Category: Bookstagram

Meet Our Bookstagrammer of the Week: @stackedshelves

What’s the story of your Bookstagram?

I first started my Bookstagram back in February 2019, as a way to get back into reading fiction after reading almost exclusively academic books and articles for my degree. I was spending so much time browsing other feeds that I thought I may as well give it a shot, and here we are!

image via @stackedshelves

What do you want your Instagram to bring to the world?

Hopefully, to inspire a sense of peace and an escape from reality for anyone who visits my page! And of course, to encourage people to read the books I love. 

Favorite Bookstagrammers?

There are so many great Bookstagrammers out there – some of my favorites include: 

@bookaline 

@amybucklesbookshelf

@riannewrites

@abookishdemon

@bethsbookshelf 

 

Favorite books and authors?

The Great Gatsby, Rebecca, and The Picture of Dorian Gray are some of my favorite books! As for authors, I love Taylor Jenkins-Reid, Bret Easton-Ellis, and Leigh Bardugo. 

TBR List?

At the top of my list is The Night Circus because I read it years ago and can’t remember anything, so I’m in need of a refresh! I’m also very eager to read Ninth House because it sounds amazing. 

image via @stackedshelves

Do you have a special approach to sharing content?

A lot of my followers think I have someone help me take my photos, but 99% of them are taken by myself with a tripod and a self-timer. I set aside an hour or two in a day when I have some free time and try out different outfits and angles until I find a shot that I like. I usually take quite a few photos in the same spot and then scatter them throughout my feed over a few weeks. It’s very lighting dependent – sometimes it’s too bright or too dark and I just have to abandon the thought of taking any photos at all. 

Any specific posting schedule? 

I post once a day, usually in the afternoon/early evening time as that’s when most of my followers are active according to my Insights. Back when I first started out, I was posting multiple times a day to see what content people liked to see from me, but once I had that figured out, I didn’t need to post as much anymore! 

 

What does your Bookstagram mean to you?

It means more than people could know! It got me back into reading again, which I’m so grateful for, and it’s a platform that allows me to connect with so many other book lovers who I’d never get to talk to otherwise. Having it as a project to work on outside of university/my job has also made it a great space for me to have fun and de-stress. 

 

image via @stackedshelves

What publisher would you love to supply you with a lifetime of books?

I would have to say Penguin because Penguin Classics do so many beautiful editions of so many amazing books. I’d love to own all of them if I could!

An author you’d love to take a selfie with?

Taylor Jenkins-Reid! I think she’s so cool and has the most original ideas for books at the moment. 

Favorite book cover?

The Canterbury Classics Word Cloud edition of Jane Eyre (lilac is my favorite color and I love the typography!)

image via @stackedshelves

Aesthetic of your page?

My aesthetic is based on the pairing of books with my outfits, so those are the two fundamental elements underlying my posts. On top of that, my edits are focused around injecting warm tones into my photos to inspire that cozy feeling when you visit my feed. 

Favorite Insta-Post of your own?

My sister helped me take a photo where I’m lying on my bed in a gold dress with books scattered around me – I really love that one. It was hard to set up and get the angles right, but all good fun, and I love the way the edit came out. 

image via @stackedshelves

When did you know you had made it as a Bookstagrammer?

Probably around when I started to gain a lot more followers after changing up my photos to include my outfits in the shot. I don’t think you necessarily need to have a lot of followers to make it as a Bookstagrammer, but because I started seeing this growth after changing my aesthetic, I knew I had hit upon my ‘niche’. 

Involvement in any fandoms?

I wouldn’t say I’m particularly into fandoms anymore, but when I was younger I was such a Twihard. I had a framed photo of Edward and Bella next to my bed, I had special hand-painted Twilight converse, I lived in Team Edward T-shirts…it was very intense when I look back on it now. But I think it’s cool for people to be super into things! And I’d be lying if I said I didn’t still love Twilight. 

 

Additional bookishness for our audience?

Keep reading! And never let anyone make you feel bad for loving books – when I was younger I was always made to feel weird for being a reader, but there are so many people out there who share the same interests as you! It just takes time to find them.

Advice for aspiring ‘grammers?

Post regularly and interact as much as possible with other accounts – it’s definitely the way to embed yourself in the community! 

image via @stackedshelves

Fun fact?

I used to be a shelf stacker in a library and that’s where my Bookstagram username came from! 

Well, what did you think about @stackedshelves? I would totally steal her wardrobe if I could! Do you have a favorite Bookstagrammer in mind? Contact us through any of our social media platforms and you just might see them here next week! 

featured image via @stackedshelves

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Meet Our Bookstagrammer of the Week: @bookish.bones

What is the story of your Bookstagram?

