Meet the Team: Julia

Each week for the next few weeks, a member of the 'Mostly Books' team is going to be quizzed about all things books.  They will talk about what it's like to work in a bookshop, which books they enjoy and will also provide a bit of background about themselves.  

First up, it's Julia!  

What's your full name? 
Julia Burrows 

How long have you worked at Mostly Books? 
Nine Years 

What's your favourite genre of books and why?  
I like Science Fiction (Sci Fi) and Fantasy and also like a lot of YA books.  Why read about everyday life when you can read about extraordinary goings on?!  I also like historical fiction as long as it is not political or about the Royal family. 

Name your favourite book
I haven’t got a favourite as there are so many to choose from, but a few of the best, in my opinion, include the Justin Cronin trilogy (The Passage, The Twelve & The City of Mirrors) which I really enjoyed and it had a good ending. 

I also really like Ready Player One by Ernest Cline which is just about to be released as a Stephen Spielberg film.  

I wrote this review as a wraparound for Ready Player One: 

James Halliday, Billionaire with a love of the 80's, dies with no heirs and hides an Easter egg within OASIS, a virtual reality containing thousands of planets that he created.  Used worldwide he leaves a message stating that whoever finds the egg will inherit everything.  Wade, our hero, solves the first clue and what follows is a race to solve the rest of the puzzle and claim the prize between the Gunter's (egg hunters) and a corrupt corporation called IOI, who want to turn OASIS into a money-making scheme. 

I loved the 80's references to games, films and movies and the pure geekiness of this book. 

What’s your favourite thing about working at Mostly Books?  
It’s all about the books!  I love being around books all the time. 

What are your main responsibilities at Mostly Books?

Keeping our customers happy and trying to making sure that things run as smoothly as possible (not an easy task).  I also return any old stock so the shop displays stay fresh and to make room for more lovely books.  The biggest responsibility, that we all endure, is reading lots of books so we can all recommend the right books for the right people.

What upcoming book are you most excited about? 
Artemis by Andy Weir, which is due out in November.  

Officially Jazz Bashara is a porter on the first habitable moonbase called Artemis, unofficially she is a smuggler who caters for the rich and the lowly, smuggling in restricted items. When she is asked to do a very dangerous job she ends up knee deep in more trouble than ever before. This is  a novel that is part thriller, mission impossible, crime and corruption with lots of lovely science.  Andy Weir has pulled off a second novel, that although different from ‘The  Martian’, is still a brilliant read.

What do you like to do in your free time? 

Apart from reading, I like to sew, knit and crochet.  I donate my creations to a charity that provides clothes, hats, blankets and burial gowns for premature and angel babies (Preemies and Angel Babies UK - See the Facebook page here). 

Tell us something that the Mostly Books Customers don’t know about you.

I have six children, thee step-children, six grand-children and another grandchild due in a week and a half! 

Thanks Julia - It's been lovely to chat. 
Julia works in the shop every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

We need YOU to become an astronaut!

When Tim Peake blasted off to the International Space Station last year, his mission captured our imaginations and showed us what living and working in space was really lie.

Between dangerous spacewalks, running a marathon, delivering lettuce seeds and speaking to schoolchildren from orbit, he ignited a passion and curiosity about space - and then got everyone excited again with the news that he's going back for another mission.

Around the world, space is booming. And Abingdon sits smack bang in the centre of some of the most exciting space science - and talented scientists - on the planet.

Still wondering what to be when you grow up? Our advice is to become an astronaut. But where do you start?

On March 26 at the Amey Theatre, as part of Abingdon's ATOM Festival of Science, Louie Stowell - children's author and UK Space Agency expert - will explain "How To Become An Astronaut" in an exciting, out-of-this-world event for the whole family.

Together with Usborne Books, Louie will explain just what it takes to become an astronaut and go on a mission to the International Space Station.

Being an astronaut is not about having the “right stuff” any more. You have to be a scientist, engineer, gardener, YouTuber, coder...not to mention toilet scrubber.

Louie will talk through the training process, and there will be a crash course (not literally!) on what it takes to travel into space. She will answer all the big questions from “How do rockets work?” and “What do astronauts do all day?” to “How do you go to the toilet on a spaceship?” 

