Tag: bookstagram

TikTok Ban: 3 tips if TikTok leaves the USA

Antina January 31, 2025

The super-popular social media platform TikTok is on the verge of being banned for good in the US. On Friday the 17th of January 2025 the Supreme Court upheld a ban that was passed with broad partisan support in Congress and signed into law by former President Joe Biden. The law forces TikTok to sell itself. On his first day in office, President Donald Trump signed an executive order, delaying a possible ban for 75 days. Practically this means that US users can use TikTok, as they know it now, until the early days of April.  

We are all aware of the influence TikTok has on the book publishing industry. BookTok, TikTok’s subcommunity, has proven to be a driving force for book sales. TikTok’s unique algorithm ensures that every kind of creator can potentially reach a huge audience. Also, TikTok’s SparkAds options give marketers the opportunity to target specific target groups in an efficient way. At Bookinfluencers.com we run SparkAds campaigns for a great number of clients, leading to mindblowing results we haven’t seen with any other social media platform. If you’re interested to learn more about this type of advertising, then I recommend this article I wrote about a campaign for manga publisher VIZ Media. Or take a look at this viral video for one of their recent releases.

@books_and_crafts

Disney Twisted-Wonderland: The Official Art Book is available now! Find it anywhere you get books! Thank you @VIZ for partnering with me on this book! #disneybooks #disney #twistedwonderland

♬ original sound – Jessica

Now that we are potentially facing a permanent ban from April 2025, the question arises: what should publishers do if TikTok disappears as a marketing tool for the US? Here are our three suggestions.

Discover new territories

TikTok faces a potential ban in the US, but not (yet) in the rest of the world. Your readers are not just Americans. Many people love reading English language editions instead of books translated to their own language. Let’s take The Netherlands for example; Dutch booktokers love reading in English. Year after year the Dutch book market sees a growth in the sales percentages of English books. Some say they just don’t have the patience to wait for a book to get translated, others choose English books because they are simply cheaper. Another reason is that readers think a story feels less authentic when translated. Not being able to reach US readers through TikTok, doesn’t mean TikTok is worthless. You can still use it to reach millions of other readers!  

Follow the community

TikTok went dark on Saturday the 18th of January 2025, only to be resurrected on Sunday when Donald Trump announced his executive order. In the days leading up to the shutdown, many creators informed their followers about where to find them in the future. While many referred to Instagram and YouTube, there were also lots of American TikTok ‘refugees’ flooding to RedNote. RedNote is a Chinese app with more than 300 million active users, according to Bloomberg, that is a mix between TikTok, Pinterest and Instagram. The main reason why these creators chose RedNote over any other social media platform is the fact that the app is Chinese. Creators feel that the US government is overstepping in its move to ban TikTok. It’s their way of showing the government they are not happy with the TikTok ban. Some even said they ‘rather move to China than to use Instagram Reels’. 

@cassiesbooktok

Im flattered #trending #rednote #tiktokban #foryou

♬ original sound – Cassie

If TikTok gets banned for good in April 2025, RedNote might be the place to be for the book industry. The question is where your favorite creators will be thriving. Be sure to follow them where they go next. 

Wait for a TikTok look-a-like

RedNote is not a TikTok clone. Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts are trying to copy TikTok’s algorithm but are not succeeding so far. So, the main question is – who will be able to create a space that has the same look and feel as TikTok does, gives small creators a huge platform as TikTok does and gives marketers the same tools as TikTok does? We can be sure that a new player will rise in the near future. The question is not if, but when.

For now, our advice is to use TikTok to its full potential now that you still can! Please reach out to us at contact@bookinfluencers.com if you want to discuss a marketing campaign on TikTok for your book. 

When did Romantasy become so popular?

Jenny January 24, 2025

Romantasy. Is this just a fad that TikTok made up, or is this really going to be the next new genre in publishing? Let’s have a bit of a dive into the history of the term and genre, what made it popular and where it’s going to go.

If you’d asked me five years ago what my favourite romantasy book was, I’d have been unable to answer. Romantasy? Do you mean fantasy? Romance? What even is this? However, now it is one of the biggest genres that I read, although it did get me thinking on how we got here.

Is romance in fantasy just a modern idea?

In 2023, Goodreads added a Romantasy category to their Choice Awards. This was a big step, especially as this was the year where both Fourth Wing and Iron Flame were released. The book community was torn. Is this new category devaluing romantasy books? Is it suggesting that they aren’t quite as good as fantasy? Or is Goodreads acknowledging that this is a genre that can stand on its own now. It is equal to fantasy. In my opinion, I think it was a good move. Since 2020, Sarah J Maas has won the fantasy category every year. We know that she is an absolute powerhouse of an author, now potentially rivalled by Rebecca Yarros. So splitting the categories allowed more fantasy books a chance to be nominated, and to win. In 2024 TJ KLune won the best fantasy with just shy of 70,000 votes. Sarah J Maas won the best romantasy with 122,000 votes. We can clearly see who the winner would have been if they were in one category.

However, there has always been romance in fantasy. Even The Lord of the Rings (famously one of the first fantasy books, and with almost no women), has a romantic sub plot (Aragon and Arwen, super cuties). This makes total sense- a typical fantasy plot will include someone trying to save something (maybe saving the world, maybe saving their loved ones), and including a romance subplot will help to move almost all books along. It’s a great motivation for your characters! However, just because there is romance in your fantasy book, doesn’t mean that it is a romantasy. So what is?

