I couldn't agree with you more. I enjoy video reviews - they're immediate and fun but they're also fleeting. If you don't see it on the day - it's gone and they're difficult to find again. Written reviews have a much longer life. They're there for readers to discover long after the post. As a reader, Goodreads is still where I go if undecided about a book. And speaking with my author hat on, written reviews become part of the book's longterm footprint. Obviously, as an author - you hope it's a great review :-).
I too struggle to spell rythym? But I agree fully on missing the perspective of reviews that actually spoke more about the book and focused less on the aesthetic thereof.
I agree wholeheartedly, Riley. As a fellow reader, reviewer and book lover, I want substance. I want real reviews, real conversation, real discussion. Bring it on. Instagram and TikTok are not where I go for thoughtful book reviews. Yes, there is a wider community that is far less Mean Girl than what I’ve experienced recently, and I have a few favourites I’ll follow to the moon and back. Like that ReimagineLit guy.
Facebook communities like The Good Book Appreciation Society (plug!) may feel old‑school, but they still offer genuine engagement. StoryGraph, Goodreads, and a few of my favourite podcasts give me far more value than any algorithm‑driven aesthetic feed.
And this brings me to the bigger issue.
*Moving my soap box front and centre*
Bookstagram has changed, you are correct. In my view, the (local?) bookish scene is now seemingly driven more by favouritism than by substance. One of the major roleplayers especially amplifies this mindset, and it shows. Real reviews and years long collaborative publisher/reviewer relationships are quietly pushed aside. The selective invitations and cliques make it clear who is considered “worthy.” I think it is hugely damaging to those who are trying to do make their voices heard, keen to share their views and thoughts, and those who are life-long readers. It wears you down. I have even come close to giving up on reviewing because the effort often feels invisible.
I believe it does nothing for readers who want honest inspiration or recommendations that genuinely help them discover books. And it certainly does nothing for authors who rely on thoughtful, engaged readers to champion their work. When meaningful reviews are undervalued, authors lose out too.
And then there are moments that make the problem impossible to ignore. I was made aware of an instance where a local author personally asked for me to be invited to a book event, and the marketing team simply ignored the request and stuck to their usual inner circle. It was dismissive, and it reinforced the message that “you can’t sit with us” (as if the numerous ignored emails is not enough).
Despite all of this, I remain deeply grateful for the publishers, bookish friends, and fellow readers who genuinely care. The ones who do this for the love of reading. The ones who value substance, conversation, and lifelong readers. Those relationships mean everything to me.
They’ve also helped me rethink why I read in the first place. I’ve learned to appreciate what I enjoy, to trust my own taste, and to be less influenced by forced and superficial hype. It’s been freeing to recognise what is not for me and to focus on the books and voices that truly matter.
I couldn't agree with you more. I enjoy video reviews - they're immediate and fun but they're also fleeting. If you don't see it on the day - it's gone and they're difficult to find again. Written reviews have a much longer life. They're there for readers to discover long after the post. As a reader, Goodreads is still where I go if undecided about a book. And speaking with my author hat on, written reviews become part of the book's longterm footprint. Obviously, as an author - you hope it's a great review :-).
Absolutely agree! xx
I too struggle to spell rythym? But I agree fully on missing the perspective of reviews that actually spoke more about the book and focused less on the aesthetic thereof.
It’s a tough word to spell! ;)
Precisely this feeling xx
I can't write "colleague" without spell check! ;)
You are my favourite reviewer 🥹
You are the sweetest human 🥹
I agree wholeheartedly, Riley. As a fellow reader, reviewer and book lover, I want substance. I want real reviews, real conversation, real discussion. Bring it on. Instagram and TikTok are not where I go for thoughtful book reviews. Yes, there is a wider community that is far less Mean Girl than what I’ve experienced recently, and I have a few favourites I’ll follow to the moon and back. Like that ReimagineLit guy.
Facebook communities like The Good Book Appreciation Society (plug!) may feel old‑school, but they still offer genuine engagement. StoryGraph, Goodreads, and a few of my favourite podcasts give me far more value than any algorithm‑driven aesthetic feed.
And this brings me to the bigger issue.
*Moving my soap box front and centre*
Bookstagram has changed, you are correct. In my view, the (local?) bookish scene is now seemingly driven more by favouritism than by substance. One of the major roleplayers especially amplifies this mindset, and it shows. Real reviews and years long collaborative publisher/reviewer relationships are quietly pushed aside. The selective invitations and cliques make it clear who is considered “worthy.” I think it is hugely damaging to those who are trying to do make their voices heard, keen to share their views and thoughts, and those who are life-long readers. It wears you down. I have even come close to giving up on reviewing because the effort often feels invisible.
I believe it does nothing for readers who want honest inspiration or recommendations that genuinely help them discover books. And it certainly does nothing for authors who rely on thoughtful, engaged readers to champion their work. When meaningful reviews are undervalued, authors lose out too.
And then there are moments that make the problem impossible to ignore. I was made aware of an instance where a local author personally asked for me to be invited to a book event, and the marketing team simply ignored the request and stuck to their usual inner circle. It was dismissive, and it reinforced the message that “you can’t sit with us” (as if the numerous ignored emails is not enough).
Despite all of this, I remain deeply grateful for the publishers, bookish friends, and fellow readers who genuinely care. The ones who do this for the love of reading. The ones who value substance, conversation, and lifelong readers. Those relationships mean everything to me.
They’ve also helped me rethink why I read in the first place. I’ve learned to appreciate what I enjoy, to trust my own taste, and to be less influenced by forced and superficial hype. It’s been freeing to recognise what is not for me and to focus on the books and voices that truly matter.
Ah, Roelia! Thank you so much for your honest and thought provoking comment. I really appreciate you engaging so honestly with my post 🫶🏽
Big shout out to The Good Book Appreciation society! It’s one of my favourite places on the internet x
This Reimagine Lit guy is especially grateful for that Roelia Reads lady ❤️