Hello and welcome to The Tattooed Book
Are you ready to fall in love with books, or are you already head over heels? Either way, you’ve come to the right place. Whether it’s book reviews, news or anything book related, you’ll find it here. Originally, The Tattooed Book was strictly a book review blog, but I’m also interested in news, gossip, and general pop culture, so I’ll branch out from time to time. Recently, I’ve been listening to more audiobooks and podcasts, so you’ll probably see more about them as well.
Considering I launched The Tattooed Book over a decade ago, I guess it’s time to do an ‘About me’ page. I know, rushing the relationship; call me needy.
How I started reviewing
I started The Tattooed Book when I worked at Waterstones in Guildford High Street. I was devouring roughly three books a week, but I suffer from Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS), Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), and that can take a toll on my memory. I started writing reviews to help me remember the details about what I’d read and how I felt about it. I was quite surprised when people actually started reading my reviews, but from there, I was hooked. My concept for The Tattooed Book has evolved from a personal journal to a website where I could help people find their perfect reads. This way, I never have to stop being a bookseller.
I adored running the front of the store at Waterstones. I had a great time there, and thanks to my wonderful manager (Erika, you changed my life in the best possible way), I was shortlisted for Young Bookseller of the Year at The Bookseller Industry Awards. Bookselling and running events also meant I got to meet incredible authors such as Peter James, Eowyn Ivey and even Corey Taylor from Slipknot. But all good things come to an end, and as my pay stayed the same, my bills increased, I had to move on. On that note, pay booksellers a living wage!
Career
I have a degree in Animal Management, qualifying me for absolutely nothing (I had the worst career advice ever), and I struggled to find work after graduating. After being approached on MySpace (showing my age), I ended up doing clothes modelling, hair modelling and background work until I fell into books. I worked with Jamie Stevens for British Hairdresser of the Year, did a season for Toxico clothing and you can find me in several music videos, including one for Bring Me the Horizon. I was once given the perfect backhanded compliment of ‘you’re perfect for make-up, your face is so blank without it. There’s nothing going on at all.’ If you can beat that one, let me know, I’d love to hear it.
Since I started The Tattooed Book, I’ve been lucky enough to work with some wonderful people and have had articles published by a number of outlets, including The Bookseller, The Guardian, Starburst Magazine, We Love This Book and Things and Ink magazine.
I am currently a senior content writer in the financial sector, and I aim to start my own content marketing company in the future.
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Book themes for The Tattooed Book – updated for 2026
The book that rekindled my love for reading (after university textbooks killed it completely) was Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. I bought a cheap copy from beside the till in HMV because I liked the cover. From that day on, I have been a huge fan of dark, gothic fiction.
To make a long story short, if a book is considered bleak, I’ll probably enjoy it. Whether that’s horror, true crime, psychological thrillers or translated literary fiction. However, literary curve balls and book club reads often sneak into my favourites too.
Here are some themes I love:
- Japanese fiction
- Feminist fiction
- Frankenstein reimagining
- Weird girl fiction
- Tattoos
- Space
- Witches
- Neurology
- Big twists you never see coming
- Graphic novels (especially Image and DC Young Animal)
Some favourite books of mine are Bird Box by Josh Malerman, The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey, and I’m currently devouring a lot of weird girl fiction and have a lot more on my TBR. Want a better idea of what I enjoy? Check out my favourite books.
When I’m not reading or writing, I love going to the cinema, swimming and hanging out with friends.
If you’re looking for somewhere to start on my blog, here are a couple of my favourite posts to get you going:
Book review of Skin by Roald Dahl
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Thanks for stopping by at The Tattooed Book; I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I’ve had fun making it.
Much love,
Cara