Welcome to my BOOKSTAGRAMMER SPOTLIGHT, where I show some love to our fellow Bloggers, Bookstagrammers and common Romance Readers. I started this because while there might be a lot of us out there, each of us is different and unique in not just reading, photography, books…everything! A fun way to show some love & learn a little more about the romance community members!! Today’s feature is a very beautiful soul, glad to have met her on Instagram!! ENJOY!
Name: Anna Murra
About Yourself: I’m a Gemini and I just turned 25 this month (for some reason I feel I’m starting a new phase of my life). Born and raised on a city in northern Mexico, called Torreon. Growing up I had an “Elle Woods” phase in which I LOVED pink, but now I love neutral colors like black, white or gray. I have a younger sister named Barbara, she’s 1 year and 3 months younger than me. We have 2 cocker spaniels “Dandy” and “Capi” and we love them so much! In December of this year, I’m going to graduate with a degree in International Business and a distinction in Logistics. Besides reading, I love baking, hanging out with my friends and family and watching every single game of the Pittsburgh Steelers with my dad. My favorite city in the world is Florence and I LOVE British culture.
BOOKSTAGRAM
Logo/IG name? @annasreadings – Anna’s Readings
How/Why did you come up with it? I wanted to use my name and something related to reading books. I created a logo on Canva at first and when I wanted to “change my image” you made my logo and helped me create a more standard image. Thank you!
When did you start Bookstagramming? What was the first thing you did? December 10, 2018. I posted my first review and followed the writers I enjoyed reading.
Why did you start what you started? Influence? I’ve always love reading books so I wanted to keep track of the ones I’ve read, get involved and get to know other readers and writers.
Did you have any help at the beginning or winged it? I winged it, I didn’t knew anyone that was a bookstagrammer and I didn’t even knew “bookstagramming” was a thing but I did ask for advice really early on, Ally from @ally.always.reads and you @theguidetoromancenovels where and still are 2 of the first people I turn for advice and you both have been, since the beginning, kind enough to help me out but also encourage me every step of the way, so THANK YOU!!!!
What is your favorite part about BOOKSATGRAMMING and why? If I’m being honest, it surprised me that it has nothing to do with the books, but with the people. My favorite thing is to get to know and talk to writers and people from all sides of the world. Everyone I’ve met has been extremely nice. I’ve also been a bit anonymous as a bookstagrammer, my closest friends and family know I have a bookstagram but they don’t know my name so I like that anonymous side because I get to really express myself, that’s why I don’t really post pictures of myself but as I’m slowly becoming more confident doing this, I’m becoming more open about it.
What platforms do you use (this is meant for APP’s mainly, things like Canva and so forth.) I’m starting to make little tiny videos with a song and a quote and I use an app for that but I use Canva for almost everything I post and diybookcovers.com 3D mockcovers creator too.
What social media’s are you on? And do you have a favorite? As a bookstagrammer I’m only on Instagram, but with my personal accounts I’m on Instagram, facebook and twitter.
Do you have any tips and tricks about blogging? Sounds a bit of a cliché but just be yourself. Everyone is really different, and there’s not just one or a right way to do it. Everyone’s reviews and posts are very different, you just need to find out what you want people to get from your work. I always follow my mom’s advice “If you don’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say anything”. If I don’t feel I like he book I don’t say anything, because I don’t want to make a writer feel bad about all the work she/he put into the book or someone from reading it, just because of me. Maybe I was in a bad mood, or I just didn’t like it but that doesn’t mean its not a good one and someone else might like it. That’s why I don’t use stars or grade the books I review.
Have you had any bad/negative experiences on Bookstagram? Not really. I can’t think of anything right now and I hope I never do. I stressed out when time flies and I can’t write a review before or during release day.
What have you learned from blogging on a public platform like? Even if we are all different and unique, everyone I have come across, have a similar goal than you have, and if you ask and try to be involved and care about others, they will inspire you to always improve yourself.
Do you have any goals that you haven’t yet been able to get to, concerning your account? I really want to get to a point where I can get the “swipe up” option on Instagram stories. I would also love to become someone people turn for advice and care about what I have to say.
What are some highlights or special moments that have happened, concerning your book blogging career? Every time I become friends with a writer, when someone asks me directly to review their work and just becoming friends with other bookstagrammers I’ve never even met in “real” life.
Do you think Bookstagram is an effective platform to express your opinion on books? Totally! Between the captions, the stories, the design and the posts, there are unlimited ways to be yourself and let people know your opinion of books.
What do you use camera vise when taking book photography? Just my iphone
Do you use your own props? Is there a fun or MAGICAL way you set it all up? (loc, props…) I only use props when I have the paperback and I always try to use natural light to take my pictures.
Do you have advice for new bookstagrammers on how to start, be, and do? (anything goes here) If you want to become a bookstagrammer just start! You’ll get better with time. It took me awhile to discover what I want to be my “signature” and what makes me different from everyone else, but I discovered it after I started bookstagramming. Be patient, don’t lose motivation. I also found really helpful that I had a clear reason to do this. I wanted to this for me and and my love for reading not for followers or anything like that, so if I post something and I don’t get lots of comments or likes, it doesn’t discourage me from still post things, because I do this for me not for others’ validation.