On the way you'll learn about the technology that astronauts use, from space suits (surprisingly heavy) to Soyuz spacecraft (surprisingly old), and the scientific experiments that Tim Peake and his colleagues carried out on the International Space Station.

Louie Stowell is author of the Usborne Official Astronaut’s Handbook, which answers all the questions you need to know about being an astronaut (and contains a special message from Tim Peake!). 

Louie has also written books on Coding for Beginners Using Python, so expect tips on what software is needed for a successful trip into space.

Around the world, space is booming. Reusable rockets, daring exploration, international collaborations, awe-inspiring science and even trips round the Moon. We think becoming an astronaut might just be the best career move you could make...

So come along, have fun, be inspired - your training starts here!

Tickets are £4 for adults, £2 for children - or free with an ATOM Festival Pass. Buy tickets from the official ATOM Festival Website - or from Mostly Books.

Come and Meet Hugless Douglas!

On Tuesday 2 August, we're inviting you to come along and meet the big bear with the big heart - Hugless Douglas!

The last time Douglas visited Mostly Books we had a fantastic time, with scorching weather and hot hugs in the garden.

For anyone who came along and had fun with The Gruffalo a few weeks ago, Douglas isn't scary at all, and there will definitely be hugs all round...

This time round, Douglas gets involved with some baking, and as usual, things don't got entirely to plan.

In 'Hugless Douglas and the Great Cake Bake' the sheep are baking cakes and Douglas can't wait to try them. However, he's sure that food without honey just isn't yummy. Can he ever be tempted to try something new?

There will be cupcake-making activities from the beginning of August - and on the day itself, Hugless will be making a special guest appearance. There will also be a book signing from award-winning author and illustrator (and creator of Hugless Douglas) David Melling.

We'd really love you to come along and transform our window with some brightly decorated cupcakes. There will be activities all week, and special prizes to win on the day itself. And there may even be the odd yummy treat to try if we're really lucky...

There is no need to book - but if you'd like more details of the event, including more details on timings closer to the day, please email us.

David Melling is an author who is an incredible talent of whom Abingdon can be particularly proud. Over ten years, David has taught children how to draw Hugless Douglas, told us about his writing life, produced masterpieces live over the Internet sat as a 'live window display' while he has worked and hosted a goblins party in Abingdon Library.

We'd love to see you on August 2 in our courtyard garden - and celebrate one of most endearing picture book characters!

Come and meet the Gruffalo! Help celebrate Independent Bookshop Week 2016!

To help us celebrate Independent Bookshop Week 2016 - and as part of our tenth birthday celebration - the Gruffalo is coming! And we'd love you to come too!

The Gruffalo last visited Mostly Books in 2014 and because he had such a lot of fun, he's coming back!

We will be running two special Gruffalo Storytimes at 10am and 3.30pm on Wednesday, June 22.

The storytimes are free, but space is limited so you must book!

We will be reading the Gruffalo, and you may even be able to have your picture taken with him!

Pop into the shop - or email us to reserve a place. And help us celebrate!

Read and Draw with Korky Paul!

On Saturday June 4 at 2pm, illustrator Korky Paul returns to Mostly Books as part of our tenth birthday celebrations.

Energetic, interactive and enormous fun, Korky will be welcoming you to the wonderful world of Winnie the Witch in a special interactive workshop for children 'Read and Draw with Korky Paul!'.

In this fast-paced, fun-filled reading aloud workshop Korky demonstrates how to draw for children that is colourful, witty, energetic, and animated.

Korky - the World's Greatest Portrait Artist -
in the Mostly Books Courtyard Garden!

Korky manages to bring home the point that writing, reading, and drawing are things that are inherently meant to be fun. Korky's spontaneity, energy and unaffected manner of drawing shows young artists that every smudge, every line can be transformed into something weird and wonderful.

Magical things always happen when Korky puts his pens and paints to paper! We should know because Korky has weaved his magic in the Mostly Books garden on several occasions. It’s a brilliant and inspiring experience for children - don't miss it!

