Books Are My Bag

Books Are My Bag is a campaign that was launched mid September that runs until Christmas 2013 to promote local bookshops. The idea is that the local bookshop is the best places to touch, smell and browse books, a place where you can meet and talk to other book lovers and get recommendations. Loads of celebrities have gotten involved too!

 

Dawn O’ Porter and Chris O’Dowd ; Marian Keyes

 

Stephen Hawking; Neil Gaiman

Like a lot of people these days, I have bought books online and also ebooks, though nothing beats being in a book shop. I could spend hours browsing in one, I much prefer to go book shopping over than clothes shopping. I love looking from section to section, trying to find a bargain. My favourite sections are probably the science and pop psychology books, cooking section, humour section and travel section, particularly travel memoirs. I do of course browse the fiction books too. I’m quite dangerous when left alone in a bookshop with a large amount of money. I remember being on work placement in Kilkenny in 2009, feeling a bit low and miserable one week, so I went to Dubray Books and bought 7 books. I really wish I could do that more often!

I remember trying to convince my Mum to buy us a new Harry Potter book from Tesco on her way back from her night shift, as the book shops wouldn’t be open. And she didn’t want to, as she didn’t like the idea of a supermarket taking trade from a bookshop. And I must say, that idea has grown on me. If you bought all your meat, your music and your books from a supermarket, then it’s taking trade from butchers, music shops and book shops. I’m not saying that people need to go to a butchers, a bakers, a green grocers etc. in order to get all their shopping, while it might suit some, it definitely won’t suit others. But I try as best as I can to at least buy books in bookshops. Like I said, I’m not perfect, I have bought the odd book from a supermarket or online but overall I’d much, MUCH prefer to go and support a bookshop. Which is why I think Books Are My Bag is a great campaign and I was delighted to see my local bookshop was taking part, as it meant that once I bought a book I’d get my free tote bag! I picked up The Magic of Reality by Richard Dawkins. I’ve never read any of this books and I’ve been curious to read this aimed at a younger crowd book ever since I saw a 12 year old girl reading it in A&E back in January! I thought it might be a good place to start with Dawkins.

This campaign runs until Christmas, so when you’re in a bookshop, ask if they have any totes left and when you make a purchase you will get one!

www.booksaremybag.com

All celebrity images taken from Books Are My Bag website or their Facebook page. They also have a Twitter and Pinterest page if you are interested in following those.

Also check out Nurse Fancy Pants’ post on this campaign to see what books she got to put inside her bag. Check it out HERE.