best book reviews on instagram

14 Book Instagrams to Follow if You Love Reading as Much as We Do

FYI, they're called "bookstagrams."

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If you... appreciate an expert opinion:

The New York Times is one of the most trusted authorities on the best and most popular of the literary world. With this account, you get exclusive daily reviews and recommendations from the esteemed publication's skilled book editors—along with revealing quotes from some of your favorite authors. (Think Alice Walker and Malala Yousfazi.)

@StrandBookstore

If you... adore a great indie bookstore:

Known as the largest independent bookshop in New York City, this woman-owned company always manages to feature recommendations that are both culturally aware and relevant. Take their Marie Kondo-inspired reads pictured here—or this collection of novels written by indigenous female authors.

@SubwayBookReview

If you... like book reviews from real people:

From New York City and D.C., to Chile and London, this account features readers from all around the world as they share the books they're reading on their commute.

@WellReadBlackGirl

If you ... love supporting authors of color:

A community dedicated to recognizing the work of women of color, Well Read Black Girl regularly posts book recommendations across various genres and inspiring quotes—all penned by Black female writers.

@BraveLiteraryWorld

If you... appreciate a good Instagram photo as much as you do a good book:

This account has stellar book recommendations, and the relaxing, aesthetically pleasing pictures of organized bookshelves, coffee cups, and charming shops will be a breath of fresh air for your feed.

@ThisGirlHasn0name

If you... have a weakness for fantasy and sci-fi: Not only does "the girl with no name" post flawlessly moody pics of her book collection, but from Game of Thrones to Harry Potter, her whimsical novel suggestions are a dream.

@BookishMadeleine

If you... are looking to find a friend in the bookstagram community:

With a combination of warm, inviting photos and captions with questions like, "What are some of your favorite bookstores?" and "What’s your favorite weather to read in?" Madeleine's comment section is a great place to interact with your fellow bibliophiles.

@ReesesBookClub

If you... would do anything Reese Witherspoon tells you to:

Since 2017, the actress has been sharing her love of literature with fans with monthly top story picks for "Reese's Book Club." Her latest choice? Susan Orlean's The Library Book. She's also highlighted The Last Mrs. Parrish , This Is How It Always Is , and Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows .

@ChronicleBooks

If you... want to brighten up your feed:

The independent San Francisco book publisher, Chronicle Books, consistently posts lively and colorful photos that always manage to brighten your day—and they're not always of books: sometimes they'll come with a side of toast and puppies.

@HotDudesReading

If you... like your books with a little eye candy :

It's clear to see where the priorities lie for Hot Dudes Reading's more than one million followers. Forget pretty pictures and reviews and just take a moment to enjoy the simple allure of an attractive guy glued to a book. And the cheeky captions don't hurt, either.

If you... need inspiration for your own book snaps: This profile's suggestions come with "a side of stuff" to go along with the featured novel's cover and theme, taking each story beyond its pages. (Plus, the geometrically organized layouts are a Type-A reader's dream.)

@elizabeth_sagan

If you... like to get creative with your book collection: Sagan's feed is filled with out-of-this-world imagery, all created with the help of a few hardbacks. From a unicorn to a Christmas tree and a rainbow, her photos transport you to another world—just like any good story could.

@penguinrandomhouse

If you... want to keep up with the publishing world: A part of one of the biggest publishing houses in the world, Penguin Random House has near-daily updates of the latest books added to their impressive lineup. Think Becoming , everything Danielle Steel, and Jodi Picoult's A Spark of Light.

@mybookfeatureaccount

If you ... c an't decide which bookstagram account you like best:

Co-run by Sagan, this account is a hub for all bookstagrammers, with photos from various profiles in the community, reposted for all to see. So if you're not exactly sure who to follow, this is the perfect place to find your favorite bookish pics.

McKenzie Jean-Philippe is the editorial assistant at OprahMag.com covering pop culture, TV, movies, celebrity, and lifestyle. She loves a great Oprah viral moment and all things Netflix—but come summertime, Big Brother has her heart. On a day off you'll find her curled up with a new juicy romance novel.

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10 Best Literary Instagram Accounts for Book Lovers

We can’t get enough of these beautiful, bookish instagram accounts..

One of the best corners of the internet is, without a doubt, #bookstagram . Readers from around the world celebrate their love for the printed word with boundless creativity. Here, we’ve collected 10 of our favorite Instagram accounts about reading—including some smaller ones we believe deserve a huge following. From poetry to hedgehogs, bookish Instagram is wacky and wonderful. Trust us, you’ll be glad you followed.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Folded Pages Distillery (@foldedpagesdistillery)

@foldedpagesdistillery is a beautiful account that shows off books in chaotic, visually interesting, and incredibly detailed compositions.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Katharine (@readwithkat)

A self-described books hoarder with dreams of opening a bookstore, literary Instagrammer @readwithkat is bursting with (beautifully posed) recommendations—and we’re always here for a pup photobomb! (Hi Gus!)

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Book Bento Box (@bookbento)

@bookbento posts bookish still-lifes with recommended reads from a wide variety of genres. This flat-lay account is a browseable bookstore that’s a feast for the eyes.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Riverhead Books (@riverheadbooks)

Many publishers are on Instagram and doing a fantastic job, but we think @riverheadbooks is a cut above the rest. Books find their way into all sorts of places and spaces that are total scroll-stoppers.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kate Gavino (@lastnightsreading)

Kate Gavino’s line portraits of authors and their quotes on @lastnightsreading landed her a book of her very own, and after perusing this feed, you’ll understand why. These illustrations featuring words of wisdom from authors allow you to attend readings all over the place without having to leave your couch.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by taryn | @mentallybooked (@mentallybooked)

Bright, airy photos and colorful shelfies characterize @mentallybooked , along with Taryn’s thoughtful, authentic reviews.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Anuradha Bhaumick (she/her) (@hooplaback.girl)

Technically, Anuradha Bhaumick’s account, @hooplaback.girl , is an art account, not strictly a #bookstagram, but it’s clear from her bio (Books & Plants & Plants & Books) and her embroidery that she’s a true book lover. And we can’t get over her incredibly intricate—and cute!—embroidery of readers.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Claudia Williams (@readbetweenthelattes)

We want to crawl inside @readbetweenthelattes , a moody and monochromatic account focused on the joys of reading in coffee shops. Heaven!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Oscar | Books Tea Henny📖🇩🇴 (@booksteahenny)

Oscar from @booksteahenny always keeps it real when he’s reviewing his latest reads, sharing about his experience as an immigrant from the Dominican Republic, and, of course, when he’s spilling the tea.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Angela | OKC, OK 🇺🇸 (@perpetualpages)

It doesn’t get much cozier than the @perpetualpages feed. Good luck staying on task—instead of curling up under a fuzzy blanket—while you scroll through this literary comfort sesh.

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10 Brilliant Book Instagram Accounts You Should Be Following

1. @lulumoonowlbooks

2. @shannonsnextchapter, 3. @thenatureofpages, 4. @bandysbooks, 5. @thekaleidoscopebookshelf, 6. @author.courtney, 7. @flyleafbooks, 8. @thekneadtoread, 9. @booklooksbyb, 10. @dana_killion_author, use plann to grow your book instagram account.

From the bloggers and bookstores to the authors, ‘bookmark’ these stellar storytellers for your Instagram feed.

Made up of authors, bookstores and bloggers, nobody does storytelling quite like Instagram’s bookstagram community.

Known for their clever literary commentary, stunning shelfies and great book recommendations, you can always count on them to spin a good yarn. And, that means using more than just words.

The best book Instagram accounts  make use of all the app’s features: posts, carousels, Reels, stories, guides, and more.

Whether you’re looking for your next great pageturner or want inspiration to grow your own bookstagram, there’s plenty to learn from these bookish types. Many of the best book bloggers and authors even use Plann to grow their accounts!

Here are 10 of the best book Instagram accounts to ‘bookmark’ for your feed.

If you’re dreaming of a magical library or literary wonderland, look no further than this book account!

Luna features some of the world’s greatest bookish locations, using her photoshop skills to combine libraries with gardens and bookshops with Disney settings. You’ll also spot cosy reading nooks and whimsical castles!

With over 400k followers, Luna has earned a spot as one of Instagram’s most influential book bloggers. Check out her account to admire the most magical scenes in all the lands. 

Follow @lulumoonowlbooks

Following the life of a writer, editor, and reader, Shannon’s Instagram account is a home for all her literary ramblings, including bookish photos, reviews, recommendations, and more.

With just over 3k followers, Shannon shares her favourite YA and middle-grade reads. She’s well known for her trademark pink aesthetic and for her regular book-themed Instagram Reels.

This Plann’r also talks about her current writing projects, her latest published works, and her thoughts on the next trends in the book market.

Follow Shannon, and find new books to read, along with examples of how you can use Reels to grow your Instagram account.

Follow @shannonsnextchapter

Having earned over 24k followers on Instagram alone, Ally’s account is nothing short of magical!

Ally is best known for her royal aesthetic, featuring princess gowns and glittery tiaras alongside her favourite contemporary and fantasy books.

Followers turn to Ally’s book Instagram account for her funny Reels and well-styled book photos, including plenty of location shots.

Visit Ally’s account for ideas on bring a little more creativity to your book photos.

Follow @thenatureofpages

A newer member of the Instagram book community, Kaitlin shares detailed reviews and recommendations with her bookstagram followers. 

Using consistent colour schemes across all posts, Kaitlin’s account is evidence of how effective branding can help when building a presence online. 

Kaitlin’s clever captions are fast earning her an engaged social media following, with Instagram users eager to hear her thoughts on her latest read. 

Follow Kaitlin to find the next book for your to-be-read pile, and learn the value of strong caption-writing skills. 

Follow @bandysbooks

Best known for and thoughtful reviews, Kate’s book Instagram accounts is an ode to all things literature. 

Sharing her favourite book covers, quotes, and challenges, Kate’s engagement with the Instagram book community has earned her an audience of over 3,000 followers, all of whom are keen to hear her thoughts on her latest read. 

As a bookseller and PhD candidate, Kate offers a unique perspective on the publishing industry. Her account is a great place to find lesser-known books with potential for bookstagram stardom.

Visit Kate’s Instagram account to discover the power of an effective hashtag strategy and online authenticity. 

Follow @thekaleidoscopebookshelf

Sharing regular educational posts with her Instagram followers, Courtney uses her Instagram account to grow her audience and author career. 

And a children’s book writer, Courtney regularly posts images, carousels, and Reels offering insight into her writing process. 

Courtney’s Instagram is focused on helping her followers achieve their writing goals, as well as advertising her own books. 

Follow Courtney’s account to learn more about writing for children, and along the way, discover great examples of educational social media content. 

Follow @author.courtney

Sharing everything from book recommendations to author events, Flyleaf Books is a great example of a bookstore killing it on Instagram . 

Located in North Carolina, Flyleaf Books is all about the next big thing in literature, using social media as a platform to reach readers and book-buyers from all around the world.

On Instagram, Flyleaf posts glimpses behind the scenes of their bricks-and-mortar store, as well as advertising plenty of in-person and online book events. 

Follow this account to take a virtual stroll amongst the shelves, all while picking up valuable Instagram marketing tips. 

Follow @flyleafbooks

Books and baking collide in this food-filled book Instagram account!

Mariah is a teacher from New York who loves to create book-inspired desserts, ranging from cakes to cookies, macarons, pies, and more.

Combining two hobbies in one Instagram account, Mariah puts her own baking-fuelled spin on popular stories, sharing pictures of her recent reads and the sweet treats they inspire, all beautifully styled in flatlay posts.

Visit Mariah’s account for more book-themed baking and an example of a truly creative account theme.

Follow @thekneadtoread

Queen of serving literary lewks, Brittina is a talented makeup artist, using her favourite books as inspiration for her creations.

Brittina has worked with many authors and publishers to bring something new to social media book marketing. She even takes paid commissions, offering a glimpse into the potential of influencer careers.

With her intricate makeup looks designed to replicate beautiful book covers, Brittina has earned over 6k Instagram followers and has collaborated with many other bookstagram creatives, including book-themed nail technicians and painters.

Follow Brittina for makeup inspiration and guidance on how you can innovate to create a unique and memorable social media presence.

Follow @booklooksbyb

Dana’s account shows how keeping things authentic can be powerful when it comes to social media marketing . 

On her Instagram account, Dana shares the life and times of a real-life author, documenting her reading and her day-to-day adventures. 

Dana uses a combination of post types to engage directly with her audience and build her reputation as an author.

Visit Dana’s Instagram to learn more about how simple marketing is often the most effective on social media, and find reading and writing tips along the way. 

Follow @dana_killion_author

Whether you’re a blogger, writer or bookworm, Plann has all the content creation, strategy and analytics tools you need to get your words and ideas out into the world.

Are you ready to get started with Plann? Start your free trial today!

Author:  Shannon Jade

Shannon Jade is an author, editor, and marketer currently based in Melbourne, Australia. She holds a BA in creative writing, professional writing, and publishing and is always working on her next story. When she’s not writing, Shannon can usually be found reading a book, drinking a cup of tea, or talking about books on social media.

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22 Bookstagrammers On Instagram To Follow If You Love Reading

Connect with the book community through Instagram by following these 22 incredible readers!

BuzzFeed Staff Writer

1. Brynn from @readyourworriesaway

About Me: My name is Brynn and I am a sixth-grade teacher with a passion for reading. I especially love reading outdoors when the weather is nice here in Wisconsin! I started this bookstagram account as a fun little hobby, and I never could have imagined making such great connections with others who love to read books too!

What Followers Can Expect: You can expect a lot of mystery/thriller books + reviews on my bookstagram — it’s my fave genre. I also love reading memoir, romance, true crime, literary fiction, and contemporary fiction! I also do some fun giveaways and weekly “ This or That ” polls in my stories!

A Recent Book I Loved: A recent favorite of mine is The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose. It’s a must-read for all thriller lovers! It was twisty, full of suspense, and kept me guessing. I was constantly reevaluating the evidence and trying to figure out all of the details, but I was left surprised over and over again. I loved the powerful female lead, and the alternating perspectives between Sarah and Adam. As I got closer to the end, my heart was racing and I couldn’t read the words on the page fast enough. I needed answers!

