I have been engaging with bookish content online since 2014, so I would consider myself something of a Booktube veteran (Booktube being the book community on YouTube). I have seen waves of creators come and go, but my absolute favorites have stood the test of time and still put out engaging content on their channels. I love each of the following creators because, while their reading tastes differ, they each have a fresh perspective on contemporary literature and a dedication to uplifting unique narratives with their content.
BooksandLala
BooksandLala, a.k.a. Kayla, is sort of like Booktube’s mom. She has been making content for 8 years, and she continues to regularly participate in read-a-thons, challenges, and reading experiments. Kayla puts out 2 videos a week on her channel in addition to her bookish Instagram content! Kayla has been very intentional about prioritizing Indigenous authors, which has inspired me to pick up more narratives written by and/or about Native people.Â
A Clockwork Reader
A Clockwork Reader, a.k.a. Hannah, has also been in the Booktube game for quite a few years. She often makes list videos but has recently started to delve into genre/author tier rankings. Just last year, Hannah released her own “Clockwork Reader Reading Journal”, which I bought and regularly use to track my own reading. Hannah is equal parts critical of books that deserve it and celebratory of the brilliant literary fiction she primarily consumes.
Peruse Project
Peruse Project, a.k.a. Reagan, makes some of my favorite content on the platform. She exudes cozy vibes and is my #1 source of fantasy and sci-fi recommendations. Reagan does monthly to-be-read (TBR) videos as well as monthly reading wrap-ups, so viewers can follow her reading journey in real time. Whether it be vlog footage of her adorable pug Matilda or a huge book mail unboxing, Reagan never fails to deliver.
Sarawithoutanh
SarawithoutanH, a.k.a. Sara, is by far the funniest creator on this list. Sara engages with bookish culture in a way that many other BookTubers are unable to do effectively: with humor and wit! She reads and judges Goodreads reviews of her favorite and least favorite books, engages in a “Drunk Literacy” book club with her friends, and answers the question of whether popular books on BookTube and BookTok (the book community on TikTok) are actually worth the hype. Sara’s astute observations and literary analysis combined with her hilarious comments make her videos my favorite to watch on a bad day!
Monica Kim
Monica is another BookTuber who has been producing videos for several years. Recently, she has branched out into cozy gaming and fashion content in addition to her bookish material, and I have been a huge fan of the shift! Monica has cultivated a beautiful aesthetic for her account, and her videos. Whether they be bookshopping vlogs or book unhauls (getting rid of books you no longer want to keep), Monica’s videos are well-edited, charming, and definite stand-outs in the BookTube community.