Fantasy Romance vs Romantasy

I think that there is a difference between fantasy romance, and romantasy. In my mind, the former is a fantasy plot first and foremost, with a romantic plot supporting. If you took out the romance, you’d still have a fantasy story. Examples here include Outlander or Faebound. Whereas romantasy has a romance plot with equal importance to the fantasy plot. You wouldn’t be able to separate out the romance without the whole story falling apart. Examples include the Crescent City series or Fourth Wing. However, something that is key to both categories is that there is a romance plot line, that follows the plot beats of a typical romance story. You need a meeting, sexual tension, a break up or separation, and of course a happily-ever-after. Think of some of the most popular romantasy books, for example ACOTAR or Fourth Wing; across the series, all these plot beats happen.

What romantasy to read next

Whether you’re a die hard fantasy fan, or a smitten romance reader; I think that there is something for you in romantasy. These books tend to be spicy, imaginations go wild with the possibilities from having non human main characters. (Fae, elves, vampires and werewolves are currently the popular MC’s). Romantasy is a genre where you can explore in safety- LGBTQ characters are much more common, Kinks are explored and different relationship set-ups are popular. You may have heard of Why-Choose romances, Reverse Harem or a praise kink, all themes that are much more popular in romantasy than classic romance. Below is a list of recommendations of books to try if you’re just dabbling, books to read if you’ve read another popular title, and books to try if you want to read something totally different.

If you’re just starting out

ACOTAR by Sarah J Maas. Arguably this is the book that started the idea of fantasy romance or romantasy. Don’t be intimidated by the size of these books, they are fantastic! Perfect if you like fae and character development over a series.

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros. You can’t go on to booktok or bookstagram right now without seeing everyone reading Onyx Storm, the third in the Empyrean series. This is another very popular series. Perfect if you like dragons, magic schools and underdog stories.

From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L Armentrout. This is a completed series (yay), although there is a spin off series in progress. Perfect if you like the bodyguard trope.

If you liked this, try this

If you liked Crescent City by Sarah J Maas, try Immortal Dark by Tigest Girma. These are both fantasies with urban settings, so if you enjoy a more modern fantasy world, try this one.

If you liked Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco try Phantasma by Kaylie Smith. Kingdom of the Wicked follows a girl who makes a deal with a prince of hell (one of the deadly sins) to avenge her sister. Phantasma is about a girl who makes a deal with a ghost to rescue her sister. If you enjoy sibling relationships and romance with devils or ghosts, this is for you.

If you liked Serpent and Dove by Shelby Mahuin, try The Crimson Moth by Kristen Ciccarelli. Both of these include a romance between a witch and a witch hunter. Perfect if that sounds like your kind of thing.

If you want to read something with themes you haven’t seen before

Now we’re getting into the different kinks and relationships often explored in romantasy!

If you’re curious about knotting, try Bride by Ali Hazelwood. There’s discussions on whether this is a romantasy or a romance, but in my opinion as it is a romance between a vampire and a werewolf, it has to sit in the romantasy category!

If you’re wondering about Why Choose, try Bonded by Thorns by Elizabeth Helen. This is a Beauty and the Beast retelling where our Beauty has all four fae princes

Overall, I think that romantasy is here to stay. This is a genre that is allowing women to reclaim sexual fantasies, and remove the stigma of verbalising these. It is also one of the fastest growing genres currently and with new releases such as Onyx Storm taking over the internet, I can’t see this genre going anywhere!

6 book trends we will see in 2025

Paula January 10, 2025

The hype-train called booktok never stops, and keeping up with trends can be overwhelming, especially if you’re not immersed in it daily. From the massive popularity of dystopian young adult books like The Hunger Games to cowboy romance and Sad Girl novels. There has been a lot of book trends in the past 10 years in the online book community. Since 2025 has just begun, it’s time to predict the trends for the new year. From major shifts to micro-trends, these are the top 6 book trends I predict for 2025.

The comeback of the blog in the form of Substack

Substack, the platform where you can start your own newsletter, is hot. More and more writers are discovering the platform—think of Miranda July, who recently started a newsletter (I’m a fan!) Around me, I see more people starting newsletters to share their book recommendations. I see the rise of Substack as the return of the book blog—offering more depth and more space to share thoughts on books.

BookTube is back (though, it never really left)

During the pandemic, BookTok became the big thing, and many people discovered that reading is a wonderful hobby. With the still looming threat of a TikTok ban in the U.S., many booktokers are now moving to other platforms. Instagram is popular since TikTok videos can easily be repurposed as Reels, but YouTube is also gaining traction.
I see many readers who started sharing book recommendations on TikTok during lockdown now creating YouTube channels. This is an interesting trend, as YouTube leans more toward longer content. Hour-long videos where someone reads in a cozy corner with a warm blanket are not uncommon. Putting on a video like that in the background while you read along with them for an hour? It happens all the time. And maybe helps you actually read your book, if you need some motivation.

Niche genres expand and more blended genres emerge

We’ve already seen dark academia—forever tied to Donna Tartt’s The Secret History—as well as cowboy romance, sad girl literature, unhinged/weird girl fiction, and cozy fantasy. In 2025, these niche genres will go even further and blend more and more.
One niche genre that caught my eye is the blend of romance and thriller, where one of the characters is a serial killer. Examples of titles in this genre include Butcher & Blackbird, How to Kill Men and Get Away With It, and A Serial Killer’s Guide to Marriage. That last book follows Hazel and Fox, a seemingly ordinary couple with a baby—except for one small detail: they’re former serial killers. But then Hazel starts to feel the urge to kill again. (I laughed out loud at the book description.) Some more random predictions for future book trends: heartbreak romance, cottage-core literature, and spicy thrillers.

The cozy vibes are getting more cozy in 2025

2024 was the year cozy fantasy really grew with titles like Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree. In this book, an orc opens a coffee shop, and the story unfolds at a leisurely pace. You meet other fantasy characters, and it’s all no plot, just vibes. In 2025, everything is getting even cozier. Cozy crime, a genre of thrillers where, for example, a grandma solves a murder case or a bookseller discovers a poisoned customer on the shop floor, is set to grow in popularity. I also expect to see comfort reads in other genres, as the turbulent times we’re living in make us crave escapism more than ever.

