Liz Njoki (@njokireads)
By Jules
Published On 14/01/2021
With both Njoki and I having a shared love of books, you would assume that this would be the topic that got us interacting on bookstagram. However, this was not the case – music was what made us start talking. From her Instagram stories I realized that she was one of the few people who shared my love for Indie music. Within a short period of time we discovered we have the same favorite bands (one of them being Bastille – if you know me you know how obsessed I am with this band) and that we both love football and support the same team in the Premier League (#GGMU). Our discussions led to the realization that we have so much in common aside from our love for reading and needless to say, she is one of my favorite virtual friends (hoping to meet her soon!).
I asked Njoki three questions to learn more about her and her love for books and this is what she had to say:
1. How did you start reading? Who or what was the influence behind you picking this up as a hobby?
When I was young, my mum used to read a lot. She would always have a book with her. Then I watched Matilda, how she could walk to the library and simply get so many books to read, and I thought it was the coolest thing ever. But then I didn’t have a library to go to so I kept telling my mum I want books to read like you and Matilda. My mum bought me books, Bedtime Stories, Lion King, Aladdin, The princess’s box set, Secret Seven and so many more. I was always getting a new book to read. I eventually got into it and also got into trouble for borrowing books from friends and taking them home with me (which was taboo in my father’s house) but I never stopped reading, and here we are now.
2. You are a huge fan on Romance literature. What draws you to this genre of books? Would you recommend it to people?
Romance was the first genre I got to explore and it felt like home. I used to steal my mothers Mills And Boon novels when I was in primary school and I got addicted. I love romantic movies, the cliché ones! Hallmark movies give me life, and if I get that in a book even better. And, I would hands down recommend this genre to anyone.
3. If you could have the power to change one thing about the bookstagram community, what would It be?
I love our community, but I’d love it more if we, for at least a minute, didn’t forget why we love reading and why we got into reading. Its not just about the reviews and followings.
Njoki is a really cool person to know and interact with. I enjoy her reviews on the steamy romance books she loves as well as the contributions she brings to the bookstagram community. Additionally, she is one person I see consistently supporting all other book lovers in whichever venture they may be trying out and honestly this is the energy we need! You can check out her bookstagram page for some amazing content.