Happy summer everyone! While I may not be posting as much as usual, I have definitely been enjoying my summer. There was no post last week because I had a little stay-cation: I played tennis, went to yoga classes, spent a day at the beach, and visited two museums in Philadelphia. Unfortunately for me, that was the last bit of extended summer fun I have planned, so I should be back to my normal blogging schedule now.
As we get back to normal programming, I want to introduce what I'm hoping will be a new series of posts for you to enjoy: Meet The Bookstagrammer! I've mentioned "bookstagram" before, but on the off chance there are any new readers, this term refers to accounts on Instagram that, for the most part, are dedicated to posting about books. I could spend a whole post talking about how much I love Instagram in general, but I have to say that one of the best aspects of it is this book-loving community. They share new releases, help me find books I may have missed, and are pretty much always down for any kind of literary discussion!
I'm so excited because the lovely lady behind one of my very favorite accounts agreed to be featured in my first Meet The Bookstagrammer post.
Without further ado, meet Ashley also known as sunnystateofbooks!
Hi fellow bookworms! I’m thrilled to be featured on this “Meet the Bookstagrammer” post as I always enjoy reading about my fellow readers on other posts of this nature. My name is Ashley and I live in the Sunshine State (hence part of the meaning behind my Instagram handle) with my husband of 7 years and my two daughters who are 4 and 2. I used to manage a boutique (I was a fashion merchandising major in college), but since having my first daughter, I have become a stay-at-home Mom. I’m a southern girl who has a heart for Jesus, my family, the beach, baking, and of course, reading! Reading has been my passion since I was a young girl, and you’ll always find me with multiple books on hand!
How did you find “bookstagram”and what made you decide to join?
I actually first heard about “bookstagram” from a friend of mine in my local Book Club. She was asking the rest of my Book Club if any of us had separate book accounts from our personal ones, and I told her I didn’t even know that this book world existed on Instagram; I sure am grateful she mentioned that to me as I’ve grown to enjoy this community so much! I started following some book accounts on my personal Instagram account, and then thought, why not start one myself seeing as I’d love to talk with people who shared my love for reading. I also created a purely “book” account to find out about allllll the books people were reading that I had never heard of (or maybe some I’d heard of, but never knew they were great until reading someone’s review), growing my TBR list even more (as if that was needed)!
Do you have a specific theme or look that you stick with? If so, please describe it.
The theme or “look” that I hope to convey through my pictures is one that radiates light, warmth, and joy. I love colors and bright, clutter free pictures. I named my account “sunnystateofbooks” because one, I live in Florida, but two, I want people to feel sunny or as if they’re enjoying a nice walk in the sunshine outside when looking at my pictures. Besides books, I have a thing for flowers, nature, and fashion, so one of those elements is usually incorporated into my post!
Best and worst parts of bookstagram?
The best part of bookstagram is “meeting” new friends who have a similar passion as myself, and also discovering new books. There are books that have made it to my top favorite of all time list that I probably would have never thought to pick up had I not seen a review on bookstagram, and for that I’m SO grateful. It’s also great to be able to read a book and know that even though you might not have someone in your “real” life that you can gush/rant/rave/ about it with, you can always go talk to someone about it on bookstagram! My least favorite part of bookstagram is when accounts grow to be so big that what they end up doing is posting about all the free books they are getting from publishers, but not following it up with reviews. That is so frustrating to me!
Have you ever met any bookstagrammers in real life?
Unfortunately, I have never met any bookstagrammers in real life, but I would so love to rectify that!
Any tips for having and running a successful account?
I think the best advice/tip for running a successful account is, as cliché as it sounds, to just be yourself and be authentic. I enjoy seeing the varying styles and types of book accounts out there, and I believe being yourself makes you unique and interesting. I also believe in maintaining your integrity, and being honest when you like or don’t like a book! Lastly, I’d suggest being involved, active, and encouraging to other accounts that you yourself enjoy!
Anything else you want to add regarding Instagram?
In regards to Instagram and one last piece of advice, I’d want to encourage people to have fun, remember that those square boxes of “perfect” looking pictures on Instagram are just a small snippet of people’s lives, to take social media breaks sometimes (coming from someone who has taken multiple breaks, it really is refreshing and helps you live more in the moment), and be kind!
All-time favorite book?
My all time favorite book (if you’re really going to make me choose) would probably have to be Little Women. I adored it as a young girl, and fell in love with its story and wisdom when I read it as an adult. I think I have about 30 different passages highlighted in this gem, and to me, that is always a telling sign of a fantastic book.
Most recent favorite book?
My most recent favorite book would probably be The Count of Monte Cristo, and a series I’ve come to love and savor is the Inspector Gamache books by Louise Penny.
Book everyone else liked that you didn’t enjoy?
A book that a lot of other people liked that I wasn’t a huge fan of would maybe be Peace Like a River. I thought the writing was fantastic, and I can totally see why it’s a favorite, but the storyline just made me feel very melancholic. I also might have people yelling at me from their devices about this one, but I recently read Anna Karenina and I do not understand the hype over that beloved classic.
Favorite or go-to genre?
My favorite, go to genres would be historical fiction, classics, and middle grade books! I also thoroughly enjoy a cozy “whodunit”/Agatha Christie-esque mystery!
Are you doing a reading challenge or have a specific reading goal for the year?
I am not participating in a reading challenge, nor do I have a specific reading goal for the year, other than that I’d love to read more books than I did last year. I’m a mood reader and don’t like to be confined to a certain challenge, and I don’t want to pressure myself with setting a certain number of books I’d like to get to in a year. For me personally, those types of things typically cause me to hit a reading slump or make me feel as if I’m doing homework, rather than reading for pleasure!
Strangest place you’ve brought a book?
I can't remember a particularly “strange” place that I have brought a book, but I’m not sure there is even such a place that exists ☺ I always have a book in my purse or bag, so in the event that a few spare moments are available to read, I am prepared!
As you can see from her thoughtful answers, Ashley puts so much care into both what she reads and what she puts on her bookstagram account. All her pictures are visual delights, and she never disappoints in the books she chooses to highlight. It was through Ashely that I was introduced to the Inspector Gamache series by Louise Penney that I am currently reading and thoroughly enjoying.
As I mentioned before, Ashley is one of my very favorite accounts on all of Instagram, and one of the bookstagrammers' whose posts I most look forward to. When I first started my own account, she was one of the first people that I reached out to and interacted with; her positivity is infectious and you can't help but also get excited about the books she is sharing!
If you haven't already stopped reading to search Ashley's account, you can find it
here and I highly recommend you follow her! If you haven't yet made your own bookstagram account, I hope that this will encourage you to join us!
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