Sports Romance becomes more than ice hockey reads

In the romance genre, sports romance is wildly popular. These are romantic books where sports play a central role, often with characters who meet through sports or by randomly bumping into a handsome hockey player. The dominance of ice hockey in this subgenre is largely due to the bestseller Icebreaker by Hannah Grace.
In 2025 I think the book trends will include other sports. We’re already reading about American football in Elle Kennedy’s books, Match Point is a tennis romance, and there’s queer YA about basketball. In the newest releases for the upcoming year I spotted Run Like a Girl by Amaka Egbe, which focuses on running, and It’s a Love/Skate Relationship by Carli J. Corson, which features both ice hockey and figure skating. The funniest sports romance I’ve come across so far? Pickleballers by Ilana Long. It’s about pickleball—a mix of tennis and padel.

South Korean Literature is the new kid on the block

Japanese literature will never fully disappear from bookstores. After all, covers with cats are simply too popular (did you know that sometimes there isn’t even a cat in the story, but it’s just on the cover?) and authors like Murakami are highly appreciated. But South Korean literature is on the rise, especially since Han Kang won the Noble prize for literature in 2024.
In 2024 Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 was popular on literature-tok. With titles like Dallergut Dream Department Store and Marigold Mind Laundry on the rise on booktok, I spot a new upcoming sub-genre. Magical-realistic titles from South Korea will become even more prominent this year. After all, we like to read something new and discover authors from countries we don’t often read books from.

    Farewell 2024 from Bookinfluencers.com

    Antina December 27, 2024

    The end of the year is fast approaching and I am taking some time to look back on what happened to say Farewell to 2024, from Bookinfluencers.com

    First of all, have you checked the Bookinfluencers Wrapped posts made by our community manager Paula? You can check them out on our el I was stunned to see we’ve organized 255 book tours and brand campaigns this year!

    I’d like to take this opportunity to highlight some amazing collaborations:

    This year we reached out to a handful of creators from our community of almost 10K members. They were invited to become ambassadors for our brand. It was a humbling experience, because I honestly thought no one would be interested. Boy was I wrong! The people we asked were so excited and expressed they would love to be ambassadors. Since then, they have helped us spread the word about upcoming campaigns.

    We’re extremely proud of our strong manga community. They do such amazing jobs promoting new titles published by VIZ Media and SuBLime. We ran a total of 33 campaigns with them and there will be many more in the new year!

    2024 was also the year in which ChallyPop was born. ChallyPop is a new company established by Tandem Collective’s CEO Naomi Bacon and myself. It celebrates creativity, effort and quality rather than numbers. It means every creator, no matter their size, can join in on the Challenges. ChallyPop organized Challenges for The Striker by Ana Huang, Powerless by Lauren Roberts and The Prisoner’s Throne by Holly Black to name a few.

    We (co)hosted multiple events in The Netherlands, the country of our roots. The most challenging and rewarding event was #Boektokhouse. This was a weekend getaway with a publisher, authors and creators. It led to no fewer than 120 pieces of content reaching a total of 380K+ views.

    Farewell 2024

    At Bookinfluencers.com we realize we are the bridge between the reading community and our clients. Our platform empowers authors to reach creators they would not likely reach on their own for an affordable price. That’s why we are so happy that many indie authors found their way to us. But of course we are also very happy that established publishers like Bloomsbury, Head of Zeus, The House of Books, VBK, WPG Media and The Wild Rose Press worked with us on multiple occasions. And let’s not forget PR agencies like Black Chateau and iRead Book Tours with whom we have long lasting relationships.

    I am thankful to be doing all this work and more with a beautiful team of people. Thank you so much
    Maren, Kristin, Paula, Jenny, Helena, Sanne and Jen for all your efforts and your enthusiasm!
    We’re so grateful to be part of this amazing book community and we hope you stay tuned for all the
    campaigns we will have coming in the new year. I wish you Merry Christmas and a healthy and joyful
    2025!

    All the best,
    Antina

    CEO Bookinfluencers.com

    The ultimate bookish gift guide for Christmas

    Paula December 6, 2024

    It’s the most wonderful time of the year, which means it’s time to make your own wishlist, wrap presents, and cuddle up with a cozy book. If you’re anything like me, you might be feeling the pressure of finding just the right gifts for your friends and family. Don’t worry: I’m here to help with a few tips, tricks, and the ultimate bookish gift guide for Christmas.

    Let’s be honest; a book makes a perfect gift – but a special edition or bookish accessory is even better. Whether you’re shopping for an avid reader or a casual book lover, these ideas are sure to make any bookworm’s holiday season a little brighter.

    5 tips for a stress free season

    Start as early as possible.

    The sooner you find your presents, the calmer you’ll be. No last-minute Christmas shopping in mega malls that are way to crowded or parcels that don’t arrive. Keep calm, breath and start as early as you can. The less stressed you are, the better you feel yourself during the season. It’s stressful enough already.

    Don’t overbuy wrapping paper.

    The wrapping paper makes the gift. Get 3 types of wrapping paper (one plain, two with print) and match them with ribbon and bows that fit with the colors. For example: match a kraft-colored wrapping paper with a dark green, white or red ribbon.

    Sneak a peak at your friends bookshelf (and take pictures)


    How to know which book to get for a friend? The best trick is to have a little look at their shelves. Take pictures to remember what kind of books they already have so you don’t buy a book they already own. Look for authors they love, goodies on their shelves they like (maybe a Funkopop or a candle). If you are sending out a book to a friend who doesn’t live nearby, browse their shelves on their digital book tracking app or look for their Amazon wishlist.

