Why all 'It' girls have book clubs now

Ever since booktok became one of the most popular TikTok niches, everyone has been obsessed with reading AND the reading aesthetic. Back in March, I made a video about that GQ article that claimed we were all pretending to be bookworms to look smart, but I didn't really touch on how celebrities play into this.
Luckily for you (???) about a month ago I found out that Dua Lipa started a book club. After pulling at that thread for a bit it turns out that a lot of them either have started one or are currently recommending books through their social media - complete with affiliate links.
So I started to think about what this means: can celebrities - people whose entire public existence is monetized in some way or another - genuinely claim that they're just sharing their favourite books online for the sake of connecting with their fans? Or is this just another business move?
Are book clubs the next step in the celebrity brand empire?
As usual, I don't mean any hate to any of the people mentioned and I hope that my comments come across as what they're intended: a critique of phenomena in popular culture and not criticism of individual people. Hope you enjoy!
My other video about the reading aesthetic and 'bookish girls' on TikTok and Instagram: • The READING AESTHETIC ...
Other creators mentioned:
Alice Cappelle (@AliceCappelle) - the video I mentioned here is no longer available but I wholeheartedly recommend all of her content!
Jack Edwards (@jack_edwards) - he has a whole celebrity book club playlist but you can start here • I read every book Kend...
Thank you for watching please subscribe and share with everyone you know, I'm expecting like Mr Beast numbers here love youuuuu xxx

[@brooklynpalmer3969]

That Kim K joke is comedy gold!!!

[@accordingtoalina]

bless you I needed this validation x

[@SpringSpark]

Actually, it is widely known that Reese Witherspoon's book club and producing company are tightly linked. When she announces what her company is going to produce next, it always mentions that the book was featured in the book club. A while back she even said that she founded a company because she wanted to turn books about women into movies and also star in the stories she actually liked. Idk about Legally Blonde image, but she was always upfront about the intent.

[@arol1644]

that was such a genius idea from her

[@mariafernandapereiraaraujo6304]

Also, she said the bookclub was a way to test waters and see what readers would want on the screen and simultaneously create a fanbase for a particular book that would soon be a movie or show

[@Rajaas_Reading_Corner]

That woman is a smart businesswoman. I actually really respect her because of it.

[@Guguchina]

Apparently when she promotes a book with her club, she agrees with the author that her producing company has right of first refusal if the book is ever made into a film. So she gets to see what books do well and have first chance to produce it should a film script ever be written for it! It's a really admirable business model

[@MB-ic3ou]

I both love and hate this trend. I love it because it is encouraging people to read, especially young women. However, the books these celebrities recommend are usually non-fiction books, self-help books or contemporary literature. Of course there’s nothing wrong with these genres but fiction writing, especially historical, fantasy and crime fiction novels are often disregarded and it’s these novels that have the most diverse and clever narrative prose as well as thematic intent (Themes, issues, metaphoric representations etc). Readers can’t strengthen their media literacy skills from biopic prose and this is why fiction is so important. Fiction novels encourage people to make sense of the world from an interpretive standpoint, not literal.

[@accordingtoalina]

Interesting that you bring up media literacy because it’s such a huge aspect of this conversation that I wish I’d thought of including!!!

[@reesea7988]

I appreciate that this “trend” has gotten many others reading again but I also dislike it because whenever I talk about a book I love I feel like I get the vibe from other people that I didn’t really read any of it or I only got them for my bookshelf because of the aesthetic. Maybe I’m just projecting Love this video !!

[@marieangealahmar]

I think despite reading becoming a trend, I do half-heartedly appreciate it because most of these celebrities have young fanbases that look up to them and mimic their every move. if it so happens that reading and literature is one of them, they would be contributing to a better and more articulate generation since the books they recommend are classics and widely believed to be perfection at its finest. regardless, i do agree with the points you made and always enjoy your arguments! i guess in my case I'm part of your fanbase..?

[@accordingtoalina]

So happy to have you in my “fanbase” ❤❤❤

[@katgreer6113]

so off topic, but why do fanbases just copy everything their faves do..? i've always thought in my head that celebrities are rarely ACTUALLY influential unless it comes to their niche( a model would obviously influence fashion for example) and i'm just now learning that some ppl copy everything their faves do??

