Featured blog posts
I’ll see you at the bookshop!
20 of the Best Jacqueline Wilson Characters
I can’t think of a more iconic children’s author than Jacqueline Wilson. A previous children’s laureate with more than 100 books to her name, JW’s titles have been read and enjoyed by multiple generations of kids.
But out of all of those books, which are the characters that stand out the most? I’ve had a look through Jackie’s back catalogue and picked out 20 of her absolute finest - let me know if you agree!
I Was Bullied.
In honour of Anti Bullying Awareness Week, today I want to talk about what happened to me while I was in school, and the profound affect that it had on my life.
I know that I’m far from alone in the fact that I was bullied. SO many children and teenagers are bullied at school, and the long lasting effects of that are very real. The shame is something that’s difficult to shake off, and even now I still feel embarrassed to admit that I had a horrible time at school.
An Interview with Lauren James, Author of The Reckless Afterlife of Harriet Stoker
The Reckless Afterlife of Harriet Stoker is one of my most highly anticipated reads of the year. Not only is it written by the wonderful UKYA writer Lauren James, but it’s also her first fantasy book and features a gang of magical, 18-year-old ghosts.
A huge thanks to all of you who submitted your burning questions for Lauren to answer over on my Instagram - read on to hear all the juicy details about her new book. Enjoy!
An Interview with Alice Oseman
Alice Oseman is one of my favourite authors. For those of you who are new to her work, Alice is a brilliant UKYA writer, with four published novels to her name and one fantastic webcomic, Heartstopper. Naturally, I’ve been super excited to read her brand new book, Loveless, and jumped at the chance to find out more about her latest cast of characters.
I took to Instagram and asked you guys to submit some questions for Alice all about Loveless; thanks so much to everyone who submitted a question, there were loads of great ones and I selected the best to feature as part of this interview.
How to Spend a Bookish Weekend in Edinburgh
So you’ve booked a trip to Edinburgh, but you’re not sure how to fit all of your sightseeing into one weekend. Now what?
I’ve got it sorted for you. Here’s my two day itinerary (plus travel days) that will take you around the best of the city, featuring some wonderful bookshops, fascinating history, delicious restaurants and lovely walks. It will leave you enraptured by what you’ve seen but desperate to come back and carry on exploring. Have a brilliant trip!
Inside The Bookshop, Wigtown
If you’ve read Shaun Blythell’s Confessions of a Bookseller, then you’ll know that The Bookshop is something of a book-shaped celebrity. Nestled in the heart of Scotland’s National Book Town, the shop has around 100,000 books spread across a mile of shelving, making it the country’s largest second hand bookshop. It’s also Wigtown’s oldest bookshop, and is run by author Shaun Blythell who has written two books about his time as a bookseller.
Self Published Authors, Here's Why You Need to Enter the North Street Book Prize
The world of book publishing is one crowded party. It’s estimated that between 600,000 and 1million books are published every year across the globe, and that’s not counting the millions of titles already in print, jostling for competition with each new release. Well, here’s an opportunity that will set you apart from the rest, and has some amazing prizes that will help you to up your marketing game.
Jacqueline Wilson Book Recommendations
Jacqueline Wilson is one of the UK’s most prolific children’s authors. With more than 100 books to her name, Jackie is a former children’s laureate and a childhood favourite for several generations of kids. She’s truly a national treasure and, while her books are brilliant for children, I’ve really enjoyed revisiting them as an adult. Here are 15 of the best Jacqueline Wilson books that you should read, regardless of your age.
A Day in the Life of an Assistant Editor in Book Publishing
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work in book publishing? Just a few years ago I had pretty much no idea what anyone in the industry really did – despite having a keen interest in books and how they’re made. It all seemed so mysterious and elusive. What was the life of a book editor like? Would I even enjoy it? As it turns out, yes, I would, but at the time I had no idea!
How to Build a Reading Fort in Your Own Home
If you’ve ever dreamed of having your own secluded reading space, with blankets draped across the walls and filled with cushions to lounge on, then you’re in the right place. Here I’ve put together a step-by-step guide that will show you how to construct your own reading fort, using items from around your home.
Introducing GG's Yard, the Perfect Bookish Retreat in the South of Scotland
As a lifelong city dweller, I frequently dream about the rolling hills and sweet air of the countryside. There’s a certain stillness and silence there that just doesn’t exist in London - however much I love the hustle and bustle of the big smoke. So back in January, when I set off for my trip around the south of Scotland, GG’s Yard easily stood out as a highlight of my itinerary. Eyeballing photos of squat little cabins, dotted along the sloping Galloway hillside and facing the sea, I could picture myself sprawled out in bed, clutching a book while the sun set before my eyes.