    If you can’t think of a good gift, start at Uncommon Goods


    We all know them: the people who seem to have everything. And you can’t think of a book they really want. My best tip is to start at Uncommon Goods. A website filled with gifts you never thought of. If you click on ‘reading’ at ‘interest’ your page is filled with bookish goodies in seconds. Thank me later.

    Make a list of who you want to buy something for


    An overview of what you need to do is everything during December. Make a list and write down all the names of friends and family you want to buy something for. Just don’t keep everything in your head, write everything down and ask for help if you need. You don’t have to shop or do everything on your own.

    The gift guide part 1 – Books

    The gift guide part 2 – Bookish goodies

    I hope there is something here to help you find the perfect gift for your loved ones!

    Buechertok – A Year in Review!

    Helena Kulikowska December 3, 2024

    Hi, I’m Helena, and together with Kristin at Bookinfluencers.com, we manage our German-speaking collective of content creators – buechertok!

    Buechertok is our German-speaking TikTok channel. We are dedicated to celebrating the latest releases, as well as popular backlist titles, in German language.  We have 9 creators, who each have their own strong social presence, love to read in German and who collaborate with us to promote German-language books, (original and translated), to a Gen Z and Millennial audience.

    At the start of this year, we refreshed our Buechertok offering and were delighted to collaborate with different publishers on a wide variety of titles across different genres.

    2024 in numbers:

    • Over 100 videos published on our TikTok channel
    • Collaborated with 5 leading German publishers
    • Ran campaigns for over 30 of this year’s hottest releases entering the German-language market
    • Over 60% of these titles were boosted by traffic campaigns, with click-through buttons to the publisher’s website or chosen retailer
    • On average, our Spark Ads campaigns achieved over 50,000 Views per video, meaning titles get seen!

    This year, we’ve been really proud to promote titles by Arno Strobel, Matthew Blake, Jessica Winter, Alexandra Flint, Sarah Beth Durst, Stella Tack and many more!

    Some of your favourite videos from this year include Ashkan’s review of Spellshop, Sarah’s heartfelt review of So Laut der Himmel, Ecem’s shout out for Stalker, along with Katha’s video celebrating the release of Anna O. I also really loved this super-cute video from Marah and this funny and relatable video from Nina.

    @buechertok

    Cozy Fantasy, , Kleinstadt romance, Magie und einfach megaaaa gut #booktok#booktokgermany#booktokdeutschland#booktokfantasy#spellshopcozyfantasy@@sfischerverlage

    ♬ original sound – Buechertok
    @buechertok

    Ich bin sprachlos, Bookies.🥰 Ich habe noch nie so ein gefühlvolles und ehrliches Buch gelesen wie „Der Himmel so laut“. Ich kann euch dieses Buch nur ans Herz legen. Es hat meines zum Weinen und zum Lachen gebracht und ich bin immer noch überwältigt von den Gefühlen, die es in mir ausgelöst hat! @Jessica Winter – Autorin @Sarah | Booktok✨📚 #booktok #büchertok#germanbooktok#bücherliebe#booktoker#jessicawinter#books#buechertok#neuerscheinungen#solautderhimmel

    ♬ Originalton – Buechertok
    @buechertok

    (Anzeige) 3 Gründe warum ihr Anna O. von Matthew Blake lesen müsst🙏 @sfischerverlage @Katha 🍒 | Booktok #booktok #thriller #kriminalroman #fischerverlage #buchempfehlung #buchtipp

    ♬ Originalton – Buechertok

    We asked our collective which titles they’ve most enjoyed reading and promoting this year:

    • Katha – Ever & After series by Stella Tack
    • Ashkan – Für Immer Dein Feind by Olivia Blake 
    • Sarah – So Laut der Himmel by Jessica Winter
    • Nina – Ever & After series by Stella Tack

    We look forward to further collaborations in 2025 and will be starting our next round of creator recruitment in November, inviting German-speaking creators to join our collective. This will include a dark romance reader, so watch this space!

    We’d like to express a warm thank you to our community and clients at the end of this year, and we look forward to reading with you in 2025!

    Why a Book Cover Matters

    Maren November 15, 2024

    Everyone says, “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” but I’m here to tell you that everyone does! Writing a book takes time, from early planning to final edits. It’s easy to feel both excited and exhausted, wanting to launch your book quickly with a fast and simple cover. However, crafting a book cover is as important as writing the story itself; the two go hand in hand. This blog explores book covers and why they matter.

    First Impressions Count

    On social media, creators have only milliseconds to catch their audience’s attention. Think about how easy it is to scroll past content while browsing your feed or shopping on Amazon. This makes the cover the first thing readers see—often even before they read the title or blurb. You only have one chance to make a great first impression, and it starts with a captivating cover.

    Insider tip: Design a cover that stands out aesthetically. Book cover trends come and go, and certain styles are popular at different times. Try creating a cover that aligns with current trends while also standing uniquely on its own. Remember the recent resurgence of cartoon covers?

    A Book Cover as a Reflection of Content

    A cover should not mislead the audience; it’s essential that it reflects the book’s content. For instance, you wouldn’t expect to see a sports romance book with swords and dragons on it.

    Insider tip: Include subtle “easter eggs” for your readers. They love connecting details about the story or characters to small elements on the cover. Is your character a Swiftie? Add a friendship bracelet to the cover! Excite readers by connecting the cover to the story.

    Visibility in a Crowded Market

    It’s estimated that nearly 11,000 books are published daily worldwide. That’s 11,000 different covers in circulation each day. Your cover must stand out and not get lost in the masses. While it’s fun to follow trends and take inspiration from successful titles, your cover should be original and memorable.

