That's right. I admit with a lot of sadness that I am no longer a bookseller at Waterstones. Some may know this, others may not. However, I feel that I should explain my decision in some way and also to let the emotions and decisions behind this move out in a way I have always used to do so.
I loved my time at Waterstones, I really do and I do miss spending my weekends surrounded by books and people that share my love with those books. I didn't particularly want to leave but I think, for myself, for the shop I worked within and for the customers I shared my experiences and passion for books with, it was the right thing to do.
I also love university, and that's the thing. University got in the way of my bookselling and bookselling got in the way of my time at university. There are a number of other reasons but essentially that is the main reason. With all the deadlines that have been piling up ever since, I'm glad I decided to leave otherwise I would have had to let down my colleagues.
I miss my job a lot, I miss having that to look forward every week and having something purposeful to do on a Saturday instead of lazying around all day. I miss feeling so independent while working and having some 'me-time'. I miss my colleagues and the easy way I had with them. I miss talking about books all day and sharing my favourite books with those around me. I miss saying I'm a bookseller.
However, I am still in touch with my old manager from home so hopefully I can get a job in the summer or Christmas or something. It's weird walking past my old store when I go home, looking in and seeing my old colleagues particularly the ones I got on the best with and knowing the ins and outs of that shop. It's so weird, saddening and annoying in some aspects but I believe it was the right decision and I don't regret it mostly.
Sorry this was a bit of a soppy post, but I think I needed to let it out a little bit to move on. Have a good week guys!
Showing posts with label waterstones. Show all posts
Showing posts with label waterstones. Show all posts
Wednesday, 19 March 2014
Monday, 6 August 2012
Signings coming up in England
One major plus of being a book blogger is finding out about bookish events, especially if they're held at bookshops. The delight on seeing the people behind the book you devoured, cherished and then passed on to all your friends. The sentimentality that your own copy of this book has been signed especially for you. Something you want to have forever. The pictures were you look absolutely horrible but still, nice to have something saying 'Yeah, I was there'. These are the things that make me want to go and meet the author at a lovely afternoon/evening spent in the presence of people who also love them.
After arranging to go the Maureen Johnson evening at Waterstones Guildford (and that not happening - have a look here if you don't know what I'm talking about), I received an email from the lovely Jessica who is in charge of events there. She informed me of the major events coming up at the store in the near future and I was so in AWE of some of them. Like 'How on earth have they got them to come into a signing!?'. Anyway, I think Jess and the team from Guildford deserve a post to inform, yes YOU, of some of the great events coming up.
Guildford? Where's that? I hear you cry. It's outside London, but not too far. As long as you can get to Clapham Junction, you're hunky dory.
If you want more information, have a look on the Waterstones website (here) or email Jess at events@guildford.waterstones.com.
(Arranged in chronological order)
An Evening with Philippa Gregory
I know! Philippa Gregory! This is the launch of her new book, The Kingmaker's Daughter which is set during the War of the Roses (sadly I know many things about that period from History). She's also be talking about her research, career and all her books overall so for those who have a copy or enjoyed her first Young Adult book, Changeling (on my to-read!) then, I'm sure she'll be happy to sign them too.
WHERE: Holy Trinity Church, Guildford
WHEN: 16th August at 7pm (get in quick!)
A Fan Event with Derek Landy
I've never read any of his book although I'm quite aware of them. We once played the beginning of Skulduggery Pleasant as an audiobook at my old school and it sounded quite interesting. This seems like one for the boys!
Here, Landy will be talking about the whole of the Skulduggery Pleasant as well as launching the most recent book in the series, Kingdom of the Wicked, AND doing a signing. A great way to end the summer holidays!
WHERE: Waterstone's Guildford
WHEN: 13th September at 7pm
And last but not least. This is one event I am so jealous of that I can't attend...
An Evening with John Boyne
Yes. John Boyne. The guy who bought you The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (my review). A book I think every child should read.
I remember this librarian coming in in Year 7 (6th grade) and saying she was reading this book. She said she has told the other class before lunch that she knew what was going to happen. Then, while reading it over lunch, her predictions were very very wrong. This is just...I can't recommend this book enough. So cute, yet so sad.