Known only to himself as ’The World’s Greatest Portrait Artist and Dinosaur Drawer’ Korky MAY just have time to draw ‘Perfect Dinosaur Portraits’ for you to take home. Winnie The Witch will be there, and every child will be issued a ‘Magic Number’ ticket, and have a chance of being drawn from a hat for a special drawing...

We have limited space for this event (in the courtyard garden, weather permitting) so please email to reserve your place.

This event will be suitable for children aged 5-11 (please let us know the age of your child when you book) and tickets are £6 (with £2 off any Korky Paul purchase on the day). Accompanying adults will need a ticket too as space is limited.

The event takes place on Saturday, June 4 at 2pm. Korky will then be signing in the shop at 3pm.

We look forward to seeing you!

Books for Christmas 2015 Part 3 - our ten favourite children's activity books for Christmas

All of us in the bookshop are passionate about getting children to read - but we're also keen to emphasise that a book can be so much more than a story. It might be a gateway to getting creative, learning to play (or even write) a game, or stimulating a desire to get up, get outdoors and get your hands mucky. Or you just might want five minutes peace post Christmas dinner!

The key word here is 'activity' - and each year we try and pick some truly inspirational books and games that fire up the imagination and get children active. Our shop is full of inspiration at the moment, so to whet your appetite here are a few of our favourites this year.

The Epic Book of Epicness – Adam Frost - £6.99
After last year's 'Awesome Book of Awesomeness' comes Adam Frost's latest collection of brain-scrambling facts and wacky activities 'The Epic Book of Epicness'. Learn how to hard-boil an Ostrich Egg (serving suggestion: feeds 20 people), send an intergalactic message to other planets, and calculate how many zombies there would be if everyone who ever died on Earth came back to life (clue: it's a lot).

Learn where on Earth you need to go to see a red waterfall, discover which sharks you can safely swim with (and those you can't) and all the things an elephant can do with its trunk. Perfect for a wide primary-school age-range, reluctant readers and anyone, male or female, who loves FACTS!

Lift-the-Flap Computers and Coding – Rosie Dickens - £9.99
We love inspiring children to code in the shop - we help run a primary school coding club, and we ran a huge half-term coding competition in the shop (which you can still enter).

Coding is now a compulsory topic in the National Curriculum, and Usborne have used over 30 years of experience writing coding books for kids to produce a wonderful, interactive guide to information and communication technology, which explains what goes on inside computers and what makes them do what they do. With lots of flaps to lift and look beneath, fact-hungry children will devour the fascinating data contained in this bright and engaging non-fiction book.

Pigs In Pants – Orchard Toys - £8.50
We're really proud of our Orchard Toys section, and we've a wide range of children's toys that are fun to play, but get little minds working and learning.

It's safe to say that 'Pigs In Pants' is a big favourite at the moment, perfect for children aged 4+. If you can match the pants, you get to keep them, and the player with the most pairs at the end is the winner. Fun to play and share together.

Belle and Boo Christmas Sticker Fun – Mandy Sutcliffe - £4.99
Belle and Boo love Christmas and want you to come and join in the fun as they build a snowman, decorate a the tree and bake some spice biscuits. There are lots of things to do: colouring, sticking and games. Packed with fun for the little Belle in your life.

Personalised Friendship Bracelets – Klutz - £9.99
Almost no-one does child-friendly crafting inspiration like Klutz. Whether it's Clay Charms, Nail Art or Finger Knitting, we've chosen 'Friendship Bracelets' as our top recommend. It contains everything you need to make a gift for your 'bestie' (we're down with the kids here) but it could be for your Granny...or even your cat! This wonderful kit has all you need to make intricate personalised bracelets with over 45 meters of floss in five different colours and 150+ different designs. With picture by picture easy instructions this will provide hours of satisfying fun.

Nature in a Nutshell for Kids: Over 100 Activities You Can Do In 10 Minutes or Less – Jean Potter - £9.99
Getting outside isn't always easy over the Winter months, but this book provides plenty of inspiration to get out into nature. Discover its beauty and wonder all year round with these quick, easy experiments and activities that can be completed in ten fun-filled minutes or less, and the clear step-by-step instructions and illustrations help you get it right every time.

