book reviews on instagram

Best Book Accounts on Instagram to Follow for When You Want to Reduce the Digital Noise

Arvyn Cerézo

Arvyn Cerézo is an arts and culture writer/reporter with bylines in Book Riot , Publishers Weekly , South China Morning Post , PhilSTAR Life , the Asian Review of Books , and other publications. You can find them on arvyncerezo.com and @ArvynCerezo on Twitter.

View All posts by Arvyn Cerézo

Social media and books usually don’t mesh well. Sometimes, we find ourselves falling down the social media rabbit hole instead of doing what we love more, which is reading books . But what if it proves to be difficult taking time away from social media, especially the irresistible lure of Bookstagram? After all, it has become part of our daily lives, and to some, everyday work.

We can reduce the digital noise by populating our feeds with awesome bookish content. Below are the best book accounts on Instagram to follow for feed curation , self-care, inspiration, ideas, recommendations, and beyond! The list consists of the best Bookstagrammers, authors, literary agencies, cover designers, poets, websites, book clubs, organizations, and the like.

James Trevino (@james_trevino)

Trevino is a Bookstagrammer from Romania, and he has one of the best Bookstagram accounts on the platform. He posts artful arrangements of books whose themes are sometimes based on books themselves. Usually, they are laid out exquisitely on the floor.

Trevino has attracted media attention from the likes of Business Insider , Bored Panda, and the blog of the gay social network Hornet.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by James Trevino (@james_trevino)

Elizabeth Sagan (@elizabeth_sagan)

If you’re looking for a female counterpart to Trevino, there’s his friend Elizabeth Sagan. Sagan also posts curated displays of books, and her feed is very similar to Trevino’s in terms of aesthetics. Most of her photos have fantasy themes.

Sagan’s and Trevino’s massive followings have spurred the creation of the handle @mybookfeatures , which features bookish content from variety of bookworms.

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

Jacquelin Firkins (@jfkillsdarlings)

Firkins is a young adult author ( How Not to Fall in Love ) and a costume designer. However, she is not just another designer as she creates dresses based on book covers. In fact, she made this beautiful dress inspired by the cover of Pride and Premeditation by YA author and Book Riot contributing editor Tirzah Price.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jacqueline Firkins (@jfkillsdarlings)

The Last Bookstore (@lastbooktorela)

The Last Bookstore is an independent bookstore in downtown Los Angeles. According to Timeout , it’s the “world’s most-Instagrammed bookstore.” Peeking at their Instagram account, I conclude that the report wasn’t incorrect. Their feed features their beautiful, Instagram-worthy bookshelves. It must be nice working there every day…

View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Last Bookstore (@lastbookstorela)

Rupi Kaur (@rupikaur_)

Kaur is a bestselling poet who thrives on Instagram, and her poetry collections Milk and Honey and The Sun and Her Flowers are consistent bestsellers. Kaur’s Instagram feed mostly contains her poems, which are accompanied by illustrations, and other posts about her personal life.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by rupi kaur (@rupikaur_)

Kimberly Glyder (@kglyder)

Looking for design inspirations? Glyder is a designer and illustrator, and her Instagram feed is full of gorgeous book covers like these:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kimberly Glyder (@kglyder)

Joan Wong (@jningwong)

Wong is a visual designer for books. Her Instagram feed features stunning book covers and artworks for literary magazines. She is the cover designer of Kevin Kwan’s Crazy Rich Asians .

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Joan Wong (@jningwong)

Reese’s Book Club (@reesesbookclub)

Looking for Instagram book clubs to follow? Reese’s Book Club is on the platform as well. Their feed is full of bookish stuff such as giveaways, interviews, playlists inspired by books, etc. If you’re a member of said book club, you should definitely follow them.

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

Book of the Month (@bookofthemonth)

Book of the Month is a book subscription site. On their Instagram profile, they say that you’ll “discover the best new books every month.” Their feed doesn’t disappoint — it features recommendations, bookish memes, and more.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡 (@bookofthemonth)

Goodreads (@goodreads)

I usually stay away from the Goodreads website because, um, you know …but for some reason, I love their Instagram feed. It’s so vibrant and colorful. If you’re a Bookstagrammer, they feature contributions with the hashtag #GoodreadsSpotlight and with #GoodreadsWithAView for books and scenic spots.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Goodreads (@goodreads)

Pretty Book Places (@prettybookplaces)

Speaking of scenic spots, this Instagram account features “aesthetic collection of #PrettyBookPlaces.” They usually post photos of bookshelves and bookstores from different places around the world. If you love books and travel, follow them for this kind of content.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Books | Places | Interior (@prettybookplaces)

Kirkus Reviews (@kirkus_reviews)

This book review site is also killing it on Instagram. Kirkus Reviews posts usually include a snippet of a book review, which is also published on their website, and an Instagram-worthy shot. Excellent writing and aesthetically pleasing photos make a good combination indeed.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kirkus Reviews (@kirkus_reviews)

American Booksellers Association (@americanbooksellers)

The Instagram feed of this not-for-profit trade organization highlights beautiful bookshelves of independent bookstores across the U.S. In each photo, they also include a little bit of history of those bookstores. It’s one of the best book accounts on Instagram — a good resource to discover your next bookstore stop.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by American Booksellers Assoc. (@americanbooksellers)

Library Journal (@library_journal)

Library Journal is a book site for librarians. Their Instagram profile is vibrant. They post occasional bookish news and updates that are relevant to librarians. If you’re looking for more book accounts on Instagram that cater to them, here’s a few .

If you’re not a librarian yourself, however, you can still follow them for their author events.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Library Journal (@library_journal)

Liz Alva (@kampvuurverhalen)

Bookstagram is considered an art on the platform, but this independent creator is taking a different approach with Audiobookstagram. Alva’s Instagram feed features dramatic photos of smartphones playing audiobooks on them. Not only that, she also accompanies them with short audiobook reviews.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Liz Alva | Audiobookstagram (@kampvuurverhalen)

Jenny Han (@jennyhan)

YA author Han is known for the To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before trilogy, which was adapted into films. If you’re a fan of the series, follow Han’s Instagram account for the behind-the-scenes photos from the series and updates from the author’s life.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jenny Han (@jennyhan)

Epic Reads (@epicreads)

Epic Reads is a book site dedicated to promoting YA books. Owned by HarperCollins, they are one of the best YA-focused book accounts on Instagram. Follow them for updates on new YA releases, recommendations, memes, and more.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Epic Reads (@epicreads)

Ice Cream Books (@ice_cream_books)

This Instagram account is taking book pairings to another level by putting together books and ice creams! Their Instagram feed features different types of ice cream on top of or beside books, with some ice creams even dripping on the book covers. If you’re not a fan of “ruining” books in this way, however, please move on to the next one in this list.

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

The Good Literary Agency (@thegoodagencyuk)

If you’re a bookworm and an aspiring novelist, this literary agency in the UK regularly posts writing and pitching tips from their agents on Instagram. Their “Lessons I’ve Learned While Writing” series, in which their authors share their writing experiences, are also helpful.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Good Literary Agency (@thegoodagencyuk)

Book Riot (@bookriot)

And let’s not forget Book Riot, one of the most diverse and inclusive book sites on the Internet. Book Riot on Instagram posts contributions from its community, giveaways, memes, quotes, and more.

It’s simply one of the best Instagram accounts for readers.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Book Riot (@bookriot)

Do you want more book accounts on Instagram to follow? I know that listing only 20 is not enough, so here’s more:

15 Instagram Poetry Accounts To Follow For Inspiration

25 Fascinating Authors On Instagram to Follow in 2019

23 Book Cover Designers to Follow on Instagram

You Might Also Like

Authors & Events

Recommendations

• New & Noteworthy
• Bestsellers
• Popular Series
• The Must-Read Books of 2023
• Popular Books in Spanish
• Coming Soon
• Literary Fiction
• Mystery & Thriller
• Science Fiction
• Spanish Language Fiction
• Biographies & Memoirs
• Spanish Language Nonfiction
• Dark Star Trilogy
• Ramses the Damned
• Penguin Classics
• Award Winners
• The Parenting Book Guide
• Books to Read Before Bed
• Books for Middle Graders
• Trending Series
• Magic Tree House
• The Last Kids on Earth
• Planet Omar
• Beloved Characters
• The World of Eric Carle
• Llama Llama
• Junie B. Jones
• Peter Rabbit
• Board Books
• Picture Books
• Guided Reading Levels
• Middle Grade
• Activity Books
• Trending This Week
• Top Must-Read Romances
• Page-Turning Series To Start Now
• Books to Cope With Anxiety
• Short Reads
• Anti-Racist Resources
• Staff Picks
• Memoir & Fiction
• Features & Interviews
• Emma Brodie Interview
• James Ellroy Interview
• Nicola Yoon Interview
• Qian Julie Wang Interview
• Deepak Chopra Essay
• How Can I Get Published?
• For Book Clubs
• Reese's Book Club
• Oprah’s Book Club
• happy place " data-category="popular" data-location="header">Guide: Happy Place
• the last white man " data-category="popular" data-location="header">Guide: The Last White Man
• Authors & Events >
• Our Authors
• Michelle Obama
• Zadie Smith
• Emily Henry
• Amor Towles
• Colson Whitehead
• In Their Own Words
• Qian Julie Wang
• Patrick Radden Keefe
• Phoebe Robinson
• Emma Brodie
• Ta-Nehisi Coates
• Laura Hankin
• Recommendations >
• 21 Books To Help You Learn Something New
• The Books That Inspired "Saltburn"
• Insightful Therapy Books To Read This Year
• Historical Fiction With Female Protagonists
• Best Thrillers of All Time
• Manga and Graphic Novels
• happy place " data-category="recommendations" data-location="header">Start Reading Happy Place
• How to Make Reading a Habit with James Clear
• Why Reading Is Good for Your Health
• 10 Facts About Taylor Swift
• New Releases
• Memoirs Read by the Author
• Our Most Soothing Narrators
• Press Play for Inspiration
• Audiobooks You Just Can't Pause
• Listen With the Whole Family

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.

Visit other sites in the Penguin Random House Network

Raise kids who love to read

Today's Top Books

Want to know what people are actually reading right now?

An online magazine for today’s home cook

Just for joining you’ll get personalized recommendations on your dashboard daily and features only for members.

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

FYI, they're called "bookstagrams."

Our editors handpick the products that we feature. We may earn commission from the links on this page.

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.

You Can Run, but You Can’t Hide

Lara Love Hardin’s Remarkable Journey

These New Novels Make the Perfect Backyard Reads

Books that Will Put You to Sleep

The Other Secret Life of Lara Love Hardin

The Best Quotes from Oprah’s 104th Book Club Pick

The Coming-of-Age Books Everyone Should Read

Pain Doesn’t Make Us Stronger

How One Sentence Can Save Your Life

Riveting Nonfiction—and Memoirs!—You Need to Read

7 Feel-Good Novels We All Desperately Need

• lol Badge Feed
• win Badge Feed
• trending Badge Feed

Browse links

• © 2024 BuzzFeed, Inc
• Consent Preferences
• Accessibility Statement

25 Bookstagrammers You Should Be Following This Month

Find your new favorite book recommenders!