Copies of this book are being re-released with a different cover as well as many others such as Peter Pan in the new World of Stories collection. This event is for the launch as well as for Boyne to answer any questions and of course, sign your book.
Go. For me. AH, this is one event I would have run to.
WHERE: Waterstones Guildford
WHEN: 30th October at 7pm
After arranging to go the Maureen Johnson evening at Waterstones Guildford (and that not happening - have a look here if you don't know what I'm talking about), I received an email from the lovely Jessica who is in charge of events there. She informed me of the major events coming up at the store in the near future and I was so in AWE of some of them. Like 'How on earth have they got them to come into a signing!?'. Anyway, I think Jess and the team from Guildford deserve a post to inform, yes YOU, of some of the great events coming up.
Guildford? Where's that? I hear you cry. It's outside London, but not too far. As long as you can get to Clapham Junction, you're hunky dory.
If you want more information, have a look on the Waterstones website (here) or email Jess at events@guildford.waterstones.com.
(Arranged in chronological order)
I know! Philippa Gregory! This is the launch of her new book, The Kingmaker's Daughter which is set during the War of the Roses (sadly I know many things about that period from History). She's also be talking about her research, career and all her books overall so for those who have a copy or enjoyed her first Young Adult book, Changeling (on my to-read!) then, I'm sure she'll be happy to sign them too.
WHERE: Holy Trinity Church, Guildford
WHEN: 16th August at 7pm (get in quick!)
I've never read any of his book although I'm quite aware of them. We once played the beginning of Skulduggery Pleasant as an audiobook at my old school and it sounded quite interesting. This seems like one for the boys!
Here, Landy will be talking about the whole of the Skulduggery Pleasant as well as launching the most recent book in the series, Kingdom of the Wicked, AND doing a signing. A great way to end the summer holidays!
WHERE: Waterstone's Guildford
WHEN: 13th September at 7pm
And last but not least. This is one event I am so jealous of that I can't attend...
Yes. John Boyne. The guy who bought you The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (my review). A book I think every child should read.
I remember this librarian coming in in Year 7 (6th grade) and saying she was reading this book. She said she has told the other class before lunch that she knew what was going to happen. Then, while reading it over lunch, her predictions were very very wrong. This is just...I can't recommend this book enough. So cute, yet so sad.
Copies of this book are being re-released with a different cover as well as many others such as Peter Pan in the new World of Stories collection. This event is for the launch as well as for Boyne to answer any questions and of course, sign your book.
Go. For me. AH, this is one event I would have run to.
WHERE: Waterstones Guildford
WHEN: 30th October at 7pm
Wednesday, 13 June 2012
Calling all UK Maureen Johnson fans!
Do you live in the UK? Do you like Maureen Johnson i.e. the hilarious Twitterer and writer of 13 Little Blue Envelopes (my review here), The Last Little Blue Envelope and The Name of the Star?
Yes? Well, this is for you then.
As part of the Queen of Teen award (where you can vote for your favourite YA writer), Guildford High Street Waterstones is hosting the official after-party for the ceremony to celebrate the greatness of females and teen fiction. And who is one of these nominees? You got it, Maureen Johnson amongst others. Past winners have been Cathy Cassidy and Louise Rennison!
Being part of both Waterstones and blogging communities, I am attending with my friend who is a MASSIVE Maureen Johnson fan. We both cannot wait for the day especially as I finish college that day also for the summer. Double YAY.
So, this is the low-down:
Date: 6th July 2012
Time: 7pm
Where: Guildford High St Waterstones (just outside of London)
How do I get there: It's about a 15 minute talk from the train station which connects to Clapham Junction (I'm getting the train to Clapham Junction from my hometown and then changing)
What's happening: Hopefully all the nominees will be there for the Queen of Teen Award but Maureen Johnson has definitely confirmed along with James Dawson, Sue Ransom and Samantha Mackintosh for an evening of food, drinks, talking and most of all books.
