THE BEST OF INSTAGRAM FOR BOOK LOVERS

The Best of Instagram for Book Lovers:

Don’t waste your time doomscrolling; there’s a lot out there on social media to inspire and educate book lovers! From philosophy to poetry, great quotations and interview clips of favorite authors and luminaries, here’s some of the best of what Instagram has to offer for all you bookworms out there:

• Books in Films (@books.in.films) is a beautifully curated page dedicated to sharing visually arresting stills and clips of actors and actresses reading on screen. Partnered with Mubi, this Instagram page offers a free month with the film-streaming platform (when you visit the link in the bio). Not only is this page fun and informative, but it’s also esoteric and quirky. It’s also incredibly inspirational for any book lover with a penchant for style, retro and vintage aesthetics, and, well, for film lovers as well! What could be better than combining the two? There’s always a new film, book, or author to discover. Highlights include Melissa Joan Hart reading Sylvia Plath’s “The Bell Jar” in Sabrina the Teenage Witch for all you girlies with ’90s nostalgia, Rory’s reading obsession in Gilmore Girls, our favorite screen heroines browsing the stacks (such as Julia Roberts in the travel book shop in “Notting Hill”) and, of course, many posts dedicated to charming foreign films one may not know about otherwise.

• Medieval Marginalia (@medievalmarginalia): For all those out there who love medieval literature and ephemera, this is the source for you. It also brings esoteric subjects that are, well, medieval to the forefront and to an audience who may know nothing about it. If social media can encourage someone to read Chaucer, then it’s a good thing. Brimming with fascinating art, this page is truly a feast for the eyes.
• The Public Domain Review (@publicdomainrev): If something is in the public domain, that means it’s free and clear for everyone to use and is not protected by intellectual property laws. This page celebrates the history of literature, art, and, of course, ideas. The official website offers hundreds of essays as well. From 19^th-century cyanotypes to catalogs dedicated to microalgae, the scope of information on this page is quite diverse and slightly overwhelming.
• Poetry Foundation (@poetryfoundation): An essential follow for poets and poetry lovers alike, the Poetry Foundation publishes Poetry magazine and brings poetry to the forefront. By celebrating the work of all kinds of writers, this page promotes a space for creativity, publication, and inclusivity. Most importantly, it encourages us to share words and ideas we love and are moved by.
• Written Words (@writtenwordss): Think of this as your inspirational quotation for the day to spur on new reading and ignite curiosity. If you’re stumped about what to read next, this is a very helpful tool. In a community forum where users leave comments it’s encouraging to see what other people are reading and enjoying (or not).
• The Paris Review (@parisreview): A page dedicated to the literary magazine published quarterly and founded in 1953, it offers the very best of literature. From Steinbeck to Ishiguro, this Instagram page welcomes new generations who may not even read literary magazines to do just that. Whether you end up subscribing to the publication or just read snippets on your phone, the information is there to be gleaned, and if interest is sparked, it will encourage more reading. It is always guaranteed to prevent brain rot!

• Female Poets (@femalepoetssociety): Priceless, inspirational, motivating footage of favorite female writers, poets and thinkers that can instantly make your day (and life) better. If you see an excerpt from a Toni Morrison interview and are moved by it but haven’t actually read any of her novels, this could be the push you need to go to your local library or—using your phone—order one of her books and discover it for the first time. Finding the right book at the right time can literally change someone’s life for the better.
• The Philosophy Quote: Philosophy & Literature (@thephilosophyquote): Brush up on the great philosophers! Brimming with insights from literary titans such as Ezra Pound and T.S. Eliot to ancient master Marcus Aurelius and spiritual teacher Jiddu Krishnamurti, this page has something for everyone and every mood. Instead of mindlessly scrolling, think about morality, humanity and other insights about the world around you.
• Literary Hub (@literaryhub): An art and humanities website, this page proclaims that we “read to live” and promotes all things books! Filled with inspiration on the world’s most famous writers, their books and film adaptations, this page is bursting with factoids, interesting quotes, fascinating articles (that can be found on the website), links to stimulating podcasts, and everything in between. Don’t forget to check out this page the next time you’re scrolling.

• The New York Public Library (@nypl): may be the greatest resource for public information…because libraries are for everybody! Arguably one of the most impressive New York City institutions, the NYPL encourages learning on every level, is available for everyone for free, and fosters a space for imagination.
• Oly Oly Oxen Free Books (@olyolyoxenfreebooks): a new and old online children’s bookstore featuring favorites you’ve probably forgotten about! This is an invaluable resource for those who may not remember the title or author of a beloved children’s book but can immediately recognize the illustrations!
• Other honorable mentions include Vault Editions (@vault_editions), Laguna Vintage (@lagungavintage), and Romance of Books (@romanceofbooks).

Visit the pages tagged above, and don’t forget to check out Full Cycle Publications on Instagram (@fullcyclepublications), the website, and read what’s on the blog.