It was just over a year ago that I began tentatively posting about my book on social media, which was (and still is) quite scary. Promoting your own work can feel ostentatious, desperate and fake at times and, of course, if you add in the old imposter syndrome it can feel very daunting. As I dipped my toe into the water, I thought it would be a good idea to search for book reviewers. There’s an account for everything on Instagram so there must be book review pages, right? I had never heard of ‘Bookstagram’; an Instagram community made up of people who adore books and not only post reviews but engage in giveaways, discussions and plenty of book related challenges. When I stumbled across it, I was amazed that I had never seen these types of posts before. I love books! Why had I never thought to follow people who love them too?! I will admit that my initial reason for delving into this world was quite self-serving but having hung around it for a year now, I’ve realised that it’s taught me a lot and also changed my reading habits.
I’ve owned a Kindle for a few years and the main reason I bought it was because I can be impatient and I like the idea that if I find a book I want to read, I can download it within seconds. I’m also not gifted with plenty of space and so being able to store hundreds of books on a small device is a big plus for me. This isn’t to say I don’t adore printed copies. If I had the means and space, I would devote an entire room to filling it up with books, but I don’t, so in recent years I haven’t bought a lot of printed books. When I began following Bookstagram one of the standout features of the community is the beautiful pictures that people take of books. Whether it’s their current read or multiple covers as part of a photo challenge, the effort that goes into some of these photos is huge, and so rewarding to look at. As a result, I have fallen back in love with printed books and I appreciate their covers like never before. I now allow myself to buy certain books in print, particularly ones I’m pretty sure I’m going to love or has a cover that I adore, and then the rest on Kindle. Of course, one of the biggest reasons that Bookstagram exists is for recommendations. I do find looking for new books quite daunting, once I discover a new author that I like, I try to read as much of their work as I can but the way I find a new author is usually via friends or, when we’re not in a pandemic, strolling through Waterstones and reading hundreds of blurbs. Bookstagram has kept me up to date with the latest releases and popular books like no website or amount of researching ever has. It’s also great to read what other likeminded readers think of certain books before I part with my money! Overall, Bookstagram has reminded me why I love reading and what a joy it is to share it with people. I get such a buzz when I speak to someone who has read the same book as me and we can discuss it until we’ve exhausted every theme, quote and character. During a time when conversations are pretty much all virtual, it’s amazing to feel connected to so many people and continue a hobby that’s keeping me going through lockdown. So, thank you Bookstagram, you have made me a more devout reader than ever!
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