TikTok Made Me Read It: Best BookTok Books
BookTok has taken social media by storm, and we’re definitely here for it. We love the creator-led community, and the simplicity of scrolling through our feeds to get the hottest reviews and recommendations for our next page-turner.
With everything from heart-rending historical fiction to country-inspired coming-of-age road trips, BookTok is an amazing place to discover your latest obsession.
Take a look at our five favourite BookTok books below for the titles you should be adding to your to-read list.
The Midnight Library, Matt Haig
Up first, Matt Haig’s The Midnight Library, is a thought-provoking fantasy novel that asks, ‘If you could do it again, would you?’
Nora’s life is a mess, she doesn’t speak to her brother, her only friend lives in Australia, and her cat has just died. One night she finds herself in the Midnight Library though, where every book represents a different life she could have had if she’d made different choices. Nora gets the chance to explore these different lives, but things aren’t as straightforward as they seem.
This is a fascinating exploration of the effects the choices that we make have and how we can all take control of our lives to ensure it’s one well-lived. What would you do in Nora’s place?
The Song of Achilles, Madeline Miller
Based on the ancient Iliad by Homer, The Song of Achilles is a timelessly poignant exploration of love that’s certain to sweep you off your feet and hit you right in the feels.
A retelling of the Trojan War from the perspective of Patroclus, the novel details his romantic relationship with Achilles from their first encounter to their fateful time before the walls of Troy. Exploring the survival of their love through the hardship and suffering of the time they live in.
Miller fully submerges you in classical Greece with intricate characterisations of gods and mortals, and some hauntingly beautiful writing throughout. Interwoven with themes of love, family, sacrifice, and loyalty, Miller’s novel puts a poetic new spin on an ancient classic. Truly a legendary tale.
It Ends With Us, Colleen Hoover
First published in 2016, winning the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Romance, It Ends With Us skyrocketed in popularity in 2021 when discovered by the BookTok community, and remains a firm favourite.
The novel follows the struggles of Lily, who is coming to terms with the discovery of her father’s secret abuse of her mother, while also navigating her own relationship dilemmas in the form of new boyfriend, Ryle, and old flame, Atlas.
What could be mistaken as a classic love triangle on the surface delivers so much more depth, examining the destructive force abuse can be, while also highlighting the incredible strength of survivors.
It’s a perfectly balanced read, sombre, heartfelt, and ultimately uplifting, that digs its claws deep into your heart, begging to be read over and over again.
Every Time You Hear That Song, Jenna Voris
Published in April 2024, Every Time You Hear That Song debuted with a bang on BookTok, becoming an instant favourite. Written by Jenna Voris, who describes her writing as books about ambitious girls and galaxy-traversing adventures, we fell in love hard.
When an almost-mythical country singer dies, leaving behind a scavenger hunt leading to a treasure trove, aspiring journalist Darren teams up with her co-worker on the road trip that could lead to the story of a lifetime.
Switching between two timelines and perspectives, Voris’ novel is all about navigating life, love, and coming of age. The writer expertly compares and contrasts the two protagonists, showing that while time may separate them, they are more similar than you first believe.
This is the book for you if you love country music, queer love stories, and dreaming big.
A Court of Thorns and Roses, Sarah J. Maas
The first in a series of five (with a sixth confirmed on the way!), A Court of Thorns and Roses offers some great fantasy fiction writing.
The novel follows huntress, Feyre, as she gets taken to the land of fae as punishment after killing a wolf on the edge of the faerie’s realm. Feyre is a fish out of water in her new surroundings and slowly learns that everything she thought she knew about this mythical place is false.
We loved this book for its brilliant world-building and outstanding authentic characters. The best thing, though, is that there’s a whole series to sink your teeth into once you’ve fallen in love with the world of Prythian.
Tempted by our BookTok reads?
These are just a few of our favourite BookTok titles, and we hope they’ve inspired you to put them on your reading list or explore the fantastic BookTok community for yourself.
If you’re looking for even more book inspiration, take a look at our top-rated reviews for brilliant books across a range of genres.
Be sure to keep up to date with the Victoria Freudenheim blog, for all the latest literary inspiration, reviews, and top tips.