BuzzFeed Staff Writer

1. Johanna from @johsjournal

About Me: My name is Johanna, an avid reader who was born in the Philippines, raised in the United States , and am currently based in Las Vegas , Nevada. Reading was a huge part of my childhood at home and at school where I studied English Literature for undergrad, but work (I’m in the Legal and Tech industries) had completely dominated my life until last year when I started reading again and started a bookstagram. These days, I prefer my dog Enzo and books over people, and I’m not sorry.

What Followers Can Expect: Followers can expect honest reviews and features of mostly fantasy, science fiction, and magical realism books. I prioritize and highlight books written by BIPOC and authors of other marginalized groups across several genres, including SFF, historical fiction, nonfiction, and literary fiction. I also encourage my followers to read Asian literature. Some of my reading journal spreads from my blackout notebook tend to make an appearance on my Instagram every now and then!

A Recent Book I Loved: So many good books out there! I love everything about Jade City by Fonda Lee. An Asian-inspired urban fantasy with gangster and kung fu film vibes, Jade City tells the story of two rival warrior clans who carry the bloodline of a race with the ability to harness the power of a natural substance unique to Kekon, jade. Focus is on No Peak Clan siblings, the Kauls, who are forced to protect their own as the greed of rival power-hungry Ayt family of the Mountain clan threaten the country’s economic stability. I loved the dynamics between the siblings and other thematic elements woven into this story: loyalty, honor, mythology, and magic (Lee seamlessly entwines the country’s history and the lore behind jade, and I loved the interludes about the Deities). For me, all of it was believable, the fight scenes entertaining, and, for me, the cultural nuances relatable. I can see why the book is going to be developed into a TV series. I’m so excited!

2. Danny from @thebookorder

About Me: My name is Danny! I'm a queer guy from Canada, sharing my love for all things book-related on Instagram.

What Followers Can Expect: People can expect book reviews, unboxings, and tons of photos of pretty books!

A Recent Book I Loved: A recent book I loved was A Dark and Hollow Star by Ashley Shuttleworth! It's an urban fantasy following four queer characters in the city of Toronto as they try to figure out who is performing ritualistic murders that threaten to expose the Fae realm to the human world.

3. Serena from @bookaquarius

About Me: My name is Rena. I turned 25 this year, and I grew up in California. I’m excited to say I will be graduating from law school in 2021. I love sharing my love of books with the world, taking photos, and attempting to make the perfect frozen margaritas!

What Followers Can Expect: My account is all about reading just for the joy of it and sharing my love of fantasy and speculative fiction. On my account I like to promote the work of underrepresented authors and try help people understand that authors of color are not a deviation from norm. Authors of color are pushing boundaries across genres in really exciting ways and I like to highlight that on my page.

A Recent Book I Loved: I recently read Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark and thought it was brilliant. Ring Shout is a very short book that weaves together a compelling plot, themes of trauma and racism, Black history and folklore, and awesome character work into a beautiful, cohesive story definitely worth a read. I loved it. I cried twice because I’m sensitive (lol) and this book really dug into something deep that I know many Black people will be able to relate to. I think there’s something here for everyone, but I also strongly believe this book will hit different for Black readers, especially those who know intimately the pain and violence wrought by American/Western colonialism and racism.

4. Madi from @madismysteries

About Me: My name is Madi and I live in British Columbia, Canada. I’m currently in my first year of law school and hoping to become a criminal lawyer and pursue a life filled with social justice! I love sarcasm, running, and building things.

What Followers Can Expect: I post a lot of mystery/thriller reviews on my account but have been branching out into other genres as well this year. I’m passionate about activism and I do a biweekly segment called Mondays with Madi where I post about things I’m interested in (wrongful convictions, true crime, mental health, etc.)

A Recent Book I Loved: The first book I read by Backman was Anxious People and it earned the award for “the fiction book I most wish I wrote” so I was super pleased to love A Man Called Ove as well! Reading this book felt like melting chocolate in a pot on the stove and then sinking into it like a hot tub. It wins the award for having me cry the soonest a book has ever made me cry. It was adorable and sad and funny and cute and real. Backman is just such a gifted author — he does such a good job of creating characters with his words in a way that makes you feel like you grew up with them.

5. Asha from @tothineshelfbetrue

About Me: I'm originally from Long Island (complete with the accent and snobbery about bagels) and currently live in DC. I am always down to discuss the Bachelor franchise, and I love Taylor Swift . I was a huge bookworm as a kid — I'd take out seven books at a time and finish them way ahead of their due dates, but I stopped in college. After I finished school and began working full time, I started picking up books again and fell back in love with reading.

What Followers Can Expect: Lots of recommendations and reviews but also "bookalikes" (aka "if you like this, try this") and "starter packs" so that people who might not be immersed in book internet have a good jumping point. My reviews span plenty of genres from nonfiction to fantasy but my favorite genre is romance. Reading diversely is also important to me. I thought that as a South Asian woman and the daughter of immigrants growing up in a multicultural community, I would naturally pick up titles that reflect that but I found that wasn't the case so I'm trying to be purposeful about the voices I'm seeking out and amplifying. Plus, you can expect plenty of (in my opinion) hilarious outtakes because it definitely takes more than one try to get the right shot.

A Recent Book I Loved: My favorite book of 2021 so far has been The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune. It absolutely lived up to the hype and just made my heart feel so warm and full. It was a poignant story and really sent the message to look past stereotypes and not just believe what you've been told so that you can see who people really are and what they can be. It really captured how important it is to look for the best in people and to understand that doing something correctly isn’t necessarily the same as doing the right thing. Every character was an absolute cinnamon roll and I want only the best for them.

6. Alejandro from @alejandro.reads

About Me: My name is Alejandro, and I use he, him, his, and el pronouns. I am a 9th grade English Language Arts and English as a Second Language teacher in Houston. As a product of Mexican immigrants, I have witnessed the power of community first hand, so I am passionate about community organizing and advocacy with a specific focus on rethinking school discipline and creating brave spaces for undocumented youth in schools.

What Followers Can Expect: I started @alejandro.reads to find healing and pieces of myself in written words, so most of the books I rave about are books that sparked a strong, personal connection with me or explore topics I am passionate about. I prioritize reading books that center Black, Indigenous, and People of color (BI&POC). Additionally, I read texts that discuss abolition, transformative justice, and liberation, so followers can expect a lot of books that dissect America and examine alternative frameworks for how we respond to everyone who is harmed by our capitalistic, carceral state. Lastly, I host the #DecolonizeDecemberPhotoChallenge every December, which is a challenge that seeks to highlight BIPOC stories and narratives.

A Recent Book I Loved: Most of the books I've read this year have been so amazing. If I had to pick one, I would have to say Infinite Country by Patricia Engel. Infinite Country follows a mixed-status family living in Colombia and New Jersey that has been separated by borders and anti-immigrant policies. This book is special to me because I saw my family in this story, and I know all too well how taxing it is to navigate this country with great precaution because someone you love is deportable. This book holds a special place in my heart because of its incredible depiction of how grounding familial love is — how it can heal and protect in the face of xenophobia and white supremacy.

7. Linzi from @abookishendeavor

About Me: Hi, I'm Linzi! I'm a graphic designer, illustrator, mental health advocate, and aspiring confetti connoisseur. I’m from the Midwest but currently reside in Brooklyn, NY with my husband and two cat children. Reading is a major pillar of my identity, and I simply couldn't live without it.

What Followers Can Expect: I read A LOT (301 books in 2020), and love to explore across different genres; my favorites being fantasy, historical fiction, and speculative short stories. When I love a book, I SCREAM (or cry) about it from the streets of Brooklyn, so followers can expect a lot of very enthusiastic (read: blubbering) reviews and book photos around the city. I also take every opportunity to feature independent bookstores and have a goal to visit every indie bookstore in NYC. Lastly, as a huge proponent of sharing one’s story and destigmatizing mental health, I often get up close and personal about my mental health journey, identity as a Chinese American adoptee, and grief over the loss of my dad at age 20.

A Recent Book I Loved: Sweet Bean Paste by Durian Sukegawa was so wholesome, lovely, yet heart-wrenching in ways I wasn’t expecting. A 30-year old Japanese man, Sentaro, is barely scraping by in life, indebted and bound to a confectionery shop specializing in dorayaki, a pancake dessert filled with sweet bean paste. His soul-numbing existence is disrupted when an elderly lady, Tokue, steps into his life with the best sweet bean paste Sentaro has ever tasted. So begins their friendship and work together. There is so much more depth to this book than just fluffy pancakes, though. Tokue has secrets from her past as well that have led to a life of suffering, spoiled dreams, and isolation. This book has a slow, flowing nature that is almost meditative, with definite philosophical and spiritual undertones.

8. Helen from @readwithneleh

About Me: Hi, I'm Helen! I'm a Korean-American Angeleno living in San Francisco. Besides being a bookworm, I am a foodie, hiker, dog mom, and a lover of all the shoes.

What Followers Can Expect: Followers can expect reviews focused on books by BIPOC authors that range in genre, but mostly from literary fiction, fantasy, memoirs, and translated fiction. My reviews are often personal because I love sharing how a book moved me and connecting with people based on shared experience. I also post photos of my outfits and/or sneakers that match book covers! You'll also find a lot of food content in my stories.

A Recent Book I Loved: This one is so hard because there have been so many great books! I read Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters earlier this year and I still think about it. As a cis, straight woman, it really opened my eyes about my views on motherhood. I highly recommend it. It's about three women, trans and cis, whose lives become intertwined around an unexpected pregnancy. Reese is a trans woman who desperately wants to be a mother. And Ames, Reese's ex, is a destransitioned trans woman who got her boss, Katrina, pregnant. Longing to make sense of the pregnancy and at a chance of a family, Ames propositions that the three of them raise the baby together.

9. Vicki from @vickisbookshelf

About Me: Hi! My name is Vicki and I’m a 24 year-old Florida native now living in Massachusetts. I’m a mental health therapist by day and a bookworm by night. I often choose books over people but if I do leave the house, catch me with a few books in my bag.

What Followers Can Expect: Followers can expect book recommendations from a wide range of genres — although my favorites are YA, romance, and fantasy! I also love featuring books with Jewish representation as an #OwnVoices advocate. Along with reviews, you can expect to see talk about mental health, a lot of coffee, house plants, and the occasional guest appearance of my pup, Lou!

A Recent Book I Loved: I just recently finished Legendborn by Tracy Deonn and wow, wow, wow! Bree is the brilliant, badass protagonist this world needed. If you haven’t picked this one up yet, what are you waiting for? Holy heck was this book so good. I actually teared up when I read the last page because I was so sad I finished — which is very on brand for me (lmao).