Around the time I started college, I saw that Instagram had featured a “Bookstagram” account. I clicked on it and was so fascinated to find photos of books and a bookshelf covered in string lights like the treasure trove it really was. I was even more amazed by the fact that she [the user] was able to share these types of photos and become so popular. I had posted a few book photos on my own personal account, but most of the people I knew in real life didn’t share my love of reading. I was actually nervous I would annoy them with all my book photos. 

IMAge via @bookish.bones

I finally went about creating my own Bookstagram account where I wasn’t worried about annoying anyone or being judged for taking photos of books. In fact, I kept my account completely anonymous for the first few months since I didn’t want any reason to think I couldn’t just be my nerdy self. Hence why my name is still Kris on my page, even though everyone in real life calls me by my full name, Kristen. 

Low and behold, a handful of years later and I barely get on my normal account anymore. I never knew how to get my introverted self connected to other bookworms before, or even how many there actually are out there, but now that I’ve found a way that mixes my love for stories with photography, I’ve never gone back. 

 

Fun fact your followers may not know?

Despite loving to read in general, I typically did not enjoy the material I was required to read for school! I always grew frustrated trying to decipher it and yearned to read more modern stories that were not only more to the point and faster-paced, but also fueled that imaginative, curious spark inside me. To this day, I still haven’t picked up a classic of my own volition, but I’m hoping to try Pride and Prejudice one day, or perhaps Wuthering Heights.

image via @bookish.bones

Favorite Bookstagrammers?

This is a dangerous question. I could probably fill pages with usernames of accounts I adore, but here are a few I’m limiting myself to for now:

Amber from @YearOfAMillionReads has been a huge inspiration, a great friend, and a fellow cat mom. I often find myself picking up books she’s just finished like I’m a mouse behind her trail of crumbs. I honestly don’t understand how her account isn’t of massive proportions yet.

Another is @Br.enda, a Bookstagram queen and one of the friendliest ones at that! Despite the size of her account, she regularly engages with so many fellow Bookstagrammers of different audiences. She was another huge inspiration to me, and you can always count on her for an honest review and for her bubbly, uplifting personality. 

A few more to check out are Seline from @lifebytheink, Wulan from @twinklingchapters, Joee from @booksandacupofjoee, and gosh I need to make myself stop here! 

 

Favorite Books and Authors?

I am trash for Sarah J. Maas’s books. Harry Potter, Goosebumps, and Sarah Dessen’s contemporaries are also big factors in why I grew up to love reading. A few more notable favorites this year have been Serpent and Dove by Shelby Mahurin, Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson, Dance of Thieves by Mary E. Pearson, There Will Come a Darkness by Katy Rose Pool, The Kiss Quotient and The Bride Test by Helen Hoang, and I’m just getting into R.S. Grey’s romantic comedies and falling in love with her characters too!

 

TBR List?

I’m very much a mood reader nowadays, but I’ve just started the Stalking Jack the Ripper series! I would also like to dig into the Renegades and The Cruel Prince trilogies before the year ends.

image via @bookish.bones

Do you have a special approach to sharing content?

There’s a lot of thought and effort that goes into my account, but I do tend to use the same setups when taking batches of photos and then alternate between those styles.

 

Posting schedule?

I tend to post daily, though I’m also a writer and with Nano coming up I’m slowing down to about every other day instead. 

 

 

What does your Bookstagram mean to you?

It feels silly, but it’s really such a huge outlet for me. It’s not just a place to post book photos and try to get likes. It’s where my bookish friends are. It’s the most welcoming, laid back community, and it’s where I think I’m most understood- besides with my husband (he’s amazing). 

 

What publisher would you choose to supply you with a lifetime of books?

Perhaps @Fiercereads!

image via @bookish.bones

Which author would you love to take a selfie with?

Sarah J. Maas, though I would probably act like a fish out of water and forget how to speak. Or breathe.

 

Favorite book cover?

I’m a notorious cover buyer, but maybe Even the Darkest Stars by Heather Fawcett.

image via @bookish.bones

What is the aesthetic of your Instagram?

Bright and white with pops of bokeh, color and cat bombs… hard to nail down!

 

When did you know you had made it as a Bookstagrammer?

I think even accounts bigger than mine don’t ever truly feel like they’ve “made it,” but I will say I was beyond elated when I first passed 100 followers, and then much later 1,000. I think the experience for me really began to blossom and bloom when I started making friends and being more consistent with posting. I’ve also seen a lot more growth ever since I got an actual camera this past Christmas, but that is not to say you need a fancy, expensive camera to have a successful Bookstagram!

