Trust me, her website and Instagram handle are actually a "Satchel" - a mixed bag of reviews, pictures and her notes which simply add to the beauty of her writings.
Chinmayee Bhange interviews Ms. Resh Susan on the occasion of "Write a Review Day" which is celebrated on May 3.
Picture Courtesy: Resh Susan
Please tell us more about yourself.
Hi, I am Resh Susan. I run The Book Satchel (https://www.thebooksatchel.com/)and a monthly newsletter Satchel Notes (https://reshsusan.substack.com/)
How long have you been blogging? Tell us more about the idea behind "The Book Satchel"
The Book Satchel has been live since Dec, 2015. I was at a stressful time in my life and wanted an outlet for creative and bookish thoughts.
What genres of books do you generally follow and review?
I am a mixed bag. I enjoy a scary dystopian read as much as a pacy thriller or a literary read. I have a soft corner for magical realism. And I love a book that entertains.
According to you, what makes a good book? The plot or the author?
I try not to associate the person who wrote the book to the characters in the book. A book stands out by its plot, characters, language or structure. In short, a book should move the reader in some way.
How does a certain book achieve its "Best Seller" status? Also what are your tips to newbies in the Book Writing Platform?
My only tip is to keep writing until you find your voice.
How much time does it generally take from receiving a book to posting its review? What is the general flow that you follow?
It depends on the book in question. I don't have a strict flow. I will usually jot down what works for me in the book and what doesn't, and then elaborate.
In this scenario of information overload and binge reading habits, your blogging and Instagram posts have opened up a new avenue for book enthusiasts. What is your message for like minded people?
Do what you like and what you have the time for. You are still a reader if you read but don't post on social media. But if you enjoy posting on socials, you definitely should.
What advice would you share for naïve book bloggers?
Keep writing without being discouraged by view counts.
How many books do you read in a month? And how many are on your shelf right now as TBR?
I have no idea to be honest. I am a moody reader. So the number of books read can vary from 10+ to 1. As for TBR, it is never ending.
Any three books which are very close to your heart and why?
I enjoyed Arundhati Roy's God of small things for the beautiful prose, Normal people by Sally Rooney for the way it cast a spell over me, Stay with me by Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀ for the storytelling.
Has it ever happened that you felt as if you were one of the characters in the book? Which was that book?
Not really. But I've definitely been moved by the characters in books, whether or not I feel a personal connection. A recent book that comes to mind is Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason.
Do your family / friends support you in this venture of book blogging?
Yes, I guess.
What’s your preferred medium to discuss books – your blog, Twitter or Instagram?
I like them all for different reasons—Instagram for the photos and captions, Twitter for the brevity, and the blog for longer content.
What tips would you share for getting more likes / followers on Instagram handles for book reviews?
No tips to be honest. Be consistent and engage with the bookish community to build relationships.
Social Media is ever evolving. How do you adapt yourself to this scenario?
I wouldn't say I have adapted well.
Do you think likes / reviews on Instagram handles has a deep impact on the psychology of the readers?
I don't know. We can't really forget the fact that a 'like' on Instagram is not for the book, but for the photo, and to a smaller degree, the caption. An amazing book can receive smaller number of likes. As for popular books, the algorithm definitely aids them and they gain more visibility, and hence more engagement.
What are your favourite Bookstagram accounts?
I follow many lovely bookstagram accounts and it is difficult to choose a few.
Who inspired you to Book Blogging?
It was more of a spontaneous decision than an inspired one. But of course, over the years I have been inspired by many contemporary bloggers.
Who are your favourite Book Bloggers?
Some of my favourites are — https://www.thebooksatchel.com/best-book-blogs-to-follow/
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