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I would be a big liar if I said that running this blog for the past few months has been easy, especially when it comes to thinking of new ideas for content.
No matter how I look at it, content ideation—the process of planning out the type of content you want to put out—has to be one of the most stressful aspects of blogging, and this doesn’t change regardless of what stage you’re at in your blogging journey.
Now, this isn’t the same as a slump, where you are totally unable to do anything related to your blog (which is something I have experienced several times), but rather you want to create content but are simply unaware of what else to do, especially when trying to introduce variety into the roster.
For bloggers like myself, whose primary sources of income are our blogs, it’s very important to maintain a standard of posts suitable for our niche and to put out content that is engaging to our ideal readers.
And, if you haven’t completely pivoted to social media to draw in more readers, it’s even more important to publish different types of posts.
Google has been especially hard on small publishers since the helpful content update earlier in the year, and the only way to beat the algorithm is to consistently bring something new to the table.
In this post, I have listed blogging ideas for a book blog that I have incorporated into my content strategy, and hopefully, in the coming months, I will be able to roll out content more consistently.
These post ideas are specific to the bookish niche, so they may not apply if you have a blog in another niche. But if this is you, then keep on scrolling.
Regardless of what your goal is with your blog—whether it is engagement or monetization—these posts can be applied in any way. At the end of the day, what matters is how you choose to use them.
1. Author Interviews
This might seem a bit on the nose, but there’s really nothing that screams helpful content quite like featuring interviews with authors on your blog.
You can message them on their social media or via whatever communication method they have provided.
And, if they agree to a collaboration, you can ask them some questions about their writing process (behind the scenes, editing, publishing, and whatnot), upcoming books, or any other topics you think will be interesting to your readers.
2. Book Adaptation News and Comparisons
Every single month, new books get adapted, and a very common argument in the bookish community is the level of discrepancies between the source text and the adaptation.
The thing is, when readers really enjoy a book, they might dream of it being adapted, and what better way to grab the attention of readers than by regularly posting news about books that have been adapted into movies?
3. Reading Challenges
Reading challenges are one of the most engaging topics in the reading community, because there’s always something new.
If you participate in any reading challenges, you might want to post updates and ideas on your blog.
This could include book recommendations to meet the challenges or ways to stay on track with your goals.
These are all topics that an average reader would appreciate if they land on your blog and it will no doubt drive up engagement.
4. Book Recommendations by Mood
Just like many other readers, I generally pick up a book based on my mood at that moment.
Anyone who can relate to this will definitely enjoy a blog post with book recommendations for every mood.
A good example is this 2018 post by Amber Brenza for the Self on the best books to read if you are sad.
For your blog, you could write about the best books to read when you are starting a new job or the best books to read when you want to relax.
5. TBR Lists
You can also share your to-be-read list on your blog and update readers on your progress as the days, weeks, and months pass.
I actually had a domain about 3 or 4 years ago, and it was a journal-like blog, meaning I used it as an online diary.
I do have plans and several other projects in the works to revert back to my original intent with this blog because I want to focus more on talking to actual people rather than writing for search engines.
If this is something you’re also interested in, you might want to give it a shot.
6. Literary Awards Coverage
Loads of literary awards are hosted every single year and this means that books are nominated and eventually a book or several books will win the top spot.
To keep your blog in the limelight and perhaps to sneak your way into Google discover or Google News you might also want to consider providing coverage for literary awards.
This means you could discuss the nominees, their backlog, and the eventual winners.
So if an award is underway and perhaps a shortlist or a longlist has been revealed it’s never a bad idea to review those books and even make your own predictions.
7. Themed Reading Lists
This might sound a little cliché, but I’m one of those people who will read a Christmas romance novel or a Christmas mystery during the holidays, and I’m always up for a beach read during the summer.
I like to think a lot of readers are similar because the statistics really do speak for themselves when it comes to seasonal and themed reading lists.
For example, you could create a holiday reading list, or one focused on a historical event like the Revolutionary War, or even something about travel.
If you intend to attract traffic this way, remember that the theme should be popular enough to garner attention; But, if it’s not, consider incorporating it into another post.
8. Reading Habits and Tips
My friend once told me that lots of readers love to sit down and talk about reading.
