Showing some spine in battle to save the bookstore

For many people, bookshops conjure fond images of intimate readings, in-store cafés and delight at the discovery of a new author. Despite this, many high street bookshops are under threat thanks to the rising popularity of eReaders and online shopping.

In 2013, the Books are my Bag campaign sought to buck this trend and bring people back into bookshops nationwide. This year, the campaign is bigger than ever and is the largest promotion of bookshops in Ireland. The event even boasts its own fashion statement — a limited-edition Books Are My Bag tote designed by acclaimed artist Tracey Emin — so people can now support their bookshops in style.

Tim Clarke, Manager of Waterstones in Cork, explained the movement was more than just a commercial initiative however, stressing the importance of supporting local authors.

“It’s really just a celebration of reading. The aim is to get an author into every bookshop in Ireland and here in Waterstones we have seven. It’s mostly local authors and it’s great because people get to interact with them. It’s definitely something you don’t get online.”

Derval O’Rourke, Cork athlete, journalist and one of the local authors involved in the event said she was hugely appreciative of bookshops and much preferred shopping in-store to online. “Anything that gets people into bookshops is great, especially in the run-up to Christmas.”

Comic book creators Emmet O’Brien, Colin O’Mahoney and Chris O’Halloran agreed, expressing gratitude to Waterstones for stocking their first publication I’m Awake, I’m Alive — a collection of stories published by Turncoat Press.

Colin said: “Waterstones have been really good to us by helping us and stocking the book and in general by just supporting local authors and artists. People are really interested to hear about how a comic is made.”

Eadaoin Regan, from Waterford, said: “Bringing everything back to local is so important and it would be great if we could stop bookshops having to close, I’d hate that.”

The Books are my Bag campaign started on Super Thursday and ended this weekend with bookshops all over in Ireland hosting in-store parties featuring readings, food tasting and live music. Super Thursday is the busiest day of the publishing calendar with hundreds of new tomes released. This year the event featured releases from the likes of Roy Keane, Jacqueline Wilson and Heston Blumenthal.