    Insider tip: Dare to be bold! A simple cover is easy to overlook when browsing titles. Bright colors, bold typography, and striking contrasts can help catch the eye of a browsing reader.

    Reader Experience

    While it’s the content that will ultimately sell your story, the cover can make or break the initial sale. Researching your target audience and understanding their preferences is crucial. What appeals to readers in their 40’s might not appeal to those in their 20’s.

    Insider tip: Research similar titles and bestsellers in your genre. What’s trending? This can give you a better sense of what resonates with your audience.

    A book cover isn’t just an image; it’s the gateway into your story. It should spark interest and set expectations. Your cover essentially sells your story and can make or break a sale. The famous saying, “Never judge a book by its cover,” no longer holds ground in today’s world of mass publication and renewed reader interest. Readers will judge a book by its cover, making it an integral part of the book, almost as essential as the pages inside.

    Remember, your book deserves a beautiful cover. It deserves to be seen, and investing in a great cover is worth it.

    Not sure about your book cover? We’d love to help! Send us an email at contact@bookinfluencers.com, and we’ll take a look. We work closely with experts and can connect you with talented cover designers if needed.

    16 Bookish Activities that aren’t Reading

    Guest Blogger November 8, 2024

    If there’s one thing all book lovers have in common, it’s their undeniable love for reading and books. But did you know there are so many fun and creative activities that enable you to take that love beyond the page of your books? In this blog I’m going to share some of my favorite bookish activities that will allow you to express and expand your passion for reading.

    Whether you’re looking for something to do solo or with your book besties, there’s something here for everyone, no matter the season!

    Go book shopping with your book bestie

    Sure, book shopping on your own is so much fun, but have you ever gone on a bookstore date with a (book) bestie? Trust me, it’s so much fun! You can even pick out a book for each other – now, that’s what I call a win-win.

    Organize a book picnic

    There are some bookish activities that are perfect for a warm, summer day. Bring a big blanket, round up your friends, pack your favorite snacks, and don’t forget the sunscreen! Spend the day outside soaking up the sun (and your current read). Perfect for a laid-back afternoon with your fellow bookworms.

    Start a book club with your book besties

    Reading on your own is so much fun but have you ever experienced the magic of discussing a book with others who have read it? Starting a book club gives you the chance to see a story from so many different perspectives. It’s a whole new way to enjoy your reading experience.

    Participate in a book swap

    A book swap is such a fun way to share your favorite stories with one another. You can do it with friends or even join a group of fellow book lovers you’ve never met. Who knows, you might even make new bookish friends in the process!

    Watch movies/series that are based on your favorite books

    Okay I get it, nothing beats the book. But sometimes, a movie or series adaptation can be the perfect way to unwind aside from reading. Grab some snacks, cozy up, and hit the play button! Tip: A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder came out just a few weeks ago, so I know what I’ll be watching tonight!

    Visit the library!

    Libraries are seriously underrated whilst they are the perfect spot to explore new reads and spend an afternoon reading the day away. Plus, who doesn’t love the peaceful vibe of a quiet library reading corner?

    Do a reading challenge

    You have so many fun challenges these days! For example, you can do a 12 or 24-hour readathon, letting someone else choose your TBR, or let a wheel decide the amount of pages you need to read that day. There’s bookish activities and challenges for everyone.

    Start your own bookstagram/booktok

    This is your sign! I started my own bookstagram at the beginning of this year and haven’t regretted it a single moment. It has brought me so much joy! For me it’s such a creative outlet where I get to share my love for books, creative and fun content, and connect with other book lovers. Give it a go!

    Go to bookish events

    Book events are pure magic. Whether it’s a local book signing or a larger event, meeting authors and fellow book lovers is always so much fun. Last year, I got to meet Lucy Score, one of my favorite authors, and she signed all of my books – I’m still not over it.

    Create book themed crafts

    I love getting creative with all things bookish. Whether it’s making personalized bookmarks or other crafts inspired by your favorite reads, it’s so much fun! You could even host a craft afternoon with friends! You could make it fantasy coded, romance coded, or even a thriller one. Get creative!

    Go on a bookstore tour

    Get out of the house and spend the day exploring local bookstores in your area! Whether you’re going solo or with a friend, there’s nothing like browsing the shelves of a cozy bookshop.

    a woman in a bookstore stretching to the top shelf

    Book journaling

    Another creative option is starting your own book journal! You can track your reads, write reviews, note down your favorite quotes, or create a TBR list. Either DIY a bullet journal or support a small business by picking up a pre-made one!

    Make your own free little library

    How adorable are those little free libraries you see in people’s front yards? If you have the space, why not make your own? If not, you can always visit one nearby, leave a book, and take a new one home with you.

    Read + annotate a book for your book bestie and give it to them

    I absolutely love this one! Imagine annotating one of your favorite books and giving it to your book bestie so they can read your thoughts as they experience the story for themselves. Can’t wait to
    try this myself!

    3 books pages outwards with a lot of tabs in them. There are three highlighter pens in the top left corner

    Get yourself a bookshelf or redo the ones you have!

    Feeling like doing a seasonal refresh? Give your bookshelves a makeover! Whether it’s adding candles, cute trinkets, or reorganizing by color, it’s a fun way to breathe new life into your shelves.

    Create a book playlist

    And last but not least – making your own bookish playlists! I love creating soundtracks for the books I’m reading. It adds such an extra layer to the experience. Picture this: a swoon-worthy romance scene paired with a Taylor Swift song, or an intense dueling moment backed by Ruelle (ahem, Fourth Wing anyone?).

      I hope this list has inspired you to undertake some new bookish activities. Whether you’re a solo reader or love to share the experience with friends, there’s something for every kind of book lover. Let me know which activities you try, or if you have even more ideas- I’d love to hear from you!

