Hello and welcome to The Tattooed Book
Are you ready to fall in love with books or are you already head over heels? Either way, you’ve come to the right place. Whether it’s book reviews, news or anything book related, you’ll find it here. Originally The Tattooed Book was a simple book review blog but as a book geek, I know I adore all the news, gossip and merch too, so I decided to branch out. More recently, I’ve fallen in love with audiobooks and podcasts so you’ll see more about them too.
Considering I launched The Tattooed Book over nine years ago, I guess it’s time to do an ‘about me’ page. I know, rushing the relationship but call me needy.
How I started reviewing
I started The Tattooed Book when I was working for Waterstones in Guildford High Street. I was devouring roughly three books a week, but I suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (insert the obligatory lazy person joke here) and it really takes a toll on my memory. I started writing reviews to help me remember what I’d read and how I felt about it. I was quite surprised when people actually started reading my reviews, but from there, I was hooked. My concept for The Tattooed Book changed from a personal journal to a place where I could help people find their perfect reads.
I adored running the front of the store at Waterstones. Apart from one time when a gentleman threatened to stab me. I guess every job has its bad days! However, I had a great time there and thanks to my wonderful manager (Erika you rock!), I was shortlisted for Young Bookseller of the Year at The Bookseller Industry Awards. Working in store and running events also meant I got to meet some incredible authors such as Peter James, Eowyn Ivey and even Corey Taylor from Slipknot (swoon). But all good things come to an end, and as my pay stayed the same, my bills rose and I had to move on. On that note; pay booksellers a living wage!
Career
I have a degree in Animal Management that qualifies me for nothing (I had the worst careers advice ever) and struggled to find work after graduating. Due to being tattooed and after being approached on MySpace (showing my age there) I ended up doing alt modelling, hair modelling and extra work until I fell into books. I worked for Jamie Stevens for British Hairdresser of the Year, did a season for Toxico clothing and you can find me in Bring Me the Horizon video. I was once given the perfect backhanded compliment of ‘you’re perfect for make-up, your face is so blank without it. There’s nothing going on at all’. If you can beat that one, let me know, I’d love to hear it!
Since I started The Tattooed Book I’ve been lucky enough to work with some wonderful people and have had articles published with a number of outlets including The Bookseller, The Guardian online, Starburst magazine, We Love This Book and Things and Ink magazine.
I am currently a content executive within private education. I have an aim to start my own content marketing company in the future.
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Books I want to hear about for The Tattooed Book
The book that rekindled my love for reading (after university textbooks killed it completely) was Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. I bought a cheap copy from beside the till in HMV because I liked the cover. From that day on I have been a huge fan of dark, gothic fiction.
To make a long story short, if a book is f*cked up, I’ll probably going to enjoy it. Whether that’s horror, true crime, psychological thrillers or translated literary fiction. Bring me your dark books and your witchy sh*t!
Here are some themes I love:
- Japanese fiction
- Feminist fiction
- Tattoos
- Alt life
- Realistic space travel
- Witches
- Neurology
- Graphic novels (especially Image and DC Young Animal)
Favourite books of mine are Bird Box by Josh Malerman, The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey, and I’m currently devouring everything from DC’s Young Animal, including Shade: The Changing Girl, Cave Carson has a Cybernetic Eye, Doom Patrol etc.).
When I’m not reading and writing content, I like running (as much as anyone can), getting tattooed, watching horror films and playing with my dog Mac.
If you’re looking for somewhere to start on my blog then here’s a couple of my favourite posts to get you going:
Book review of Skin by Roald Dahl
Review of Call Me Mummy by Tina Baker
And if you’re on Twitter then follow me at @thetattooedbook
Thanks for stopping by at The Tattooed Book; I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I’ve had fun making it.
Much love,
Cara