Last updated on February 23rd, 2024 at 03:16 pm
Booktube newbie tag 2023! Answering 11 questions
Hey, book community! New to Booktube, I’ve found uploading videos a bit daunting, but the welcoming book community on YouTube made it a safe space. Inspired by Booktube newbie tags, I filmed my own for a fun, casual way for you to get to know me and learn why I started this channel. I started to see these Booktube newbie tag videos popping up all over the YouTube feed and loved watching them. So I thought why not film my own?
I’m glad I did it as it was so much fun filming. I find it hilarious that I go to drink my cup of coffee multiple times throughout the video but I’m too into answering the question and end up putting the coffee down haha.
Traditionally there are 10 questions but I decided to pick 11 of my favourites I’ve seen on Youtube and blogger websites. Check out my 11 favourite newbie tag questions and answers in this post, and catch a sneak peek of my adorable cat Iroh in the accompanying YouTube video!
Newbie tag Q&A
1. Why did you start this (Booktube) channel?
I’ve always wanted to start a channel but have always been too worried about other people’s opinions, haven’t had the time or lacked the confidence. In July 2023, I was made redundant from being a UX Researcher and I wasn’t in the right head space to get back out there, apply and go to interviews because my field was very competitive and each job would require an average of 3 interviews.
I also suffer from a panic disorder, and I needed to put my mental health first and take a step back from research. So… this brings me to why I started the channel. I had saved enough money to take a break from a typical ‘salaried’ job, finally had the time, I was reading more, and I wanted to find people to speak to about books! I really would love to create a small community of people who just love talking about books as much as I do!
2. What are fun unique things you can bring to Booktube?
I am a fun, bubbly person and I’ve been told my happiness can be quite infectious. I would love for this to come across in my Booktube channel.
I also have Iroh who always joins me whilst reading, whether it’s sitting next to me on the window sill or chair, or laying on my stomach whilst I’m reading lying down on the sofa. I’ve inserted a cute clip in my YouTube video of Iroh doing just that! He will definitely bring an adorable side to my channel.
3. What are you most excited about about this new channel?
The community and increasing my reading pallet! I read a lot of fantasy romance, but I feel like I see the same 5 books being mass recommended over on TikTok. I’m hoping to discover broader book options, and different genres and authors.
4. Why do you love reading?
Our minds deserve some rest from our stress and worries, and books help me with this!
I think anyone who suffers from any type of anxiety or panic disorder (I swear 99% of us do to some degree) will understand the feeling of your mind and thoughts running a million miles an hour when you’re overthinking, worrying or panicking about something.
For me, as soon as I pick up a book, my mind goes quiet and I’m transported to another world. It’s amazing what reading can do to quieten your mind and I’m very thankful for it.
5. What kinds of books do you like to read?
My top 3 genres are historical fantasy, general fantasy and romance! I love books with humour and thrillers, but I have to really be in the mood for it.
6. Book you’re currently reading?
I’m a mood reader so I read multiple books at a time. So I’m currently in the process of reading 4 books:
- A Breath of Snow and Ashes (#6) by Diana Gabaldon.
- The Wolf Den (#1) by Elodie Harper – is one of my book club books.
- Read Good, actually by Monica Heisey – another book club book.
- One Dark Throne (#2) by Kendare Blake – Listening to this on Audible.
7. Most recent book you couldn’t finish?
Now I feel like I’m going to get hate for this… but it’s The Priory of the Orange Tree (#1) by Samantha Shannon. I started reading in April 2023 and I’m only halfway through. Now it’s pretty much December and I’m still not motivated to pick up and finish the book.
I enjoyed reading it at the time, but the characters didn’t grip me and I wanted more details of the scenery & plot to help draw me in. I’m used to very descriptive high fantasy books (like the Mistborn trilogy by Brandon Sanderson or Outlander by Diana Gabaldon), where every detail is descriptive so I can picture the scene perfectly around me.
I feel like the book lacked this for me. But I’m determined to finish this, so it’s a part-time DNF…
8. Oldest book you read?
Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett – 1990.
9. How many books are too many books in a series?
I think this depends on the length of each book. I’m currently reading Outlander, which has 9 books released and another 2 confirmed. So we are talking about an 11-book series where the books are HUGE! I think this is too much…
But I did just finish Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas, an 8 book series which I didn’t struggle getting through.
My sweet spot is 4, or 5 books maximum!
10. Love triangle trope, yes or no?
Thousand per cent yes! I love these romance tropes, especially enemies to lovers and grumpy to sunshine. However, with the love triangle trope, I enjoy the ones where we really don’t know who the end goal is and you’re left guessing till the second book or something! Most of the time we can tell straight away but it’s the best when we’re kept in the dark for as long as possible.
11. Book you dislike that everyone else seemed to love?
Another opinion I hope I don’t get judged for, but it’s The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I never read them as a child, so thought I would start this year as everyone raves about them so much.
For me, the film was 10x better than the book. If I hadn’t already seen the film maybe my opinion would have been different. But yeah, I struggled to get through it and it just didn’t hit the mark.
The only thing I will say that’s better in the books compared to the film was Peeta Mellark!!! He’s such a sap in the films, but in the books, he is more confident, sassy, stronger, and knows what he wants!
Final thoughts
I hope you enjoyed Q&A! If you have any other questions leave a comment below and I’ll be happy to answer them. If you’re sitting on the fence about whether to make a booktube account or whether to film a booktube newbie tag video. Just do it!!! It’s a safe space for you to be you and to talk about the one thing we all love; books!!
Subscribe to my channel and my Instagram if you want to keep up to date with my reading journey. I also have a Pinterest account I post on daily! Hope to see you around.
In the mean time, check out my Pinterest boards for funny memes more book recommendations and reviews!
