"Wide Variety Books like me " 99% of your Books are Just based on ethnicity. All black Books which is 100% ok but thats not a variety of Books...this channel does have a variety of different books and genres ect your channel doesn't
Great discussion video! One of Toni Morrison's famous quote, “If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.” is how I feel about Booktube. To see the channels that promote diversity someone has to create them. My favorite videos to watch and comment on are booktubers with fewer subscribers. The exchange is very genuine.
"I'm comfortable in my skin. And if someone else isn't comfortable with my skin, that's their own damn problem. That has nothing to do with me." Amen. #Bless
This was very well said. I never even thought about the diversity of BookTube, but I have definitely noticed that Young Adult is the main focus on here, and as a thriller, horror, and indie reader I wish that was more focused throughout the BookTuber world. Perhaps, if enough of us ban together (I have a BookTube on a different channel: TheDragonQueen), we can share those books, and support each other to try to get non-YA books back on the map. :) Great job on your video! Keep on being you!
Your words really resonate with me about the diversity needed in this community. The focus on YA, while I love YA books so much, did make me feel a little like I maybe don't fit in or there isn't a bunch for me here as an older woman who reads older books as opposedto new releases and hyped books. There are millions that I haven't yet read! Part of that is my fault, I follow three booktubers before you. That's not going to give me a well rounded book discussion lol! But I definitely see your point and I do agree.
Love this discussion. I appreciate your honesty - representation is everything in communities like this! Of course, I'm a YA booktuber, but what I truly love to see in someone's videos is passion for what they're reading and authenticity in themselves, and you are definitely one of those people.
Thank you so much for this video! I loved hearing your thoughts. I'm excited that I found a channel like yours. Keep reading what you want to read! Reading diversely is so important, and I feel like a lot of people forget that there are so many amazing genres out there because everything gets buried under YA, nothing against YA, but there are so many good books outside of that genre.
I feel you girl. I love booktube, but part of why I love reading so much is because I want to broaden my horizons and then I get on youtube and more than half of the successful booktubers I can find are young white people, just like me. It's really nice when you find someone with a slightly different perspective. And I feel like I don't even wanna watch book hauls anymore because everyone is just pedaling the same books over and over again.
+Iamnotaworm Exactly! If we have enough people doing diverse things we can give people more books to choose from instead of the same books over and over again.
Gosh, you tackled a hard topic and spoke so eloquently and positively on it. I'm a new book-tube viewer, and I think you hit the nail on the head on a lot of the videos that I've (binged) watched. I look forward to watching more of your videos!
"You talk about books, y'all." :) I literally laughed out loud at this. Great video, great commentary! Thank you for adding some much-needed diversity and wit to Booktube! I just subscribed. :)
Oh my goodness, bless you for making this video! I only recently started watching a lot of BookTube videos in summer 2017, but I've quickly grown more and more disenchanted with how there is a lack of diversity in the spotlighted part of BookTube. Everything you have said in this video are things that should be addressed more often, but not only did you address these matters, you did so in such a wonderfully thoughtful, mature manner. You're so calm and collected, and you have the utmost respect from me for everything you've said and how you said it.
I'm so glad I found your channel and video. As someone who doesn't tend to read YA and is mostly oblivious to new releases in that genre, it was a breath of fresh air. Most booktubers seem to rely heavily on contemporary and YA book titles as their recommendations so I end up feeling like an outsider whenever I stumble in. But I seriously am loving the fact that you did a vlog discussing 'food wars' which I've been utterly obsessed by recently. I guess what I'm trying to say is that, it's really cool that you have a different style and reading taste, because there's probably a ton of watchers/readers who have the same and are essentially avoiding booktube because there's not much here for them.
As African-American, I am constantly on the hunt for diverse booktubers. Not only in color but the books being discussed. And having said that I'm glad I stumbled on your video! I've been thinking about starting a booktube channel and might give it a go, if I can get over my camera shyness. Thanks for keeping it real!
This is your first video that I'm watching and you I'm impressed. Normally it takes me 5 or 6 video to click that subscribe button. I agree with everything you said. Booktube lacks diversity and because of that I was hesitant to start my own Booktube channel. Thank you for the little push I needed to make up my mind to start my own channel. Booktube is not about the number of views or subscribers;it's about sharing the passion of reading books. It is not about others , it's about you and what you love to read. Thank you once again, From a future Booktuber.
Maybe because nobody of color has made a reading video. I'm sure if they did, it would be here. I can ask why all of the 'my hygiene' videos are of people of color. I see no white people talking about their personal hygiene routine. Why is that? White people care about hygiene too.
Yassss boo! I was just talking to my husband about this, cause sometimes he watches them with me, and his famous line is, "but you don't read those books" which makes me thankful and happy when I 1. see my black female Booktubers and 2. they read a wide variety of things like I do so I don't feel different or "left out". I swear to goddess, you and a few other of my fav Booktubers make me want to make my own channel and get the books that I feel are awesome out there, cause of you, I brought some more manga lol. oh I believe you can get some cool mugs from Etsy, just type in your fandom and go forth.
Great video!! This is a topic that truly needs to be addressed and you did so in a wonderfully direct way. I have found some wonderful booktubers that embrace diversity in reading and have searched out booktubers from a variety of backgrounds and races. Doing so has really expanded my TBR list and opened me up to new authors and genres.
COMPLETELY AGREED !!! there are only books of specific genre people talk about on youtube and plus I can't keep up with all the new books out there. I only read what I believe I should read. thanks for sharing what no one had said yet.
I love listening to you! I found your channel through a Facebook post in a black women's book group! I listen to your videos while I work and I love every second of it! Just want to let you know that you really make my day!
I loved this video & I can relate to what you're talking about. Diversity in reading is so incredibly important (in every aspect) & I admire that you're drawing more attention to the issue.
I just found you this week thanks to YT suggestions. Love your videos! There is definitely a lack of diversity in booktube. Bree Hill is the only African American booktuber I knew of which says a lot.
"You talk about books y'all! You do realize that right?" Love that quote and love the message. It's so honest and this community is great but parts does need to change in parts.
I freaking love you. I am happy too see as many ethnicities, genders, sexualities, genres, ages, everything. I have been struggling because I want to start making booktube videos because I don't have any reader friends in my life and I just simply want people to talk to. I am much older than most of the booktubers I watch and I want to talk about all of the books I read, and I read way more than just YA. You have a new subscriber and I'm so happy I found you.
Loved this discussion. The reason I subscribed to you in the first place is BECAUSE the books you read and talked about and suggested were just so different and there was such a variety in genres and topics. It was refreshing! Which is why I also subscribe to Samantha as well. The two of you are the only booktubers I'm subbed to that the moment I notice a new video has posted I'll always click on it right away. Not to say that I don't also subscribe to some of those "big" booktubers. I do enjoy my YA quite a bit so it's nice to have a place where I can keep up to date on all the new stuff coming out. But I don't consistently watch everything they put out there either just because it all ends up being the same and blending together. Which gets old and boring fast. But when I'm looking for something different and something that isn't ridiculously hyped and constantly being shoved down everyone's throats I know that I have people out there like you who I can get those things from. So I appreciate your channel and content big time! I'm just gonna stop there because I could literally write a novel here (kind of did basically). But I'm so glad that I found your channel. Keep doing what you're doing because there are a bunch of people out here, like myself, who love it and love your variety and suggestions AND your face haha :)Oh P.S. an online store that I heard about a couple weeks ago (because I live under a rock) Society6 has this wide variety of stuff they sell including coffee/tea mugs and there are bookish creators on there so you can find stuff with book quotes or bookish themed items along with all sorts of other artsy type items. I don't know. Just wanted to throw that randomness out there since at the start of the video you said something about your tea mug lol Have a great day lovely!!
+Sheri B (Tangled Up In Books) I always love your comments because they are so well thought out and put together. And thanks so much for your love and support! I appreciate you so much! :)
I literally just subscribed to you because of this video. I just started watching booktube a week or 2 ago and I hate how much YA is in other channels because I don't reach as much YA anymore. It's just all the same to me anymore. I like the idea that you talk about other genres. I read so much and want to hear more people talk about other genres.I'm looking forward to watching more of your videos.