[@maymayyyy]

​@@katgreer6113it's called a parasocial relationship. a lot of people use that as a form of coping. in the end of the day majority of people are working hours and hours just to have the bare minimum, so they use that as a form of company or just to try something outside of their own reality. it can be toxic, but i the end of the day, this is something that always existed 🤷🏻‍♀️ if it makes someone happy of fulfilled even for a moment in a really fucked up reality, sure 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@justaname999]

The problem with people who at least project what Kendal Jenner projects into the world suddenly wanting to be perceived as bookworms is that it's the "show don't tell problem" of plays and movies. She keeps telling people she's nerd, she doesn't like makeup, and she's a reader but does it ever come across naturally, without having to slap that label on herself? In undergrad, one of my majors was English and there were people who really really wanted to project that "reader" image. They wanted to be like Rory Gilmore but, alas, they were in a sea of Rory Gilmores. We had classes where we read a novel a week, and that would be one of like 6 or 7 classes, so there was no option of not constantly be reading. Then there were people who genuinely loved discovering literature. They had interesting opinions and eclectic taste. And I don't think I've ever met a person like that who sought to project the "reader" image and I've genuinely enjoyed every single conversation with them, be it about books or many other topics. Those are the people whose recommendations I still seek now when I want to read something interesting, new or old.

[@brittney3156]

Reese witherspoon is not the same, she opened a production company a long time ago to adapt books she loved. I dont think it was a marketing play, more an actress wanting to become a producer.

[@elizabethevelyn7125]

I admit that I'm not super familiar with Emily Ratajkowski's social media presence, but "My Body" was an absolutely wonderfully-written collection of essays. Her mentions of being interested in writing and literature in the collection itself didn't seem to have any of that Jenner NLOG-type vibe and, if anything, it seemed that she had been pressured a bit to repress her intellectual side while navigating the modeling industry. I really don't think that book was a cash grab capitalizing on cultural capital in the same way a lot of celebrity memoirs are. Editing to add: a great celebrity book club to look into is Florence Welch's! Lately she has been spotlighting a lot of up-and-coming authors.

[@keti.rg.editzzz]

I think the worst about this trend is the consumerism. Many just buy plenty of books and don’t read them at all. It’s not only for them a waste of money but it’s also pretty bad for the environment

[@accordingtoalina]

all very true! although I will say in defence of people who buy more books than they can immediately read: having a nice home library with books waiting to be picked up is for the most part a positive thing.

[@mattkean1128]

It's such an interesting topic. I don't want to gatekeep or begrudge anyone their reading, but there's so much artifice and self promotion tied directly into it. Everyone wants to be respected I suppose, especially the famous.

[@accordingtoalina]

Self promotion being a key element in the existence of this particular group of people

[@TheRedRobespierre]

On the topic of celebrity readers Arthur Garfunkel has been keeping a list of the books he's read since 1968 on his website.

[@accordingtoalina]

That’s actually so wholesome - I have a google doc if all the books I’ve read and what I thought of them in 2 sentences or less. Might publish it one day if I end up doing anything interesting with my life

[@yaeli_i_guess]

agreed. it feels so much like the typical "we're just like you!!! look!!! we're participating in this trend too!" except this time it's something that's supposed to be an art form and it feels too close to home. books in general, celebrities or no, have been commercialized so much and it seems everyone sees them as something to collect now instead of read, which irks me.(obviously this is more nuanced than that but you get what i mean, people with 300+TBRs and teenagers on booktok who think they too have to spend all their money on them). i get the dopamine rush of buying books, i get that too, but when libraries exist- it's so transparently consumeristic and wasteful.

[@accordingtoalina]

Such a good point - I always got “we’re just like you” vibes from celebrity cooking shows, particularly ones that took off during the pandemic. Like, no Hayley Bieber, we’re not in this together - we’re losing our jobs and getting locked down in cramped apartments and you’re making chicken wings in your $500k kitchen 🥲🥲🥲 The book collection topic is also super interesting for so many reasons - might make a video on that next

[@keti.rg.editzzz]

Couldn’t agree more

[@cloudydaycauldron]

As someone who sells vintage books online on the side I find this trend endearing. These women don’t need anyones permission to read. There are worse things they can be carrying. Encouraging their young impressionable fans to read is a good thing imo.

[@monicherrie]

Really good points! I agree that reading books have become a trendy aesthetic and I can believe that celebrities are capitalizing off of this to get a more intelligent persona. You're really well spoken, can't wait to see more!

