This week’s lovely Bookstagrammer is Ruby, @rubycanread! Like many of us, Ruby is a fan of romantasy, so her feed is full of aesthetic images of seductive fairy tales and mystical meet-cutes. Plus, she loves a bookish meme! Her Bookstagram is a place where book lovers can come together to share a laugh or some tips for growing an online platform. In this interview, Ruby talks all things bookish, from her fictional crushes to what’s on her TBR list and more!
Ruby of @rubycanread
Thanks for joining us! Let’s start the interview!
Where are you from?
I’m from Northern NSW Australia (Near Byron Bay).
Why did you start your Bookstagram?
I was working in the book publishing industry at the time, and I always admired the gorgeous feeds that Bookstagrammers had, so I decided to make my own! I tried taking pictures and different types of Reels, but nothing was really working out until I sort of fell into this niche of Reels that started blowing up. It was great because I’m really not that good at taking photos (although I wish I were!).
What do you want your Instagram to bring to the world?
I want my Instagram to be a hub of connection between readers. I love doing Reels where my followers meet each other in the comments, whether to make friends or get more followers — everyone has a great time! I also love sharing bookish memes or tips about how to grow your Bookstagram.
What’s a fun fact about you?
I live on a farm in the middle of a rainforest!
Who are your favorite Bookstagrammers?
Oh my god, so many! @morallygreykay, @literaryfaery, @_bookgirlnextdoor, @gabriella.guava, @thesassverse, and so many more!
What are your favorite books, and who are your favorite authors?
Anything Ali Hazelwood. I am obsessed! Her writing is just so funny and captivating.
Who’s your fictional crush?
I have always had a massive crush on The Darkling from Shadow and Bone, and Ben Barnes playing him in the TV show just solidified that for me.
What’s on your TBR list?
If you wanted to know every book we would be here for hours, but I’m hoping to read the Throne of Glass series this year and The Hurricane Wars.
What’s your special approach to content?
My special approach is nothing special at all. I really just throw out there everything that my brain thinks of and see what resonates.
What’s your aesthetic / Instagram page theme?
The theme is chaos (I have no theme haha).
How often do you post?
I try to post every day!
What does your Bookstagram mean to you?
Everything — it’s literally changed the course of my life. I never knew that books could have an even more special meaning to me than they already did, and being able to connect with so many incredible authors and Bookstagrammers has been insanely amazing.
What’s your favorite bookstore?
Kinokunyia in Sydney.
Who would you have supply you with a lifetime of books?
Bloomsbury!
Which author would you want to take a selfie with?
Ali Hazelwood.
What’s a book you’ve claimed to have read that you didn’t actually read?
Throne of Glass. I have major fomo and sometimes it’s just easier to pretend, but I am planning to get to it this year!
When did you know you had made it as a Bookstagrammer?
When SZA commented on one of my reels I almost died — it was so unreal that I still don’t believe it happened.
What are your favorite fandoms?
Hands down the Star Wars girlies, specifically Reylo. The fan fiction that comes from their brains? INCREDIBLE.
Do you have any advice for aspiring Bookstagrammers?
Just go for it! No matter what your goal is with your account, you will make some amazing friends and be exposed to some incredible books, so there is really nothing to lose!
Thanks so much to Ruby for telling us all about her gorgeous Bookstagram. Be sure to follow her on Instagram for some incredible romantasy recs and bookish memes!
Check out another amazing Bookstagrammer here!
To browse Ruby’s recommendations and more, click here!