Hey there! I am brand new to your channel and am excited that I found you! I have been watching booktube for 6 or 7 years but have been on and off of it at different points throughout then. You have a refreshing take on it as I agree with your points about diversity and not only featuring ya (as great as it is). I love a LOT of genres and I like watching others who do too because I learn about books I may have never even set my eyes on. Super glad to watch your vids and hear about the books you read! Great vid girl! "Some of the best books are not YA." Love when you said that...so true! And I would like to think that the average book lover/reader is less ignorant to ever put focus on skin color, so I hope no one has done that in terms of what book channel they like or do not like. I hope that book lovers can unite and come together in a way that we don't see very often in the human population. Anyway..happy reading! What is your fav tea? :)
I actually got this when I watched alot of other TH-camrs... Their bookshelves is FILLED with YA and ALL their reviews and "discussions" is typically the same. Thank you for spilling hot tea in this video. Keeping it 100% real. And I think that's what missing in our world.
That *sips tea* moment killed me. I particularly liked your comments on reading YA (that's what I mostly read), because the majority of the booktubers I've encountered talk about the same books. Basically whatever is hyped up at that moment. I've rarely heard anyone mention the We Need Diverse Books movement or any other movements that promote diversity within YA books. There IS a way to read one type of book, but still keep it diverse, and I don't think people really take that into consideration enough. There is so much more diversity in YA now than there ever was when I was a teen, and it kind of blows my mind that most booktubers aren't taking advantage of that more.
I find you to be very genuine in this video. I noticed when I first got into Booktube a few months ago but I wasn't sure if I was just making something out of nothing.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for this video. Although I personally mostly read YA I just finished collage (at 26) and I am now I fully educated librarian. Some may think that (with my age) I should read more adult books and classics, and I do love the classics. I mean Jules Vern and Bram Stoker are just some of my fav authors, but I have found that most here on TH-cam only talk about the lates YA. I have been in school for the last five years and reading anything fiction while studying was impossible for me at that moment in my life. I am just now (five years later) getting back into fiction and I am trying to read up on all of the good books I have missed out on. But it would be so nice to see YA booktubers also discussing more classic, and mat least more new adult books from different genres other then function and fantasy. So thank you so much for such a wonderful and heartfelt video. I wish you all the best and (even though it´s a bit early) a happy Christmas.^^
I really liked hearing your opinion on this topic! I agree with many of the people below me in the comments saying they subscribe to someone specifically because the video maker is different, reads different, & doesn't just fit into the mold prevalent on booktube. I really enjoy your videos - and I watch because I like your personality & your demeanor, & the way you talk about books. I like the kinds of genres/things you read (you've led me to many great graphic novels, for example). I think the only way we can get better as a community is to continue to look for & subscribe to channels we want to see more of... this takes time and effort, but it's the only way. I found you by watching many many many recommended videos when I first joined booktube and I'm really happy I did.
I needed you two months ago! I joined booktube to discuss my love of books but I became wrapped up on the hype of booktube and getting subscribers. It made me discouraged because I felt awful for not reading popular books, not getting likes or subscribers or comments. It made me feel awful. That being said, my thoughts have turned around. I am slowly coming back to where I started because I can't care about that anymore. I am a reader and I want to discuss my reading with other readers. Thank you for your discussion! I subbed :)
Amazing discussion video! I haven't been on booktube for very long so I don't really have a lot to add for certain parts of your discussion but there were somethings I noticed before I decided to start my own channel. One of the main things was that most of the people getting the most views/subscribers are talking about YA. I admit that I was one of those people that pretty much read only YA outside of school reading but lately I've been trying to read books from more genres and I've noticed it's harder to find booktubers that talk about genres other than YA. I could probably sit here and write a whole paper agree and going into detail on each point you made but I will save you have to read more than what I already wrote. Like I said before, amazing discussion and I'm looking forward to your next video.
*sips tea* being a (new) black booktuber, has been difficult. I asked a popular booktuber one time why booktube wasn't diverse. (I didn't get an answer btw) Why aren't black booktuber at conventions, interviewing authors, getting opportunities, etc? Anyway, I totally just subscribed! I'm glad to have discovered you!
I am a relatively new subscriber, so I'm just now watching this but I, as always, love the way you answer these questions and reflect on Booktube diversity so fairly and eloquently. I wonder if any of your answers have changed. Would love to see an updated analysis - if you have filmed it, I'll look for it!
Very late to this video but I'm so glad you made it and I agree; I also think older booktubers have such insight into the book world that gets missed out on because popular booktubers are usually college/post-grad age. Lovely video!
This is 100% the reason why I want to become a Booktuber or even TH-camr in general! I am a mixed girl and there aren't very many people like me. I'm so happy for this channel and the others I have found that I can relate to. I read mystery/suspense/thriller and in the Booktuber community there aren't many hauls/tbr/book reviews out there for me. I do like Booktube because it showed me many fantasy books and other things I would have never picked up myself. However, Fantasy seems to be the main genre. I would love to have the strength like you to make my own videos. The fact you even brought this topic to attention is amazing and well deserved to be spoken about. I am so proud of you! The diversity with color or even gender aren't the only things that should change but the types of genres and video types! Hopefully one day I have the strength that you have.
"....you do talk about books, y'all" That line just cracked me up! Loved watching this video, and think it's an incredibly important discussion to have. As a white female booktuber, it stands out even to me how much diversity fills my subscription feed every morning. I'm working on changing that, though, and I think (as with most media) it's a matter of taking the extra effort to seek out those channels from people of color, or men, or who don't read YA, etc. Thanks for being willing to have this conversation honestly and you've got a VERY EXCITED new subscriber! :D
you are a wonderful person, and this video is perfectly executed. i love how you just sit down and actually discuss with viewers, and i have to thank you because after watching this i feel better about how I'm doing my videos. so thank you for being so real :).
Ashley, I've come to your BookTube for the first time, and and am very glad I did, because you are bringing up some really important issues around race, books, and BookTube viewer data. I have also seen more than a few other BookTube videos asks these questions, so it's important that we all listen and ask ourselves some questions as to what, why, and how we choose to watch these. YA novels do seem to be prevalent on the videos, and the audiences are prevalently white. I think we can have two kinds of BookTubes: those that are specific to a genre (as a poet, I'd love to see more BookTube poetry); and those that cover many genres, of many and inclusive races and experiences of literature. BookTube videos, their best, also have to be engaging, smart, professionally presented and ultimately, informative. There seems to be a segregation, which I don't find helpful in many ways. However, if I want to know more about specific literature -- especially African American literature and writers, I know I can find them, and I do. The need for specificity -- of various kinds of BookTube main subjects is fine, but yes, each of them needs to be more diverse. My god, literature is so diverse, and the contribution of African American writers is enormous, both historically and in contemporary writing. Racism -- the ignorance of wanting to recognize and know any other than ourselves, will happen. The way to change that is for all BookTubers to become aware of what they can do to be more inclusive. Perhaps a BookTube Forum on race, with a few Tubers getting together and examining this reality, would help -- and perhaps make a change. Word of mouth is important. Those of us who know presentations such as yours and others, need to keep our mouths going and get the word out about what people are missing. Such presentations as, "Diversity Stats and BookTube,' 'Why Is BookTube So White,' and 'BookTube's Diversity Problem,' need to be watched. Because diversity means exactly that: a multitude of ethnic experiences and literatures. But thank you for adding to the conversation, which is important. People just don't have any idea what they are missing out on.
I'm glad you are staying true to you. There are people who enjoy various genres in addition to YA and we are thankful for those who love reading and provide variety.
OMG, I love this video and you're so honest about everything. I've been following booktube for quite sometime and you just punch the living hell out of those naive traits in this community. Let's not get into those immature dramas they have via other social medias. I'm just so glad you discussed such on point topics. Great job!
I am glad I found you. I have been searching TH-cam for book reviews and all I could find are females who read Y A books and romance. That is definitely not my thing. Yep, Booktube lacks book diversity, it's too bad - there are so many good books to read, old and new and not enough time to read them all. I love mysteries but I also like historical fiction. I will read almost anything except biographies and documentaries, like a girlfriend of mine, I swore after college I would never read non-fiction again. I don't know if anyone is reading the Butterfly Garden by Dot Hutchison, but I would like to see comments of those who have. Keep reading!
So I’ve just come across this video and was profoundly encouraged to go ahead and create a book tube channel. I don’t have many of the latest books, actually any. I do have many classics and random books that I treasure. I was struck by the idea after watching one of my favorite booktubers and also looking for a review of a series I’d read and could not find! Tfs ma’am and for being transparent 🙂
You are so well spoken. I agree with you on everything so said. You have gained a sub because of your honesty. You are awesome and I look forward to watching you more!
