Books | #lyypbooks #lyypreads

Technology is great, isn’t it?

Years ago, I used to forget about a book (seemingly) moments after reading it.

Then, Instagram was invented and I developed a GENIUS system wherein I took a picture of every book I read and posted the picture with a unique hashtag. Whenever someone asked me to recommend a book I’d read, I could search that hashtag and all my saved book photos would come up.

Sometimes, I was moved to share a review. My “book review” posts are some of the best performing social media content I’ve created in my whole IG history. (What does that say about me as a photographer who uses social media to support her business? Not gonna worry about that).

I even got fancy at one point and realized that I could make a highlight of all the books I’d read. Then I learned that the max number of photos in a highlight is 100, so I want back to the original, tried and true system.

Well.

Instagram changed the way they do hashtags. I can’t search anymore. I’m annoyed. And frustrated. And I’ve stopped posting about the books I’m reading.

So.

Here’s the new solution. I’ve managed to grab screenshots from instagram of all my old book posts (probably? maybe?) and from now on I’ll be keeping my list here. On my very own blog. Over which I have total control. (Just so you know what’s going on here). (I mean, I suppose I could start using the Goodreads account I abandoned 11 years ago, but what would I do with all these photos?) Note that there is no discernible order to this and that I probably missed some. I also will probably miss more. And updates might be erratic. A need for perfection would crush this new system, is what I’m saying. So yeah, it’s not perfect. But it’s here! Hope you like it.

Have you read any of these? Have any to recommend?

Update July 2026:

I just added six new photos to my beautiful (I think) gallery of “books I’ve read.” I’ve also added a few to my “To Be Read” list. Which others should I add?

The standout from this most recent batch was “Lonesome Dove”. It’s pretty rare that I’ll re-read a book. This was one that I read in the early nineties and have meant to pick up again for years. I remember loving it SO much back then. I definitely enjoyed it this time, as well — such incredible characters, and the author somehow helps you really get to know all of them.

Thanks for looking,

~Jaye

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