2. Taryn from @mentallybooked

About Me: I'm a 23-year-old bookworm currently living in Atlanta with my childhood dog, Baxter. I majored in environmental science in college, but books are a hobby-turned-passion for me and I'd love to work in the publishing industry someday. Aside from reading, I also really love horror movies , ice cream , and fantasizing about my dream NYC brownstone.

What Followers Can Expect: I read and feature a wide range of new and backlist titles on my page, from contemporary and literary fiction to speculative, magical realism. I hope everyone who follows my page knows to expect honest reviews and bright, colorful photos.

A Recent Book I Loved: At the end of last year, I read Crosshairs by Catherine Hernandez, which is a dystopian novel set in Canada that inspects issues of climate disaster, social justice, and cultural identity. In fact, it's now one of my favorite books of all time. Another, slightly more recent, favorite is Bestiary by K-Ming Chang. I read this one in January and it's the perfect book for people who like weird but lyrical magical realism.

3. Taylor from @bookswithtay

About Me: My name is Taylor, and I’m a Texan native now living in New York City . I grew up reading, but didn’t read a single book for leisure in college. I found myself having a lot of time to read on my commute on the subway, so I was able to pick up the habit again.

What Followers Can Expect: They can expect reviews across all genres and a diverse array of authors! I make it a point to prioritize and amplify BIPOC authors, and all of my reviews are 100% genuine and honest. I take all the photos myself (usually in my apartment) and occasionally in the city — with a guest appearance from my cat, George.

A Recent Book I Loved: I recently read N.K. Jemisin’s The City We Became , which was a really great speculative fiction novel. I highly recommend it, even if you’re not a fantasy novel reader. The City We Became is unlike any other fantasy novel I’ve read. She thrusts you straight into the world with little explanation, and you figure it out as the story progresses. (Although there is little world-building in this one — the setting is in present-day NYC.) ⁣Jemisin says she wrote this book as a love letter to New York City, and I wholeheartedly agree with that. This city is both gritty, resilient, and beautiful, and she captured that very well. ⁣

4. Emma from @bookedwithemma

About Me: My name is Emma Ito and I’m a bisexual half-Japanese public historian in an academic/archival library. I specifically focus on Virginia and Southern history, and Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) history in the South. I strongly believe honest history is so important, and reading is one key avenue toward learning history that wasn’t taught in the classroom.

What Followers Can Expect: Followers can expect to see a mix of critical reviews, beautiful bookshelves, and many nonfiction recommendations. I prioritize reading BIPOC/Disabled/2SLGBTQ+ authored books.

A Recent Book I Loved: AHH, this is so hard! I am currently reading The Prophets by Robert Jones Jr. and find myself absolutely swept away by the beautiful prose in this. (I highly recommend checking out the incredible reviews for this book from @ thatgoodgoodbook, @ ablackmanreading , and @ _litmedown , who all influenced me to pick this up.) I also always recommend Displacement by Kiku Hughes!

5. Joy from @smileitsjoy

About Me: My name is Joy Melody and I am currently a doctoral student focusing on health communication — specially how Black women communicate about their reproductive health. I am a native of Fort Worth, Texas. I am an advocate for Black mxn and womxn, especially graduate students, who also may have learning disabilities and mental health disorders, like myself.

What Followers Can Expect: Followers can expect Black books and the books of other authors of color to be prioritized. I give honest and hilarious reviews. I also share a little bit of my non-reading life — student life, dog mom, young and married, and health journey.

A Recent Book I Loved: This is tough! A recent book I enjoyed is one I JUST finished: Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson. It drops in the States in the coming months, but it just took my breath away. It’s a must-read!

6. Whit from @bookqueen_whit

About Me: My name is Whitney and I am a self-proclaimed “Aficionado of the Finest Books.” I currently reside in Dallas, with big dreams of owning a bookstore one day.

What Followers Can Expect: Followers can expect a wide range of genres and fun book pictures to go along with whatever I’m reading or obsessing over at the moment. I’ll go from showcasing Black authors and social justice issues to jumping into a scary, disturbing psychological thriller that will keep you up at night. I can then wake up the next day and pop a romance on my feed. I take pride in posting a wide variety of options for the average reader.

A Recent Book I Loved: I actually have two books I recently read that I truly enjoyed! The first was We Were Eight Years in Power by Ta-Nehisi Coates. It touched on each year of President Barack Obama ’s administration. It was a brutally honest work of art. I loved everything about it. The next book I read was a psychological thriller titled Confessions on the 7:45 by Lisa Unger. This book totally made me forget about everything that was going on around me. I fell deep into this story and I applaud the author for allowing us to experience just a glimpse of her creative mind.

7. Sarah from @tipsybookreviews

About Me: Hi, I’m Sarah! I’m a bookworm in my mid-twenties and when I’m not reading, you can find me watching true crime shows and drinking wine.

What Followers Can Expect: I post lots of book reviews paired with drink recommendations that I think would be perfect to sip on while reading! I also cohost the #BottomsUpBuddyRead with my friend, Alison (@ talkbookstome_ ), which has been a great way to connect with other book lovers!

A Recent Book I Loved: I recently read Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano and I absolutely loved it! That book was quirky, entertaining, and such a page turner! I loved the wild ride that this one was...just as Finlay got herself into more and more tricky situations, I couldn’t help but root for her! Sometimes I’d be internally screaming at Finlay for some of the choices she made, but there were also tons of laugh out loud moments! Cosimano totally nailed the setting with this one too! As a Northern VA native myself, I was fangirling over the locations mentioned in the book.

8. Marissa from @allegedlymari

About Me: I am in my last semester of law school and preparing to take the bar exam in July. I started my account a little over two years ago and have loved all of the connections and friends I have made.

What Followers Can Expect: I post a lot of personal experiences. I like to discuss how a book triggered a memory or my interpretation of a story. I don't do star reviews on my page. Every book is different for every person, and it feels weird to say I didn't like a book and possibly dissuade someone from reading it. I do highlight the books I love and speak as to how I connected with them, but I won't do a traditional review. Also, I have been involved with advocacy for human rights for several years and that bleeds into everything I do. And of course, dog and beer content!

A Recent Book I Loved: A Cup of Water Under My Bed by Daisy Hernandez. Wow! What a book. I highlighted just about every page in that book.

9. Abby from @bookmarkedbya

About Me: I'm Abby — an avid reader based in Houston. I'm also a lover of houseplants, dogs, and cross-stitching. You can usually find me on the couch with my pup, Murphy, a good book, and a glass of bubbly.

What Followers Can Expect: You can expect fun, honesty, and a wide range of book recommendations from young adult fiction to memoirs and everything in between. And I think I'm funny, so maybe some laughs!

A Recent Book I Loved: I'm always ready to love what I'm reading, and fortunately, that is often the case for me! Recently, I adored Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas. It was pure joy. I loved the rich, complex portrayal of a trans boy — living and loving and being a badass, fighting for his family to respect his identity and smashing through barriers! I’m obsessed with the portrayals of brujx and their magical powers and loved learning more about Dia de Los Muertos. There’s even a twist at the end that I was not at all expecting! This YA is as close to perfect as I’ve found, and I so highly recommend it.

10. Hannah from @thepaperbackbruncher

About Me: Hey, I'm Hannah, and I am an Arizona millennial bookstagrammer. I have an "energizer bunny" enthusiasm for books (aka I can't stop, won't stop). You can find me dancing (badly), telling dad jokes (well), and sharing my social media tips and tricks. I try to make my account as fun as possible because reading should be fun and being serious is boring.

What Followers Can Expect: The Paperback Bruncher is full of all sorts of bookish variety. I love featuring Little Free Libraries, stylish book-inspired outfits, livestreams with other bookstagrammers and booktokers, books in all formats (audiobooks are my jam), my passion for my local library, and more! Posting reels is definitely my favorite part of Instagram — besides chatting with bookish friends in my DMs.

A Recent Book I Loved: I recently read the new release The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon. Solomon somehow made tropes we see all the time seem new and exciting again (enemies to lovers, fake dating... and ONE BED?!), and I can't stop recommending this hilarious romance. Shay Goldstein has followed in her father's footsteps, finding a career in public radio. She is a damn good producer, but dreams of being on air. Enter the new self-assured hire, Dominic, who is only interested in serious radio...none of that "puff piece" type content that Shay is so good at. They instantly butt heads, but with the station struggling to stay afloat, Shay pitches a concept of a new show, cohosted by exes. Their boss appoints them as the two for the job, even though they never dated. Add this one to your TBR — you won't be sorry!

11. Amanda from @lilacsandliterature

About Me: I’m a born and raised Mainer and a stay-at-home mom to three little boys. I have a love of everything related to books in all forms: print, ebook, and audio! You can always find me listening to an audiobook or devouring a true crime documentary or podcast!

What Followers Can Expect: If I’m lucky enough to earn a follow, I hope I don’t disappoint! I read a wide variety of genres so I’ll have a little something for everyone. I also have a love of '90s nostalgia, so my stories are often full of funny memes, '90s memories, or a sad video if you need a good cry!

A Recent Book I Loved: A book I absolutely devoured was The Babysitter by Liza Rodman and Jennifer Jordan. It’s the perfect mix of true crime and memoir, which are two of my favorite genres. It’s incredibly chilling but so well written. This will be a true crime novel I recommend to anyone interested in the subject. Informative but not written dry or like a textbook in any capacity. I applaud both writers for diving deep into secrets and sharing so much with the audience.⁣⁣

12. Jasmine from @magicinsalem

About Me: My name is Jasmine and I live in Salem, Massachusetts. I love tea, books, and finding joy in simple pleasures that allow me to live a slow, intentional life.

What Followers Can Expect: My followers can expect a mix between curated flatlays and lifestyle shots. I love photographing and sharing content like my latest read, indoor cozy snapshots and coffee, plus some New England architecture. Living in Salem, I'm lucky to have a lot of history around me, and a lot of it overlaps with classic literature!

A Recent Book I Loved: As someone who adores (and honestly misses!) the 2000s, I just finished reading Jessica Simpson's biography Open Book . It's written in a way where I felt like she was my friend, telling me about the wild ride she's had in life and Hollywood. It was a quick, easy read but still incredibly insightful.

13. Sowmya from @bookishelflife

About Me: My name is Sowmya, originally from southern India but the USA has been my home for over a decade now. I live in North Carolina with my husband, my 7-year-old daughter, and my fur baby Thor, who you might see on my feed occasionally. My grandfather was a master storyteller. I grew up listening to him telling me stories of Indian mythology and folklore. I owe my passion for reading to him.

What Followers Can Expect: My first love will always be fantasy. People can expect a lot of gushing and fangirling over fantasy books on my account, particularly YA fantasy. I am also an advocate of #ownvoices and diverse reads as I believe that representation matters A LOT. Along with reviews and recommendations, people will also find some goofy stories, snippets of my daily life, and mental health talk on my posts and stories. I consider my feed a positive and safe space in the community. I am very friendly and a rather chatty person, so you can come say hello anytime. Just make sure you read my favorite books or I will try to convince (aka nag) you to pick them up. ;)

A Recent Book I Loved: This is a tough one because I read a lot of great books last year! My current obsessions are Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco and The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune. I read an advanced reader copy of Kingdom of the Wicked back in August and my obsession hasn’t ceased since then!

14. Amber from @byamberburns

About Me: I'm Amber and I'm pretty much obsessed with books and creating content. I live in Philadelphia where I work full time as a digital content strategist and also create content as a blogger and YouTuber. When I'm not reading or working, you can find me taking long walks through the city and popping into my favorite coffee shop for a (socially distant, masked up) latte (to go).

What Followers Can Expect: I like to think of my blog and social media as my "URL" living room, so you'll find the kind of things you'd talk about when coming over to visit a good friend. I, of course, talk about the books I'm reading and loving, but I also like to share content on mental wellness and how I'm doing my best to survive and thrive in quarantine.

A Recent Book I Loved: Just like the rest of the world right now, I am absolutely obsessed with Bridgerton ! I started reading the books on Kindle once the show dropped and I'm literally eating them up like candy.

15. Danzi from @danzibooks

About Me: My name is Danielle, but you can call me Danzi! I was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, and I currently live in Washington, DC. I’ve been an avid reader since childhood, and I always got in trouble for reading until all hours of the morning. Don’t get me wrong – I still read until all hours of the morning, but now I just don’t get in trouble. I regularly choose books over people, and I’m rarely sorry for it.

What Followers Can Expect: Honest reviews, diverse recommendations, and (my attempts at) gorgeous photos! I love reading YA and adult science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary fiction, and I showcase these stories from BIPOC authors, including writers from the Caribbean Diaspora. I also use my page to manage my anxiety, and I encourage my followers to prioritize their mental health. I’m grateful that it has not only been a creative outlet, but also a way to build community and make genuine friendships. Black Bookstagram is magical, and my B2Weirdos are everything!

A Recent Book I Loved: The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna! What a beautiful story of grief and grit, betrayal and belonging, trauma and triumph. It is dark and feminist and has everything I want in YA – rich world-building, meaningful themes, critical examination of power structures. And most importantly, Black Girl Magic!

16. Sam from @never_ending_novels

About Me: Bonjour, everyone! I would describe myself as not all there — but I’m here!

What Followers Can Expect: My followers can expect a good time and a safe place to chat...and to expect the unexpected.

A Recent Book I Loved: A recent book that I truly loved was From Blood And Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout!

17. Lauren from @agalsgottaread

About Me: I’m a special education teacher and when I’m not teaching my tiny humans, I’m probably planning my wedding for June! I prefer series over stand-alone books, dogs over cats, iced coffee over hot, hammocks over beach towels...and if I bring home one more plant I think my fiancé will call off our wedding.

What Followers Can Expect: If you stumble across my account, you’ll find my random thoughts and my amateur photography skills on some books I like. I read a wide variety of genres, but you’ll mostly see a bunch of thrillers, fantasy, and YA with a sprinkle of romance!

A Recent Book I Loved: A recent book that I really enjoyed was Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur, I highly recommend!

18. Bernie from @apaperbacklife

About Me: I’m a 23-year-old Latina living in Texas. I’m working on getting my MLIS. It’s my dream to make a career out of my love of books!

What Followers Can Expect: If you stumble upon my bookstagram you can expect to find lots and lots of picture of me with my cup of tea (or coffee! Depending on how much caffeine I need that day) and whatever book I’m reviewing that day. Usually a contemporary book.