I just recently found your channel but I love your point of view. I stopped watching book tube for a while because I feel like all everyone talks about is YA which I used to love but frankly cant really relate to anymore and have little interest in reading. We need more diversity in not only the people who make booktube videos but also the books and authors being represented on booktube
Why am I just seeing this video!? I feel you on all of this, not just being a black booktuber, because I mean that's not something we can help, but I've been wanting to try breaking from reading on YA and just find books that I'm interested in, regardless of who the book is catered to. I love how you defined diversity by not only how the reader looks, but what they read because I feel like it gets ignored so much.
Really enjoyed your honesty and authenticity in this video. Looking forward to watching your future videos - and especially to being exposed to more books that aren't YA through your channel!
I'm really glad you're highlighting this issue. As a high school teacher I was always shocked at the lack of resources for my minority students! Thank you for this!
I love that you made this video! I have a lot of African American Literature and want to share them to educate others, and this was one of my concerns. However, I cannot wait to begin starting my videos
This video right here!!!!!!! 1st I think you will find a book related mug at Barnes and Nobles, Marshall or tj maxx or Amazon. I just recently discovered booktube and the first thing I thought of is ummmmm there is a lot of YA. I read everything self development, finance, classics, historical fiction, books by African American authors, memoirs. So when I discovered booktube and didn't see many ppl who love the diversity that I do it threw me off a little. Booktube actually introduced to me to YA because I typically don't even think to go look for those types of books. So that's one I can say. I hope that's not the fact in regards to race but I will soon find out when I start making videos about books. You have to be the change you want to see in the community. This was a great discussion, thank you for sharing your thoughts.
I totally agree with you on this topic. I typically read YA, but I'm trying to read more adult novels. I find it's really hard to find suggestions for adult novels on booktube. I hope to see booktube grow in diversity in future years both in books and race. Your video was very well worded, thanks for sharing. :)
Thank you for this very empowering, refreshing video! I am contemplating starting my own channel and this was a much-needed perspective. I'm a brown woman yet I think one area of Booktube's lack of diversity that gives me pause is actually age. Most people I see are in their 20s, so that's a little intimidating (I'm turning 40 this year).
I have so much love for this video. Honestly through the whole thing I was just like yes, preach! Lol I love how you talked about that diversity is not just about your skin color/ethnicity. I am white but I am 30 years old, I read a lot of genres that I do not see really at all on booktube. My favorite genre is Christian suspense/thriller, though I can not find hardly anyone talking about that on here. I also love nonfiction books. Again not a huge selection of nonfiction readers on booktube. I do read YA, but that only takes up up about 40% of the books that I read. I am disabled. I have cognitive and physical disabilities which are invisible. Once more, there are very few people I have seen on here with these types of disabilities. I 100% percent support able-bodied, and YA readers. But I do agree that there needs to be more representation of the community as a whole. I love that you mentioned that if someone has a problem with your skin tone it’s their problem not yours. I think that is a beautiful way to look at. It is so sad that there is even a question of weather are you not getting enough views because you are not white. When I consider subscribing to someone, it has to do with their content, who they are as a person, and whether or not I like the books that they talk about. Their skin color, ethnicity, religion, gender.... none of that stuff matters to me at all. If I like your content I will subscribe to you, plain and simple and I wish that people would do the same for me not just sub because of some superficial judgments by my looks or race or whatever. I’m excited to checkout your other videos and see what kind of books you talk about :)
A wholehearted thank you for making this video. I absolutely relate to your opinion and view on reading more and diverse literature. I'm glad i came across your video. :)
Just found your channel and this is the first video I watched on it. I love everything that you said, and more importantly I love that you do read things outside of YA. While I do enjoy many other booktubers that read nothing but YA, I do find it a bit disappointing when they all seem to be talking about the same books within a few days of each other, it makes me not want to watch their videos cause I know it will be more gushing about the exact same thing everyone else said - which also generally turns me off of those books. You have a new subscriber in me and I look forward to watching more of your videos.
Great video. Earned a subscriber for it. As much I like booktube, I felt like I couldn't make a channel because no one would care about the books I read that are fairly wide-ranging. I like to use booktube to find out about more good books, but sometimes the bias to the latest YA novels is discouraging. Thanks for this.
Great video! I'm fairly new to bootube and I follow other booktubers who read things that I'm interested in and who make videos I enjoy, and they all span across different races, ethnicities, and cultures, but you're right that booktube does seem to lack diversity as a whole. I do think you're also right about the genres of books discussed having a big impact on numbers of viewers, and again I agree that there is a lack of diversity in genres on booktube (YA rules the tubes, it seems!). I had to hunt around a LOT to find some booktubers who focused on adult fantasy/urban fantasy, horror, general fiction (with no YA mixed in). They do exist, but they're much smaller channels and don't get featured as often. I don't know though if maybe it's because the booktube audience as a whole are just more likely to be YA fans more than any other genre - is there a big enough audience on youtube for adult books (and non fiction) to ever equal the amount of YA booktubers/fans? I don't know.
+Natalie Westgate great point! The audience for different genres may not be on the same level as those who are fans of YA. I didn't think about that, but that is a great observation.
You are a gem, great discussion! I personally am okay with YA being so prevalent in booktube, mostly because lots of people in the community are YA fans, and to me that's totally fine if people talk about books they love, and it just happens to be YA. I do tend to enjoy when people do discuss adult and YA though too because I can get some different recommendations
Hi. young lady i just wanted to let you know that i love the book Americanah please don't leave keep this up there are many out there that don't about these black authors you have talked about good books that i'm interested in i knew nothing about this lady until i came on your channel thanks so much and i'm looking foward to seeing more of your recommends
I love your points in this video. You are so right about the flood of YA books being reviewed. I have found that the adult themed books are just not being shared and there are so many great authors out there that are just being ignored. And that is sad, in my opinion. Thank you for posting this video. Now I'm off to check out some of your other videos. Have a great day!!
Great video! I just discovered booktube about a week ago! The first day I was super excited, and the second day I was like...these are all 20 year olds reading only YA...🙄 I like some YA, but I definitely don't want to read that all the time. So I'm excited to hear about your tastes and recs!
You know I first started this video thinking I was going to get highly annoyed. However it went in a completely different direction than I expected and I love it! Growing up the sick kid has also saved my life. RL Stine was the Stephen King of the YA back in my day. He got me through many surgeries. I can't watch the YA reviews anymore. While I read YA I can't keep hearing reviews about Cassandra Clare! I'm going to subscribe to your channel!
I have noticed the lack of diversity. I do enjoy YA a lot but I'm interested in branching out more. I've been looking for books outside of my comfort level/something new. 😃 I think it's good you are talking about this topic. I'm excited to check out the rest of your videos.
I do find that Booktube is very YA heavy and that it centers on popular authors. I, like you, have never been one to jump on the popular wagon in many aspects. I have found that the people I subscribe to on Booktube are the people who have a wider taste and read similarly to myself in some aspects. And, if I come across a Booktuber of Color (BOC) I almost always subscribe to their channel. I support all shades of color, especially in the Booktube community. Thank you for shedding your light on your views of the lack of diversity.
So glad I found your channel. I totally get where you are coming from. I usually watch a booktuber based on the types of books they feature and if I can stand the sound of their voice. LOL!!! Because I grew up before YA was actually a thing, I am actually loving all the current YA I didn't have in my life as a young adult reader. Sam from Thoughts on Tomes, Chelsea Palmer, Sam from Novels and Nonsense and Lindsey Rey (totally missing her channel) are definitely a few of my faves. I do get really excited when I find a youtuber that reads mystery, thrillers, horror, and new adult in addition to YA. I tend to bounce around all these genres, trying to add a few more classics and non-fiction in the mix. I must confess, I have strayed away from black youtubers whose channels seem to focus solely on black lit. I've gotten so excited when I would find someone, but then everything reviewed is cultural non-fiction or fiction based tales of overcoming.
(Cont.) Having grown up in Mississippi and it always being in the back and foreground of our existence, I'm at the point where I look for an escape and entertainment in my reading. There are many books in this genre that are must reads for me (Between the World and Me), but they are generally broken up with a healthy dose of fiction. I'll definitely be going back and watching all your previous videos.
Thank you so much for the feedback. I love when viewers take the time to really comment and give their full opinion on my material. So happy that you enjoyed.
For mugs, I suggest you get yourself to an art shop where they have potters goods. My favorite mug and honey pot are hand thrown, they are perfectly balanced, and the glazes can be beautiful. I think my mug was $40. You can find them for $20.