Build A Rocket - Ian Graham - £14.99
We're mad on space at Mostly Books (see here for more details) and this December -all being well - British astronaut Tim Peake flies to the International Space Station - so for the wannabe astronaut in your family, why not get them their very own spaceship? It may only get you to the Moon in your imagination, but it'll be huge fun on the way. At least you'll feel prepared for the trip with this great book and a press out and build model of the mighty Saturn V which took astronauts to the Moon. With fascinating facts and inspirational illustrations, consider it training for a future flight...

(And if you want to see one fully built, come look at the Mostly Books window from the end of November!)

Stampy’s Lovely Book – Egmont - £7.99
For any child that is Minecraft-obsessed this is a must-have book. Stampy Longnose (aka Joseph Garrett) is the YouTube sensation that most people probably have never heard of - but is currently in the top ten of most watched YouTube videos worldwide thanks to his Minecraft "Let's Play" videos. 

In his first book, join Stampy and his favourite friends, Ballistic Squid, Amy Lee and Rosie in this wonderful activity book. It's packed with crafts, puzzles, quest’s, mazes and even cake baking and let’s not forget stories, secrets and tips for making your own YouTube videos. See you in the 'Love Garden'...

Awesome Ideas for Lego - £16.99
Are you ready for the most awesome Lego adventure yet?! With six incredible worlds to travel through there is a whole world of adventure in just one book. From a Chaise Longue to a research lab and an apple to a Steam train. Almost everything you can think of is in here with useful notes and model breakdowns to help you build the world of your dreams.

Slot Together Victorian Dolls House - Anna Milbourne and Barry Ablett - £25 - £20
After last year's slot-together castle was such a hit, this year Usborne has done it again with a slot-together, historically accurate Victorian doll's house, complete with furniture, home accessories and a family of dolls. Press out the sturdy, foamboard pieces, slot together following the simple instructions and you're ready to play. Includes a book about life in a grand Victorian house, providing an insight into the social history of the period. Inspirational, educational, what more would you want? How about £5 off the £25 RRP whilst stocks last - and you can get a glimpse of how it looks in the Mostly Books window!

Books and gifts for Christmas Part 11: Games, jigsaws and books that are more than books...for kids!

Sometimes (just sometimes) you may want something a bit more than a simple book. It might be a game, or a jigsaw, but best of all it might be something that's a book plus a bit more. So we decided to walk around the Christmassy shop last night, whip out the Mostly Books polaroid and showcase a few gifts sitting on the shelves awaiting a good home and some wrapping paper...

Minecraft Blockopedia - £30
We have a whole shelf of Minecraft goodies, but this year along with books to show you how to make a 'Steve' cardboard head (we kid you not) there is the rather splendid 'Minecraft Blockopedia'. It's a beautifully-produced, reality-defying bookish rendering of a Minecraft block (you have to see it to get your head round it), fully illustrated and packed with essential information about each Minecraft block and its uses.

From basic plants and ores to enchantment tables and End stone, you'll find every single block in here. Blockopedia contains everything you need to know to make the most of the blocks that make up your world - it is the only Minecraft reference you'll ever need and is a wonderful gift for a Minecraft fan!

Periodic Table - Gill Arbuthnott - £8.99
A Beginners Guide to the Periodic Table is a mind-blowing guide to the elements that make up the periodic table. By linking each element to a story, wacky science analogy or fascinating fact, Gill creates a unique first reference to the periodic table. From smelly sulphur and exploding hydrogen to why Stevie Wonder is blind and everything in between, Gill seamlessly explains the mind-boggling 92 elements which will make you look at the periodic table in a whole new light!??Packed full of eye-catching illustrations and fantastic explanatory diagrams, prepare to be amazed by the most wacky and informative first introductory to the periodic table ever! Packed full of eye-catching illustrations and fantastic explanatory diagrams, prepare to be amazed by the most wacky and informative first introductory to the periodic table ever!