 

Advice for people interested in becoming Bookstragrammers?

Yes! I actually have a story on my page called Bookstagram Beginners that is the guide I would have wrote for myself starting out. I have one more segment to add there soon, but it’s nearly complete. Besides that: Use natural light, give yourself plenty of time to experiment while starting out, and make new friends!

image via @bookish.bones

Additional Bookishness?

If you have a cat, the string lights around your bookshelves miiight not work out…

 

What did you think of Kris? Has she inspired you to create your own visual diary of books?! Given the state of our world at the moment, this certainly makes for the perfect quarantine activity. Once again, thanks for tuning into our “Bookstagrammer of the Week.” We’ll catch you next time!

featured image via @bookish.bones

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Meet Our Bookstagrammer of the Week: @britishbookreader

What is the story of your Bookstagram?

I created my Instagram in 2011, though at the time it was just my personal account. I didn’t really set out to create a Bookstagram, I just shared my life which happened to be very bookish! Over time, readers began to notice me and for a while, I did lean more into the community. However, this year I went back to it being my personal account that also happens to be a Bookstagram, if that makes sense! In other words, my account is my life, told through book photos.

What do you want your Instagram to bring to the world?

I want it to be a cozy, bookish corner of the internet that gives people a safe and welcoming space to be inspired and share their love of books.

image via @britishbookreader

Fun fact that your followers may not know?

One fun fact about me is…I love facts! I’m a big “did you know” person and I have a book of 2,000 facts beside my bed that I read every night. 

Favorite Bookstagrammers?

I love so many: @blogaboutalatte, @themusicofalice, @reader_vvn,  @spicypages, and @thelibraryofpeculiar all come to mind. I’ve known some of them for years and they’re the sweetest, most genuinely kind people ever! Plus, their accounts are gorgeous and I love watching their stories.

 

 

Favorite Books and Authors?

I don’t have a single favorite author or book, but I love ‘The Secret History’ by Donna Tartt, ‘The Truth About Keeping Secrets’ by Savannah Brown, and ‘The Hunger Games’ by Suzanne Collins.

TBR List?

Oh my gosh, so many! ‘The Goldfinch’ by Donna Tartt, ‘A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder’ by Holly Jackson, ‘The Testaments’ by Margaret Atwood, and ‘Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine’ by Gail Honeyman. I’m also on a real self-help kick right now, so lots of those books too!

Do you have any special approach to sharing content?

I try to be as authentic and honest as possible. My followers know me very well and I think that’s because they’re genuinely a part of my life. I don’t think I do anything special other than share myself in a very organic way.

image via @britishbookreader

How about a posting schedule?

My schedule is fairly loose. I tend to post on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, but only if I’m in the mood. I went through a slump a while ago where social media felt very toxic and the whole process became so mechanical. It had become a numbers game for me and I felt forced to post photos out of fear of falling behind. An uncomfortable weight hovered over me on evenings I knew I had to post, so I ended up taking a break to reset my mind and when I came back, I only cared about creating a happy online space for myself and my followers, regardless of how many there were.

I do keep it professional, of course, since it is still a part-time job for me, but authenticity and mental health come first. I won’t post anything unless I want to.

What does your Bookstagram mean to you?

It’s my creative space, first and foremost. I love having a platform to share my passions and life, like a virtual diary. But it’s also the root from which everything else derives. My art business, my collaborations, my future career as an author, events I attend, etc. – they all stem from my Bookstagram platform, so it’s extremely important to me both personally and professionally.

Which publisher would you choose to supply you with a lifetime of books?

Oh, that’s hard! Maybe Harper Collins. Their YA section is brilliant.

 

 

Author to take a selfie with?

I’ve met a lot of authors but the only one I’ve asked for a selfie with is Alice Oseman, so I suppose my answer should be her!

Favorite Book Cover?

I love the meaningful, plain white cover of ‘Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine’.

image via @britishbookreader

Aesthetic / Instagram page theme?

Definitely cozy and warm (and bookish, of course). I built my aesthetic around my life, so my feed is gold, brown, and beige because my house and city are those colors. As I said, this is my personal account first and foremost.

When did you know you had made it as a Bookstagrammer?

I didn’t until just now! [Laughs]

I suppose when I hit 10,000 followers, and people started asking to meet me in person, which was surreal. Then when I did start meeting followers in real life, they were so lovely and complimentary, it made me realize the effect my little Bookstagram was having on real people. Also, getting free books and earning money from my account were good signs too! I’ve recently been getting some very exciting collaboration offers that remind me that the outside world knows I exist!

