I think we can all say that we have a favourite or comforting reading genre. Before joining and starting my own Booksta, mine was definitely romance. It was all I read, all I wanted to read, and all I would read. Romance books were a comfort to me and I found them easy to devour and get lost in. Not to say that I don’t still love and read romance now, but my taste has definitely broadened to various genres now, which is the most incredible thing about discovering or rediscovering a passion for reading.
Prior to making my Bookstagram account, I would get lost on BookTok for hours; scrolling away and discovering new favourite books and new books to try and read. This was definitely the spark that reignited my love for reading and watching people light up when they talked about their favourite books made me realise I wanted to find that passion again.
Joining Bookstagram meant that I was unleashed onto a platform filled with different kinds of readers, all with different genres and tastes. My safety net of solely reading romance gradually began to change into fantasy. I can thank A Court of Thorns and Roses for that, because I immediately fell in love with this exciting new genre which then led to me widen my reading horizons (and growing my TBR). I will now read just about anything, and almost any genre. There is nothing better than reading a book that you don’t expect to love but ends up being a new favourite of yours. I recently found my new favourite book, The Nightingale by Kristen Hannah - something I would have never thought twice about - soon found its way into my heart and a place at the top of my favourite reads.
One of my biggest changes is actively picking up, reading and enjoying a thriller book! I first read The Guest List with a book club I co-run with my best friend and that really got me into them. Now I thoroughly enjoy them and read them constantly. If that isn’t social media influence, then I don’t know what is!
Buddy reads were a big part of my tastes altering, too. My first buddy read was The Beekeeper of Aleppo which was kindly gifted to me with an open invite into joining a buddy read. A genre and book I never would have looked twice at quickly became a poignant, remarkable and special book that I still recommend today. The beauty of buddy reads is perhaps reading something that intimidates you, or something that you don’t think you will necessarily love. As well as making new friends and then finding new books to talk about and read!
BookTube is another growing social media that is highly addictive and is often on in the background when I am getting ready in the morning or winding down in the evening. What is dangerous for my bank account is excellent for discovering new books. Nothing relaxes me more than watching a cosy reading vlog, a book haul or just seeing people talking about a recent read they enjoyed.
I think it’s impossible for bookish social media not to impact our reading tastes or habits. I definitely read a lot more now with the daily influence of my Booksta account. It is my favourite way to start and end my day - a coffee in hand, my dog cuddled up to me and my current read.
If any bookish social media has changed or diversified your reading then I would love to know about it! Sarah @readersramblings
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