At the end of the day, we might not always read as much as we’d like, but we definitely enjoy discussing our hobbies.
A part of these conversations often includes how to read more effectively, find better books, or manage life as a reader. This is a market you can tap into if you’re looking to attract more traffic.
I have a whole category on this blog that’s essentially by a reader for readers. Good examples of posts could be about how to start reading again after a slump or how to incorporate reading into your morning routine.
9. Favorite Book Quotes
Even though I’m not a paperback reader, my eBook highlights are a riot.
I highlight every single book I read because sometimes a sentence is so profound that I want to carry it with me wherever I go.
One of my favorite things about the reading community is that everyone is eager to peek into others’ lives, and there’s no better way to do this than to share your favorite book quotes, regardless of how mundane they might seem.
10. Comparative Reviews
If you want to kick things up a notch, you can write comparative reviews of an author’s backlist.
This means you will compare books they’ve written at different stages of their life and share your thoughts on those differences.
Some people may not pick up on these changes, but many readers are attuned to the slightest shifts in an author’s life through their writing because of the intimacy that reading provides.
When we pick up on these changes, we naturally look for places to engage in meaningful discussions about our findings.
As a blogger, what better way to do this than by tapping into this interest and drawing readers to your blog?
11. Book Hauls
Book hauls are very popular on Instagram, given its image and video focus, but you can also feature them on your blog with beautiful pictures and engaging write-ups.
Essentially, you want to share information about your recent book purchases or finds that you think people will find interesting. Of course, include your initial impressions of the books.
This is something I have planned for the blog in the future. If I do it, I’ll definitely provide some background on why I chose each book.
Since physical books aren’t cheap, there needs to be a convincing reason for splurging and also include relevant details for readers.
Also See: 14 Bookish Events To Host With Your Fellow Book Lovers
12. Bookshelf Tour
If you’re up for it, you could also give a tour of your bookshelf or book collection.
Since it will be hosted on your blog rather than Instagram or another social media channel, make sure to take high-quality pictures.
I’ve talked about the importance of good pictures before, but the reality is that your readers might land on your blog due to a specific query. What will keep them there is the quality of your content.
The biggest indicator of quality content is your images, which should be bright and beautiful. And of course, don’t forget to use alt tags.
13. Reading Goals and Reflections
In the spirit of keeping your blog personal and as people-focused as possible, it’s a good idea to write a post discussing your reading goals for the year and how you plan to meet them.
This could mean talking about your previous goals, the level of success you achieved, and generally anything you’re open to sharing with your audience that will help them connect with you better.
14. Book Pairings
Book pairings are another fantastic idea that I plan to bring to life on this blog.
The essence of it is pairing books with food, drinks, music, or activities.
I might sound a bit strange, but certain books give off a specific type of energy.
If you get this, you probably understand the value of a post like this because it can help you connect with others who share your perspective.
15. Book Series Rankings
It is a truth universally acknowledged that not every book in a series is going to be equally impressive.
Your role as a blogger is to let your readers know which ones you enjoyed and which ones you found skippable.
As with everything, remember that when discussing books you didn’t favor, you need to be explicit about the reasons you didn’t like them.
It’s important to offer constructive criticism rather than disparaging someone’s hard work.
Related: 70+ Offbeat Questions To Get To Know Your Book-Lover Date
16. Debut Author Promotion
I always get excited when I find out that a book I enjoyed is by a debut author.
And, there’s no better way to help emerging authors promote their books than by discussing them on your blog.
I also plan to do this in the future. Essentially, it will be a list of my favourite upcoming debuts, along with why they’re worth checking out and how readers can get a copy.
17. Bookish Merchandise
If you’ve snooped around the blog or visited other pages, you might notice that I recently reactivated my Amazon affiliate account.
I have plans to review some bookish merchandise on the blog for some blog posts – Like my post about the best bookish gifts to give to a person who loves reading (that aren’t books).
If this is something you’re interested in and comfortable doing, it’s another form of content you can put out on your blog.
Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to earn some money while doing it through affiliate channels or even sponsored posts.
18. Personal Reading Journey
Another great post idea for your bookish blog is an article examining how your reading tastes have evolved over time.
