Celebrating Literary Activism with shebereadinthembooks

That Nerd Thing

Apr 29, 2024•52 min•Season 1Ep. 17

--:--

Listen in podcast apps:

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Download

Listen to this episode in Metacast mobile app

Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episode description

In this episode, Morgan interviews Allissa AKA shebereadinthembooks, a popular Black BookTok activist and a Literary Activist of the Year nominee for the 2024 AAMBC Literary Awards. Allissa discusses her advocacy for literary diversity, challenges faced by BIPOC authors, and the positive influence of social media in amplifying diverse voices and stories.

They discuss the transformative impact of book-related social media platforms like BookTok and Bookstagram on reading habits and the sense of community they foster among readers. Allissa shares her journey into the realm of literary activism, emphasizing the importance of diverse reading and supporting black-authored books. She also touches on her personal nerdy interests, from SpongeBob to sci-fi, and how being unapologetically herself has shaped her identity and career as a teacher and content creator.

00:58 A Deep Dive into Booktok and Bookstagram with Allissa

03:40 Nerdy Identity: From SpongeBob to Sci-Fi

07:10 The Power of Representation in Black-Authored Sci-Fi and Fantasy Books

09:58 Underrated and Random Nerdy Loves: NPR to Pokémon

13:07 Navigating Fandom and Social Media: A Personal Journey

15:28 The Unique World of Black BookTalk

21:25 Navigating Fame and Impact in the BookTok Community

26:51 BookTok: A Space of Fun, Learning, and Occasional Challenges

28:28 Reflecting on Book Reviews and Uplifting Voices

29:07 Engaging with Students and Social Media Dynamics

30:49 The Impact of Reading and Teaching on Life

38:18 Embracing Nerdiness