Buy The Book

Louise Carroll did not really need to buy a new book, her shelves at home were crammed full of books she had not read, but as any reader will tell you, you cannot have too many books. The temptation to buy another book is just too great, it’s like an itch that you can’t help scratching.

She had a half-day holiday from work, so Louise did what she often did when not at the office, she headed to the book shop. There was something special about a book store. She always felt most relaxed and comfortable wandering the aisles of a book shop. And coming away with a new book was just a perfect way to end the visit. Her mother was a librarian so growing up she had spent many hours in the local library.

Louise turned a corner, eyes glued to the spines of the books on the self. As he made her way round the corner she bumped into the person on the other side.

‘I’m sorry, I didn’t see you.’ Louise said.

The woman in her twenties smiled and said no worries and turned back to the book she was flicking through. Louise stared at her, transfixed. She recognised here instantly. The light-pink shoulder-length hair, the tattoos on her arms. It was her, it had to be.

‘Excuse me,’ Louise said, ‘are you Emma Lee?’

‘I certainly am.’

Louise couldn’t believe she was talking to the famous book-streamer. Emma Lee was really well-known in the book review and reading community. Her online following stretched into the hundreds of thousands. She was as much a celebrity as television stars. 

‘I am a massive fan. I love your videos.’ Louise said.

‘Thank you so much, hun. Have you selected a book to buy today?’ Emma asked.

Louise said not yet, but that she loved mooching round book-shops, even when she came away empty-handed.

‘It’s just the best, isn’t it? Such fun.’ Emma enthused. 

‘What about you? Are you here looking for a book to review for your channel?’

‘I’m here on a book haul. I’m hoping to find between eight and ten books. Would you like to help me choose?’ Emma asked.

‘That would be amazing. You’ve made my day. I always come away so inspired to read another chapter after watching your videos.’

‘Come on then, Lou.’ Emma replied. 

Emma rummaged in her designer Scandinavian rucksack and produced a hand-held video camera. The top-of-the-range camera was mounted on a short plastic stick that meant she could record from slightly further away than just arms-length. 

‘Firstly we need to get a few shots of the book shop, and then a few close-ups on some of the titles.’

Emma set about taking photos and filming snippets around the bookshop and the volumes on display. Louise couldn’t believe she was getting a behind the scenes glimpse of how the famous vlogger made her videos. To her it was like seeing Alfred Hitchcock or Martin Scorsese on the set of one of their films. This day would stay with her forever.

Louise helped Emma select books to review for her channel. They chose all kinds of books, trying to keep a real blend of genre. Louise added a couple of her favourite books, eager to see them reviewed by the famous vlogger. 

When they had made their selections, they headed to the till. The guy behind the counter scanned the barcode on each book, before carefully placing it in a paper bag marked with the bookstore’s logo. He handed Emma the bag, smiling widely when he noticed the camera being trained on him.

‘Thank you so much!’ Emma said, almost squealing in delight at the prospect of the new books. 

The guy asked for a selfie before she left. Emma said she’d be delighted. The guy hurried around from behind the counter to have his photo taken with the literary celebrity. Louise was sure the photo with the famous vlogger would be framed and mounted behind the counter, and also shared on the book shop’s social media accounts.

As they left the store, Louise turned to Emma.

‘You haven’t paid for the books. He scanned them but didn’t ask you for any money.’ Louise said.

‘It’s the way this thing works, love. They give me free books as long as I mention the store in my video. I usually show the bag the books came in too. I do this dramatic reveal of producing the books from the bag, getting a close-up of the book shop logo. They get the publicity they want, and I get free books to review. Everybody’s happy.’ Emma said.

Louise simply smiled. She couldn’t explain fully, but this didn’t really seem right, somehow. She was about to thank her and say good-bye, when Emma placed a hand on her arm.

‘If you don’t have any plans, you’d be more than welcome to spend the afternoon with me.’ Emma said.

Louise couldn’t believe this was actually happening. THE Emma Lee was inviting her to spend the afternoon with the book vlogger. This kind of opportunity was usually reserved for competition winners, and here was Louise being granted this chance.

‘Yes, that would be amazing, if you’re sure you don’t mind.’ Louise said.

‘I’d be delighted. Let’s go, girl.’ Emma said.

As Louise followed excitedly, eager to spend some quality time with the book reviewer, Emma pointed to the exit up ahead. 

‘I’ll introduce you to the gang. They are waiting outside.’ Emma said.

No sooner had they stepped through the automatic doors, and out into the car-park, the group appeared. They shrieked in delight at the return of their friend from recording her book shop trip. There were seven of them, men and women, all in their early twenties. 

They were all dressed in a similar way to Emma, with dyed hair, denim jackets and tattoos. Seeing all of them together, Louise thought they looked ridiculous. They all seemed to be priding themselves on dressing differently than everyone else, but by doing so, they were all dressed the same as each other. It was almost as if they had a uniform. She was reminded of the way those hipster types all favoured long beards and lumberjack shirts in an attempt to stand out, but in doing so, looked the same as everyone else, trying so hard to be different.

