why booktube was bad for me as a reader | an essay & unhaul

[@JauntyAdventures]

I was so disappointed when I discovered booktube was just YA and not rants about Murakami, honestly.

[@selina1107]

Would you recommend his books ? If so do you have a particular favourite 😅

[@deepakongaming2711]

@@selina1107 Colorless

[@incensive5020]

Honestly, the time that I followed a lot of booktube content, pretty much everything was just filled with YA content, and me being young and impressionable bought quite a bit of YA content (using cheaper websites like Book Outlet and thrift books), and recently probably about 95% of them got donated recently because they were pretty much all cringey, uninteresting, and twin content. Separating from its provided a lot more variety and less wasting my money on things I dont like

[@raaneemmayenin8412]

Nicole M exactly!! i’m getting into booktube and booktok but i’m realising most of it is ya so i feel like i need to read it but i should read what interests me! i really didn’t like the ya books i read but then i felt like i had to like ya books for the community ahaha

[@prosperenfantinylosgeograf2721]

@@selina1107 Depends on what you're looking for. I feel that he has some books that are more abstract, weird, big, and I guess overall "artistic" and other ones that are more traditional and character driven (even if still weird and abstract at points). I have read The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle which I would classify as the first and did not enjoy it, but I have friends 1Q84 and Kafka by the shore and enjoyed them a lot. I guess they liked like the mysticism of it? And it is well written. I also read Tokyo blues, which I would classify as the second type and really enjoyed it, even though it's probably in part due to the fact that it was very appropiate for me at that time. Nevertheless, I recommend it: it's heartfelt, weird, beautiful, poetic, and readable/short. It's also sad though.

[@aprajitasingh9802]

I think booktube would be overall more interesting and real if everyone talked about what they really loved to read. I hope you have a great reading experience from now on.✨✨💙💙

[@totallyanonymousbish9599]

Aprajita Singh let's reform booktube💖

[@EmilynWood]

Yes!!

[@readwithtalia]

I totally agree with that! That's also the best way to find new books you have never heard of before. Not everyone can be reading the same books.

[@forestt_moss_]

Some people do like the type of books that are currently on book tube though I mean myself, as a reader has a massive obsession with ya fantasy before I even new about book tube and then it was just a platform I liked to use to get book recommendations however I do agree, book tube shouldn't just be categorised for a particular genre, I feel that every style of reading should come in to place and people should film about the books that make themselves as readers happy and not just for the audience

[@rekaantal1478]

There are actually a lot of channels that talk about "different" or less popular books, they just usually dont get big because of these reasons

[@jannekek.8756]

One of my favourite booktuber is "readwithcindy" maybe you'll enjoy her content as well. She is very vocal about not owning any books (she goes to the library) and not buying into the consumeristic side of booktube.

[@steinistein8611]

Yup, I love her! Her criticism is always thoughtful which I appreciate She doesn't just ramble and stutter on for 40 minutes Plus she's super funny

[@LiLi-xi2dl]

I love her she's so blunt and funny

[@bookishnatie9614]

I was about to comment cindy lmao

[@readwithtalia]

I love her channel!

[@vickyy.7544]

Yess! She is my favorite she’s so funny

[@TheToneBender]

I would much rather listen to someone talk about a manga they love rather than a book they wouldn't normally read.

[@numericalhorror185]

“I only read 37 books” ...*glances over at the single dog eared book on my nightstand I’ve been trying to read for half a year*

[@ninjablack4347]

Pff the booktubers i watch read that many in two weeks!

[@ANGELina-sh3tx]

I love how you replaced the books you unhauled with kpop albums😂😂😂😂

[@wathonsmt]

the nctzen jumped out

[@theajensen435]

So inspiring!! Even though I don’t have a booktube channel, I understand the feeling. I started buying and reading aaaaall the ”popular” books just because and I got into a huge slump. Books are for entertainment so why do we read stuff we don’t even have the slightest interest in?? This video made me realize that I have full fracking control over which books I read so thank you Ashley for reminding me and always being my favourite human!🥰🧡

[@annaan2873]

