Introducing The World Of BookTok

One of today’s most influential internet phenomena, ‘BookTok’ is an entire online community of readers who share their thoughts about books on social media — to great effect.

Sending shockwaves through the publishing and bookselling industries, BookTok is a prime example of the influential power of social media. Illustrating perfectly how social media and its mysterious algorithms can be harnessed for good, BookTok is inspiring individuals across the globe (and the generations) to pick up a book. More than this, though, BookTok is also encouraging users to pick up their phones after reading and share their thoughts — an activity that is having a huge impact on authors, titles, and what’s trending right now.

Don’t get left in the dust, read on to find out everything you need to know about BookTok so you can get reading (and filming!)

What is BookTok?

‘BookTok’ — an abbreviation of ‘Book TikTok’ is used to refer to a community on the popular social media app, TikTok, that focuses on books and literature. A bit like Bookstagram, although more communal, this is largely a collection of users with accounts dedicated to bookish content who enjoy consuming short-form video content centred around literature. 

Users who are a part of the BookTok community will often follow prominent BookTok creators to gain book recommendations or inspiration. ‘BookTok’ is very much a lifestyle and an aesthetic as much as it is a part of a social media algorithm.

Typically, users ‘on’ BookTok enjoy consuming content that includes an assortment of the following things:

• Book collections and ‘hauls’ 
• TBRs (Other users showing their To Be Read lists)
• Book reviews
• Book lifestyle content
• Reading accessories and gadgets 
• Fanfiction to do with book characters 
• New releases
• Classic books
• Film versions of books
• Covers and editions

However, the scope of BookTok is vast and has come to encompass everything from users cosplaying as book characters and wearing costumes related to what they are reading to fan art or images that users have created of characters from books.

How does BookTok work?

Since BookTok is, on the surface, a digital phenomenon, it can seem difficult to explain its impact and the way it works. However, the concept itself is actually quite simple.

Users post book-related videos on TikTok and utilise a variety of relevant hashtags, such as #BookTok #Books #BookCollection #BookHaul. These hashtags function to connect all of the different videos together into a kind of virtual hub that users can interact with. Similarly, certain sounds that users can select to be the audit for their videos also tie them together, grouping them into a category. 

As such, users can search for certain hashtags or sounds and see a plethora of videos and accounts using them. From here, users can follow creators they see and like — and the community builds. 

The benefits of BookTok

BookTok has gained significant popularity in recent years, especially among younger generations — and we believe that this is warranted. 

For a start, the integration of book-related content with regular social media content has hugely encouraged young people to read. TikTok is a platform dominated by the younger generations, so it’s an excellent place to distribute bookish content and make reading popular.

Secondly, the number of book sales that can be attributed to TikTok is already significant and rising all the time. For authors, TikTok is a new frontier — one that, while putting them at the mercy of the masses, can deliver excellent results. 

Some of the books below have been dubbed “BookTok Books” because of their immense popularity on the app. 

BookTok books

From Colleen Hoover to Sarah J. Maas, some of this generation’s most-loved authors only enjoy their status as a result of TikTok fame. 

These books have enjoyed fame akin to boy bands of the 90s after going viral on TikTok, reaching millions of sales and reviews on other apps, such as Goodreads and Amazon.

• It Ends with Us, Colleen Hoover, (2016)
• Red, White & Royal Blue, Casey McQuiston, (2019)
• The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Taylor Jenkins Reid, (2017)
• The Song of Achilles, Madeline Miller, (2011)
• They Both Die at the End, Adam Silvera, (2017)
• A Court of Thorns and Roses, Sarah J. Maas, (2015)
• The Atlas Six, Olivie Blake, (2020)
• Fourth Wing, Rebecca Yarros, (2023)
• A Little Life, Hanya Yanagihara, (2015)
• Verity, Colleen Hoover, (2018)
• The Silent Patient, Alex Michaelides, (2019)
• Shatter Me, Tahereh Mafi, (2011)
• The Love Hypothesis, Ali Hazelwood, (2021)
• Iron Flame, Rebecca Yarros, (2023)
• The House in the Cerulean Sea, TJ Klune, (2020)
• Twisted Love, Ana Huang, (2021)
• Icebreaker, Hannah Grace, (2022)

In fact, we’re pretty confident that, if you visit any book retailer in the UK, you will encounter a display for at least one of these books. Booksellers on every high street have quickly latched onto the trending books on TikTok — with many, including The Works and Waterstones, erecting entire displays dedicated to BookTok books.

How to become a BookToker 

If you’re keen to get involved with BookTok yourself, don’t worry, there are no real ‘rules’ — nor is it a community that gatekeeps. Everyone is welcome on BookTok, no matter your age, location, reading interests, or ability. 

All you need to do is have a dedicated TikTok account and start posting videos. But, as with anything on social media, there are certainly best practices. Our experts have put together a few top tips below if you’re wondering how to go viral on BookTok: 

• Utilise relevant hashtags 
• Use trending sounds 
• Film a variety of content — some reviews, funny videos, collections, show & tells, etc.
• Interact with other users through comments and likes 
• Follow a wide range of already-established BookTokers
• Read books that are trending right now

Keep up with the latest book trends

From the books that reign supreme in the court of public opinion to the latest reading gadgets, you can always rely on Victoria Freudenheim to deliver you expert, helpful bookish content. So, keep up with our blog and be sure to visit our latest reviews page.