I just learned of the term "Booktube" about 2 days ago. I've found that so many of the tubers are very perky and expressive (nothing wrong with that and I've subscribed to some of them because I enjoy their enthusiasm) but you touch on some interesting points regarding YA. So many of them are so young, (like 15 years younger than I am) and I've only watched 3 or 4 different channels and they are all the same types of books. It's interesting. I'm subscribing to you because you're a different type of channel. :)
Could you make videos about "niche" booktubers you follow, especially those who have a more diverse tbr ? I saw videos like this on Jean Bookishthoughts and I like them because it helped me to discover more people.
AMEN. re: your points on not getting as much love if you don't read as much YA. I'm not a booktuber, but I definitely find it hard to find booktubers who are actually talking about books I want to read.
Contemporary, non romance and literary fiction. I think almost every book blogger I've seen reads some of these. I find that A LOT lean sci-fi/fantasy and if they're not learning there, it's heavily on the classics. I also must admit that I don't explore booktubers as much as I look for book bloggers.
I've been thinking about starting a booktube channel so I'm revisiting this video for your inspirational words. Hopefully I will actually get around to uploading a video.
Loved this video!!! You brought up some great points that I definitely agree with. I do feel like sometimes I'm the only Hispanic male on booktube. Lol. So it would be great to see more diversity. I've always read diversely and keep my channel subscriptions diverse also. I love watching all different kinds of people talk about all different kinds of books.
Love that you read more than YA I just found booktube recently and have been bored w all the YA ( I do read it but I read sooo much more than that) I will def be checking out your videos !!
"Sips tea" LMAO you're awesome! I often get carried away by hype, but then I read the book and just... get so disappointed. Especially lately books haven't been so great (don't know why though, more people trying to cash in on the same used tropes?). Great video!
haha I'm glad you enjoyed that part. I understand where you're coming from. That's why I've been trying to read and recommend lesser known titles to people who still want to read good books, but don't necessarily want to deal with the hype.
I completely agree with you! I'm brand new to watching _booktube_ and have been having a difficult time finding channels that are *not* geared to YA (and Fantasy because...they seem to go hand-in-hand, at least in my limited 'research'; also...not knocking anyone who reads YA/Fantasy, it's just not my deal). I read mostly mysteries, historical fiction and a little non-fiction, but I'm trying to broaden my horizons and so I'm just looking for people to watch who are relatable, ya know?! ;-) Anyway, I subbed and am looking forward to getting to know you! ♥
I go out of my way to find Booktubers of colour. And I'm glad I stumbled upon your channel. There is a lack of diversity in Booktube in terms of channels available and books being reviewed. I find the more popular booktubers tend to come across as marketing managers and I find that unappealing. Great vid.
Wow, I really liked this video. I've been thinking about booktubing, just so that can talk about books I like, even if it's to myself. But I thought I wouldn't fit in very well because most of the booktubers I have seen, I didn't like the books others like. I read things like The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and Gathering Blue, older, yet highly enjoyable books. I am also an African-American female who is generally shy, so to want to do videos is kinda shocking. Cool video and I am totally subbed!!
I had originally been wanting to learn to create a video to become part of this whole booktube thing because I really LOVE books and want to share that love. But for a while now, I been discouraged because I am not really into YA. Sure, I read Harry Potter, and some of my favorite books are considered to be YA. Like Invitation To The Game! Then I found your channel, and who knows? I might still try. It is good to see someone else who likes to read a lot of different books!! And I agree with those who said you are very engaging when you speak. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I thought it was a very interesting video, and you just got yourself a subscription. ^_^
+april harrison definitely give it a try even if you don't read YA. We need different content in this community. There are too many books in the world for us to continue reading the same ones over and over.
an idea for how you can get a bookish mug, look for a local ceramics shop that will let you put glaze on bisque wear and after the glaze fire it will be ready to use
I know I'm late to the game here - but I've had a hard time finding booktubers who aren't YA/Fantasy readers!!! I think part of it is how or who You Tube chooses to promote (on the side when you view a video). I watched a Booktube Newbie video and the woman was British and she said she couldn't find any British Booktubers - now most of my subscriptions are to British Booktubers and I'm from the U.S. Go figure. I like to get out of my comfort zone occasionally and read YA & Fantasy - but definitely not all the time. I've really been searching for other readers like myself - I read all over the place as well. Take care. Connie
Love this video so much! I’ve been getting tired of YA recently and am hoping in 2019 to try some new genres and branch out to reading better books. I’ve never purposely just read YA but I realized that I mostly have middle grade, YA, and classics so since I recently subscribed I’m definitely going to go through and see what recommendations you have. I love everything you said by the way ❤️
Hi!And it´s the same with bloggers, I´m a mexicana blogger and it´s almost the same thing. Booktube and litblogs are for show the love for booksYou´re amazing, continue like that!
I'm a little late to this video, but glad I found it. You earned yourself a subscriber with this. I completely agree with what you said. I am in the process of trying to start up my booktube, and as I was doing some research, I noticed exactly what you are talking about. The majority of booktubers are exactly as you put it. One thing I also want to point out also is..there is a lack of male booktubers. For every 20 women, there is 1 guy. And it makes me sad. There is nothing wrong at all about being a white, YA reading female. But there really is (as you put it) a lack of diversity. Where are the males? Where are the reviews on other genres? It really does swing in one direction, and Its a little confusing to me onto why. I'm not trying to start any sort of genre/race war, just wanting to show you that someone else also notices this trend, and it''s a little perplexing.
Bookish Realm Good to know! That helps give me some drive and motivation to create some content! I don't read YA either so hopefully i can help bring a little bit of a different perspective to things and to different books.
I also think some people, teenagers like myself, almost feel confined to reading YA books. I mean, this could be me personally. A few years ago I tried reading outside of YA and I read something that I wasn't age appropriately ready for, I think, and it kind of put me in this sort of YA box. I think it's awesome you do book talks outside YA and I think that if more people knew about good books outside of YA, if they were as talked about as YA bestsellers, then maybe we'd have a more diverse reading community. I don't know. I only just started reading classics like Sherlock Holmes or Dante's Inferno and the older works. So maybe I'm just trying to say thank you for saying this.
Something I've noticed since I been on booktube. I'm always on the hunt for book tubers of color or who read a wide variety of books like me.
That would be me :)
"Wide Variety Books like me " 99% of your Books are Just based on ethnicity. All black Books which is 100% ok but thats not a variety of Books...this channel does have a variety of different books and genres ect your channel doesn't
Great discussion video! One of Toni Morrison's famous quote, “If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.” is how I feel about Booktube. To see the channels that promote diversity someone has to create them. My favorite videos to watch and comment on are booktubers with fewer subscribers. The exchange is very genuine.
+Pretty Brown Eye Reader Great quote! I couldn't have said it better myself! :)
"I'm comfortable in my skin. And if someone else isn't comfortable with my skin, that's their own damn problem. That has nothing to do with me."
Amen. #Bless
This was very well said. I never even thought about the diversity of BookTube, but I have definitely noticed that Young Adult is the main focus on here, and as a thriller, horror, and indie reader I wish that was more focused throughout the BookTuber world.
Perhaps, if enough of us ban together (I have a BookTube on a different channel: TheDragonQueen), we can share those books, and support each other to try to get non-YA books back on the map. :) Great job on your video! Keep on being you!
Thank you so much and I really like that idea! : )
Your words really resonate with me about the diversity needed in this community. The focus on YA, while I love YA books so much, did make me feel a little like I maybe don't fit in or there isn't a bunch for me here as an older woman who reads older books as opposedto new releases and hyped books. There are millions that I haven't yet read! Part of that is my fault, I follow three booktubers before you. That's not going to give me a well rounded book discussion lol! But I definitely see your point and I do agree.
Love this discussion. I appreciate your honesty - representation is everything in communities like this! Of course, I'm a YA booktuber, but what I truly love to see in someone's videos is passion for what they're reading and authenticity in themselves, and you are definitely one of those people.
Thank you so much !!! : )
Thank you so much for this video! I loved hearing your thoughts. I'm excited that I found a channel like yours. Keep reading what you want to read! Reading diversely is so important, and I feel like a lot of people forget that there are so many amazing genres out there because everything gets buried under YA, nothing against YA, but there are so many good books outside of that genre.
Thank you so much for watching! I really appreciate it! : )
I feel you girl. I love booktube, but part of why I love reading so much is because I want to broaden my horizons and then I get on youtube and more than half of the successful booktubers I can find are young white people, just like me. It's really nice when you find someone with a slightly different perspective. And I feel like I don't even wanna watch book hauls anymore because everyone is just pedaling the same books over and over again.
+Iamnotaworm Exactly! If we have enough people doing diverse things we can give people more books to choose from instead of the same books over and over again.