I read them based on reviews actually. You tube reviews help a lot. I have specific books I have to avoid. Now, I make exceptions too. Like, I read a book which contains trauma and suffering, things like torture (they scare me, I don't say they are bar, they just remind me feel sad and scared for whatever reason) if it is beautifully written or recommended by many authors. I love books that are really cute, like children's book, but not too childish at the same time. Also I look forward to child friendly books or books that don't contain violence in general

[@jessie4341]

jolie not really though. When you’re apart of a Community you really love you don’t want to be left out. After seeing so many great things being said about a book of course you’ll want to pick them up and be apart of the community discussion. Plus their comment wasn’t really placing the blame on anyone and more of a “I got caught up in the excitement of popular books”

[@hamiltontrash9255]

@jolie I don't think it's about following I think it's kinda like missing out

[@jennaleesmith4038]

I feel the same way. I don’t have a channel but that didn’t stop me from wanting to read all of the popular books. I have recently rediscovered reading for myself and not to fit in. Doing this got me out of a really long reading slump. I also did an unhaul like this and now I am much happier looking at my shelves.

[@theajensen435]

@@jessie4341 yes precisely:) I really love booktube but I just need to kinda rediscover which books I like

[@svet-td1pb]

this is the problem with society in general, we can't do things for ourselves, otherwise if we do it doesn't match the criteria.

[@AClockworkReader]

hey, i love u 💛

[@tutdunsthemouse]

i love u hannah💞💞

[@bushraamir3263]

Yesss, I love you too, and im your subscriber

[@victoria4]

My fave, I missed you! I can’t imagine the pressure that is pit on booktubers to just read like 5+ books a month. I read one book a month if I’m lucky.

[@annaan2873]

I did that, it's not okay. If I do read a book per week for like a month, then I stop for many more months. Like, too much information at once that needs to be gathered and thought about. I'm the queen of overthinking and overanalyzing so ...yeah... Read rarely if you want, it's more that okay 🤗😘

[@sameeksha4782]

@@annaan2873 I found my twin 🤓

[@nr48890]

That's what I've been saying!! The booktube community needs variety. I love books but most booktubers usually only read fantasy + ya. Excited to see what you put out now

[@Victoria-cm7yh]

Agreed! I always like finding BookTubers who read off the beaten track. The most popular channels seem to read all the same stuff and make the same kind of videos.

[@izerale3344]

I agree! indirectly booktube had made me read books that aren't really my type (ak.a. contemporary romance) but my biggest struggle is the pressure to finish books instead of enjoying them. 🙄 I'm still working on that

[@millie9814]

You know what? True. Taking longer than two days to read a book is not necessarily bad. For example, I took almost a year to read Um tempo entre costuras from María Dueñas and it was so good to read it like that. It felt more real, because the book tells a long story. I did not forget about it. I was busy and confused with many things. When I got back to the book after a few months of not reading it at all, in december, around the middle to the end, I felt more mature, just like the main character. I felt ready to finish it. Things like this can happen, I guess. I hope I communicated well, my main language is brazilian portuguese.

[@ilargia_]

i love it when content creators finally come to the conclusion that this is their space and they can do what makes them happy, it’s a big step and it makes me proud of my choice to follow and support them! ash read what you like, dress how you want and just the true to yourself we will S U P P O R T 💜

[@madisonknott8567]

This is why I have issues with most of booktube. The book reviews where all the same and never books I would read

[@louisity]

I read 25 books in 2019. I didn't feel like a failure. As much as I would love to read all the books that I add in my Goodreads list (which is almost anything), I don't feel obliged to read like 50+ books per year. I am interested in YA yet I am interested in books from other age groups. As an Asian BookTuber, I feel sad about Asians aren't popular. I know the numbers reflect still it makes me feel sad. This video plus other videos make me reflect and probably will create. P.S. even if you film literary fiction authors I would still watch your videos. Donna Tartt's books are sold a lot in the Philippines. Not much of a Haruki Murakami fan though, but he's popular in the Philippines. If you talk about Han Kang, I would love to hear your thoughts on books (gave you a Korean author). I have yet to read Viet Thanh Nguyen 's books but I would be interested seeing them in your book hauls. 📚😊

[@Saad_Drawings]

As a digital illustrator who draws whatever concept or theme he likes, I felt freedom in my paintings and that alone gave me a journey of self appreciation for art. Now that I’m starting to read more books. I just want to appreciate the books I pick without being influenced 80% of the time.

