This week, Bookstr is bringing you an interview from the fantastic Rachel of @bookworm_panda! Her gorgeous floral backdrops, incredible recommendations, and vibrant personality come together in a stunning and cohesive feed. Her page highlights her favorite fantasy and romance recommendations, subscription boxes, giveaways, and merch! Join me as we delve into Rachel’s journey and story as a Bookstagrammer.
Rachel of @bookworm_panda
Instagram | Goodreads
Let’s get started!
Where are you from?
I was born in South Korea, and I live in Virginia.
Why did you start your Bookstagram?
I started my bookstagram in May 2020 while I was at home isolating during the pandemic. I was looking for something fun to do while I was teleworking and living in my room all day, and I also wanted an outlet to talk with people since I wasn’t going into work daily.
What do you want your Instagram to bring to the world?
I want to uplift my favorite books and authors that I read, predominantly focusing on indie authors. There are so many great authors out there who readers still haven’t discovered, and If I can introduce someone to a new favorite book or author, I’m doing something right!
Who are your favorite Bookstagrammers?
I have so many! @inkstains.and.dust is who got me to join Bookstagram! @gingerly_reading, @darjeeling_and_jade, @a.collective.of.books, @aprilreadsandlistens, @nightreads, @anxious.librarian are some of my closest friends and I have so many more people I’m so glad I met on Booksta!
Favorite Books and Authors:
I will read anything, and I love everything I’ve read from Charlie Cochet, NR Walker, Piper Scott, Alice Winters, Riley Hart, Kelex, Rebecca F Kenney, Emma Hamm, Sheena Jolie, and Clio Evans. I also love the Temptation series, and the whole Chicago verse from Ella Frank; Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid; For Real by Alexis Hall; Socially Orcward by Lisa Henry and Sarah Honey; The Murderbot series by Martha Wells; anything that Simone St. James and Riley Sager write; and The Wayward Children series by Seanan McGuire.
Who’s your fictional crush?
Ward Kingston from Charlie Cochet’s Four Kings Security series, and Logan Mitchell from the Temptation series by Ella Frank.
What’s currently on your TBR List?
It’s never-ending and I will die before I read all of my books lol.
What’s Your Special Approach to Content?
I have always loved including flowers and keeping true to my favorite color. I use a lot of portrait mode on my phone camera to get that depth and focus on the central item or book. And I swear by Lightroom to give me the preset filter effects!
What’s your aesthetic / Instagram page theme?
PURPLE lol A whole lot of purple.
How often do you post?
I usually post twice a day during the week and once a day on the weekends.
What does your Bookstagram mean to you?
My Bookstagram means it’s my safe place where I can post and freely talk about the books I love. I don’t have a lot of real life friends who like to read, especially queer romance, so it’s my little corner of the world where I get to have a space to do just that.
What’s your favorite bookstore?
The Ripped Bodice and the Barnes & Noble in Union Square. I go to these stores, and more, every time I visit NYC for work!
Who would you have supply you with a lifetime of books?
The same stores LOL.
When did you know you had made it as a Bookstagrammer?
When I had my first post go viral and hit 50k in reach, and also when I got my very first full PR box from a publisher. I had set out to achieve certain personal goals, and getting ARCs from publishers was a big one for me.
What are your favorite fandoms?
Outside of books, I have been really involved in the Buffy fandom, as well as Doctor Who, Yuri on Ice, and Stucky.
Do you have any advice for aspiring Bookstagrammers?
Always be true to you. I think it’s important to post what you are passionate about and genuinely love, not what is trendy and might get you short-term bursts of popularity.
I also do think that if you have certain goals — if you want to get ARCs from big publishers or indie authors, if you want PR boxes, if you want to be a rep for any bookish companies — then it’s good to have those goals and work towards them, (while also not letting [them] take over your life and add stress). Booksta should be fun at the end of the day, NOT stressful!
And most importantly, talk to people and make friends! With how wild the community can be, it’s so important to have that small group of friends and people you can trust. It’s made all the difference in my 4+ years in the community.
Be sure to check out Rachel’s IG for a gorgeous splash of her favorite purple bookish content!
Want to read about our last Bookstagrammer of the week? Click here!
Click here for books mentioned in this article and more!
