Visiting Courtney’s page, @nightcourt on Instagram, is like literally looking at the world through rose-colored glasses. Her page feels like a never-ending picnic, with wicker baskets and vibrantly petaled flowers bordering her favorite fantasy novels.
Scrolling through her feed plants you in the bright, early hours of a weekend, as if long stretches of free time you didn’t know awaited you.
The occasional photograph might feature objects or merchandise reflective of her love for whatever series she spotlights, but the delicately woodsy aesthetic appears every time. The overlapping eyes of wooden circles elevate small candles and twine. English ivy, butterflies, and pinecones all give the appearance of a contained nature made just for you.
Despite meaning to appear haphazard, similar to any reader’s workspace, the items are arranged meticulously so as to make the book the ultimate star of each post.
“I like to think of it as a greenhouse, especially in the springtime,” Courtney said. “All year round I use a lot of florals and natural elements, each season I usually change the kinds of plants and greens up though so my overall aesthetic is just very nature-inspired!”
Even her favorite book cover, An Affair of Poisons by Addie Thorley, carries over similar floral themes. The native Philadelphian posts every day—when she’s not playing video games or working at her father’s butcher shop that is.
“I started my Bookstagram account truly because I had no friends or family in my life that were readers like me, and I really felt the need to discuss and fangirl over my favorite books,” Courtney said. “When I discovered Bookstagram, I just knew I needed to create an account!”
Her genuine love for books definitely shines through her account; the sheer effort and joy that followers can see just by looking at a single photo says as much. This bookish master of content even owns a misprinted copy of Last Things by Jacqueline West – “it’s both printed upsides down and the pages were put in backward!”
You might see The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle Jensen, Firekeepers Daughter by Angeline Boulley, and Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin on her account, or anything by Sarah J. Maas, her absolute favorite author that never fails to draw her into a new world.
If she ever meets author Shelby Mahurin, you’ll be sure to see the evidence on her account, and maybe a selfie or two.
“I’m a wing kind of person, I don’t typically have my weeks planned out but I like to mix it up with reviews, #mapmondays, but my favorite is posting about whatever the latest book is being released on Tuesdays and creating some hype for the author and the book,” Courtney said. “I also love hosting giveaways, they’re always super fun and overall I enjoy *trying* to have a quirky caption that captures my personality but shares relevant information with whatever book I’m talking about!”
While she loves anything to do with the Grishaverse, Disney, and the Throne of Glass series—especially her fictional crush, Rowan Whitethorn—her TBR list covers all kinds of stories.
Courtney made a point to say that her list, again, like many readers, remains infinite, but some of those on the top include The Stolen Kingdom by Jillian Boehme, Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor, A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik, Namesake by Adrienne Young, Within These Wicked Walls by Lauren Blackwood, The June Boys by Court Stevens, and Where Dreams Descend by Janella Angeles.
When the time comes to finally dig into her perpetually growing list, she’ll head over to her local indie store, Lahaska Bookshop.
She also enjoys many of her fellow Bookstagrammers, and the multitude of bookish content they produce. To name a few: @thedreamwithinadream, @bookishelflife, @skyeslibrary, @literaryluxe, @starborn_reader, @heartof.tati, @letsreadshallwe, @ubookworm28, @brookewithbooks, @bookish.ariel, @nighttimefables, and @abookworld__ are some of her favorites.
Like so many of her peers, Courtney knew she “made it” as a Bookstagrammer when she received her first ARC, and continues to enjoy creating content and posting to her account to this day.
It [her Bookstagram] means everything to me,” Courtney said. “It’s a place where I’ve connected with so many amazing and kind bookworms from around the world. I’ve had so many laughs, surprises, and just overall joy since I’ve started my account and I will forever be thankful!”
In the end, Courtney hopes to spread her joy for books with other literary lovers, whether that’s through her quirky captions or lovely photos.
“I also hope to inspire people who may not read but stumble on my account,” Courtney said, “to pick up a book and discover a whole new world!”
For those wishing to follow in Courtney’s footsteps, she advises that you don’t, at least not exactly.
“Definitely be true to YOU,” Courtney said. “I honestly mean it when I say that if you are true to yourself and your aesthetic really feels like you, then it will be so much easier to keep up with and you will always attract people with your sincerity!”
Catch yourself up with our latest Bookstagrammers of the Week by clicking here!
FEATURED IMAGE VIA INSTAGRAM @NIGHTCOURT