookshelves, pointing out books that were good and not so good. I found myself not only drawing on books that I had already read, or had waiting on my to-read pile, that I wanted to recommend to be read, but I kept pointing out books that were 'big' at the moment. I realised that I had built up a large amount of knowledge on the upcoming newest, hottest reads purely through twitter and blogging and this was how I choose a lot of my new reads.
This got me thinking, how do you choose your books? There are so many books out there - where to start?

I know alot of you are bloggers and get sent books from publishers to read and review before releases, but how else do you decide what books you want to read? Is it something that you pick up on just by personal choice browsing the bookshelves, or do you pcik up recommendations from somewhere?

I think word of mouth, personal recommendations is still my favourite way to find a book. I'm currently reading 'The Shadow of the Wind' by Carlos Ruiz Zafon, which is fanastic so far, but I never would've picked it so easily without being recommended it as a 'must-read'.

I find myself more and more, following all the publishing and blogger folk and pick up on what books they are talking about at the moment and investigate those further. The power of social media is that the more you see it being talked about, the more you (well I do anyway) want to see what all the fuss is about - when I walk into a bookshop next, it is these books I notice first.

But I also quite enjoy looking at the amazon bestsellers lists to see which books are topping the charts this week. Also I find that the Waterstones charts and books of the week are a great way to find new reads.

Do you do the same thing? Or do you find another way to choose some new books?

Desert Island Books August Takeover - Part 10!

Happy Friday! We're coming to the end of August and end of the Summer holidays but do not fear we still have a few more Desert Island Books to keep you going!

As it's Friday I've got another double dose of bloggers today! We've got Samina and Hannah answers our grueling desert island questions today!

Take it away, Samina!

 

1.  If you were stranded on a desert island for the summer and you were only allowed one book, which would you bring with you and why?

Do I really have to chose one book? One and only book? Is choosing my Kindle allowed? I’m only joking.

 If I’m allowed only one book to take with me to a deserted Island I’d take Shadow Fever by Karen Marie Moning. It is one of my favourite Urban Fantasy series and the story never gets old for me. The plot and characters are both complex and layered  and each time I read it, I discover a new dimension to a character or a situation. It’s a long book with a story and characters which make you personally invested in their welfare and that never ending curiosity as to what will happen next.

2.  You discover that your favourite author has washed up ashore with you – who would it be (and why)?

Even if I love Karen Marie Moning’s Fever Series the author I’d like to get stranded with is Ilona Andrews. They are a husband and wife writing duo who have written the wonderful (also one of my favourite Urban Fantasy Series of all times) the Kate Daniel’s Series. Not only are these guys incredibly talented but also have this natural sense of humour which screams ‘We don’t take ourselves too seriously’ which shines through their writing. Even their blog is funny and every time I find myself feeling the blues I read one of their books which instantly cheers me up. I’m pretty sure this writing duo will be able to make any dire situation, included being washed up on a deserted Island a light hearted  and fun experience.

3. What would be the ultimate question you’d love to ask them?

Now, this question is interesting. As this is only fantasy and not real I can be tongue in cheek and ask if it is possible to get the next Kate Daniel’s Manuscript as soon as it is sent to their editor. I won’t try any other bank handed techniques on them like threatening or hypnotism. I’ll play nice, I promise.

4. You see a boat in the distance coming to rescue you… Where would you want it to take you and why (it can be anywhere, real or fiction)?

I just realised all fictional world that I’d like to go would be rather dangerous to travel. However if I have to choose, it would be Japan. I have always wanted to visit Japan but after recently reading Ink by Amanda sun and her beautiful portrayal of modern Japan and it’s inadvertent ties to its past, blending into this beautiful mish-mash of old and new which is both futuristic and rustic.

Samina's blog is called Escapism from Reality and the blog url is www.escapismfromreality.blogspot.com
Her Twitter handle is @Escapismfanatic and my Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/EscapismFromReality

Want more?

Here's another one! We have Hannah to tell us her answers!

1. If you were stranded on a desert island for the summer and you were only allowed one book, which would you bring with you and why?

One book.. for the whole Summer.. just one book.. Why doesn't the Harry Potter Omnibus exist yet? ;) Hmm.. Maybe Lord of the Rings. It's long enough to last a little while, and there's enough in there to keep me enjoying it even after a couple of re-reads.