      You can find Britt at the.reading_diary on Instagram

      Interview with Across the Ages author, Gabrielle Meyer

      Kristin November 1, 2024

      We sat down with author Gabrielle Meyer to chat about her latest book, Across the Ages. In Across the Ages, Gabrielle Meyer transports us between 1727 and 1927. She explores the life of a woman with the extraordinary gift of time crossing. From her inspiration drawn from the mysterious Anne Bonny to the intricate plotting behind her dual-timeline narrative, Gabrielle offers a glimpse into her creative world. Discover her motivations, writing routine, and the deeper messages woven into the story.

      a picture of the cover of Across the Ages with annotations around it. There is a leaf in the corner and flowers at the bottom

      Could you give readers a glimpse into the world of Across the Ages? What themes and characters can they expect to encounter when delving into your story?

      Across the Ages is set in both 1727 and 1927. It’s a story about a woman born with the gift of time crossing. When she goes to sleep in 1727, she wakes up in 1927. And when she goes to sleep in 1927, she returns to her life in 1727. No time passes while she’s gone. Her time-crossing mother abandoned her as an infant, and she has no idea why she has this gift. As she sets out to find her mother in 1727, she encounters a ship full of pirates on the hunt for a missing treasure. In 1927, she’s the daughter of a prominent minister, but her brothers are messed up in bootlegging and corruption. Redemption, finding home, and struggling to know right from wrong are big themes in this story.

      How did you bring your story to life? Please tell us about the inspiration behind Across the Ages.

      This is the fourth book in my Timeless series, and it was originally inspired by Anne Bonny, the young woman who ran away from home and became a pirate in the early 1700s. Anne dressed as a man on the pirate ship, though she was married to the captain, Calico Jack Rackham. When the ship was captured, Anne’s life was spared, because she was pregnant. After a short time in prison, she disappears from the history books. I always wanted to know what happened to her and her baby—so I wrote the ending myself.

      Reflecting on your journey as an author, what motivated you to pursue storytelling?

      I grew up above a carriage house on a historic estate and asked my mom lots of questions about the people who had lived there in the 1890s. That was where I fell in love with history. Then, I became a tour guide at the Charles A. Lindbergh Historic Site in my hometown, where I spent ten years telling the story of the Lindbergh family. My love for storytelling was born there. As an adult, I combined the two things I love and started writing historical novels.

      Can you share a little bit about your writing routine? Are there particular habits that helped you draw inspiration?

      I am a super-plotter, which means that I have a detailed outline before I start each story. I need to make sure all the pieces line up before I start, so I don’t have a mess of rewrites later. For several months before I start a project, I begin my research, then the week before I write the story, I fill in my outline. Each day, I sit down, read the chapter I wrote the day before, making small corrections as I go, then I write the next chapter. This process helps me complete a full-length novel in about a month.

      Navigating the early stages of writing can be challenging for many aspiring authors. What valuable advice would you offer to those looking to embark on their own writing journey?

      Over the years, I’ve learned that the best thing you can do for your writing career is to finish your story, submit it to agents and editors (if you’re seeking traditional publishing), and then set it aside and start working on your next story. Each story teaches you something new. My best advice is to write the first book, set it aside, write the second, set it aside, write the third, and so on. Before my first 20,000-word novella was published, I had written five full-length novels that have never been published. But those novels taught me so much. Nothing is wasted.

      Within Across the Ages, is there a particular scene or moment that resonates deeply with you? If so, what makes it special?

      I think the scene that resonates the most with me, and this is probably true for all my books, is the final scene. The moment when the character is at peace with her journey, when she’s hopeful and resolved because she’s learned something new, and when you see her in her happily-ever-after. This is the scene that the whole story builds towards, and it feels so satisfying.

      Speaking of the story, what underlying message or messages do you hope readers take away from the pages of Across the Ages?

      I never set out with a message, but I usually find one as I’m writing the story. I think the message in Across the Ages is that there is nothing new. History tends to repeat itself, and each generation faces their own difficulties, challenges and triumphs.

      Looking ahead, are you working on any future releases that we can anticipate? If so, our readers would love to hear an exclusive sneak peek!

      Across the Ages is book four in my Timeless series, but there will be book five, six, and seven to look forward to! Book five, Every Hour Until Then, will be released in May 2025. It’s about a woman who lives in London in 1888 and Washington, DC in 1938. In 1938, she’s invited to the London Museum as a guest curator to create a ground-breaking exhibit on Jack the Ripper and his reign of terror, but she quickly learns that her sister from 1888 will be Jack’s last victim. With the help of her handsome childhood friend, she goes on a perilous journey to uncover the man that history has chosen to hide and must decide if she’ll forfeit her path to save her sister.

      You can find Gabrielle’s Timeless series here. If you want to read other author interviews, check out the interview with Nicholas Williams or Anne van Zwieten

      Diversity in Dutch literature

      Guest Blogger October 25, 2024

      So many of us are looking for diversity in our Dutch literature. It is undeniable that BookTok and Bookstagram have made a big impact on the literary world. They’ve brought reading back into fashion for teenagers, changed the way books are marketed, and shone a light on diversity in literature. Now, more than ever, readers are looking for stories that go beyond their own experiences, with characters that represent a wide range of human experiences, including but not limited to different cultures, ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender identities, and abilities. This push for inclusivity in literature aims to amplify voices that have historically been marginalized, giving readers the chance to see the world through different perspectives.

      Some books have become wildly popular in this movement, such as Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston, The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, or pretty much anything by Alice Oseman. If you’ve been on BookTok for a while, you can probably name at least ten books with diverse characters, however, there is one thing they probably all have in common: they’re English titles. The selection of diverse English books has exploded over the past few years, influenced by social movements such as Black Lives Matter and Pride, as well as social media. These books have become hugely popular with readers. But when we look at the Dutch literary landscape, we don’t see the same trend. Dutch readers often have to switch to English books to find the diverse stories they’re looking for.

