BookVlog #2

Check out the new Book Vlog. I'm still getting to grips with how to do these so please let me know your thoughts of how it looks and sounds, and the content.

Many thanks

Michael

An Important Announcement

It's with great sadness that we have had to pull out of the offer on our prospective premises.

The terms were agreed back in November and since then it's been frustrating waiting for things to move forward. Once they finally did, there were a few issues with the lease that we attempted to resolve, unfortunately these could not be rectified by both parties and so we took the decision to focus our attention on other avenues.

We could have moved in next week and struggled by for the entire full-term of the lease but this would have put the business in jeopardy and my family through a very tough time. The idea of The Big Comfy Bookshop is to involve the community giving them a place to meet, get involved in clubs, have a relaxing comfy environment and to showcase the wonderful talents of the local people be it musicians, poets, crafters or cake-makers. Moving forward into the premises would have made some of this not possible and put a great strain on some and we're dedicated to creating a place for the community to grow, and to create longevity.

Although this is a sad day, we have already found several other properties that may suit the business and hopefully something will happen sooner rather than later.

In the meantime we have decided to go out into the community by getting involved in local fairs. On April 1st, we will be selling books at the Easter Family Fun Day at The Pavillion in Stockingford. We will be attending as many fairs as we can get to, not just to sell our books (you can still buy from the website www.thebigcomfybookshop.co.uk) but to meet the people of this town.

One other positive is the feedback we have had from crafters wishing to sell through the shop. Many fantastic artists and small businesses will have their designs for sale in the shop, from handbags and scarves, to earrings and necklaces, to paintings and quilts, AND MORE! You can sell through the shop too if you like and you are local (Warwickshire/South Leicestershire). Even though we're not open, we will be promoting all these great people through this blog and on our Facebook and Twitter accounts.

We hope to come back with some good news soon regarding opening as it's why I quit my job in the first place. The Big Comfy Bookshop is 100% Full Time!

Many thanks and I hope to see you on April 1st!

Michael
@Bigcomfybooks

Book Vlog - Video Blog about books

I've just spent 5 minutes (3 hours, damn technology) doing a quick (!) Vlog or Video blog. I talk about books, unsurprisingly.





Cool eh?

Let me know what you think as I'll just keep reeling them off until someone notices.



Michael
@bigcomfybooks

White Fang by Jack London

After finishing Pride and Prejudice on the Aldiko e-reader I decided to just read one book at a time, that book being The Hunger Games, however, once I was sat with my son fast asleep on me I only had my phone with me so I decided to read the only other book that was already on the e-reader, that of White Fang. Those that read the blog will know I fell in love with Call of the Wild by Jack London so I was really excited to start reading.

I was not impressed. From the start I couldn't connect with any of the characters (I know, they are animals, but they each have their own personality, something that shone in Call of the Wild). I really couldn't care less about any of the wolves, the people or, as was described so well in Call of the Wild, the landscape.

It was written as a mirror image companion piece for Call of the Wild, with that book going from the safe, mundane, tame environment of a house, through to gradually being pulled to the wild. White Fang reversed this with the vicious wolf going from the wild, through to ownership, through to a house pet. There were a few good moments in, my favourite being the snivelling dog-napper Beaty Smith and his fighting dogs, but for the majority is was a chore to read.

It's given a pretty harsh 5 cushions.

I've started The Great Gatsby now on the Aldiko and I'm half way through.

Let me know if you agree.

Michael
@bigcomfybooks

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

I was a little concerned about reading The Hunger Games to be honest. I'd heard a great deal about how good the book was but the thing is I'd already seen the film and loved it. I would much rather read the book first then see the film after, rather than the other way around. That way I can build up my own scenery, my own characters and delve in deeper, rather than having the protagonist's face be that of whoever played them on screen (this case Jennifer Lawrence, or J-Law (copyright MM 2013)).

From the off though I simply got sucked in. Of course I knew the story from the film, but it didn't matter one bit. Writing from the first person perspective gave the novel a deeper insight into Katniss Everdeen that the film never could get. The parts that were changed or not filmed are just as good as the bits that never made the film, and it was a richer read because of these. The back story of the Avox showed how destructive, authoritative and powerful the Capital really were.

One negative about the book is that part of it, in the caves, became a little repetitive. I actually think this is due to watching the film, as this seems to fly by on screen yet in print, there are many more things going on, in the physical world and emotionally.

The story was fantastic and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the trilogy, this time with no idea what will happen.

A solid 8 cushions on the comfometer.

Michael

HMV closes in Nuneaton

It's been living on the edge for years and now it's finally tipped over. HMV in Nuneaton is no more. The local Newspaper has just put out a short story to say it'll be gone. It's not a surprise but I have mixed feelings about it. Firstly, it was the only place in town to get new CD's & DVD's but then again I haven't bought one from there for over a year, the Internet has killed it for me. My musical life partner Jonathan has written a great little bit about it all himself and I agree 100% with him. Have a read HERE.

As for books, well, it never stocked many and those that it did were no cheaper than Waterstones. Hopefully one reason why my shop will flourish! Let's hope the space left behind by HMV will not be taken up by the 98 pence store. I'm unsure if the demise of HMV will benefit me in any way as I won't be selling DVD's or CD's (bar local musicians), but at the least, if someone likes to go into shops to browse, they have an option of TBCB.

Will there be a resurgence in our town centre? or any similar town any time soon? I guess that's why this whole bookshop thing came about. People moan (rightly so) that it's dying out there yet no one is willing to do anything about it. I am hoping that they all flock to the shop once opened.

Talking about the shop, today I received a letter from the solicitors inviting me in to see and sign (hopefully) the lease, 10 minutes later I get a call from the estate agents asking when they can do some work on the place before I start! Not long now (I'm still not counting chickens though).

Well this blog has been pretty eratic.

Michael
@bigcomfybooks

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

As I own a bookshop I thought I really should attempt some Austen. I've attempted twice before and got to page 3 or 4. It really isn't my bag baby. Not to be deterred I chose Pride and Prejudice out of the dozens of other free e-books available on the Aldiko modile e-reader.

The one massive surprise is that I really liked it, loads. You know the story; woman hates man, man hates woman, man likes woman, woman still hates man, woman likes man, the end. I thought I'd get distracted by the way Austen constructs her dialogue, as it's over 200 years old (published on 28th January 1813) and at first I felt like packing it all in on page 4 but stuck with it and by the end of chapter 2, I wanted more. I was drawn into their world easily and often daydreamed about heading off to one of the Bennet's balls in my fine clothes to hang out with the girls and gals. Elizabeth is a striking character and no doubt put a few noses out of joint when it was published. Balshy, ballsy and opinionated, a complete contrast from the way woman of the time were viewed and 'should' have acted. It was her strong character that kept me turning the page. All of the periphery characters have such strong personalities too, my favourite being Lizzy's mum, Mrs Bennet, who reminded me of my own mum! Fussy, obstinate, overly loving and a general pain in the bum! Extra mention for her dad too, what a cool cat.

I have given Pride and Prejudice a very healthy 7 cushions on the comfometer. In time I'll head into Austen-world (idea-Themepark!) again. Any suggestions which to tackle will be appreciated.

Alongside P & P I've been reading The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and been enjoying it very much. I seem to have been reading two books for a while so may concentrate fully on this one before adding another classic via the Aldiko reader to my roster.

We have a copy of Pride and Prejudice in the shop. It's the TV-tie in version. Click here

Michael