Watcha Readin?
Tote bags, coffee stains, and dog-eared pages. Reading has seen a resurgence as a popular hobby thanks to social media.
Photo by Craig McDean, 2022 for British Vogue
Bookish influencers across YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram have led the charge in revitalizing a love for reading. TikTok saw views for #Booktok increase by 140% between 2022 and 2023 alone. But the space can be daunting to anyone who hasn’t read outside of school. Who do you follow, what should you read, and why are so many people tracking pages and books read? We at Raandoom love to read and feature a book in our monthly curation. So, we hope to extend this pastime to those who have a tumultuous relationship with reading because there is no wrong way to do it. To develop a love for reading, you first have to find the format that works for you: physical, e-reader, or audiobook. Physical books are, of course, the classic, but the other two are just as legitimate. E-readers are economical in price, space, and weight while still giving the tactile experience of a physical book. You can even download an e-book app like Kindle right onto your phone to save even more. Audiobooks are a great option for those who have dyslexia or who already listen to audio media like podcasts. The next step is to choose something you know you will enjoy. Do you prefer fantasy or realism? Maybe you prefer true stories. Do not start with a must-read classic or a dense, technical epic. Go for something familiar that you know you will enjoy because it will make reading more fun. It may sound sacrilegious to some, but try starting with a book whose movie adaptation you adore. When I got back into reading a few years ago, I started with "Good Omens" by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman because I knew I had enjoyed the TV adaptation. A familiar story means you will instantly engage with the novel and can easily follow along with the plot while still experiencing something different. But not everyone wants to read something they already know, and maybe you want something fresh.
Dua Lipa via Instagram
If you know what types of stories you want to read but don’t know where to start, bookish influencers are your best resource. They can provide curated reviews and recommendations in specific genres. Multi-platform creator Jack Edwards is a great resource for those who want to read literary fiction or fiction that is (usually) far more realistic and introspective. He also has a beat for translated fiction if you want to travel even more outside your own perspective. For the speculative fiction fans, look into Regan of the PeruseProject. Her content is geared more towards reading vlogs, book hauls, etc., but she often reads science fiction, fantasy, and romance while providing commentary throughout her reading experience. For those who want nonfiction, Nathan, aka schizophrenicreads on TikTok, gives compelling recommendations by skilled writers who blend truth and craft. Plus, these communities are there to welcome you, not unlike a book club. Though, the key thing is to view these content creators as resources, not as aspirations. The bookish community has a problem with gamifying reading: popular creators have the time and means to read more than your average person, while the space glorifies reading 50+ books in a year. This competition mentality can make it hard to enjoy reading, so try not to compare yourself to content creators. Set your own pace, and if you do want reading goals, aim for small, achievable goals which encourage you to digest the books you read instead of mindlessly consuming them.
Photo by Jana Cleve, 2015 for Sleek Magazine
Reading is a great way to explore different perspectives, both through the stories and people you engage with. The Internet’s reading community is a digital book club where readers get to exchange recommendations and ideas. The act of reading allows you to step away from endless scrolling, even if you are reading on a screen. It gives your mind relief from the passive consumption of social media and gets you to engage with what is before your eyes (or ears). Reading is not for some niche group of intellectuals but an activity meant to connect us through storytelling. To share stories is to be human, and so reading is for everyone.