Fandoms?

Harry Potter and Gilmore Girls (Team Jess!) 

 

 

Advice for people interested in becoming Bookstagrammers?

Do it! It’s so much fun and the community is so welcoming.

Just remember to create a corner of the internet you’re happy to spend time in, and don’t worry about the numbers. This is your space to share whatever you want. You get to design and create your world, so enjoy it! If people come, that’s just a bonus. Also, make sure to let me know when you join so I can peep your account!

image via @britishbookreader

Any additional bookishness to share with our audience?

If you like bookish gifts, art, reading trackers, prints, or bookmarks feel free to check out my Etsy shop ‘britishbookart’. I do a lot of book-related products but the main things are painted characters on their book pages. The Harry Potter-themed ones are the most popular(my art account is @britishbookart on Instagram).

image via @britishbookart

What did you think of @britishbookreader?

featured image via @britishbookreader

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Meet Our Bookstagrammer of the Week: @booknerdbecky

How did you first get into bookstagramming?

When I first created my Instagram account, I had no idea that there were readers around the world who shared their love for reading with beautiful photos of books. I started following bookish accounts that inspired me and I remember adding a lot of books to my TBR list from that very first day. After seeing so many beautiful bookish photos, I decided to start my own Bookstagram account, but I didn’t start to post right away. At first, I was nervous because I kept wondering, “what if no one likes my content?” I also didn’t know anything about photography. Then one day, I was reading an ebook on my nook and decided to take a photo and post it right away… that was the very first photo I posted on my account. Since then, Bookstagram has been an amazing, fun, and incredible experience.

What do you want your Instagram to bring to the world?

I like to share my love for books through photos in hopes that someone might consider reading one based on my recommendation. It means a lot when readers reach out to tell me how they have discovered a new favorite book, or show, because of me and how they trust my opinion.

IMAGE VIA @booknerdbecky

 

Favorite Bookstagrammers?

@booknerd_reads

@myfriendsarefiction

@thereaderandthechef

@inquisitivebookworm

@everlasting.charm

@reverieandink

IMAGE VIA @booknerdbecky

Favorite authors?

– Joanna Hathaway

– Brigid Kemmerer 

– Julie C. Dao

– Leigh Bardugo

– Sarah Glenn Marsh

– Julie Israel

– Jodi Meadows

– Demetra Brodsky

– Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka 

 

 

Favorite Reads?

– ‘All The Stars and Teeth’ by Adalyn Grace

– ‘Woven in Moonlight’ by Isabel Ibañez

– ‘The Cruel Prince’ by Holly Black

– ‘Time of Our Lives’ by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka

What is your Bookstagram aesthetic?

I like to think my aesthetic is kind of cozy and warm vibes.

Do you have any special approach to sharing content?

If you look through the photos on my Bookstagram, you will see how much my theme has changed. I have to say, I’m pretty happy with how the current one looks. I used to take my photos the same day I posted them and become stressed about them not looking the way I wanted. Now that I take my photos on the weekend, I have more time to choose the books I want to feature and focus on how I want my photos to look.

 

Do you have a specific posting schedule?

I like to post my photos between 12:00 am and 2:00 pm! I didn’t have a posting schedule before, but I figured having one would help me to be more organized. I try to post every single day but if for whatever reason I can’t, that’s okay. Ever since I started to take my photos on the weekends, I’ve been able to post more regularly.

What does your Bookstagram mean to you?

Everything! It’s a space where I can share my opinions and my love for books. It’s also the place where I’ve been able to meet so many amazing readers who I can talk about books with all the time.

IMAGE VIA @booknerdbecky

What author would you love to get a selfie with?

Leigh Bardugo [author of the novel shown below]. I love her books and her incredible characters so much, it would be amazing to meet her.

Favorite Book Cover?

There are so many to choose from, but I’d have to say King of Scars. I love the design so much. 

IMAGE VIA @booknerdbecky

When did you know you’d made it as a Bookstagrammer?

When someone told me they got a book because of a photo they saw on my Bookstagram account.

Well, what did you think about Rebecca? Do you have a favorite Bookstagrammer in mind? Contact us through any of our social media platforms and you might just see them here next week!

Featured image via @booknerdbecky

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Meet Our Bookstagrammer of the Week: @michellereadsbooks

How did you first get into bookstagramming?

