The weather is cooling down as we quickly approach the winter months and it’s the perfect time to curl up on a comfy chair, snuggled under a warm blanket with a steamy cup of tea, and get cozy with a good book.
Only problem is, you don’t have anything to read. You don’t remember the last time you had time to start a book, let alone finish one. You love reading but there are too many books coming out too fast, how do you know which one is worth your time? With so many apps and people and work responsibilities vying for our attention, how does anyone find the motivation to read anything just for fun?RLEATED: From Book to Big Screen: 9 Popular Books By Black Authors Turned Into Movies
If you’re sick of scrolling on social media and you’d rather be turning the pages of a good book, don’t put your phone down just yet. You can find both the motivation you need to start a reading habit and your next favorite novel all in one place: on Bookstagram, Instagram pages dedicated to spreading a love of books and reading.
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Whether you’re into romance, horror, non-fiction, graphic novels, or totally unsure, these Bookstagrammers have the reading recs for you.
Black Bookstagram Accounts to Follow
1. @KhalilahDenson
Khalilah reads a lot. Classics, thrillers, memoirs, romance, and everything in between so you’ll definitely get a good recommendation from her Bookstagram account. But it’s her humor, vulnerability, and honest reviews that will keep you coming back for more. Follow her real-time reactions as she reads the Harry Potter series for the first time ever, get into her honest reviews about the most popular books, or find out about author you’ve never even heard of before. Khalilah’s got you covered.
2. @Amerie’sBookclub
Yes, that Amerie. “It’s that one thing that’s got me trippin’,” Amerie. Except the “1 Thing” the singer can’t get enough of is a good book. On her IG page (and corresponding YouTube channel), Amerie shares what she’s been reading lately with transparent reviews and sometimes author interviews. Her reading tastes run the gamut and you’re guaranteed to find a hidden gem that’s likely to become a new all-time fave.
3. @FavoriteLibrarian
Forrest is a licensed librarian based in Atlanta who’s reading everything from comics to children’s books. But it’s nonfiction that really gets the spotlight on her Instagram. You’ll find a good memoir or collection of essays written by a Black author by following her page and her reading recommendations.
4. @JesseonYouTube
If you’re trying to get out of a reading slump, you’re just getting back into reading, or you can’t seem to find a book that pulls you in, Jesse’s up to the challenge. Speaking of challenges, Jesse (they/them) hosts a variety of read-a-thons and reading challenges on their Instagram page and Booktube channel and they frequently read and review diverse books with queer or non-binary characters. So if you’re looking for some good representation and a welcoming community to push you to read more, look no further than Jesse.
5. @ShawnaciSchroeder
Shawnaci Schroeder’s Instagram page is for the book lovers who love reading about love. She’s got recs for all the romance tropes, books with no spice, and books with hot, raunchy, intimate scenes. And she’s always recommending a story where a Black character finds their happily ever after. If it’s romantic, Shawnaci has read it and she wants you to read it, too.
6. @TheBookJoint
Jackie has books that will give you main character energy with BIPOC protagonists and stories about Black culture. From iconic tomes about Black history to modern Black classics, her bookstagram page will give you reads that will fill you with pride.
7. @YahdonIsrae
Yahdon is a reader, writer, and editor who’s dedicated to spreading a love of books on his Instagram page, where he highlights new and emerging Black authors. Plus, he runs “the best dressed bookclub” in New York City, the Literary Swag Bookclub, where the most stylish accessory you can have is a good book by your side.
8. @WhereIsMyLibraryCard
It’s spooky season on KK’s Instagram page where she recommends horrors, thrillers, and mysteries. If that’s too scary for you, don’t worry. She has romance and fantasy on hand, too. And she always has her trusty hammer for recommendations or criticism of her favorite reads. You’ve been warned.
9. @mychal3ts
Mychal the Librarian reminds us that having fun isn’t hard if you’ve got a library card. His enthusiasm for books and reading is contagious andfollowing his page will reignite your love of reading and learning and exploring new worlds in the pages of a book.
