a reader's guide to booktok

Introduction

BookTok has transformed the landscape of reading communities and book popularity, catapulting books from obscurity to bestseller status overnight. This article explores how a once niche community on TikTok has become a pivotal space for book lovers. From decoding BookTok hashtags to spotlighting popular BookTok books and uncovering BookTok meaning, we’ll navigate the trends that make BookTok a cultural and literary phenomenon.

Understanding BookTok

What is BookTok?

Book TikTok, or BookTok, refers to a community of TikTok users who create and share content about books and reading. BookTok evolved from individual users—mostly young readers and book enthusiasts—sharing their love for books on social media. Reading recommendations, and aesthetic bookshelf displays quickly gained traction on TikTok as the site’s basis in short, engaging videos makes it an ideal platform for quick book reviews and visual storytelling.

As these posts became more popular, hashtags like #BookTok helped to unify the content, making it easier for other users to discover and engage with book-related videos. BookTok allows users to convey reactions more dynamically than through static images or text alone. These posts’ visual and often emotional appeal resonates with viewers, leading to a community that not only discusses books but also significantly influences reading habits and book sales globally. BookTok has quickly evolved into a powerful trendsetter in the publishing world, driving book sales and influencing reader preferences. BookTok recommendations even help steer popular BookTok books into film adaptations, as seen with Colleen Hoover’s It Ends With Us. The role of TikTok in promoting books and steering the course of pop culture cannot be overstated, with many BookTok authors seeing success after one well-placed hashtag or careful lean into a trending novel theme or genre.

How to Interpret BookTok Hashtags

BookTok hashtags act as searchable links on TikTok, making it easy for users to find content related to specific interests. Much like the initial #BookTok tag helped users find BookTok in its early days, hashtags have expanded to help users sort based on Booktok book lists, genres, aesthetics, and much more. These tags help users discover new books and authors, connect with like-minded readers, and participate in challenges. For example, searching for #FantasyBooks can lead a user to hundreds of videos reviewing fantasy novels, sharing fantasy author discussions, and more. Following #BookTokBooksSpicy will provide a steady supply of romantasy and sensually charged literature. Continuing to follow a hashtag will provide never-ending related videos, keeping a user in the know.

Hashtags also help build micro-communities within BookTok, which offers a digital book club energy that users find both social and educational. For example, a popular hashtag like #BookRecommendations can prompt users to share their favorite reads, contributing to a larger pool of book suggestions within the community. Authors and publishers can, in turn, leverage hashtags to increase visibility for new releases, tapping directly into the pool of their desired consumers. Regularly interacting with or posting videos with specific hashtags increases the likelihood that similar content will appear in a user’s “For You” feed, providing a constant cycle of discovery and engagement.

Here’s a quick guide to some of the most popular BookTok hashtags:

•  #BookTok is the umbrella hashtag for all things book-related on TikTok, and the original tag for the entire BookTok community.
•  #BookRecommendations allows users to curate their own recommendations for others or follow their favorite accounts for specific genre and author recommendations.
• #BookReview allows users both to curate and share personal book picks and reviews in a variety of video formats, from on-camera reviews to text-overlaid images conveying specific aesthetics that speak to a book’s content.
• #Bookish is an umbrella tag that celebrates the love of books and reading but often aims more specifically at aesthetics, from styled bookshelves, or #shelfies, to creative book photography.
• #BookLover celebrates a love of books and reading but often focuses more on the books themselves rather than the aesthetic or lifestyle elements. Users might directly discuss their favorite books, authors, and reading experiences.
• #ReadingCommunity includes posts that encourage discussion and interaction, such as questions about reading habits, group reads, or challenges that prompt responses from other readers. This hashtag also includes posts where users share personal reading updates, seek advice on what to read next, and support each other’s reading endeavors.
• #BookNerd connects readers across the globe in a manner similar to #ReadingCommunity, though it may also be used to help promote and identify a BookTok user who is promoting their account to enhance engagement.
• #Bibliophile is used to label and connect those who love collecting and discussing books. Users often share their book collections and book photography using this tag.
• #TBR (To Be Read) can help display book collections, whether they are photographed together in a #BookHaul or curated in a video to link related books and guide readers looking for #BookRecommendations.
• #BookHaul allows users to show off upcoming reads and new acquisitions, either photographed together in a #shelfie or presented in a video touching on similar books.
• #CurrentlyReading helps promote community engagement by allowing users to share their current reads. This tag also allows user to sort through recent, popular releases and sync their own reading with others’ book selections.
• #BookChallenge is used to engage with reading challenges that encourage participants to read books based on specific criteria within a set time frame. Posts tagged with #BookChallenge often introduce or update progress on various reading challenges, such as reading a book from each continent, finishing a certain number of books in a month, or reading books based on a particular theme.
• #BookAesthetic focuses on the visual appeal of books and reading setups and may include #shelfies or costumes inspired by characters from popular books. This tag lends itself to books that feature distinctive fashion styles, such as romantasy costumes modeled on fantasy creatures or iconic couples.
• #FantasyBooks captures books that fall under fantasy genres, which is a wide but ever-growing range.
• #Romantasy leads to content related to popular titles within romantasy, an extremely popular hybrid genre of romance and fantasy..
• #RomanceBooks is an umbrella term for romance that is also used for subgenres like romantasy and spicy books to allow users to discover both classic reads and trendy titles.
• #SpicyBooks are specifically sensual reads, which are a huge part of BookTok as a social and cultural phenomenon. These reads frequently explore tropes like enemies to lovers and offer graphic sensuality and intense romance.
• #YAbooks (Young Adult Books) highlights books geared toward young adults, which often focus on coming-of-age themes, first loves, identity exploration, and navigating complex social and familial challenges.
• #BookQuote offers memorable quotes from across genres, allowing users to engage with each other and find communities that share their favorite reads.
• #BookishLife explores the lifestyle and culture of avid readers, including #BookAesthetics and #shelfies, as well as potential reading locations and curated reading nooks or desks.