[@accordingtoalina]

Thank you for watching ❤❤❤

[@volkansvideos]

Your videos are exceptionaly well researched, edited and the points you make are all referenced and valid; you have some of the best book content on KZbin.

[@user-js8dp9iy9s]

i wouldn't say emrata only started appealing to readers for her book promo, she wrote an essay in 2016 called Baby Woman for Lena Dunham's website, and even on her IG she has a highlight "read" where she's been sharing books on there for years before her book was out.

[@Ramona_Oaks]

And Kendall Jenner tries to be like Emrata. I noticed Kendall amped it up for the aesthetic when/after Emrata did

[@lunosch8867]

honestly, your analysis has just the right amount of depth and sass - I love it!!

[@accordingtoalina]

Aw thanks for appreciating the sass

[@ShivelyWrites]

So glad to see a follow-up to your first video! Very interesting cultural moment we're living in.

[@amberjasmine]

tbh i dont think the "trend" of reading is new. Being able to read used to signify wealth and privilege. If you could read, you're family could afford your education. So naturally it became an upper-class thing, like playing an instrument, having private tutors, all that jazz. I guess a form of "Cultural Capital". If you read books, you were worldly, educated, interesting, and rich. Nowadays, I feel it's similar. Kendall Jenner posts about her books, and how she was a tom-boy, how she's "not like other girls (aka her sisters)" because she wants to seem down to earth. Like you said, it's an easy way for celebs to bridge the gap between their world and ours. BUT i also feel that reading/being a reader still has that connotation of being a "smart person" thing to do. I think the celebs that are clearly posting about books for the Aesthetic are, like you said, trying to seem like more than a pretty face. Using Kendall Jenner as an example, in her words, she's a tom-boy, she ride horses (another rich person hobby), she reads, she's a NERD. Maybe she wants us to think she's smart, or maybe it's more she's afraid we think she's dumb. I also think that as a celeb, it must be exhausting to have your every move dissected. You can't post a pic of the book you're reading without everyone thinking you're doing it as some kind of career move. Unless it's super obvious that they are (like Madison Beer ect). I think also, as you said, humans are complex. Can an actor only be interested in movies? Can a musician only be interested in music? Celebs are people, and they have as many interests and hobbies as the rest of us. I guess its just the making of money off them that puts a bad taste in our mouths (mine included).

[@accordingtoalina]

wholeheartedly agree - I also want to point out that this is very low stakes critique. It's certainly not the worse thing happening in society and I'm not pretending it is. But it is interesting to think and talk about

[@amberjasmine]

oh absolutely! dissecting the lives of celebs always has been and always will be an interest of the rest of us folks :) @@accordingtoalina

[@aviianna]

I also associate reading with having the capacity for leisure time. Both me and my bff are avid readers and we lose sleep sometimes between juggling our obligations with enjoying reading

[@victoriatangk]

Wonderful video. I agree that while social media's new fixation on books has opened up reading to a lot of people, it definitely feels more superficial than anything else. The influence is not so much on critical thinking, knowledge, engagement, or even reading as a leisure, but more on promoting another consumerist habit. While the publishing industry is earning more money now, the voices, content, and forms being promoted by book deals and influencers are still not *that* diverse unfortunately...

[@accordingtoalina]

diversity is still a huge problem within the industry, both in terms of people working in publishing and authors/books being published and promoted. My main gripe with celebrity book clubs is that they're pretty much choosing from the same 50 books :\

[@victoriatangk]

@@accordingtoalina 100%. That's how I feel about a lot of book influencers as well. Especially since most of the books being talked about were gifted by (wealthy) publishers and so the same books are always being promoted. I do appreciate how booktok will often make previously unknown self published works become viral, but the public engagement starts to feel less genuine once it reaches a certain level of popularity and becomes kind of performative (i.e. all those videos of people crying on camera while reading a little life)

[@leeleeloosies]

madison beer got in some hot water for saying that one of her favorite books of all time was lolita by vladimir nabokov. maybe the lack reading on her ig feed could be due to not wanting to start another controversy

[@accordingtoalina]

Noooo not lolita 💀💀💀 that would make sense though, she seems to get hate for most things she does

[@rndmusrnm2763]

