This week, we spotlight Bookstagrammer Eboni, @thelovelythings505! Step into her cozy world of classics to celebrate timeless literature with stunning and thoughtful images, annotations, and discussions. Eboni uplifts her audience, welcoming beginner and expert classics readers to her page and uniting them with all of the bookish indulgences. In this interview, Eboni shares inspiring insight into her Bookstgrammer methodology, letting us get to know her and the magic behind her page!
Eboni Thompson of @thelovelythings505
Instagram | TikTok
Thank you for joining us! Let’s start the interview!
Why did you start your Bookstagram?
Before I even knew what “Bookstagram” was, I was always so inspired by the beautiful photos of books that I would see pop up on my feed. I have always loved books, and when I saw that there was a space to take pictures and appreciate them, I knew I wanted to be a part of that community. Slowly, I started growing my classics collection, reading more, and eventually, I started annotating every book that I’ve read, and I haven’t looked back since!
What do you want your Instagram to bring to the world?
I want to make classic literature more accessible to everyone, and not just in an academic setting. I want to encourage people to read these timeless works and see why they are still mentioned after all these years. I think there are many things to learn from classic literature, and I think everyone should be able to enjoy these books. I also want to encourage people to look deeper into the books they read and to find meaning for themselves in the lines written – which is why I annotate and encourage everyone to try it out when they read! Annotating has made reading classic literature so much more personal, and I get so much out of reading now that I do it!
What’s a fun fact about you?
I’ve been a Theatre kid since I was in elementary school. I have a BA in Theatre & Fine Arts, so I try to incorporate plays, especially Shakespeare, on my page as much as possible! I’ve acted in many plays and even acted in a play festival in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, where I won an award for best actress!
What’s your aesthetic / Instagram theme?
I would call my aesthetic cozy, bookish academia! When someone comes to my page, I want them to feel welcome and as if they were in a library or bookstore surrounded by their favorite books. I encourage everyone to have conversations in the comments and to create a community amongst each other. Think of it as a place where we all gather together and bond over our love of literature. I want everyone to feel safe and welcome when they see my posts.
What are your favorite books, and who are your favorite authors?
My favorite books are Romeo and Juliet, Jane Eyre, and The Brothers Karamazov. My Favorite authors are Shakespeare, Dostoyevsky, Toni Morrison, and Sylvia Plath. I love authors who can make me feel something emotionally and think about things in a different way. All of these books and authors do that for me!
Who would you have supply you with a lifetime of books?
PENGUIN CLASSICS. They are my favorite publisher, and I own so many books by them. I’m always adding more to my collection, and I just adore everything about them! They’re so beautiful and are perfect for when I annotate my books!
Any advice for aspiring Bookstagrammers?
Create content that means something to you. Don’t just follow trends unless you have something to say about them. It’s absolutely okay to like popular books, but give your reasons as to why they mean something to you. Create the space that you need and want to see, and the right people will find you! But most importantly, HAVE FUN! If you stop having fun with the content that you’re creating, you will surely get burnt out.
When did you know you had made it as a Bookstagrammer?
Probably when I was asked to do an interview for The Washington Post, where I talked about my love of annotating and how I create my content! Having thelovelythings505 mentioned in an article for The Washington Post was beyond what I ever imagined when I created this page. It was such a special experience for me and one that I will always cherish! I still can’t believe that it happened!
Huge thank you to Eboni for allowing us a glimpse into her world as an amazing Bookstagrammer! Make sure to follow Eboni on Instagram and TikTok! You are sure to love her and her content!
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