Bookish and Black #46

Featuring @bookswithtay!

Good morning everyone! Welcome to my first ever post featuring someone else!! Today I’m sharing a fun little interview I did with my good friend Taylor. We have been friends for close to 4 years now and I’m excited to share a project we’ve spent the last few months working on together. Without further ado…..

the first time we met IRL (December 2022)

Tell us a little bit about yourself: Hi! I'm Taylor. I'm a late-20's something living in New York City with my husband and cat. I'm originally from Texas and that will always be part of my identity, no matter where I end up. I work in social media/e-commerce marketing for a local flower shop and I love what I do! I never know what else to say about me besides where I live and what I do for a living LOL.

Have you always been a reader? How has that relationship changed with age? I've always loved to read - I was definitely that annoying kindergartener trying to read during naptime. It definitely tapered off in high school and college, and then I picked it up again with a vengeance in 2018 when I moved to NYC and had a 1.5 hour commute to work (both ways). When I was younger, I was a big fantasy reader, but now my tastes lean more toward romance, literary fiction, historical fiction (non-WWII), and  mystery/thrillers.

How has bookstagram changed the way you read? Bookstagram has definitely influenced me to read what's trending which, a lot of the time is just whatever book a publisher puts a LOT of marketing money behind. When I first got back into reading, I read whatever felt interesting to me, and while I still pick books I'm interested in, it's definitely become way more influenced by the bookstagram community. I definitely also read a lot more in general because I get FOMO when I see what everyone else is reading. So many books, so little time!

What does your perfect Saturday look like? My perfect Saturday would be sleeping in and being brought a coffee and a BEC (bacon, egg, and cheese) by my husband in bed. Then we'd go to brunch with friends and stop by the bookstore on the way home. I'd curl up and get lost in a good book for the rest of the afternoon, and the night would end with a home-cooked meal and a bottle of wine. 

We are launching a new project together. Can you tell everyone what it is and a little bit about it? I am HONORED to announce the release of Sarah and I's podcast, BOUND TO HAPPEN! Each Wednesday, we'll be releasing new episodes discussing everything from books, life, and everything that happens in between. Sarah and I found ourselves talking about everything - from the latest fashion trends to the best purchases we made, and we (and by we, I mean Sarah) thought we'd make a great podcast, and we wanted to add a little diversity to the space. We hope that when you're listening, it feels like you're sitting down with your two best friends! 

Rapid fire:

Favorite food: Caesar Salad with a side of French fries and my grandmother's homemade Korean food

Favorite restaurant in NYC: Ruby's Cafe

What are you most looking forward to in 2023? My trip to Korea - my first time visiting my homeland, EVER.

If you could only drink 3 things for the rest of your life, what would they be? Diet Coke (this is a new obsession of mine)Sparkling wine Water (for survival)

Cats or dogs? I am a crazy cat lady for life.

Music or silence when you read? I prefer white noise or some sort, so I love ASMR rooms on YouTube!

Favorite bookstore in NYC: Books are Magic!

3 non book accounts you love following on social media:

@ayanagabriellelage - her Monday tweet roundups are my favorite

@hanahohn on TikTok - for cute day in the life videos & the reason Sarah and I are obsessed with BAGGU

@jackieaina - her luxurious life is my goals

Thanks so much Taylor! We hope you all will subscribe and listen to Bound to Happen! The first episode drops tomorrow January 25! New episodes will be out every Wednesday.