Gosh, you tackled a hard topic and spoke so eloquently and positively on it. I'm a new book-tube viewer, and I think you hit the nail on the head on a lot of the videos that I've (binged) watched. I look forward to watching more of your videos!
Thank you!!! : )
"You talk about books, y'all." :) I literally laughed out loud at this. Great video, great commentary!
Thank you for adding some much-needed diversity and wit to Booktube! I just subscribed. :)
lol glad you enjoyed and thanks so much for subscribing!
Oh my goodness, bless you for making this video! I only recently started watching a lot of BookTube videos in summer 2017, but I've quickly grown more and more disenchanted with how there is a lack of diversity in the spotlighted part of BookTube. Everything you have said in this video are things that should be addressed more often, but not only did you address these matters, you did so in such a wonderfully thoughtful, mature manner. You're so calm and collected, and you have the utmost respect from me for everything you've said and how you said it.
Thank you so much for watching : )
I'm so glad I found your channel and video. As someone who doesn't tend to read YA and is mostly oblivious to new releases in that genre, it was a breath of fresh air. Most booktubers seem to rely heavily on contemporary and YA book titles as their recommendations so I end up feeling like an outsider whenever I stumble in.
But I seriously am loving the fact that you did a vlog discussing 'food wars' which I've been utterly obsessed by recently.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that, it's really cool that you have a different style and reading taste, because there's probably a ton of watchers/readers who have the same and are essentially avoiding booktube because there's not much here for them.
I'm glad that you have enjoyed my videos so far!! And it really is nice to read books that aren't necessarily always focused on YA!
Just found your channel and I am obsessed. You are so real and honest and I have missed seeing that in my subscription box!
thank you !
As African-American, I am constantly on the hunt for diverse booktubers. Not only in color but the books being discussed. And having said that I'm glad I stumbled on your video! I've been thinking about starting a booktube channel and might give it a go, if I can get over my camera shyness. Thanks for keeping it real!
Thanks for watching and definitely go for making a channel.
This is your first video that I'm watching and you I'm impressed. Normally it takes me 5 or 6 video to click that subscribe button. I agree with everything you said. Booktube lacks diversity and because of that I was hesitant to start my own Booktube channel. Thank you for the little push I needed to make up my mind to start my own channel. Booktube is not about the number of views or subscribers;it's about sharing the passion of reading books. It is not about others , it's about you and what you love to read.
Thank you once again,
From a future Booktuber.
Thank you so much!!
I've noticed this as well. as a black reader it's been difficult finding diverse book tubers an book genres. 😣
TheNessa284 then make a channel and be apart of that diversity instead of saying there isn't much diversity :)
Maybe because nobody of color has made a reading video. I'm sure if they did, it would be here. I can ask why all of the 'my hygiene' videos are of people of color. I see no white people talking about their personal hygiene routine. Why is that? White people care about hygiene too.
Yassss boo! I was just talking to my husband about this, cause sometimes he watches them with me, and his famous line is, "but you don't read those books" which makes me thankful and happy when I 1. see my black female Booktubers and 2. they read a wide variety of things like I do so I don't feel different or "left out". I swear to goddess, you and a few other of my fav Booktubers make me want to make my own channel and get the books that I feel are awesome out there, cause of you, I brought some more manga lol.
oh I believe you can get some cool mugs from Etsy, just type in your fandom and go forth.
+Arlene A. yessssss go for it please! I would love to see you have channel out there! :)
Great video!! This is a topic that truly needs to be addressed and you did so in a wonderfully direct way. I have found some wonderful booktubers that embrace diversity in reading and have searched out booktubers from a variety of backgrounds and races. Doing so has really expanded my TBR list and opened me up to new authors and genres.
+Jeni V. Thank you love!! :)
COMPLETELY AGREED !!! there are only books of specific genre people talk about on youtube and plus I can't keep up with all the new books out there. I only read what I believe I should read. thanks for sharing what no one had said yet.
No problem ! Thanks for watching! : )
I love listening to you! I found your channel through a Facebook post in a black women's book group! I listen to your videos while I work and I love every second of it! Just want to let you know that you really make my day!
I loved this video & I can relate to what you're talking about. Diversity in reading is so incredibly important (in every aspect) & I admire that you're drawing more attention to the issue.
+Rae Of Books thanks so much love!
I just found you this week thanks to YT suggestions. Love your videos! There is definitely a lack of diversity in booktube. Bree Hill is the only African American booktuber I knew of which says a lot.
"You talk about books y'all! You do realize that right?" Love that quote and love the message. It's so honest and this community is great but parts does need to change in parts.
haha thank you for watching! : )
I freaking love you. I am happy too see as many ethnicities, genders, sexualities, genres, ages, everything. I have been struggling because I want to start making booktube videos because I don't have any reader friends in my life and I just simply want people to talk to. I am much older than most of the booktubers I watch and I want to talk about all of the books I read, and I read way more than just YA. You have a new subscriber and I'm so happy I found you.
Thank you so much for watching and for subscribing! : )
Never really thought about it, but it's true. Lack in diversity in colour, gender, age and genre...
I like your positive attitude towards it, though!
Thanks for watching love! : )
Loved this discussion. The reason I subscribed to you in the first place is BECAUSE the books you read and talked about and suggested were just so different and there was such a variety in genres and topics. It was refreshing! Which is why I also subscribe to Samantha as well. The two of you are the only booktubers I'm subbed to that the moment I notice a new video has posted I'll always click on it right away.
Not to say that I don't also subscribe to some of those "big" booktubers. I do enjoy my YA quite a bit so it's nice to have a place where I can keep up to date on all the new stuff coming out. But I don't consistently watch everything they put out there either just because it all ends up being the same and blending together. Which gets old and boring fast.
But when I'm looking for something different and something that isn't ridiculously hyped and constantly being shoved down everyone's throats I know that I have people out there like you who I can get those things from. So I appreciate your channel and content big time!
I'm just gonna stop there because I could literally write a novel here (kind of did basically). But I'm so glad that I found your channel. Keep doing what you're doing because there are a bunch of people out here, like myself, who love it and love your variety and suggestions AND your face haha :)Oh P.S. an online store that I heard about a couple weeks ago (because I live under a rock) Society6 has this wide variety of stuff they sell including coffee/tea mugs and there are bookish creators on there so you can find stuff with book quotes or bookish themed items along with all sorts of other artsy type items. I don't know. Just wanted to throw that randomness out there since at the start of the video you said something about your tea mug lol
Have a great day lovely!!
+Sheri B (Tangled Up In Books) I always love your comments because they are so well thought out and put together. And thanks so much for your love and support! I appreciate you so much! :)
I literally just subscribed to you because of this video. I just started watching booktube a week or 2 ago and I hate how much YA is in other channels because I don't reach as much YA anymore. It's just all the same to me anymore. I like the idea that you talk about other genres. I read so much and want to hear more people talk about other genres.I'm looking forward to watching more of your videos.
+Sesshomaru092 thanks love!
Hey there! I am brand new to your channel and am excited that I found you! I have been watching booktube for 6 or 7 years but have been on and off of it at different points throughout then. You have a refreshing take on it as I agree with your points about diversity and not only featuring ya (as great as it is). I love a LOT of genres and I like watching others who do too because I learn about books I may have never even set my eyes on. Super glad to watch your vids and hear about the books you read! Great vid girl! "Some of the best books are not YA." Love when you said that...so true! And I would like to think that the average book lover/reader is less ignorant to ever put focus on skin color, so I hope no one has done that in terms of what book channel they like or do not like. I hope that book lovers can unite and come together in a way that we don't see very often in the human population. Anyway..happy reading! What is your fav tea? :)
+328Fairy Great points! Thank you so much for adding to the discussion! :) And I would have to say ginger tea and mint tea are my favorite. :)
I actually got this when I watched alot of other TH-camrs... Their bookshelves is FILLED with YA and ALL their reviews and "discussions" is typically the same. Thank you for spilling hot tea in this video. Keeping it 100% real. And I think that's what missing in our world.
No problem! Thanks for watching!
That *sips tea* moment killed me. I particularly liked your comments on reading YA (that's what I mostly read), because the majority of the booktubers I've encountered talk about the same books. Basically whatever is hyped up at that moment. I've rarely heard anyone mention the We Need Diverse Books movement or any other movements that promote diversity within YA books. There IS a way to read one type of book, but still keep it diverse, and I don't think people really take that into consideration enough. There is so much more diversity in YA now than there ever was when I was a teen, and it kind of blows my mind that most booktubers aren't taking advantage of that more.
