Each week, Bookstr features some of your favorite bookstagrammers so you can get to know them and see the incredible work they do. This week, let’s give some love to Sonia aka @sonia.reads a Venezuelan bookstagrammer who now lives in Florida. Her warm, bright, and beautiful feed will be sure to bring some joy to your day.
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Why did you start your Bookstagram:
I started watching these photos on my feed about three years ago, and I thought it was really cool to take photos of the books and review them. It was so creative! When I started following more people who did this, I found out it was actually a thing (bookstagram!) and decided that I wanted to join since I’d always loved to read, write, and take photos. It was the perfect community for me. The combination of the things I enjoyed the most.
Where are you from:
I’m from Venezuela, but I’ve been living in the US for over a year.
What do you want your Instagram to bring to the world:
I really want to transmit the joy of reading and making memories, taking photos of things we love, and that make us happy. But I also like to share other interests, and I like to share the little joys in life. Decorations are one of them. I want people to feel at home when they see my photos.
Fun Fact about you:
I have a lot of bookmarks but, for some reason, use random stuff to mark the pages when I’m reading, like receipts, bills, phone chargers, literally anything.
Favorite Bookstagrammers:
@james_trevino
@loriimagination
@stefiereads
@novelandfolk
@mylittlebooktique
@thebibliotheque
@nora.reads
Favorite Books and Authors:
I have a really long list of favorites because of all the genres I enjoy. My all-time favorites are To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon, The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss, Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, and On Writing by Stephen King. I read them years ago, but I recently added a couple of books and authors to that list because I discovered them and they really resonated with me. Elizabeth Acevedo is one of those authors, and I loved every single one of her books. Also, Ken Follet, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, and The Secret History by Donna Tartt recently became an absolute favorite.
Gabriel Garcia Marquez, C.S. Lewis, and Ruiz Zafon are the authors I admire the most. Their books have a special place in my heart.
And let’s not forget about The Lord of the Rings.
Like I said, a really long list.
Fictional Crush:
Santino Corleone from The Godfather.
TBR List:
This list is even longer than my favorite books. It’s actually never ending. But the books I’m really excited to read next are If We Were Villains, The Goldfinch, and Mrs. Dalloway.
What’s Your Special Approach to Content:
I love to interact with my followers, and I try to share my opinions but what I care about the most is the thoughts of my fellow bookstagrammers. So I try to keep asking questions about certain topics and always reply to every comment. I’m always trying to find what we have in common and know our differences, and listen to their points of view.
Aesthetic / Instagram page theme:
I like to keep cozy and warm vibes. The colors I use are pretty neutral, and every time I post, I try to keep that pattern.
How often do you post:
I post daily. I always try to have something to talk about even when I haven’t finished my reads, and I don’t have a review to post because sometimes I just want to know what my friends are up to and share opinions on different topics.
What does your Bookstagram mean to you:
It means a lot to me, honestly. It reminds me of how lucky I am because I found great friends from around the world with whom I can share my passions and have fun. I can connect with people through books and languages, which is super cool. I keep meeting nice people over there.
Favorite Bookstore:
I mostly shop online, so bookdepository. But I love to go to thrift stores, and I always find treasures there. Most of my favorite books are thrifted.
Who would you have supply you with a lifetime of books:
I don’t mind; I just want a lot of books!
Author to take a selfie with:
Definitely Ken Follet.
Favorite book cover:
This one is hard, but the first one that came to my mind was the cover of Some Kind of Happiness by Claire Legrand. And With The Fire on High has a gorgeous cover as well (I love that kind of illustration). I actually made my sister recreate it.
Book you have claimed to have read that you didn’t:
I don’t do that, but once, for a school assignment, I had to read No One Writes to the Colonel by Garcia Marquez and I really didn’t have time so, I just asked a friend to help me. Oops. I did read it later, though.
When did you know you had made it as a Bookstagrammer:
I don’t need much to feel like I’ve achieved something. I am super thankful for the support I’ve received. The first time someone told me I was their favorite account, it was a great day for me. The fact that someone’s looking forward to seeing your photos and finds inspiration in what you do is great. It feels so good.
Favorite fandoms:
I’m not that into fandoms, but I guess I get pretty excited about Harry Potter stuff.
Advice for aspiring Bookstagrammers:
Just enjoy what you’re doing, and don’t ever compare yourself to others because everyone’s essence is unique. That uniqueness is what will attract people. Be authentic and always remember that there are many things more important than numbers. You can be committed without being too hard on yourself, and taking breaks is completely fine. Because this is still social media, and we have a lot out there in real life to enjoy.
Additional bookishness:
I love subscription boxes, collect pretty editions of books I already have, and yes, sometimes I judge books by their covers.