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
43:16 Advice for Aspiring Content Creators
46:56 Closing Thoughts and Contact Info


Follow Allissa at shebereadinthembooks:

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shebereadinthembooks
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/shebereadinthembooks

Follow That Nerd Thing at:
⁠⁠TikTok: @thatnerdthingpod⁠⁠
⁠⁠Instagram: @thatnerdthingpod⁠⁠YouTube: @thatnerdthingpod⁠⁠
Email: [email protected]

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