Literature Gathering as a Cultural Event: Booktube Participation/Kültürel Etkinlik Olarak Edebiyat Buluşması: Booktube Katılımı

Abstract

This study analyzed the tendency to participate in reading activities organized by online book clubs. The universe of the research consists of Turkish Booktube channels and their followers. Booktube channels chosen as samples in the study are Ayşe Ümit Karabacak, Kitap Dünyam, and Mine’s Book Suggestions. The universe of Booktube channel followers was also limited to a sample of 549 people. The study used semi-structured interviews with Booktubers and a questionnaire with Booktube channel followers as a data collection technique. The data obtained from these data collection techniques were analyzed with the content analysis method in the 2020.2.2 version of the Maxqda program. Obtained findings; It is seen that the motivations of the Booktubers who produce content on the Booktube channel and the followers who consume the Booktube videos differ in various aspects. In terms of booktubers, the main factor in participating in this channel is a social benefit, creating personal archives from video content and contributing to their personal development. For followers, the aim is to learn about literature, do homework/research, and gain reading habits. As a result; There are differences in the motivations of Booktube channel owners and Booktube channel viewers to participate in these channels. Accordingly, the definitions of the content followed and quality video also varies. Although participation in these channels, content followed, and quality content approaches differ in terms of Booktubers and followers, they look at the achievements of Booktube from a similar perspective.

Keywords

• online reading activities
• digital reading
• booktube