      Why is there not a lot of diversity in Dutch literature?

      There are several reasons for this. For one, social movements like those mentioned above haven’t been discussed as openly in Dutch-speaking countries as in the UK and the US. Also, the market for Dutch literature is much smaller. With a relatively small Dutch-speaking population compared to the vast English-speaking audience, publishers tend to be more cautious, opting for books that appeal to the mainstream rather than experimenting with diverse narratives.

      But the tides are changing. Publishers are recognizing the demand for diverse books and are slowly trying to adapt. Many diverse books have been translated from English, but slowly, original Dutch books highlighting diversity are making their appearance. So if you prefer reading in Dutch and don’t want to deal with clunky translations, there are diverse Dutch books out there. You just need to know where to look. Here are a few tips to help you on your quest, and if you’re still having trouble, there’s a list of diverse, originally Dutch novels at the end of this blog post!

      How to find Diverse Dutch Books

      Follow National Book Prizes

      Book prizes often select works that reflect societal needs. Prizes like “Beste Boek voor Jongeren” and “De Leesjury” frequently feature a diverse selection.

      Follow BookTokers and Bookstagrammers for recommendations that highlight diversity in literature

      Most of our book recommendations now come from social media. There are a few BookTokers who specifically promote diverse books and discuss diversity in Dutch literature. They’re usually up-to-date with new releases, so find some creators you like and follow them! A few Dutch creators I recommend on TikTok are @loonieslibrary, @billyleest, and @boleestenschrijft.

      Online diversity platforms

      Beyond the publishing world, others have recognized the need for diverse books. One platform I really like is Symfoon. They’ve created a reading list of books about, for, and by people with visual impairments. Another worth checking out is queerboeken.nl, which has a huge reading list of books with queer characters, both originally Dutch and translated works.

      I hope these tips might help you on your search to diversify your book case. If you’re still a little confused, let me give you a list of some really worth reading, originally Dutch diverse books.

      Original Dutch Diverse Reading List

      1) Frambozenzomer – Lucas Versteeg


      A book about a teenage boy struggling with body image. While on a weight loss camp his parents sent him on, he catches feelings for the son of the camp leader.

      2) Maak je geen zorgen over ons – Koen Aelterman


      A graphic novel about twenty-something Kobe, leaving for Australia to figure out his identity, sexuality and future plans, whilst dealing with a broken heart.

      3) Cécile – Ish Ait Hamou


      A heartfelt story about a Moroccan boy dreaming of leaving his small hometown and ending up in a risky, illegal trip to Europe, meeting interesting people along the way.

      4) Confettiregen – Splinter Chabot


      ‘Confetti rain’ is a story about a kid who was raised in a loving, open family, allowed to be whoever he wanted to be, being confronted with the harsh reality of homophobia and gender stereotypes.

      5) Gloei – Edward van de Vendel & Floor de Goede


      ‘Gloei’ is a bundle of biographical stories in which twenty queer young adults share their story about growing up queer. All young adults have a vastly different background, from a paralympic champion to a Syrian refugee.

      6) Lily – Tom de Cock


      A thrilling dystopian young adult novel with influencer Lily at the centre. With a new eye patch to match every hair look, she faces the world outside of her safe bubble, being confronted with people less fortunate than her.

      7) In het vervloekte hart – Rima Orie


      ‘In het vervloekte hart’ is an action-packed fantasy novel with a fantasy world inspired by the Middle East. Main character Priya Chkadhari attends military school Kuwatta so she no longer needs to hide her magical powers, but finds other threats along the way.

      8) Met jou is het anders – Hanne Eerdekens


      In this story, a teenage boy is confronted with his sexuality after going viral on the internet, and is forced to figure out his identity under scrutiny of the world, his family and the friends who don’t shy away from homophobic jokes.

      9) De jongen die van de klif viel en zacht terecht kwam – Stefan Raatgever

      A book about a boy figuring out his sexuality and how to express it in the treacherous high school corridors.

      10) De hemel is altijd paars – Sholeh Rezazadeh


      Arghavan left Iran to live in the Netherlands and tries to adjust to her new life. She meets many interesting people, but is still plagued by the memories from her childhood.

      Hanne is a Dutch author and book influencer with a love of YA and diverse voices. You can find her on TikTok and Instagram.

      How to be a top Book Influencer!

      Jenny October 23, 2024

      So you want to be a book influencer? You’ve joined Bookinfluencers.com, you’re applying for book tours, but how can you optimize your chances of getting selected? Well, fret not! We’re here with a handy dandy list of tips to make your account stand out from the crowd and give you more chance of being selected on the next book tour!

      The Book Influencer Aesthetic

      An image of rainbow book shelves
      A display of aesthetic, rainbow shelves by bookishscandinavian

      Have a look at your account from an outsider point of view. Is it immediately eye catching? Are your posts interesting to look at? If you’re on TikTok or making reels, do your videos encourage people to stop scrolling? If you’re wondering how to make your posts more eye catching, check out this blog post on how to create content without showing your face, and this blog post on digital edits.

      Followers, Likes and Comments

      First off, you don’t need a huge following to be a successful book influencer. Whether you have 100 followers, or 100,000, you can be successful on bookinfluencers.com. You’ve made sure that your posts are eye-catching, so now try to make people engage with them. Include a Call To Action (CTA) in your caption- this could be as simple as a question, Have you read this book? It could be a Question of the Day (QOTD) which can be totally unrelated to your post. I have seen QOTD’s being along the lines of, Do you prefer tea or coffee? The idea here is to make a simple way for people to have to comment on your post. Yes, you might get lots of comments of people just saying ‘tea’, or ‘coffee’, but the algorithm still sees this as people engaging and therefore will show your post to more people!

