Instagram is a fantastic place to be if you love books. There are thousands of accounts dedicated to books and bookish aesthetic. So many reasons enthusing over the books that they’ve read, posting epic photos of their book hoards, and sharing in the overall delight of reading. It’s an amazing place to go and just bask in the mutual love and admiration for books, and to find your next great read. However, discovering new books through the recommendations of these bookstagrammers is not the only way to find new books through Instagram. Some of them are also exceedingly talented authors in their own right. And boy can they write. Some of my favourite books are by people whose accounts I follow on Instagram, and today I thought I would share three books by these Instagrammers that I have on my shelf currently, and which I definitely think should be on yours as well.
A Thousand Perfect Notes | C. G. Drews
An emotionally charged story of music, abuse and, ultimately, hope.
Beck hates his life. He hates his violent mother. He hates his home. Most of all, he hates the piano that his mother forces him to play hour after hour, day after day. He will never play as she did before illness ended her career and left her bitter and broken. But Beck is too scared to stand up to his mother, and tell her his true passion, which is composing his own music – because the least suggestion of rebellion on his part ends in violence.
When Beck meets August, a girl full of life, energy and laughter, love begins to awaken within him and he glimpses a way to escape his painful existence. But dare he reach for it?
Ok, so this is one of my favourite books of all times, written by one of my favourite Instagrammers of all time. C. G. Drews is exceedingly successful as an Instagrammer. Her photos and videos are lush and gorgeous, stocked with a mouthwatering collection of books, and so many flowers. Honestly, her book collection is so good I have a sneaking suspicion she actually lives in a castle that’s also a library. She’s an amazing book photographer, and an even better writer. It was a tough choice as to which of her two books to put on this list, but A Thousand Perfect Notes won out in the end. It’s the story of a young pianist who is dominated by his ambitious mother, set on living her musical ambitions out through him. It’s beautiful and brutal and sometimes downright heartbreaking all at once. This book will make you fall in love, and will certain also make you experience all the emotions at once. If you love books that have the power to bring you to tears, then this is absolutely the book for you.
Dust | Kara Swanson
The truth about Neverland is far more dangerous than a fairy tale.
Claire Kenton believes the world is too dark for magic to be real—since her twin brother was stolen away as a child. Now Claire’s desperate search points to London… and a boy who shouldn’t exist.
Peter Pan is having a beastly time getting back to Neverland. Grounded in London and hunted by his own Lost Boys, Peter searches for the last hope of restoring his crumbling island: a lass with magic in her veins.
The girl who fears her own destiny is on a collision course with the boy who never wanted to grow up. The truth behind this fairy tale is about to unravel everything Claire thought she knew about Peter Pan—and herself.
This was an almost accidental discovery for me. I saw this book on sale via Instagram, bought it, and absolutely fell in love with it. The author, Kara Swanson posts about both books in general, and also her life as a writer. She’s got a light, airy, whimsical touch to her photography, and that shows up as well in her writing. Dust is a twisted Peter Pan retelling, with plenty of dark shadows, but also so much magic, and moment of just beauty and pure fun, the way you always expect Peter Pan to be. In Dust Neverland is in danger, and Peter Pan has come to London in search of the one person who can help him undo his past mistakes and save Neverland before it’s too late. It’s also the story of a girl looking for her missing twin, is willing to do anything to get him back. It’s a fun new take on a familiar story, and pays homage to the original story. The love for J. M. Barrie’s original novel is evident on every page, while also putting its own fresh spin on things. If you love Peter Pan, and want to revisit that world with a little extra something added in there, then this is the book for you.
We the Wild Things | Brian McBride
Peter is lost. The last time he felt found was when his mother was alive. Before
bad things started to happen. Before hopping from foster home to foster home. But he has a plan. All he has to do is find Neverland – find his mother – and everything will be alright again. First, he has to get rid of his new foster family.
Ruth is tired. Tired of being the freak, the outcast, the misfit. Tired of the way people look at her out of the corners of their eyes. Tired of feeling like she doesn’t belong. When Peter comes along, the stories he tells her seem too good to be true. But she’s just desperate enough to listen.
William is scared. Scared of what would happen if his sister knew the truth. Scared he’ll lose her, lose everything. Scared that, every time he closes his eyes, he’ll see the face he just wants to forget. Then, along comes Peter. Peculiar, hopeful Peter with his promises of wonder and adventure and a magical place called Neverland. Will doesn’t believe it, but when it comes to his sister, Ruth, he’ll do anything.
Brian McBride’s Instagram is one of my favourites, filled with earthy tones and cosy photos that draw you in. His writing is also very earthy, and filled with such heart and purpose. I’m not a huge reader of contemporary fiction, but I make an exception for his books because they capture something about the experience of life that is so rich and meaningful. This book is filled with such beauty and whimsy, capturing the magic of imagination so much, but with dark shadows that touch on some difficult topics. It’s about finding hope in dark places, healing from deep hurts, and broken characters learning to be whole again. It’s beautiful, it’s enthralling, and it will stick with you long after you close the page. If you like books that will touch your heart, spark your imagination, and draw you into a world of wonder and healing, then this is the book for you.
Have you read any of these books yet? If not, are any of these going on your reading list? Have you ever bought a book by someone you follow on Instagram? Let’s chat in the comments down below!
Looking for even more great reads? Check out my books on Amazon!