A Recent Book I Loved: What You Wish For by Katherine Center. It was such a feel-good book! It’s definitely going on my favorite books of the year list! I loved the writing style, the dialogue, our quirky main character, the romance, the fact that it made me laugh, and how invested in the characters I became. I loved that it made me feel all sunny and warm inside. I dare you to read this book and not fall in love with the characters! Or the setting, for that matter. I was ready to pack my bags and head to Galveston after reading this.

19. Kat from @themagikat

About Me: Hiya! I'm Kat :) I'm a proud book nerd, theatre artist, BookTuber, and hug connoisseur. I love sunshine, the color yellow, and pretty words!

What Followers Can Expect: My followers can expect book aesthetics, silly anecdotes, honest reviews/recs, and lots and lots of love!

A Recent Book I Loved: I recently finished the last 500 pages of The Priory Of The Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon in under 24 hours, and I loved every single page. Check out my BookTube video about it here !

20. Gisselle from @gissellereads

About Me: I am from Puerto Rico and currently live in Atlanta. I rediscovered my love for reading three years ago when I suddenly had some free time after leaving a job in public accounting. I am a CPA by day and book blogger by night. I love reading across all genres and discussing books with other book lovers. I started my bookstagram account two years ago and my blog ( gissellereads.com ) one year ago.

What Followers Can Expect: I read books across all genres, so you can expect to see variety in my account. You’ll see diversity not only in genres but also authors. I love posting creative pictures and book reviews, and you’ll see the occasional appearance of my dog, Dante. I enjoy recommending books with themes — for seasons and all things book related.

A Recent Book I Loved: I fell in love with the young adult genre in 2020. I used to not read YA because I literally thought it was meant to be read by teenagers, and I was so wrong! I realized this was a special genre after reading Elizabeth Acevedo’s books ( Clap When You Land and With The Fire On High ) and quickly started reading more of the genre. I stumbled upon Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe , and it is a book that will stay with me for a while. What I loved the most about this book is the characters: I was so attached to them by the end of the book that I didn’t want it to end. The relationship between Ari and Dante is so beautiful and heartbreaking at times. If you like audiobooks please do yourself a favor and listen to it in audio. It is narrated by Lin Manuel Miranda and it is perfection.

21. Lupita from @lupita.reads

About Me: My name is Lupita I am a columnist for the Washington Independent Review of Books and a book curator for BESE media company, founded by actress and activist Zoe Saldana. I am a passionate reader amplifying and highlighting books written by authors of color through my bookstagram account.

What Followers Can Expect: I think people who follow along with my bookish journey can expect intimate reflections about the books I read. The ways in which they might have taught me something new or helped me grow or give me language for a lived experience I didn't have language for before. There is also sweaty selfies, books and beer photos, and of course my family.

A Recent Book I Loved: A recent book I really enjoy and haven't stopped thinking about is Milk Blood Heat by Dantiel W. Moniz. There's something about the subtle but arresting descriptive lines like, "I had two hands held out, waiting to receive my due" followed by a thing that is heavy, in this case/story a character lamenting the requests and urgencies of a family and friends to become a mother only to miscarry. It's moments like this sprinkled through this collection that makes it near impossible not to see yourself as a witness in a room to these stories and characters.

22. AJ from @readingwithglamour

About Me: I'm a Virgo and introverted extrovert, born and raised in Stone Mountain, Georgia. I currently live in Houston. I'm a Howard University graduate...H-U! You know! I've been an educator for 10 years (currently a school counselor).

What Followers Can Expect: Followers can expect reviews and highlights of BIPOC authors, genuine engagement (I enjoy interacting with my followers), fun reels, and a little glamour (no pun intended!). I also started #saintsofbookstagram to highlight faith-based books and literature to share the message of grace and hope.

A Recent Book I Loved: I'm a church girl at heart, so Deesha Philyaw's The Secret Lives of Church Ladies has been the highlight of my most recent reads. It's not your typical book about women in the Christian church. It's an exposé of fictional short stories reflecting real life scenarios that, ironically, contradict all the things Church girls are taught to be and do. I believe that every Church girl can find a piece of herself in these stories. It's a must-read.

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The Perpetual Page-Turner

Book Recommendations and Book Lists For Adults And Kids

11 Instagram Accounts Book Lovers Should Follow In 2021

April 5, 2020 - Updated April 20, 2021 // 44 Comments

Do you love books? Do you find yourself giddy over beautiful photos of books and people reading? Do you need good book recommendations?

If you answered yes, I can’t wait to share with you 10 Instagram accounts for book lovers (that you should be following in 2020)! The book lover community on Instagram is just BURSTING with amazing bookstagram accounts but I kept this to 10 of the best!

(this post was originally written in 2016 but updated for 2020)

I mean, I feel like I’d be remiss if I didn’t plug my own here. HI MY NAME IS JAMIE AND I HAVE AN INSTAGRAM IN ADDITION TO THIS BLOG AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO CHECK IT OUT. 

Maybe you might like it? It’s not nearly as beautiful as the ones I’m going to feature sooo figured I’d start with that so it didn’t seem  like a disappointment after all the droolworthy photos you’re going to see below. MANAGING EXPECTATIONS AND THINGS haha.

perpetualpageturner

You can follow me @perpetualpageturner

Now on to the other top Instagram accounts for book lovers to follow:

Best Bookstagram Accounts To Follow In 2020 :

This feed is just so dreamy and I love the ~theme~ she has going on.  Plus it’s always making me hungry or having a desperate craving for a coffee! I love that she reads eclectically like I do. One of the most beautiful bookstagram accounts!

• @readingbringsjoy

Rachel is a delight and always a joy when she pops up in my feed. Very cozy account that makes you want to just settle right in with a good book and coffee. One of the best instagram accounts for book recommendations!

• @pieladybooks

Listen, Steph’s account is the most incredible sight to behold. Not only is she the sweetest but she pairs book recommendations with the MOST AMAZING PIES THAT SHE MAKES. One of the most incredible bookish Instagram accounts that every book lover should follow and definitely one of the most creative bookstagram accounts.

• @lottelikesbooks

Lotte is a university student from Berlin whose account is just droolworthy. I love her eclectic reading taste and always find good recommendations from her whether it’s YA or adult fiction.

•   @tomesandtextiles

Carmen’s account is something special to behold! Seriously works of art. Bright, creative, stylish and she’s such a wonderful person that I’ve followed for years in the book community. She focuses mostly on YA and is a fierce champion of diversity and social activism.

• @honeybuttergal

Kayla’s account is newer but it’s already become a favorite for me in 2020 and I had to add it to my list! Her shots are gorgeous, her personality shines and I love her thoughtful posts.

• @mamajustwantstoread

One of my favorite fellow bookstagram mamas! It’s nice to talk motherhood and books with another mama who gets it! And her photos are gorgeous and airy! She read a variety of things but if you love romance, she has the BEST recs. One of my favorite book instagrams turned cherished friend and I love how she talks so openly and honestly about motherhood, body positivity and so many other things.

• @literaryjo

Her feed is so cozy and her recommendations are so good! One of my favorite bookstagram accounts for bibliophiles!

•   @absorbedinpages

Jaime has wonderful book recommendations and I always love reading her thoughtful takes on books a variety of genres! One of the best literary instagram accounts!

•   @lineisunderline

Kerry is a delight — if you want a cozy space with someone who is the epitome of all things calm and soothing and HYGGE…her book account is one I highly recommend. I love her book recommendations and thoughtfulness in her reading life.

•   @booksandmargs

Jessica’s account is one of the most engaging! She’s your girl to follow for great book recommendations, social issues/activism, baking with her toddler and SHE SHARES GREAT DRINK RECIPES and some fun random things that make her personality just shine!

So tell me…are there any top bookstagram accounts you think, based on my favorites, that I should follow???

Pin & share these best bookstagram accounts for readers

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About Jamie

Jamie is a 32 year old married lady (with a new baby!!) who is in denial that she's actually that old to be a married lady and a mom. When she's not reading you can find her doing Pilates followed by eating ice cream, belting out Hamilton (loud and offkey) and having adventures with her husband, daughter and rescue dog.

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April 5, 2016 at 12:16 am

Okay so today has already convinced me I need to get on Instagram way more because…pretties!

April 5, 2016 at 8:03 am

Honestly it’s worth having an Instagram just to follow all the pretty book accounts haha

Lauren @ Always Me says

April 5, 2016 at 12:17 am

You’ve just given me ten very good reasons to join instagram. 🙂

Check out my TTT .

Orie @ Let's Take A Shelfie says

April 5, 2016 at 12:24 am

Ahhh…more Instagram book accounts. There are bunch in here that I’ve never heard of. Thank you for sharing. Though I think my wallet will likely regret it… 🙂

Here’s my TTT

hehe glad you found some to follow! GOOD LUCK TO YOUR WALLET!

Genesis @ Latte Nights Reviews says

April 5, 2016 at 1:22 am

I follow 8 out of 10 from your list! I also follow you! I really like your account <3 And based on the people you follow, I think you should follow booklover_221b, literaries and vibinwithbooks 🙂 My TTT

April 5, 2016 at 8:04 am

Ooh I follow vibinwithbooks and literaries but haven’t heard of boklover_221b! Thanks!

Chrissi Reads says

April 5, 2016 at 3:19 am

Fab list Jamie! 🙂 I really need to look up these accounts. Thanks for the recommendations.

You are welcome!

Anne @ booksbakingandblogging says

April 5, 2016 at 5:24 am

I didn’t follow any of these, and now I’m following practically all of them. 😀 Thanks for the tips, Jamie!

YAY I’m so happy!!

April 5, 2016 at 6:35 am

So many beautiful pictures and accounts. Love this post!

Amy thenoiseinwonderland.blogspot.com.au

April 5, 2016 at 8:05 am

I’m so amazed by all the talent in the booktagram community!

Lauren @ My Expanding Bookshelf says

April 5, 2016 at 7:08 am

I haven’t really got into Instagram yet. I have an account but it’s never been used… I have been thinking of changing that recently, though. So, I’ve followed your recommendations (and yourself)… maybe that will get me into the whole thing properly

April 5, 2016 at 7:22 pm

Yay welcome to Bookstagram!

Heather says

April 5, 2016 at 8:44 am

I also follow @amidstthepages and @demigod_intraining – I think you’d like both of them 🙂

I also started following your recommendations (and you) 🙂

April 5, 2016 at 7:23 pm

Thank you! Will check them out!

Kristen@My Friends Are Fiction says

April 5, 2016 at 9:12 am

oooh pretty! So many wonderful photographers! I’ve just recently found Lisa and I’m obsessed with her blog and IG. What a hard topic this week!! I’m so excited to add people to who I’m following.

April 5, 2016 at 7:24 pm

YES hers is so great!!

Brittany @ The Book Addict's Guide says

April 5, 2016 at 9:22 am

Yayyy some of my favorites — and some new ones I didn’t know I wasn’t following already!! Thanks for the recs, Jamie! LOVE your account too 😀

April 5, 2016 at 7:29 pm

Thanks lady! I always feel like mine is so BLAH compared to all these gorgeous accounts. I try not to get discouraged and just have fun with it!

April 5, 2016 at 10:39 am

THANKS JAMIE! <3 "always experimenting" couldn't be more accurate haha. Love your IG too!!

April 5, 2016 at 7:32 pm

I love it! You always have such creative stuff that I’m like WOW I HAVE NEVER SEEN THAT ON BOOKSTAGRAM which I *love*

Lindsey @ Lindsey Reads says

April 5, 2016 at 1:02 pm

Ah I could browse Bookstagram accounts for hours, especially ones as pretty as these! Thanks for the recs! A few I already followed and a few I’m checking out now 🙂

April 5, 2016 at 7:33 pm

I think I spend TOO much time staring at pretty book pics haha

Gillian says

April 5, 2016 at 1:23 pm

Awww, thank you Jamie!! <33 I love your IG bunches too. And I actually follow ALL of these people, so clearly your taste is top notch haha

April 5, 2016 at 7:34 pm

OUR TASTE IS THE BEST

Zeee @ I Heart Romance & YA says

April 5, 2016 at 3:22 pm

Follow me!!! LOL SHAMELESS PLUG! I’m kidding!

I follow a few of those listed here, Jamie!

I recommend following Ursula Uriarte on Instagram! She takes bomb photos!

Fin looks adorable in that photo!!!

Oh yes I follow Ursula too! her photos are so great! What’s your insta?

April 5, 2016 at 3:32 pm

Added a few of these to my insta feed for that reading inspiration when I need it.

Obvs added you as well 😉

Mel ♥ everyword.meljwills.com

April 5, 2016 at 7:35 pm

YAY! And thanks for adding me 🙂

Jessica @ a GREAT read says

April 5, 2016 at 4:50 pm

Oh nice picks!! Loving these pictures! Wish I knew how to take such gorgeous ones with my phone! LOL!

Here’s my Tuesday Post

Have a GREAT day!

Old Follower 🙂

April 5, 2016 at 7:39 pm

SAME. Even with my good camera I’m like WHY DO MY PICS NOT LOOK LIKE THEIRS

Denise says

April 5, 2016 at 5:48 pm

Thank you for all these recommendations! I’ve had a Bookstagram account for over a year now, and I’m always looking for new accounts to follow. I love Rebecca’s account so much, especially! Her photos are so pretty, and feel so effortless. I love the way she edits them too. If ever I feel like I don’t want to read, I can always go onto her feed, and I instantly can’t wait to pick up my book again!

Denise | The Bibliolater

April 5, 2016 at 7:38 pm

There is something about that visual element that just sucks you in!!

Alexa S. says

April 6, 2016 at 1:29 pm

What a post filled with lovely photos, Jamie! I really enjoy a bunch of these Instagram accounts as well, and I’ll now be checking out the ones I haven’t really had the opportunity to look at yet. Thanks for sharing!

Carrie says

April 6, 2016 at 7:13 pm

love this post!!! Finding several new-to-me accounts to follow 🙂 My TTT

Sarah J. says

April 10, 2016 at 5:23 pm

I’m always looking for new bookstagrammers to follow. Thanks for the great recommendations. I was following a few of these, but most these accounts are new to me!

Megan | Ginger Mom & Company says

February 6, 2020 at 12:57 pm

These are all gorgeous! I’ve been looking for new Bookstagrammers to follow, as I work on practicing my own photography. Oddly enough, it’s harder than it looks 😉 Thanks for the great recommendations! Happy reading.