Trending Genres and Popular BookTok Books

BookTok’s Most Popular Genres

BookTok’s ability to create viral content and foster a passionate community around specific genres like romantasy, new adult fiction, and true crime-inspired fiction has directly influenced the rise and mainstream success of these contemporary genres, making them more accessible and appealing to a wider audience. BookTok offers a space where readers can share their enthusiasm for niche genres through engaging and viral content. BookTok’s video-friendly interface allows users to express their love for these traditionally less-celebrated genres in creative ways—whether through book reviews, aesthetic videos, or even reenactments of favorite scenes. This visual and interactive approach helps to build a strong sense of community among readers, who then drive the popularity of these genres by recommending books to others, participating in themed challenges, and using BookTok hashtags.

BookTok Romance Books

BookTok has turned romance books into viral sensations. Users create engaging content such as book reviews, themed recommendations, and aesthetic videos that showcase their favorite romance novels. This visibility has helped books gain a global audience, increasing book sales and popularity.

Romance Booktok books often fall into various subgenres, such as contemporary, historical, dark romance, and spicy romance, each offering unique twists on love stories.

Contemporary romance on BookTok includes romance stories set at the time of writing and generally reflect modern settings and societal norms. The focus is on romantic relationships within a current context, often dealing with themes like dating, marriage, and everyday life while featuring a strong emotional component.

Historical romance novels on BookTok are set in the past, typically more than 50 years before they were written. These stories incorporate accurate period details and often explore romantic relationships through the lens of historical events and social conditions of the time. Popular settings include Regency England, the Middle Ages, and the American West.

Spicy romance books on BookTok are known for their explicit sexual content, exploring physical intimacy with detailed, often graphic, descriptions. These stories go beyond the closed-door romance scenes typical of more traditional romances, offering readers a more direct portrayal of the characters’ sexual relationships.

A popular BookTok romance trope is enemies to lovers, which involves two characters who start off with antagonistic feelings toward each other but gradually develop romantic feelings. The conflict between the characters creates a dynamic plot, often leading to the intense and passionate relationships typical of spicy romance.

Another popular BookTok romance trope is friends to lovers, which involves characters who are initially just friends discovering romantic feelings for each other. This gradual or sudden realization of love is often explored through deepening emotional bonds and a significant event that shifts their relationship from platonic to romantic.

BookTok romances often feature profound emotional connections, which delve deeply into the psychological and emotional depths of relationships. These stories often explore the intricacies of personal growth, vulnerability, and the impact of past traumas on present relationships. The emphasis is on the emotional journey of the characters rather than just physical or surface-level attraction, resonating with readers who seek a more substantial narrative.

BookTok also offers a platform to users seeking alternatives to mainstream romance, which typically focuses on straight relationships. BookTok users often highlight books that feature LGBTQ+ characters and relationships, elevating stories that might not be as prominently featured in traditional media. LGBTQ+ romance books feature in various BookTok challenges and lists, such as “books that made me cry,” “best kisses,” or “most heartwarming plots,” fostering a sense of community and belonging.

