The Best and Worst Parts of Bookstagram

I’ve been on Bookstagram for over a year now and there are so many amazing (and not so great) parts to the community.

Despite the constant enemy on social media- the algorithm- Bookstagram is such a lovely, engaging place in so many ways:

The Community

I can’t talk about Bookstagram without talking about the amazing people and friends I have made there. It is honestly the kindest and most welcoming community (and the perfect place to obsess and fan-girl about books, and more importantly: who we SHIP).

READ MORE: How I Started and Grew My Bookstagram Account

The Creativity

Bookstagram is a complete mine of ideas and gorgeous photos! Just a quick scroll through my feed gives me enough bookish inspiration to last me a year!

It is so inspiring to see the amazing photos that fellow Bookstagrammers have taken (and super fun to recreate them).

Some of my favourite Bookstagrammers ever are:

@paperfury

@darkfaerietales

@thereaderandthechef

@the_pundlit

@mousethatreads

I love all the above accounts SO MUCH and they have all influenced and inspired my own Bookstagram photos ⬇️⬇️.

The Book Recs

Of course, it wouldn’t be Bookstagram without a whole heap of book recommendations! Bookstagram has quite a large focus on YA fiction and fantasy (which is pretty amazing for me because I basically live for those two genres), but there are also great recommendations and discussion groups for all genres and topics ?.

The Brands

By now, you’ll know that I live off bookish candles, mugs, pillows, bookmarks and fan-art! The businesses and brands on Bookstagram (some of my favourites are Ash and Quill Candles, BookBookOwl Bookmarks, Fictional Boutique and Kim Carlika) create some of the most exquisite bookish things (and bonus if you get to work with them and show off their products in your own feed!).

The Writing Community

This is a bit of a side note, as technically, Bookstagram is mainly for readers… BUT I have met so many writing buddies (as well as much bigger authors) through Bookstagram. Plus, a lot of authors are readers as well as writers, like @paperfury. Funny how that works out, isn’t it?

The challenges and Readalongs

If you haven’t taken part in five readathons, whilst simultaneously doing three photo challenges (as well as attempting to tame an ever-growing tbr), and wondering why you even signed up to be a reader… are you really on Bookstagram??

All jokes aside, photo challenges and readalongs are so much fun, and also a great way to make bookish friends (and bring out your creative side).

And a couple not so great things:

Now, there are few things about Bookstagram that I dislike, and I try hard not to focus on them, but in the interest of presenting the full picture, here are a few of them:

The Algorithm

How could this not be the first point?? PURE HATRED. There’s nothing more to say except that it is a monster that should not be approached. There are loads of articles about how to outwit the dreaded algorithm, but I think it’s important not to let it get to you too much, and instead focus on enjoying Bookstagram.

Grow grow grow

I have nothing against bigger accounts (in fact, I really love them!!), and I certainly have nothing against wanting to grow your account, but there is often an enormous pressure to do this, whether or not you want to. Keeping Bookstagram fun and purely enjoyable can be difficult when a competitive mindset develops.

Inspiration gone too far

You know that feeling when you’re scrolling down your feed and you see a gorgeous photo and- oh wait… is that my photo?? Obviously, scammer accounts that pass your photos off as their own are just stupid, but also, if you’re even just recreating a photo, it’s just common courtesy to ask for permission.

I don’t quite agree

Don’t get me wrong, I love a good bookish discussion, but sometimes things can get a little heated if you dislike a book others love. Luckily, I’ve avoided too many experiences with this by chatting about books with people I trust and who accept my ideas, as well as their own. Seriously though, getting slated for having a different opinion is not cool, and I see it on Bookstagram far too much.

Are you on Bookstagram? What are your favourite things about being there? I’d love to hear your thoughts below in the comments or you can connect with me directly on any of my social medias.