While those of us in the book community don’t always share the same opinion, if there is one thing we all have in common, it’s our love of books. Having a community where people can share this passion and be understood is so important. This sentiment is shared by our Bookstagrammer of the Week, @read.write.coffee. Through her Instagram, she hopes others can feel connected to the reading community and feel comfortable sharing their passion for books. Check out the full interview below!
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Why did you start your Bookstagram?
I actually first started it as a way to try to build a platform for myself as an aspiring author, but I rapidly fell in love with the warm, accepting community of enthusiastic bibliophiles, and I couldn’t get enough! I’m also a professional photographer, but my business had been stealing away too much time from my family, and I was burnt out, so I closed my business. When I discovered a whole group of people who love taking beautiful pictures of books, it turned into the perfect creative outlet for me – combining my love of books and photography.
Where are you from?
I’m a small-town Texas girl, though I’d love to live in the mountains someday.
What do you want your Instagram to bring to the world?
I’ve given this a lot of thought lately, and I’ve begun to mindfully work on creating a peaceful, inviting space with the goal of offering a tiny moment of respite from the oftentimes harsh and stressful world. I try to keep my captions as uplifting and hope-filled as possible while being genuine, thoughtful, and offering a safe place where folks can hopefully feel comfortable opening up if there’s something they need to talk about. My DMs are always open as well, and I’m happy to lend an ear there.
Fun Fact about you:
I’m a mom of four fierce girls, a bunch of fluffy cats, and one precious pup. Oh, and I’ve always homeschooled my girls – it’s what works for us.
Favorite Bookstagrammers:
I love far too many to list here, but they definitely include:
@reverieandink for her gorgeous pics and genuine captions
@chrystal678 for her home-inspo pics and writer-life updates
@darkfaerietales_ for her epic set-ups and stunning pics
@maryweberauthor for her real and encouraging, captions
@hannasandvig for her inspiring, whimsical pics
And @justicereads @bookishvirginia @booksnbeachgal
@tyffany.h and @marissa_writes because they’ve been the very best of friends to me from pretty much the beginning of my over four years on bookstagram.
Favorite Books and Authors:
I’m sure we all know how immensely difficult it is to answer this question. Can I list 100 books? For now, I’ll go with a few under-rated books that I’m a huge fan of. In no particular order: The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson, The Graceling Realm Series by Kristin Cashore, Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young, A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd, The Best Kind of Magic by Crystal Cestari, Sisters of Shadow and Light by Sara B. Larson, Splinters of Scarlet by Emily Bain Murphy, Sisters of Sword and Song by Rebecca Ross, and The Mutant Mushroom Takeover by Summer Rachel Short.
Fictional Crush:
I have a soft spot for cinnamon roll characters (a tenderhearted, kind person, especially one who goes through suffering), so I love Peeta from The Hunger Games and Lazlo from Strange the Dreamer.
TBR List:
I don’t actually make a TBR. I’m too much of a mood reader. But a few of the books that have come out semi-recently that I’m excited to read soon are:
The Truth Project, Bone Crier’s Moon, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, A Deadly Education, Instant Karma, and the upcoming book Winterkeep (Graceling Realm #4).
What’s Your Special Approach to Content?
Because I have four girls who are home with me all the time, my favorite pics to take are ones where I can get them involved, so a lot of my images feature one of them holding a book for me. (I love when I can get one of my pets to cooperate for a picture as well, though that’s definitely not always easy). I love that this allows me to include a bit more of who I am. Yes, I’m a bibliophile, but I’m a mother and an animal-lover too.
Aesthetic / Instagram page theme:
I tend to change my theme seasonally, so I’ve just stepped into a cool wintry theme with lots of light and a generous helping of green tones and fairy lights. No matter my theme, I tend to gravitate towards all that is cozy and hygge.
How often do you post?
I post every day, though occasionally I’ll post twice a day, and once in a blue moon I’ll take a break for a couple of days.
What does your Bookstagram mean to you?
I love having a space to gush about books with fellow bibliophiles. No one else in my real life (other than my daughters) reads very much, and certainly not any of the same books I do. Here, I can pretty much always find at least a friend or two who has read my most recent book obsession. And I love that it’s given me the chance to meet a handful of people who I’ve really connected with as well, folks who are 100% MY PEOPLE. We chat all the time, and it means so much knowing I have them there whenever I need to talk about anything, whether it’s how happy I am that it’s raining or how bummed I am that I’m feeling stuck on the novel I’m writing.
Favorite Bookstore:
Goldsboro Books
Who would you have supply you with a lifetime of books?
If Neil Gaiman could just send me everything he has written, and everything new he writes from now till forever (and maybe sign it, for good measure), that would be golden.
Author to take a selfie with:
My critique partner, Chrystal Schleyer. She’s not published yet, but I know it’s just a matter of time, and I can’t wait for that moment in the future! I also wouldn’t turn down a chance to meet Laini Taylor, Neil Gaiman, Natalie Lloyd, Adrienne Young, and so many others.
Favorite book cover:
I can’t choose just one! Three of my favorites are:
Wicked Like A Wildfire, The Girl The Sea Gave Back, and Written in Starlight.
Book you have claimed to have read that you didn’t:
The only time I’ve ever claimed to have read a book I didn’t was in High School Pre-AP English when I was swamped and didn’t have time to read the assigned classic (though I no longer remember which one it was). I watched the movie instead and ended up scoring 100% on the test, which probably wasn’t the best lesson I could have learned about actually doing my work, lol… still, it stressed me out. I read every book I was supposed to from then on, even if I hated a lot of my assigned reading.
When did you know you had made it as a Bookstagrammer?
Oh goodness, have I? That’s such a subjective concept, to have made it. In some ways, I would have to say that I’m there already, simply by participating in the community, and yet I also imagine that I’ll always feel there’s a next level that I haven’t reached yet. Still, there have been plenty of exciting moments. One of my favorites was when Natalie Lloyd asked if she could feature a few pictures I’d taken of her books in her newsletter. I love her writing, and she’s just the sweetest, too, so I was totally on cloud nine about it!
Favorite fandoms:
I love Strange the Dreamer and Daughter of Smoke and Bone, and I wish there was more general excitement (and merch) for those fandoms. I also love The Lunar Chronicles. And Harry Potter has a special place in my heart and I will *always* love it.
Advice for aspiring Bookstagrammers:
I think Dr. Seuss said it best: “Be who you are and say how you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.” Beyond that, remember to always be kind. There’s never any need to comment negatively on someone’s post, even if you didn’t love the book they loved… that’s not a way to build a community of friends. And, figure out what type of pictures you love seeing and enjoy taking, and then do that. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Remember that everyone started right where you are, and everyone’s path is different, so let your pics be what they are and know that you will grow at your own pace. Even though it can be the hardest thing in the world sometimes, try not to compare yourself to others.
Additional bookishness:
I’m also the photographer for author Mary Weber’s Cherry Pie Author Services and I offer professional photos for writers who are working on building their social media platforms, including book promo packages and custom bookstagram photos.