Virginia Westlake says

March 15, 2020 at 5:28 pm

Another good one is reading ladies book club.

August 23, 2020 at 5:22 pm

How about @womanon Her bookstagram is just lovely.

Rivera Smith says

February 7, 2021 at 12:48 am

You can check out @tanjim1 too. I really like this south asian girl with great Aesthetic and nice reviews.

[…] check out Book Riot’s Brief Guide to Bookstagram, or the Perpetual Page-Turner’s “10 Instagram Accounts Book Lovers Should Follow.” I also love this discussion of “Blogging vs. Bookstagram” on Katie’s Book […]

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The best Instagram accounts for book lovers

Love looking at pictures of books as much as you love reading? Then make sure to follow these Instagram accounts.

For book lovers, there’s no more beautiful sight than a perfectly arranged bookshelf, a cosy reading nook or a stack of books arranged by theme or colour.

And so, Instagram is the perfect social media network for readers. Not only is it a place where you can find aesthetically pleasing pictures of books, it’s also somewhere that give you recommendations for your next read, based on just about any criteria you want.

Here are our favourite Instagram accounts for fans of reading. 

1.  @elizabeth_sagan

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Elizabeth Sagan (@elizabeth_sagan)

Bookstagrammer Elizabeth Sagan creates stunning “paintings” using books. She’s often in the images herself, whether she’s flying on a broomstick through an archway, giving herself wings made of books with black jackets, or talking about Greek mythology with Medusa-like book hair.

2.  @hooplaback.girl

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Anuradha Bhaumick (she/her) (@hooplaback.girl)

Anuradha Bhaumick runs what is probably the cutest Bookstagram account ever, posting pictures of her cross stitch scenes, which are mostly of people reading and sharing their passion for books. Her cross stitches are full of detail you’ll want to zoom in to see, and the bright colours will add a much-needed dose of brightness to your Instagram feed.

3.  @coraliebickfordsmith

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Coralie Bickford-Smith (@coraliebickfordsmith)

If you love the classics, then take a look at designer Coralie Bickford Smith ’s account. Bickford Smith, who as well as being the author of books including The Song of the Tree , is the designer for the Penguin Clothbound Classics , shares pictures of the books she’s worked on as well as giving an insight into some of the creative techniques she’s using.

4.  @thesianpages

View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Sîan Pages 🌈🌻📚 (@thesianpages)

Bookworm Sîan’s account is only a year old, but we’re already big fans. Sîan is a big champion of authors of colour, and of Black writers in particular, and this Bookstagram account is full of joy.

5.  @wordchild

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Books 📸 Triin (@wordchild)

If you’re after inspiration for creating your own book nook , look no further than wordchild, whose account shows off their absolutely stunning reading spaces. Wooden floors, stacks of books, comfy reading chairs, and a mix of old and new bookcases – excuse us while we go swoon.

6.  @lovelyowlsbooks

View this post on Instagram A post shared by #BookBlogger / 25 / UK (@lovelyowlsbooks)

Book blogger Zulfa’s account is the definition of “aesthetically pleasing”. The set-ups for all her photographs involve lots of props, all perfectly placed and tying in with the books featured. There’s a definite tilt towards fantasy, science fiction and young adult novels, so if those are your jam, then click that follow button.

7.  @lastnightsreading

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kate Gavino (@bykategavino)

Are you the type of person who loves an inspirational literary quote? Then Kate Gavino has you covered with illustrations of quotes, and their authors. The account began as quotes from readings authors held in New York and Paris, but has since expanded to include a variety of authors, with Gavino using writers’ birthdays to celebrate their work.

8.  @booksontheunderground

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Books On The Underground (@booksontheunderground)

We might not be commuting at the moment, but Books on the Underground can help us remember the good old days of squeezing onto packed trains, trying to regulate our body temperature when going from the chilly outside air to a station, and, of course, finding or leaving books on the Underground. The account is sharing its current reads at the moment, but scroll back through to see previous titles left on the Tube network, and start getting excited about one day discovering a book left on a train again.

9.  @ice_cream_books

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ice Cream Books (@ice_cream_books)

Do love books? Do you love ice cream? Then say hello to Ice Cream Books, which does what it says and pairs books and ice creams in photographs that look like pieces of art. Images include a copy of Jeff Koons: A Retrospective with a bouquet of Jolly Rancher popsicles, and  Bricks and Mortar: Offline Shopping in Online America by Frank Cost pictured among a wall of  vanilla and chocolate wafer ice cream sandwiches.

10.  @bookbento

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Book Bento Box (@bookbento)

Book Bento describes itself as “book recommendations with a side of stuff”. It may sound a little strange, but once you see the photographs on this account you’ll understand. Each book featured is pictured with items that are relevant to the characters or mentioned in the text. Think Erin Morgenstern ’s The Starless Sea with a bottle of champagne and a watch.

11.  @oprahsbookclub

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Oprah’s Book Club (@oprahsbookclub)

The official account for Oprah’s Book Club doesn’t just feature the group’s chosen reads. It’s also a place where Black authors are celebrated, and where the club posts prompts and inspiration for future reads. And, of course, occasionally you’ll get recommendations straight from Queen Oprah herself.

12.  @perfectbound

View this post on Instagram A post shared by perfectbound_ (@perfectbound_)

If you geek out not just about books, but about book design, then make sure to follow Perfect Bound. Run by publishing industry magazine The Bookseller , the account features some of the best-looking books you’ll ever see. And because it’s based on design, you’re also bound to get some recommendations for titles you won’t see elsewhere on your feed.

13.  @belletrist

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Belletrist (@belletrist)

Founded by actor Emma Roberts and podcast host Karah Preiss, Belletrist is one of the coolest book clubs around. Its account shares its chosen books, as well as memes and photographs the book club loves. Plus, there are lots of aspirational images of Roberts with books we hope to one day recreate.

14.  @reesesbookclub

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Reese’s Book Club (@reesesbookclub)

The account for actor Reese Witherspoon’s book club takes you beyond the book and shows you the inspirations and research behind each chosen title. There is also information on events the book club is running, and book picks from authors.

15.  @thehappyreader

View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Happy Reader (@thehappyreader)

The Happy Reader magazine, by Penguin Random House and Fantastic Man, shares spreads from its latest issues, as well as book recommendations, on its account.

16.  @booksaremybag

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Books Are My Bag (@booksaremybag)

Books Are My Bag is the campaign to celebrate bookshops, and is behind events including Bookshop Day and Independent Bookshop Week. On its account you’ll not only find inspiration for books to read, but also for bookshops to visit (once they reopen, of course).

17.  @idealbookshelf

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ideal Bookshelf (@idealbookshelf)

Indulge your book love with Ideal Bookshelf, the Instagram account of a brand which produces all sorts of brilliant book merchandise, from pins to t-shirts and prints.

18.  @cals_book_account

View this post on Instagram A post shared by cal :-) 📚📚 (@cals_book_account)

Much as we love a glossy photo or 10, the main reason we follow Bookstagram accounts is for the real book recommendations from real people. And one of our favourites is Cal’s Book Account. Run by a teenager with a serious book habit , we love that Cal reads widely and isn’t afraid to show a passion for reading.

19.  @penguinukbooks

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Penguin Books (@penguinukbooks)

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7 Things I Learned After Posting 100 Bookstagram Reviews in 100 Days

Kim Ukura is a book lover, recovering journalist, library advocate, cat mom, and lover of a good gin cocktail. In addition to co-hosting Book Riot’s nonfiction podcast, For Real, and co-editing Book Riot’s nonfiction newsletter, True Story, Kim spends her days working in communications at a county library system in the Twin Cities area. Kim has a BA in English and journalism from a small liberal arts college in Minnesota, and a master’s in journalism from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. When not getting to bed before 10 p.m., Kim loves to read nonfiction, do needlework projects, drink tea, and watch the Great British Baking Show. Instagram: @kimthedork Twitter: @kimthedork

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Between April 4 and July 12, I posted 100 book reviews on Instagram as part of The 100 Day Project , a free, global art initiative where people around the world commit to doing something creative every day for 100 days. Participants pick a project, choose a hashtag, and commit to sharing their progress every day through the course of the project.

I don’t have an artistic bone in my body, but I love books and I love photography, and I was in a position where I wanted a creative challenge… with that, 100 Days of Books by Kim ( #100daysofbooksbykim ) was born for Bookstagram.

Taking 100 photos and writing 100 reviews is not easy, but I also think it’s a project that anyone with a passion for books and photography could take on themselves. Here are seven lessons I learned while completing my 100 Day Project:

1. Set some guidelines for your project

Before you embark on an ambitious bookstagram project, it’s important to set a framework for what you want to do. If the project is too general, it’s going to feel overwhelming. If it’s too narrow, you’re going to run out of ideas.

The initial framework of my project was pretty broad: post a book photo and short review every day for 100 days. To make sure I didn’t get lazy, I also decided I would use a different background every day and I wouldn’t post more than one book from any author. To keep myself from running out of ideas, I decided I would use both old and new reads to complete the project… there was just no way I was going to be able to read 100 books, but with a lot of backlist titles thrown in it was easy to get there.

2. Find your style… but don’t be afraid to mix things up.

When I started this project, I imagined that I’d be doing a lot of styled photos, putting my books against a nice light background and accessorizing (that’s not even the right word!) with flowers and other ephemera related to the titles. I tried that for a few photos and realized that it wasn’t going to work for me over the course of 100 days – I didn’t have a good space or good props, and I actually thought setting those photos up was kind of tedious.

Instead, I found that I liked doing photos where you find an interesting background or scene, then photograph the book there. This involves a lot more travel and some more thinking ahead, but I it gave the overall project a more natural, casual aesthetic and got me out of my house and explore more than I might have otherwise – an extra win I wasn’t expecting.

3. Find some inspiration.

There are a ton of great bookstagram accounts out there to offer inspiration, from publishing house accounts to individuals to book media. We’ve rounded up many in posts here at Book Riot , and I also went out to find my own. Some of my favorites publishers on Instagram are Graywolf Press , Random House and Dutton Books , but there are tons of good ones. Seek out people who you think do good work and see what you can learn from them.

4. Always be looking around… and always have a book.

Once I decided I was going to mostly focus on creative backgrounds, I started to see backdrops for book photos everywhere. The space you need for a book photo isn’t big – probably 12 inches by 12 inches at most – which opens up a ton of possibilities. Because I was also using backlist books, not just current reads, I had some flexibility in bringing books out with me for photo shoots in different spaces as needed. For most of the project, I had two or three or four extra books sitting in my car in case I saw a new location for a photo.

5. Pay attention to light.

Taking photos in the middle of the day, when the sun is highest and brightest, is a challenge. So it taking photos in artificial light. Try to find good natural light to take your photos, and pay attention to the way shadows are falling on your photos. And if you happen to be using library books, pay attention to how light is playing off of the shiny covers.

For more tips on bookstagramming like a pro, check out this post from Rioter Kristina Pino with her suggestions on staging, props, lights and the use of filters.

6. Start a reading journal, now!

One of the best resources I had for this project was my book blog. I’ve been writing about books on the internet since 2008, so I have a pretty extensive collection of reviews and notes of what I’ve been reading for the last nine years. I was doing a lot of backlist books as part of this project, so it was really helpful to have those posts to look back on.

If you don’t want to start a blog, get a notebook and start a reading journal to list the books you’ve read and a few thoughts on each one. Even if you don’t do a bookstagram project, you will love looking back on these notes later as you try to recall specifics about a book you loved (or hated!).

7. Stick with it.

I tend to be a person who starts out strong with projects, then misses a day and can’t seem to get back on the horse (hello, going to the gym). In this case, I gave myself a lot of grace when I missed a day or two and just made the effort to get caught up when I had some extra time. I probably missed 12 days over the course of the project, but I stuck it out and finished on time. Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good.

For me, completing the 100 Day Project was hugely validating. It felt good to set a goal and meet it, and I loved the chance to share my favorite books with a different audience than my blog and Book Riot. If this project sounds like fun, I really encourage you to give it a try!

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20 literary Instagram accounts to fill your feed with books

In For the Love of Reading by Kevin Gray September 9, 2021

There’s nothing better than sinking into a comfortable chair, tuning out social media and the outside world, and losing yourself in a good book. Then again, there’s also something satisfying about engaging in social media to keep up with the  latest on Everand  as well as your friends and favorite authors.

Fortunately, literary pros and enthusiasts gather to share their love for reading on Instagram so you can follow along for all the action. From book recommendations and jaw-dropping libraries to gorgeous art, these are 20 of the best Instagram accounts for booklovers.

@SubwayBookReview

Uli Beutter Cohen started this account by seeking out readers on the New York City subway to discuss their books and their lives, sharing their stories along the way. Today, contributors report from multiple cities around the world, offering unique looks at books and the people who read them.

@StrandBookstore

New York City’s largest independent bookstore recommends books via its picks of the month, posts photos from its store, shares quotes and bestows its followers with regular pictures of cute cats and dogs — so there’s a little something for everyone.

@WellReadBlackGirl

Founder Glory Edim uses her platform for, in her words, “Reading and reflecting on the work of Black girls, women and non-binary writers.” The feed features authors past and present, recommends books, and displays inspiring quotes and images.

With a daily dose of reviews, snippets, quotes, recommendations, and author profiles,  The   New York Times  book-focused account has a little bit of everything. That includes fun facts: Did you know that in 1930  John Steinbeck  wrote an unpublished werewolf murder mystery?

@MentallyBooked

MentallyBooked’s founder, Taryn, curates this inspiring feed with recommendations, artful photos, and glimpses into her personal collection.

@Elizabeth_Sagan

If you’ve ever wondered what books would look like fashioned into flowing capes, rainstorms, or Zodiac signs, Sagan has you covered. Her creative presentations of books put a new spin on literary art, as she uses tomes to depict iconic objects and elaborate scenes.

@James_Trevino

Sagan’s counterpart is Trevino, who also uses books to craft eye-catching art. One example: a book-made dragon, breathing book-made fire at Trevino, who is dressed as Harry Potter on a broom.

@MyBookFeatures

Put Sagan and Trevino together, and you get this account, which compiles user-submitted photos in one place. Take your own shot, use the #mybookfeatures tag, and you might be featured on the feed.