[@palestblue]

I totally get it. I think for me it was also a lot about becoming a book collector instead of a reader. I have always loved reading so much, but booktube videos kind of influenced me to care more about what my shelves looked like, which versions of books I wanted to buy etc. And suddenly I found myself thinking more about a certain beautiful box-set and how to find it instead of thinking about the beautiful world of a book I was currently reading. That was just not for me, didn't make me happy, so I got rid of almost all of my books and now I read a lot more again and I am in love with stories once more ☺️

[@HisNeverland]

I can relate so hard. When I discovered booktube I spent a lot of paychecks buying books hyped on booktube, and I've enkoyed about 20% of them :/ I'm so much happier now that I vet the books on my wishlist a bit more so I don't just buy books that are hyped on booktube, but books I actually want to read!

[@Conjuringpages]

I can't believe I found this video. As a life long reader, English teacher and book fiend... I've always wanted to share and absorb more book community and content. Booktube and, in particular, bookstagram really warped my bookshelves too. Things I was passionate about weren't en vogue and I felt terrible about my self and shelf. I lost myself in trying to keep up... Thank you for this video. I needed it so badly.

[@mybookishtravels]

The honesty and rawness of this video is 100% true.

[@mandiconnell3311]

So true, I’ve been a lot more conscious of what I’ve been buying lately instead of just getting a book because it’s popular on the KZbins, and it’s so freeing ☺️ I just want to read what I want to read.

[@zoe_the_storydragon]

Yes give us all the manga rants!!!!! Or whatever else you want to post as long as you enjoy it, that is the main thing. It’s one of the reasons I found your channel and I stayed because I really enjoyed your videos in general. So glad you are so much happier about this, and am genuinely excited for what is now to come and see you fall in love with what you read again

[@ChristyLou]

I feel this~ Sometimes I don't feel like a "real booktuber" because I don't make monthly wrap ups, and I don't read 100 books in year. I definatley have books on my shelf that I bought because people were talking about them. I don't even know what the books are about, I just...bought them. Read what you want and talk about what you want is the most important thing people can do on booktube~ (also I need that Cabeswater license plate!)

[@Mary-fy8qi]

Something I noticed on some channels that really shocked me was how some (a small majority but enough to be noticed) people got super offended that someone didn't like a book that they did or wasn't interested in ever reading it, and so that person would go on a raging tirade and act as if their entire being had been attacked. And seeing all of those videos where people have to give disclaimers for not liking a book or getting rid of it is just sad. People like different things and that's perfectly okay!

[@jessiebetts7334]

i relate to this lots! despite not being a booktuber i often find myself feeling bad and inadequate because I rarely read “trendy” books on booktube. i have never read a leigh bardugo book. or sarah j maas. or a lot of other authors that are popular. i love classics, and travel books, and i’m getting into murakami. why is my reading any less worthy than anyone elses? i would love a more diverse book community where everyone just talks about what they love to read then it would be a better and more interesting community. lots of love to you 💗

[@luh.renmoa29]

YASSS QUEEN it’s hard for me to get attached to booktubers these days bc all I’ve seen were the same books over and over again so it never felt genuine and I always wondered is that really a book that describes you? I’m so happy for u and that ur finding ur footing again in what makes u happy :))) KEEP GOIN GIRLY

[@teawarrior]

This is why I don’t watch much booktube anymore. Nor do I post much on bookstagram. I appreciate both for getting me back into reading but there was this level of “you have to read this” and “you have to do that” involved in it. It was exhausting. Just gonna read what I want to read and at my own pace ☺️ So glad I stumbled on your video 💖

[@Kailey-GLS]

I really appreciate this video & just subscribed. I’d rather watch people rave about their fav books that I’ve never heard of than listen to every single booktuber talk about the same five books.

[@RealMexFoodShouldntGiveUDrrhea]

According to the booktube community, I am NOT cool. Lol My book shelves have the oddest assortment of books. No cutesy stuff at all. Also, The Secret History is one of my favorites, and I just finished my first Murakami (South of the Border, West of the Sun).

