55 Beginner-Friendly Reel Ideas for Your Bookstagram

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If you’ve been on Bookstagram for even a hot second, you know how much Reels can bring your feed to life. 

They’re a brilliant way to connect with other bookworms, show off your personality, and share your love of reading in creative ways. Plus, let’s be real—they’re an amazing tool to grow your account.

Whether you’re new to making Reels or just looking for some fresh ideas, I’ve got you covered. 

I’m sharing 55 Reel ideas that are easy, fun, and perfect for all Bookstagrammers. Let’s get started!

Why Reels Are a Big Deal on Bookstagram

Okay, first things first: why are Reels such a big deal? 

The answer is simple—they work. 

They’re the secret sauce for reaching more people and making your account stand out.

1. Reels Get You Noticed

Instagram’s algorithm loves Reels. 

Seriously, if you want to grow your account, posting Reels is a must. 

They’re much more likely to pop up on people’s Explore pages compared to regular posts. 

That means more eyes on your content and more bookish friends to connect with.

2. They Bring Bookish Friends Together

Reels are a fun way to start conversations. 

Whether you’re sharing a hilarious take on bookworm struggles or hyping up an underrated gem, they make it easy to connect with others who “get it.”

3. Reels Are Your Creative Playground

Making Reels lets you show off your unique personality and love for books in such a cool way. 

They don’t have to be perfect—sometimes the ones you just throw together end up being the most loved.

Best Reel Ideas for Bookstagram

Ready to create some amazing Reels? I’ve broken these ideas into categories so you can pick and choose what feels right for you. Let’s get into it!

a. Show Off Your Favorite Books

1. Your Top 5 Favorites: Use a trending audio to highlight your five all-time favorite books. Bonus points if you match each book to the vibe of the music!

2. “This or That” Challenge: Put two of your favorite books side by side and let the drama unfold—are you Team Fantasy or Team Romance?

3. Share a Favorite Quote: Pick a quote that gives you all the feels and pair it with a dreamy background.

4. Books That Changed Your Life: Tell a quick story about how a certain book changed the way you see the world.

5. Recreate a Scene: Pick a memorable moment from a book and have fun acting it out or creating a mood that matches the scene.

b. TBR (To-Be-Read) Fun

6. TBR Stack Building: Stack your books dramatically with cool transitions—nothing more satisfying!

7. “Help Me Pick My Next Read”: Show a few options and let your followers vote in the comments or through polls.

8. Monthly TBR Reel: Share your reading plans for the month in a fun countdown-style video.

9. The TBR Struggle Is Real: Make a funny Reel about picking 10 books but reading none (we’ve all been there).

10. TBR Unboxing: Open a book haul or subscription box on camera. Everyone loves seeing new books!

c. Book Recommendations

11. “If You Like This, Try This”: Recommend similar books for fans of popular titles—like If you loved Harry Potter, try…

12. Seasonal Reads: Share cozy fall reads, beachy summer romances, or holiday-themed books.

13. Books for Every Mood: Match books to moods like “Rainy Day Reads” or “Books for When You Need a Good Cry.”

14. Underrated Gems: Highlight books you love that don’t get enough attention.

15. Genre Deep Dives: Share quick lists of must-reads for your favorite genres, like fantasy or thrillers.

Also See: 20+ Easy Ways to Make Money as a Book Lover Without Quitting Your Job

d. Bookish Challenges and Trends

16. Lip-Syncing Fun: Use trending audio to lip-sync something that relates to your bookish life.

17. One-Word Summaries: Pick a book and describe it with just one word using text overlays.

18. Transformation Reel: Show a before-and-after of your bookshelf or reading space.

19. “How It Started vs. How It’s Going”: Document your Bookstagram journey or a bookish glow-up!

20. Trending Challenges: Take part in popular Instagram or TikTok trends and give them a bookish twist.

e. Behind-the-Scenes of Your Bookish Life

21. Bookshelf Organization: Film yourself organizing your shelves—it’s weirdly satisfying to watch.

22. A Day in the Life: Show what a day in your bookish life looks like, from morning coffee to nighttime reading.

23. How You Make Reels: Give a behind-the-scenes peek into how you create your content.

24. Unfiltered Bookish Moments: Share a relatable struggle, like falling asleep with a book on your face.

25. Reading Corner Tour: Show off your cozy reading space—it’s sure to inspire others!

f. Book Reviews in Reel Form

26. 30-Second Book Reviews: Keep it quick—what’s the book about, and why did you love (or not love) it?

27. “Read This, Not That”: Compare two similar books and recommend the one you prefer.

28. Speed Ratings: Rapid-fire rate multiple books with emojis or quick text.

29. Creative Reviews: Review a book using quotes, music, or aesthetic shots.

30. “Should You Read It?”: Give pros, cons, and your overall rating in an engaging Reel.

