Working in content marketing, I love witnessing trends in real-time. It’s like a case study, in a way, to see how the world around you reacts to something so addicting. In the Bookstagram realm (that is, the corner of Instagram that is all about books), there are a few trends that have taken root. Lately, I’ve seen the “how similar are we” trend and, of course, the massively popular, “If you’re a Bookstagrammer, just say hi” audio. But I’ve also seen one Bookstagram trend that I’m obsessed with.
This Bookstagram trend is the task of asking your significant other about your reading preferences. I love seeing how S.O.s respond, but I couldn’t capitalize on this trend myself… My partner would get every question right. He knows what I read because I often read whatever I’m digging into to him while he games. We both love it, and we often talk about literature as a result.
My sister, on the other hand, was a much more attractive target. Alli and I used to share books as young adults, passing off our latest read to the other as soon as we finished it. As adults, we each gravitate toward different genres, though she has read a chunk of my written work. (And Industrialized, Part One: Experiment is dedicated to her.) I figured she would be fun to use for this trend, but when I pitched the concept to her, she asked me to call her instead of texting. Alright, sis. Challenge accepted.
Long story short, the conversation ended up being so much longer than those short little Instagram posts. As it’s practically an interview, I decided to publish it as such. So I’d like to introduce everyone to Alli, a total rockstar in the HR realm who enjoys reading in her spare time. She has a Master’s degree, is best friends with my dog, and isn’t afraid to give her honest opinions on things. In fact, she’s always the first beta reader to flag when a manuscript still needs work. Let’s give her a warm welcome!
Nikki: Okay, Alli, thanks for doing this. What kinds of books do you think I read?
Alli: You read all kinds of different books, from Shakespearian anthologies to corporate business policies.
(laughing) Oh my God. I think you’re talking about when I read Colossus, the book on the history of corporations in America. That’s a little bit different than corporate business policies, but that’s pretty funny. Is there a genre I don’t read?
Well, you’re not a huge romance person.
You wanna know something embarrassing, though? ARC readers taught me about “dark romance” as a genre, and I learned that Industrialized fits in it well. I may not be huge on romance, but I do read and write in its subgenres. So, who’s my favorite author?
Yourself.
(laughing) Okay. Mom said “Lemony Snicket,” which is a better guess, I think. What’s my favorite book?
Your favorite book ever? Uh, probably the Wolfsbane sequel with the bunnies.
The sequel to my first series that I wrote as a birthday present for you when you were in eighth grade or so? The manuscript I’ve lost and haven’t read since 2011, perhaps? Love it, that makes sense. What is one book series that I’m obsessed with?
Book series that you’re obsessed with… That’s hard. It’s weird, you go back and forth, I think. You reread a lot of stuff.
I do. I revisit my favorites time and time again.
You and your boyfriend were rereading Morganville Vampires, I remember. I haven’t read that in so long. A Series of Unfortunate Events, that’s always been one of your favorites. There were so many we read as young adults, too, that I know we loved back in the day, but I’m not sure if you read any of those anymore.
Some I revisit, but others I’ve found just aren’t as resonant anymore, so I’d rather cherish them as I remember them. Do you think I have any favorite tropes?
(Long pause) I don’t know, actually. Mad scientists? I mean, you made Titus Tarm in Industrialized, and he’s nothing if not a mad scientist. Actually, now that I think about it, so is your main character. Um, you like exploring new ways to build societies…
So like, societal collapse?
Yes, but you like social change as a theme, too. Pushing the boundaries of the world, rebuilding it in different ways. Making it better, if possible. I’ve seen that in a few of your books.
Yeah, I guess you’re right… that first book series I wrote, Wolfsbane, explored a societal restructure, too. Do you think there are any character tropes I really enjoy as a reader or writer?
Goth girls. They’re your favorite characters because you are one.
That’s so mean.
I’m sorry you’re a trope, then.
Ha, it’s funny, actually… Peace on Earth & Mercy Mild, the book I’ll be sharing between Industralized‘s two parts, features a Goth main character. She’s a vampire, of course, so I guess it’s a pretty Nikki story. Do you think I like stand-alone books or series?
You’re a series person. You love being able to get into the books and follow a character on a long journey.
That’s really interesting, because I actually haven’t started any new series this year. Everything has been a standalone book, unless you count the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn as part of the Tom Sawyer series. So, hardcover, paperback, or ebooks? Do I have a preference?
I think you’re between hardcover and paperback. To me, it doesn’t matter, and I think you’re the same. You like a physical book, though I know we both will get into ebooks.
Yeah, I do like holding a physical book when I can, but I also know authors make the most with ebooks, and I want to support my fellow writers. Do you think I like books with heavier or lighter topics?
Well, you’re selling a book with heavy topics, so I have to go with heavier topics. I think you enjoy really complex stories rather than the easy reads. You like stories you can sink your teeth into. Hey, what did the gangster say to Julius Caesar?
The gangster? (pause) I’m not sure. What did he say?
“You’re my Rome boy!”
That’s actually pretty funny. Who do you think is my all-time favorite character?
Hmm, I honestly don’t know that you have a favorite.
Honestly, I don’t. I just wanted to see what you’d say! How many books do you think I own?
That you own? I have no idea. I know it’s a lot.
It’s probably in the hundreds, easily. I have 49 on my living room bookshelf, my kitchen cabinets have books on top of them, there’s my nightstand bookshelf…
200. That’s my guess. And I know you’ve read most of them, if not all.
I love it. Okay, just one last question since my debut novel comes out in April. It’s dedicated to you, and you were the first person in the whole world to read this one. What’s it about?
A dystopian society.
That’s my sister, everyone! For real insights on my actual reading and writing habits, swing by my newsroom. A few interviews are already live, and more are scheduled into 2025. To see which Bookstagram trend I latch onto next, connect with me on Instagram.