Wait I remember this. But she didn't receive backlash for saying it was her favorite book. It bc she said she 'definitely romanticised' Lolita.... which is another thing entirely

[@accordingtoalina]

@@rndmusrnm2763aaaah, ok yeah that’s very different lol

[@christinaobo]

yesss diving in now into this video and tbh I kind of hated the whole actors "starting to love to read" and posing with their books (lol she says even though it is all she does with her life) BUT I am here for your nuanced thoughts

[@accordingtoalina]

Oooooh if you’re here to hate you’re gonna love this one

[@-_-august.amber.-_-]

What an interesting video! I really liked how you explored the different ranges of book clubs. They can be so fun and such a nice way to find new books and community. I love how books are becoming popular for so many. I find Kendall Jenner using books to show that she's nerdy funny because a book generally means nothing abt "nerdy" or "girly" or whatever label. With so many genres present. It's kinda impossible to say broadly you read books and get any personality trait attached imo. And as you said, we sadly need to be critical when celebraties start bookclubs or show off books because while it can be a genuine thing, it can also be a cash grab. I've not rly looked into their bookclubs but when I've read books that random celebs have read (like RM from BTS), I think you can also tell some about how they go about curating their books. Obvi you can outsource it so not fully... But I think length, range of genres, messages and proly more that I'm forgetting could be shown off and interpreted as either part of their brand or something they hold dearly.

[@accordingtoalina]

I think there’s a big difference between sometimes talking about the books you enjoy and which inspire you and placing yourself as a mediator between the book and the public, which is essentially what someone who starts a book club does (I’ve been running my own for years, so I would know). I’m not saying it’s *bad* since they are of course encouraging something that is inherently positive, but the hold that celebrity culture has on society is very silly. We already use their makeup and skincare brands, wear whatever clothing line they put out, drink the smoothies they advertise… we really don’t need dua lipa to tell us what to read 😬

[@GoldyEl]

This is such a good video and so interesting! Stormzy is the hero in this world

[@accordingtoalina]

The goat

[@vivkonsh]

oh my god i have waited for someone to make this video for so long!!!!!!!

[@accordingtoalina]

Here for u

[@SaudiSweetheart]

I really enjoyed this video! Thank you! Grateful to have stumbled upon ur gem of a channel.

[@accordingtoalina]

aaawww this is lovely! glad you found me and thanks for taking the time to comment xxx

[@pastellcutie]

not the shane dawson jumpscare 😭

[@accordingtoalina]

I’m sorry 😭😭😭

[@invisible__design657]

So good! And so many clever points

[@accordingtoalina]

Awwww thank you ❤❤❤

[@valdi7777]

You go girl! Youre very talented for youtube essays... new sub, keep the good work

[@accordingtoalina]

thank you so much for the sub and the lovely comment xx

[@philnasmith9755]

Thoughtful and thought-provoking - thank you for an interesting discussion

[@monharris1049]

Celebrities are ridiculous, and these days when a book is a best seller usually means the book is mediocre.

[@accordingtoalina]

I don’t know if I agree with the second statement but definitely with you in the first part hahaha

[@byg0lly]

Certain people have always used books as a "status symbol." They weren't always as cheap and accessible as they are now. And there was a time where a lot of people could not read so it was a flex to have books especially a shelf full. In more recent times people buy coffee table books just for looks and show off specific books to appear nore intelligent.

[@aleksandrawilkos1278]

I'm gonna defend dua lipa's book club titles here: the classics may be known, but still need promoting. Firstly, they are seen as more diffucult to be read, so they seem daunting. Secondly, the booktok and booktube really want to be so relevant that they only promote contemporary books and it's difficult to find a classic through them.

[@accordingtoalina]

That’s fair x

[@madihakhan9895]

Reese's book club has brought me so much joy! It's a genuine business endeavor that has improved on-screen adaptations of books significantly

[@aileenbordelon7884]

If the book cover says it’s from whatever celebrities’ book club I’m definitely not buying it. I intentionally avoid buying celebrity book club books.

[@accordingtoalina]

hahaha I respect this level of petty

[@anires1195]

Wild stuff! 😮

[@ga75]

this is a great video

[@accordingtoalina]

thank you so much for watching!