A Bookshop Guide to Wigtown, Scotland’s National Book Town
I’m about to let you in on what might just be Scotland’s best kept bookish secret. Hidden down in the south west, deep into the county of Dumfries and Galloway, is a little dwelling named Wigtown. Appointed as Scotland’s national book town in 1998, Wigtown is home to a number of wonderful bookshops, all of which come in various shapes and sizes. You’ll find brand new bestsellers next door to piles of secondhand tomes, with a room out the back dedicated to rare and antiquarian titles.
6 Books to Read about Depression
Here’s the truth: 1 in 4 people will experience a mental illness in their lifetime, yet for some reason there’s still a huge stigma attached to suffering from a mental health problem. Slowly but surely we’re starting to talk, to our friends and family, online and in the media, but there’s still a long way to go until mental health is viewed as seriously as physical health. Until treatment is readily available to those who are ill, and until shame and secrecy don’t come attached to the diagnosis of a mental illness.
Review: The Old Bookshop Grab Bag by Vendula London
I can’t quite remember when I first stumbled upon Vendula London’s beautiful bags, but I do know that once I set my eyes on their Old Bookshop Grab Bag, I just had to have it. Fast forward to Christmas day; I’m ripping off the wrapping paper and there it is, just as wonderful as I’d hoped. The best bag that I’ve ever owned.
An Interview with Fiona Thomas, Author of Depression in a Digital Age
Fiona grew up in the 80s, a simpler time, perhaps, without Facebook, iPhones and presidents causing wars on Twitter. But by her mid twenties, she was caught up in a spiral of perfectionism, anxiety and depression - no longer able to function and signed off from work. Fiona’s brilliant book, Depression in a Digital Age, details her journey from childhood to university, through to a breakdown during her early career. Turning to the internet for help, the digital world was a huge part of Fiona’s recovery and helped her to rebuild her life and regain her confidence.
Fora Flexible Workspace Review, Brick Lane
Walking through east London and into Fora’s spacious lobby, I quickly knew that this was a place I could feel at home. For context: Fora is a premium flexible workspace with locations across London, and they very kindly invited me to spend the day at their building in Brick Lane. Of course, I was ecstatic, and couldn’t wait to experience what they had to offer.
Where to Get Free Audiobooks
I love Audiobooks. They really are such a great way to consume literature - you can listen to them while walking or doing the washing up, and a great voice actor can really bring a story to life. The only problem is that they can be quite pricy, and many of us can’t afford to pay for a monthly subscription service, myself included.
A Bookshop Guide to Edinburgh
For book lovers, Edinburgh is an absolute dream come true.
Not only is it home to a huge number of bookshops, but the city is widely known to be the place where JK Rowling wrote that Harry Potter book, and is filled to the brim with romantic architecture, topped off with a castle that stands watch over it all. If you’re a book lover then this is a place that you need to be.
Here I’ve compiled a guide to the best bookshops in Edinburgh, to help you make the most of your trip and see as many of them as you can. You won’t regret it!
Bookstagram Post Ideas for the Winter
Winter is a fab time of year. It’s the season of wooly scarves, hot chocolates and spending long Sunday afternoons snuggled in a pile of blankets with a good book. It’s also the perfect time to take some properly cosy bookstagram pictures and turn your feed into a bookworm’s paradise.
The Academy Hotel Review, London
As someone who’s been a Londoner for nearly 3 years, this city has become my playground, workplace and above all, my home. Something that it hasn’t been for me yet is a holiday spot - so I jumped at the chance to stay at one of Bloomsbury’s gorgeous boutique hotels, The Academy, for a night away with my boyfriend Tom.
Welcome to the Viking Skaga - one of Viking Cruises’ noble river ships. She takes her name from an ancient Norse myth, where the Valkyrie Skaga rode into battle and escorted the dead to Valhalla, before preparing them to fight in the epic battle of Ragnarok.
A relatively new ship, the Viking Skaga only entered the fleet in 2020. At just 410 feet and carrying 168 guests and 48 crew, she was built specifically to sail down the Seine in France, although the specific itinerary will vary depending on the time of year. I was fortunate enough to join the ship for her week long Christmas on the Seine cruise, which starts and ends in Paris, calling at Vernon, Caudebec-en-Caux, Rouen, Honflour (via an excursion) and Les Andelys along the way.