Exploring the Most Popular Books on BookTok Our Honest Critique
Exploring the Most Popular Books on BookTok Our Candid Thoughts and Reactions
I’m your typical millennial TikTok user. You know, the one who consumes the most viral videos when they emerge weeks later in my Instagram feed. I’m still mildly wary of the platform where I am decidedly a lurker, not yet an active creator. I forget about TikTok for days on end, partially in an honest attempt to not get sucked into another social media platform but also because I am still slightly bewildered by it all. However, there is one thing that entices me to open the app. Fellow elder millennials, listen up. Let me tell you about a magical little place called #BookTok.
In a nutshell: BookTok is a (massive) corner of the app where users post quick videos, reviewing and recommending novels that generally fall within the genre of young adult and romance. They’re passionate and creative—and there are even fantasy accounts dedicated to fan-favorite characters featured in the most popular TikTok books.
It’s a collection of young, impassioned readers inspiring countless others to join the club, of which they are in packs. (The hashtag is currently sitting at nearly 190 billion views). And while it can’t quite be quantified, we do know that BookTok is driving book sales and even publishing deals thanks to this wildfire word-of-mouth trend.
What is a TikTok book?
A TikTok book is quite simply a book that has organically gained popularity on the app. This is very much about judging a book by its cover, and there’s no shame in that. Once you’ve spent some time in this world, you can easily spot the signs. There is often a fantasy element with romance at the center. You’ll find book recommendations based on popular tropes like “forced proximity,” “who did this to you,” and of course, “enemies to lovers.”
Why is BookTok so popular?
Like any good trend, BookTok simply makes reading cool again. It’s introducing young readers to a world beyond a syllabus. One where they can escape their own lives through a relatable main character on a fantastical journey. The pandemic changed everything—including the way we read and hear about books. The BookTok community bridged the gap with videos titled, “books that will make you fall in love with reading,” and “books that left me heartbroken and shattered for days.” In short, BookTok positions reading as accessible—aspirational, even.
The 21 Best BookTok Recommendations to Pick Up, Stat
Time for the big reveal! I recruited two VoiceAngel editors and all-around book lovers Bridget Chambers and Isabelle Eyman to help me review as many TikTok bestsellers as possible. These are our 21 best BookTok recommendations. They are all terribly juicy, engrossing, and oh-so-perfect for the cozy reading season.
- The Guest List by Lucy Foley
Genre: Thriller & Suspense
Review: As much as I love to curl up with a book, it’s rare that I [neglect my family to] read an entire book in a single day. But this one had me hooked from line one—I just had to know who did it. Even a slight predictability couldn’t keep me from thoroughly enjoying the ride. If you like a plot that takes off like a runaway train and keeps pace until the very end, you’ll love this whodunnit where the perfectly cast Irish setting takes center stage. — Brittany
Coming Soon: To a television near you? The author hinted that The Guest List has been optioned as a TV series—time will tell.
$12.48
- Every Summer After by Carley Fortune
Genre: Fiction
Review: Every Summer After is the perfect summertime read about a summertime romance between best friends. It’s People We Meet on Vacation meets The Summer I Turned Pretty, and had me incredibly attached to and invested in every character. My only complaint is that the ending felt a bit rushed, but that’s probably because I didn’t want it to end at all. — Bridget
$9.50
- Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Genre: Horror Fiction
Review: October is the perfect time to pick up this slightly scary and yet very engrossing novel. It’s the perfect book to correspond with spooky season without being pure horror. Personally, I’m not a horror fan but I do love a good mystery with a dark and looming house involved. This one does get a little bit icky but it didn’t keep me up at night. I’d read it again. — Brittany
Coming Soon: To a streaming service near you—Mexican Gothic is in development as a Hulu Original Series produced by Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos.
$14.69
And the list goes on!
…
So there you have it, the 21 best BookTok recommendations that will make your reading experience as exciting as a catwalk in Milan. Whether you’re into thrilling mysteries, epic fantasies, or heartwarming romances, there’s a book on this list that will make your heart skip a beat and your fashion-forward outfit complete. So grab your coffee, put on your trendiest glasses, and dive into these literary masterpieces that have taken the BookTok community by storm.
Tell us in the comments, which BookTok recommendation are you most excited to read? And if you’ve already read some of them, what are your thoughts? Let’s chat and share our vibrant fashion and bookish world together!