[@zarakhusro7710]

the thing abt celebrities trying to be an icon for culture and how they're trying to make themselves into a brand is like a more capitalized version of like the european nobility when they had a lot of power. like they would do something on a whim and instantly it's the next big thing but it's unsustainable for a lot of pple bc the average person doesn't have that much disposable income/generational wealth in some of their cases.

[@theabnormalsquid]

What a great video! Building on this, in addition to the cultural capital and education/intelligence angle, I wonder if the luxury of reading is part of the ~image~ With everyday lives, having time to read is a luxury that not everyone has (plus the ability to tune out the real world for a bit). With the money celebs have, there’s added time (I assume) they have to read (by not having to work overtime or night shifts, by having help with childcare, and even if they have cleaning and cooking/house care help).

[@s.y.k.a1912]

At this point, the only artists that I could trust when it comes to reading is Kim Namjoon/RM and Min Yoongi/Suga, two of BTS members who are always seen reading... especially with Namjoon, who actually loves to show the books he reads (though written in Korean) and from his IG stories he literally has books piling up on the floor and has a few bookshelves around his home😂 Other times he suggests for Armys (the BTS fandom name) to try reading the books he's read. So far I've read a few that they recommended (The Alchemist, Almond, Norwegian Wood, and The Midnight Library). Him and Yoongi are probably the only artists (who stay humble and not being a total show-off when it comes to reading) that I could trust lmao

[@accordingtoalina]

That’s interesting! I’m not familiar with BTS (except knowing that they’re super famous ofc) so not able to comment. However, I’ve noticed that whenever anyone comments about their reading in anything other than flattering terms the stans tend to get a little aggressive 💀💀💀

[@s.y.k.a1912]

@@accordingtoalina Yea, it's understandable about that. Some Armys can be too much when it comes to people commenting anything or even disliking BTS (if it's a race issue or hatred to a point of harrassment is involved are a different topics here). But what to do? The fandom keeps getting bigger and bigger everyday, so the toxicity side of the fandom is going to be there. Being an Army myself, I've seen the good and bad sides of the fandom, or that you're dealing with the mature and sensible ones or the childish and delusional kinds😂 Though as long as you're not doing anything disrespectful to BTS, most Armys are pretty chill, especially mature Armys. The ones who attack people for no reason are just odd and downright awful... or might as well be children/minors who fantasize about them too much, fans who make BTS as their entire 'personality', or 'sasaengs', aka stalkers who are obsessed with BTS💀

[@vasari9198]

I subscribed because I liked how you asked us too (also because of your content). 👍

[@ayde92829]

Sociologist here: Your summary of the concepts of Capital in human social hierarchy chem as was good! I would recommend this article to have a fuller understanding. In essence: The part about « parents with cultural capital » or teaching their children is Bordieu’s tie in with Socialization Theory: the foundational, almost law in Sociology. However: In sociology we are always limited by our research methodology and triangulation of the question at hand: since we are always influenced by the subject observing itself. There is no isolation but for the isolation of the question through philosophic means (the research methodology and rigor). Now, with your definition of Cultural capital, there are 4 types to Bourdieu (please note he observed these 4 types and defined them: but sociologists well before him had also used them in generalized hypothesis and observation specifically Norber Elias and sometimes Weber who were both his predecessors in the branch of Ontological realism within sociology, even as their épistémologies differed (and Weber sometimes utilized idealism). The four types of capital: Economic : Just that: How much money you have as a s’exile standing. However: it’s interesting to note that globalization has conflated certain nationalities with wealth too. As Americans: some might assume we are automatically rich: when in terms of Cost of Living and purchasing power: many live extremely similar lives to country’s where their perceived economic capital is poor. This plays out with assumptions over places where people live too: where economic and symbolic capital merge. There is also perceived economic capital: How does one exhibit their wealth or income if that is not publicly known? Ostentatiousness? Our material possessions? This is where economic and cultural capital mix. Cultural: The biggest thing to know is that culture is institutionally situated: that means that it differs from one group to another. We all, as humans, belong to hundreds of social groups. Our race, ethnicity, country, family, job, school, clubs, friends, activities, etc etc etc. The culture of each of these is unique: and yet they can often be ranked against one another by their prestiege in society. This prestiege shifts overtime. There is also, meanwhile, a hierarchy within each group itself. At the pinnacle are almost diefied concepts of the ideal or average of the group itself: followed by the most senior or valirized of the group who influence each rung below them to act out the ideal of the social group, and who are gradually allowed higher, or not m, in the social order either actually or subconciously. This process of reinforced indentity through practice is known as doxa(in the un embodied stages) and habitus (in the embodied stage). There is also the fact that the social group is not only influenced by those within it: but also those externally (through their beliefs about what is and isn’t a member of that group). Not unlike what we are doing here? Culture , then, are the subjects, ideas, activités, behaviors which are attached to the group identity. They can be transferred from one institution to another, and they often shift overtime. Symbolic: institutional attachments like university degrees (prestiege), royalty, working for an impressive company or industry (like Hollywood). Social capital: The capital of who you know and are attached to. Nepotism? Absolutely. The social cultural and economic capital of your friends acquaintances and relations? Yes. What’s interesting is the process of habitus is much like the concept of group polarization effect but en-masse.

