In my post yesterday, I talked about the need to support marginalized bookish creators with more than just words. This has become only more relevant with some of the recent news in the book community. In light of this, I will be spending time in the coming weeks to highlight diverse creators who publish on multiple platforms.
Today I am focusing on Booktube. At the moment, Booktube is the most consumed bookish community, reaches the most readers, and receives the most paid promotion from publishers. It has so many amazing marginalized creators, but the most popular and most viewed channels are predominantly run by white, cis, straight, and able-bodied creators. Frankly, there is so much talent on Booktube that, if we aren't watching marginalized creators, it can only be because we are being intentionally exclusionary.
I will be highlighting a mix of small and large channels. I love supporting small channels and seeing them grow, but I also know that even the biggest channels on this list are still 100,000 followers smaller than some of the largest booktubers. These channels deserve to be just as promoted.
Today I am focusing on Booktube. At the moment, Booktube is the most consumed bookish community, reaches the most readers, and receives the most paid promotion from publishers. It has so many amazing marginalized creators, but the most popular and most viewed channels are predominantly run by white, cis, straight, and able-bodied creators. Frankly, there is so much talent on Booktube that, if we aren't watching marginalized creators, it can only be because we are being intentionally exclusionary.
I will be highlighting a mix of small and large channels. I love supporting small channels and seeing them grow, but I also know that even the biggest channels on this list are still 100,000 followers smaller than some of the largest booktubers. These channels deserve to be just as promoted.
Note: Not everyone featured in this post had their pronouns readily available so I have used they/them when I was unsure. If you are featured in this post, please don't hesitate to notify me if different pronouns are more accurate. I will make edits right away.
Bowties & Books
Lately, whenever I hop onto YouTube, Jesse is the first face I look for in my subscription box. I'm in love with their energy, honesty, and sincerity. They do so much to promote diverse and lesser-known voices in the community and they are always transparent about their own thoughts and experiences. I always leave their videos with new insight on whatever book they have discussed. Also, they have an adorable cat named Ravenclaw that makes regular appearances in their videos.
Jesse reads and discusses a wide range of genres that are mostly (but not exclusively) YA with an emphasis on diverse and feminist books.
Lately, whenever I hop onto YouTube, Jesse is the first face I look for in my subscription box. I'm in love with their energy, honesty, and sincerity. They do so much to promote diverse and lesser-known voices in the community and they are always transparent about their own thoughts and experiences. I always leave their videos with new insight on whatever book they have discussed. Also, they have an adorable cat named Ravenclaw that makes regular appearances in their videos.
Jesse reads and discusses a wide range of genres that are mostly (but not exclusively) YA with an emphasis on diverse and feminist books.
All Things MiMi
MiMi's channel is just adorable. From their super cute intro to their twinkle lights, everything about their videos is an absolute delight. They regularly post videos and pictures with their husband and about their marriage which are really lovely and sweet.
MiMi talks about many popular YA fantasy books and features Islamic books on their channel.
MiMi's channel is just adorable. From their super cute intro to their twinkle lights, everything about their videos is an absolute delight. They regularly post videos and pictures with their husband and about their marriage which are really lovely and sweet.
MiMi talks about many popular YA fantasy books and features Islamic books on their channel.
The Artisan Geek
If you're like me, you probably find that watching only high-energy videos can be exhausting. This is one of the reasons I love Seji's videos. They have book discussions and reviews that are so quietly funny and a true delight to watch. Their channel also has a bunch of super creative videos like "Book News" segments and a "Painting Ransom Riggs" video.
Seji reads a wide range of titles including YA and adult books in various genres, ranging from classics to new releases, and many non-American authors.
If you're like me, you probably find that watching only high-energy videos can be exhausting. This is one of the reasons I love Seji's videos. They have book discussions and reviews that are so quietly funny and a true delight to watch. Their channel also has a bunch of super creative videos like "Book News" segments and a "Painting Ransom Riggs" video.
Seji reads a wide range of titles including YA and adult books in various genres, ranging from classics to new releases, and many non-American authors.
Ellias
I don't think Ellias could make a video that is anything less than 100% full of personality. Their videos always make me laugh and I think and viewer will find themselves nodding along to each one of their bookish rants. They have your typically booktuber wall of books and huge book hauls for those who love those trappings of booktube. If you're looking for someone who isn't afraid to DNF the latest hyped book, this is the channel for you.
Ellias reads both popular YA fantasy books and a lot of thrillers, both YA and adult.
I don't think Ellias could make a video that is anything less than 100% full of personality. Their videos always make me laugh and I think and viewer will find themselves nodding along to each one of their bookish rants. They have your typically booktuber wall of books and huge book hauls for those who love those trappings of booktube. If you're looking for someone who isn't afraid to DNF the latest hyped book, this is the channel for you.
