Interview with a Bookstagrammer - April 2021

Interview with a Bookstagrammer - April 2021

April's Interview with a Bookstagrammer saw us chat to the brilliant Elena from @thebibliotheque. Not only does Elena run an amazing bookstagram account, she's a romance author too! Take a look at her beautiful feed to keep up to date with her writing, book chat and wonderful photographs. Thanks so much for chatting with us, Elena!

How did you first become involved with the Bookstagram community? Can you remember the moment you decided to create your account?

Oh, funny enough, I do remember like it was yesterday! I'd always been a bit of an aficionado of photography, so I was very active on instagram ever since the app launched. That of course, happened from my private account and way before I was introduced to the world of book blogging. So, it was the day I got my first glimpse at a proper, through and through bookstagram account, when I decided I wanted in. By then, I had already started blogging about books (although looking back, I don't think that wordpress site I run counted as blogging haha) so it seemed only natural for me to give it a shot.

 

What’s your favourite part of the Bookstagram community and why is it so important to you?

For me it's all about the interaction. Bookstagram enables me to connect with anybody, in any location, at any time, over something I love. I don't want to speak for everyone or generalise, but I've heard on innumerable occasions that bookworms often struggle to find "their people". We, or better said I am, often the odd of the bunch that feels very passionate about fictional worlds and doesn't have many options when it comes to screaming about it. Well, that's exactly what being part of the Bookstagram community means. I feel comfortable and free to fangirl and gush over books, and I know whoever is on the other side of the screen is going to listen and most importantly, share and respond to that enthusiasm.

 

Do you think your content has evolved over the years, if so tell us more about that!

It has definitely evolved. It's very hard for something as changing as creativity not to grow and progress. The more time I spend creating content, the more I learn about what resonates with me and with my following, and the happier I am about what I create.


Do you have any other hobbies alongside books and reading? We know that you're a romance author! We’d love to hear more about that!

Well, yes! While I wouldn't consider writing just a hobby (as I intend on working as a full time writer one day–hopefully, so fingers crossed), it's true that writing has taken most of my time these past months. As much as I've always adored reading, there has always been a little part of me that fantasised with creating my own HEAs. That part has been alive ever since high school, when I first attempted to write a fan-fic for me and my best friends. We were the lead characters, obviously. And the boyband we were obsessing over back then fell helplessly in love with us, an outcome nobody was surprised about either. As you can see, I always had a knack for love stories. Anyway, jokes aside, I'm incredibly proud of myself for taking the leap (as much as some days I panic and wonder what the heck got into me). So if anyone reading is interested or curious, you guys can check The Spanish Love Deception. It's a fake-dating, slow burn, adult romance with a sassy (and stubborn) Spanish heroine and the blue-eyed grump she insists on hating.

 

Have you always loved books? Tell us the book that cemented your love of reading and writing! Any particular author who’s a huge inspiration?

As cliché as it sounds, the book that first sparked my love of reading was Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Then, book series like The Mortal Instruments, Vampire Academy or The Hunger Games came, strengthening my bond with reading and getting lost in fictional worlds. But, it wasn't until much later in time that my obsession with books was consolidated. And the book responsible for that was one of the first New Adult novels I read: Wait for You by Jennifer L. Armentrout. Oh Lord, I remember reading that book in one sitting, staying up all night and turning to page one the moment I finished. Romance, you see, was what cemented my love of reading and writing. As for authors that I admire and are a big inspiration ... Where to start? Jennifer L. Armentrout, Tessa Bailey, Mariana Zapata, Abby Jimenez or Ella Maise are only a few of the many I adore and look up to.


So you’ve told us about your favourite writers, let’s talk about favourite characters! You can invite three fictional characters from literature to a dinner party, who are they and why did you choose them?

Mr. Darcy would for sure be there, because who hasn't dreamed of having him scowling at you across the room? I'd most definitely invite the Inner Circle from the ACOTAR series, too. And I believe that the word wingspan is pretty much self-explanatory. And if there's more room, I guess I wouldn't mind if the characters from my novel, Aaron and Lina, were there. Fine, I'd cling to them the whole evening. Probably even more than I'd cling to Cassian.


What book are you most excited to read this year?

Oh boy, where to start! So from the books I was anticipating and have already been released, I think A Court of Silver Flames was probably the one at the top of my list. Other titles like Life's Too Short by Abby Jimenez or All Rhodes Lead Here by Mariana Zapata, have been right beside ACOSF in terms of dying-to-read-them-excitement, and I'm definitely picking up soon. As for the ones that are not out yet, I'd say The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang is the one I'm waiting for most anxiously.


Tell us your favourite account to follow. What do you love about it?

Ugh, this is such a tough question to answer! See what happened when you asked about the book I'm most excited to read this year? I don't think I'll be able to narrow my favourite bookstagram accounts to a manageable number, there are MANY I adore.


Okay final hard hitting question… Dog ear or bookmark?

Right so ... before you hate and judge me, I should say that I don't do this as often as I used to, BUT. I dog ear. Permanently. Because I only dog ear the pages with my favourite quotes. Oopsie?


Anything else you’d like to add or tell us about?

Nothing more to add besides a huge thank you and a big bear hug!

 

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ELENA'S FAVOURITES

Use the code ELENA10 to get 10% of Elena's favourite items until 28th May.

Blue and Bronze Magical Trait Sweatshirt

I Incite This Meeting to Rebellion Sweatshirt

Romeo and Juliet Cotton Tote Bag

The Bennet Sisters Tote Bag

"No Need to Hurry, No Need to Sparkle" Journal

Weekly Organiser Desk Pad

"Obstinate, Headstrong Girl" Make Up Bag

Shakespeare "Love All" Retro Art Print

Empowering "Think Your Best Thoughts" Pennant

"I Am Fearless" Feminist Quote Mug

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