[@ayde92829]

As to the books: Celebrities have diverse institutional belonging depending on many factors. Yet for the isolated group of Celebrity: their rank is generally determined by: Social capital: Hollywood is a closed society and relations with trusted members of the establishment are necessary to gain a HIGH position (though « breakthroughs » are entirely possible independently). Meanwhile: even as Influencers are not bound by the establishment of celebrity: their main tether to social capital is through their abject popularity ( followers and engagement). This substantiates their claim to a position or attention from professionals within the establishment to gain access (ex: met gala, brand deals, crossover roles etc etc). Symbolic capital: The prestige of their job (to outsiders), and especially the prestige of the roles and gigs they’ve had in the past: the success they’ve achieved (to industry insiders especially). This is the true means of rank. The Hollywood clichés about age and « has been » etc etc expresses the need to remain fresh and current and continually celebrated in the industry to remain as celebrity. Economic capital: Being a celebrity is associated with extremely high levels of economic capital. Historically this has been signified through lavish lifestyles and ostentatious exhibitions of wealth to the public, but also to each other. This has seen some change lately: we have seen most celebrities in sweatpants without makeup especially influencers. This form of capital, therefore, is less attached to the system of institutional belonging. Infact, we have begun to negatively associate certain forms of egregious displays of wealth as being unworthy of celebrity. This is what brings us to cultural capital. Cultural capital: What is of good taste? What should be valorized as a manner of behavior and action that everyone should strive for and which is inaccessible to most? Fitness and a specific and difficult to obtain body? Yes. Understanding of niche subjects which aren’t life necessities and typically highly expensive? Yes. Time consuming activities which are in ci yeast to the current social norm which are easily exhibited but with subtlety? Absolutely. Yet, when we see a celebrity become enamored by fine art collecting and specific travel patterns or a love of reading: what we’re actually seeing, I hypothesize: is the trace elements of a different social institution: the global elite. This institution is less understood, and celebrities themselves are not entirely connected to this institution: but it outranks them: and therefore is their version of the spectator/ partial involvement that we ourselves are involved in when we observe and analyze celebrity behaviors. Celebrities are sometimes a part of the global elite, and those who are are often socially higher within their own social groups making them an influence to the nation and taste of their social group. The reflected superficial involvement in activities such as reading and art collection is a reflection of this: and not of the actual structure of celebrities . It’s sort of like a fractal offshoot? Or a pyramid growing out of another pyramid if you understand me? Or rather: We look at celebrities and influencers to learn about new things: what’s cool: what’s correct behavior and thinking. We look to them, whoever they are, even your KZbin channel: to subconciously consume information about capital and the state of the social structures that surround us. Celebrities look to the global elites and other high ranking but more closed social structures. It’s all kind of unraveling at the end: I should edit these thoughts.

[@ayde92829]

Oh! I forgot to link the reading material. This article is a good abridged explication of the concept of the four capitals. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7599811/#:~:text=Bourdieu's%20capital%20theory%20argues%20that,%2C%20social%2C%20and%20cultural%20capital. However! It does not explain the foundational concepts of social institutions or as Bourdieu calls them «fields » which places the four capitals as a manifold value system specific to a social group and your identity withib that group ( if you want to know more about the individual, please refer to Howard Becker and Coolidge their work fits in nicely as the micro social parallels to Bourdieu in my opinion). It also fails to adequately explain the concepts of doxa and habitus which are the key mechanisms for the continuation of social institutions. It is also the portion of the theory which ties into the most important theory of sociology, which is also a law: that being Socialization Theory by Talcott Parsons. Meanwhile: if you wish to understand the four forms of capital : please read The Distinction by Pierre Bourdieu. I will say: I read the French version before rereading several parts in English. I did not like the translation I read. It missed some important nuance carried through by the French language. But maybe it was just the version I read.

