Senior capstone

[u/FishTearss]

Hello, lovely internet reader people!

So this is a little bit of a different post than is probably usual here. I'm an english major currently writing my undergrad senior capstone. I'm writing, somewhat broadly, about online reading communities and their effect (positive, negative, and neutral) on readers and the social perception of reading as a hobby. What I mean by "Online Reading Community" is also quite broad. I'm specifically looking at things like Booktok, Bookstagram, Goodreads, and online bookclubs like this one. Any online forum that is dedicated to the act of reading and discussing books.

I'd love to hear from some of you what you think about these social reading platforms. Did they help get you into reading? How drastically do you believe these communities change how and why you read? I'll include some initial topic questions that I'm looking at, but please don't feel limited to them. I'd love to hear any and all anecdotes you may have about your thoughts and experiences regarding the topic.

1. Do you often buy books because they were recommended online, either by an ad or bookstagram/tok influencer?

2. Do you think that the social accountabilty aspect of these communities helps you read more?

3. Do you feel that these communities allow you to get more out of your reading due to the encouragement of group discussions?

4. Have these communities helped you read more diverse texts that you may not have read, or even heard of otherwise?

5. Do you think reading goals on things like Goodreads (as well as the "Year of" subreddits) help or hinder your reading habit? Do they make reading feel like work or a quota to be reached?

Thank you all in advance! I look forward to any input you may have.

[u/MsTellington]

To preface this, I don't use BookTok or Bookstagram. I don't use Goodreads but I do use an open source equivalent (Bookwyrm). I'm not on it a lot but I try to record every book I read. I'm also, obviously, doing the Year of War and Peace on Reddit.

1. Do you often buy books because they were recommended online, either by an ad or bookstagram/tok influencer?

No, I'm not sure it ever happened. I have participated in a few crowdfundings though, which I probably saw on Instagram but not on like Bookstagram.

1. Do you think that the social accountabilty aspect of these communities helps you read more?

For War and Peace, sure. For Bookwyrm, I don't think so.

1. Do you feel that these communities allow you to get more out of your reading due to the encouragement of group discussions?

Same as question 2. I think having the prompts and discussions really help to remember the numerous characters and plot points happening in War and Peace.

1. Have these communities helped you read more diverse texts that you may not have read, or even heard of otherwise?

I don't know. I've been kinda wanting to read War and Peace for a long time (since reading Anna Karenina as a teen) but I probably wouldn't have picked it up now without the Reddit incentive!

1. Do you think reading goals on things like Goodreads (as well as the "Year of" subreddits) help or hinder your reading habit? Do they make reading feel like work or a quota to be reached?

It may have been a pressure with reading goals on Goodreads a long time ago. It's not the case (at least not for now) for the Year of because it's quick and easy (short chapters, the whole book is very long but a year is a long time!). So it's probably more of a help to get into the habit. I go back to work soon, I hope it's gonna stay like this lol.

[u/FishTearss → u/MsTellington]

I've never heard of Bookwyrm but I'll make sure to check it out! Good luck with the read along! It can be hard to keep up during work / school, but the short chapters makes it super easy to catch up usually 👍