10. Casey from @caseythereader

About Me: Hi! My name is Casey and I'm a 30-something queer woman living in the DC area with my spouse and two cats . By day I'm a digital marketer, but I've had my nose in a book since I was a little kid and I love shouting about books with my fellow bookworms.

What Followers Can Expect: I try to read as broadly and diversely as possible, so hopefully a little bit of everything. My true loves are sci-fi/fantasy or young adult novels featuring queer characters. The past few years have brought us some truly wonderful books featuring people and characters I've never seen on the pages of books before and I want to share them with everyone. You'll also see a lot of my cats Teddy and Marcel, plus plenty of coffee and cocktails.

A Recent Book I Loved: I just devoured Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers in one sitting. Grace wakes up after a night out in Las Vegas to discover she married Yuki, a girl she can't remember. When Grace hits a wall in her professional life, she heads to New York to meet and get to know Yuki. Honey Girl is a beautiful exploration of blood family, queer found family, and learning when to ask for help.

11. Amber from @cvillebooksandwine

About Me: I'm Amber! I am a 29(ish)-year-old lover of all things books and wine! I just love curling up with a good book and a delicious glass of red after a long day. When I'm not reading, I am running a business with my husband of almost nine years and spending time with our beautiful daughter, Brynn.

What Followers Can Expect: My followers can expect to see bright, colorful photos, fun reels, and book recommendations! I especially love to read mysteries and thrillers as well as contemporary romance, so if that's your jam, I have a long list of recs for you! I love meeting new people and through the last year of uncertainty in the world, bookstagram has been my happy place. I love the connections, friendships, and all around love that has blossomed from joining this community. I am so thankful for the joy it has brought me!

A Recent Book I Loved: I recently finished Ties That Tether by Jane Ighano. I had picked it up after seeing a phenomenal review by @hillysreads and I was blown away. I highly recommend this book! I FLEW through this one and enjoyed every minute of it. Love, heartbreak, choices and excellent chemistry — this is easily one of my favorites of 2021!

12. Danielle from @dogmombookworm

About Me: My name is Danielle and I live in Philly with my fiancé and pup. I was adopted from South Korea as a baby and raised Jewish in DC, but I have been living in Philly for the past 10 years.

What Followers Can Expect: I am most drawn to books that have been written by women and BIPOC. Followers can expect honest reviews on a wide variety of genres coupled with photos around the beautiful streets of Philly (only good things happen here!). I buy almost all of my books from an indie, Black, woman-owned bookstore (s/o Harriett's Bookshop !) but let's be honest: books can be expensive, so I have a mix of library books too.

A Recent Book I Loved: Milk Blood Heat by Dantiel Moniz! The book leaves you with a metallic taste of blood, warmth, shame, sadness, and life. It's a collection of short stories surrounding people in various stages of sadness, grief and anger, who try to fill themselves, distract themselves, and outright embrace pain to feel alive. Like The Secret Lives of Church Ladies , the characters in this book are trying to carve out space for themselves to live. Filled with shame and want, the perfect terseness of Moniz's writing style gives us enough to stay on the edge of our seat, yet leave us wanting more, aching for more.

13. CoCo from @coco_chasing_adventures

About Me: My name is Courtney, but my book friends call me CoCo — bringer of the cozy vibes! I’m a working (engineer) mother of a 6-year-old who keeps me young, and I’ve been married to my college sweetheart for nearly thirteen years. I’m a writer and I like to say I’m working on an adult fantasy novel, but I’m much too nervous to share!

What Followers Can Expect: I’m a Black feminist, lover of all things simple, cozy and adventurous. I share books, lifestyle tips, recipes and inclusive brands that align to my principles and way of life. Every morning, I share an inspirational quote, art or person to help you set your intention. Ultimately, the objective is to empower and commune with book lovers.

A Recent Book I Loved: My most anticipated read this year was Black Girl, Call Home by Jasmine Mans. I have followed her career and watched videos of her performing poetry on YouTube. I’ve always been enamored with her soothing tone while delivering strong critiques of society. This particular collection is a summoning for Black girls to come home to that place where we eat our Mama’s food and get our hair done. This book is a love letter to Black girls, and I am indeed in love.

14. Olivia from @cant.liv.without.books

About Me: I'm a second grade teacher in the DC area and I love what I do. When I'm not (still) virtual teaching or reading, I'm training for my next marathon, bullet journaling, watching The Bachelor , or applying for rescue dogs. I lived in Vietnam for a year and regularly dream about the next time I'll be able to sip cà phê sữa đa on a crowded, bustling street post-pandemic.

What Followers Can Expect: Followers can expect detailed reviews (with content warnings) both on my instagram page and my blog . My favorite genres are historical fiction and memoir, but I read a wide variety of books from thriller to YA romance to historical biography. My bookstagram is a welcoming and inclusive space for everyone.

A Recent Book I Loved: While I love reading best sellers, I also love to find indie or less-reviewed books and lift them up for others to read. One book I lift up — and have been told this is THE book people associate my account with — is The Mountains Sing by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai. It is a multigenerational tale of the Tran family, from the 1920s Communist Land Reform through the Vietnam War. Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai writes with such incredibly lyricism and emotion, and the story uplifts the voices of Vietnamese people, a side of the story Americans do not see in history class. Also, she is hands-down my favorite author friend on bookstagram.

15. Katie from @kikiareyoureading

About Me: My name is Katie and I'm a biracial 33-year-old midwest transplant living in the metro DC area. While reading is one of my absolute favorite past times, I also enjoy describing every book I read in great detail to my husband, obsessing about my perfect cat, watching Disney vloggers talk about theme park food for hours, and sitting outside with a glass of wine.

What Followers Can Expect: I usually describe the books I read as either sad or sexy, and that couldn't be more true. One day you'll see a review for an incredibly heavy, messy and dramatic book and then the next day you'll see me reviewing the most ridiculously great happily-ever-after romance. I also typically read a pretty diverse array of books, whether that be author or experience and I hope anyone can come to my account and see a book that highlights their experience!

A Recent Book I Loved: Silver Sparrow by Tayari Jones. She's probably my favorite author and this book was so quintessential Tayari Jones, with messy characters that you don't really love but understand where they're coming from. Perfection! Silver Sparrow tells the messy story of two family's in 1980s Atlanta, both connected by one man. One family is a secret and kept in the shadows while the other gets to be publicly connected to him, oblivious to his other life. There are so many themes going on in this book, between what love looks like for all of us and how it can differ as well as the roles that are traditionally given to a family vs. what family can mean outside of those traditional roles. And each of these themes scattering throughout the book played into Jones masterful writing, weaving these themes into an American family, and breaking the molds we all see as "normal."

16. Gabi from @booklanguage

About Me: Even though I wish my career was spent reading books, it's largely spent creating things. I'm a writer and photographer; founder of Well Kept , where I support women in small business who are ready to play big; founder of Literary League , an international book club in 40+ cities around the world; and co-founder of idlewide , where I spend my time creating content and connecting with fellow self-employed women.

What Followers Can Expect: I delve into my lived experiences and how the books I'm reading enrich them. My favorite conversations feature heart-to-hearts about books that make me feel something. Generally, you can expect to see me raving about literary fiction, rom-coms, thrillers, anything set in a small town, and everything that Literary League is reading.

A Recent Book I Loved: Even though I primarily read fiction, I loved reading the poetry collection What Kind of Woman . Kate Baer's writing is true magic. This was the last book I read in 2020. It was the perfect way to seal off the craziest of years and bring hope into this one. I'm new to poems and, wow, I see what I've been missing. Kate Baer's words will stay with me for years to come.

17. Gabby from @bookish_afrolatina

About Me: My name is Gabby and I'm a librarian, archivist, and historian in Massachusetts. I'm dedicated to researching and sharing the stories of those who have been pushed aside throughout history. My main focus is to do this in a way that is relatable and engaging.

What Followers Can Expect: Followers can expect to see posts about books by BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color), disabled folks, LGBTQ+ folks, and more. As much as I admire the bookstagram accounts with gorgeous aesthetics and style, I don't have that on my page. My favorite genres are historical fiction, diverse romances, historical nonfiction, and sometimes young adult novels. As a classic millennial, you will likely find images that include my cats and plants, too. I post everything from relaxing page turning videos to book reviews and librarian jokes.

A Recent Book I Loved: A recent book I enjoyed was How to Find a Princess by Alyssa Cole. I love most of Cole's books because her characters are funny, relatable, lovable, and smart. Check out my review on my website bookishafrolatina.com .

18. Jordyn from @biblio.jordyn

About Me: My name is Jordyn Walker and I’m a School Social Worker at a special education school in Northeast DC. I love books, brunch, cheese, and wine — and chatting about all of them all of the time. I am a huge extrovert and am always looking to make connections anywhere I go. I have made so many genuine connections here on bookstagram and I’ve loved every second of it!

What Followers Can Expect: From my account you can expect a wide variety of genre recommendations and book features, honest reviews, advocacy for BIPOC and #ownvoices books, and books that have badass women. In a lot of my reviews, my social worker side shines through. I love preventative care and mental health. I also do a lot of polls, engaging with my followers, and Q&As with wine by my side and my family pups sometimes make an appearance in my posts.

A Recent Book I Loved: I recently read The Intimacy Experiment by Rosie Danan that releases on April 6th! There were so many things to love about the book, but the Jewish representation not rooted in trauma was one of my favorite parts, as well as breaking down social expectations of women and having sex positive conversations!

19. Keisha from @bookingforfun

About Me: I’m a southern girl and lover of chill vibes, photography, and books. Reading for me is a form of self-care, so I try to make time for it as often as possible.

What Followers Can Expect: My bookstagram is a reflection of my mood every time I sit down with a good book. Give me a good book, a cozy blanket, and a little jazz music and I’m all set!

A Recent Book I Loved: One book that I’ve read recently that has stuck with me is Early Departures. Early Departures by Justin A. Reynolds was an emotional roller coaster (to say the least!) I know that this book is listed as YA/teen fiction, but my goodness this book left me gutted, just a blubbering mess. The story takes the reader on a very emotional journey into how Jamal is faced with unimaginable decisions and grief while still trying to navigate life as a teenager.

20. Anika from @chaptersofmay

About Me: My name is Anika, and I live in a small town in northern England. You’ll usually find me with a camera in one hand, a book in the other, and a cup of tea brewing on the side. When I’m not posting on my blog , I’m a marketing and fundraising administrator for a local charity.

What Followers Can Expect: You can expect plenty of honest book reviews, recommendations, and monthly reading roundups. There’s also 90% chance you’ll spot a cup of tea in my photos. I try to diversify my reading, and my favorite genres are contemporary, romance, and literary fiction. Plus, I’m a huge lover of all things cosy, and aim to live a slow and simple life, so expect plenty of flat lays and warm lifestyle shots on my page too.