[@katgreer6113]

Big agree...

[@mrm.creates]

I didn’t know the sticker in the cover was Reese whither spoon and I opened daisy jones and saw Reese Witherspoon and I was so confused 🥲

[@accordingtoalina]

Hahaha yeah you never know when she’s gonna pop up

[@katgreer6113]

jumpscare lol

[@costanzapolastri]

Interesting video! I think it's a good trend because it brings many (and MUCH needed) new readers into the hobby. The publishing industry has been in dire need of new clients for more than a decade now, it's silly to reject a new generation of readers just because emrata sent them here. And trashy, "low brow" books have always been the economic backbone of the publishing industry, just like pop music is where the money is for record labels and it's usually not particularly innovative or high quality. Books ultimately are a product, made by people who need to pay bills, they are not removed from the logic of capitalism and marketing and consumerism. Also, I wanna point out a very weird trend in essays and video essays: sometimes it seems like we start criticising capitalism only when women start doing it. The publishing industry has never not been a capitalist hellscape that commodifies the joy of writing and reading, it's literally what it was designed to be. But now that Reese starts making money out of it (instead of Jeff Bezos) we start thinking critically about it? And i'm very much not saying that if women do capitalism it's good (i left my girlboss days in the past and i repent) but if we're actually concerned about the commodification of reading as a consumer aesthetic or whatever, then it's completely misguided to point that criticism at individual women with an instagram account and not at Barns&Nobles or Amazon or the fact that Penguin RandomHouse is slowly monopolising the entire traditional publishing industry.

[@accordingtoalina]

you raise valid points and I agree that what people read and why is secondary to the huge win that is the fact that people are reading! I'm not so sure about your second point though - people have long been criticising both Bezos and the impact Amazon's "sell at a loss" strategy has had on indie book stores and even started multiple initiatives to try and offset that impact (see Bookshop.org). I think the difference between a Bezos and a Witherspoon is that one is an unapologetic capitalist who has done everything to monopolise the market and the other is a billionaire who is trying to do the same under the guise of female empowerment. What you're saying about how we mainly criticise women for publicly adopting the reading aesthetic is true, but I think that's more so related to the fact that the space is dominated by women (we could have a conversation about the fact that male celebrities don't seem to need to paint themselves as bookworms in order to sell books, whereas women seem to need to cultivate this image in order to gain credibility, which is interesting). I also think that big publishing has been receiving a decent amount of backlash over the past few years. I think a critique of publishing companies and the public figures that endorse/ work with them can exist at the same time.

[@turtleanton6539]

Huge points😊

[@mrsdewinter0]

E super clipul! Hope to see you more often! Pupici! ✨🤍

[@lluna9375]

Kaia Gerber started her bookclub I think during pandemics. I used to watch her videos then and I think she's genuinely a book worm. If she wants to take it to another level I see it as a positive innovation. Even if some celebrities "use" books and reading to promote their brand/face I still think it's a positive trend. Its better to read because it is a fashionable thing to do and potentially discover an amazing story than not to read at all.

[@88crabb]

I love you you have pretty hair

[@accordingtoalina]

🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@thefriesofLockeLamora]

I'd like to know more about this Bindery Books imprint that bookfluencers are getting into. It works like patreon for content but they can also somehow publish books?

[@accordingtoalina]

I haven’t fully dived into that but it is interesting, isn’t it?

[@thefriesofLockeLamora]

​@@accordingtoalinayes it is. I hope you get a chance to do a deep dive. Is it legit? Is it a scam? Is democratising publishing? What do imprints do exactly? Who's the parent company

[@AtlantaLovesMovies]

Great video! ❤

[@accordingtoalina]

Thank u xxx

[@camryn9377]

Several celebrities have also opened skin care brands, like Alicia Keys, and water bottle brands, like Jason Mamoa did. It's weird how celebrities are doing these ventures but are already wealthy, and as you said, these brands they are creating are not part of the image they have cultivated over the years. It does seem like a cash grab, whether it's a book club, skin care line, or some other brand coming out of left field.

