Everybody reads: Reader engagement with literature in social media environments

•How do readers participate in literary culture through social media environments.•Observation of the social media environment Iedereenleest.be (Evereybodyreads.be).•In-depth interviews with highly active participants.•Insight into readers’ understanding of participating in literary culture.•The findings confirm the characterization of social media as affinity spaces.

This paper focuses on how readers participate in literary culture through social media environments. The study involves an observation of the website and Facebook group of the Flemish reading initiative Iedereenleest.be (EverybodyReads.be), and includes in-depth interviews with highly active participants. We introduce the concept of affinity spaces to develop our understanding of how readers engage in a variety of literary practices within social media environments dedicated to literature and reading. Based on a qualitative thematic analysis of the interview data we discuss four ways in which users characterize literary and social media practices. As such, the study provides insight into readers’ understanding and appreciation of the social aspects of participating in literary culture within social media environments. It also shows how they perceive and negotiate their role within these environments. The image presented by the participants confirms the characterization of social media as affinity spaces and stresses the crucial importance of acknowledging, supporting and encouraging people's passions and interests by allowing engagement in a variety of literary practices.