@PowellsBooks

This Portland, Oregon-based powerhouse bookstore is a popular follow for readers. The account keeps you up-to-date on new releases and offers recommendations via Powell’s Picks of the Month.

@Pretty_X_Bookish

South Africa-based bookworm Nokukhanya Ntsaluba’s feed is loaded with vibrant, brightly colored photos and positivity. Come for the visuals, stay for the recommendations and honest reviews.

@ParnassusBooks

This “independent bookstore for independent people” in Nashville updates its feed daily with new releases, staff recommendations and pictures of its well-read shop dogs.

@RoxaneGay74

Roxane Gay, journalist and author of multiple books, including  Bad Feminist  and the Scribd Original  Writing into the Wound , shares her writing and her perspective on culture and current events.

If clean lines and organization are your thing, BookBento is for you. The feed features books, naturally, plus various products — pencils, snacks, coffee mugs, candles — to complete each photo with a homey touch.

@AlexAndBooks

Alex is an Instagram influencer and podcaster, known for his motivating take on reading. His love for books is infectious, and he regularly recommends works across diverse categories, from self-help to biographies.

@Jordys.Book.Club

Not all book clubs involve sitting around in a circle and sharing your thoughts post-read. Jordy’s Book Club keeps things virtual, with great photography and weekly reviews. Pick up a book and join the club, no matter where you live.

@Lupita.Reads

Lupita is a passionate reader and book club host who also pens a column for the Washington Independent Review of Books. Follow along for her honest take on what she’s reading, plus fun photos with her family, dog, and the occasional beer.

@BookCookLook

Books placed in the middle of elaborate feasts, complete with great photography and mini reviews — that’s what you’re privy to here. Prepare to be very hungry as you scroll.

@PieLadyBooks

Want another food-themed follow? Creative baker Steph makes gorgeous pies inspired by book covers and includes excerpts with each post.

@WhereTheReaderGrows

Chandra runs NYC-based blog and Instagram account, Where the Reader Grows. With a fondness for thrillers and horror but a love for all books, she shares what she’s reading and provides quick synopses and reviews.

@PerfectBound_

An account from  Bookseller  magazine, PerfectBound is all about design posting colorful, creative book covers. So, if you want to judge a book by its cover, this can help.

About the Author: Kevin Gray

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How to get started on bookstagram in 2024.

If you love to read, love a gorgeous book cover , or just love giving your opinion on what you’ve read, there’s no better place to be on than Bookstagram! This is Instagram’s bibliophile community, which includes hundreds of thousands of readers who are sharing book reviews, hauls, and fantastic bookshelf inspiration with one another. 

Sounds like a community you want to be a part of? Great. We’re here to show you how to get started on Bookstagram.

1. Understand that Bookstagram is visual-based

Book lovers have found corners all across the internet to gather and nerd-out together, and everywhere they meet, they do things a little differently. For instance:

• BookTok on TikTok is largely for quick recommendations without a lot of fanfare. 
• Classic book review sites like Facebook Groups or Goodreads get a lot of people with similar interests flocking together to create online book clubs. There’s a lot of discussion — but it’s also easy to drown in the chatter.
• With their short and conversationational format, Twitter is a great place to find fandoms for cult-followed books — think Harry Potter or Hunger Games.

You might be wondering now: What about Bookstagram? With Bookstagram, you can do it all, and more! Popular Bookstagram accounts are beautifully curated with artful photos of recent releases, their piles (and piles and piles) of books to be read, and their lovingly organized bookshelves. But on top of the visual feast for your eyes, Bookstagram also offers a tight-knit community. There’s plenty of open-ended content on Instagram — i.e. reviews in the captions, interactions in the comments section, etc. — to encourage followers to comment and start discussions.

So if you have a visual eye, a bookshelf bursting with TBRs, and lots of opinions on books that you'd like to share with an eager community, then you'd probably fit in perfectly to Bookstagram. Let's move onto the next step to get you started.

2. Set up your account to be recognized as a Bookstagrammer

If you have a personal Instagram account, the process of setting up your Bookstagram is going to be pretty straightforward. The biggest difference, however, is that you’ll want your account to show other users you’re all about books from the get-go. Every element on your profile should be geared towards building your Bookstagram brand.

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Choose a book-related username

When you choose a username, you’ll want to pick something that instantly gets readers thinking about, well, books. This name will be what other users will know and refer to you as, so it’s a good way to help them recognize you as part of the Bookstagram community.

You can, for instance, try adding one or two of these words to your username so readers know you’ll be talking about books and reading:

• Bookstagram

For an even catchier Bookstagram name, think about what your account might be themed around. Are you focused on certain genres? Do you want to review new releases? Do you have a favorite book or author? 

Users also love account names that are puns on book titles, famous characters, or genres. For instance, if your name was Pete and you were really into horror books , your account could be @petesemetary. Or if you were going for the “cat posing next to YA novels” theme, you could use the username @catnipeverdeen. 

From @yuki.reads on Instagram

Write a concise, informative bio

After adding your name (or your nom de gram ), it's time to introduce yourself to the community. Bearing in mind you can only use 150 characters in your Instagram bio, here are a few ideas of things to include for making them count: 

• Keywords indicating what you’ll be posting about. If you enjoy reading specific genres, include that! 
• The hashtag #bookstagram so you come up in its search results.
• Your goal count for how many books you plan to read (and have read) this year.
• Your current read (hot tip: the Bookstagram lingo is “CR”).

It’s best to separate this information into a few short phrases, line by line. You can use emojis like bullet points to give your profile some color, or simply let them illustrate the energy you want your account to give off! Remember, Instagram is a visual platform — users will appreciate visual elements even in your bio.

Your bio settings

At the bottom of the introduction section, Instagram lets you add a link. This is a great place to redirect users to your book blog, personal website, Goodreads account, or Reedsy Reviewer profile . Instagram only allows one link, but you can use tools like LinkTree to add multiple links to your bio. 

How your profile bio will look

If you’re ever not sure about what to say, just check out the #bookstagram tag and see how other Bookstagrammers lay out their bios.

Pick a profile picture

Your profile picture will show up in a little circle next to every one of your posts. This picture, along with your username, will be what users recognize you by, so it’s a big part of your brand. Ideally, you’d pick something that you wouldn’t want to change for a long time, since this is one of your most identifiable features on Instagram.

You can choose pretty much any picture to represent yourself here, though, of course, it should be related to books. 

Change to a creator account

Instagram lets you categorize your account based on what you do or post about. There are three types of accounts: personal, business, and creator. 

If you’re planning to be a Bookstagrammer, we recommend using a creator account. Once you exceed 100 followers, this type of account will give you insights on your followers — their gender, where they’re from, what kinds of content they’re interested in. You can also get stats on how many people each post of yours has reached, and how much engagement it’s encouraged.

3. Follow relevant accounts and hashtags to start your home feed

Whether you casually post on Instagram to keep track of your reading goals, or you want to become a Bookstagram influencer, these stats can help you improve your content and grow your account to whatever level you want to reach (more on this in a bit).

With your account all set up, it’s time to get some posts on your home feed! You came here to be part of a community, and following others is how you do it. By interacting with other Bookstagrammers, you introduce yourself and can get them to follow you back.

You might already have some book accounts you want to follow — but the more the merrier! To quickly find some people to follow, search up and scroll through the #bookstagram tag to find profiles you like. Or, you can follow the tag itself to get top posts published with this hashtag on your home feed every day. 

Looking up book titles, character names, genres, and authors that you love can also lead you to like-minded Bookstagrammers. Plus, the more interactions you make on Instagram, the more likely the platform is to recommend posts and accounts similar to your preferences. The power of the app’s algorithm can sound a bit too close to a dystopian novel , but hey, at least you’ll have plenty of bibliophiles on your feed with whom you can discuss this! 

4. Create your first post as a Bookstagrammer

Now comes the fun part — creating content. There’s lots you can post about on a Bookstagram, from To Be Read (TBR) lists to book reviews to a simple, seasonal photo of yourself reading something. But what should you use for your first post? Let’s look at some ideas.

Feature your favorite recent read

It’s a bit out there but hear us out: how about you kick things off for your Bookstagram account with a book? In all seriousness, there’s hardly a better way to introduce yourself and connect with like-minded readers than to talk about a title you enjoyed.

Pick a book you love, take a nice photo of it — perhaps next to a cup of coffee or a little houseplant — and give it a quick review in the caption. Remember, a quick review doesn’t have to be a bad one. You can use our free book review template to get some guidance, but generally a good Bookstagram review includes a brief summary, your opinion on the book, and your recommendation to fellow readers. 

Be honest and thoughtful in your review. The more you give of yourself on your Bookstagram, the more your followers will relate to you, and the better the engagements on your account will be, which is where all the fun is!

From @emilybookedup on Instagram

Introduce yourself

Another great first post is one that tells future followers something about you! Let them know what you like reading, if you write as well, where you’re from, and any fun facts about you and books. Maybe you met your favorite author once at a signing and have a great story to tell about it. If you have a specific visual theme — i.e. posting pictures of your books with your cat — this might be the place to explain it or give it some context!

From @thelittlethingsandmore on Instagram

Pick a bookstore to spotlight

Have a favorite bookstore? Show it off and support it by tagging the store in your post! Many booksellers will appreciate the shoutout and will repost photos in which their shop is tagged. (You can also include a geotag of the shop, too, in case other users want to visit it.) 

In the caption, let your followers know what you love about that store! Do they have a reading nook and cafe you spend hours in? Or maybe they have a store cat who always leads you to your next read. Asking a question at the end of your caption like, “What’s your local bookstore like?” is another great way to encourage other users to start a conversation with you. 

From @literarylauren_ on Instagram

Although Instagram started as a photo-sharing app, it has added quite a few video features over the years. 

If you’re looking to go for the gold in follower count, creating videos is the way to do it. As for the actual content of your first video, you can go for the staple recommendation video, or you can introduce yourself if you feel like it! The aim of the first post usually isn’t to go viral, so feel free to take it slow and experiment with the editing tools.

From @michellereadsbooks on Instagram

5. Plan a consistent posting schedule

People follow you on Bookstagram to hear about your reading journey, so don’t leave them hanging! You’ll want to show up on followers’ home feeds consistently so they don’t forget about you (and unfollow you). And of course, more posts and more hashtags can only mean greater visibility for your account.

Posting 2-3 times a week should be fine, and it gives you time to read and make new posts. (Note: publishing too frequently can put you at risk of being shadowbanned — meaning your posts can still be seen by your followers but they won’t show up in the hashtags’ feeds.) You can rotate between book hauls, TBR lists, book reviews, and miscellaneous posts to keep the content varied.

Meanwhile, in between the posts, keep interaction going with Instagram Stories — i.e. posts that's only available to view for 24 hours. There you can leave polls, ask questions, and invite fellow bibliophiles to DM you!

Plan your aesthetic

Because Instagram is a visual-based platform, and your personal profile comes with a grid of all your posts side by side, a lot of users like to plan out their content so that everything will look cohesive together. This is completely up to you and how you want to run your Bookstagram. 

If you’re striving to become a Bookstagram influencer, having an aesthetic vision for your account is crucial. Luckily there are apps to help you out, like VSCO to edit photos cohesively and Planoly to lay out your account’s grid before you publish your posts.

If you’re just posting for fun and to connect with other readers, don’t worry so much about photo editing. It’s not necessary in order to have fun on Bookstagram.

The way your caption looks can be important too. Remember, people are scrolling through their feeds pretty quickly, only stopping at what really catches their attention. Try using emojis and line breaks to separate your written thoughts. Cut down on your word count as much as you can. It’s okay to post long captions, but be intentional about what you include in them. Think microblog rather than blog.

From @elenathereader on Instagram

6. Get your first 100 bibliophile followers

As mentioned previously, following others and having followers is a big part of being in the Bookstagram community. Even if you’re not aiming to become a book influencer, gaining followers means that more people see your posts, so the chances for interesting book discussions will be greater! With that in mind, here are three solid tips to help you start your following.

Engage using comments and DMs

It’s called social media for a reason: you’re supposed to be social on it! Other than replying to comments left on your own posts, leave likes and comments on other people’s posts as well. Show your enthusiasm, be a friendly face, and people will be sure to respond in kind. 

When you comment on someone else’s post, you can also interact with their followers, which are probably the same people who would be interested in following your account. Start a conversation in the comments of videos and posts you like.

Another great way to engage with people is through DMs, or direct messages. DMing other people means you’ll get a one-on-one, private conversation with them. A casual way to slide into the DMs of somebody you’d like to chat with is to reply to their story. Instagram lets you send a wave of emojis in reaction to a story in a quick tap, or you can type out a message to the fellow Bookstagrammer. This is a quick and easy, low-pressure way to interact with someone’s content. All creators love to see their followers interacting with their posts, so don’t be shy! 

Use bookstagram hashtags

The best way to get your posts found on Instagram is to use hashtags. 

You’ll want to do a bit of research into which tags to use before you post. Start looking at the broader ones like #bookstagram, #books, #bookreview, and see what related tags Instagram recommends you afterwards. 

Pay attention to the number of posts in each tag, which can be found at the very top of the screen. This number is important, because you’ll want to find tags that your posts have a chance at being seen in. A tag with 69 million posts like #bookstagram is a really big ocean — so big that your post would easily be drowned in it. Instead, you want to drop your posts in a lake (i.e. 600,000 posts, for instance), or even a puddle (i.e. 20,000 posts).

You can use up to 30 tags on one post, so select a good range of high- and low-volume ones. You’ll want to change up the combination of hashtags from post to post to make sure they’re relevant to each piece of content. Using the same 30 hashtags every post, or using irrelevant tags, can lead to getting shadowbanned.

It sounds like a lot of work but don’t worry, just a couple of weeks into your posting schedule and you’ll get a good grasp of the right hashtags for your content! 

And on that note, it’s time to get reading and Bookstagramming! If you're ever in need of more ways to connect with other readers, check out these amazing online book clubs .

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How to write book reviews on instagram.

As you might expect, book review posts are pretty much a staple of bookstagram. It's pretty common to see a pretty photo of a book accompanied by the bookstagrammer's review and/or rating in the caption. But writing reviews on Instagram is a little different to writing reviews on Goodreads or elsewhere.

1. Pair your review with a great photo

2. Be aware of the character limit

3. use short paragraphs, 4. be informal.

5. Throw in a few emojis

6. avoid spoilers if at all possible.