They were all vying for Emma’s attention, talking over each other to be heard. 

Louise was swept along with Emma’s chattering entourage, into a mini-bus. While the others all clamoured to be as near to Emma as they could, Louise plonked herself down in a seat towards the back of the bus. Emma pulled a pair of sunglasses from her back and put them on. That was when she noticed it. She almost burst out laughing. Louise was the only person on the mini-bus not wearing sunglasses. It was a gloomy, overcast day so for everyone in the group to be wearing sunglasses was just ridiculous.

‘So, what have you got coming up, Emma?’ Asked a man in dungarees, as he ran a hand through his peroxide blonde hair.

‘I’m, like, so busy.’ Emma said. ‘I’m filming lots of content that will need editing before posting. I also have live-chats online and then there’s my social media. Next month I am taking my book-group sessions on tour. I’ll be appearing to sell-out bookshops across the country. It’s all go, it really is.’

Louise couldn’t follow the rest of the chatter, as the hangers-on talked over each other, all wanting to bask in the spotlight of Emma’s attention. Whenever Emma said something that was mildly amusing, the group would laugh hysterically. If she passed comment on something, anything, even the weather we were having for this time of year, her entourage would nod and chirp in agreement. Yes, yes, very true, that’s just what I was thinking. 

The group swarmed off the mini-bus and into the penthouse apartment block where Emma was staying for the couple of days while she was in the city. They crammed into the lifts and flocked up to the apartment. They switched on the lamps that were dotted around the apartment. Louise wondered if they would need the lamps if they removed their dark glasses. 

Emma picked up the bedside telephone, and spoke to the room, her hand over the receiver.

‘I fancy a room-service coffee. Who’s with me?’ Emma asked. 

Her supporters called out their orders of fancy coffees, cappuccinos, skinny lattes, and all kinds of other exotic hot drinks that Louise had never heard of. What on earth was a Campachoochoo? Emma relayed the order down the phone before hanging up.

While they sipped their coffees, Emma went over to the stack of books she had bought earlier. She took a photo, posing with the volume, before putting the book back down on the table. Some of the group did the same, picking up a book and taking a selfie photo. Others flicked open the book and posed, pretending to read for the photograph. Louise noticed that the books were being photographed more than they were actually being read. 

At whatever Emma said, her entourage would whoop and cheer, clapping animatedly. They repeated what she said, hanging on her every word. 

The group hung around the room, talking and scrolling on their mobile phones, taking endless selfies with the books.

Finally Louise decided to ask the question that had been on her mind for the past few hours. She got to her feet, and raised her hand, like she was back in school. Emma pointed a perfectly manicured nail.

‘Go on then, Lou-Lou. What have you got to say?’ Emma asked.

The group turned to listen, interested in what the new-comer had to say. 

‘I was just wondering about something. When do you actually sit down and all read these books?’ Louise asked.

‘Sorry, I don’t follow.’ Emma said, while her entourage exchanged confused glances.

‘You’re reviewing the fifteen books you’ve read this week, but I’ve not seen you read a single page all afternoon.’ Louise said.

‘Who has time to read, these days? Nobody actually reads the books that they vlog about and review. For us, it goes beyond actually reading the book. It’s more about the general book aesthetic rather than reading every page. We have a look at the back of the book, have a flick through a couple of pages, check out a few online reviews and then make it up from there.’ Emma said. 

‘Really? Isn’t that cheating?’ Louise asked. 

‘Everyone does it. It’s kind of an open secret in the industry.’

‘So all the other book-streamers do the same? And they all know about it?’ Louise said.

‘Yes, of course. Everybody knows.’ Emma insisted.

‘Apart from those poor saps tuning into your videos.’ Louise said, finishing her cup of coffee.

The suspicions that had been growing all afternoon, had been confirmed. The way Louise saw it, Emma and those like her were simply charlatans. It was cheating, it was lying. There were people out there tuning in and aspiring to be like the famous book vlogger, but it was all a façade. 

Louise, like a lot of people, tuned in to Emma Lee’s videos, and would hear how the vlogger had read a dozen books that week. Louise knew she wasn’t the only viewer who felt a pang of inferiority at the book count. On some weeks, Louise was lucky if she had time to read ten pages a day. That, she had just discovered, was still significantly more than any of these fake reading vloggers.

Louise had to admit, in the time that she had spent with Emma, and the sycophantic company she was keeping, the shine had faded on the famous vlogger. Louise suddenly felt the need for a change of scenery. She wanted to get out of there.

Louise crossed the room, zipping up her coat, and slinging her bag over her shoulder. 

‘I need to be heading home. It’s been lovely to meet you. It has been a real eye-opener.’ Louise said.

‘Are you watching the book-stream video tonight? I’m hosting a live session starting at eight o’clock.’ Emma asked.

Louise stopped on her way to the door and glanced over her shoulder, then replied with a smile.

‘Do you know what I’m doing tonight?’ Louise said. ‘I’m going to read a book. You should try it.’

By Chris Platt

From: United Kingdom