As an original Berliner from Pankow, Jenny has spent her life travelling on yellow trains. She studied politics and literature, reading 90+ books a year and enjoying fine coffee and food along the way. It only made sense to combine these aspects into a cosy, brown-palletted Bookstagram profile in which she shared what she was reading – and what those on her daily commute were reading, too. Her regular video series taps into our fascination with what words and ideas the strangers around us consume – that small, transitory insight into a random Berliner’s inner world – and how different or similar they are to our own.
I love the videos of “what people read in Berlin”. How did you come up with the concept?
Even before I started the video series, I used to write down the books I spotted people reading on the train. I actually did post those little lists at some point but honestly, they didn’t really get much attention. Then I saw a video that was similar to my series, where they showed readers in London. What I love about this series is how diverse it is – from young to old, books in so many different languages, all kinds of genres, from libraries, very used, brand new. You see classics next to fantasy, academic texts next to romance novels. It’s such a subtle but beautiful reflection of the city.
I also think books say so much about people without revealing too much. It’s a very interesting way of getting to know a place, almost like creating a different kind of map. Berlin already has so many ‘maps’ – of numbers, facts, scenes, stereotypes. But what people read adds another layer. And in a world where we’re all constantly scrolling, seeing people immersed in a book feels almost radical. I think that’s something worth showing. So, in a way, the series isn’t just about books, it’s about people, and about capturing these small, unplanned portraits.
Do you get people’s consent before posting what they’re reading?
No, I don’t ask anyone. If these videos depended on me, an ultra-introvert, walking up to strangers, the format simply wouldn’t exist. I film two seconds without showing faces. I never reveal any personal details. For example, I never show the exact U-Bahn station or if someone is wearing a name tag, and I certainly do leave things out. Some people are reading very… delicate material. Books about mental diseases or religious texts or explicit books, I would never put on camera.
Has anyone ever caught you videoing them and did they mind?
Sometimes people recognise themselves in the videos. So far, I’ve only received genuinely lovely messages. And others even comment that they hope I’ll catch them one day. So many people comment on how much they love seeing so many others are reading. They say the videos feel hopeful in a way – or at the very least make them happy. No one has ever been called out. Not a person, not a book. If anything, the tone is joyous. It’s more like, “Yay for my dark romance girlies!” or “Here’s to the guy reading Bernardine Evaristo”. Most recently, people have even commented that their favourite genre isn’t featured in the video. It’s less about pointing anyone out and more about creating a space of connection. A small resonance that brings readers together.
Do you notice any patterns in what kind of person is reading what kind of book?
Ha, it’s always a little exciting for me too. Sometimes I don’t immediately recognise which book it is and have to guess first, but often I have a pretty good sense of it. At the beginning of the year, I noticed a lot of non-fiction, all sorts of self-improvement titles: The 5 AM Club, how-to-this-and-that books. And then the classics people might have received over the holidays – big, impressive titles. In my very first video of 2026, one woman was reading A Little Life, and the comments were unbelievable: “Oh no, someone has to tell her, to warn her” and “What a devastating way to start the new year.” Readers really do care about one another. That’s a fact. One thing that really stands out is how men mostly stick to books by male authors, while women read much more diversely.
What’s your relationship to literature?
I’ve always seen reading as a kind of small escape. Stories have fascinated me for as long as I can remember. The way they open up other worlds, other lives, other possibilities. Many of the feelings I’ve experienced, I first encountered in books. I read about them long before I ever felt them myself. I didn’t necessarily grow up surrounded by books, though. Instead, I slowly built my own little reading universe, discovering and exploring it on my own.
It’s a bit of a controversial question, but do you know how many books you read a year?
I know because I put them on Goodreads. Last year, it was about 90. You know, I don’t really have any other time-consuming hobbies. I don’t do sports or watch TV, so this is my relaxation. Everyone has their own way of unwinding and relaxing. Reading isn’t inherently better than podcasts or any other hobby, but it’s my way. And actually, I look forward to it every day. I think about my evening and I’m picturing myself on the couch with a book, with snacks. I also have very long train rides every day, back and forth for an hour. So there’s time to read and film other readers.
Your Instagram has a very polished, beautiful aesthetic: flowers, coffee, soft lighting and lots of books. Did you design the colour scheme and style or did it come to you naturally?
About 10 years ago, when I started my Instagram, I was all about perfectly coordinated colours and symmetry, but nowadays, that bores me to death. I love warm tones and I’m obsessed with light and shadow, yet my photos are never edited. I like imperfection. Ideally, each picture tells a little story. My weekly recaps are meant to be messy, beautiful, a little cynical, sometimes political and full of the city’s quirks. Sticking to rigid rules or colour schemes: honestly, I couldn’t stick to those even if my life depended on it.
Food and coffee also play a big part of your Instagram content. What’s your relationship to food and do you think it goes well with reading?
Aimlessly walking through the city is actually my favourite hobby. And usually, sooner or later, a coffee joins the plot. Maybe it’s just a pattern of slow rituals. I’m not even sure what comes first, the book that requires a coffee or the coffee that quietly demands a book.
Do you write?
No, I only keep a very messy notebook. I do write reviews. I also put lots of quotes and thoughts in my Instagram stories while I’m reading. I want to share what I’m reading but I also want to analyse it. Some books are just heavy. Some books mess with you. Some are full of wonderful language, or awful things happen. Often, you just can’t keep all of that to yourself. Have you read King Kong Theory from Despentes? It’s such an empowering book that really changed me, and I had to tell all of my, especially female, friends, because I also wanted them to feel empowered. To read about stuff that you never had words for, then to find it so perfectly written… I feel like everyone has to read it.
You can follow Jenny on IG @wijenny.