A Recent Book I Loved: Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson. It’s a beautifully tender and evocative debut exploring love, racism and masculinity in contemporary South East London. Caleb Azumah Nelson’s writing is full of soul. There’s a vulnerability to the way he has shaped the characters, despite the book being written is second person. It’s art-like, perfectly crafted, and more relevant than ever. Don’t wonder whether to pick this one up, just go for it.

21. Jimalion from @itsabookishworld_

About Me: My name is Jimalion (like a million but Ja-Million. My mom was drinking some major creative juice when she came up with that name.) Most people on the internet call me JP or Milly for short (if my future kids ever say I am not cool, I will refer to my time here on the internet). Born and raised in North Carolina, and I am a southern girl through and through. I like my chicken hot and my tea iced and sweet. I'm the true definition of a Libra, and most people on bookstagram will probably say that I am the world's biggest crier. I work in the field of Emergency Management, and fruit snacks are the best snacks — that's not up for debate.

What Followers Can Expect: What followers can expect from my account is emotion. I frequently cry or passionately discuss my reactions to what I am currently watching and reading. I do live creations in the kitchen which mostly fail but there have been some good recipes and I haven't burned the house down yet. I created books and bonnets which is me in my most natural way, discussing recent reads that have left lasting impressions on me.

A Recent Book I Loved: Hands down it has to be A Reaper at the Gates by Sabaa Tahir. This series has surprised me in the best way possible, and it had me flipping out from the beginning. I have actually been putting off reading the final book because I am sure that Sabaa is going to rip my heart out, stomp on it, and evil laugh as I drown in my tears.

22. Tatiana from @tatis.bookshelf

About Me: My name is Tatiana, I'm 26-years-old, and I'm from Delaware. I'm a textbook introvert who loves reading books, talking about books, and cuddling with my cat.

What Followers Can Expect: Followers can expect honest book reviews and plenty of recommendations. I read a wide variety of books, but followers will see that I like to amplify stories written by authors from many different backgrounds. I hope to encourage others to diversify their reading.

A Recent Book I Loved: One book that I enjoyed recently was Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall! I learned so much from this book and it's one that I reference often when discussing feminism and feminist issues. It's one that I would consider required reading for anyone that calls themselves a feminist. What Kendall manages to do in this book is introduce the reader to a wider scope of feminist issues. There are so many topics covered in this book that prior to reading I already knew were issues but had never particularly considered to be feminist issues. Kendall guides you as she exposes how varying societal problems (such as hunger, gun violence, housing inequality and more) should be viewed through a feminist framework.

23. Jamie from @whatjamieread

About Me: I'm a twenty-something book lover from St. Louis, MO who lives for a good vanilla latte and an even better glass of wine. I started @whatjamieread as a place to talk about all things books including the books I’ve read, the books I want to read, and the books other people love too. The nicest thing you can say to me is "I'm going to read this book because of you!"

What Followers Can Expect: I prioritize reading and showcasing books written by diverse authors. I believe there is a gap in publishing representation for BIPOC and LGBTQ stories, so I like to be someone readers can rely on to help them diversify their shelves. If you follow me you can expect a lot of discussions around representation and how important it is for us to see ourselves reflected in the books we read.

A Recent Book I Loved: I just finished reading Fat Chance, Charlie Vega by Crystal Maldonado. When I heard about this book, I knew I had to read it based off the cover alone. I mean, look at it. She’s gorgeous in every way. Too often I feel there is a stereotype that being overweight automatically equals being ugly and unstylish but that’s certainly not the case for me personally. Seeing a fat AND pretty girl on a cover of a YA novel is something I don’t think I’ve experienced much until now. Charlie is your average 16-year-old. She has pretty average teenage insecurities that are compounded by her mother’s obsession with her weight and her skinny best friend who she thinks represents perfection. Luckily my mom always supported me as I am, but I remember being an insecure teenager and feeling like I could never stack up to my skinny friends, especially in the eyes of boys. The dynamic between Charlie and Amelia felt so incredibly familiar to me that at certain parts I was wondering if Maldonado had stolen my high school diary. I don't read a TON of YA but this book was truly so fabulous, and I want everyone to read it as soon as possible!

24. Esosa from @dreamingofbookpages

About Me: My name is Esosa and I’m a Nigerian-Canadian based in Toronto. I’ve loved reading for as long as I can remember — as a kid I devoured fictional mysteries (the Nancy Drew series and Famous Five series) and as a teen I was all about that young adult romance. When I’m not reading, I’m either binge watching the newest Netflix show, watching early 2000s rom-coms or classic Disney movies.

What Followers Can Expect: I read and feature a wide genre of books on my account: memoirs, historical fiction, contemporary fiction, romance, fantasy, and more. I pretty much read everything except horror (sorry Stephen King fans!) I post cute, brightly lit bookish photos accompanied by thoughtful reviews and I’d occasionally throw in a smiling selfie every now and then :)

A Recent Book I Loved: At the start of the year I read Black Buck by Mateo Askaripour and I can’t stop raving about it. It’s a fictional story about a young Black man trying to make it in the world of sales. Along the way he deals with a lot of workplace micro-aggressions and targeted racism; he makes some questionable decisions and kind of loses himself in the process. I was completely captivated by this story and was so dumbfounded by the end that I didn’t know how to feel. I love books that can evoke that kind of emotion, you know?

25. Jen from @mrsboomreads

About Me: My name is Jen and I'm a lifelong reader, Little Free Library steward, mom of three young children, and retired clinical social worker. As a book juggler, I have three in progress at all times: physical, ebook, and audio. I started this account as a place to chat with other readers and it has grown into not only my favorite hobby, but a source of amazing friendships and connections with authors!

What Followers Can Expect: My page features a wide range of books I love, along with a myriad of coffee mugs, houseplants, and overshares of my beloved bookshelves. In my stories, I continue to highlight books and also mix in lifestyle elements and some of my favorite places and adventures in and around NY's Hudson Valley.

A Recent Book I Loved: Float Plan by Trish Doller and Meet Me in Paradise by Libby Hubscher. They both are complex romances, combined with loss, humor, and beautiful tropical locations. I love when books surprise me and tug at my emotions, and these stories did just that!

Share This Article

Topbar Social Icons

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.

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.

• Search Results

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)

We know we’re biased, but for that very reason we’d be remiss not to include our own Instagram account on this list! As well as sharing stunning photographs of new and old books we’re loving, you can also find links to some of our best articles, sure to give you plenty of reading inspiration.

Sign up to the Penguin Newsletter

By signing up, I confirm that I'm over 16. To find out what personal data we collect and how we use it, please visit our Privacy Policy

How To Start A Bookstagram For Beginners That Shines

This post may contain affiliate links that earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.

Learn how to start a bookstagram, an Instagram account for books, with printable instructions from a professional and full-time book blogger.

Are you wondering if you should start a bookstagram? Heck, what is a #bookstagram account? 

Our Bookstagram 101 Guide will walk you through how to start a bookstagram, bookstagram hashtags, and bookstagram name ideas.

Find photo editing apps, props to use, and photography layout ideas. Learn why you might want to become a bookstagrammer or have an Instagram account tied to your book brand.

Plus, for double niche blogs, learn how to curate a bookstagram that’s so much more than just books. Here at The Uncorked Librarian, we showcase travel, cocktails, book lists, and book reviews.

Keep your audience engaged, and score sponsorships as well as free books. Build relationships with authors.

Have fun, and create the #bookstagram community you want. We even have a printable #bookstagram how-to guide at the end. Let’s get started!

Don’t miss our Master Guide To Starting A Successful Book Blog , too.

Table of Contents

A Few Quick Bookstagram Tools To Get You Started:

Canva Pro : Looking to make beautiful graphics for your #bookstagram, book blog, Pinterest, and Facebook accounts? I love Canva and swear by it for everything I do. I even used Canva to create the graphics in this post. Try Canva Pro for free here→

Travel In Her Shoes Presets : It’s no secret that I don’t love editing blogging and bookstagram pictures. I love  Aggie’s presets . She has a ton to choose from. You don’t need a paid version of Lightroom to use her presents on mobile.

Ring Light With Tripod : Whether I’m recording an Instagram video or reel or taking pictures, I love this affordable Ring Light .

Don’t miss all of the Blogging & Instagram Resources We Use & Recommend .

What is bookstagram.

If you are a book reviewer or book blogger, the bookstagram community is probably for you.  Book Instagram = #bookstagram

P.S. Because I am a double niche book blogger — literary and tipsy travels and travel books — my Instagram account looks much less traditional than most bookstagrammers.  We will talk about this too.

Bookstagram is an Instagram account about books with pictures dedicated to showcasing everything bookish.  Just picture Instagram hitting it off with books and getting it on , really.

Book lovers use a series of bookish hashtags, participate in special book events and themes, and usually post pictures that involve bookshelves, book spaces, and of course, a book or books.

Host book reviews and book giveaways.  Harry Potter is always boss too. Well, until J.K. really messed that up.

Some of the best bookstagrammers stick with a theme. Many use unique props and backgrounds. Others have signature styles or colors unique to their brand such as rainbow bookshelves.  Basically, librarian and book nerd heaven.

When looking at how to start a bookstagram, I recommend checking out @jenniaahava  for inspiration.

There is an entire world of bookstagramers like Jennia and many of them work with reps to sell fun bookmarks, Funko figurines, stationery, and mugs.

Authors and publishing companies send #bookstagrammers free books, too.  Sometimes, companies for book subscription boxes, notebooks, and book clubs will pay for influencer ads or share commission on sales.

Readers log into Instagram to view book reviews, see pretty book pictures, and participate in giveaways.  Your audience is the literary community.  And w ho doesn’t love books?  Really?

If you want to work with book brands on IG, don’t get scammed. Learn the Red Flags For Bad Instagram Collaborations Here .

Why start a bookstagram, what is the point of instagram and bookstagram.

As previously mentioned, I am a rarer breed of bookstagrammer. I recently started mixing travel and books together. I am growing to love this diversity.

You might even find booze, too — but these are all a part of my niche.

Branding and consistency are important for serious bloggers and IGers.  You want a specific niche, and you want to *mostly* stick to it. 

Bookstagram is a great way to showcase your specialty, expertise, and market a blog or business if you have one. Your IG stories, however, can be more fun and personal.

So why start an Instagram for book people?

• Instagram is a visually beautiful social media platform to showcase pretty pictures with short captions.
• People use Instagram to get inspiration as well as make purchases.
• For some, Instagram translates to more blog traffic.
• For others without a blog, bookstagrammers use IG to make money from ads.
• Many want to receive free bookish schwag.
• Many companies look for reps and pay them affiliate commissions via bookstagram.

Is Creating A #Bookstagram Really Worth It?

