Jen is an urban and cultural geographer who did a PhD on public libraries and reading. As a researcher, her interests are focused on libraries, reading, book retailing and the book industry more broadly. As a reader, she reads a lot of crime fiction, non-fiction, and chicklit. And board books. All the board books. You can also find her writing about books for children and babies at babylibrarians.com. Instagram: shittyhousewife / babylibrarians Twitter: @jennnigan
A library researcher and mum writes reviews of different baby story times and comments on what works and what works less well.
Board books that aren't boring and have actual plots for storytime.
One reader on using the library holds function to manage new release books and an out-of-control 'to read' list.
How the academic theories of habitus, cultural capital, and taste work when applied in real life to readers and reading.
A mouse took a stroll through the deep dark wood... What do you read after you've memorised The Gruffalo because you've read it so many times? Where on Julia Donaldson's substantial backlist do you turn?
When I had a baby, we received a lot of books and other bookish presents. Now that we've had a chance to road test them, these bookish gifts for babies (and one for the parents) are the favourites.
What makes reading aloud fun? Well, it helps when your baby starts paying attention. One reader discovers the importance of rhyme, cadence, and colour as she reads to her baby.
Finding clues about strangers' lives from their bookshelves: one reader on what she looks at when she goes to open houses.
Do you buy most of your books or borrow them? How is that decision made? And is there such a thing as owning too many books?