Hi friends! It’s been a while, hasn’t it? This year has been strange for me when it came to bookstagram…grab your coffee, let’s chat.
For the majority of this year, I lost any creativity and motivation I had to keep up with my social media. I started this newsletter, then stopped. Started my bookclub then stopped. I wish I had a concrete answer for you as to why that happened, but the truth is…I just wasn’t feeling inspired and motivated in any way. Instagram I find, is almost like a life suck. Does that sound dramatic? Yes. But is it kind of true? …Yes. The never-ending change in the algorithm makes it really hard to stay engaged when I do choose to be on the app - their goal is to keep all of us on the app 24/7, and i’m just not ok with that. I refuse to be on there 24/7, making reels when I don’t want to, just to stay “relevant”.
Before bookstagram, I was always so creative. I believed I would be a writer one day. It was this deep feeling, that I really, truly felt, to be creating something. but what? I still don’t know what. I still don’t know if I ever will be a writer. I just knew something was missing. So came Bookstagram. And although I love majority of bookstagram, it’s just not cutting it creatively for me.
Not only that..but when it came to my newsletter and bookclub.. it felt like I was going through an existential crisis. What makes my thoughts better than any other blogger? Why is my newsletter worth it for people to sign up? Why is my bookclub worth it? What do I truly have to offer to my followers? I’m no different than any other bookstagrammer. Tons of bookstagrammers now have newsletters, and blogs, and bookclubs, and merch… so why should anybody pick me?
Those are the thoughts that have circulated in my head since January. I know that was a little rant, and a whole jumble of words and thoughts, but it’s hard to articulate my feelings. And they are hard thoughts to ignore. Bookstagram has been a big part of my life for the last 5 years. It’s a passion hobby of mine, so it was hard to shut those thoughts off.
Over the last year, I thought about changing my username on Instagram. It doesn’t seem like a big deal, but in a way, it kind of is? Readwithsam is basically my “identity” on the internet. Thats how people know me. But to me, the name is not a reflection of who I am as a person or reader. It’s not original or unique in the way I want it to be. A name that I created, and have loved for a long time, has stuck with me… and I knew that if I am still thinking about this name a year later, its meant to be. I think this name sparks my creativity, and will help me create more of a bookish community in my small corner of the internet. Maybe it will inspire me to write. Or try new things. Step away from instagram and be a bit more creative. I still have no idea why I have so many followers, or what I “have to offer”, but I’ve realized I need to stop comparing myself to others, and focus on me - what I want to do. The followers stick around, great. If not… then it’s not to meant to be.
So… ReadwithSam is changing to Enlivre.
envie - to desire
livre - a book
I put these two French words together, because that is exactly how I feel! I feel this immense desire deep in my soul to be surrounded by books, all the time. Books inspire me, they shape who I am. They are who I am. & I think Enlivre truly embodies all of that.
Phew, okay. That was a lot of writing so far - but do you understand what i’m trying to say? Am I making sense? Hopefully I am, but it feels good to write it down - especially in a different place than bookstagram.
I hope you will stick around still even though I have changed my name. Even though my new name is a better reflection of me, i’m still me. I’m still a bookstagrammer. But I want to try new things.
Yesterday I asked for you guys to ask me anything, and I will pick a few and answer on here:
Favourite book you read as a kid?
I don’t think I’d have one specific book. I read a lot, but the books that stuck with me, and made me stay up late to read are: Harry Potter, Nancy Drew, A Series of Unfortunate Events, The Princess Diaries, The Royal Diaries.
All of these books have such a special place in my heart! I would read them so fast, and quickly go back to my school library to get the next book in the series. These books really sparked my imagination (because I really thought I was a witch/detective/princess)
I’m so excited for your name change! But how do you really feel about people unfollowing you?
Thank you! Well, it does make me sad. When I announced I wanted to change my name soon, I lost about 30 followers that day. Of course it made me sad, i’m human! But I also got over it pretty quickly. Those aren’t followers I want to have, if they aren’t willing to understand that humans grow and change over time.. yes, even humans on the internet! I’ve been here for 5 years. It’s time for a change.
Favourite teas or coffee perfect for fall?
Well, if you were following me last year, you’ll know my absolute favourite fall tea is Forever Nuts from David’s Tea. It’s a beautiful pink colour, especially when you add in some milk, and smells AMAZING. It’s basically a hug in a cup. My favourite coffee that I make at home is the Vanilla/Hazelnut coffee from Costco lol. It’s in a brown and purple bag. It’s not too sweet, it’s perfect. I also looooove drinking hot chocolate during this time of year! Just so cozy, classic, and delicious.
Personal, nonbookstagram goals you have before end of the year/your next birthday?
That’s a great question, haha. I haven’t thought about that this much. I’ve been trying to focus more on the now… since with the pandemic and still working from home, it’s hard to get motivated, and stay motivated. But, I want to continue making sure that running is still a part of my routine. It has been an amazing thing in my life the last two years, and I never want to lose it. I also really want to start decorating more in my home! I get really overwhelmed at the store with different items and colours and aesthetics, that I give up and go home… but I really want to change up a couple of things, and get a reading chair for my library!
What are you hoping to accomplish with your new name change? A blog? Podcast? Youtube?
I’m not sure yet. I think Youtube for sure.. maybe not a blog. I really like the format of a newsletter (just need to keep up with it lol). A podcast sounds like a big project, and i’m not sure I am ready for that yet. So I think for now, Youtube and my newsletter will be my more creative outlets :)
Will you be continuing your bookclub? It’s been so quiet.
I don’t know :( it’s really hard (again) to stay motivated, and engaged. Not just for me, but even for a lot of the people in the bookclub. I also hate when i’m told I have to read something lol. Maybe i’ll launch a Patreon in the future which will include a bookclub, but for now, I think that little club will need to be put on the back burner till I figure out my life lol.
Will your instagram be different?
No! At least, I don’t think so? I might play around with my actual camera more for book photos, but other than that, things aren’t changing drastically :)
How do you pick what to read next? I always struggle. Can you please do your reading wrap ups like your first few newsletters?
Yes! I totally will. I really enjoyed writing those reading wrap ups on here, so I’m hoping to stay consistent with that! In terms of picking what to read next, I struggle with that too. But I made some changes to my reading life this year. First, I went through books I own and donated ones that just don’t spark my interest anymore. It’s so overwhelming to stare at a massive TBR pile because what the heck will I choose? But, i’ve grown as a reader over the years, and some books I owned just didn’t seem interesting to me anymore, so why keep it? I've been very intentional with my book buying this year, to avoid that overwhelming feeling. Secondly, I went through my Goodreads TBR and deleted a bunch from there too. Like, books from 2013!!! I was suuuuch a different reader back then, and I read the synopsis of a few of those and they just didn’t spark my interest like they did back in 2013. If I’m meant to read a book, it will find it’s way back to me one day ;)
And then, I usually read the first few pages of different books, or the synopsis on a whole bunch until a story sticks to me. I hope that helps!
Well readers, thanks for making it to the bottom of this chaotic newsletter. I had a lot to say, and decided to just sit here and let it all come out haha. I appreciate the support, and hope you’ll continue to stick around!
Yours bookishly,
Sam