As any reader will tell you, this is always an interesting topic.
Speaking for myself, I can confirm that the books I read 5 to 7 years ago are not the same as those I enjoy now.
I’m sure others would also be interested in hearing different perspectives on this as well.
19. Fan Theories
The best thing about an intriguing book is that it keeps you guessing and sparks conversation, which can be aggregated and posted as an article on your blog.
You could discuss popular fan theories related to books and let your readers know whether you agree, disagree, or have a completely different and unheard-of opinion.
20. Behind the Book
Another type of content you can post on your blog is a piece about the inspiration or real-life events that inspired a book.
This type of lore is something that many readers appreciate and it helps increase engagement with your community.
It also creates content that people are more likely to share and interact with, which is probably one of your goals.
21. Books That Changed My Life
You can also write about the best books you’ve read that had a significant impact on you personally, and go into detail about why and how they influenced you.
What you’re aiming for is to create a personal connection with your readers by sharing details about your life and how it changed after reading the book.
Make sure your tone is as conversational as possible so that your readers feel like they’re reading something from a friend.
22. Bookish Pet Peeves
I might be wrong, but I genuinely believe that every reader has something they can’t stand in a book—not because it’s necessarily bad, but because they can’t ignore it.
For example, some people cannot stand third-act breakups in romance novels, while others dislike overly long chapters.
Create a post discussing your pet peeves and encourage your readers to share which ones they have in common with you and which ones they also have.
23. Books That Surprised You
If you run a book blog, book reviews are a must, as they are the lifeblood of your content.
But if you’re running out of books to review, consider writing a post about books that surprised you.
For example, you might have had high expectations for a book and found it disappointing, or you had no expectations going in but it became a favourite.
Readers love to get insights into another person’s experiences, and if you make your post engaging, you’ll likely get a lot of views.
You May Also Like: 30+ Bookish New Year Resolutions To Start Off The Year Right
24. Literary Trends
This is another topic I have in the works for this blog because anyone who uses social media understands the importance and impact of literary trends.
A few years ago, TikTok was basically non-existent, but now there are categories on nearly every reading app for TikTok awards, and many authors have gained significant recognition through the platform.
This trend isn’t limited to social media. For example, it has become common for romance books, including historical romance, to feature animated covers.
There are many reasons for these trends, and their effects are equally significant. In your blog post, you can explore these trends, how they affect behavior and attitudes towards specific genres or elements of books, and share your opinion on them.
25. Bookish Bucket List
Another fun idea for book bloggers is to create a post listing all the book-related activities you want to experience and share it with your readers.
I also plan to create a bookish bucket list. Some items you might include are visiting famous libraries, meeting your favourite authors, or travelling to a city featured in your favourite book.
26. Bookish Confessions
When I was in secondary school, I used to wait for my roommate, who had access to a lot of romance novels, to fall asleep.
I’d then take her book, read it all night, and return it as if I’d never touched it. She was none the wise and I’ve lost contact with her.
That’s a bookish confession, and trust me when I say that this type of content is what book lovers live for.
We all have a bit of book-related scandal in our past, and sharing these stories with the community can be very engaging.
Also See: 16 Must-Try Exciting Content Ideas For Your Bookstagram Account
27. Book-Inspired Recipes
If you’re up for it, you can create a recipe or dish inspired by your favorite books or settings.
The wonderful thing about this type of content is that you can share it on both your blog and social media accounts.
Make sure to follow it up with a write-up explaining the significance of the dish and how it relates to the book in question.
28. Re-reading Favorites
I once saw a meme about a common ailment among readers: the inability to stop buying books, even though we know we’ll always re-read our favorites.
I’m very guilty of this myself. I re-read my favorite books, on average, once a month—usually 3 to 5 books—while still acquiring more.
One thing I’ve noticed is that my understanding of these books evolves over time, and it’s almost as if each re-reading offers a new interpretation.
If you’re out of content ideas, this is a perfect topic for a book blog. This way, you can engage your readers by sharing how your interpretations of a book have changed at different stages of your life.
29. Top Bookish Podcasts
Part of the joys of being a reader is consuming content in various formats, and there are several amazing bookish podcasts out there.
