Meet the Judges: Sapphire Bates
Meet the judges! Sapphire Bates is a true inspiration and girl boss. Influencer and business owner turned indie bookshop owner, Sapphire is at the heart of connecting books with readers and celebrates books online and IRL from her shop in Ramsgate, Book Bodega. We are so thrilled to have her insight on this year's shortlist.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THE ONLINE READING COMMUNITY?
How friendly and welcoming it is! I love how nice that little corner of the internet is, even if your thoughts on a book differ, I see people having debates and interesting discussions, which I love.
WHAT BOOK FIRST SPARKED YOUR LOVE FOR READING?
I'm not sure if I can remember the first book I read, I started reading quite young and was always obsessed. I vividly remember going to France for a week with my family and it absolutely poured with rain the entire time so I just got cosy on the sofa and read the entire Narnia collection.
WHAT DEBUT AUTHOR SHOULD WE BE KEEPING OUR EYES ON?
There are too many to name. My advice would be to talk to your local booksellers and ask them for recommendations of authors you may not have heard of. Sometimes I see the same few books getting shouted about online over and over but there are literally thousands of authors who aren't getting the spotlight shone on them and you have to really go and seek them out.
WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL INSPIRED TO WRITE?
I write for my mental health, I'm not a writer really but I write every day to clear my head before I go to bed. Sometimes I write stories (one day I'll write a novel, maybe), and sometimes I journal about how I'm feeling. It is different every day but for me, it's about clearing my head and restoring calm.
IF YOU COULD GO FOR DINNER WITH A CHARACTER, WHO WOULD YOU PICK AND WHY?
Oooh, I like this question. Either Janina, the main character in Drive Your Plow Over The Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk or Jude from A Little Life - I adored both of those characters and feel like dinner with them would be interesting.
DO YOU HAVE ANY READING RITUALS?
No, I kind of wish I did though so I had a really good answer for this. I read constantly, I always have a book with me in case I get a spare few minutes to sneak in a few pages. So no real routine, just read as much as possible every day.
ALL TIME FAVE READ
I don't have one, it changes constantly!
CURRENT READ
Hackney Child by Hope Daniels which I'm reading ahead of starting my social work degree in a few weeks time!
NEXT ON TBR
The Glutton by A. K. Blackmore, so excited for this!!!