[@blueberrysk1es]

good for you! being a content creator should be about enjoyment and freedom to express what you want 💗

[@myhannibal4806]

Can we talk about you outfit in this video????? You’re slaying it!!! Omg I’m in love!

[@lunarbeam7764]

i totally understand this. i found myself feeling like pure shit about not being able to read like other readers but, i realized that by doing that...i spoil how fun reading is for me. its about enjoying it + getting lost in the different worlds. i like to write reviews to engage with other people about these great books.

[@Joharis]

Completely love this video! It's important to distance yourself and believe in what you're doing. Ultimately it's you wanting to fit in and you have to check yourself

[@rebelbelle1388]

As much as I love books and love talking about them, you really hit the nail on the head why I will never be a booktuber. You need to act a certain way, look a certain way, and read the hottest books. I'm such a mood reader that this would never work for me. I need to read what I want or I won't read at all. I don't read new releases. I don't reread. And I don't wear makeup. Don't feel bad. You need to do what feels right for you!!

[@annaebe8101]

Oh god, this felt so genuine. As far as I love booktube for making me discover new books I really struggle finding book influencer I actually like. The other all looks the same, like same things and do the same video. So I end up following a relly few of them. Wellb now you are in that list. I recently crated a bookstagram account (I won't tell the name cuz I don't care~) because I want to share my passion and bring some different book the the table. Also, I'm italian and it's really sad seeing people reading only american/english author. Yes, we don't have a lot of good fantasy books, but I feel like some of them didn't even look for them.

[@Rie_Bot]

check out merphy napier....she covers multiple books of multiple genres and like covers whats good and bad about them..it sthe best channel on booktube for me ( i discovered a lot of books i really liked through her)

[@naaadiaaa]

i'm sitting on my bed and looking at my bookshelf, i don't see myself ever reading about half of those books. i hate fantasy but i bought fantasy YA books because of the booktubers i watched. i think it might be time to do an unhaul and start reading the books that i find interesting. thank you for this video, i hope you're reading for yourself now 💜

[@musicgirl6397]

ahh i loved this!! it's so important to read what YOU want and especially in the YA book community, it is so easy to forget that. i've been doing so much better with my book buying habits since i read marie kondo's book and realized i'm just keeping and buying so many things because they're supposed to be important to me, and they're not. it's so freeing to find those realizations about yourself and admit it and choose to make yourself happier! hope you begin reading more again for yourself, and if you'd like to share those stories with us, we'll be here to listen. ^_^ also, love the new k-pop shelf!

[@HaleyShealy15]

Oh hay Ashley! hahaha

[@musicgirl6397]

@@HaleyShealy15 omg hi haley!! 🤣

[@aniiperez3079]

Mary Kondo made me get rid of lots of books which didnt spark any joy anymore for me. I felt really bad, but now I embrace this kind of freedom (I also bought a kindle for new books that I find interesting or I'm curious about).

[@thebookchronicles2494]

Shannon and I are so glad to see you back ! We hope your year so far has been good . We had cleaned our bookshelves as well as our tastes in books changed . Most important to read what you love 🥰. I am 45 and my tastes in books changed so much over time . I mainly like thrillers . Manga and adult fantasy. I used to read more middle grade . Anyway, Shannon and I love your heart and are so glad you are doing well . Congrats on your final semester of school ! We are so proud of you girl . Keep shining -Mel and Shannon

[@DjangoOvlidarLaFruita]

Great video! I'm not even a book tuber and I feel pressure from the community to read certain books just to feel like my opinion is valid. I'm glad you can now make videos you LOVE

[@everestm.radley5669]

THIS. I actually went through a very similar mindset last year where I looked at my overflowing bookshelf with all these books that I had read through my whole life and was like "what am I doing with myself???". In the past, I had collected books as a way to show off a sort of intellectual pride. However, I quickly realized that a great deal of these books were not actually books that I enjoyed or would read again. (And I am a HUGE rereader). That being said, I redeveloped my concept of enjoying books and my pride as a reader: "Wouldn't it be better to have a bookshelf full of books where I can say, with absolute certainty, that I love every single book on it?". So, after a 200+ book unhaul, I can say with absolute certainty that I'm much happier with where I'm at in my reading life.

