Culture
7 DECEMBER 2020
Bookshop.org Boosting Bookshop Business Elizabeth Edwards, BA English This November has seen the launch of the much anticipated Bookshop.org. Having launched in the US earlier in the year to tremendous success, Bookshop.org has landed in the UK and offers booklovers an alternative to Amazon when browsing and purchasing their latest literary fancies. Initially scheduled to launch in the UK in 2021 or even 2022, the immense success of the American launch made founder Andy Hunter see no need to delay his UK plans. Stateside, Bookshop.org now works in partnership with more than 900 bookshops and has raised more than $7.5 million for independent bookshops across the United States. In the UK, the site has launched in partnership with more than 130 independent bookshops and, if the success in America is anything to go by, the sky’s the limit. Now more than ever, it is imperative to support our local sellers whether that means coffee shops rather than the big chains, local fruit and vegetable shops rather that the supermarket or an independent bookshop rather than Amazon. For many, Amazon’s appeal has transcended its many failings purely due to the ease and convenience of the service. Now that this convenience has been replicated by a selling platform that has the support of independent shops at the very heart of its identity, it has never been easier to offer our support to the shops that need it the most. It goes without saying that Covid-19 has been a disaster for our local stores, especially as Amazon continues to expand. Hunter believes a major reason for the success of
A London bookshop at night. (Credit: Creative Commons)
Bookshop.org’s launch has been customers’ awareness of the strain local booksellers are under. Furthermore, Bookshop. org has captured a charmingly personal shopping experience and replicated the buying experience of an indie bookshop in this new online platform. The homepage of Bookshop.org is made up entirely of recommendations, sorted into different categories, ensuring something will be found to suit everyone as well as mimicking the suggestion table one often finds in a physical shop. As well as these directions, the consumer is also able to access
selected recommendations from particular shops from all over the country. This gives the distinct impression of engaging with an actual person, a feeling we are surely all craving amongst the social impact of the coronavirus restrictions. So, this year for Christmas, turn your attention to Bookshop.org for all of your Christmas present needs. This fantastic initiative has already raised more than £250,000 for our local bookshops and, with all of our support, that’s only the beginning. Happy browsing.
Inclusive Christmas Films An LGBTCheesy Christmas Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Movie Esme Bateson, MA Cultural Studies Comprised of a star-studded cast, Jingle Jangle has been heralded for portraying a Black family in all their glory. Inspired by Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, director David E. Talbert wanted to make a similar film which featured people like his son, so he too could feel inspired. Jingle Jangle is the result, a joyous, seasonal film, full of upbeat songs, costumes, and sets. It is a story which does not focus on white narratives of Black people, but rather is a heart-warming Christmas film about believing in yourself and your dreams. It is colourful, exciting, and uplifting, packed with gizmos, gadgets, and nonsensical language which create a fantasy land where everything is bright, jolly and, most importantly, extremely Christmassy. It follows Journey as she tries to help her grandfather retrieve what he lost when his invention book was stolen many years ago. The power of family, friendship, and love is a central theme throughout the film, and reminds viewers to stay close to those nearest and dearest to us, as well as reminding us that we are brilliant and can do whatever we set our hearts to. Generous and warming, I’ll be singing Impossible for weeks to come, a catchy tune performed by the talented Madalen Mills
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Kristen Steward and Mackenzie Davis star in Happiest Season. (Credit: Sony)
Deirbhile Ní Bhranáin, BA Media and Development
The Jingle Jangle movie poster (Credit: Netflix/ Jingle Jangle)
as Journey, as she reminds us that ‘Whether you think you can or think you can’t. You’re right.’ A powerful message for people of all ages, Jingle Jangle is one of the most exciting and wholesome Christmas movies you’ll see this year!
There’s nothing like seeing yourself on screen. Whatever your views on representation, it matters for many reasons, and the thrill of seeing an accurate media portrayal after years of stereotyped characters is a present all its own. This year, there will be some exciting new LGBTQ+ characters taking up the mantle of the cheesy Christmas romcom, and there is no better time to do it than this winter when we could all do with some festive cheer. The first one that has to be mentioned is Happiest Season, starring Kristen Stewart and San Junipero star Mackenzie Davis. Although it’s the first mainstream Christmas rom-com to centre a queer couple, it’s already under a bit of fire for a plot centred
around a coming out (again). But you know what, we will love it anyway. Hallmark is delving a bit deeper, with the plot of just-released The Christmas House centring a cis gay male couple looking to adopt their first child. Again, an LGBTQ+ movie is the first of the channel’s kind. Maybe we are screaming about the length of time it took the rom-com gods to recognise us, maybe we are just glad we won’t have to watch three Vanessa Hudgeonses attempting different accents. Friendsgiving and I Hate New Years, out now, can fill in the holidays next to Christmas with stories of chosen families. Or we could return to Carol, already a classic, although a dubious addition to the ‘cheesy’ category. These movies may have been late in the making, but at least we might finally have a queer Love Actually on our hands.
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