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 not just one but THREE lovely ladies running one IG account!! I rather really enjoyed their answers, I know you will too. ENJOY!
Name: Caitlin, Kelly, and Emily
About yourself: We are three sisters who live on the shoreline in Connecticut. Caitlin and Kelly are identical twins and Emily is the baby sister. As far as the usual day-to-day work-life we all run the gamut. Caitlin is a huge nerd and teaches computer science. Kelly is a takes no shit contract negotiator for a large corporation. And Emily is a hair stylist extraordinaire.
BOOKSTAGRAM
Logo/IG name? @themommabookclub
Logo picture, if you have to available?
How/Why did you come up with it? We came up with the name because we figured that there MUST be other moms out there looking for sexy reads. Our logo is actually a tattoo that all three of us share.
When did you start Bookstagramming? What was the first thing you did? When we started bookstagramming we started thinking about the types of reviews WE wanted to see as hard-working full-time moms with very little free time. After some discussion, we felt that narrowing our reviews down to three main criteria would allow for us to cut to the chase: storyline synopsis, sex scene analysis, and cost breakdown (time and money).
Why did you start what you started? Influence? Honestly, we were providing verbal reviews for each other anyway—so why not help more people, right? None of us had ever even heard of bookstagramming before starting our own.
Did you have any help at the beginning or winged it? We TOTALLY winged it. In fact, we only just recently started taking our own bookstagram pictures.
What is your favorite part about BOOKSTAGRAMMING and why? The community is hands-down the best part! We love interacting with readers, authors, and other bookstagrammers. There is SO MUCH support to be had out there and it’s AMAZING to see everyone helping each other out. We are all just out here having fun with our hobbies (whether it’s reading, writing, or taking pictures).
What platforms do you use (this is meant for APP’s mainly, things like Canva and so forth.) We are old school and pretty much stick to what we have readily available on our phones. We might use picstitch for an edit. Sometimes Lumyer to make pretty altered reality effects. Instagram has SO much that’s already embedded into the platform—you just need to try it out and use it!
What social medias are you on? And do you have a favorite? We live that ‘gram life! We post reviews to Goodreads and Amazon, but all of our Facebook activity is through our personal accounts. All three of us would agree that The ‘Gram is our favorite platform.
Do you have any tips and tricks about blogging? Be honest. Be consistent. Be present. So far, it has served us well!
Have you had any bad/negative experiences on Bookstagram? We can say that we have never personally had any! We have been very lucky.
What have you learned from blogging on a public platform like? We have learned that you can’t be in this for the likes. You need to do this for YOU. The likes will follow if you stay true to yourself and do this because you love it.
Do you have any goals that you haven’t yet been able to get to, concerning your account? We had a goal to help make a difference (albeit it’s a small difference) in the lives of others. We just want to save you time, give you a laugh, or something to share with a friend. Based on the DMs and comments that we get from readers and authors I’d say we’ve reached that goal.
What are some highlights or special moments that have happened, concerning your book blogging career? One of our earliest author supporters was Layla Frost. I remember when she posted a story on Instagram about how people should follow our account. It was totally unprompted and a huge surprise. She will ALWAYS hold a special place in our hearts. Now, anytime an author or a big time bookstagrammer recognizes us we all get giddy and fangirl like idiots.
Do you think Bookstagram is an effective platform to express your opinion on books? Absolutely! We keep things short and sweet, so we are able to maximize those character limits.
What do you use camera wise when taking book photography? That iPhone portrait mode!
Do you use your own props? Is there a fun or MAGICAL way you set it all up? (loc, props…) We all use our own props. It’s all about great natural lighting and ways to express elements of the book. We like to add little hints about personality traits of characters or hidden details in the books. Our favorite props are flowers, interesting backgrounds (coffee table, floor, placemats, etc), and Caitlin is obsessed with using that gd doilie.
Do you have advice for new bookstagrammers on how to start, be, and do? As stated above, be honest, be consistent, and be present. Don’t be in this for the likes. It’s the QUALITY of the relationship with your followers, NOT the quantity of followers.
