10 Quickfire Questions with Ashley

Please introduce yourself in six words: Six words? Drawing a total blank!
What are you currently reading? Misogynation – Laura Bates
How many books did you read in 2018 and how many are you planning for 2019? I don’t keep count. It puts too much pressure on something which I do to relax and for enjoyment.
When did your love for reading start and which book sparked this passion? The earliest book I can remember loving was “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt" by Michael Rosen. I loved the Splish Splash bits… in fact I think my love of jumping in puddles also stems from this book! My true love of reading however was sparked at age 7 when the first Harry Potter book was released. I devoured it and every other book in that series. To this day I am a massive Harry Potter nerd.
Who's your favourite author and why? One of my favourite authors (no way can I have a single favourite) is Jane Austen. Her stories are funny, sad, deep and sometimes frivolous all at the same time, whilst leaving us a vibrant account of what life was like back in the Regency period. However, Enid Blyton, A.A. Milne, the Brothers Grimm, Lewis Carroll, E.H. Shepard, Carolyn Keene and J.M. Barrie are a few of my other favourites.
What motivated you to start your Bookstagram and what advice would you give to someone new to the gig? I started my bookstagram in mid 2016 after hiding in the background and drooling over other people’s books on Instagram. It originally started as a personal account, under my own name. I learned a lot from other bookstagrammers who were always exceptionally kind to me and helped me a great deal. Eventually in early 2017 I switched to full time book posting, changed my name and profile photo, and @Biblio.Babble was born! My advice to anyone starting out would be to think about the kind of look you want your feed to have. People tend to respond better to a coherent theme, even if that’s just always using the same filter or background. Most importantly though, reach out. Comment on other people’s posts with something specific, not just a generic “nice one!”. You’re much more likely to get a reply if you talk about the book or edition featured for example. Bookstagram is one of the most helpful, supportive and open communities I’ve come across and I never forgets what it was like to be the new kid.
Whats your all time favourite book quote? “Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” – Albus Dumbledore, Prisoner of Azkaban. Alternatively a slightly less PC one courtesy of Molly Weasley in the Deathly Hallows: “Not my daughter you bitch!”
Do you have any exciting projects planned for the future? You mean other than my collaboration with Country House Library? (lays the flattery on thick). Nothing planned at the moment. Having just moved house I’m still tweaking my new background and making sure I can get back to posting regularly.
Your bookstagram account is so aesthetically pleasing would you judge a book by its cover? I have to say I do judge books by their cover, but solely in the context of my Bookstagram account. If it’s a book that I want to read then I don’t care what it looks like. Where my insta is concerned however there is a higher standard applied. The book needs to look inviting, beautiful, unusual etc.
Finally, If you were stuck on a desert island and could only take one book, what book would that be? The Song of the Lioness quartet by Tamora Pierce. Definitely not everyone’s cup of tea but this is my comfort book, like chicken noodle soup for my brain. I read it almost every year, always during my summer holidays.

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