The subgenre of dark romance similarly illustrates BookTok’s appeal to readers who may otherwise feel alienated from the romance genre. Dark romance novels typically feature intense, often taboo themes that can include elements of power imbalances, morally ambiguous characters, and high-stakes emotional conflicts. These stories often explore the darker aspects of desire and relationships, challenging conventional boundaries of romance fiction and delving into subgenres like “non-con,” or sexual relationships that are not explicitly consensual. Though the genre is controversial, its fans praise it for helping readers explore taboo sexual fantasies in a controlled environment. 

SuperSummary’s Before You Read pages provide readers with a comprehensive overview—including a Super Short Summary and a Reviews & Readership section exploring readers’ experiences and recommendations—to allow readers to make an informed decision about whether they are comfortable exploring works of dark romance and their controversial themes, or books in any genre at all. Additionally, SuperSummary’s collection of Study Guides includes carefully crafted Content Warnings to enhance reader safety and knowledge prior to the reading experience.

Popular BookTok romance books include:

●      The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood follows Olive Smith, a third-year doctoral candidate, as she fakes a relationship with the aloof young professor Dr. Adam Carlsen to convince her best friend that she’s dating again. The arrangement, meant to be simple and beneficial for Olive’s research funding, becomes complicated as genuine feelings begin to emerge, capturing the friends-to-lovers trope.

●      It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover explores the difficult decisions protagonist Lily Bloom faces about her intense relationship with neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid. As past traumas resurface and new hardships arise, Lily must confront the painful cycle of domestic abuse and determine the future she wants for herself and her daughter, exploring the popular trope of profound emotional connections.

●      Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston follows Alex Claremont-Diaz, son of America’s first woman president, as he is forced into a fake friendship with his nemesis, Prince Henry of Britain, which leads to an unexpected and secretive romance. This LGBTQ+ romantic comedy challenges cultural norms, explores identity, and celebrates the courage to be one’s true self in the face of public scrutiny while embodying the enemies-to-lovers trope.

BookTok Fantasy Books

Fantasy remains a powerhouse on BookTok, with BookTok fantasy books capturing the imaginations of countless users. The genre’s success is attributed to its rich narratives that offer escape and adventure—essential qualities that engage the BookTok community. From high fantasy (characterized by its epic scope and immersive worldbuilding) to urban fantasy (which blends magical elements with an urban and often contemporary setting) to fantasy romance (or #Romantasy), these books provide expansive worlds that readers can lose themselves in, often in multipart series. As they are throughout BookTok, women are a strong presence in the BookTok fantasy community, and many of the works BookTok users favor include strong female protagonists as well as genre staples like complex lore. 

Here are some of the top BookTok fantasy books:

• A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas follows Feyre Archeron, a mortal young woman, who is forcibly taken to the magical land of Prythian after killing a wolf who was actually a Faerie. Her captor, the mysterious and alluring Tamlin, reveals a world torn by strife and ancient curses. Feyre must navigate dangerous politics and her burgeoning feelings for Tamlin. This series explores popular BookTok romance tropes of enemies to lovers and profound emotional connections.
• The Cruel Prince by Holly Black follows Jude Duarte, a mortal girl living in the High Court of Faerie and navigating its dangerous politics after she and her sisters are abducted to live there. Determined to belong, Jude engages in a power struggle with Prince Cardan, leading to betrayal, political intrigue, and unexpected alliances while embodying the trope of enemies to lovers.
• Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo follows Kaz Brekker, a criminal prodigy, in the gritty underworld of Ketterdam. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. With a crew of rogues and outcasts, Kaz must navigate a fortress that has never been breached and survive long enough to claim his prize.

BookTok Mysteries and Thrillers

Mysteries and thrillers thrive on BookTok due to their ability to provide twisty, compelling narratives that keep readers guessing. The BookTok community loves to engage with books that offer suspense, mystery, and unexpected revelations, often sharing BookTok books that promise to deliver these experiences. Mysteries and thrillers also make for fun, engaging book reviews where users can delight or despair in every twist or turn.

BookTok mysteries encompass multiple subgenres, including psychological thrillers, cozy mysteries, and crime fiction. Psychological thrillers, as their name suggests, tend to focus on the protagonist’s mental state, which may deteriorate as they find themselves confronting intrigue and danger. Cozy mysteries typically avoid the darker elements of crime fiction (extreme violence, sexually motivated crimes, etc.) and often feature amateur detectives and quaint settings. Crime fiction is an umbrella term for works that focus on crime investigation. 