2. You discover that your favourite author has washed up ashore with you – who would it be (and why)?

Patrick Rothfuss! I love The Name of the Wind and Wise Man's Fear (adult epic fantasies for those who haven't heard of him yet). They are brilliant fantasy novels. As for the man himself, after following his blog a little and seeing him on a few YouTube videos, I'm confident he'd also be great company. He has quite the sense of humour and comes across as charismatic and enjoyable company.

3.What would be the ultimate question you’d love to ask them?

"Can you teach me how to play Dungeons & Dragons?" I've always wanted to try it! I'm a massive fantasy geek, and I know he's quite big into D&D. What better way to spend a Summer stuck on an island than pretending you're an Elf set to save the world from dragons.. in dungeons..?

4. You see a boat in the distance coming to rescue you… Where would you want it to take you and why (it can be anywhere, real or fiction)?

"Back to Hogwarts, please." I know, I'm way past the entrance age but imagine being able to enter the world of Witchcraft and Wizardry!!

Check out Hannah's blog here: http://onceuponatime.jaedia.net/
And her twitter is: @jaediasrantpage

Desert Island Books August Takeover - Part 9!

Today we are joined by Amber for Part 9 of our Desert Island books takeover!!

1.         If you were stranded on a desert island for the summer and you were only allowed one book, which would you bring with you and why?

I would bring Falling Hard by Megan Sparks because it’s a fun light-hearted read that I wouldn’t get bored of.  If I was stranded on a desert island for the summer I can imagine I would be pretty annoyed, so that book would hopefully cheer me up a bit!

2.         You discover that your favourite author has washed up ashore with you – who would it be (and why)?

I have a few favourite authors but I’d have to pick Cathy Cassidy. I’ve met her a few times and she’s lovely, and it would definitely be more fun because we would probably make bracelets and eat chocolate and write. ^_^

3.      What would be the ultimate question you’d love to ask them?

“Has your dog ever eaten your manuscript?” …I’m joking! I’d probably ask who her favourite author is and if her writing style is similar to theirs.

4.      You see a boat in the distance coming to rescue you… Where would you want it to take you and why (it can be anywhere, real or fiction)?

Yay! I would want it to take me home, but we would take a bit of a detour first. How about Los Angeles? I’ve always wanted to go there and see the sights! And then it could take me to Hogwarts…and then District 12, although not for long. Then finally, it could drop me off at home. :)

Amber's links: Facebook (facebook.com/themilelongbookshelf), Twitter (twitter.com/milelongbooks), Blog (www.themilelongbookshelf.com). 

Desert Island Books August Takeover - Part 8!

Today Tyler Rose is stranded on our island with only one book!

Here's what she has to say:

1.   If you were stranded on a desert island for the summer and you were only allowed one book, which would you bring with you and why? 
I suppose I can't cheat here and bring my Kobo? Didn't think so... If I had to choose one book to read and re-read I'd choose... John Green and David Levithan's Will Grayson, Will Grayson. Why? Because it doesn't matter how many times I re-read it (which is a lot!) I love it the same each time!

2. You discover that your favourite author has washed up ashore with you – who would it be (and why)? - As of right now, I'd want Jennifer L Armentrout to wash up on desert island. Why? Because then she'd finally take a break from writing the amount of books she does! And secondly, because I can then ask alllll of the questions I'd want to ask ;) By now, I'd have scooped up all the supplies on the island, so I can bribe her to answer my questions with fruit! Haha.

3.What would be the ultimate question you’d love to ask them?
 HOW?! How do you write as many stories as you do!? I don't understand!

4. You see a boat in the distance coming to rescue you… Where would you want it to take you and why (it can be anywhere, real or fiction)? 
In the real world: Back to my boyfriend! Because I'm sure he'd look after me if I'd been stranded some where for a few months! In fiction: I'd probably want to go to Hogwarts, but I'm too old... So just that world in general - I'm sure I can fake being a wizard - Besides, I still look 12!! (I think!)

Blog: www.thereadingpileblog.wordpress.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TylerRosexD

Desert Island Books Takeover Part 7!

Welcome back to the last week of August! Hope you've had a lovely bank holiday - what did you read? Summer's end is quickly approaching (very sad!) but never fear we've still got out desert island books to keep the sun shining! As a treat today we've even got a double feature! You lucky lot! Both Erin and Marjolein are in the desert island hotspot today, so check out their answers!