[@forever_quiinn1324]

This has been one thing that has actually kept me from starting a book tube channel As much as I would love too I know I don’t have the money or schedule to keep up with popular book demands as well as not really liking contemporary (a massive genre in book tube I have found) It’s been super disheartening.

[@totallyanonymousbish9599]

Moony _Really?! Agree so much!

[@arandomuser9459]

Yeah same. I might do my own version of those videos on my channel when I start it.

[@alkhemiaaugustine3764]

Same. I really want to start but it's so consumeristic it just intimidates me. And I no way have the money to keep up.

[@ClarkElieson]

I couldn't agree more. We take great efforts on our podcast not to be pressured into anything we don't actually care to read. If you're interested in philosophy or literature, you would love our discussions and reviews

[@tokyochemist]

This video came up on my feed and I’m just bewildered by how you young booktubers get so caught up with trying to be like everyone else. Just be yourself. Do what you want. Read what you want. It’s really not that difficult a concept. Just have fun!

[@daizyzajac575]

Also it makes you feel less than for not reading quickly like I felt terrible about being slower at reading because I saw these people reading 4 books in one day and it takes like a few weeks to finish a fairly large book sometimes

[@mikaela__]

i’m not a booktuber, but i have been a viewer since around 2012, and i am so glad you and others are realizing this, bc the reason i stopped being interested in this community was because i grew up, and yet the booktubers i was familiar with were still reviewing cassandra clare books, there’s nothing wrong with young adult as a genre, my favorite series ever is the raven cycle, but it stopped feeling genuine when all these people that were growing up with me were still talking about the same type of books/authors they were interested in 5 years ago, i wanted to find out about books i haven’t heard of, and maybe some that weren’t about teenagers, and booktube just wasn’t giving me that at all, but recently i’ve gotten into the community again and i think now there’s a few booktubers here and there that do talk about books they are genuinely into, and that’s always 100% more interesting to watch, even if it’s a book i have no interest to pick up, than another soulless popular-ya-book-of-the-month review (unless it’s a ya book the person making the video is actually really passionate about, like i said)

[@stace_d]

I think this is common with people turning something they love/a hobby into a job... The focus goes from having fun and doing your thing to following trends and doing what sells/gets more views.

[@MicaTheGamer]

Love this! I’m on a journey to rediscover what I enjoy reading since finishing my English BA. SOOOO many books have been read out of force and it’s weird trying to simply just “enjoy” a book. I find myself getting stressed about finding a good essay topic mid-read when I don’t even have any classes to take or essays to write anymore! I hope everyone reads what makes them happy and/or keeps them up into the hours of the morning from not being able to stop ❤️❤️

[@gelligraphic]

"Because asian booktubers aren't big and asian booktubers are not the norm" 👊🏻 I feel you gurl, and I related so much on your thoughts and opinions about booktube. I'm just starting but I already felt all of these things. But at the end of the day, it's the reason behind why I started this. Thanks for inspiring me! 🖤✨

[@lesliemonterroso2355]

i just want to say i completely understand!!! before going to college i was really into reading... so much so that i had shelves full of books, but as i got busy and time progressed i just stopped enjoying it as much as i used to. fast forward 4 years, 2 out of the 6 shelves i have are still full of books i love and WANT to read... but the rest of my shelves are full of kpop albums and haikyu manga (i’m really really new to manga lol) at the end of the day doing and having what you like is the most important! i’ve been subscribed to you for a long time now and i’m happy you’re doing you!!

[@GinaLuciaReads]

Oh gosh this hit hard. I've been feeling this recently. Trying to battle against the Booktube 'norm'. Not easy.

[@franniesbooksandadventures7607]

“I no longer read for myself, but for others.”

[@savannahgiron3052]

I felt this soooo much! I used to only buy books when I no longer had any unread books on my shelves. But I definitely went through a phase last year of just buying anything I saw get hype on bookstagram/booktube. I’m doing so much better this year and reading what I want. Go Ashley. Also, CABESWATER!!!

