Welcome to another installment of Bookstr’s Bookstagrammer of the Week where we feature and take a look at some of the best Bookstagram accounts out there. This week’s Bookstagrammer is Alexandra of @as_thornton from Northern California! A writer, veterinarian, and a Bookstagrammer, Alexandra can do it all. She started her Bookstagram account in 2015 and now she has an impressive following of more than 27.6k to share her love of books with.
Alexandra has a gorgeous collection of books and through her Instagram, “hope[s] for nothing ground-breaking, just to show that books are beautiful both when seen from the outside and the inside.” Now let’s get to know more about Alexandra and her Bookstagram!
Get to know Alexandra!
Why did you start your Bookstagram?
I started it in April 2015. I had the cutest edition of The Jungle Book, so I held it up in front of a bush, threw an awful filter on it, and snapped the photo. Needless to say, it’s gone from my bookstagram’s history!
Fun Fact about you:
I am a veterinarian for dogs and cats, and I have four cats of my own. (Uh-oh, that’s two facts isn’t it?)
Who would you have supply you with a lifetime of books?
TheBookDepsitory.com, because not only would I get all my fun reads from them, I’d get all of my beautiful classics, too!
Favorite Bookstore:
Any that I can browse and browse and browse and browse. That is to say, all of them.
Additional bookishness.
My debut adult fantasy novel, DAUGHTER OF THE SALT KING, comes out early 2021! If you like ancient deserts, magical jinn, and forbidden love, go add it to your Goodreads TBR.
Bookish facts about Alexandra
Favorite Bookstagrammers:
At this point my favorite bookstagrammers are really just some of my best social media friends. These include Casey (@caseyrosereads), Sara (@novel.novice), and Milana (@acouplereads) to name a few. I’m sure there are loads more I am missing and for that I already feel terrible!
Favorite Books and Authors:
I adore everything Amy Harmon writes, because she writes my kind of love story (subtle, sweet, and tense!). Other favorite books: THE SONG OF ACHILLES by Madeline Miller and THE BRONZE HORSEMAN by Paullina Simons (both are deliciously heartbreaking love stories, which is what I live for).
Fictional Crush:
Matthew Clairmont from A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES by Deborah Harkness. *swoon* What a man. But I’d be remiss not to include Edward Cullen–DON’T JUDGE ME–and Rhysand.
TBR List:
Right now I have NOTHING on my TBR, because I’m in the midst of edits for my own novel. I can’t read anything when I’m working on my own stuff, because I get intense imposter syndrome and feel like everyone writes infinitely better than me.
Author to take a selfie with:
Paullina Simons, because I don’t think there’s a book in the world I love as much as I loved THE BRONZE HORSEMAN.
Favorite book cover:
THERE ARE SO MANY. I don’t think I can tell you a single favorite, but I can tell you I rarely like covers with people on them.
Book you have claimed to have read that you didn’t:
None. I see no reason to claim I’ve read something at this point in my life. I’ll proudly say NO I HAVEN’T READ THAT ONE AND I’M NOT GONNA.
Favorite fandoms:
I used to be into fandoms so much more, but now I find that I’m less interested in them. Gosh, I’m boring, aren’t I?
Let’s talk Bookstagram
What’s your special approach to content?
I’m all about bookish rainbows.
Aesthetic / Instagram page theme:
I don’t have a theme, because I’m lazy and not able to be that coordinated. So I use the cheater method, instead: a consistent filter.
How often do you post?
I used to post daily, but work and life has gotten so busy that now I try to post 3-4 times per week.
What does your Bookstagram mean to you?
Oh goodness, I could get so sappy here. I can’t even begin to describe what the book community means to me. Not only have I found so many reader and writer friends that I have made very close connections with, it got me started writing again. I wouldn’t be getting a book published today if it weren’t for the book community. I am living my dream because bookstagram exists. *starts crying*
When did you know you had made it as a Bookstagrammer?
When I started getting trolls commenting on my posts! Every time I see a negative comment, I get so gleeful! That’s true success right there, guys.
Advice for aspiring Bookstagrammers:
Bookstagramming does not require fancy equipment or expensive props! I use my phone for everything and do minimal (if any) editing!
If you enjoyed reading about this week’s Bookstagrammer, take a look at the Bookstagrammer we featured last week here!