I signed up for Bookstagram in January 2018 on a whim after I stumbled upon a few other Bookstagram accounts looking for a project to get me through the long Boston winters. I had recently committed to a New Year’s resolution of not watching TV for the year and so I had been reading more than ever before. I joined the community as a way to share what I was reading, take creative photos, and connect with other readers. It motivates me to know that my account may be helping someone get back into reading. It’s the best when someone says they came across my account and were inspired to start reading more. It’s also very motivating when people pick up the books that I share or recommend. I love getting messages from friends that say, “I’m reading that book you shared, and I love it!” It’s been such a nice way to connect, or reconnect, over the love of reading. 

Where are you from?

I grew up in Connecticut, but went to college in Boston and lived there until last summer when I moved to NYC.

What do you want your Instagram to bring to the world?

I hope that it brings motivation to everyone to incorporate more reading into their lives. In today’s tech-dominated world, I hear a lot of people claim that they can’t find time to read, but it’s all about prioritizing and finding what you love.

 

IMAGE VIA @MICHELLEREADSBOOKS

Fun fact?

I went to a performing arts high school for classical piano performance! I played for a number of years, but haven’t spent much time playing since college.

 

Favorite Bookstagrammers?

This is a tough one because there are so many and it’s always changing!

 

For book recs:

@somekindofalibrary

@layoversandliterature

@nycbookgirl

@readingbringsjoy

@booksonherbrain

 

For beautiful book photos:

@clumsy.words

@novellevague

@coffeeandbookss

@thebibliotheque

@the_spines

IMAGE VIA @michellereadsbooks

Favorite Books and Authors?

So many! Here are a few of my favorite books by my favorite authors:

Look Alive Out There – Sloane Crosley

Normal People – Sally Rooney

Circe – Madeline Miller

Middlesex – Jeffrey Eugenides

 

Do you have any special approach to sharing content?

Using Bookstagram as a creative outlet is a big part of why I started. Typically, I wait for a sunny day so that I can have good light. Then, I have a couple of “buckets” that my content falls into: book reviews, upcoming releases I’m excited to read, and general bookish photos. I try to create a mix of this content to keep from sharing too much of one type. 

Do you have a specific posting schedule?

I generally try to post five times per week on weekdays. I use the Instagram analytics and have found that mornings are when the majority of my followers are most active. I generally try to take one weekend day off from social media and the other I’ll usually try to share content to my stories instead of my regular feed. 

What does your Bookstagram mean to you?

I view it as a creative outlet and a place to share a visual diary of my reading life. Over time, I have really come to value the connections I’ve made through my page. I love seeing my online friends post and having the opportunity to meet them in real life! That’s one of the coolest things about Bookstagram; how it has connected me to some real-life friends.

IMAGE VIA @Michellelovesbooks

What publisher would you choose to supply you with a lifetime of books?

Oh, I’d have to go with Riverhead books. I’ll read anything they publish and I appreciate that they publish such diverse topics and voices.

What author would you love to get a selfie with?

I have a thought that I never want to meet anyone famous that I idolize because I don’t want them to ruin whatever impression I have of them in my mind. But if I had to choose one, I’d say Sloane Crosley. I feel like she would be so funny and easy-going in person. 

Favorite Book Cover?

Recently I’ve been obsessed with The Dutch House by Ann Patchett. It’s such a beautiful cover and I love that I was able to discover a new artist through it. 

IMAGE VIA @MICHELLEREADSBOOKS

When did you know you’d made it as a Bookstagrammer?

I think there have been a series of small moments. As each of them happened, it felt like a small victory. The first time that I requested an ARC (Advanced Review Copy) from a publisher and received it felt like a big moment. When I hit 10,000 followers, that felt like another big moment. Recently I’ve started receiving requests for interviews (like this!) and that, in a small way, also feels like I’ve made it.  

 

Any advice for aspiring Bookstagrammers?

I’d say stay true to the reason that you started your page and don’t pay too much attention to the numbers. Bookstagram should be fun, but I often see people stressing over the numbers or algorithms! If you share the content you like and are genuine, then that is the best. I’d also say learn as much as possible. I had no idea about social media strategy when I started, but I found myself becoming increasingly interested in understanding how it works so I researched things, read blogs, and talked to other bookstagrammers whose pages I admired. That keeps it fun, too, because you constantly get to try new things and see how people respond to it (I’m a bit of a data nerd so I love looking at the analytics). 

Well, what did you think about Michelle? Do you have a favorite Bookstagrammer in mind? Contact us through any of our social media platforms and you might just see them here next week!

Featured image via @michellereadsbooks


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