Popular BookTok books in this genre include:

• The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides follows Alicia Berenson, a famous painter, who becomes nonverbal and is committed to a mental healthcare facility after being charged with murdering her husband. Theo Faber, a criminal psychotherapist, is determined to unravel Alicia’s motives and break her silence, uncovering twisted truths in the process.
• Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn explores the disappearance of Amy Dunne on her fifth wedding anniversary as her husband Nick becomes the prime suspect amid a frenzy of media attention. The story unfolds through alternating perspectives between Nick and entries from Amy’s diary, revealing the complex and dark undercurrents of their marriage, leading to shocking twists and revelations.

Best BookTok Books and Authors

Best BookTok Books 2024

BookTok also provides a space for readers to share their hopes about upcoming releases. 2024 releases are generating discussion on BookTok, and recent releases are already populating feeds and BookTok book lists globally. These buzzworthy titles define the reading trends for the year, combining fresh narratives with depth that resonates with avid readers and new BookTok users alike.

Anticipated and recently released titles include:

• Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros is an emotional, suspenseful novel that follows the journey of Violet Sorrengail, who is grappling with profound loss and the secrets of her past, as she finds unexpected love and a path to healing in the backdrop of a perilous military adventure.
• Chain of Thorns by Cassandra Clare is the final installment in Clare’s The Last Hours series. Chain of Thorns continues the dramatic adventures of the Shadowhunters in Edwardian London as they confront unrelenting dark forces, tangled romances, and family secrets that threaten to change their world forever.
• Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo is a sequel to Ninth House and follows Alex Stern’s intense journey as she delves deeper into the arcane mysteries of Yale University’s secret societies. With her past closing in, Alex must harness her extraordinary powers to uncover a murderous conspiracy and save her friends from a supernatural threat.

Top BookTok Authors

BookTok highlights a group of authors who consistently captivate their audience with compelling storytelling and engaging characters. These top BookTok authors have mastered the art of connecting with readers through relatable themes and riveting plots, all aided by the backdrop of visual storytelling across BookTok.

Here are some popular BookTok authors:

• Colleen Hoover is renowned for her emotionally driven novels that often explore complex relationships and personal growth. Her storytelling captivates readers with its depth, realism, and ability to elicit strong emotions, making her a staple in contemporary romance and fiction. It Ends With Us was recently made into a $100 million-grossing feature film.
• Sarah J. Maas is celebrated for creating vast, immersive fantasy worlds filled with strong, dynamic characters, particularly powerful women protagonists. Her series, like Throne of Glass and A Court of Thorns and Roses, have become global phenomena, beloved for their intricate plotting and epic storytelling.
• Ali Hazelwood has quickly gained prominence with her engaging, science-based romances that blend smart narratives with relatable love stories. Her novels often feature strong women in STEM, making her works particularly appealing to contemporary readers looking for empowered women leads. Love, Theoretically follows Elsie Hannaway as she pursues a tenure-track position at MIT and finds unexpected romance.
• Casey McQuiston brings a fresh and vibrant perspective to the romance genre, incorporating LGBTQ+ themes and diverse characters that resonate with a broad audience. Her books, including the bestseller Red, White & Royal Blue, which was made into a feature film with Amazon Prime Video, are celebrated for their humor, warmth, and inclusive representation.
• Leigh Bardugo is renowned for her enthralling fantasy narratives set in richly detailed universes, such as the Grishaverse. Her works, including Six of Crows and Shadow and Bone, are noted for their complex characters and intricate plot lines, which explore themes of power, identity, and belonging.

Getting Started on BookTok

For the Casual Reader

Getting started with BookTok can be as simple as following a few key influencers, often girls or women, who share insights and recommendations tailored to casual readers. These BookTok girl influencers often curate lists of popular BookTok books that are perfect for anyone looking to dip their toes into the BookTok waters.

Here are some BookTok girl influencers to follow:

•  @abbysbooks is known for her approachable reviews and friendly tone.
•  @aymansbooks offers a diverse range of book suggestions spanning multiple genres.
•  @caitsbooks provides detailed analysis and thematic discussions.

For the Avid Reader

For those who already devour books regularly, BookTok offers a deeper exploration of niche genres and lesser-known authors. Engaging with the community through discussions, book challenges, and hashtag trends like #booktokfantasychecklist can enhance seasoned readers’ experience.

Here are popular books that offer deeper dives into once niche genres:

• The Hating Game by Sally Thorne is a quintessential enemies-to-lovers romance that BookTok users can’t get enough of.
• The Poppy War by R. F. Kuang combines historical military fiction with dark fantasy and is known for its intense themes and complex protagonist.
• