Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
I'm Mike - this is Riff Raff's Reading Renaissance. Welcome!
Today I’m taking on the Honest BookTuber Tag, which I saw on Emily's channel @EmReads.
Link - youtube.com/watch?v=VUfZzRFwm9U&t=385s
In this video, I dive into:
– Whether I’ve ever lied about reading a book
– The pressure of the YouTube algorithm vs. genuine reading
– Controversial authors and separating art from the artist
– Slow reading, authenticity, and why reading always comes first
– BookTube drama, honesty, and building a real community
The Prompts:
1. Have you ever lied about reading a book?
2. Have you ever avoided a book because of controversy surrounding it or its author?
3. Have you ever been sent a book for free and not disclosed it?
4. Have you ever bought a book with no intention of reading it?
5. Have you ever got caught up in BookTube drama?
6. Have you ever had a hate comment, and if so, did you respond?
7. Have you ever made a video just because you knew it would get views?
8. If you could go back to the beginning of your channel, would you do anything differently?
9. Are there any channels you wish you could be more like?
10. What's something you love about your channel?
This is less about “playing the game” and more about why we read in the first place—for joy, discovery, and connection. If you’re a slow reader, a thoughtful reader, or someone who values authenticity over hype, you’re in the right place.
Timestamps / Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:45 Prompt 1: Have I ever lied about reading?
02:51 Algorithm pressure vs real reading
03:34 Prompt 2: Thoughts on Controversial authors
04:57 Strong Feelings and personal codes of conduct
06:22 Assessing the Art vs the Artist
11:50 Prompt 3: Free books & honesty
12:37 Prompt 4: Buying books I won’t read?
13:11 Prompt 5: Drama in the Booktube Family
14:14 Prompt 6: Handling Hate comments
15:31 Prompt 7: Making videos for views
16:25 Prompt 8: What I’d change about my channel
17:30 Prompt 9: Authenticity in BookTube
19:21 Prompt 10: Why I love Riff Raff's Reading Renaissance
21:34 Final thoughts
💬 I’d love to hear your thoughts—do you agree or disagree?
đź‘Ť Like, subscribe, and join me on this reading journey!
And for the almighty algorithm:
#BookTube
#HonestBookTuberTag
#ReadingCommunity
#BookLovers
#SlowReader
#ReadingJourney
#BookDiscussion
#ReaderLife
#Authenticity
#BookTubeUK (or adjust to your region if needed)
#LiteraryLife
#BooksAndReading
I'm Mike - this is Riff Raff's Reading Renaissance. Welcome!
Today I’m taking on the Honest BookTuber Tag, which I saw on Emily's channel @EmReads.
Link - youtube.com/watch?v=VUfZzRFwm9U&t=385s
In this video, I dive into:
– Whether I’ve ever lied about reading a book
– The pressure of the YouTube algorithm vs. genuine reading
– Controversial authors and separating art from the artist
– Slow reading, authenticity, and why reading always comes first
– BookTube drama, honesty, and building a real community
The Prompts:
1. Have you ever lied about reading a book?
2. Have you ever avoided a book because of controversy surrounding it or its author?
3. Have you ever been sent a book for free and not disclosed it?
4. Have you ever bought a book with no intention of reading it?
5. Have you ever got caught up in BookTube drama?
6. Have you ever had a hate comment, and if so, did you respond?
7. Have you ever made a video just because you knew it would get views?
8. If you could go back to the beginning of your channel, would you do anything differently?
9. Are there any channels you wish you could be more like?
10. What's something you love about your channel?
This is less about “playing the game” and more about why we read in the first place—for joy, discovery, and connection. If you’re a slow reader, a thoughtful reader, or someone who values authenticity over hype, you’re in the right place.
Timestamps / Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:45 Prompt 1: Have I ever lied about reading?
02:51 Algorithm pressure vs real reading
03:34 Prompt 2: Thoughts on Controversial authors
04:57 Strong Feelings and personal codes of conduct
06:22 Assessing the Art vs the Artist
11:50 Prompt 3: Free books & honesty
12:37 Prompt 4: Buying books I won’t read?
13:11 Prompt 5: Drama in the Booktube Family
14:14 Prompt 6: Handling Hate comments
15:31 Prompt 7: Making videos for views
16:25 Prompt 8: What I’d change about my channel
17:30 Prompt 9: Authenticity in BookTube
19:21 Prompt 10: Why I love Riff Raff's Reading Renaissance
21:34 Final thoughts
💬 I’d love to hear your thoughts—do you agree or disagree?
đź‘Ť Like, subscribe, and join me on this reading journey!
And for the almighty algorithm:
#BookTube
#HonestBookTuberTag
#ReadingCommunity
#BookLovers
#SlowReader
#ReadingJourney
#BookDiscussion
#ReaderLife
#Authenticity
#BookTubeUK (or adjust to your region if needed)
#LiteraryLife
#BooksAndReading