[@EmyN]

0:31 “cause you can’t improve on perfection” 😂

[@accordingtoalina]

I was having a really good day when I wrote that

[@Madysenjulia]

Reese actually sees what books do well in her book clubs and turns them into movies.

[@ale52dez]

I do like belletrist cos their picks are really good and highlight indie bookstores. Emma is also an actual reader

[@eldsflamma8286]

Yes, the book things you have to have when you read your books🙄This week I watched a video of a young woman unboxing a kindle and then she said that If you don’t decorate your kindle you are stupid and it was not a joke! Omg😂I had no idea I had to decorate my kindle so I could read books on it🤔😂😂😂Are people buying kindles and decorates them with stickers just to be the IT girl now!? The only 2 things a bought for my kindle was a sleeve so it does not get scratched and a popsocket for comfort whenI hold it.

[@FrankOdonnell-ej3hd]

I like a person who doesn't bother to engage in false modesty u are perfect and u know it⚛😀

[@accordingtoalina]

Hahahaha glad you appreciated that

[@madelyncarey1106]

Honestly - I really like Natalie Portman's book club! And I think her public image as a Harvard Smart Girl and feminist is subconsciously part of why I like it... maybe that's too much influence from a celeb but I take her recs and have never been disappointed. Very interesting topic!

[@eduferlim]

I agree with you. Idk but I do believe she *actually* likes reading. But I do like her as well, so it can be why I believe her hahaha

[@JaceBlack-do2uy]

People defending reese witherspoon in the comments without acknowledging the surface level Hollywood feminism underpinning her every move is tragic

[@Honeysuckle33]

Nope no happily ever after. Just turning into the hunger games. Or battle royale

[@itotiani5607]

as a hot girl who likes to read i feel very represented by dua and emrata

[@daenerystargaryen]

The irony is even though they appear well read and parade perfectly chosen books, none of them appear smarter, more intelligent and if you remove them showing certain books, frome hearing them speak and watching how they behave, we could have never ever guessed any of them read even single page of those books. Which is not the case for people that actually read. You can automatically sense and recognize intelligent, well read people from just speaking to them, without them constantly droning how and what they read.

[@ieatgremlins]

Kristen Stewart is the only celebrity I can think of who truly seems to love reading. She is very insightful and passionate.

[@caraamethyst6956]

I would add in Jennifer Morrison. She was really open about her love for reading for decades and I think her fans constantly begging for a book club for years is what made her finally give in haha

[@katgreer6113]

8:08 Some Harry Styles fans...they hate her.

[@turtleanton6539]

Hmm😊

[@criss8836]

You missed to mention a celebrity who really did wonders for the industry, contrary to some you listed: Kim Namjoon or RM

[@accordingtoalina]

honestly I'm nervous saying anything about any k-pop star because you just never know how the stand are going to react lmao

[@criss8836]

@@accordingtoalina well, stans are not related to kpop only...

[@maymayyyy]

I feel like people love to shit on things girls start to like and do

[@azfarsyed7082]

Which part of the 🌏 ? Good 💡 sharing good 📚 .

[@accordingtoalina]

London!

[@Speck23]

Emma Roberts has been a book girly for years. It is her aesthetic.

[@Virgo_Moon_77]

Nice Ah Lee Nah

[@accordingtoalina]

Thanks virgo moon 77

[@bonferri]

the way emrata talks about feminism makes me so mad bc it's so clear to me how uneducated she actually is on the subject every time she opens her mounth to talk about it and it gets hard for me to believe she actually wrote that book.

[@landressaschiefelbein]

You realy like Jack, don´t ya? 😅🤣 Me too 😶‍🌫

[@accordingtoalina]

Who doesn’t?

[@zk6019]

reading is a great thing to trend okay? you cant gatekeep books. also reese has always been upfront about her business ideas. why do KZbinrs talk about the "secrets" of her success like they discovered something reese was trying to hide?

[@Luumus]

You are a bit judgemental I have to say

[@nelthepisces]

very happy that KZbin recommended this video, your channel seems like the perfect mix of bookish and analytical content 🫶

[@accordingtoalina]

Oooh, so glad you enjoyed it and thank you for the kind words ❤

[@ieatgremlins]

STORMZY HAS A PUBLISHING COMPANY!? as if I needed to love him more

[@accordingtoalina]

They’ve put out a couple of excellent books!!