Erin Taylor

1. If you were stranded on a desert island for the summer and you were only allowed one book, which would you bring with you and why?

I would probably say Heart on a Chain by Cindy C. Bennett. It;s my most re-read book. I never get tired of it. It's such a sweet book, full of the feels.

2. You discover that your favourite author has washed up ashore with you - who would it be (and why)?

I'm always discovering new favourite authors, currently it would be Laini Taylor. I would want to pick her brain to find out how she writes so lyrically, and her inspiration for Daughter of Smoke and Bone.

3. What would be the ultimate question you'd love to ask them?
I would want a spoiler, because I'm a spoiler freak. I'd want to know if Karou and Akiva get their happy ending.

4. You see a boat in the distance coming to rescue you... Where would you want it to take you and why (it can be anywhere, real or fiction)?

I would say Morganville, setting of the Morganville Vampires. After being stuck on a desert island, I won't want to see sand for a while.I'd want to meet Claire, Eve, Michael and Shane.

Marjolein:

1. If you were stranded on a desert island for the summer and you were only allowed one book, which would you bring with you and why?

I think it would be Girl In Translation by Jean Kwok. I have read this book over and over again and it is still my favorite

2. You discover that your favourite author has washed up ashore with you – who would it be (and why)?

I have a few favorite authors, but I would pick Kathryn Stockett . I was blown away by her book The Help!

3. What would be the ultimate question you’d love to ask them?

I would ask her what her next writing project is, and what inspired her to write it. Will it be something similar to The Help or completely different?

4. You see a boat in the distance coming to rescue you… Where would you want it to take you and why (it can be anywhere, real or fiction)?

Definately New York! Since I can remember it's my dream to visit NYC, so the boat would definately take me there.

Check out marjolein's blog here:
www.marjoleinbookblog.blogspot.com
www.facebook.com/MarjoleinBookBlog
twitter: @marjoleinbalm

Desert Island Books August Takeover - Part 6

Wouldn't it be lovely, on such a wet and miserable bank holiday weekend, to be stranded on a hot desert island with a book?

We thought so, so welcome to the 6th part of Desert Island Books August takeover!

And it's Andrew's turn!

1.                   If you were stranded on a desert island for the summer and you were only allowed one book, which would you bring with you and why?

Just one book... now, that's hard. It would have to be a thick book. A book I love and would like to reread... I think, in this current moment, I would go for the complete His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman. I'm pretty certain there's a volume that contains all three books so I would go for that. And why? The story is awesome, I adore Mrs Coulter (even though I'm meant to despise her), I would love to reread it. Plus, as the book is SO HEAVY, I could use it to kill any bugs that scare the jeepers out of me!

2.                   You discover that your favourite author has washed up ashore with you – who would it be (and why)?

JK ROWLING!!! I just adore the woman. I don't think I need to say more than that, do I?

3.                   What would be the ultimate question you’d love to ask them?

Now, onto the hard question. I have so many over the world of Harry Potter and The Casual Vacancy! Why Lupin and Tonks? Why didn't Luna and Neville get together? Why did Ginny let Harry name their children THOSE names? The history of Hogwarts itself? When are we getting the Harry Potter Encyclopaedia (sorry, Pottermore doesn't count and, to me, it will always be the Scottish Book)? How did you cope with fame? So many! But, I think, I would ask about her opinion on evil. I would ask her if she believes Voldermort was evil from birth (because he was conceived under a love potion) or if he became evil over a period of time and, if so, could he have redeemed himself in some way?

4.                   You see a boat in the distance coming to rescue you… Where would you want it to take you and why (it can be anywhere, real or fiction)?

HURRAY!!! AM SAVED!!! But... now this is a 50/50 choice. If I could go somewhere fictional, I would ask to go to Hogwarts. Because... it's HOGWARTS!!! But I would considered long and hard about going to New York. I adore New York and the only time I went, I loved the city. I have such wonderful memories of it (though there was a LOT of Starbucks Coffeeshops from what I remember), but I think I would choose Hogwarts first and see what the captain (and JK Rowling) would say...

Follow Andrew here:

blog link: http://thepewterwolf.blogspot.co.uk/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PewterWolf13

And the blog's Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/ThePewterWolf

Want more?

Head over to MiraInk's facebook page here telling which book you'd take on a desert island for your chance to win these fab Maria V Snyder books! Comp closes on Monday so no time to lose!