To give your readers something extra to enjoy, write a post recommending the best bookish podcasts.
It would be great to highlight your favorite episodes as well and list the best platforms for listening.
30. Books That Need a Sequel
I’ve mentioned several times on this blog that I’m not a fan of thrillers because they make me too tense, and I dislike open endings, so I always check for spoilers before diving into a book.
Sometimes, a book’s ending might not be an open ending but still feels incomplete. For such books, I always wish there were a sequel.
If you’ve experienced this, write a post about it on your blog. Which books have you read that felt incomplete or rushed and still needed further development? Share your thoughts in a blog post.
31. Character Analysis
Another great idea for your blog is a post analyzing characters from your favorite books.
If the book has been adapted into a movie, you could also contrast the development of the characters between the book and the adaptation.
This involves diving into their character arcs, examining their actions, and exploring the rationale behind their decisions.
It might seem daunting at first, but if it’s a book you’ve read before, it will come naturally. Many readers, including myself, enjoy discussing this with fellow book lovers.
Related: 20 Best Romance Novel Tropes Readers Love & Book Recs To Get Started
32. Bookish DIY Projects
If you enjoy DIY projects and aren’t too clumsy with your hands, you could post tutorials on your blog.
Although DIY content is often suited for video platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, hosting it in both written and video form is a great idea.
For those of us bloggers who are camera-shy, written tutorials hosted on our blogs can be a more comfortable option.
33. Adaptation Wish List
Whenever I finish reading anything by Grace Callaway, I always wish it could be adapted into a movie, even though I knew this is unlikely since she is an indie author.
But that hasn’t stopped me from hoping. I’ve read over 15 of her steamy historical romance books, and I think many readers have experienced similar wishes.
If this resonates with you, consider writing a post about books you hope will be picked up by producers and brought to life on screen.
34. Books and Music
If you’re musically inclined, you can create custom playlists for your favorite books and write a post explaining the reasons for each song on the list and how it relates to the book.
Many authors do this for their books, often including playlists in the front or back matter.
As a blogger, you have the freedom to create your own playlists and share why each song fits the book.
35. Comparing Original and Modern Classics
Every day, classic books are adapted, and these adaptations can vary significantly from the original.
If you have a beloved classic, consider writing a blog post comparing the original with its modern adaptation or interpretation.
36. Top Bookish YouTube Channels
Booktube is a vibrant community, and creating a post featuring your favorite bookish YouTube channels can attract traffic to your blog.
To boost visibility, reach out to the YouTubers you’ve mentioned.
Let them know about your post and gently encourage them to share it on their channels or social media accounts.
37. Monthly Book Recap
At the end of each month, write a recap of the books you’ve read, highlighting reviews and any future reading plans.
I tried doing this a few weeks ago but struggled due to a reading slump.
But, it’s a great idea for engaging your community and encouraging interaction with your posts.
38. New Book Releases
To keep your blog trendy and visible, highlight new and recent book releases each month.
Incorporating this into your content strategy ensures you always have fresh content.
And, it can increase your blog’s visibility, and you might even end up on Google News or Discover.
39. Favorite Authors
There are certain authors I consider auto-buy because I don’t hesitate to pick up anything they write.
These are my all-time favorites, and I will always give their works a chance.
For me, that author is Grace Callaway. I’ve never regretted picking up any of her books because every page is captivating and the characters are incredibly heartwarming.
If you have an author you feel this way about, write a post about which of their works you particularly enjoy and why.
40. Write About Your Blog
When I say write about your blog, I don’t just mean creating an about page, although that is important.
Instead, consider writing a post about the improvements you plan to make, changes you’ve already made, or the inspiration behind your blog’s name.
For an anonymous blog like mine, posts like this help bridge the gap between myself and my readers. They appreciate this transparency and it builds trust and a long-lasting relationship.
41. Pretty Book Covers
Many readers, including myself, judge a book by its cover.
If you’re like me, share some of the most beautiful covers you’ve seen in a blog post.
Let your readers see these covers and invite them to share their opinions on which book covers they find attractive.
42. Book vs. Audiobook Debate
This is another bookish content idea I plan to write about in the future because it’s a topic that divides the community.
