Book Worms

Here at the Oakeley Arms we love a good book, when we find the time to read that is! But we agree with a recent study that confirmed what we all know really – that reading books is to the mind what exercise is to the body. It not only stimulates your brain, imagination and memory but that it can reduce stress and increase your vocabulary!

So, we think the Books are my Bag campaign is a brilliant one. It’s the largest of it’s kind in the UK, and it’s all about getting people reading and supporting their local independent bookshop.

Independent bookshops have been under fire in recent years, facing stiff competition from supermarkets and online retailers. But Books are my Bag aims to celebrate the beauty of independent bookshops and the kind of service that they offer, that you just won’t find anywhere else. And nothing can quite rival the unique atmosphere of a good bookshop!

Today, bookshops on the high street account for just over 40% of all books bought by consumers, so it’s not such a sad story as the booksellers fight back. However, independent bookshops have had to respond to competition from larger online retailers by increasing promotions, making sure their customer service is unbeatable and hosting events like book signings and author talks.

And the number of independent book shops in Wales is slowly rising, which is great news for any High Street. There are several brilliant independent bookshops local to us here at the Oakeley Arms. You’ll find the fantastic Browsers in Porthmadog, Palas Print in Caernarfon, Old Post Office Bookshop in Blaenau Ffestiniog and The Bookseller in Pwllheli.

So in this fast-paced, brightly lit digital age, why not celebrate a good old fashioned book and take your imagination somewhere new? And spend some time browsing your local bookshop, you might just be surprised at what you find!

You can find out more details about the Books are my Bag campaign here.