Ellias reads both popular YA fantasy books and a lot of thrillers, both YA and adult.
Noria Reads
Noria has all your booktube favorites including TBRs, unboxings, hauls, and readathons. Watching her channel feels like you have a book-loving friend right in the room with you. I'm also wildly impressed by her upload schedule because she's been posting three times a week for awhile! You will never be out of things to watch when you follow her.
Noria loves a wide range of books, both in genres and age groups, with her 2018 favorites ranging from The Poppy War to The Hate U Give to The Give Who Drank the Moon.
Noria has all your booktube favorites including TBRs, unboxings, hauls, and readathons. Watching her channel feels like you have a book-loving friend right in the room with you. I'm also wildly impressed by her upload schedule because she's been posting three times a week for awhile! You will never be out of things to watch when you follow her.
Noria loves a wide range of books, both in genres and age groups, with her 2018 favorites ranging from The Poppy War to The Hate U Give to The Give Who Drank the Moon.
xreadingsolacex
Kav's videos are always such a delight to watch. They don't talk about every book they read, which means that nearly every book they feature is one that is important to them. You can feel their passion coming through their content and every video is inspiring to watch. They are so honest about their thoughts, identity, and passion which adds to much reality to their channel.
Kav reads a lot of diverse YA fantasy and contemporaries and has a special passion for The Shadowhunter Chronicles.
Kav's videos are always such a delight to watch. They don't talk about every book they read, which means that nearly every book they feature is one that is important to them. You can feel their passion coming through their content and every video is inspiring to watch. They are so honest about their thoughts, identity, and passion which adds to much reality to their channel.
Kav reads a lot of diverse YA fantasy and contemporaries and has a special passion for The Shadowhunter Chronicles.
Monica Kim
When it comes to aesthetic, there is no one more adorable than Monica. Both her booktube channel and her Instagram page make me feel like I'm floating on cotton candy clouds. Monica is so sincere and passionate about the books she discusses and every video make me feel like I'm watching a friend.
Monica reads many of the books that are popular in the booktube community across various genres with a special emphasis on Asian and Korean stories.
When it comes to aesthetic, there is no one more adorable than Monica. Both her booktube channel and her Instagram page make me feel like I'm floating on cotton candy clouds. Monica is so sincere and passionate about the books she discusses and every video make me feel like I'm watching a friend.
Monica reads many of the books that are popular in the booktube community across various genres with a special emphasis on Asian and Korean stories.
Jessica Nicole Dickerson
JND has such a bright and lovely channel where they really let their personality shine through. Honestly, watching their videos makes me wish I had someone like JND in my friend group because I feel like it's impossible not to smile and laugh along when watching them.
JND's favorite books are YA sci-fi and fantasy but they regularly feature contemporary titles as well.
JND has such a bright and lovely channel where they really let their personality shine through. Honestly, watching their videos makes me wish I had someone like JND in my friend group because I feel like it's impossible not to smile and laugh along when watching them.
JND's favorite books are YA sci-fi and fantasy but they regularly feature contemporary titles as well.
A Chapter From Aisha
Aisha is wonderfully down-to-earth and relatable. They make a lot of vlogs and videos where they interact with their followers and it makes their channel so comfortable and welcoming. I highly recommend this channel to anyone looking for teen opinions on YA or anyone who enjoys videos that feel like a conversation.
Aisha's talk about YA titles with their favorite books featuring both contemporaries and fantasies.
Aisha is wonderfully down-to-earth and relatable. They make a lot of vlogs and videos where they interact with their followers and it makes their channel so comfortable and welcoming. I highly recommend this channel to anyone looking for teen opinions on YA or anyone who enjoys videos that feel like a conversation.
Aisha's talk about YA titles with their favorite books featuring both contemporaries and fantasies.
Renee Reads
Renee Reads is a brand new channel run by the lovely Christy. They only have two videos so far but they are full of personality and fun. Their Instagram page is also gorgeous so I highly recommend following them on both platforms.
They feature a variety of genres on their Instagram and they have shared gorgeous pictures of The Cruel Prince series.
Renee Reads is a brand new channel run by the lovely Christy. They only have two videos so far but they are full of personality and fun. Their Instagram page is also gorgeous so I highly recommend following them on both platforms.
They feature a variety of genres on their Instagram and they have shared gorgeous pictures of The Cruel Prince series.
Thank you for stopping by and I hope you found some wonderful new channels to follow! Stay tuned during the upcoming weeks as I will be featuring some awesome bloggers and bookstagramers, as well as probably another round of booktubers. (There were just too many amazing channels to feature all at once!)
If you haven't read my post about Own Voices ARCs yet, you can check it out below.
If you haven't read my post about Own Voices ARCs yet, you can check it out below.