The debate often revolves around whether audiobooks count toward reading goals since you’re not reading the text yourself.
I’ll share my opinions when I write this post, but consider how engaging this topic can be.
It could spark lively discussions and show your readers that you’re aware of current debates in the reading world.
Related Post: 40+ Fun & Exciting Things To Do While Listening To An Audiobook
43. Your Favorite Reading Platforms and Formats
The great thing about the 21st century is the variety of formats and platforms available for reading.
From graphic novels to audiobooks, there’s a format for everyone.
Depending on your location and budget, your preferred platform may vary.
Why don’t you share your favorites with your readers and explain why you prefer them?
44. Gift Ideas for Book Lovers
Nothing makes a book lover smile like a book-related gift that isn’t actually a book.
While it might seem counterintuitive, book lovers often appreciate bookish accessories and gifts, rather than actual books.
As a blogger, you can share your favorite book-related gifts and even include affiliate links to make some extra income.
45. Bookstagram Grid
If you have a Bookstagram account and you have been very intentional about the way your grid is arranged, why not write a post talking about the inspiration behind your grid?
This means discussing why you picked particular colors, the history of setting objects on your flat lay, or something else that gives your blog readers a unique aspect they might not find on other platforms.
46. Opening Lines
Aside from judging a book by its cover, a lot of people judge a book by how captivating the first sentence, the first paragraph, or the first page is.
If you are someone like that, let us know your preference.
That is to say, how far are you willing to go before you eventually stop reading a book?
And if you have ever been captivated from the very first sentence of a book, let us know what that sentence was and why exactly it spoke to you in that manner.
47. Where Do You Get Your Books?
In my opinion, something that hinders a lot of readers and enjoyment of their reading hobby is the amount of money spent on books.
Because if you do want to follow your heart and buy every single thing your eyes land on, you won’t be able to eat.
I wrote a post a couple of weeks ago about the best places to find free books, and there’s also another post on the blog about how to get the best discounts when buying books.
If you haven’t written a post like this on your blog, this might be a good time to start.
Write a post about how you’ve managed to save money while buying books and indulging yourself, and your readers will appreciate it.
48. Blogging Tools and Journey
If you’re still looking for book blog content ideas, why don’t you write about your journey as a blogger and everything that goes on behind the scenes that readers might not be aware of?
For one, this helps you connect better with your readers, and secondly, it attracts other book bloggers to your blog posts.
Over time, you might find that you’ve built a community of fellow book bloggers who will be there to exchange advice and provide any type of blogging help.
49. How to Monetize Your Blog
In the spirit of building a community and fellowship with other book bloggers, you can also write a post about how you’ve monetized your blog and the various options available to book bloggers.
Some book bloggers shy away from any talk of monetization because their minds are only turned to display ads.
But, there are several other ways to make money through your book blog.
If you have explored these other options, why don’t you write a post telling your readers about them?
50. A Quiz
To really rack up those engagement points, you can create a bookish quiz for your readers.
It will improve engagement and might even get you a few loyal email subscribers if you play your game right.
You can create a quiz with questions that only true fans of a book would know, or something equally engaging that will really make your readers think.
51. How You Track Your Reading
Another blog content idea is how you track books. Every reader does this in different ways, and it’s nice to hear other opinions.
Personally, I use Goodreads or StoryGraph, but I know some people have reading journals or printouts where they mark them up, and others use different platforms.
If you track your books in a unique way, let your readers know and encourage them to tell you how they do theirs.
52. How You Annotate Books
Annotation, especially on physical books, is something that readers either love or absolutely despise.
But the truth is that no one else’s opinion about your book matters as much as yours, so do whatever feels right.
If you advocate for annotating physical books with beautiful highlighters and drawings, you can also write a post about how you annotate books.
Pin This Article For Later
The book blog post ideas in this article are designed to drive up engagement and help you make money. You definitely want to give one or two of them a try.
This is the point where I’m supposed to advise you to have a content planner, but you don’t need to, especially if you’re like me who always goes with the mood.
In essence, there are periods where I don’t post anything on the blog for a month or even a month and a half, and then there are weeks where I am on fire and posting one to three blog posts every single day.
So, just go with the flow and determine a schedule that works for you and your readers.
