Get your scrolling thumb ready because it’s time for this week’s bookstagram! Today we are featuring Elise/@abookandacup. Her French roots seep into her posts creating a beautiful and romantic aesthetic.
Why did you start your Bookstagram:
I started bookstagram in October 2015 (well that’s my first bookish photo at least) but didn’t really go into it until the Spring of 2017. That’s when I discovered A Court of Thorns and Roses and got caught up in the fandom associated with this series haha. I started following people on bookstagram, and talking with them and basically discovering the bookstagram community. And I rediscovered the joy that it is to talk about books, share what you read with others, especially with people who understand why you can be SO obsessed with a book or character. So I guess that’s why I started my bookstagram, because I had found a place where my love for books was understood and shared :) And I also realized I loved to take pretty photos of books haha.
Where are you from:
I’m from France but I have been living in Canada for 5 years now.
What do you want your Instagram to bring to the world?
That’s a complicated question… I never considered my instagram as “bringing something to the world”, that seems a bit big you know? I do not hope to do that much. All I want for my bookstagram is to make people fall in love with books, allow them to discover new stories and authors. More recently though, namely with the BlackLivesMatter movement, I was reminded that I could do more, that I could use my platform to promote diverse authors and stories, to expand people’s visions of the world we live in, and hopefully become more aware of the inequities in our society. I want my Instagram to play a role in informing and educating people, by sharing stories that are important and that we need to read more. Stories by BIPOC authors, by trans authors, and by #Ownvoices in general. I hope that by reading these stories, I will personally be more aware and have a better understanding of the issues and struggles that people who are different than me go through. And I hope that it will do the same for my followers.
Fun fact about you?
I always read several books at the same time! Usually, it’s one in English, one in French, and one audiobook!
image via @abookandacup
Favorite Bookstagrammers?
There are so many accounts I love on booksta, whether it’s because of their gorgeous photos, or the books they promote, but mostly, because we became friends! I can’t name them all, but here are a few:
@Coffeeandwashitape: Emily is one of the first friends I made here, in Montreal, separate from bookstagram. But she joined us a little while ago and I couldn’t be happier. If you look for queer and non fiction recs, she is THE one you must go to! Emily is very engaged regarding BIPOC, queer and other #OwnVoices rights and she is one of the persons I can say makes me a better human being. She is also a big Murderino!
@Anovelescape: Kelsea is talented, so creative (on booksta and IRL), and one of the first friends I made here! She always makes me discover new books and we have great discussions regarding diversity in books. She is also a writer and I am one of her biggest fans!
@Apireading: Anne-Pauline is another beautiful person I met thanks to booksta. We even got lucky enough to see each other IRL! She is extra-funny and obsessed with a lot of celebrities (and I love her for that!). Her book reviews are always super informative and with her, you know that every word she says is meant!
@Elliriny.books: Ellie is SO SO SO talented, just look at her photos! We live farther away than you can imagine, but still hope to meet one day and take photos together in Hong Kong haha! I always admire what Ellie does and she is a real inspiration
@Bowtiesandbooks: this is one of the accounts I discovered thanks to Emily actually! They are a black Chicanx and trans non-binary, they mix yoga and books with talent and have amazing book recs! They also manage the enbybookclub and I invite you all to join it!
Favorite Books and Authors?
Daughter of Smoke and Bone – Laini Taylor: it makes me feel all the feels!
The Poet X – Elizabeth Acevedo: so much power in her words, and it’s slam poetry.
The House in the Cerulean Sea – TJ Klune: addressing so many important topics in such a sweet and gentle way, for children and adults alike!
Star-touched Queen – Roshani Chokshi: incredibly beautiful!
The Way of Kings – Brandon Sanderson: a fantasy series big enough to build a house with!
Fictional Crush:
This changes pretty often actually! My last big crush was Ruhn from Crescent City by Sarah J Maas. What can I say: handsome, magical and with emotional wounds… what else can I ask for?
image via @abookandacup
TBR List:
I have over 100 books on my TBR so that could be long! But here are the ones on top:
The Extraordinaries – TJ Klune
Dear Martin – Nic Stone
Hood Feminism – Mikki Kendall
My Calamity Jane – Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, Jodi Meadows
What’s your special approach to content?
For me, one of the most important thing is honesty. It is what I hope to find when I read a post or review from someone else, so it is what I want to give too!
Aesthetic / Instagram page theme:
I’ve changed my theme a lot through time, but for a year now, I’ve only been doing outdoor photos and I love it! It keeps them simple and focused on the book, while also using my environment and all the seasons to play with!
image via @abookandacup
How often do you post?
I post between 4-6 times a week. I like to have some days off during the week!
What does your Bookstagram mean to you?
Everything. Maybe that’s a bit intense but having a place where people understand your love for books, where I can be creative and have fun with my photos, and where I have met so many friends, of course it’s super important for me!
Favorite Bookstore?
There is this 1$ bookstore near Montreal, it’s all used books and you never know what you will find, which I love! Book hunting is my favorite sport. Also, all the profits go to support an organization offering healthcare services for free.
Who would you have supply you with a lifetime of books:
Kelsea. She has analyzed my bookish tastes so well she can always tell if I’d like a book or not!
Author to take a selfie with:
Laini Taylor please!!! Though I’d probably be too emotional for the selfie to be good!
Favorite book cover?
It’s hard but I think I’ll go with The Language of Thorns by Leigh Bardugo!
image via amazon
Book you have claimed to have read that you didn’t?
I have never done that. I don’t really see the point to be honest, and don’t you think it would be quite against my approach of honesty haha?
When did you know you had made it as a Bookstagrammer?
For me, you make it as a bookstagrammer as long as you post book photos regularly. If you are part of the bookstagram community, you are a bookstagrammer. It has nothing to do with likes or number of followers or partnerships or anything like that. It is just about reading books and sharing that interest via Instagram.
Favorite fandoms:
Fandoms in general? Supernatural and Marvel for sure! And in the book world, I would say Percy Jackson and I also have some bursts of A Court of Thorns and Roses/Crescent City obsession ahahaha (blaming all the sexy Faes for that!)
image via @abookandacup
Advice for aspiring Bookstagrammers:
I know it is silly but: be yourself. But also: question yourself: what do you want to share? Why? How can you bring more diversity to what you read and talk about? How can you expand (and help others expand) how you (they) see the world and others? Be open to other people’s experiences and be curious. On a more practical level: experiment to find a theme that works for you, post regularly, interact with other accounts, and use hashtags!
Additional bookishness:
Am I allowed to say my shop The Moon Tales? It is bookish after all :p I do bracelet inspired by books and pop culture with gemstones