      If you do have a smaller account, you can help to grow it by engaging on other accounts you like- the more you like, comment and follow others, the more likely they will return the favour. Also the more scroll stopping posts and engagement that you get on your posts, the more people will want to return to your page and see what you post next.

      A word on Engagement Groups

      Engagement Groups can be popular on Instagram. These are groups where you tag a specific account, and everyone has to like/comment on your post. While it can feel really tempting to  boost your engagement this way, this isn’t organic engagement. It is much more impactful to grow your account and your engagement organically, with the likes and comments coming from genuine followers, rather than people who have to interact and may spend less than a second on your post.

      Applying for book tours as a Book Influencer

      First things first. Make sure that your Bookinfluencers.com profile is complete. Add a profile picture and a bio. Let authors know who you are, what you’re interested in and why they want you on their tour. We’d suggest being specific here, don’t say “I love all books!”, instead say “I love this genre of books, my favourite authors are X,Y,Z”. This will make you stand out and show a genuine interest in specific genres.

      When you apply for a book tour, you can add a note, or ‘my pitch’ to tell the author/publisher exactly why you will be perfect on their tour. This is definitely recommended if you are a big fan of the author or the book sounds perfect for you. Do think about what you’re writing though instead of just copy and pasting the same response every time.

      You may be asked to close a deal in terms of incentives and say what you would like to receive in exchange for your post. This is a hard one to know what to say, so just be honest. Do you prefer to receive a physical book instead of an e-book? Do you want payment? I would only recommend that you don’t ask for loads of money just because you can, if you are happy to review and post for free, you can say that, or that you’d appreciate payment but it isn’t always necessary. Do what feels right for you.

      Writing reviews.

      Reviews are a big part of being in the book community. Whether you write a 500 word essay on each book, film a 30 second silent review, do a yes/no/maybe video or create a graphic with some key words and a star rating- reviews are everywhere! Like with everything on your account, you need to consider what sort of posts and reviews you want to share. Would you like to give star ratings? Are you only interested in reviewing your favorite books? Do you want to review books you didn’t enjoy? Is being brutally honest your goal? There is no right or wrong answer, however if you do choose to share negative reviews or reviews that are less than glowing, please don’t tag the author.

      If you did not enjoy a book from a book tour, please do reach out to the Campaign Manager. In some cases we may ask you not to post a review if you did not enjoy the book. Instead, you could post a spotlight or shout out post highlighting the book, but not mentioning a review.

      Hopefully this blog post has given you some tips and advice on how to optimise your own chances at being on a book tour. If you need any more help or advice, reach out to the bookinfluencers.com team!

      Why Sad Girl Literature is so popular

      Paula October 18, 2024

      Sad Girl Literature – you might think it’s just the next BookTok trend. This literary sub-genre focuses on existentialism and womanhood has been around for a long time, starting with Sylvia Plath and Joan Didion. In this blog I’m going to dive into this genre, tell you what it exactly is and explain more about the history of it.

      Sad Girl Literature: what kind of genre is this?

      The name itself already explains a little bit. This genre is about sad girls, but it’s way more than that. The genre focuses on themes of melancholy and existentialism and combines it with the struggles of modern (young) women. Those struggles often involve loneliness in the big city, mental heath issues and an overall struggle with daily life. These works often explore deep emotional turmoil, feelings of inadequacy, and the search for identity and meaning in the face of societal pressures.

      The protagonists in these books are often introspective, sensitive, and struggling with the complexities of their emotions, relationships, and personal lives. The stories doesn’t always offer resolution, but instead delves into the messy and often painful realities of life, emphasizing raw emotional experiences.

      The history of the genre

      This isn’t just the next Booktok trend. The genre just now has a name because of TikTok. In the past it has been called melancholic fiction or women’s fiction. In some cases the books are semi-autobiographical – for example, Sylvia Plath. We can even say Annie Ernaux writes Sad Girl Literature, because she writes about her complex emotions, relationships and love during her girl and womanhood in France.

      I would say Sad Girl Literature started with Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar is a semi-autobiographical novel exploring mental illness and the pressures of societal expectations. It ticks all the boxes. Besides Plath and Ernaux, I think Joan Didion is a perfect example as well. Play It As It Lays is a story of emotional numbness and disconnection in a woman grappling with the meaninglessness of her life.

      Popular Sad Girl Literature nowadays

      One of the most popular current sad girl writers is Ottessa Moshfesh. My Year of Rest and Relaxation is Sad Girl Literature at it’s best. In this novel the protagonist tries to escape the pain of life by drugging herself into a year-long hibernation. Another popular author is Sally Rooney. Especially in Normal People and Conversations with Friends, but also in her recent works Beautiful World Where Are You and Intermezzo. Rooney’s characters grapple with intense emotional experiences, isolation, and complex relationships – the core of Sad Girl Literature. However, Rooney writes about sad men as well, because mental health and dealing with everyday life goes beyond gender, of course.

      Besides Rooney we have Irish author Naoise Dolan, who writes about the loneliness and emptiness in big cities and complex relationships. And don’t forget the Asian Sad Girl Literature, which contains Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner and also books by Mieko Kawakami and Won-pyung Sohn.

      Why Sad Girl Literature resonates in the modern day

      I think this sub genre has become quite popular in recent years, especially because of COVID-19. The rise of introspective, emotionally raw, and often millennial-driven narratives has gone hand in hand with the lockdowns because of the pandemic. It resonates because so many readers can identify with it – during lockdown while being inside a lot, feeling the loneliness and overthinking your life. And nowadays – we are drawn to the emotional complexities and darker aspects of modern existence.

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