You May Also Like: 15 Bookstagram Captions That Will Get Your Followers Talking

g. Fun and Relatable Bookish Humor

31. Bookworm Problems: Highlight funny struggles like running out of bookshelf space.

32. Exaggerated Habits: Overdramatize a late-night reading marathon or book-buying spree.

33. POV Reels: POV: You walk into a bookstore and suddenly need every book.

34. Stereotypes: Playfully act out different types of readers—like the “only reads fantasy” friend.

35. Non-Reader vs. Reader: Compare what non-readers think you do versus your actual bookish life.

h. Aesthetic Reels for the Vibes

36. Flat Lay Magic: Show how you create those stunning flat-lay photos of books.

37. Shelf Tours: Highlight your organized or rainbow shelves with soft music.

38. Seasonal Decor: Show how you dress up your shelves for fall, winter, or other holidays.

39. Coffee + Books: Create a cozy vibe with your current read and favorite drink.

40. Books as Outfits: Match your outfit to a book cover—it’s creative and fun!

i. Interactive Reels to Boost Engagement

41. Reading Polls: Ask followers their opinions on popular books or genres.

42. Guess the Book: Share a vague plot description and let your audience guess the title.

43. Book Tags: Join fun trends like “5-Star Predictions” or “Books with This Trope.”

44. Voting Reels: Let your followers choose between genres, tropes, or popular books.

45. Book Trivia: Test your audience with fun bookish questions.

j. Special Events and Themes

46. Book Hauls: Show off your latest bookstore finds.

47. Unboxings: Open subscription boxes or book mail with excitement.

48. Reading Wrap-Ups: Share what you read in a month with quick snippets.

49. Seasonal Lists: Highlight books perfect for specific holidays.

50. Bookish Holidays: Celebrate events like National Book Lovers Day with themed Reels.

Related Post: 200+ Bookish QOTD to Get Your Followers Talking on Bookstagram

k. Creative Extras and Collaborations

51. Shoutouts: Highlight your favorite Bookstagrammers and why you love their content.

52. Book Club Collabs: Share insights or debates from your book club.

53. Author Spotlights: Talk about your favorite authors or promote their new releases.

54. Page Flip Effects: Create a satisfying Reel flipping through a beautiful book.

55. Books as Art: Arrange books in creative shapes or patterns for an artistic touch.

How to Create Reels That Pop

  • Start Simple: Don’t overthink it—some of the best Reels are quick and easy!
  • Use Trending Audio: Browse Instagram for popular sounds and adapt them to your content.
  • Focus on Lighting: Natural light works wonders for making your videos look polished.
  • Keep It Short: Most Reels do best when they’re under 30 seconds.

Tips for Staying Consistent and Growing with Reels

Consistency is key when it comes to using Reels to grow your Bookstagram account. 

Here are a few tips to help you stay on track and keep the momentum going:

1. Post Regularly

Aim to post 2–3 Reels per week if you can. This keeps you active on your followers’ feeds and increases your chances of reaching new people.

2. Engage with Your Viewers

Reels are just the start of the conversation. 

Reply to comments, ask your followers questions, and encourage them to share their own thoughts or bookish experiences. 

Building a sense of community is what makes Bookstagram so special.

3. Track Your Analytics

Check Instagram Insights to see which Reels perform the best. 

Look at metrics like views, shares, and saves to figure out what your audience loves, and create more of that content.

Also See: 16 Must-Try Exciting Content Ideas For Your Bookstagram Account

4. Experiment and Have Fun

Not every Reel needs to be a masterpiece. 

Experiment with different styles, ideas, and trends to see what works best for you. 

If one doesn’t land, no worries—just try something new next time!

5. Stay Authentic

Your love for books is what makes you unique. 

Don’t feel pressured to follow every trend or create content that doesn’t feel true to you. 

Authenticity resonates with people and helps you stand out in the crowd.

Reels are such an amazing way to bring your Bookstagram to life. 


If you’re feeling inspired, start with just one idea from this list. 

See how it feels and let your creativity take over from there. 

And remember, the most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the process.

I’d love to hear from you! Which Reel idea are you excited to try first? Share your thoughts in the comments or tag me in your Reels so I can cheer you on.

Happy creating, and as always—happy reading!

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Preye

Hi! I'm Preye ("pre" as in "prepare" and "ye" as in "Kanye"), and I am a lifelong book lover who enjoys talking about books and sharing bits and pieces of all the fascinating things I come across. I love books so much that I decided to become a developmental editor, and right now, I work with authors to help them tell their stories better. On this blog, I share everything from book recommendations to book reviews and writing tips, so feel free to stop by anytime you like!

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