Book blogger spotlight: Bec’s Books

26 July 2017 Books+Publishing

Rebecca Gough is a self-described ‘perpetual internet presence’ who blogs about YA and middle-grade titles, with a focus on fantasy and sci-fi. After realising that Instagram’s space for captions was too small for her reviews, Gough started blogging, but she continues to use Instagram and Twitter. She spoke to Books+Publishing for our ‘Book blogger spotlight’ series.

Describe your blog in under 50 words.

Bec’s Books is a book blog that features reviews of (mostly) YA and middle-grade titles, particularly fantasy and sci-fi, with a bit of contemporary fiction thrown into the mix as well.

What makes your blog unique?

I want to say my reading taste and my voice? I try to keep my reviews and opinions honest but not too serious, which strikes a sort of conversational tone that makes my posts easily accessible to readers and booklovers.

When and how did you get started?

I started [book blogging] in October 2016, but before that I was on Instagram (bookstagram) to balance my leisure time while I worked on my Honours thesis. Pretty book pictures were a wonderful distraction. After a few publishers contacted me, I realised that Instagram captions were too small to house my reviews, so I moved over to blogging (but I’ve kept up both).

How do you find out about new books?

I’m lucky enough to be approached by myriad publishers and their catalogues, plus I’m a regular on Twitter, which is where I source a lot of my recommendations, too.

What audience do you reach?

My main reach is Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom, usually across ages of young teens to twentysomethings and adults. My blog is growing quickly and my reader demographic is expanding and changing, but currently it’s predominantly the same audience that YA is pitched to.

What other book blogs do you regularly follow?

I follow Casey at Adoptabookaus, Tash at Thoughts by Tash and Kelly at Diva Booknerd.

What has been your most popular post?

My review of the newest Alex Rider book, Never Say Die. Without fail, it has hits every day and I have no idea why—people must love spies, action and nostalgia!

What’s your favourite social media platform, and what recent trends in social media have you noticed in book blogging?

I am a perpetual internet presence, particularly on Twitter. I’ve definitely noticed a trend of people wanting diverse books (not just LGBTQIA+ representation, but also disability and non-ablebodied representation). I am honestly all for it; the more people that see themselves in fiction, the better. Book twitter is great at sharing those recommendations.

What are you reading now?

I’m reading The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzie Lee. It’s a hilarious YA historical fiction and had me laughing from the first few pages. It also touches on abuse and non-hetero characters, which is very topical, too. Safe to say I’m loving its balance of humour and seriousness.

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