When we launched our own Instagram this past August, we were blown away by the strange beauty of #bookstagram. Readers from around the world celebrate their love for the printed word with boundless creativity. Here, we’ve collected 10 of our favorite Instagram accounts about reading—including some smaller ones we believe deserve a huge following. From poetry to hedgehogs, bookish Instagram is wacky and wonderful. Trust us, you’ll be glad you hit the follow button.
1. @foldedpagesdistillery
This beautiful account shows off books in chaotic, visually interesting, and incredibly detailed compositions.
2. @ernest_hedgingway
This teeny tiny book-loving hedgehog prefers to pose atop stacks of books. Beautiful reads + his little face = recipe for a perfect photo. Work it, Ernest!
3. @graywolfpress
Many publishers are on Instagram and doing a fantastic job (we see you @riverheadbooks, @vikingbooks, @crownpublishing, and @putnambooks!) but we think this account is a cut above the rest. Books find their way into all sorts of places and spaces that are total scroll-stoppers.
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4. @lastnightsreading
Kate Gavino’s line portraits of authors at readings landed her a book of her very own, and after perusing this feed, you’ll understand why. These illustrations featuring words of wisdom from authors allow you to attend readings all over the place without having to leave your couch.
5. @bookotter
Natural elements like leaves, vines, and flowers adorn the covers of books to create dynamic compositions loaded with personality.
6. Parnassus Books is an independent bookstore in Nashville co-owned by author Ann Patchett. The store boasts a cohort of cute pups that offer cuddles to patrons browsing the shelves. These dogs are main characters on the Instagram account. Need we say more?
7. @parisreview
The Paris Review Instagram makes it on a lot of the best-of lists we’ve seen, and we have to jump on that bandwagon. Mostly, the account shares images of poems and interviews from past issues. The stark images of black and white text stand out in our Instagram feed of colorful images. We always take a few extra seconds to soak in the beautiful writing.
8. @fictionnotfriends
These vaguely gothic compositions insert books into natural worlds of stone, ivy, darkness, and fire. It’s all very dramatic.
9. @oliverskywolf
A reader and writer living in California, Oliver brings books with him wherever he goes. We can never decide if we like the foreground or background more. OK—we like it all.
10. @bookbento
Shameless plug alert! We’re posting bookish still-lifes with recommended reads from a wide variety of genres. We hope it’ll be a pretty, browse-able bookstore for readers on Instagram.