Do you have any favorite Instagram accounts that you follow for books, inspiration, ideas…? @ally.always.reads @theguidetoromancenovels @bookaddict_reviews @ktbookreviews @the_book_queenWhat was the first book you officialy bookstagrammer, how about the first book you reviewed and posted on Instagram? The first book I reviewed on Instagram was Execution by Lucia Franco I just loved the book and thought of opening my own reader Instagram, I later found out the concept of being a bookstagrammer. The first book I officially bookstagrammed was Wished for you by KD Robichaux. Kayla was the first writer to contact me. She actually wanted me to review “Steal you” but she then told me that she wrote her real love story with her husband in her The Blogger Series so I ended up binge reading her very emotional, I must add, heart breaking then warming story. She also gave me an advice that changed my approach to bookstagramming and it was to get a @kindle address for Arcs.
Lets talk about BOOKS!!
Tell us, do you know the exact amount of paperback you own? How about ebooks? (I suggest not to count because I did & I regretted it) Thanks for asking! I’ve been wondering for awhile so I just counted them! I have 111 books on my kindle app and 149 paperbacks.
Do you prefer paper or kindle? Paperback and if its signed even better! But I think its easier and faster to read ARCs on kindle, so I read more on kindle now.
Do you know your first paperback/ebook? First ebook was Missing Pieces by Ivy Smoak just last year and my first independent/ self published book (which are the ones I love to review the most) was Balance by Lucia Franco.
Do you remember your very first read? the first paperback I ever read was Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen when I was in the 3rd grade. It’s a funny story actually, my sister and I loved watching tv at that age and my dad didn’t liked it, so he told us we couldn’t watch it unless we read 3 pages a day from a book, so I chose Pride and Prejudice from somewhere in my house and long story short, I ended up leaving TV for books!
What is it that draws you to a book? (picture, blurb, author..or all?) A mixture of all! I have some writers I know anything I read will be great, the blurb makes me understand what the idea of the book is and the cover gives me the general vibe or feels about the book.
Do you have a favorite genre you read? And which one? It honestly depends on the mood I’m in. But I love Romance! I read every troupe but for some reason I love books with babies or kids in them, so I tend to read a lot of single parent/secret baby ones. I’m also fine reading emotional roller coaster books but I need a HEA.
What is your ideal bookboyfriend like? (looks, actions…) Big hearted, kind, optimistic, protective, loving and loyal, not a cheater! I don’t usually mind the physical look but I like tall, and a bit older than the heroine, and if they have an accent even better!
Do you have a real life bookboyfriend? If he is a celeb, book model and so forth, care to share a photo of who? For some strange reason, I always picture British actors like Michael Fassbender, Tom Hiddleston, David Gandy, Jude Law, Jamie Dornan and Benedict Cumberbatch. I enjoy watching your Book Boyfriend selection as well!
What is your favorite part about a story? (the beginning get to know each other, the sexy scenes, the middle right before the peak…) If it’s a romance book, I love when both characters find out that both of them have feelings for each other.
What book are you currently reading? Hero by Jolie Vines
How long does it take you to read an average book? A day, if I have things to do or I’m not into the story it takes me 2 or 3 days.
How many reads per week do you think you rea don an average? Depends on what I have to do that week but usually between 2-4 books per week.
Have you ever considered writing a book? If so, why, how, when and who?! Hehe I wish! It would be my dream to become a writer but I can’t write haha, I’m just really good at coming up with different stories in my head.
Who is your favorite author and why? (you’re welcome for this one *smirk*) Oh no!!! I have so many!! I couldn’t choose just one! But I love Ashlee Rose, Cara Wade, Devney Perry, Lucia Franco, Kahlen Aymes, Karli Perrin, KD Robichaux, Kayley Loring, Jasmin Miller, Jolie Vines, Karla Sorensen and LK Farlow.
Now, the real important question -> What is your favorite book & why! OH NO!!!!! Please don’t ask me this!!!!! I had a hard time answering the previous question and now this one! If I don’t like the book I read, I don’t review it, so I guess every single book I have read? I do love every Kayley Loring book I have read because I always find personal similarities with them. I got “book hangovers” after reading the Entwined in You series by Ashlee Rose, Off Balance series by Lucia Franco, and the Marry the Scot series by Jolie Vines. Do you have any magical words for everyone out there?! Have fun! Do everything you do because you want to not because you have to. Try to get involved in other people’s work and projects, comment, like and ask questions. Care about other people’s opinions and be yourself! People will love to get your honest opinion! Also, my DM are always open if you want advice or just to talk.
STALK THE BOOKSTAGRAMMER!
That concludes another great SPOTLIGHT of an awesome Bookstagrammer! More to come as always & let’s show Anna some love!!