Full Disclosure: Instagram is also the bane of my existence.  It’s a love-hate relationship.  The social media platform is finicky with an algorithm that changes more times than my love for red versus white wine. 

Instagram is also a pay-to-play platform and favors paid-for ads.  There is a ton of fake engagement, numbers are still king, and people will F/UF as if their life depends on it.

Bookstagram drama is for real. People argue over reviews, say intolerant things, and destroy Marie Kondo… I warned you.

Quite frankly, IG can be a huge waste of time and make you feel like garbage.  It just depends on how you look at it.

For me, bookstagram brings me very little blog traffic, but brands that I want to work with find me there. My followers also like seeing more of my personal Instagram stories — related to books or life.

OMG That Sounds AWFUL: Do I Really Need Instagram? Is It Necessary Learn How To Start A Bookstagram As A Book Blogger?

That was the real talk right there.  However, I do believe that all business owners and people who want more than a hobby book blog should have some presence on Instagram.  And yes, I am there on Instagram, but I don’t LIVE on the platform anymore.

If you run a book blog, focus on building content there first before getting sucked down the black hole and time suck that is #bookstagram.

If you don’t want a book blog, learning how to start a bookstagram might be for you so that you at least have an outlet or side hustle for book reviews.

I pair my #bookstagram account with this website, The Uncorked Librarian.  I post reviews on my book blog and then share bookstagram or related pictures on Instagram to drive traffic to my blog.  Pictures range from the occasional flat lay to a book with a travel backdrop or wine.

I also share literary travel, such as bookstores abroad and beautiful libraries, and tips for how to book blog like me.

Not Quite Ready To Learn How To Start A #Bookstagram? Save This Post For Later

When Learning How To Start A Bookstagram, Don’t Make These Five Mistakes

Before we get really into how to start a bookstagram, these are mistakes you want to avoid:

• Starting too broadly with no direction
• Forgetting that you are there for your audience; it’s not about you: provide value
• Writing short, meaningless captions and posting just to post
• Using hashtags that are too large
• Not disclosing gifted items, paid ads, sponsorships/affiliates, and/or that you get something in return for referrals to items like book subscriptions

Keep on reading to learn how not to start off on the wrong foot.

How To Start A Bookstagra m: Step by Step

First up, before you learn how to start a #bookstagram, you need to think about your goals for having one.  The same with book blogging, you need to determine your name, niche, and your target audience.

Bookstagram Niches

What is your passion & what do you love.

First up, what do you want your bookstagram account to showcase? 

What type of books do you love?  Are you focusing on just YA books or mysteries?  Do you pair books with recipes?  Are you into lifestyle more so than fiction and want to showcase home design books? 

Are you a blogging boss babe who only wants to post business and successful books for women?

Do A Little Market Research, Too

On top of your passion, see what people are searching for on Google, Pinterest, and check out other bookstagrammers accounts. 

You never want to copy anyone, but see what people enjoy and are talking about.  Can you build your own niche? 

Think about how you can stand out amongst the masses.  And masses there are.

What Are Your Bookstagram Goals?

You also want to determine your goals for starting a #bookstagram. 

Are you trying to make money?  Is this a fun hobby to review free books from Netgalley?  Do you want to be a brand rep or sell your own bookish products? 

Are you promoting a blog? Even cooler, are you an author promoting your own books and writing?

Bookstagram Names

Once you determine what you want to showcase on your Instagram account and your goals, you need a #bookstagram name or handle. Mine is @theuncorkedlibrarian across social media channels. 

I highly recommend picking a bookstagram name and sticking to it.  I cannot tell you how many bookstagrammers lose followers when they constantly switch names. Only do this if you are completely rebranding.

A Few Bookstagram Name Ideas and Factors To Consider

• Is your bookstagram name already taken?  Check to make sure the Instagram handle is open.  Also, check for trademarks or else the law will shut you down.
• Is your name reflective of your brand?   Is it descriptive and professional?
• You want your IG name to be easy to remember, spell, and find.  Is it searchable?
• If you plan on having a book blog or using other social media channels, is your name available across platforms and the Internet?
• Consider if you want to be known for your personal name or a quirky brand name.  Bloggers debate this as they grow bigger.

Also, are you thinking of starting a book blog? You’d go through the exact same process as above. Grab the Basics Of Successful Book Blogging Here .

How to open & start a #bookstagram on ig, a business vs personal bookstagram ig account.

This goes without saying, but once you have a bookish name,  you will need to sign up for Instagram.  If you are thinking about turning your Instagram into a little profit and sponsored hell… I mean sheer fun …business, I recommend using a public IG business account.

Why a business account?  Mostly because you can see your stats.  If you work with brands, they will also want you to send stats to pay you for ad campaigns and such.

However , rumor has it that IG is MUCH nicer to personal accounts.  You just lose all of the above features.  Bloggers have debated and tested this theory out for a while to no avail.   May the odds be ever in your favor…   I cannot tell you what to pick, for sure.

I won’t walk you through setting up an IG account step-by-step; you can also just literally sign-in via your FB account. If you do need help, though, please message me.

Having A Strong Profile On IG

Once you sign-up for IG, you need a strong Instagram profile with keywords.  I highly recommend using a picture of you and not your brand logo. 

People want to see a face to the name.  This is much more personal than a brand logo, which is usually associated with someone trying to sell you something.

Keyword Your Bookstagram Account

Keywords are like hashtags and need to be relevant and searchable.  Keywords tell users what you are all about.  Here is a screenshot of my profile:

The @theuncorkedlibrarian is my Instagram handle. 

On my profile, I want visitors to know my first name, Christine, (yes, I am a real-life, breathing person with feelings) and my blog names. I can’t fathom managing two different IG accounts for each blog right now.

Next to your name, you might want to have your brand name like this: Christine | The Uncorked Librarian. Unfortunately, mine does not fit. 

In my profile, I tell people what they can expect to find on my sites and Instagram account.  Why should they keep coming to my bookstagram or Instagram feed?

Right away, people also see what types of pictures they will discover on my account, who they are talking to, and what value I am providing. 

At the end of the day, your #bookstagram account isn’t about you unless you are just having fun.  Bookstagram is about providing meaning and value to an engaged audience.

I also recommend trying this IG #bookstagram approach, if you have more room: In your profile, tell people one to three problems that you will solve and offer them a free little bonus: either a blog post or opt-in.

You’ll notice that I have a special page for my Instagram links and references that directs users to my website.

How To Start A Bookstagram: Taking Photos

Photo content ideas & your instagram grid.

After you create your bookstagram profile, you want to think about your content: pictures and captions. I’ve always been told that it’s a good practice to alternate pictures across 3-5 themes or styles.

As a rebel bookstagrammer and double niche blogger, here is TUL’s version of #bookstagram:

As you can tell, my #bookstagram doesn’t just focus on flay lays and has no bookshelves. Plus, travel changes up my audience a bit.  In some ways, this makes my audience smaller.

Not all book lovers follow me if they are looking for only flay lays and pretty bookshelves. On the flip side, not all travelers follow me if they don’t want to hear about books. 

I am OK with this: I want to be an ‘expert’ in my small niche.   Just think about that need you are filling and your goals.

Any of these methods or coming up with your own is more than acceptable.  See what your audience engages with and relates to.  Make it your own.

Do You Need #Bookstagram Props?

I am all about buying basic bookstagram props or using what you have around the house.  Since I travel a lot, I sometimes bring my books to locations and shoot on location. 

Buying bookish props is up to you and your budget.   A few ideas for things to buy for bookstagram that not required:

Where Can You Buy Bookstagram Supplies?

The Dollar Store is your best friend but I won’t lie: I went to Michaels because, well obviously, I love Michaels.

You can probably find materials much cheaper at Target, Walmart, and any dollar-like store, but an excuse for a mid-day rendezvous with a craft store? I am IN. Plus, Michaels sells giant wine glasses.

For under $50, I decided to buy my initial #Bookstagram supplies and props:

• Scrapbooking paper for my backgrounds
• Plastic flowers, candles, and glowing stringy lights
• A white foam board to lay everything out on top of
• Cute little props that I could not resist. Everyone needs more foxes and owls in their lives, right ?!

What Bookstagram Props You Can Dig Up Around The House?

Anything and everything!

Just keep consistent with your brand and who you want to be.  Heck, I used my running shoes that paired well with a book.

Think about maps, confetti, strings of lights, old greeting cards, scrapbooking materials, ticket stubs, pictures, crafts, wine bottles.

A few Bookstagram prop ideas:

• Mugs & Cups
• Blankets & Towels
• Christmas Tree Ornaments (even if you don’t celebrate)
• Art supplies
• Bookshelves & Bookends
• Book art—as a former librarian, we folded junky donated books into owls, turkeys, and you name it; this is not book blasphemy or shit out of Fahrenheit 451 , I promise.

 P.S. I always peruse Amazon for cheap crafting supplies too.

Don’t Forget Those Comfy Nooks & Reading Spaces!

Now It’s Time To Channel Your Inner #bookstagram Photographer:

Once you have your bookstagram props and niche down, it’s time to get busy at pictures.

Use A Solid Camera

I am book blogger and travel writer, not a photographer.  Sure, I might take a few courses here or there, but it’s  not my thing…

For now, I pretend I am an artist and pray to the lighting and picture gods that one out of the 100 pictures I take will be workable.

I know some ambitious bookstagrammers who follow photographers that share professional camera settings in their IG captions. They try to mimic pictures with those settings.  This imitation is a brilliant idea, but right now, ain’t no roque librarian got time for that .

What I do have is a Canon EOS Rebel T5 and an iPhone. The above camera is a slightly newer model.

The Canon and I could be besties but I am much more comfortable on my iPhone, which takes fabulous bookish and people pictures.

Unlike blog posts, remember that Instagram shows much smaller pictures anyway.  You can also peruse cameras and equipment options here .

Think About Lighting

A lot of people have little extra lighting gadgets that they buy and love.

Natural light has always been the best for me. My indoor pictures, even with editing, are darker and grainy. Plus, my cats insist on helping.  If you take indoor pictures, locate the nearest window.

I also own the above Ring Light that I love. This tripod holds my phone or camera, comes with a Bluetooth remote, and offers a variety of light settings. Think videos, Zoom, and extra flat lay or selfie lighting.

Utilize Lightroom and Editing apps

If you are in the business of posting pictures, Adobe Lightroom CC has been one of my greatest investments.  There are a ton of YouTube tutorials out there. Lightroom helps makes my pictures brighter, clearer, and I can edit the colors to better brand my content…or so I try.  And fail.

I bought an Adobe package of goodies for about $9.99 a month and have access to Photoshop, which I use to resize images and to fix e-reader book covers (more to come on that skill). There is a cloud to store pictures, and I love Adobe Spark for IG story covers.

Is there a bookstagram app?  Specifically, not that I know of or use, but here are some free editing apps:

P.S. Unum is a great app to layout pictures in advance to see how they look together. This little app also gives you some free engagement tips like your most popular hashtags. There is a paid version too.

