Today I caught up with Eunice, the gal behind the camera at @nerdytalksbookblog, to talk bookish pics, Insta tips and fave reads.

Eunice has a flair for snapping beautiful minimalist pics and she’s always reading something fascinating, from Emily Dickinson to George R. R. Martin. If you’re looking for reading recommendations, head on over to her feed.

Here’s just a sampling of her recent snaps:

Can you start by sharing a little about yourself: Where are you from?
What do you when you’re not on Insta? How did you get into
bookstagramming?

Hello! I am Eunice Moral, I’m from the Philippines. 🙂 When I’m not on
insta, I am probably reading, or making cheesy poems hahah or binge
watching TV series.

I got into bookstagramming almost two years ago. I was just selling
some of my preloved books and discovered that posting book pics is
actually a thing. Back then I only used to post on my personal
instagram. I didn’t know there was a community then.

Can you tell us a bit about your Insta account: What inspires your
posts? Do you have a particular aesthetic or theme? Has your account
changed/developed over time?

My account definitely developed over time, back then I didn’t have a
theme in mind, I just basically point and shoot. If I like the picture
enough I’ll post it. But then it all changed, maybe it was the OC side
of me, but I like to see my feed to be somewhat coherent and uniform.
So I chose a theme and it kind of grew from there. 🙂

What camera(s) and editing software (if any) do you use for your pics?

Before, I used to take photos using my Nikon D400 but it is very time
consuming to transfer the files to my phone. Now I only use my phone
or my sister’s haha. It is either Samsung J7 or Iphone6. 🙂

I use SNAPSEED and VSCO to edit my pictures. 🙂 Hahah I even bought
the paid filters. lol

How often do you post and do you plan posts in advance, or are they
more spontaneous?

I post at least once a day and mostly it is a spontaneous one. But
sometimes I do what I call as “photoshoots” hahaha and post it in the
days to come. Sometimes I don’t feel like taking pictures at all, and
there are times that I am so way out of it hahaha i.e. wearing
knee-high socks when sometimes it is so hot here hahaha! Oh the pains
I go through haha

What do you think makes a good post?

For me I like minimalist ones. Simple yet elegant ones. And oh, color
coordination is a plus point for me, and also put in a coffee or tea
and you’ll surely get a like from me haha!

What do you love most about being part of the bookstagram community?

What I loved most about the community is the communication amongst
strangers that were united by their love for books. Having something
in common or something one could relate to, that feeling that you
belong to something. The connection of the people wherever part of the
world they may be. It is just so amazing!

Is there anything you’d like to see change/improve in the community?

Sadly there are a lot! First, the mentality that everything is
becoming a competition, that some are so hell bent on having too many
followers. This mentality destroys the main purpose of bookstagram
which is sharing our love for books.

Another thing is the people who grab pictures of others and claim them
as theirs or not give proper credit. They sometimes miss the point of
copyright infringement and when you call them out of what they did,
they will tell you that you are overreacting. I mean copyright
infringement is a serious matter, it doesn’t mean that when a photo
was made  public everyone can just use it without permission.

Thirdly, the fact the people buy books just to show off. Again this
defeats the purpose of bookstagram.

Lastly, those people who book shame or those people who judge you
because of the books you read. Read and let read!

Who are some of the bookstagrammers who inspire you?

Oh wow there are a lot!! @zibareads is definitely one of them, I have
always adored her feed hahaha #feedgoals. My top three would be
@zibareads @ursula_uriarte and @thebookishgirl 🙂 And shout out to my
dear sisters over at Bookish Pinoys (our club) 🙂

What kinds of books do you like to read?

I actually read anything. But I immensely enjoy Fantasy, Romance and Poetry 🙂

What are the key things you look for in a good story?

Definitely the plot. And if there is a love triangle or not hahaha.
Love triangles are the bane of my existence.

What do you love most about reading, and why do you believe reading is
important?

I love how I lose track of time whenever I am reading. Like I’m sucked
into a vortex that I only know about, like an out of body experience
of some sort haha. Reading helped me to write better sentences, to use
my imagination more, to be more compassionate. Reading makes a person
deeper in some way. Reading is magic! 🙂

What’s been your favourite read so far this year?

Burial Rites by Hannah Kent and Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk. Both floored me!!

What five books should everyone reading this add to their TBR pile?

Burial Rites by Hannah Kent
Invisible Monsters Remix by Chuck Palahniuk
Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair by Pablo Neruda
This is a Love Story by Jessica Thompson
Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

What advice would you give to new bookstagrammers?

Just have fun! Do whatever you like, have your own individuality. Post
whatever floats your boat and always, always be kinder than necessary.
Talk to people, share your favorite reads, win a friend!

And finally, where else can we find you talking books? (eg: WordPress,
Goodreads, Twitter, Facebook, mailing list, etc.)

You can check my blog: nerdytalksbookblog.wordpress.com

Twitter: @nerdytalks_04

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/10731189-eunice-moral

If you haven’t yet, pop over to @nerdytalksbookblog and say hi to Eunice and see what she’s reading on Instagram.

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