50 Simple Instagram Reels Ideas for Bookstagram

Instagram reels are the next big thing on social media, so I wanted to share some ways you can jump on the trend with some Instagram Reels ideas for Bookstagram . I’ve been posting so many bookish reels, like this one with 350k+ views.

Instagram Reels are essentially the same as TikToks. While there’s already a BookTok community growing on the uber-popular app, I’ve been having a lot of fun creating bookish Instagram Reels on my Bookstagram .

👉 Pin for later : pin 👈

50 Creative Instagram Reels Ideas for Bookstagram

1. Share your favorite seasonal books. 2. Highlight the best YA books. 3. Act out your favorite book scene. 4. Rate the book versus its movie adaptation. 5. Share your favorite romance novels. 6. Post a tour of your bookshelves. 7. Rearrange your bookshelves with a timelapse. 8. Problems that bookworms have. 9. Film your latest book haul. 10. Give a 15-second review of the last book you read. 11. Share your favorite book covers. 12. Ask people to vote on your next read and share 3 options. 13. “What I would wear if I were XYZ character…” 14. If you like this movie, try this book… 15. Film a quick morning routine video with books and coffee. 16. Share a few books that made you cry. 17. Highlight some of your least favorite books.

★ CHECK IT: 5 Easy Strategies to Grow Your Bookstagram

18. Share the creepiest psychological thrillers. 19. Funny things you do while reading. 20. Your bookmark collection. 21. How to get audiobooks. 22. Bookish pet peeves. 23. Diverse book recommendations. 24. Books you wish you could read for the first time. 25. The different types of readers. 26. Who you’d cast in a movie version of your favorite book. 27. Books to get you out of a reading slump. 28. Your unpopular bookish opinions. 29. Most thought-provoking books. 30. Share what book got you into reading. 31. Popular books that are worth the hype. 32. Popular books that aren’t worth the hype. 33. Film yourself taking Bookstagram photos and make a time lapse. 34. How your friends see books versus how you see books. 35. How you edit your Bookstagram photos. 36. Your favorite bookish accessories. 37. A tour of your favorite bookstore. 38. Books on your TBR. 39. Your favorite fantasy books. 40. Your top 5 books that came out this year. 41. Share your auto-buy authors. 42. Your latest monthly wrap-up. 43. Explain how you organize your shelves. 44. Book recommendations for new readers. 45. Your best Bookstagram tips. 46. Best books for a book club. 47. Share tips on how to get into reading. 48. Share a few outfit options for your Hogwarts house. 49. Book recommendations with crazy plot twists. 50. Share your favorite book quotes.

Let me know if you have any Instagram Reels ideas for Bookstagram! I’m looking forward to making more Reels.

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Thanks for the ideas :))

Of course! Glad they were helpful 🙂

Wonderful post

Thank you so much!

Thanks. These are a lot of ideas……… Will definitely implement this

Thank you! Enjoy!

Love this post! Thank you! I came across your blog on our theme support forums, and now I’m a follower 😀

Aw haha thank you!!! That’s awesome 🙂 love it!

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The Ultimate Guide to Bookstagram for Beginners

By: Author Laura

Posted on Published: 15th September 2023  - Last updated: 25th February 2024

Categories Book Blogging , Books

Thinking about starting a bookstagram? Here’s all you need to know about how to start a bookstagram from someone who’s been doing it for over a decade!

Have you been wondering what bookstagram is or want to know how to start a bookstagram account?

This comprehensive guide to bookstagram will take you through everything from what bookstagram is to how to create a bookstagram account, how to get bookstagram followers and more!

Over the years I’ve grown my Instagram from 0 to 70,000+ followers and these are some of my bookstagram tips to begin your journey to do the same. By the end of this guide, you will know how to bookstagram like a pro .

If you’re not already following me on Instagram, you can check out my account at @ whatshotblog where I post about books and travel.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Laura | What’s Hot? 🇨🇳🇬🇧 (@whatshotblog)

Now, let’s get started:

What is bookstagram?

Bookstagram, or book Instagram, is a niche corner of the internet for book lovers. Using the hashtag #bookstagram, you’ll find millions and millions of book-related photos posted by people from all over the world.

It’s an online community of bookworms who love to share pictures or videos of what they’re reading, their favourite books, their bookshelves, the libraries and bookshops they’re exploring and more.

All manner of bookish people are on bookstagram including authors, bookworms, booksellers, bookshops, libraries, book prizes and more. So you see there’s no simple answer for what is a bookstagram account!

If you’re an author then I’d suggest heading to my post on bookstagram for indie authors too.

How to Start a Bookstagram

Now let’s get into the nitty gritty of how to start a book instagram account! These simple steps below make creating a bookstagram super quick and easy.

Choose a bookstagram handle

First things first, you need to set up an Instagram account. If you want to properly immerse yourself in bookstagram then I suggest creating a new account dedicated to books, rather than converting an existing, personal account.

In doing so, you’ll have to choose yourself a bookstagram handle. But what to choose?! The possibilities are truly endless.

Think about why you’re starting a bookstagram account for some name inspiration. If you’ve got an existing book blog then obviously using the same name across your social media channels is advisable. If not, then it’s time to get your thinking cap on.

Many popular bookstagram accounts include words such as books, novel, tome, literature, bookworm, bookshelf, library, read, bookish, literary. Alternatively, you might be inspired by a favourite quote, character or place.

Or if you’re going to run a niche account and only focus on a certain kind of literature then you might want to be more specific and include keywords like young adult, thrillers, romance, bookshops, fiction, historical etc.

Have a little brainstorm about what kind of content you’re going to post and the vibe you’re aiming for. A combination of words related to those two themes, or even your name, might help you come with something good!

Make sure to do a quick search on Instagram to check it’s not already taken too.

Write a great bio for bookstagram

Now that you’ve chosen your bookstagram handle, it’s time to fill out your profile and write yourself a little bio to give a little insight into your account.

My bookstagram bio contains four lines in which I explain: what type of blogger I am, my blog’s tag line with my content’s aim, one line about me and a reminder to check out my blog for more content.

This is your chance to help people visiting your profile get to know you a bit better. The problem is, you’ve only got 150 words to do it. It’s tricky writing something concise here and people take different approaches.

You might include what genres you like to read, the name of their current read or the number of books they’ve read so far that year.

Or you might choose to focus more on your personal traits and share a few things that you love. And throw a few emojis in so people know you’re human.

Mix it up and find what works for you. You can always have a look at the bios of some of your favourite accounts for further bookstagram bio ideas.

I also tend to give mine a little “refresh” every few months or so, don’t feel you have to stick with a particular bio.

Although you have the option to add an email button to your Instagram page, I find that people rarely see this and end up DMing me information and asking for my email.

As a result, lots of people put their blog email addresses in their bios so it’s really clear where people can get in touch.

A lot of PR and marketing assistants will look for bookstagrammers to work with via the desktop version of their Instagram, where the email button doesn’t appear, so I personally advise putting the email directly in the bio.

If you’ve got a blog, make sure to link to it from your Instagram page too. You can now add multiple links to your Instagram bio, which is great as you can link to your blog, your other social media channels, a mailing list, your Goodreads account or other interesting articles.

Some people still prefer to use platforms such as linktr.ee . This is a single link which opens up into a page with a list of more links.

READ MORE: How I got Started on Bookstagram: 0 to 70,000+ followers

Convert your account to a creator account

If you want to grow your bookstagram, I’d highly recommend making the (free) switch from a personal account to a creator account.

This will give you an insight into your Instagram stats including information about where your followers are located and what time they’re usually online.

You’ll be able to see the gender divide of your audience, the age brackets they fall in and your follower growth amongst other things.

This is invaluable information that will help you figure out what time to post, which posts are doing well and more.

If you’re hoping to later monetise your account, this is an important step as brands may well ask for screenshots of this information down the line too.

To do this, simply go to your account settings and select “Account”. At the bottom of the page, there are some links in blue, which should give you the option to switch to either a creator or a business account.

Unless if you’re planning on selling products or opening an online store, I’d go with the creator account.

NB. You may find instead a single option for a “professional” account, which will give you the same insights.

Posting to Bookstagram

Now let’s turn to how to bookstagram.

Bookstagram post ideas

Now your account is all set up, it’s time to get posting! The style and type of content on bookstagram is hugely varied so it’s good to get an idea of what content you might like to create before you first press that publish button.

Some bookstagrammers are all about the caption and post long-form reviews. If you’re here because you want to know how to create a book blog on Instagram or how to be a book blogger on Instagram then you’ll likely post in this style.

Instagram has become a sort of micro-blogging platform and captions can be up to 2,200 characters so there’s plenty of space for mini reviews.

Other bookstagrammers are all about the aesthetics and post beautiful book-related photos and videos. Some only post flatlays, others only post about bookshops. Some never post shots with them in them, others post pictures and videos of themselves reading.

As you can see, “bookstagram” is a very generic term for a huge range of book-related content. I’d say my feed is a mixture of all of the above options so don’t feel the need to pigeonhole yourself. Get posting and you’ll soon find your groove.

It took me years to find mine so don’t worry too much about this and just enjoy posting about books and making new bookstagram friends.

You should also experiment with all the different post types that Instagram has to offer. At the moment, there are 6 different types of content you can create on Instagram: posts, carousels, reels, stories, lives, and guides.

Trying them all out will force you to exercise a little creativity and you’ll figure out what your style is!

Check out this post about my bookstagram evolution to see my very first bookstagram post and how it developed from there. For more inspiration check out these beautiful and creative bookstagram accounts:

RELATED: 20 Beautiful Bookstagram Accounts to Follow Now

Bookstagram props

If you’ve already had a chance to browse through bookstagram and the content on there, you may notice that people love to post book flatlays and book stacks with other props in them.

By bookstagram props, I mean items that aren’t books that go in your photos.

You’ll see that some of the biggest bookstagrammers are constantly buying new props for their accounts and are veritable prop hoarders. But it’s absolutely not necessary to buy props specifically for your bookstagram account.

There are plenty of items around the house that will work very well too.

READ MORE: 24 Bookstagram Props to Use in Your Book Flatlays

An easy one, which you’ll already have in your home, is a mug. Books and tea go hand in hand, right? That’s what I’ve been told anyway… I’m not a fan! An insult to both my cultures.

Other things you might have around the house that could be bookstagram props include clothes, slippers, bookmarks, cushions, dry flowers, glasses, bags, newspapers, the list goes on!

If you’ve been tempted by other bookstagrammers, some other popular bookstagram props you could invest in include funko pops (tiny figurines of popular book and film characters), candles, posters, book sleeves, bookish tote bags and more.

READ MORE: Accessories That Every Bookworm Needs

Editing bookstagram photos

If you want your bookstagram feed to have a “theme” or consistent look, then you should think about what kind of edit you want to apply to your images.

Some people apply very minimalist editing whilst others will go for strong filters.

When I started on bookstagram I focussed on bright, white images and then moved to darker desaturated tones. Now, my feed is the opposite and is quite bright with warm, orangy tones.

Picking a consistent theme can help build a brand and image style that your followers instantly come to recognise when it pops up on your feed.

Instagram has its own editing tools inside the app, but in terms of good-quality filters, theirs are rather limited. If you want a great, free app to start off with, I’d recommend VSCO.

They’ve got loads of great filters you can apply and adjust as you please. If you want to upgrade to some of the nicer filters, this will cost you a subscription fee of around £29.99 per year (which works out as less than £2.50 a month!).

I personally use Lightroom to edit my photos and this is part of Adobe’s editing suite. It’s more expensive at £9.99 per month but you can do so much more with your images on this computer programme (the mobile app version is free!).

This is one for the slightly more experienced photographers or those looking to really perfect their images with editing.

You can create or buy your own filters for Lightroom, known as presets, which mean you can apply the same tones to every photo.

I now use my own presets, which are available to purchase from my shop here . If you love the look of the photos and videos on my blog and Instagram then please do purchase my preset pack to give your photos a warm glow with just one click!

These bookstagram presets are used on all my online images and come in three varieties – light, dark and warm. Don’t worry if you’ve never used Lightroom before as there’s a preset installation guide included!

What’s great is that Lightroom recently introduced an update so you can use these presets on videos too!

Edit your photos like me with my presets, available here!

There are free presets that you can download from the internet but, in my experience, none of them are quite as good as those sold by photographers and content creators.

If you’re not ready to make your own presets or invest in some then I think you’d be better off with an editing app on your phone. That’s my experience anyway!

Browse cheap presets on Etsy from small businesses here!

Planning your bookstagram feed

Now you’ve got some images, you’ve edited them and you’re raring to go! But what order do you post them in?

To some people, this will seem like a silly question. But to the perfectionists out there who want to curate a beautiful, consistent feed, this is another important step.

Using planning apps can help you to get a sense of what your Instagram feed will look like ahead of time.

This is useful for seeing whether your most recent set of photos all work well together, as well as for pre-scheduling some photos and captions.

I would recommend starting with the app Planoly , which is free, so it’s a great option for those who don’t want to spend any money on bookstagram.

I currently use Preview App , which is great for scheduling content on both your phone and desktop or if you’re managing multiple accounts.

Using these apps, you can upload all your edited bookstagram photos and then rearrange them as you please. You simply use your finger to drag the images and they’ll move into a new order.

It’s amazing to see what a difference this can make. You can also write your captions for each photo ahead of time and save a bank of hashtags to use .

You can now schedule Instagram posts from within the app, but this is generally a little glitchy so I’d recommend manually posting content in the moment or from your drafts folder.

If you are using an app like Planoly or Preview App, you can set up notifications so they remind you when to post and you can just copy and paste a pre-written caption from the app to Instagram. Easy.

Tip : Be careful to make sure you never log out of or delete your Instagram account if you have lots of draft posts ready to go as these will all disappear!

How do I get followers on bookstagram?

Whilst I don’t think bookstagram should be all about the followers, let’s be honest, everyone wants their account to grow and for their work to be appreciated! Here are tips for getting more engagement and followers on bookstagram.

Post content that is educational, entertaining or inspirational

There are three key types of content on Instagram that you can create to encourage people to follow you.

These are educational content, entertaining content or inspirational content.

In a bookstagram context, this could mean content that is informative (e.g. book reviews, book lists, information on new releases), funny or relatable (e.g. poking fun at bookstagrammer traits like book hoarding) or motivational or inspirational content (e.g. beautiful libraries to visit in the future, beautiful home libraries etc.).