[@noraalbinus620]

This is amazing. I’ve always felt like every booktuber talked about the same books and never talked about anything different or something that represented their interests

[@ShahrzadStories]

I'm on the verge of starting, super scared. Kept watching videos on how to start. Then your video came up... and GOSH i'm grateful. Thank you for your honest words. They just made me realize i didn't decide to start so i could impress others with unique editing tricks, etc. Right now, i'm not gonna watch more. I'm gonna finish my editing and post it right away.

[@mementosnorri]

I don't know your channel at all but I absolutely love this video you sound really smart. The pressure to read something that you didn't pick yourself takes away the pleasure of reading and we find ourselves procrastinating. This is what happened to me in grad school (or whatever it is called, I'm French)

[@potatoejessica6753]

I'm glad that you are happier with your book collection now :) I know, at least for me, being able to look at a bookshelf filled with books I love, can really brighten up my mood

[@hannahsnow5307]

This is so true and as a 21 year old viewer I am sick of book tube being about YA books, I love it when book tubers recommend books that I would never have heard of otherwise. Make what you want to and we will still watch because at least it will be different.

[@BrandonGuimond]

I think you hit on a topic that many people fall trap to. I understand that certain books are popular, but after a while, you start to see the same 6-8 books over, and over, and over again (If I see the book "Scythe" one more time, I'm going to scream), so I don't think you're alone in feeling this way. I applaud that you stepped up and made a video about this. I guarantee this will help other people that are in the same spot. Oh, and btw, I'd LOVE to see a video after what Manga you've read....Booktube is severely lacking in the Manga category!

[@dawncox4019]

Yes. I agree with your video so much. No matter the hype- if you wouldn’t usually buy it- don’t. I’ve also had to unhaul and archive kindle books. And yes I found that I’d forgotten the joy of just discovering a book in a shop. Another guide for me has become- if no one saw my goodreads and no one knew what I was reading or how much- would I still do it?

[@saschaaaaaai]

Ok THIS is what I've been experiencing lately. I'm going to clear out my shelves tomorrow and only show the books I truly love. Thank you.

[@asmrbeezzzz756]

It is just all about how much you let other people to change you. It is normal and it happens all the time. Great for you that you stepped out of the "main river" and went back to your own style. Wish u many many enjoyable chapters! ❤️

[@jagger5392]

this is strangely beautiful and so resoundingly true. thank you 🤍

[@JulEnglefaris]

When I watch "backlist" book videos and they're still all books published in the last 2 years.... Ya I felt this.

[@socialbianca]

lovely this! I've been watching so much booktube lately. I was writing my tbr and realized most books I had on there, weren't books I picked for myself. I trashed the list, and have been taking this month slow. hope all is well!

[@loveFlash89]

Hi Ash. I love this video. You have voiced concerns I have with booktube as a viewer. I found myself watching people talk about books that were hyped and constantly showing off hauls. Books hauls only hold meaning to me if the books are going to be read, ya know? Sure we all have books that sit on our shelves for a couple of years but to buy and buy and buy...it's so materialistic. I sought out some more colorful folks and more diverse voices that aligned with how I've come into my own reading journey...and here you are :) You popped up on my recommended. Subbed and here for the good good. Thanks for the essay and the honesty.

[@mayteguaman1218]

As someone who has come to know booktube rather recently.. i thank your inniciative. Personally, i feel most booktubers boring since they all talk about the same books and don't seem to have a true identity. That said, i am always looking for booktubers like you, and i can't wait to see you talking about whatever ideas or opinions you have for the books you are truly interested in

[@qutiepiedesigns2879]

I tried the whole buying popular books thing once and after reading the book it was awful because I didn’t enjoy it at all, but now that I’ve started buying books and manga I enjoy I feel happier looking at my shelf and reread them.

[@brightshineestar]

I’m so happy for you and there is no shame in reading 37 books. Be proud of the books you read. I hope you find your joy again for reading and about books you want to read. Sending lots of love.