When All Else Fails: Presets BABY

Lastly, I purchased the infamous Aggie Lal’s presets (Travel In Her Shoes IG goddess).  Aggie’s presets are a great starting point to show you how you can play with grain, focus, colors, shadows, and highlights. 

Aggie’s world-traveling pictures are gorgeous, and I love tweaking her settings to work for me.  You can check out Travel In Her Shoe’s presets packages here .

Do I also need to mention that you shouldn’t be a tool and never STEAL people’s #bookstagram pictures?  Cuz that is totally happening right now too.  Plagiarism is against the law so shoot your own damn pics.

Read more about why Stealing Content Is Not A Form Of Flattery & how it could get you sued.

Ways to shoot your bookstagram pictures, what is a bookstagram flat lay .

All of these editing tools and props are great but what about the actual picture? I am much better at taking flat lays, which is basically a picture from above looking straight down.

Others use angles and even straight-on shots. I’ve seen edgy pictures with shadows, people reading, and books hanging from trees. Just do you.

Here are two bookstagram flay lay examples from TUL:

How To Start A Bookstagram: What About Grainy Ebooks?

When taking a picture of an eReader, sometimes the cover or glow gets obscured. Just think about how hard it is to take a picture of your computer screen.

The trick is to use an image of the book cover (one that you have permission for) along with an editing tool, like Photoshop, to superimpose the book cover over the eReader in the original shot. It’s unicorn magic!

Read my Photoshop Tutorial For Book Blogging to see this trick in action.

Other Types Of #Bookstagram Pictures

If you don’t love traditional flay lays, which is becoming less my style, you can have people in your pictures reading books.  You can place books out in the wild.  Truly, you can do whatever it is that your heart desires.

Did you find these how to start a bookstagram tips helpful? Save this post:

How To Properly Start A Bookstagram Caption With Hashtags For Beginners

Bookstagram hashtags and captions.

Once you take pictures and have your account all set up, what comes next?  Writing time!

You might be wondering what to include in your bookstagram caption. I recommend a feisty summary, book information such as the author and date published, and of course, what you thought.

Tell us why we should care.  Give us something we didn’t know.

Don’t forget that if a publisher or author gifted you a book, you must disclose that in your caption. The FTC even made us a cheat sheet . You can read the full list of FTC guidelines here .

One day if you become a rep, you would also include information with your rep codes for discounts. Personally, I love a good story about where you were reading the book or a true life connection.

Feeling uninspired? You might find these Book Blogging & Bookstagram Post Topics helpful.

Hashtags are my b*tch…but really it is the other way around:.

Hashtags are key to finding relevant content on Instagram and letting readers find you. I gain new followers from hashtags and find some inspiring accounts.

Hashtags are even more important for bookstagram because unlike the IG traveling world, geo-tagging (basically showing locations) does not make as much sense.

I highly recommend following a few #bookstagram hashtags as well as top accounts in your niche.

The Perfect Mix of Hashtags

On Instagram, you can use up to 30 hashtags.  Try your best to use them correctly.  People go crazy.   There is an ongoing debate if you should use all 30, too. Some people recommend 5-10. See what works for you.

Instagram will punish you for using hashtags incorrectly or in a spammy way (i.e. hashtagging ‘bikini’ for a book picture).

There is also all of this debate about putting hashtags in the caption vs the first comment. As of 2021, I still personally advise hashtagging in the caption.  But it could change tomorrow.

As with all IGers, you have to do your hashtag research. Librarian glasses on: You always want to aim for hashtags that have 10,000-200,000 uses and mix it up with each picture.  You also want hashtags that are niche relevant.  For example, I use #literarytravel and #travelbooks a lot.

You may want to hashtag your brand like #theuncorkedlibrarian.

A General Rule Of Thumb For Bookstagram Hashtags:

Five to 10 of your hashtags can be in the 7,000-20,000 range and another set of 5 can be in the crazy millions. If you use the big hashtags, your account will drown in picture overload within .000008 seconds.

Get ready to laugh: this murder by books includes actually using #bookstagram, which has 58.6 million posts at the time of this updated bookstagram post.

Bookstagram Hashtags To Consider By Usage

Some large and popular hashtags to use very sparingly with posts already in the millions:.

#booklover #bookstagrammer #bookaholic #bookworm #bookphotography #igreads #bookadditc #bookblogger  #ilovebooks  #instabook  #bookish #bibliophile #bookshelf #booknerd #currentlyreading #ilovereading #bookgeek #bookgram #readersofinstagram #bookreview #book #bookworm #bookishfeatures #booklover #booksbooksbooks #bookhaul (everytime I look at these, they shoot up too fast)

Again, I also hashtag with my brand, #theuncorkedlibrarian and then also use bookstagram hashtags with the book title, author, publisher, and sometimes sources like #netgalley. Look at including genres too (#yafiction, #YAromance).

After you have your caption, hashtags, and picture, you are READY TO POST!! Congrats!!

How to get your post shared by others:  If you want to have a curation account (an account that solely shares others pictures) share your #bookstagram post, make sure to tag them, and use their specific hashtags.

Then there Is One Last Thing…Be Prepared For Disaster:

How To Start A Bookstagram In 8 Steps

Bookstagram is the Instagram of books. Learn how to start a beautiful and successful #bookstagram for beginners.

• Printout Of This Bookstagram Guide
• Instagram Account

Instructions

• Pick A Bookstagram Niche Think about what you love, and what type of book niche you want. Consider your goals. Conduct market research. Who is your target audience? What value will you provide?
• Choose Your Brand Name Make sure your social media handle is available. Check for trademarks. You want to stand out and be easy to find. If you are starting a book blog, check all social media channels to ensure your chosen name is available.
• Open An Account On Instagram IG is a picky beast. If you plan on working with companies that require stats, open a business account. You can always switch later.
• Properly Brand & Set-Up Your Bookstagram Account Start with a strong Instagram profile. Use a personal picture versus a logo. People like to see a face behind the name. Let your audience know what value you will provide in the shortest way possible. Tell them who will enjoy your account and what they can expect to find.
• Start Planning Your Content & Taking Pictures I alternate posts across 5 themes: quotes, a book cover grid, cocktails, travel, and Asheville. Even if you only post books, mix up what you post and your style. I use Buffer to schedule posts in advance. You might want to purchase props and use photo editing apps.
• Write Engaging Captions You want to keep people on your bookstagram account longer. Write long and engaging captions. Use spaces abundantly -- preferably one after every 1-3 sentences. No one loves reading chunks of text. Also, be intentional in what you write. Don't just post to post.
• Conduct Hashtag Research Hashtags still matter for #Bookstagram, and nope, unless you are huge, that hashtag is off-limits to you. You always want to aim for hashtags that have 10,000-200,000 uses. Sure, you can sprinkle one or two huge ones in, too.
• Be Consistent & Show-Up Instagram is a small part of my book blog. I run two massive websites. I am not consistent on Instagram. If you want to grow, don't be like me. Post 6-7 days a week. Mix up reels, pictures, videos, and graphics. Be active on Stories.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Did you start a #bookstagram?

Please leave a comment below, pin this article, and/or tag me in your first #bookstagram post. If you found this article helpful, please give me a follow on IG @theuncorkedlibrarian.

Did you learn how to start a Bookstagram from this post?

Big people glasses on: Are you ready to start your own bookstagram?  Do you think you can create a beautiful bookstagram? Let us know in the comments.

This post originally published in July 2018 and has been updated for 2021.

Loving This Bookstagram 101 Advice? Don’t Miss Our Book Blogging Guides:

Book Blogging 101: How To Start A Book Blog Make Money Book Blogging: 7 Book Affiliate Programs Photoshop Tutorial For Book Bloggers Engaging Blog Post Ideas For Book Bloggers

More Blogging Resources:

Stealing Blog Content Is Not Flattery Why & How To Register Your Blog As A Business: LLC Status Avoid These Instagram Scams All Of The Blogging & Instagram Tools We Use & Recommend

Christine Frascarelli

56 Comments

Even just reading this article taught me a lot. To promote my new Young Adult fantasy book Child Lost Child Found, my marketing representative suggested that I look into bookstagrams. I appreciate your methodical approach and effective conversational style.

I definitely think reaching out to Bookstagrammers and now, BookTok, is a great way to go. Best of luck!

I learned so much just by reading this article. My marketing rep recommended I research bookstagrams to market my new Y/A Fantasy novel Child Lost Child Found. Thanks for the step-by-step approach and solid conversational style.

Hey Patty, I’m so glad! Best of luck with your new book and marketing plan!

This blog post is top quality…heads over to Instagram to look at your profile!

Thanks so much!

Hello! Your blog is very helpful for me because I just made my insta acc for books. But I’m afraid one day it all will turn into routine and I won’t enjoy it. Also I know that I need to post regularly, but I’m afraid I won’t have time to read books to post them. Thank you and good luck!:)

Hey! Thank you so much. I won’t lie: Sometimes, posting on bookstagram and Instagram definitely feels like a routine. While consistency is great, you still have to do what you can and enjoy. I am sure you’ll find a good balance.

Thanks for this! I’ve recently rejoined the world of instagram specifically to build a bookstagram. I held out as long as I could but these tips are really helpful.

Thanks so much for the kind comment. I am so glad. Best of luck with your new bookstagram. I am sure that you will do great!

I’m curious to find out what blog platform you’re using? I’m having some small security issues with my latest website and I’d want to find some thing safeguarded. Do you possess any suggestions?

I self-host with Siteground and use WP .org. You can also use the plugin Wordfence to help with security.

Thank you so much! My sister started a bookstagram account like 4 years ago and has been inactive for about 3 years now. Then during this quarantine thing she asked if i wanted to manage it and i was like heck yeah i want to manage it! When i checked out her dusty account lol, she Still had 1k followers (which I think are mostly inactive or have already forgotten the account even existed lol) I started posting last week and it has been a struggle since my sister’s old style doesnt really match mine so im like in this lost path of what really is my aesthetic so im mostly just riding the wave till i really know what my niche is. So glad I found this, it really did help a lot. Now i realized that i should really just be myself and not try to continue where my sister left of since her strengths were more of the photography and I feel like mine is more of the captions and book reviews. Plus because of everything that i have just read in your post, i realized that i was a in a sci-fi genre community but I should really be in the romance genre community which i will still hunt for lol. Anyway THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Hey Keana! Thanks so much for the comment. I’ve definitely seen so many bookstagram accounts started and abandoned. IG is a lot of work — it can be tricky to maintain. I’m thrilled to hear that you are picking up the account and giving it a go with your own voice and passion. Photography isn’t my strength either, but I go for captions and engagement. Bookstagram is great for building a little book community of your own. Good luck and have a wonderful weekend.