Post a variety of content in different formats

As mentioned above, there are 6 different types of content you can create on Instagram, and posting a variety of them all seems to please the algorithm.

Whilst I wouldn’t advocate becoming a slave to the algorithm, it is inevitably an important aspect of Instagram!

At the moment, Instagram is heavily pushing out video content and so you’ll definitely want to experiment with the reels function, which is a TikTok style of video.

Reels even have their own section of the app which is accessed from the bar at the bottom of the app, proving their importance!

The best way to use reels is to search for trending audio (it will have a little tick next to it) and put your own spin on that sound. Your videos need to be able to hook people in the first few seconds so short, snappy videos tend to do very well.

My top tip to anyone who asks me about how to grow followers on Instagram is to engage with the community you’re in.

You need to like and comment on other people’s photos regularly and start to form connections with similar accounts. If you don’t engage with the community, why should they engage with you?

Doing this is how I’ve made so many good friends via bookstagram, something I never dreamed would happen when I set up my account.

If you take the time to read people’s captions and make meaningful comments, you’ll find that you can start to form connections with people.

Don’t just go down your bookstagram feed and comment “nice pic”. This is not a good form of engagement.

I suppose now would be a good time to talk about engagement pods. An engagement pod or comment pod is a chat group (usually within Instagram but it could be on another platform), where people post their latest photos and ask for other people in the group to comment and like it.

They’re set up to “beat the algorithm” as Instagram has a habit of hiding people’s posts from our feeds if we don’t interact with them much.

I know that so many bookstagrammers participate in these, but I really don’t recommend them. I’ll admit that I was in one of these when I first got started with bookstagram and found it incredibly stressful.

If the group is large, it’s a big commitment to make I think it takes the fun out of posting and making friends organically.

It doesn’t drive genuine engagement and it means you are obligated to comment on content that perhaps doesn’t resonate with you.

These groups also breach the guidelines of most influencer marketing platforms now as they are seen as a form of fake engagement.

If you’re friends with the people in these groups and comment on their feeds regularly, their posts should show up in your feed naturally. It’s much better to grow organically than to try and use tactics like this, in my opinion.

Hashtags are essential to being discovered by more accounts on Instagram. So important in fact that I’ve written an entire article dedicated to book hashtags and how to use them!

If you want some inspiration and examples for which book hashtags to use, then check out this in-depth article:

READ MORE: All You Need to Know About Book Hashtags

Essentially, Instagram will allow you to add up to 30 hashtags to every post and to maximise reach you should be including relevant hashatags on each of your posts.

There are quite a lot of opinions on the “best” number of hashtags to use.

Whilst some still say that you should be going for the maximum of 30, I myself have been on a call with an Instagram representative who said that 7 or so hashtags is ideal.

Personally, I still go for around 30 hashtags, but make sure they are all super relevant to the content you are posting – don’t bother using hashtags that aren’t relevant or needed.

Play around with this and see what works best for you.

There are so many bookstagram hashtags out there and unfortunately using those like #bookstagram #books will not be sufficient.

These hashtags have millions and millions of users and new posts are appearing every second. This means your post will be drowned in a sea of other new photos being uploaded at the same time.

Instead, you should carefully curate some book hashtags that are relevant to your photo and account. If you pick smaller and very relevant hashtags you should be discovered by other like-minded people.

There’s much more detail in my dedicated article on book hashtags so make sure to read that next.

Consistency

Consistency is really important on social media to train the algorithms to know what to expect from you, what time to expect it etc.

When you are just starting out, it can be useful to post content that stems from a similar theme so the algorithm knows what kind of content you post and can push it out to people that it knows like similar content.

You don’t need to confine yourself to too strict a niche, but it can be easier to grow if you post a similar style or type of video on a regular basis. Once your account is a bit larger, it can be easier to branch out into more varied content.

Instagram values those who post engaging content on a regular and consistent basis. Think of Instagram like a hungry bear that needs to be fed at regular intervals, preferably very regular intervals.

Of course, most people are not able to sit on Instagram all day engaging with other accounts and posting their own content. But it is still important to be consistent.

If you can only post three times a week, then try to post on the same three days, at the same time each week. This trains the algorithm to know what to expect from you and will be better than posting one post a day for three days and then disappearing for two weeks.

Whether it’s one post a week or one post a day, consistency is key.

Can I get free books?

Really this question warrants a post of its own, but the short answer is yes .

If you have an engaged following on bookstagram, it’s likely that publishers will be willing to send you review copies of their titles.

The great thing is that you don’t need a huge number of followers to receive review copies and I’ve seen plenty of accounts with under 1000 followers receive gifted books from publishers.

I think that as long as you can show that you can add value with beautiful pictures, informative captions, an engaged audience or, ideally, a mixture of all these and more, then publishers will be open to hearing from you. They may even slide into your DMs themselves.

You might not be able to get a copy of the latest Harry Potter book if you’re still a small account but, publishers are keen to get their new releases out on bookstagram.

READ MORE: Why Influencers Shouldn’t Use the Term “Gifted”

Side note, I don’t really like using the term “free” as I don’t think anything truly comes for free.

In exchange, the publisher will expect you to post about the book on your feed and give the book publicity so it’s a reciprocal, working relationship. Which brings me to…

Can you earn money from bookstagram?

Now we’re in sticky territory. People have a lot of opinions about whether or not bookstagrammers should be paid. Arguments often get quite heated.

My personal opinion is that they absolutely should. I won’t get into the nitty-gritty here as I wrote an entire article here about why I think bookstagrammers should be paid .

I also asked some of the top book influencers what they think about the influencer marketing industry in the book realm and they also agreed that bookstagrammers should be paid. Read their thoughts in full here: book bloggers share what they think of the influencer marketing industry .

Publishers have been slow to adapt but some progress has been made since I published the two articles I just linked.

It is definitely possible to make money from bookstagram, but it often means being willing to promote non-book-related products.

I don’t know any full-time bookstagrammer who only makes money from bookstagram or book blogging and all have diverse income streams.

Funnily enough, publishers seem to be more willing to pay posts on the other platform and there are a lot of quite successful BookTokers.

But, generally, it is a lot harder to earn money if you are in the book niche as compared to, say, fashion or parenting.

How can I earn money from bookstagram?

The two main ways to earn money from Instagram are sponsored posts and affiliate links.

Sponsored posts usually work in one of two ways: either brands come to you or you sign up to an influencer marketing platform. Pitching to brands is also a possibility if you can find out who to get in touch with.

Two popular influencer marketing platforms that I know offer bookish opportunities include Takumi and Tribe . I’ve used both extensively in the past and they’re good platforms to experiment with when starting out with sponsored posts.

As my account has grown, I’ve found it less suited to these apps, whose rates are very (very!) low, but I’d recommend having a look to see if they are hosting opportunities that are right for you.

Of course, just because your account is about books does not mean that should only seek book-related sponsored opportunities.

Depending on your style of photos and how niche your account is, you may find it easy to promote other products like snacks or stationery for example.

There will definitely be more opportunities for these kinds of products than there will be for books or strictly book-related products.

RELATED: How to Disclose Sponsored Posts on Instagram

Instagram allows accounts of all sizes to post links in their stories so anyone can start earning with affiliate links.

You could also add affiliate links to the link in your bio as mentioned above.

I have a whole post dedicated to affiliate links for book bloggers where you can learn more about which platforms to use and what retailers are available.

READ MORE: The Ultimate Guide to Affiliate Marketing for Book Bloggers

That’s it for now! If you’ve been asking yourself “should I start a bookstagram?” then you absolutely should. Out of all the communities on Instagram, bookstagram is one of the friendliest.

Compare bookstagram to the world of fashion or travel influencers or even book twitter, bookstagram has one of the nicest internet communities out there.

Social media can often be a toxic place, but bookstagram has always been a positive space for me.

I hope this guide about how to make a bookstagram has been helpful and will give you the confidence to set up your own bookstagram.

Don’t let worries about how to start bookstagram stop you from actually getting going.

If you’d like any more detail on the above or more tips for starting a book Instagram, please let me know in the comments below or by dropping me a DM on Instagram !

If you’re interested in becoming a book blogger too, then make sure to check out my guide for how to start a book blog too.

If you found this post helpful, please  support me with a small contribution on Ko-Fi . This information was provided free of charge but is invaluable to bloggers and influencers and I’d really appreciate your support!

Pin now, read again later!

If you liked this post, check out these: How I Read Over 75+ Books Per Year How to Start a Book Blog 36 Book Blog Post Ideas My Bookstagram Evolution Book Hashtag Guide Behind the scenes on Instagram

Editor of What’s Hot?

Saturday 30th of September 2023

Could you post a mix of educational, entertaining, and inspirational content? Or would that be too much?

Sunday 18th of July 2021

Is it important that the picture you post on bookstagram should belong to you only??

Wednesday 21st of July 2021

Copyright of an image will always belong to the person who took the original photo. There are lots of repost accounts on Instagram but it is best practice to send a message to the photo owner to double-check they are ok for you to repost their image. When you repost it, you should always tag and credit the image owner clearly.

Wednesday 14th of July 2021

I love this. This has given me some great ideas on becoming apart of this community xx

Sunday 17th of January 2021

I also having some problem with converting it into creators account

If you have the option of converting to a professional account then I would do that. Then you can access insights etc.

Yeisha Beasley

Wednesday 21st of October 2020

My Instagram account says switch to a Professional Account but it doesn't have a Creator Account. Is the Professional Account the same as a Creator Account

In that case, you should convert to the professional account to access insights :) I believe Professional encompasses both Business and Creator though am unsure if you will have the option to later choose Creator specifically.

I believe professional accounts can be either creator accounts or business accounts. Once you click through to turn it into a professional account, I think you’d have the option to specifically make it a creator account. Instagram has more info on their own website that’s worth reading: https://www.facebook.com/help/instagram/2358103564437429.

LostinRomanceBooks.com

Sale-priced and free romance books on Kindle

Top 10 Instagram Accounts for Romance Novel Readers

Instagram has many of accounts dedicated to reading and books. The term “bookstagram” refers to Instagram accounts that features photos of books posed artistically or atheistically. And there are plenty of bookstagrams in every genre and subgenre. If you love to explore and find new romance novels , there are dozens of accounts dedicated exclusively to this genre. From romance book reviews to recommendations and beyond, here are 10 Instagram accounts to follow.

1. @reads_romance

Teresa shares colorful photos of romance novels she’s currently reading, along with book recommendations and guides for finding specific types of romance books.

2. @bookbellas

Ellen offers “short and sweet” book reviews for every novel she shares on her page, making it super easy for other romance lovers to find new content to enjoy!

3. @kinkygirlsbookobsessions

This account will alert you of new romance book releases, giveaways, and free Kindle reads , ranging from sweet romantic tales to steamy erotica.

4. @little_book_reader

Amanda shares funny, sweet, and lighthearted romance novels, including some YA fantasy fiction.

5. @theromanticbibliotheca

Alicia uses this account to rave about her favorite authors, share artistic photos of her current reads, and write reviews of steamy novels.

6. @everlasting.charm

This beautifully curated Instagram account will make you feel like you’re in a dreamy fairytale with its pastel photo collections and mini book reviews.

7. @cressmclaughlin

Cressida is actually a bestselling author of cozy romance novels, and she uses this Instagram account to share her current reads, favorite authors, and book reviews.

8. @laceybooklovers

Lacey shares romance novels of all subgenres, ranging from historical romance to contemporary romance books, often featuring her adorable puppy.

9. @ravishedbyromancebookclub

If you’re looking for a community of romance book lovers, this fun and inclusive virtual book club has a livestream once a month to discuss different novels!

10. @litbylilli

Lilli’s romance bookstagram account is summarized beautifully in its description: “Come for the book reviews, stay for the smiles.”

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10 of the Best Book Clubs on Instagram

By A.W. Naves

If you love books and want to join a book club, there are many on Insta. Continue reading to learn about 10 of the best book clubs on Instagram worth following.

1. Salt Water Reads

Salt Water Reads on Instagram is maintained by The Southern Coastal Book Club. They feature book recommendations that range from heart-racing thrillers to light-hearted romances and everything in between, mostly newer releases from contemporary authors.

Books are usually of a length you would read on a vacation to the beach, thus the name of the book club. There is no formal membership. Curators recommend books for everyone interested to read and offer a venue for public discussion about thoughts on the reading material.

Become a part of the discussion.

2. Pure Wow Book Club

The Pure Wow Book Club promotes books on Instagram and encourages its followers to read and share their thoughts about the selections. In addition to recommended reading, it provides reels from organizers discussing their reading preferences and authors discussing their work.

Monthly giveaways of new books are open for all followers to receive copies of new publications with no requirements other than to interact with the book club on the social media site. Followers are also invited to tag the book club in their own book-related posts.

Learn more about the book club.

3. Ladies Lit Squad

The Ladies Lit Squad on Instagram is dedicated to the discussion of books written by women and Black authors. They recommend books on Instagram and promote independent booksellers. Followers are invited to comment on book selections they are reading via tagging.

The book club provides monthly prompts for reading selections and encourages additional reading by holding a yearly book challenge to inspire reading one or two books each month for the entire year. Choices of reading material are mostly classic or contemporary fiction.

Get involved in the chat.

4. Rebel Book Club

The Rebel Book Club aims to inspire learning through its book club by offering several non-fiction books to read each month. Members can read one or all three and then join in-person or virtual discussions to share their thoughts about the selections by tagging the book club.

Members can sign up for memberships that include in-person meetings of chapters in various locations of the UK or completely virtual meetings if that better suits their preference or location. You can keep up with everything happening in the group on their site and Instagram.

Join this book club.

5. Belletrist

Belletrist is an online book club started by actress Emma Roberts and her best friend, Karah Preiss. The book club operates completely online, bringing readers together to explore their monthly selections on Instagram and other venues that users may prefer.

The book club enjoys a variety of reading material that they examine through discussions with the author, as well as video and audio chats. You can also sign up for their newsletters and notifications of upcoming events that you can join, plus prize giveaways.

Find out more.

6. Once Upon a Book Club

Once Upon a Book Club puts the fun into reading with monthly subscription boxes that include a newly released book, along with fun little additions like author’s signature plates, bookmarks, and a bag of little prizes designed to be opened as you arrive on certain pages of the book.

