More Joy, More Reading

6 yr. old me reading to my 8 mo. old sister

I posted about leaving Twitter (X) on November 13th and I said,

“If I am a reader, I read.

If I am a writer, I write.

If I am creative, I create.”

Twitter was a platform that no longer supported my goals as a reader. Social media, in general, doesn’t support my goals as a reader. If I am a reader, I need to be about the business of reading, not the business of others and that’s what social media is. It’s not a Twitter problem, it’s a PEOPLE problem.

I meditated on the value of social media. I came to the conclusion that as far as I can determine, human beings are not wired with the ability to manage the volume of input from strangers that social media produces. We also lack the ability to navigate nuanced conversations about divisive topics of conversations and opinions. No platform will be free of heated discourse, unsavory hot takes, bad actors, trolls, or problematic vibes that rob us of our mental health.

A peaceful social media experience is unattainable. I laugh every time I see people join a new platform with the expectation of peace. Their first public comment is some version of, this time will be different! And then in a few minutes, they’re sharing opinions, engaging in discourse, and marveling openly about some stupid hot take they just saw. Same old shit, different platform. Nothing fucking changes.

The only thing we can change is ourselves.

“If I am a reader, I read.

If I am a writer, I write.

If I am creative, I create.”

The reason #bookstagram has been the most long-lasting, peaceful social media platform for me is because it’s a dedicated space. #bookstagram is dedicated to the sharing of and the discussion about, books. Reading. Some people try to make it about books and OTHER STUFF, but I just mute or unfollow those people.

In addition to #bookstagram, I’m also using TikTok (#booktok) and Threads. Threads is already throwing up tons of red flags. I’m using it as a text-based extension of #bookstagram—it’s dedicated. It’s not there for little musings/opinions, or lifestyle updates. It’s to connect with other readers about books and field business updates. I’m muting and blocking liberally—even people I follow on bookstagram. Readers, authors, and book industry professionals, suddenly get on Threads and start showing their ass. I don’t want to see anyone’s ass. I want books and book-related content. And that’s not too much to ask because I’m curating my social media experience for myself. Maintaining my peace. It’s my responsibility.

Thankfully, there are a lot of bookish people doing what I’m doing. The people who have had enough. We have tasted it, we have seen it, and we do not want it.

In 2024, I’m rolling out a reading challenge specifically designed for people who want to read with purpose and intention. It’s tailored for folks who want to expand their reading lists, capture more time to read and indulge in the written word in a way that nurtures mental health—a deeper, more meaningful way of absorbing books. We will also reclaim our social media spaces. More on that later.

I’ll be sharing it all in updates on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads. But my Substack and Patreon will expand on those updates more fully. I’m really looking forward to this journey and I hope you’ll find it interesting, and maybe even something you’d like to try for yourself.