I was listening to a webinar that mentioned Bookstagram today and I’d never heard of it, so had to Google and found your article. Thank you! I have an Instagram account and am an author. I use Book Brush to make ads for my FB author page, but need to start doing something with Instagram. You’ve given me great ideas but I still feel woozy about hashtags. Guess I need to investigate more. But I wouldn’t know what to investigate if I hadn’t found your article, so thank you.

Hey Jenny, I am SO glad to hear that. Thank you so much! Instagram (and bookstagram) is definitely a little tricky with the hashtag game, and even though I update this post often, even I cannot keep up. You basically want most of your hashtags in the 20-100k range with the rest going to either high or very low utilized hashtags. Good luck with your #bookstagram!

I’m really interested in creating an instagram page for my reading and loved reading your article. I’m not a serious blogger or anything, reading is just my biggest and most favourite hobby and I feel like I want to share my views but in a creative way as it’s something I’m very passionate about. Do you think it would be a good idea to do this and create a fun page? Thanks 🙂

Hey Donna! I’m so glad that you enjoyed this post–thank you for letting me know; I really appreciate it.

I think starting a fun Instagram or bookstagram account is a great idea. You definitely don’t have to be a serious blogger at all to use and enjoy IG–plus, your passion and fun will shine through the account, making it intriguing for you and everyone who follows. I say go for it ; ) It’s the perfect time, too, to channel your inner creativity.

Thank you sooooo much for the tips! If there’s ever a part 2 I’ll for sure read. I appreciate your honesty and all the research you’ve done. Your bluntness about our goals, niche, and target audience actually got me excited and confirmed that I’d love my own page to do what I want! So thank you! I hope you write more tips about this topic!

Thank you so much, Joanna. I am happy that you found this post helpful. I definitely will be writing more and more tips and tricks for book blogging in the future. Good luck with your beautiful bookstagram!

This is a such a helpful and engaging post! I’ve wanted to start a book stage am for awhile, but my hesitation is that I read a lot of library books that have a distinctive border for hardbacks that blocks some of the cover.Do you have any suggestions for fixing this? Thanks!

Thank you so much! Hmmm. I know some bookstagrammers definitely show their library books as is. You could play around with editing apps, though, or place props (like flowers) slightly over the covered up part. I have photoshop, which allows me to make pretty big changes. You can try some of the free editing apps to remove the border. I can’t really picture what the border looks like since I don’t have this on my library books. Ek, sorry this advice might not be as helpful.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

How to write book reviews for bookstagram

This blog is part of a four-part series of bookstagram tips, split up from  my original post on this topic  for easier readability.   This final post focuses on writing book reviews.

Book reviews are a big part of the book community. They help tell other readers what to expect from books, help you keep track of books you read and help you learn what you like and don’t like over time.

I think  reviews are extremely subjective  and personal. I’m sharing what works well for me to format my reviews, but that won’t necessarily be what works for you. For example, I don’t like synopsis in reviews because I’d rather just read the book blurb from the publisher. Other people love to read them and write quick synopsis at the top of their reviews. So ultimately, my advice is do what works for you!

Use this guide as a starting point, and don’t be afraid to experiment to find what you like! It may take some time to find your fit for your bookstagram reviews.

I used to use  a star rating system  but I am no longer using it in my bookstagram posts, and instead only use it on Goodreads. They help me personally track how I felt about a book which is why I like them on my Goodreads. But I’ve found that so many people hone in on just your star rating on posts, and skip over the context of the review, which used to frustrate me because star ratings are not used consistently and so people would misinterpret my thoughts on books despite them being plainly stated.

How I format my book reviews

I use basically the same review on Goodreads and my blog. Sometimes I will shorten up the content for Instagram space reasons but I keep the same structure.

• Overview . My quick take on what I felt about the book/ a summary of what’s to come.
• What I liked/ loved . Even if it’s a book that wasn’t for me, I try to find qualities to highlight that I enjoyed. Sometimes this section is really long and other times it’s really short.
• What didn’t work for me . Sometimes I don’t have this section if I have a rave review. But usually I highlight anything that I struggled with here.
• Who I’d recommend it to . Even if a book wasn’t meant for me, I try to share who may enjoy it. I sometimes compare it to books it reminded me of as well here.
• Content warnings , if needed – so people have a heads up going in. I put this at the end because some people find them spoiler-y but I do think they’re important to have.

I used to just openly share all my opinions in reviews, and most people who know me know I have a lot of thoughts on any topic. I’m trying to be more thoughtful especially in my negative reviews though, to make sure my reviews add value to other readers. Especially books that are sharing perspectives different from my own.

I think it’s important to be balanced and recognize that those books weren’t written with me in mind. I may not connect as strongly immediately, but that doesn’t make them bad. The caveat is if a book has problematic content (is racist, uses stereotypes, etc.) I absolutely will call that out.

An example review

Here’s an example of a review I shared of the book These Witches Don’t Burn by Isabel Sterling.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Allie S. (@alliemikennareads)

In case that’s not easy to read, here’s the text format labeled by category:

Overview: I really enjoyed this witchy YA mystery book! It was a perfect October read. It’s not technically classified as a mystery but had many qualities I love about the mystery genre.

What I loved : It’s an interesting take on the teen witch story. Hannah is an elemental witch and controls the elements of fire, earth, air, and water. She’s navigating a breakup with her ex-girlfriend, trying to move on with her still in her life, and the evil underfoot that threatens her coven’s secrecy and lives.

While I guessed the biggest mystery, it took awhile and I felt like the clues to throw you off were very well done. The characters all had a decent amount of personality and believable dialogue and decision making for YA age groups.

What didn’t work for me: I didn’t love that you are kind of dumped in the story world and not given some of the details to help you settle until the story is fairly underway. I also felt the pacing was a little too slow in the first half and a little too quick in the second half.

Who I’d recommend it to: But I was hooked and had a hard time putting this down. I really look forward to the sequel and I would definitely recommend this to fans of witchy YA books and YA mysteries.

Mini-reviews

Sometimes, I may want to post a shorter review on Instagram. I call these “mini-reviews” and use a variety of different formats, but generally it’s a condensed version of the above.

Here’s an example of a mini-review post:

And here’s the text:

Mini review of these poems: They are fun to set the mood for spooky season but overall they aren’t my favorite volume of poems since they’re heavy on the old British poets which aren’t my favorite. Still a fun little volume for your shelf or to set the mood for Halloween!

Do you have a review format that you love that’s different? Share your structure in the comments to help give people more ideas!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

• Copyright © Allie Smaha, 2021. All Rights Reserved.
• Cookie Policy (US)
• Privacy Policy
• Terms and conditions

Privacy Overview

Training Authors with CJ and Shelley Hitz

We help Christian writers take a step of faith and finally finish your book!

#Bookstagram: Using Instagram Hashtags to Find Book Reviewers

April 26, 2021 By Heather Hart Leave a Comment Click here for FREE training for Christian writers

Did you know Instagram is the go-to platform for book lovers?

They call themselves Bookstagrammers, Book Dragons, and/or Booknerdigans.

Here’s the thing, by knowing how book lovers use Instagram, you can use Instagram to get Book reviews for your books. And book reviews written by Bookstagrammers are powerful.

Here’s why…

2 Reasons You Want Bookstagrammers To Review Your Book

1.) bookstagrammers love to share books..

Book lovers on Instagram don’t just read a book and then move on. They talk about books. They share what they are currently reading, books they have read in the past, books that match their shirts…

If your book matches a bookstagrammer’s style, they will adopt it and love it.

2.) Bookstagrammers Are a Community

There is no such thing as a lone bookstagrammer. If you get your book in the hands of a bookstagrammer who uses bookstagram hashtags, the bookstagram community will see it. They follow the hashtags because they want to see pictures of books. And when they see a new book, they want to know more about it.

175+ Instagram Hashtags for Book Lovers

General bookstagram hashtags.

Related Post: Book Review Groups on Social Media

30+ Genre Specific Bookstagram Hashtags

Instagram hashtags for children’s books, instagram hashtags for fantasy books, instagram hashtags for ya books, instagram hashtags for christian books, 15+ seasonal hashtags for bookstagrammers, other hashtags bookstagrammers use, readers also hashtag the month, the book title and/or series name, the author’s name, the color of the book cover.

Share this post: on Twitter on Facebook on LinkedIn

About Heather Hart

Connect With Heather Online: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest   For close to a decade, Heather Hart has been helping other writers make their dreams come true. As an internationally best-selling and award-winning author, with well over a dozen books in print, she knows what works and what doesn’t. Furthermore, she knows it’s possible to be a successful author without launching your own business. Her desire is to help writers keep writing… and have fun doing it. Find out more at ToolsForAuthors.com   Love What You Read? Check This Out!   Get Heather's FREE report and learn how to make small tweaks to your book marketing that lead to big changes here .   

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Find anything you save across the site in your account

The Truth Behind the Slouching Epidemic

By Rebecca Mead

At the bottom right of my computer screen, just out of my direct line of vision, lurks an animated scold: a cartoon giraffe named Rafi. He is the playful icon of an app called Posture Pal, which works in concert with a wearer’s AirPods to warn against slumping while sitting at a computer. So long as I keep my line of vision trained on this text, Rafi stays discreetly out of sight. The minute I rest my chin in my hand in concentration, however—let alone sneak a glance at the iPhone that lies tantalizingly close to my keyboard—a baleful Rafi pops up, eyes wide, mouth down-turned. Sit up straight!

Rafi is actually less intrusive than the animated animal featured in another posture-correction desktop app, Nekoze. This one employs a computer’s camera to determine whether the user is slouching or slumping. If she is, an icon of a cat’s face pops up on her menu bar, accompanied by a surprisingly realistic meow. It’s a peculiar choice for a posture admonition: surely a meow could make a user look down at her ankles for a creature that wants feeding or petting, rather than stiffen her spine, eyes front? Then again, nobody would voluntarily install an icon of an angry drill sergeant on a personal computer.

Discover notable new fiction and nonfiction.

The association of animals with posture correction goes beyond an accident of digital cuteness. As Beth Linker explains in her book “ Slouch: Posture Panic in Modern America ” (Princeton), a long history of anxiety about the proximity between human and bestial nature has played out in this area of social science. Linker, a historian of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, argues that at the onset of the twentieth century the United States became gripped by what she characterizes as a poor-posture epidemic: a widespread social contagion of slumping that could, it was feared, have deleterious effects not just upon individual health but also upon the body politic. Sitting up straight would help remedy all kinds of failings, physical and moral, and Linker traces the history of this concern: from the exchanges of nineteenth-century scientists, who first identified the possible ancestral causes of contemporary back pain, to the late-twentieth-century popularity of the Alexander Technique, Pilates, and hatha yoga. The epidemic’s expression may have evolved, but even today it has hardly abated: on Goop, the wellness emporium, you can buy a foam roller to combat sitting-induced constriction of the waist and a plastic dome on which to therapeutically rock your pelvis. Sultry TikTok-ers demonstrate how to strap oneself into a corset-like garment that pins back the shoulders, while buff YouTube influencers explain how to appear inches taller by unfurling a tech-bent spine.