The book club is open to readers in the United States. You are invited to read the book and then tag the book club on Instagram to foster discussion among readers. You can sign up for either adult or young adult fiction, so it is ideal for anyone. There are also plenty of giveaways.

Subscribe to this book club.

7. Our Shared Shelf

Our Shared Shelf (OSS) was started by actress Emma Watson as an intersectional bi-feminist book club to explore books that spoke to their community in some ways. In the years since it began, Watson has stepped away from the book club, but participants continue to share on Instagram via peer recommendations and posts that tag OSS.

The group is unmoderated, but Watson continues to make book recommendations several times a year based on her personal reading that followers can then read and discuss online as they see fit. More than 370,000 followers continue to keep this book club alive.

Follow OSS to join in.

8. Reese’s Book Club

Reese’s Book Club was started by none other than Hollywood icon, Reese Witherspoon. Every month, Reese recommends a woman-centric book for her followers to read and discuss on Instagram and various other social media outlets. The club is one of the liveliest on Instagram.

The book club not only posts reels from Reese, but also from other celebrities who have read the selected book or authors who discuss their writing process, characters, and plot. In addition to the book discussion, there are a lot of literary items in the group’s store to choose from.

Check out what they offer.

9. Barnes and Noble Book Club

When it comes to books, who knows them better than retail giant Barnes and Noble? In addition to monthly book selections focusing on new releases, their book club on Instagram offers a variety of interactions, in some cases following books from inception to publication with updates.

Cover reveals sweepstakes, reels made by everyone from well-known faces to random readers can all be found on their Instagram account. You will also be in the loop for the annual Book of the Year contest where they nominate books based on which ones were most loved by customers.

Visit the bookstore on Instagram.

10. Between Two Books

Florence Welch of the Indie Rock Band, Florence and the Machine, started this book club after a fan wrote to her and suggested that she should share her well-known love of reading with others. Between Two Books was born and has continued to grow via a website and social media.

In addition to recommended reading, their Instagram posts feature book discussions with other musicians and question and answer sessions with book authors. The book selection is quite eclectic but is selected from newly released contemporary fiction.

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Top 100 Book Influencers in 2024 (Bookstagrammers)

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10 books to add to your reading list in April

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Critic Bethanne Patrick recommends 10 promising titles, fiction and nonfiction, to consider for your April reading list.

April’s book releases cover some difficult topics, including Salman Rushdie discussing his 2022 maiming, Leigh Bardugo’s fiction about the dark arts and Ada Limón’s poetry anthology about our fragile world. However, like April, there is also sunshine: Leif Enger’s wild Great Lakes love story, Helen Tworkov’s beautiful memoir of Buddhism and a collection of the inimitable Maggie Nelson’s essays. Happy reading, happy spring!

I Cheerfully Refuse: A Novel By Leif Enger Grove Press: 336 pages, $28 (April 2)

An unusual and meaningful surprise awaits readers of Enger’s latest, which takes place largely on Lake Superior, as a man named Rainy tries to reunite with his beloved wife, Lark. While the world around this couple, a dystopian near-future American where billionaires control everything, could not be bleaker, the author’s retelling of the myth of Orpheus (who went to the underworld to rescue his wife) contains the authentic hope of a born optimist.

The Familiar: A Novel By Leigh Bardugo Flatiron Books: 400 pages, $30 (April 9)

Bardugo departs from novels of dark academia in a standalone to make the hairs on your neck stand up, set in 16th century Spain. A hidden Sephardic Jew and scullery maid named Luzia Cotado matches wits with fellow servant Guillén Santángel. Luzia discovers a secret of Guillén’s, but she’s already fallen in love with him. And because he knows hers, too, they might both avoid the Spanish Inquisition. It’s a gorgeous tale of enchantments both supernatural and earthly.

The Sleepwalkers: A Novel By Scarlett Thomas Simon & Schuster: 304 pages, $28 (April 9)

A couple honeymoons at a Greek resort. What could go wrong? In Thomas’ hands, plenty – especially as the author has never written a comfortable story; her books, from “PopCo ” to “Oligarchy,” crackle with unreliable characters, as well as big philosophical ideas. In this case, the new marriage’s breakdown is chronicled through letters between the spouses, and sometimes bits of ephemera, that ultimately untangle a dark mystery relating to the title.

The Garden: A Novel By Clare Beams Doubleday: 304 pages, $28 (April 10)

Few novels of literary fiction are written as well as “The Garden,” let alone given its sadly relevant retro setting, a 1940s country-estate obstetrical program. Irene Willard walks through its gates having endured five miscarriages; pregnant again, she and her war-veteran husband George desperately hope for a live birth. But as Irene discovers more about the woman who controls all here, Dr. Bishop, she fears carrying to term as much as she once feared pregnancy loss.

Reboot: A Novel By Justin Taylor Pantheon: 304 pages, $28 (April 23)

David Crader, former teen TV heartthrob, just wants to reboot his career when his old show “Rev Beach” has a moment. His life has devolved through substance abuse, divorce and underemployment. But when he and colleagues launch a remake, devolution continues: The protagonist’s struggles are mirrored by climate-change issues, from flooding to wildfires. Despite that darkness, Taylor’s gift for satire might make this a must-read for 2024 beach bags.

You Are Here: Poetry in the Natural World By Ada Limón (Editor) Milkweed Editions: 176 pages, $25 (April 2)

A wondrous artist herself, Limón is currently poet laureate of the United States, and this anthology is part of her signature project, “You Are Here,” which will also feature poetry as public art in seven national parks. Released in conjunction with the Library of Congress, the collection features 50 previously unpublished poems by luminaries including Jericho Brown, Joy Harjo, Carl Phillips and Diane Seuss, each focusing on a piece of regional landscape.

Like Love: Essays and Conversations By Maggie Nelson Graywolf Press: 336 pages, $32 (April 2)

While all of the pieces in Nelson’s new book have previously been published elsewhere, they’re made fresh here both through being collected and through their chronological placement. Readers can practically watch Nelson’s incisive mind growing and changing as she speaks with colleagues such as Hilton Als and Judith Butler, or as she writes about queerness, motherhood, violence, the lyrics of Prince and the devastating loss of a friend.

Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder By Salman Rushdie Random House: 204 pages, $28 (April 16)

On Aug. 12, 2022, the author Salman Rushdie was speaking at upstate New York’s Chautauqua festival when a man rushed the stage and attempted to murder him. Rushdie, a target of Iranian religious leaders since 1989, was permanently injured. In this book, he shares his experience for the first time, having said that this was essential for him to write. In this way, he answers violence with art, once again reminding us all that freedom of expression must be protected.

Lotus Girl: My Life at the Crossroads of Buddhism and America By Helen Tworkov St. Martin’s Essentials: 336 pages, $29 (April 16)

Tworkov, founder of the magazine Tricycle, chronicles her move from a 1960s young-adult interest in Buddhism to travels through Asia and deep study in the United States of the different strands that follow the Buddha’s teachings. Tworkov mentions luminaries such as the artist Richard Serra, the composer Charles Mingus and the Dalai Lama, but she’s not name-dropping. Instead, she’s strewing fragrant petals from her singular path to mindfulness that may help us find ours.

The Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War By Erik Larson Crown: 592 pages, $35 (April 30)

Even diehard Civil War aficionados will learn from Larson’s look at the six months between Lincoln’s 1860 election and the surrender of Union troops under Maj. Robert Anderson at Charleston’s Ft. Sumter. Larson details Anderson’s secret Christmas redeployment and explores this individual’s contradictions as a former slave owner who loyally follows Lincoln’s orders. The author also shares first-person perspective from the famous diaries of the upper-class Southerner Mary Chesnut. All together, the book provides a riveting reexamination of a nation in tumult.

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Best Dog Subscription Box (2024) Reviewed by Compare Before Buying

Compare Before Buying, a leading online resource for product reviews, has recently released an insightful review of the best dog subscription box for 2024.

BOSTON - April 5, 2024 —

Compare Before Buying, a leading online resource for product reviews, has recently released an insightful review of the best dog subscription box for 2024. This comprehensive review gives an overview of BarkBox & Super Chewer subscriptions, offering valuable insights for pet owners seeking the perfect monthly treat for their furry companions.

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For dogs who love to chew, Super Chewer offers a selection of durable toys and tasty treats designed to withstand vigorous play. Each subscription box includes two tough toys and two bags of treats, with the first box featuring a bonus of four toys and four treats. Subscribers can customize their boxes to suit their dog's preferences, ensuring tailored delivery. Safety is a top priority, with toys designed for durability and treats formulated by certified nutritionists for both flavor and nutrition.

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BarkBox offers different pricing options to cater to diverse budgets and preferences. For those seeking flexibility, the month-to-month commitment is priced at $35 per box. Alternatively, choosing the 6-month or 12-month plans, priced at $25 and $20 per box respectively, offers significant savings. Lastly, 6- and 12-month plan subscribers receive double items in their first box. It's noteworthy that subscription pricing remains the same regardless of dog breed or size.

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Super Chewer’s subscription provides various pricing options to accommodate different budgets and preferences. The month-to-month subscription is priced at $39 per box, while the 6-month and 12-month plans offer discounted rates at $29 and $24 per box, respectively. Subscribers to the extended plans receive double the boxes delivered throughout their subscription period, enhancing their value.

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Signing up for BarkBox & Super Chewer is a straightforward process requiring only basic details about your furry friend, such as their name, birthday, breed, and size. With options available for small, medium, and large dogs, every pup is accommodated, ensuring suitability for even the most vigorous chewers. 

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Are Pet Subscription Boxes Worth It?

Determining the value of pet subscription boxes hinges on several factors, including budget constraints, pet preferences, and the significance of convenience and surprise. For certain pet owners, these boxes provide a convenient avenue for regularly accessing a curated assortment of toys, treats, and accessories tailored to their pets' requirements and inclinations. Subscription boxes introduce novel products that pets may find enjoyable, making them a worthwhile investment for those prioritizing convenience and variety.

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Compare Before Buying's review offers a balanced perspective, highlighting the benefits and considerations of BarkBox &  Super Chewer subscriptions without resorting to overly promotional language. Pet owners can trust Compare Before Buying to deliver reliable, objective reviews to help them make informed purchasing decisions.

About the company: Compare Before Buying provides news and reviews of consumer products and services. As an affiliate, Compare Before Buying may earn commissions from sales generated using links provided.

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A Journey to the Boot of Italy, With Murder, Romance and Ricotta

A Philadelphia chef goes searching for her family history in Jo Piazza’s sun-baked multigenerational tale “The Sicilian Inheritance.”

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By Amanda Eyre Ward

Amanda Eyre Ward is the New York Times best-selling author of “The Jetsetters.” Her new novel, “Lovers and Liars,” will be published in May.

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THE SICILIAN INHERITANCE , by Jo Piazza

I am a novelist and a reader — all I want in the world is hot coffee and time to read and write. Since I was a tween devouring “Flowers in the Attic” and the Rabbit Angstrom novels — who let me read Updike as a kid? — I have been drawn to flawed characters, complicated worlds and propulsive stories that overwhelm me with uncomfortable emotions.

So I opened Jo Piazza’s new novel, “The Sicilian Inheritance,” with anticipation. Piazza is a best-selling author and veteran reporter; her work runs the gamut between comic novels and nonfiction examinations of marriage and celebrity. With “The Sicilian Inheritance,” she boldly, if at times uneasily, combines romance, murder and history.

The story centers first on the Philadelphia chef and mother Sara, a trained butcher with a tattoo of a meat cleaver on her left forearm and a flying pig on her right. Although she is facing the end of her marriage and the bankruptcy of her restaurant, she’s also mouthy and ambitious, a character I adored from the moment she donned a bright red jumpsuit to attend her beloved Aunt Rosie’s “fun funeral” (personalized trivia, Dolly Parton karaoke) at a bar. “The jumpsuit was too tight and too low-cut,” Sara admits, “but I knew Aunt Rosie would have loved it.”

Afterward, Sara opens a letter containing Rosie’s “last wish from the great beyond,” in which she explains that she has booked a nonrefundable trip for her niece to visit her ancestral homeland, the fictional town of Caltabellessa, Sicily, so she can discover the truth about her namesake grandmother Serafina’s death and investigate a valuable property that may or may not belong to their family. “I’m sending you on an adventure, my love,” writes Rosie. “Don’t you dare waste it.”

Enter the book’s second first-person narrator, Serafina, a young girl in circa-1910s Italy who dreams of escape from “generations of women before me [who] had lived their entire lives circling the tip of the small mountain doing nothing but caring for babies and husbands.” But Serafina’s attempts to break free — by serving her townspeople as a doctor-healer of sorts, and allowing herself to love a man outside the bounds of matrimony — lead to her being labeled a “witch,” and possibly to her untimely death.

By Page 53, I put the book down, but not for long. I simply had to go online and search for flights to Italy. (I did the same while reading “Siracusa,” by Delia Ephron, another intoxicating tale set on the largest island in the Mediterranean.) Here, Sicily shimmers off the page, utterly enticing — azure waters for swimming, hunky Italian chefs, moments like this one that nearly made me drop a few thousand bucks I do not have on plane and ferry tickets: “The cheesemonger asked both of us to open our mouths and close our eyes before placing velvety ricotta directly onto our tongues.”

I enjoyed Piazza’s twisty narrative and complicated characters, especially her contemporary women, who are strong and feisty — not so different from Updike’s lost, lusty Rabbit. It was a joy to read about Piazza’s heroines loving hard, eating well and blowing themselves kisses in the mirror. But Serafina’s sections lack the vibrancy of Sara’s, at times serving historical accuracy at the expense of thrilling prose.

Still, reading it left me thoughtful (Good Lord, it must have been hard to be a mom in 1913), thankful (especially for Instacart and a husband and children who can cook) and inspired (should I try to write about my Southern ancestors? We have plenty of crazy characters and delectable shrimp recipes in my family!).

Piazza explains in an author’s note that her family has “told time and time again the story of my great-great-grandmother Lorenza Marsalas’s murder” and that “small wisps” of that narrative “knotted into my brain for years.” With “The Sicilian Inheritance,” Piazza bestows a gift on Sicilian women like her ancestors: a novel of their own.

THE SICILIAN INHERITANCE | By Jo Piazza | Dutton | 384 pp. | $28

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