Do you have any favorite Instagram accounts that you follow for books, inspiration, ideas…? Some of our favorite bookstagram accounts include: Musings of the Modern Belle, Book Twins Reviews, devoted_pages, YOU (obviously), rotellareads, and sister duo: it.sgottabethebooks and bookeverlasting. Favorite author accounts: Layla Frost, Nicole Rodrigues, Gabrielle G, Amy Daws, Meghan Quinn, Lylah James, Amo Jones, Willow Winters, Nyla K, Anne Malcom, and Giana Darling
What was the first book you officially bookstagrammed, how about the first book you reviewed and posted on Instagram? First bookstagram post was Skye Warren’s The Pawn. Our first review was Vines by Brynne Asher. Both are SOLID romance reads!
LET’S 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) No freaking clue for paperbacks, BUT on Caitlin’s kindle account alone there are 634 books.
Do you prefer paper or kindle? That’s a tough question. Kindle books take up WAY less space, but there’s something about the smell of ink and paper—and seeing all of the books lines up on your shelf.
Do you know your first paperback/ebook? We’ve been readers since WAY back. I can’t remember the first book that I ever purchased. We are old biddies
Do you remember your very first read? Heck yes. Go Dogs Go. It’s a classic. Gotta love those CVC books!
What is it that draws you to a book? (picture, blurb, author..or all?) Would it make us shallow to say that the cover entices us??? With that being said, an intriguing blurb can reel us in. The author is also a key deciding factor.
Do you have a favorite genre you read? And which one? We all prefer an erotic romance read, but we are also drawn to different tropes: Caitlin– Dark, Mafia, PNR Kelly– Fantasy, Post-Apocalyptic Emily– Contemporary with an HEA
What does your ideal bookboyfriend like? (looks, actions…) I think that we can all agree that we just like an alpha male that has his dirty talk on lock.
Do you have a real life bookboyfriend? If he is a celeb, book model and so forth, care to share a photo of who? No real life book boyfriends. Kelly and Emily are married to their HEAs.
Caitlin #BookBoyfriend
What is your favorite part about a story? (the beginning get to know each other, the sexy scenes, the middle right before the peak…) As seen in our reviews, we all fully appreciate a well-written sex scene (and will rate it on a scale of 1-5 flames). Emily always looks for an HEA to end things.
What book are you currently reading?
Caitlin- An ARC for The Trouble With You by LA Cotton
Kelly- I just finished Faking Ms. Right by Claire Kingsley
Emily- Until Mercy by CC Monroe
Do You have a favorite book quotes from any recent or previously read books you’d like to share? Caitlin likes to add her favorite quotes from books at the tops of her reviews. Go check them out!!
How long does it take you to read an average book? We all read about 100pgs an hour.
How many reads per week do you think you read on an average? Caitlin and Emily read about 3-5 per week. Kelly reads about 1-2 (she works 10hr days!).
Have you ever considered writing a book? If so, why, how, when and who?! Hehe Emily is actually in the process of outlining a book! It’s going to be a contemporary romance featuring, wait for this…. three sisters!!
Who is your favorite author and why? (you’re welcome for this one *smirk*)
Caitlin- I honestly have way too many to choose! But I love Layla Frost and Amelia Hutchins. Both write amazing alpha males with snarky and intelligent females. They also write PNR—which is my first love!
Kelly- Sarah J Maas. She builds beautiful worlds, complex character development, and epic romance!
Emily- I’m currently loving Laura Kaye. She feeds my need for a well developed, well written series. Her Hs are alpha and dirty and I don’t mind paying for her books because they are worth it!
Now, the real important question -> What is your favorite book & why! Caitlin- Ever? This isn’t a romance read, but I think it was my first brush with romance as a kid and it set me on the course as a romance reader: Anne of Green Gables. She is SO smart and witty. Determined and motivated. A devoted friend and committed lifelong leaner. Add in that tension and angst with the dreamy and swoon-worthy Gilbert Blythe and I was HOOKED.
Kelly- Fave book is tough, but I love Voyager (Book Three in Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series). It’s about true, time transcendent soulmates—who find each other and choose each other every. single. time. I also like that they’re older in the third book. Love doesn’t stop being sexy and romantic just because you’re in your 40s!
Emily- If we’re talking romance, I have to give my nod to Nora Roberts. She was the first author in the genre I read, specifically the Irish Born trilogy. I live for a story with amazing character development, cross overs and happily ever afters. I blame Nora for this, she’s ruined me in the best way,
Do you have any magical words for everyone out there?! Do what you love! Be true to yourself! And make sure to have fun as often as possible!
STALK THE BOOKSTAGRAM!
That concludes another wonderful SPOTLIGHT of three lovely ladies. Thank you for participating and I enjoyed getting to you all little more! Let’s show them some love!!