This past Sunday, Reading Whale celebrated it’s two-year anniversary! I’m so excited about this because it coincided with me reaching 1,000 followers on Instagram. Over the past two years my bookstagram (book-Instagram for those of you who are new here or who don’t follow me) has become a place for me to get book recommendations, inspiration for photos and room set-up, and even ideas for places to travel.
Some things for which I have to thank bookstagram: books like A Court of Thorns and Roses, A Darker Shade of Magic, and Six of Crows. I’m planning to visit the Books Are Magic bookstore in New York because I saw it in my feed, and I’ve really upped my photo-taking game because of all the amazing accounts that I follow.
Because bookstagram has become such a big part of my life, I thought I would let my bookstagram followers know a little bit more about the person behind the account. All the stuff that’s too long to share in a caption or a story. I did a Q&A format and included some of the questions I was asked on Instagram!
How did you find bookstagram?
I actually found bookstagram because of an internship I did after my freshman year of college. I was promoting a book, trying to find book blogs to review it and do giveaways. I was like wait a second… I can do this. I would love to do this. So I tried to come up with a good blog name, created a WordPress account and social media pages, and here we are. I’m still so thankful to that internship because it helped me find bookstagram and book blogging! Can you believe I had no idea about this community and now it’s something I do everyday?
What are you passionate about other than books?
Man, honestly reading is my biggest passion. All the basic things–friends, family, Hamilton, haha. I also really enjoy writing and editing, but does that still count as a part of books? Maybe the overarching, big thing I’m passionate about is creativity. I love graphic design, drawing and painting. But mostly I love other people’s art and how cool it is to see something original and creative. Talk to me about anything from movies to art museums and I’ll probably go on a tangent about how awesome it is that we can get emotional about things that were literally just thought up by someone. See, I’m already on a tangent. Okay–next question.
Favorite thing about bookstagram?
All of the people! Because of my Instagram, I interact with other book bloggers on a daily basis. I get to talk to people from other countries, and we fangirl over the same series and publishing announcements. I’ve discovered the true meaning of a Instagram theme and have started to develop my own style, which is so fun. And on top of all that, I’ve learned about great series, and bookish stores (and subscription boxes, too)!
Which author has been your biggest inspiration?
Growing up, it was probably Erin Hunter, and I know you probably don’t know who that is. I was actually obsessed with the Warriors series when I was in elementary/middle school, and I think it was the first time I really felt like books were one of the biggest parts of my life. I still remember bringing two books in the series with me on a vacation and making my dad find a bookstore that had the next one when I tore through the two I brought. I always enjoyed reading, but I think after that series I was a goner.
What’s something you’ll take away from bookstagram?
Gosh! So much. Um, besides the easy answer of books and bookstagram props, I think the community will always be something I remember. I love seeing people comment on my photos and take part in my monthly bookstagram challenges because I get to see the books they love and the similar ways they feel about TV shows/movies, rainy days and everything in between. While books are a big part of bookstagram (obviously), there are so many other aspects to the community that make it awesome.
What’s a book everyone should read?
The Little Prince, 100%. There’s also a movie on Netflix that’s super good based on it. This book is all about creativity and never letting the kid inside you die. It’s cute and adorable and has so many lasting life lessons, and honestly the greatest dedication ever. (I’m not going to tell you what it is so that you actually go read it.) But I will leave you with a quote: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.
If stranded on a desert island, what three books would you want to have with you?
Agh. The first would be Desert Island Survival for Dummies, or the closest thing they have to it because I do not have survival skills at all. And… A Court of Mist and Fury and maybe The Stand, which I’ve been wanting to read. Long and entertaining books, basically.
What’s a photo you posted that has the best background story?
It’s hard to think of one, but I chose this one because it was when I first started doing challenges! And I was still so fresh to the bookstagram world that I didn’t really have a style yet so I was taking photos anywhere and everywhere. This was my first #mapmonday for a challenge, and I used Game of Thrones. I just kind of opened it to the map page and stuck it in a plant. I remember trying different plants too, figuring out which would look good. And in my caption I was like ha, guess what book this is from like people wouldn’t immediately know.
Yay, all the questions are officially answered! Thanks for sticking along all the way to the end. I’m not exactly good at answering questions briefly. If you have a question I didn’t answer, leave a comment and I’ll answer it!
Extra thankful to everyone reading today who follows me and has supported Reading Whale. Especially those who have been there from the beginning. Here’s to two great years!
Here’s to the next two years, and many more! Love your blog!! ?
Q&A stuff is so fun. The Little Prince is a great rec. We’re reading that next for my book club!