Linker makes no claim, she says, about the “realness of the epidemic or the degree to which poor posture is debilitating.” She’s not saying that Rafi and the Nekoze cat are wrong to harry me, or that your lower back doesn’t hurt. Rather, she sees the “past and present worries concerning posture as part of an enduring concern about so-called ‘diseases of civilization’ ”—grounded in a mythology of human ancestry that posits the hunter-gatherer as an ideal from which we have fallen.

The origins of posture science date to the latter half of the nineteenth century, when archeologists and natural scientists were starting to theorize the evolutionary relationship between Homo sapiens and other primates. There was debate as to which came first: upright walking or higher cognition, with the dominant view being that the evolution of the human brain preceded the development of bipedalism. This theory centered a relatively sophisticated mind as the defining attribute of our species, and thus was consistent with ancient hierarchical taxonomies that placed man, with his ability to reason, apart from and above the beasts. Some scientists wondered whether certain physical problems, like flat feet or scoliosis, were, in effect, the price of braininess. Linker cites the observation of a professor of anatomy at the Art Institute of Chicago: “Man’s original sin consisted in his getting on his hind legs.”

Before long, there was a societal investment in the betterment of health through the improvement of posture. Among the most significant popularizers of posture science was Jessie Bancroft, who helped found the American Posture League in 1914. Linker offers a biographical sketch that sounds like the premise for an art-house historical drama: Bancroft was “a self-proclaimed invalid who grew up in a remote region of the upper Midwest,” where she came under the tutelage of one Anna Jenness-Miller, “an anti-corsetry reformer who held parlor classes on hygiene and recumbent exercises.” Like her mentor, Bancroft became a lecturer on health culture, eventually moving to New York City, where she served as the first assistant director of physical education in the public-school system. There, she introduced a standardized posture test that could be easily carried out by a teacher equipped with little more than a pole against which a student’s carriage might be compared. Students who failed the assessment—as much as sixty per cent of the public-school population—could be assigned corrective exercises.

Link copied

Bancroft and her posture peers were influenced by progressive-education advocates, including G. Stanley Hall, William James, and John Dewey , who emphasized the importance of play and outdoor activity for children, but did not recommend militaristic drills and synchronized calisthenics, which were associated with Old World European conformity rather than American individualism. On the other hand, the embrace of individualism held its own postural perils. Among the bugbears of early posture advocates was the “débutante slouch,” a fashionable stance associated with less restrictive garments in which the hips jut forward and the shoulders stoop. This way of standing was seen as an embodiment of high-class decadence. (In “ The Great Gatsby, ” the first thing Nick Carraway notices about Jordan Baker is her failure to slouch—she has “an erect carriage which she accentuated by throwing her body backward at the shoulders like a young cadet”—though her posture is the only thing upright about her; she is also “incurably dishonest.”) The dissemination of the débutante slouch through displays in department stores and drawings in mail-order catalogues—both recent innovations that brought mass-produced fashion within reach of the middle class—amounted to a kind of social contagion in which “the fashionable slouch threatened to become a commodity in itself, a cost-free way to climb the social ladder.”

In America at the turn of the twentieth century, anxieties about posture inevitably collided with anxieties not just about class but also about race. Stooping was associated with poverty and with manual, industrialized labor—the conditions of working-class immigrants from European countries who, in their physical debasement, were positioned well below the white Anglo-Saxon Protestant establishment. Linker argues that, in this environment, “posture served as a marker of social status similar to skin color.” At the same time, populations that had been colonized and enslaved were held up as posture paradigms for the élite to emulate: the American Posture League rewarded successful students with congratulatory pins that featured an image of an extremely upright Lenape man. The head-carrying customs associated with African women were also adopted as training exercises for white girls of privilege, although Linker notes that Bancroft and her peers recommended that young ladies learn to balance not baskets and basins, which signified functionality, but piles of flat, slippery books, markers of their own access to leisure and education. For Black Americans, posture was even more fraught: despite the admiration granted to the posture of African women bearing loads atop their heads, community leaders like Dr. Algernon Jackson, who helped establish the National Negro Health Movement, criticized those Black youth who “too often slump along, stoop-shouldered and walk with a careless, lazy sort of dragging gait.” If slouching among privileged white Americans could indicate an enviable carelessness, it was seen as proof of indolence when adopted by the disadvantaged.

This being America, posture panic was swiftly commercialized, with a range of products marketed to appeal to the eighty per cent of the population whose carriage had been deemed inadequate by posture surveys. The footwear industry drafted orthopedic surgeons to consult on the design of shoes that would lessen foot and back pain without the stigma of corrective footwear: one brand, Trupedic, advertised itself as “a real anatomical shoe without the freak-show look.” The indefatigable Jessie Bancroft trained her sights on children’s clothing, endorsing a company that created a “Right-Posture” jacket, whose trim cut across the upper shoulders gave its schoolboy wearer little choice but to throw his shoulders back like Jordan Baker. Bancroft’s American Posture League endorsed girdles and corsets for women; similar garments were also adopted by men, who, by the early nineteen-fifties, were purchasing abdominal “bracers” by the millions.

It was in this era that what eventually proved to be the most contentious form of posture policing reached its height, when students entering college were required to submit to mandatory posture examinations, including the taking of nude or semi-nude photographs. For decades, incoming students had been evaluated for conditions such as scoliosis by means of a medical exam, which came to incorporate photography to create a visual record. Linker writes that for many male students, particularly those who had military training, undressing for the camera was no biggie. For female students, it was often a more disquieting undertaking. Sylvia Plath , who endured it in 1950, drew upon the experience in “ The Bell Jar ,” whose protagonist, Esther Greenwood, discovers that undressing for her boyfriend is as uncomfortably exposing as “knowing . . . that a picture of you stark naked, both full view and side view, is going into the college gym files.” The practice of taking posture photographs was gradually abandoned by colleges, thanks in part to the rise of the women’s movement, which gave coeds a new language with which to express their discomfort. It might have been largely forgotten were it not for a 1995 article in the Times Magazine , which raised the alarming possibility that there still existed stashes of nude photographs of famous former students of the Ivy League and the Seven Sisters, such as George H. W. Bush , Bob Woodward , Meryl Streep , and Hillary Clinton . Many of the photographs in question were taken and held not by the institutions themselves but by the mid-century psychologist William Herbert Sheldon. Sheldon was best known for his later discredited theories of somatotypes, whereby he attributed personality characteristics to individuals based on whether their build was ectomorphic, endomorphic, or mesomorphic.

By the time the Times article was published, Sheldon was dead, and his theories, which were found to have been shot through with racial stereotyping, were buried. Many thousands of his photographs of Ivy League students remained in the National Anthropological Archives, at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, and, as the article observed, the danger of their ever being released, or even the mere fact of their existence, conferred “on some of the most overprivileged people in the world the one status distinction it seemed they’d forever be denied—victim.” The scandal prompted the archivists to shred thousands of Sheldon’s images that had been held in the institution’s own secure storerooms, in order to placate exactly the kind of high-status individuals who are used to getting their way. The result was the destruction of a large-scale historical record that might have been of incalculable use to current and future researchers. (Linker cites as a parallel the Framingham Heart Study, which has been recording the cardiovascular health of residents of Framingham, Massachusetts, since 1948.) As it turned out, the hasty bonfire of the nudities did not, in fact, consume all the images retained in the Sheldon archive, providing Linker’s story with a nasty sting in the tail: Sheldon had also made photographs at institutions such as the Oregon State Prison and the New York State Hospitals system, and those images, according to Linker, are still listed in the catalogue as intact.

Linker draws attention to an academic research project that was carried out in the nineteen-seventies. Gretchen Dieck, then a doctoral student at Yale, set out to use postural images taken at Smith College, cross-referenced with present-day self-reports by alumnae, to see whether the presence of spinal curvature in a teen-age girl predicted back pain in later life. Although, in Linker’s telling, Dieck went to scrupulous lengths to protect the subjects’ anonymity, former Smith students were distressed to discover that the school still held the photographs, and it was ultimately obliged to destroy them. Before it did, though, Dieck was able to determine that, contrary to the decades-long drumbeat of the posture-correction establishment, a diagnosis of poor posture in youth didn’t correlate strongly with future back pain; even scoliosis, which at the time was aggressively treated with metal braces, and sometimes with steel-rod implants, played a “relatively unimportant role in the development of spinal pain in the adult years.” The findings brought into question all the allegedly predictive surveillance of posture, not to mention all the devices and treatments sold to Americans with the promise of averting future pain.

Linker is scathing about the way in which additional research to confirm or develop such findings has been foreclosed by the photographs’ destruction. The result, she worries, is that the dubious narrative that slouching is bad for you has hardened even further into conventional wisdom, stigmatizing bodies that may be less than perfectly upright but are nonetheless pain-free, in “a type of therapeutic reasoning that essentially makes the risk of disease or disability acquisition a disease state itself.”

Today, the descendants of Jessie Bancroft are figures like Esther Gokhale, a Bay Area acupuncturist and the creator of the Gokhale Method, who teaches “primal posture” courses to tech executives and whose recommendations are consonant with other fitness trends, such as barefoot running and “paleo” eating , that romanticize an ancestral past as a remedy for the ills of the present. The compulsory mass surveillance that ended when universities ceased the practice of posture photography has been replaced by voluntary individual surveillance, with the likes of Rafi the giraffe and the Nekoze cat monitoring a user’s vulnerability to “tech neck,” a newly named complaint brought on by excessive use of the kind of devices profitably developed by those paleo-eating, barefoot-running, yoga-practicing executives. Meanwhile, Linker reports, paleoanthropologists quietly working in places other than TikTok have begun to revise the popular idea that our ancient ancestors did not get aches and pains in their backs. Analysis of fossilized spines has revealed degenerative changes suggesting that “the first upright hominids to roam the earth likely experienced back pain, or would have been predisposed to such a condition if they had lived long enough.” Slouching, far from being a disease of civilization, then, seems to be something we’ve been prone to for as long as we have stood on our own two feet. ♦

New Yorker Favorites

Searching for the cause of a catastrophic plane crash .

The man who spent forty-two years at the Beverly Hills Hotel pool .

Gloria Steinem’s life on the feminist frontier .

Where the Amish go on vacation .

How Colonel Sanders built his Kentucky-fried fortune .

What does procrastination tell us about ourselves ?

Fiction by Patricia Highsmith: “The Trouble with Mrs. Blynn, the Trouble with the World”

Sign up for our daily newsletter to receive the best stories from The New Yorker .

Books & Fiction

By signing up, you agree to our User Agreement and Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

By Emily Witt

By Nicola Twilley

By Eyal Press

By Hilton Als