In 2019, book lovers have plenty of online sanctuaries to escape to. Book-related criticism and media is on the rise, from the New York Times to the Atlantic to Buzzfeed, and online book clubs are thriving as well. Instagram in particular hosts an increasingly popular niche of artsy book lovers: Under the #bookstagram hashtag, readers have posted millions of images of books, cover art and bookstores, usually accompanied by a tea cup or coffee mug.
Patience Randle started her book-centered Instagram lifestyle brand Ink & Fable in November of 2016, and has since grown it to more than 24,000 followers, putting her squarely between the under-10K microinfluencers and the heaviest hitters. Bookstagramers get started for many different reasons: Some were initially book bloggers trying to drive traffic to their website, while others are trying to work on their photography skills. Once a large enough audience has been built up, however, the Instagram account itself becomes the main draw, and can be monetized via sponsored content or even book deals.
Bookstagrammers have been a growing force since at least 2014 according to those in the know, but they definitely haven't been slowing down in recent years if Randle's success is any indicator.
Randle started her own account as both an escape and as a way to keep herself accountable for reading more. It's grown rapidly, a testament to her social media savvy as much as to the rise of bookstagram, and she'll be launching a book club in 2019. Here's what she had to say about the close-knit community of book-loving Instagrammers.
What lessons did you learn in the process of breaking into Instagramming? Anything take you by surprise?
I really didn’t expect this corner of the internet (bookstagram) to be so welcoming and thoughtful. Who knew that posting a photo of a book and a caption about why you loved it on Instagram could spark such an engaging conversation?
What skills do you need to succeed as a bookstagramer? Photography skills have to be a big plus, right?
Photography is a great skill to have, but it’s definitely not necessary to start an account! When scrolling through different bookstagram accounts, there's always one thing they have in common, the passion for reading. That’s all you need.
What advice would you give to someone interested in getting into bookstagramming?
Don’t forget to have fun! If at any time bookstagram distracts you from the actual act of cracking open a book (or e-reader), it’s probably time to step away and take a break.
Tell me about your book club. What led you to start it, and how does it work?
My book club Dear Reader will launch early 2019. It will be both a physical and digital book club, encouraging readers to build small groups in their communities to discuss literature that focuses on a myriad of diverse topics. With Dear Reader, I want to recreate the feeling you get when you sit at the table with your good friends to have a home-cooked meal. I hope this book club provides nourishment and good conversation. I hope it feels like coming home even when your miles away.
What book are you most excited about reading in 2019?
I am so excited to read The Dreamers by Karen Thompson Walker. It’s a story about a town that’s transformed by an illness that causes perpetual sleep. I just have to know what happens next. Don’t you?