Great point! I think it definitely is something that we should be taking advantage of!
I find you to be very genuine in this video. I noticed when I first got into Booktube a few months ago but I wasn't sure if I was just making something out of nothing.
Thank you for watching!! : )
Thank you, thank you, thank you for this video.
Although I personally mostly read YA I just finished collage (at 26) and I am now I fully educated librarian. Some may think that (with my age) I should read more adult books and classics, and I do love the classics. I mean Jules Vern and Bram Stoker are just some of my fav authors, but I have found that most here on TH-cam only talk about the lates YA.
I have been in school for the last five years and reading anything fiction while studying was impossible for me at that moment in my life. I am just now (five years later) getting back into fiction and I am trying to read up on all of the good books I have missed out on. But it would be so nice to see YA booktubers also discussing more classic, and mat least more new adult books from different genres other then function and fantasy.
So thank you so much for such a wonderful and heartfelt video. I wish you all the best and (even though it´s a bit early) a happy Christmas.^^
haha thank you for such a heartfelt response! I really appreciate it. And happy early Christmas to you as well love! Thanks for watching! : )
I really liked hearing your opinion on this topic! I agree with many of the people below me in the comments saying they subscribe to someone specifically because the video maker is different, reads different, & doesn't just fit into the mold prevalent on booktube.
I really enjoy your videos - and I watch because I like your personality & your demeanor, & the way you talk about books. I like the kinds of genres/things you read (you've led me to many great graphic novels, for example).
I think the only way we can get better as a community is to continue to look for & subscribe to channels we want to see more of... this takes time and effort, but it's the only way. I found you by watching many many many recommended videos when I first joined booktube and I'm really happy I did.
+splitreads Aww thanks love!! I'm glad you enjoy my channel. I love your comments and your support. You're truly appreciated.
I needed you two months ago! I joined booktube to discuss my love of books but I became wrapped up on the hype of booktube and getting subscribers. It made me discouraged because I felt awful for not reading popular books, not getting likes or subscribers or comments. It made me feel awful. That being said, my thoughts have turned around. I am slowly coming back to where I started because I can't care about that anymore. I am a reader and I want to discuss my reading with other readers. Thank you for your discussion! I subbed :)
Go for it! Don't let anyone discourage you from discussing something you're passionate about. And thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the video.
+Bookish Realm Thanks again!
Amazing discussion video! I haven't been on booktube for very long so I don't really have a lot to add for certain parts of your discussion but there were somethings I noticed before I decided to start my own channel. One of the main things was that most of the people getting the most views/subscribers are talking about YA. I admit that I was one of those people that pretty much read only YA outside of school reading but lately I've been trying to read books from more genres and I've noticed it's harder to find booktubers that talk about genres other than YA. I could probably sit here and write a whole paper agree and going into detail on each point you made but I will save you have to read more than what I already wrote. Like I said before, amazing discussion and I'm looking forward to your next video.
+Brandi Janee's Bookshelf thanks love! I appreciate it!
*sips tea* being a (new) black booktuber, has been difficult. I asked a popular booktuber one time why booktube wasn't diverse. (I didn't get an answer btw) Why aren't black booktuber at conventions, interviewing authors, getting opportunities, etc?
Anyway, I totally just subscribed! I'm glad to have discovered you!
Aww thanks love! And I wonder the same things as well ! : )
I am a relatively new subscriber, so I'm just now watching this but I, as always, love the way you answer these questions and reflect on Booktube diversity so fairly and eloquently. I wonder if any of your answers have changed. Would love to see an updated analysis - if you have filmed it, I'll look for it!
Very late to this video but I'm so glad you made it and I agree; I also think older booktubers have such insight into the book world that gets missed out on because popular booktubers are usually college/post-grad age. Lovely video!
Thank you for watching!! : )
This is 100% the reason why I want to become a Booktuber or even TH-camr in general! I am a mixed girl and there aren't very many people like me. I'm so happy for this channel and the others I have found that I can relate to. I read mystery/suspense/thriller and in the Booktuber community there aren't many hauls/tbr/book reviews out there for me. I do like Booktube because it showed me many fantasy books and other things I would have never picked up myself. However, Fantasy seems to be the main genre. I would love to have the strength like you to make my own videos. The fact you even brought this topic to attention is amazing and well deserved to be spoken about. I am so proud of you! The diversity with color or even gender aren't the only things that should change but the types of genres and video types! Hopefully one day I have the strength that you have.
Aww thank you! If you ever need some encouragement or ideas on how to get started let me know! : )
*standing ovation* VERY well said.
+On Her Reads thanks love!
"....you do talk about books, y'all" That line just cracked me up! Loved watching this video, and think it's an incredibly important discussion to have. As a white female booktuber, it stands out even to me how much diversity fills my subscription feed every morning. I'm working on changing that, though, and I think (as with most media) it's a matter of taking the extra effort to seek out those channels from people of color, or men, or who don't read YA, etc. Thanks for being willing to have this conversation honestly and you've got a VERY EXCITED new subscriber! :D
+TheReadingOutlaw thanks so much love!!
you are a wonderful person, and this video is perfectly executed. i love how you just sit down and actually discuss with viewers, and i have to thank you because after watching this i feel better about how I'm doing my videos. so thank you for being so real :).
Of course! And thank you for taking the time to watch the video!
Ashley, I've come to your BookTube for the first time, and and am very glad I did, because you are bringing up some really important issues around race, books, and BookTube viewer data. I have also seen more than a few other BookTube videos asks these questions, so it's important that we all listen and ask ourselves some questions as to what, why, and how we choose to watch these. YA novels do seem to be prevalent on the videos, and the audiences are prevalently white. I think we can have two kinds of BookTubes: those that are specific to a genre (as a poet, I'd love to see more BookTube poetry); and those that cover many genres, of many and inclusive races and experiences of literature. BookTube videos, their best, also have to be engaging, smart, professionally presented and ultimately, informative. There seems to be a segregation, which I don't find helpful in many ways. However, if I want to know more about specific literature -- especially African American literature and writers, I know I can find them, and I do. The need for specificity -- of various kinds of BookTube main subjects is fine, but yes, each of them needs to be more diverse. My god, literature is so diverse, and the contribution of African American writers is enormous, both historically and in contemporary writing. Racism -- the ignorance of wanting to recognize and know any other than ourselves, will happen. The way to change that is for all BookTubers to become aware of what they can do to be more inclusive. Perhaps a BookTube Forum on race, with a few Tubers getting together and examining this reality, would help -- and perhaps make a change. Word of mouth is important. Those of us who know presentations such as yours and others, need to keep our mouths going and get the word out about what people are missing. Such presentations as, "Diversity Stats and BookTube,' 'Why Is BookTube So White,' and 'BookTube's Diversity Problem,' need to be watched. Because diversity means exactly that: a multitude of ethnic experiences and literatures. But thank you for adding to the conversation, which is important. People just don't have any idea what they are missing out on.
I'm glad you are staying true to you. There are people who enjoy various genres in addition to YA and we are thankful for those who love reading and provide variety.
Thank you so much for watching! : )
OMG, I love this video and you're so honest about everything. I've been following booktube for quite sometime and you just punch the living hell out of those naive traits in this community. Let's not get into those immature dramas they have via other social medias. I'm just so glad you discussed such on point topics. Great job!
Thank you so much for watching!!! ; )
I am glad I found you. I have been searching TH-cam for book reviews and all I could find are females who read Y A books and romance. That is definitely not my thing. Yep, Booktube lacks book diversity, it's too bad - there are so many good books to read, old and new and not enough time to read them all.
I love mysteries but I also like historical fiction. I will read almost anything except biographies and documentaries, like a girlfriend of mine, I swore after college I would never read non-fiction again.
I don't know if anyone is reading the Butterfly Garden by Dot Hutchison, but I would like to see comments of those who have. Keep reading!
Thank you so much for checking out my channel!
So I’ve just come across this video and was profoundly encouraged to go ahead and create a book tube channel. I don’t have many of the latest books, actually any. I do have many classics and random books that I treasure. I was struck by the idea after watching one of my favorite booktubers and also looking for a review of a series I’d read and could not find! Tfs ma’am and for being transparent 🙂
Yay! Definitely create one! And when you do share some of your videos with me!
You are so well spoken. I agree with you on everything so said. You have gained a sub because of your honesty. You are awesome and I look forward to watching you more!
Thank you so much for watching and subscribing!