*You can still vote for your favourite here: http://www.queenofteen.co.uk/
If you are interested in this or have any questions, I shall direct you to the lovely Jessica from Waterstones who is organising the event. You can reach her through this email address: events@guildford.waterstones.com
If you cannot attend that event, Guildford Waterstones have also got Philippa Gregory on the 16th August (small WOW from over here) for the publication of her new book!
I hope to see you there!
Yes? Well, this is for you then.
As part of the Queen of Teen award (where you can vote for your favourite YA writer), Guildford High Street Waterstones is hosting the official after-party for the ceremony to celebrate the greatness of females and teen fiction. And who is one of these nominees? You got it, Maureen Johnson amongst others. Past winners have been Cathy Cassidy and Louise Rennison!
Being part of both Waterstones and blogging communities, I am attending with my friend who is a MASSIVE Maureen Johnson fan. We both cannot wait for the day especially as I finish college that day also for the summer. Double YAY.
So, this is the low-down:
Date: 6th July 2012
Time: 7pm
Where: Guildford High St Waterstones (just outside of London)
How do I get there: It's about a 15 minute talk from the train station which connects to Clapham Junction (I'm getting the train to Clapham Junction from my hometown and then changing)
What's happening: Hopefully all the nominees will be there for the Queen of Teen Award but Maureen Johnson has definitely confirmed along with James Dawson, Sue Ransom and Samantha Mackintosh for an evening of food, drinks, talking and most of all books.
*You can still vote for your favourite here: http://www.queenofteen.co.uk/
If you are interested in this or have any questions, I shall direct you to the lovely Jessica from Waterstones who is organising the event. You can reach her through this email address: events@guildford.waterstones.com
If you cannot attend that event, Guildford Waterstones have also got Philippa Gregory on the 16th August (small WOW from over here) for the publication of her new book!
I hope to see you there!
Sunday, 26 February 2012
Special £1 editions of Maureen Johnson & Will Hill
For those who live in the UK, this is something you may be interested in.
Every year is World Book Day on the 1st March where those under the age of 18 and in full-time education are given a £1 book token to buy either the special editions released for the day or to contribute to a book of their choice (although they have to pay the rest).
It is something I personally have grown up with, the excitement when I was young to receive the token, thinking already what I will be buying with it. It is something that really encouraged me and many others to do the ancient activity of just reading. Something that is so important in a digital media generation that this world is developing into.
Anyway, because mostly the £1 special World Book Day books are normally only a selection of children's books (for this year's selection, click here)
However, because us teenager's get a little left out once we hit 14 and aren't exactly interested in cute kittens and finding a caterpillar, Waterstones (a UK bookstore) have decided to release special editions sold at £1 for the day of two YA titles, starting tomorrow (27th February)
These are:
Every year is World Book Day on the 1st March where those under the age of 18 and in full-time education are given a £1 book token to buy either the special editions released for the day or to contribute to a book of their choice (although they have to pay the rest).
It is something I personally have grown up with, the excitement when I was young to receive the token, thinking already what I will be buying with it. It is something that really encouraged me and many others to do the ancient activity of just reading. Something that is so important in a digital media generation that this world is developing into.
Anyway, because mostly the £1 special World Book Day books are normally only a selection of children's books (for this year's selection, click here)
However, because us teenager's get a little left out once we hit 14 and aren't exactly interested in cute kittens and finding a caterpillar, Waterstones (a UK bookstore) have decided to release special editions sold at £1 for the day of two YA titles, starting tomorrow (27th February)
These are:
The Name of the Star - Maureen Johnson
Department 19 - Will Hill
Both of which are supposed to be VERY good books so this is a great selection for Waterstones to choose. Just to emphasise, this IS JUST AT WATERSTONES FOR THESE TWO BOOKS. It is merely a promotion as part of World Book Day to make us YA readers feel less left out.
I personally will be running from the train station after college to (thankfully only a 5 minute walk) my local store to get The Name of The Star. Thanks Waterstones!
For more info, click here to go to Maureen Johnson's blog where she explains everything.
Enjoy - let me know if you got a copy!
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