[@Horsefreakify]

I’m not even a booktuber and I feel this. I have been watching people in this community for the past year and I have never seen someone talk about the books I typically love to read. I have been listening to booktuber recommendations and buying those books and honestly hating a lot of them haha. I have no idea what to read now to get back to the books I love. Also I love Murakami, one of my favorite authors, and would love to hear you talk about him, it would be cool to hear something different from a booktuber ✌🏼

[@mondenkind8604]

This was oddly satisfying to watch. I really hope you'll be happier with your book collection now and can read more books that you really like🥺🥺 also totally unrelated, but your outfit in the video is so cute and I love your short hair, it suits you so well 🥺😍

[@WithLoveFeli]

I love this! Such an important topic that so many youtubers don't seem to talk about

[@nikolettapr]

I can totally understand your thoughts and even though I am not a Booktuber I watch a looot of booktube! It's true most of the Booktubers I follow talk about the same books but I do follow some smaller Booktubers which stick to a specific genre of their preference eg. Manga, thrillers and I always watch their videos because they are the only ones who talk about these books or recommend these genres! I wish you all the best! Keep doing what you do in the way that you would like to do it and you will find your way!! Hugs xx

[@katelinj7393]

Hi Ashley! I just wanna say I love your videos!! Also, my personal taste in books is closer to mainstream YA but that absolutely doesn't mean I don't want to hear people's thoughts on books outside of that! I'll still be around to watch your videos about books I've never heard of from genres I don't read from. And maybe something new will interest me! Keep it up (that is if you want to of course) xx

[@coocoointhebrains]

i love that you feel that way because i relate sooooooo much. like all the booktubers talk about the exact same books!!!! and i'm so sick of it, i want to watch booktubers talk about their own tastes and have a unique taste for everyone. i want to watch them put more variety in their choices of books. i want to watch a booktuber because he feels passionate about the book he's reading, NOT becaause everybody is reading it and it has that amount of views.......

[@sejreads626]

I've been thinking of getting into booktube but this is one of my biggest fears about it. I'm only just getting into reading again after a few years of not, and I don't want this momentum to end because I'm not excited about the books I'm reading anymore!

[@reneelia]

damn this video really shows the pressure of trying to read into the popular books. Honestly I appreciate booktubers who do it for fun and read different and unique books that they WANT to read ♥️ great for unhauling and I hope you find your love of reading again!

[@walkingintheairr]

As someone quite new to watching booktube, I would love to hear about those books you don't think anyone would be interested in hearing about. Sometimes it feels like there's an echo chamber of all the youtubers reading the same things, I want to hear something different. You do you, and well done for letting go of the things that aren't you x

[@MoonLight-wx1yu]

Theres enough people to go around and enough audiences. Be authentic and be you. Those that vibe with you, vibe. Does that do not, do not. That does not make you anymore or any less successful. Success is what you put your mind to and what it means to you. Success is the manifestation of the vision you create. So go forth with ease and knowing that you are doing great and everything is going to work out okay.

[@abigase135]

Subscribed! I had to unfollow all other booktubers because it's the same books, same content, same type of videos, while I try to discover new 'less known' books.

[@vicfern]

Just the other day I saw a video of a girl who read like 6 books in one day and it sounds so sad to me? I love reading so much (and i have a bad memory) so even tho i read very fast, i try to enjoy books the most that i can, there's nothing better than finishing a book and spending time thinking about it, re reading the best parts, drawing fanart, etc.

[@zubscovered]

Hello! I have just recently joined BookTube. I've been reviewing over on Instagram for the past two years. I think YOUR own platform can be whatever you want it to be? I have an eclectic taste in books and will read a diverse range. I want my platform to be about my choices (and they vary so something for everyone!) and why I think those books should be read. I hope its not a negative experience 🙃 Thank you for your honesty and kind words Zubs

[@aliceborry3753]

I love booktube. Booktubers reminded me why I love reading and it encouraged me to read more. But I wish for more diversity and individuality on Booktube. Sometimes, it feels like I'm watching dozens of videos about the same overhyped books... So thank you a lot for this video, and for reminding everyone that everyone should read for themselves, and not for anyone else.

[@tinctures_]

So true lol idk how booktubers stay reading 15+ per month. I enjoy reading sporadically and having a deadline of a wrap up would stress me out. You should make maybe just one or two book videos a year talking about the books you enjoyed that year! Also I love murakami too

[@katiefloyd4116]

A booktuber and an nctzen I’m in HERE FOR IT 🤩💚

[@ReeseRyanWrites]

I love this realization. Good for you, and thank you for sharing. Happy reading!

