Today we’d like to introduce you to Eva Hu.
Hi Eva, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I began sharing book reviews online as @thegirlwhoreadsonthemetro, after the book of the same name by Christine Feret-Fleury, when I was being asked by friends during the pandemic for book recommendations. Social media became a space for my thoughts and over time an audience grew. Through sharing reviews and topics I engage with, I’ve been grateful to cultivate a community of readers and cinephiles who similarly want to read and watch interesting, quality art. Now, I’ve worked with all five major publishers as well as independent presses and literary magazines, including my favorites, The Paris Review and The Yale Review. I have been very fortunate to carve out a creative space for myself and others to engage in discourse on books (contemporary and ancient), cultural essays, and films, and to meet and converse with personal author heroes of mine. Central to my love for art and journalism is the idea of protecting those expressions, which led me to law school. I try to balance the legal with the literary in my day to day in the idyllic Boston. These days, I am a literary influencer for the Boston Public Library and review films for A24 and Warner Brothers in addition to my legal studies. Besides reviewing books and moderating Mad Women Book Club, I write on Substack as “the girl who reads on the metro” and dabble on Letterboxd as well.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s been interesting to adapt to the various social media platform algorithms and technological advances that have shaped the last few years. I also tend to be a more private creator, sharing the things I’m interested in and important works by others, rather than details about my own life or person. I prefer to curate and critique. This type of content is more niche than celebrity-adjacent influencing. I’m still figuring out the negotiations of genuine identity and brand-partnerships through the growth of my platforms. I’m very encouraged by comments, messages, and responses to things I write and share – reminders that people are interested in the type of substance I share is deeply meaningful to me.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I mostly review upcoming releases, books and films alike. I’d like to think I’m known for thoughtful reviews on great books of all genres and origins, and also for increased readership on public transit. I share about Asian American literature as well, as diverse reading and representation is important not only to my personal reading but also to increasing the education and literacy of others. In terms of accomplishments, I’ve been fortunate to do book pop-ups around Boston and literary events. In particular, I was honored to be able to host my book club at the Boston Athenaeum in July. As someone who centers community and nuanced conversations on my pages, I’m proud of this project for leaving my daydreams and entering the real world. Having an engaging discussion about great literature with girls my age who are curious about intertextuality in a beautiful space is everything I seek to do.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Authenticity. I’ve always trusted my taste and instincts about reading and films, and whatever I lack in education I make up for in research, the analog ways when I can. Being true to myself and treating social media like a digital diary is what maintains my drive to share beautiful images, long and short-form criticism, and glimpses of the lifestyle I aspire to. I think publishers, film producers, and brands who seek out my work are interested in the creative identity I keep consistent across my platforms because I seek to be genuine irrespective of a medium.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://substack.com/@spacesoftheeast
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegirlwhoreadsonthemetro/
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/madwomenbookclub/
