A book blog with classics
Dmitry from Kazakhstan has read over 160 books and films short takes on them: an A-to-Z of picks, book vs. adaptation, prepping for Ulysses and monthly wrap-ups.
What it is
A book TikTok run by Dmitry from Kazakhstan. His profile says he has read more than 160 books, and that's what the feed is about: what to read, where to begin and how a book compares with its film. He has about 23,000 followers and posts nearly every day. There's also a Telegram channel with the same name, "За страницей" ("Beyond the Page"). The videos are in Russian.
Why we picked it
BookTok often boils down to romance, pastel covers and unboxings. This one leans elsewhere: classic literature turns up in his hashtags all the time, and the videos feature Remarque, Stephen King, Dune and even Ulysses. He's upfront that he isn't an expert and simply shows his own way of preparing to read Joyce. There's a running "book alphabet" series with picks for each letter, a video on which books to start with for certain authors, and the eternal "book or adaptation?" debate.
We like the tone. He isn't a critic talking down; he's a reader sharing lists and poking fun at bookish habits, from sniffing new books to silently judging other people's shelves. At the end of each month he posts what he read, which is an easy way to find something new. Book hauls show up too, but they read like a reader's purchases, not ads.
Where to start
- "What I read in September," the monthly wrap-up.
- The "book alphabet" episode for the letter V.
- "Which books to start with for these writers."
- "Getting ready to read Ulysses," if you've been putting it off.
- "Book or adaptation?"
Who it's for
People who want to read more but don't know where to start, readers who like big classic novels without looking down on genre fiction, and Russian learners who want easy-going listening practice on a familiar topic.
Quick answers
What language is it in? Russian.
Is it only classics? No. Twilight, King and science fiction sit next to Remarque, but there's noticeably more classic literature than on a typical BookTok account.
Where else can I find him? On the Telegram channel "За страницей," where he posts announcements and discussions.