Knowledge Encyclopedia Dinosaur!
Dorling Kindersley - £16.99
The dinosaur world as you've never seen it before. Knowledge Encyclopedia Dinosaur! reveals jaw-dropping 3D dinosaur images which show each awe-inspiring creature in greater detail than ever before and bring the wonders of the dinosaur world to life. This is the only dinosaur encyclopedia you'll ever need, packed full of facts, charts, timelines and illustrations, bringing these prehistoric animals back to life.

Animation Studio - Helen Piercy - £12.99
This was on last year's Christmas recommends, but we still think it's brilliant! This little book and box gives you everything you need to create stop-motion videos on your mobile phone or digital camera. You can learn how to make stop-motion videos like a professional. Using tips and tricks from the experts, discover 2-D and 3-D techniques with puppets, clay-modelling, morphing and pixilation.

Pop To The Shops - Orchard Toys - £10
This year we started to stock a range of Orchard toys, and the response has been amazing. Designed and manufactured in the UK, Orchard games are both fun and educational, and our pick is 'Pop To The Shops'. Combining lotto with a race to get the items on your list, this teaches counting, money, giving change (and possibly entrepreneurial skills!)

Pop & Slot Christmas Decorations
Pop & Slots are cardboard punch-out-and-build scenes for kids to construct and play with. We've got Christmas trees, animal scenes - all from the hand of incredible embroidery illustrator, Clare Beaton.

The Fairytale Hairdresser: Playbox -
Abie Longstaff - £12.99
We love the Fairytale Hairdresser books - clever, witty, great fun and bags of appeal for anyone who loves fairytales. So we invite you to join Kittie Lacey, the fairytale hairdresser, in this wonderfully imaginative playset. Watch as she tames the wildest of locks, deals with the most demanding and unusual of customers, ultimately foils the Witch's evil plan and plays cupid to the newly coiffed Rapunzel. (A decent haircut really can work wonders!). Featuring a host of favourite fairytale characters including Red Riding Hood, the Wicked Witch, Goldilocks and many more, this magical playbox contains the bestselling picture book, sparkly hair clips and hair ties, a full-size hairbrush and a giant unfolding playmat game.

Computer Coding for Kids - Carol Vorderman - £12.99

You want to get your kids coding, but where do you start? One of the Mostly Books staff members has been running a computer coding club at a local primary school - and this is the book we recommend! It uses the freely available graphical programming language 'Scratch' as the starting point to learn how to write increasingly complex games that are fun, challenging and teach all the rudiments of great coding. You can literally write your first computer game in about 20 minutes - so put the xbox controller down and get creative!

Thames Valley and London Underground -
Pomegranate Artpiece Puzzles
We have started to stock a small range of jigsaw puzzles from Pomegranate Artpiece Puzzles - and these two 500 piece puzzles for children are definitely favourites. An artistic rendering of the London Underground, and 'To the Thames Valley by Motor Bus' based on a 1924 London Transport poster by Katherine Ritchie and Thomas Derrick.

A day trip from London to the River Thames in one of the cherry-red, double-decker motor buses of the 1920s promised an escape from city living—tranquility, history, greenery. That's exactly what London Transport advertised in its fascinatingly detailed poster To the Thames Valley by Motor Bus, with routes from the city and its outer reaches to attractions stretching from Kingston to Windsor. Thoughtfully conceived and engagingly intricate.

Come and take a look at these and other jigsaws we have in the children's room.

Nail Style Studio - Eva Steele-Staccio - £14.99
Klutz have long been a favourite a Mostly Books, attractively priced, fabulously creative craft sets for everything from paper aeroplanes to fashion studios. In 'Nail Style Studio' children of all ages are supplied with the techniques, tips and tools of the trade to create 25 tween approved nail designs that range from elaborate to quirky. With fully illustrated instructions and everything they need included, everyone can create beautiful nails.

The Awesome book of Awesomeness -
Adam Frost - £6.99
If one vampire bit one person and they turned into a vampire, how long would it take before the whole world filled up with vampires? How much snot do you drink in a year? If you unravelled a mummy, how long would the bandage be? And much more! Pick up this book to fill your mind with funny, weird, random and above all, AWESOME facts.