5 Bay Area-based #BookTok and Bookstagrammers to follow — and what they’re reading right now.
In the world of books and publishing, one of the new(er) trends in the industry has been the rise of reading influencers — social media personalities who share their favorite books and reading-related content with viewers, often on Instagram or TikTok.
Scroll Instagram or TikTok on any given day, and you’ll encounter the world of reading influencers — librarians, bookshop owners and book lovers who tout their favorites using literary hashtags like #Bookstagram and #BookTok. Now five Bay Area influencers — including Mychal Threets, the former Solano County librarian with 2 million followers on social media– are sharing what they’re reading and recommending.
Ciera Pasturel, Palo Alto
Instagram & TikTok: @sfbookgirl
Currently reading: I recently read “The Eyes and The Impossible” by Dave Eggers and absolutely loved it! While marketed for younger readers, it is appropriate for both children and adults. The book also includes beautiful illustrations by local illustrator Shawn Harris.
Recommendations: For adults: “The House in the Cerulean Sea” by TJ Klune (the sequel is being published this fall!), “Dark Matter” by Blake Crouch, “Disappearing Earth” by Julia Phillips and “The Girl with the Louding Voice” by Abi Daré. I am also a big fan of nonfiction, including “Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen” by Jose Antonio Vargas and “Every Day Is a Gift” by Tammy Duckworth. As a public librarian, I can’t help but love the picture book, “No Cats in the Library,” by Lauren Emmons. It’s the perfect storytime book with heartwarming illustrations.
Why read? Reading cultivates creativity and exposes readers to new perspectives and ideas. Reading allows me to travel to a new point in time or place without ever needing to leave my house.
Sarah Vergese, Fremont
Instagram & Tiktok:@biblioversa
Currently reading: “Out on a Limb” by Hannah Bonam-Young. I just finished reading book 1 in the Sparrow Falls series, “Fragile Sanctuary,” by Catherine Cowles and will be starting an exciting thriller, “One Perfect Couple,” by Ruth Ware, next.
Recommendations: My favorite read this year is “The Women” by Kristin Hannah — exceptional historical fiction about women during the Vietnam War. I also loved “Listen for the Lie” by Amy Tintera, an excellent psychological thriller with a podcast setting. My all-time favorite fantasy romance authors are Sarah J. Maas and Jennifer L. Armentrout. For YA, the “Inheritance Games” series, “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder,” “Hunger Games.” For older kids, “Wings of Fire” series, “Keepers of the Lost City” series and Harry Potter.
Why read? Reading gives you insight into something you have not experienced and an escape into that world. A book can truly be your companion, philosopher, friend, guide.
Mychal Threets, Fairfield
Instagram & TikTok: @mychal3ts
Currently reading: This year, I launched a virtual book club through the Fable app, which helps you track your reading and create new bookish friends. It’s been a lot of fun! We most recently read “Holes” by Louis Sachar, which is one of my all-time favorite books. I love it so much that I named my cat, Kissin’ Kat Barlow, after one of the main characters.
Recommendations: Honestly, I believe that everyone should read “The Giver” by Lois Lowry at least once in their lives. I believe it is ideal for all ages, but kids especially, as they are navigating their love for literature. When I read it, it was one of the first times I can recall having true curiosity about what goes on in the world, what is reality and what not! It will definitely make you think. Regarding nonfiction, I believe that everyone should read “Letters to You” by Jazz Thornton. Jazz is one of the biggest mental health advocates in the world, and her latest book has wisdom and encouragement for us all on our best and worst days.
Why read? At every level of our reading journey, there is a book ready for us to fall in love with. There truly is a book for everyone, and that means many people are seeing themselves in books, on the pages, in the characters. That is beautiful!
If you’re looking for your next book recommendation, visit your local library! Visit your local bookstore! To make a (book) suggestion for individuals, it takes conversation to see where people are at. That’s why I love talking to librarians, to bookworms. Every one of them has different techniques, different ways to hype up books, to make you appreciate your incredible literate self.
Anabrenda Cervera Hall, San Francisco
Instagram & TikTok: @myloveforlibros
Currently reading: “Love and Gelato” by Jenna Evans Welch.
Recommendations: I would definitely recommend “In the Country We Love” by Diane Guerrero — nonfiction (about) a young girl who came home from school and found out her parents were deported — and “Love and Other Words” by Christina Lauren. It takes place in the Bay Area!
Why read? What I love most about reading is being able to live a thousand lives. (I know – so cheesy!) But it feels amazing to experience the story in my head as if I am really there.
Megan Epperson, Hayward
Instagram & TikTok: @bookedbymegs
Currently reading: An advanced reader copy of “Fear the Flames” by Olivia Rose Darling (publishing in September).
Recommendations: I am an avid fantasy and fantasy romance reader, (so) the Auran Chronicles series by Wendy Heiss, the Mortal Fates series by J. Bree, the Crowns of Nyaxia series by Carissa Broadbent and “The Hurricane Wars” by Thea Guanzon.
Why read? It allows you to see the world through someone else’s perspective and develop empathy for people who may not look like you or come from the same background as you. That is so important.