[@BasicallyBrittx]

This was a really powerful video and as much as I don't like to admit it that it's true, this is also really true in my case. I'm going to a book swap soon which means that I'm going to unhaul some books and this really inspired me to look critically at all of my books and decide whether they still represent me as a person. Thanks for this videos, Ashley!

[@laurencydni]

this is one of the reasons i left booktube. i was on from 2014-2016 but it felt extremely consumeristic and i couldn't enjoy reading what i wanted because i knew i had to only read what was trendy to pull in views. when i stopped following trends, my numbers dropped so i just gave up on it. but im glad i found this video to see that i'm not alone on this!

[@rnb8220]

Read and watch what you like. Will be here to watch whatever thoughts you share on what you’ve read. Enlightening video, glad you made this video.

[@Nikki-bo8to]

I agree with this video so much! Even though I’m not a booktuber, from the perspective of someone who watches booktube I feel pretty similar. The only KZbinr who got me to start reading for enjoyment was one who did not consider herself a booktuber but just a girl that would sit in front of the camera and talk about the books that she was passionate about, and only when she felt like doing so. And after a while I ended up on booktube, where people make videos like “How to read 20 books in one month!” As if reading is supposed to be a competition. People rarely just talk about books they are passionate about, so it’s difficult for me as a reader to enjoy the content when all it is is just people saying “this month I read this book, this book, and this book” okay... but whats a book that really made you fall in love with it??? Thats what I want to see!

[@天恩-m1y]

actually i really loved what you said here. I'm not apart of the booktube community but recently I've been paying more attention to alot of the more popular books with good reviews and ratings, but not really enjoying them as much :')

[@nefaryous1427]

I'm genuinely intrigued in what manga you read and anything about Murakami because I'm thinking of purchasing my first book by him. ALSO I love your style! Booktube will 'get to you' only as much as you allow it, never read for others.

[@afreen610]

I really loved this video and hearing your perspective of book tube! I also hate the pressure to burn through books so quickly. I enjoy taking like a week or sometimes even more per book to allow scenes and the writing to sink in, and it's also always been a form of escapism to me. But then seeing everyone else reading like 4 books per week made me feel pressured to read faster. Eventually it started to feel more like a burden than a passion.

[@emveereads7652]

I love this! I get all my books from the library so I dont have a fancy bookshelf in the background of my booktube videos. I also talk about different books and webtoon comics. Although I'm still new, I've recently had the thought that i should read newer things so maybe i can get a few more views, but i normally read whatever sparks my interest at the time. I also can't read too many books especially if I'm in a nonfiction phase which I have been recently because it doesn't sink in if i feel like i have to read it quickly. Anyway, this was a really refreshing video! I'm new to your channel but will subscribe! 💜 Happy reading!!

[@saumya9173]

dude do whatever you want, we love you.

[@kenmakozume9930]

lot´s of love and apreciation for youself and your decision 🤍 that´s the right way. Reading is something personal so i totally agree with all of your points 💛

[@JennFaeAge]

I can obviously only speak for myself, but I enjoy videos where people are happy and enjoying what they're talking about, rather than talking about something they're not enjoying because they feel like they NEED to talk about it

[@Astarothiart]

You're really cool and I'm down to hear about your manga/graphic novels or anything else you decide to read! It's nice when it's not just the norm, people can come and find new exciting things. 💖

[@briannacunningham4265]

Reading with Cindy is an amazing book tuber

[@thinkingofyou67]

Thank you for this video. Everything you described and more are the reasons why I never even started booktube. The books I read are not what booktube deems watchable. And I feel like I would read less as well... read with a review in the back of my head and not with the book in mind.

[@catyapping]

YES. Love this. This is me with most YA contemporaries. Everyone loves them but I typically don’t care.

[@catyapping]

Plus I don’t own a camera so I film on a broken phone the few times i have made videos so I don’t have the ~proper aesthetic~ and I’m not an extroverted bubbly person and won’t fake it.