There’s truly something special about sharing your thoughts, feelings, and excitement about a book with other book lovers. That’s what makes bookstagram and the book community so great. And today’s bookstagrammer of the week, @torilovingwords would completely agree. Tori promotes indie authors and books and her feed is full of bright yellow to bring joy, warmth, and color to your day.
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Why did you start your Bookstagram?
I started my bookstagram in 2020 when I knew I’d be home on maternity leave for several months. I had no idea a pandemic would keep me home even longer. I was happy to have the opportunity to connect with other bookworms. I was also excited to find a place where I could chat books every day, all day, and someone would get it.
Where are you from?
Florida
What do you want your Instagram to bring to the world?
I didn’t start my bookstagram with any intention of impacting anyone, I started it for me. Since then, I’ve begun focusing my account on sending positive vibes into the book community, and I guess, the world.
I also want to highlight indie books/authors. I commit a great deal of my focus on advocating for indie books/authors. I have also started several additional Instagram accounts to extend that focus:
@IndieSpines, where we highlight, celebrate, share and encourage others to share indie books
@HeartTheBookTours, where we organize bookstagram tours for indie authors free of charge
All of my efforts are to encourage bookstagram to include indie books in the conversation regularly.
Fun Fact about you:
I have lived in 10 states out of 50, including Alaska.
Favorite Bookstagrammers:
Omg, this is such a hard question. There are so many! How long is this post supposed to be again? Ok, here are a few, but there are so many more…
Javone @allorthebooksblog
Nicole @bookiesandtea
Shakila @ShakilaMarie_reads
Cayla @bookitQueen
Shelly @Shelly_book_corner
Francis @abookinbed
Morgan @prettylittlebookshelf
Shar @readnliftwithShar
Alyssa @thriftybookworm
Favorite Books and Authors:
Wow, you really want this to be way too long. Ok, here’s a few…
Books:
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston, Better Than I Know Myself by Donna Grant and Virginia Deberry, Slay by Brittney Morris, The Girl With the Louding Voice by Abi Daré, all of Acevedo’s books, Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens, Binti by Nnedi Okorafor.
Authors:
Elizabeth Acevedo
Nnedi Okorafor
Tiffany Jackson
Gillian Flynn
Terry McMillan
Shari Lapena
Fictional Crush:
Hmmm, I can’t think of one.
TBR List:
It’s out of control with over 300 books.
A few of my next reads…
Love in Color by Bolu Babalola
How the One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House by Cherie Jones
Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah
A Dance for the Gods by E.O Odiase and K.N Pumpuni
Fly for Both of Us by E. Mellyberry
Speechless by Ava Cates
What’s your special approach to content?
I’m not sure I have a special approach. I share what I love or what I’m intrigued by. If I share it, I have read it or intend to read it. I give myself permission to be me and enjoy the journey.
Aesthetic / Instagram page theme:
Simply put, yellow, but it’s deeper than that for me. My aesthetic is very yellow and bright, but for me, it’s supposed to reflect the joy I feel when reading and chatting books. The yellow also makes me happy, and I hope it does the same for others.
How often do you post?
I post once a day, Monday through Friday. I rarely post on weekends. I’m so busy on weekends, and I haven’t gotten the hang of scheduling my post.
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What does your Bookstagram mean to you?
It means community and self-care through my love of books. It’s such an overwhelming source of joy for me that I can’t imagine my life without it.
Favorite Bookstore:
Honestly, any book store. If their primary product is books, I’m IN!!
Who would you have supply you with a lifetime of books?
Elizabeth Acevedo, I love her and I assume she’d give amazing reads.
Author to take a selfie with:
Elizabeth Acevedo or Amanda Gorman, since we’re dreaming here, how about one picture with both!
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Favorite book cover:
This might be the hardest question out of all of them…
Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo and Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko
Book you have claimed to have read that you didn’t:
Is this a thing?
When did you know you had made it as a Bookstagrammer?
Whew, I’m not completely sure I have “made it.” I think by my personal gauge, I made it as a bookstagrammer when I made a conscious decision to just be me.
Favorite fandoms:
Hunger Games and Marvel
Advice for aspiring Bookstagrammers:
I responded to a question in my story recently with this statement and I think this is the best advice… find your tribe and DO YOU.
Additional bookishness:
No, but I can’t talk about my bookstagram without saying…
Sending Love, Tori💛
Featured Image via @torilovingwords