By: Faith Swindler'27
The creation of TikTok has brought its fair share of celebrities, dances, trends, and hashtags. With a “For You Page” that filters according to users’ interests, the platform has broken up into different subspecialties.
The BookTok side of the app has gained in popularity within the last couple of years, promoting specific authors, genres, and novels. Influencers have begun making videos reviewing and recommending books in unique ways. Trends such as silently rating books, 24-hour read-a-thons, and monthly reading recaps have taken over the platform. With over one billion active users worldwide, TikTok and its subcategory, BookTok, significantly influence many generations of users. While social media usage has a relatively negative connotation, this special side of TikTok has inspired its users to put down their phones and pick up a book! The content from BookTok creators has encouraged more and more people to get back into reading and try out new literary genres. Formerly seen as a rather boring, antisocial, and educational activity, the rise of BookTok has made reading fun and trendy! The platform circulates many videos showing users joining book clubs, purchasing and decorating Amazon Kindles, and annotating novels. BookTok has shaped reading into an aesthetic activity, cultivating a passion for literature in many of its users. The app has successfully created a lively and growing community of book lovers, supplying them with new and exciting reading-related content on a daily basis.
If you love to read or want to get into the hobby, see below for some of the most popular BookTok suggestions. Each novel is accompanied by my personal rating and review to help in picking the perfect book. Happy Reading!
A Court of Thorns and Roses
Fantasy | 4/5 stars
A take on the famous Disney tale of “Beauty and the Beast,” Sarah J. Maas brings readers on a thrilling adventure through the eyes of a young human girl named Feyre. Her role as a huntress brings her face to face with the dangerous and immortal faeries of a magical realm. (Review written by Hope Swindler)
The Summer of Broken Rules
Romance | 3.5/5 stars
If you love a feel-good romance, this book takes a simple fling and complicates it with the chaos of friends and family. The novel explores whether all is fair in love and war, even if it means hurting those you care about most. This is the perfect summer read for those looking for a sweet love story with Taylor Swift references!
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder
Mystery | 5/5 stars
This is a perfect young adult mystery for those who love twists and turns. In this trilogy, readers encounter the clues and crushes that accompany the main characters’ lives. Join Pip in her search for answers to the darkest secrets of her small town.
The Perfect Marriage
Thriller | 5/5 stars
A husband accused of murder and a wife tasked with his defense… whoever said marriage was easy? This thriller follows a gruesome murder muddled by abuse, affairs, and alcohol—a must-read for those who love a shocking, sinister ending.
I’m Glad My Mom Died
Memoir | No Rating
A candid and revealing exploration of life as a child actress in Hollywood. Jennette McCurdy's journey through "iCarly" brought her fame and introduced profound challenges. This powerful narrative delves into the pressures of stardom and the unexpected struggles of success. Trigger Warnings: discussions of suicide, eating disorders, sexual abuse, and substance abuse. (Review written by Hope Swindler)
Divine Rivals
Romantasy | 5/5 stars
An enemies-to-lovers romance with a fantastical twist. Iris and Kit must survive a war between the gods to discover their way back to each other. The couple finds solace through their magical typewriters that link them across the distance. If you like this one, check out the sequel, Ruthless Vows.
Before the Coffee gets Cold
Magical Realism | 2/5 stars
The novel features a collection of short stories connected through a magical cafe. Customers travel back in time, but only until their coffee gets cold. This book explores the nuances of various relationships yet often falls short of resonating with readers on a deeper level. If you are intrigued, give it a chance and maybe you will be surprised!
The Princess Saves Herself in this One
Poetry | 3/5 stars
This piece presents poems that reframe stereotypical female roles. The book is broken down into four sections: the princess, the damsel, the queen, and you. If you are looking for a fresh and feminist perspective, these poems are perfect!
*Note: All photos are courtesy of Barnes & Noble
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