you decide you were going to be discussing diverse YA novels? Yes! We started the Diversity book club just recently. It began with a group of booktubers wanting to discuss diversity and representation within the community as a one time thing, but the more that we were talking and planning everything out, the more we realized how important a diverse book club would be! We wanted to encourage people, as well as ourselves, to read more widely. I think it’s incredibly important to have a better understanding of different people in society, not only does it make you more empathic, but more educated on what is going on in society. A diversity book club is very important, and I’m glad you went that route! With discussing diverse novels, some ‘haters’ can be very rude and non inclusive. Are you comfortable sharing your opinion? What advice can you give to others who aren’t so comfortable sharing their opinions? I’m more than comfortable sharing my opinion. The more people that speak out about issues within the community the more likely they are to be handled appropriately. I want to be a part of that and use my platform to help others. If you are worried about speaking out, I would say to not let other voices silence yours. Everyone’s opinion matters. The more that people contribute, the more issues get discussed, and the more we learn from each other. I wouldn’t want anyone to miss out on that type of community because of a few haters. I am so glad! This community is mostly so inclusive, and it’s great that you’re speaking out about diversity in books. That is great advice as well. On that note, What are some diverse reads you would recommend? One that I’ve been recommending a lot recently is Queens of Geek by Jen Wilde. This book is packed with diversity all across the board and everything is really well represented. I talk about it a lot on my channel because of how unique the story is compared to other diverse books that tend to focus on one subsection of diversity discussion. I’ve heard a lot of good things about that book! How do you get cozy when passing time?
For me, I love to light a few of my favorite bookish candles and read in bed! It’s especially nice to do when I’m alone because I’m able to feel more relaxed and concentrate on everything that I’m taking in when I pick up a book. I love to feel relaxed while reading, it helps me concentrate too! What are some reads you’d love to curl up with? My favorite thing to do is pick up a Cassandra Clare book and get lost in it for hours. There is something about her writing for me that is so transcendent and alluring. I can never get enough of it! I’m planning on doing a reread of the TMI and TID series very soon, so I’m thrilled to get to be diving back into the Shadow World! I love to reread my favorite series, too every once in awhile! What kind of beverage would we see you with on a rainy day? I think it kinda depends on what I’m feeling. I’ve recently gotten into this Peppermint Herbal tea from Twinings that is so soothing. Because I’ve been enjoying it so much, I would probably grab for that first. Peppermint tea is my favorite! Tea in general is so soothing. What is your Hogwarts house? If you were there, besides (most likely) drinking tea, what would you be doing in your common room to get comfy? I’m a Hufflepuff, although I do feel that I have Ravenclaw tendencies. I’ve been sorted into both houses on Pottermore, so I like to say that I’m a Huffleclaw. To get comfy in my common room, I think that I would love to organize my bookshelves. At first it can be ridiculously stressful, but the best part is getting to see everything look so nice and put together in the end. Plus, you get the satisfaction of getting to admire your work later! I love organizing my shelves too! It’s a lot of work but it’s definitely worth it for the satisfaction in the end. Thank you so much, Gabby, for sharing how you get comfy and your tips for aspiring BookTubers! Keep making the amazing videos I love to watch! SSTTA AY B O O K I S H Z I N E
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