I just recently found your channel but I love your point of view. I stopped watching book tube for a while because I feel like all everyone talks about is YA which I used to love but frankly cant really relate to anymore and have little interest in reading. We need more diversity in not only the people who make booktube videos but also the books and authors being represented on booktube
Why am I just seeing this video!? I feel you on all of this, not just being a black booktuber, because I mean that's not something we can help, but I've been wanting to try breaking from reading on YA and just find books that I'm interested in, regardless of who the book is catered to. I love how you defined diversity by not only how the reader looks, but what they read because I feel like it gets ignored so much.
thank you so much for your feedback and I'm glad you enjoyed the video!
first of your videos I've seen. Just subscribed. You are a very well spoken woman and I love that you are just being you!
Thank you !
Really enjoyed your honesty and authenticity in this video. Looking forward to watching your future videos - and especially to being exposed to more books that aren't YA through your channel!
Thanks for watching love!!! : )
very well said race, gender and if your not talking about YA means your channel gets far less
I'm really glad you're highlighting this issue. As a high school teacher I was always shocked at the lack of resources for my minority students! Thank you for this!
Thank you for watching! : )
I love that you made this video! I have a lot of African American Literature and want to share them to educate others, and this was one of my concerns. However, I cannot wait to begin starting my videos
This is my first video I have watched by you and I love it! I can't wait to watch more of your videos!
Thank you!
This video right here!!!!!!! 1st I think you will find a book related mug at Barnes and Nobles, Marshall or tj maxx or Amazon. I just recently discovered booktube and the first thing I thought of is ummmmm there is a lot of YA. I read everything self development, finance, classics, historical fiction, books by African American authors, memoirs. So when I discovered booktube and didn't see many ppl who love the diversity that I do it threw me off a little. Booktube actually introduced to me to YA because I typically don't even think to go look for those types of books. So that's one I can say. I hope that's not the fact in regards to race but I will soon find out when I start making videos about books. You have to be the change you want to see in the community. This was a great discussion, thank you for sharing your thoughts.
+MegTheMaven I didn't think about that! I definitely would check those places out. And thanks for the love and support!
You're welcome!!!
I totally agree with you on this topic. I typically read YA, but I'm trying to read more adult novels. I find it's really hard to find suggestions for adult novels on booktube. I hope to see booktube grow in diversity in future years both in books and race. Your video was very well worded, thanks for sharing. :)
thank you !
Thank you for this very empowering, refreshing video! I am contemplating starting my own channel and this was a much-needed perspective. I'm a brown woman yet I think one area of Booktube's lack of diversity that gives me pause is actually age. Most people I see are in their 20s, so that's a little intimidating (I'm turning 40 this year).
I have so much love for this video. Honestly through the whole thing I was just like yes, preach! Lol I love how you talked about that diversity is not just about your skin color/ethnicity. I am white but I am 30 years old, I read a lot of genres that I do not see really at all on booktube. My favorite genre is Christian suspense/thriller, though I can not find hardly anyone talking about that on here. I also love nonfiction books. Again not a huge selection of nonfiction readers on booktube. I do read YA, but that only takes up up about 40% of the books that I read. I am disabled. I have cognitive and physical disabilities which are invisible. Once more, there are very few people I have seen on here with these types of disabilities. I 100% percent support able-bodied, and YA readers. But I do agree that there needs to be more representation of the community as a whole.
I love that you mentioned that if someone has a problem with your skin tone it’s their problem not yours. I think that is a beautiful way to look at. It is so sad that there is even a question of weather are you not getting enough views because you are not white. When I consider subscribing to someone, it has to do with their content, who they are as a person, and whether or not I like the books that they talk about. Their skin color, ethnicity, religion, gender.... none of that stuff matters to me at all. If I like your content I will subscribe to you, plain and simple and I wish that people would do the same for me not just sub because of some superficial judgments by my looks or race or whatever.
I’m excited to checkout your other videos and see what kind of books you talk about :)
A wholehearted thank you for making this video. I absolutely relate to your opinion and view on reading more and diverse literature. I'm glad i came across your video. :)
Thank you !
Just found your channel and this is the first video I watched on it. I love everything that you said, and more importantly I love that you do read things outside of YA. While I do enjoy many other booktubers that read nothing but YA, I do find it a bit disappointing when they all seem to be talking about the same books within a few days of each other, it makes me not want to watch their videos cause I know it will be more gushing about the exact same thing everyone else said - which also generally turns me off of those books. You have a new subscriber in me and I look forward to watching more of your videos.
Thank you so much and I'm so glad you enjoyed the video!
Great video. Earned a subscriber for it. As much I like booktube, I felt like I couldn't make a channel because no one would care about the books I read that are fairly wide-ranging. I like to use booktube to find out about more good books, but sometimes the bias to the latest YA novels is discouraging. Thanks for this.
thank you so much! I'm so glad that you enjoyed the video.
Great video! I'm fairly new to bootube and I follow other booktubers who read things that I'm interested in and who make videos I enjoy, and they all span across different races, ethnicities, and cultures, but you're right that booktube does seem to lack diversity as a whole. I do think you're also right about the genres of books discussed having a big impact on numbers of viewers, and again I agree that there is a lack of diversity in genres on booktube (YA rules the tubes, it seems!). I had to hunt around a LOT to find some booktubers who focused on adult fantasy/urban fantasy, horror, general fiction (with no YA mixed in). They do exist, but they're much smaller channels and don't get featured as often. I don't know though if maybe it's because the booktube audience as a whole are just more likely to be YA fans more than any other genre - is there a big enough audience on youtube for adult books (and non fiction) to ever equal the amount of YA booktubers/fans? I don't know.
+Natalie Westgate great point! The audience for different genres may not be on the same level as those who are fans of YA. I didn't think about that, but that is a great observation.
Reading has saved my life more than once too. Thank you for an interesting and thoughtful video.
Thank you for watching! : )
You are a gem, great discussion! I personally am okay with YA being so prevalent in booktube, mostly because lots of people in the community are YA fans, and to me that's totally fine if people talk about books they love, and it just happens to be YA. I do tend to enjoy when people do discuss adult and YA though too because I can get some different recommendations
Hi. young lady i just wanted to let you know that i love the book Americanah please don't leave keep this up there are many out there that don't about these black authors you have talked about good books that i'm interested in i knew nothing about this lady until i came on your channel thanks so much and i'm looking foward to seeing more of your recommends
I love your points in this video. You are so right about the flood of YA books being reviewed. I have found that the adult themed books are just not being shared and there are so many great authors out there that are just being ignored. And that is sad, in my opinion. Thank you for posting this video. Now I'm off to check out some of your other videos. Have a great day!!
Thank you! : )
Great video! I just discovered booktube about a week ago! The first day I was super excited, and the second day I was like...these are all 20 year olds reading only YA...🙄 I like some YA, but I definitely don't want to read that all the time. So I'm excited to hear about your tastes and recs!
Thank you! I'm glad you found my channel! : )
I just found your channel so I know this is an older vid, but great message. I am new to watching BookTube but look forward to watching your channel.
Thanks for watching love! I hope you enjoy the content! ❤️
You know I first started this video thinking I was going to get highly annoyed. However it went in a completely different direction than I expected and I love it! Growing up the sick kid has also saved my life. RL Stine was the Stephen King of the YA back in my day. He got me through many surgeries. I can't watch the YA reviews anymore. While I read YA I can't keep hearing reviews about Cassandra Clare! I'm going to subscribe to your channel!
haha thanks for watching love! And also for the subscription! Hopefully I have some more books of interest outside of YA
I loved this! :) You have a new subscriber!
thank you so much love!
Girl I'm so late at seeing this but this is what made me start my channel! OMG thanks for posting this I'm glad I came across it!
thanks for watching! : )
I have noticed the lack of diversity. I do enjoy YA a lot but I'm interested in branching out more. I've been looking for books outside of my comfort level/something new. 😃 I think it's good you are talking about this topic. I'm excited to check out the rest of your videos.
I do find that Booktube is very YA heavy and that it centers on popular authors. I, like you, have never been one to jump on the popular wagon in many aspects. I have found that the people I subscribe to on Booktube are the people who have a wider taste and read similarly to myself in some aspects. And, if I come across a Booktuber of Color (BOC) I almost always subscribe to their channel. I support all shades of color, especially in the Booktube community. Thank you for shedding your light on your views of the lack of diversity.
