Every month, I feature a young person who loves to read. It could be about diversity, gender identity, being a human, being a reader. It’s to highlight some people who love to hug a book and imagine a better world for everyone. Why call yourself a reader when you can be a #badassbookbabe?
This month, I interviewed Sara-Jayne of @bookish.harpy. Sara-Jayne has got a great bookstagram account where she promotes women and diversity through her reads. She’s also running a great photo challenge this month, so I thought it’d be great to hear from her some words of wisdom and insight to what makes her read.
Check out her Instagram, use her hashtag #ReadWomen2017, and don’t forget to follow her August photo challenge.
Introduce yourself and your mission with your Instagram?
Hello! My name is Sara-Jayne and I’m a feminist bookstagrammer from Pittsburgh. I started my Instagram account in January to document my #ReadWomen2017 project. For the entire year, as a form of passive resistance against an administration that seeks to silence the voices of women and minorities, I’m only purchasing and reading books written by women (with a particular emphasis on women of color and LGBTQIA+ women).
Why did you decide to dedicate your year to reading female authors?
When the results of the 2016 American election came in, I was angry. Furious, really. And completely disgusted that the voices of women and minorities keep getting ignored while the voices of old white men keep getting louder. So I decided to spend an entire year only listening to the voices of women and minorities, in the hopes that I could spread the diversity love while educating myself to become a better intersectional feminist.
What is the one thing you want to get out of reading?
For me, reading is a way to connect with and learn from different people. I want books to challenge me, to make me rethink my opinions. But then sometimes, I just want to get lost in a book where badass lady leads are wielding swords and going on adventures. It’s a balance, I guess.
Coffee or tea?
It sort of depends on the season and time of day. I drink coffee every morning, but love curling up with a good book and a cup of tea on a cold evening.
If you’d like to be considered as the next bad ass book babe, tag your posts with #badassbookbabes on Instagram.
Simone and Her Books 