+Jasmine Monroe Thank you! And I appreciate your insight! :)
So glad I found your channel. I totally get where you are coming from. I usually watch a booktuber based on the types of books they feature and if I can stand the sound of their voice. LOL!!! Because I grew up before YA was actually a thing, I am actually loving all the current YA I didn't have in my life as a young adult reader. Sam from Thoughts on Tomes, Chelsea Palmer, Sam from Novels and Nonsense and Lindsey Rey (totally missing her channel) are definitely a few of my faves. I do get really excited when I find a youtuber that reads mystery, thrillers, horror, and new adult in addition to YA. I tend to bounce around all these genres, trying to add a few more classics and non-fiction in the mix. I must confess, I have strayed away from black youtubers whose channels seem to focus solely on black lit. I've gotten so excited when I would find someone, but then everything reviewed is cultural non-fiction or fiction based tales of overcoming.
(Cont.) Having grown up in Mississippi and it always being in the back and foreground of our existence, I'm at the point where I look for an escape and entertainment in my reading. There are many books in this genre that are must reads for me (Between the World and Me), but they are generally broken up with a healthy dose of fiction. I'll definitely be going back and watching all your previous videos.
Thank you so much for the feedback. I love when viewers take the time to really comment and give their full opinion on my material. So happy that you enjoyed.
For mugs, I suggest you get yourself to an art shop where they have potters goods. My favorite mug and honey pot are hand thrown, they are perfectly balanced, and the glazes can be beautiful. I think my mug was $40. You can find them for $20.
I just learned of the term "Booktube" about 2 days ago. I've found that so many of the tubers are very perky and expressive (nothing wrong with that and I've subscribed to some of them because I enjoy their enthusiasm) but you touch on some interesting points regarding YA. So many of them are so young, (like 15 years younger than I am) and I've only watched 3 or 4 different channels and they are all the same types of books. It's interesting.
I'm subscribing to you because you're a different type of channel. :)
Thank you so much for subscribing!
Could you make videos about "niche" booktubers you follow, especially those who have a more diverse tbr ?
I saw videos like this on Jean Bookishthoughts and I like them because it helped me to discover more people.
+MlleBonbonViolette yeaa most definitely! I'll think about doing that next week! :)
AMEN. re: your points on not getting as much love if you don't read as much YA. I'm not a booktuber, but I definitely find it hard to find booktubers who are actually talking about books I want to read.
What books are you interested in?
Contemporary, non romance and literary fiction. I think almost every book blogger I've seen reads some of these. I find that A LOT lean sci-fi/fantasy and if they're not learning there, it's heavily on the classics. I also must admit that I don't explore booktubers as much as I look for book bloggers.
I've been thinking about starting a booktube channel so I'm revisiting this video for your inspirational words. Hopefully I will actually get around to uploading a video.
Definitely go for it! And if you need any types or advice just let me know!
Loved this video!!! You brought up some great points that I definitely agree with. I do feel like sometimes I'm the only Hispanic male on booktube. Lol. So it would be great to see more diversity. I've always read diversely and keep my channel subscriptions diverse also. I love watching all different kinds of people talk about all different kinds of books.
+Latin Lector So do I which is why I absolutely love your channel! :)
+Bookish Realm Awe! Thank you! You have a great channel also. :)
Love that you read more than YA I just found booktube recently and have been bored w all the YA ( I do read it but I read sooo much more than that) I will def be checking out your videos !!
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the video.
"Sips tea" LMAO you're awesome!
I often get carried away by hype, but then I read the book and just... get so disappointed. Especially lately books haven't been so great (don't know why though, more people trying to cash in on the same used tropes?).
Great video!
haha I'm glad you enjoyed that part. I understand where you're coming from. That's why I've been trying to read and recommend lesser known titles to people who still want to read good books, but don't necessarily want to deal with the hype.
I completely agree with you! I'm brand new to watching _booktube_ and have been having a difficult time finding channels that are *not* geared to YA (and Fantasy because...they seem to go hand-in-hand, at least in my limited 'research'; also...not knocking anyone who reads YA/Fantasy, it's just not my deal). I read mostly mysteries, historical fiction and a little non-fiction, but I'm trying to broaden my horizons and so I'm just looking for people to watch who are relatable, ya know?! ;-) Anyway, I subbed and am looking forward to getting to know you! ♥
Aww thanks for the sub! I read all over the place so hopefully I have some stuff that will interest you!
I go out of my way to find Booktubers of colour. And I'm glad I stumbled upon your channel. There is a lack of diversity in Booktube in terms of channels available and books being reviewed. I find the more popular booktubers tend to come across as marketing managers and I find that unappealing. Great vid.
+Michelle Thorne-Lewis thank you!!!
Wow, I really liked this video. I've been thinking about booktubing, just so that can talk about books I like, even if it's to myself. But I thought I wouldn't fit in very well because most of the booktubers I have seen, I didn't like the books others like. I read things like The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and Gathering Blue, older, yet highly enjoyable books. I am also an African-American female who is generally shy, so to want to do videos is kinda shocking. Cool video and I am totally subbed!!
Thanks for subbing! And I'm glad you enjoyed the video.
I had originally been wanting to learn to create a video to become part of this whole booktube thing because I really LOVE books and want to share that love. But for a while now, I been discouraged because I am not really into YA. Sure, I read Harry Potter, and some of my favorite books are considered to be YA. Like Invitation To The Game! Then I found your channel, and who knows? I might still try. It is good to see someone else who likes to read a lot of different books!! And I agree with those who said you are very engaging when you speak.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I thought it was a very interesting video, and you just got yourself a subscription. ^_^
+april harrison definitely give it a try even if you don't read YA. We need different content in this community. There are too many books in the world for us to continue reading the same ones over and over.
an idea for how you can get a bookish mug, look for a local ceramics shop that will let you put glaze on bisque wear and after the glaze fire it will be ready to use
That's a good idea!
You should be a teacher like you voice is so engaging.
lol thanks
I know I'm late to the game here - but I've had a hard time finding booktubers who aren't YA/Fantasy readers!!! I think part of it is how or who You Tube chooses to promote (on the side when you view a video). I watched a Booktube Newbie video and the woman was British and she said she couldn't find any British Booktubers - now most of my subscriptions are to British Booktubers and I'm from the U.S. Go figure. I like to get out of my comfort zone occasionally and read YA & Fantasy - but definitely not all the time. I've really been searching for other readers like myself - I read all over the place as well. Take care. Connie
Love this video so much! I’ve been getting tired of YA recently and am hoping in 2019 to try some new genres and branch out to reading better books. I’ve never purposely just read YA but I realized that I mostly have middle grade, YA, and classics so since I recently subscribed I’m definitely going to go through and see what recommendations you have. I love everything you said by the way ❤️
Hi!And it´s the same with bloggers, I´m a mexicana blogger and it´s almost the same thing. Booktube and litblogs are for show the love for booksYou´re amazing, continue like that!
thank you so much !
I'm a little late to this video, but glad I found it. You earned yourself a subscriber with this.
I completely agree with what you said. I am in the process of trying to start up my booktube, and as I was doing some research, I noticed exactly what you are talking about. The majority of booktubers are exactly as you put it. One thing I also want to point out also is..there is a lack of male booktubers. For every 20 women, there is 1 guy. And it makes me sad.
There is nothing wrong at all about being a white, YA reading female. But there really is (as you put it) a lack of diversity. Where are the males? Where are the reviews on other genres? It really does swing in one direction, and Its a little confusing to me onto why. I'm not trying to start any sort of genre/race war, just wanting to show you that someone else also notices this trend, and it''s a little perplexing.
Thank you for watching and please join booktube! It's so hard to find male booktubers so your presence will definitely be welcomed with open arms.
Bookish Realm
Good to know! That helps give me some drive and motivation to create some content! I don't read YA either so hopefully i can help bring a little bit of a different perspective to things and to different books.
It definitely will !
subscribed. you seem very genuine in your words. well said and I hope to see more from you.
Thank you!
That’s beautifully well put. I’m going to go check out some of your other videos now. :)
So I must know, did you get any bookish mugs?
I sometimes read YA but I got off of booktube for a while because I couldn't find enough booktubers taking about other genres.
I'm so glad I found your channel!
Glad you watched the video love! : )
I also think some people, teenagers like myself, almost feel confined to reading YA books. I mean, this could be me personally. A few years ago I tried reading outside of YA and I read something that I wasn't age appropriately ready for, I think, and it kind of put me in this sort of YA box. I think it's awesome you do book talks outside YA and I think that if more people knew about good books outside of YA, if they were as talked about as YA bestsellers, then maybe we'd have a more diverse reading community. I don't know. I only just started reading classics like Sherlock Holmes or Dante's Inferno and the older works. So maybe I'm just trying to say thank you for saying this.
+Kayla McLoughlin No problem love!! If you ever want some recommendations just let me know!!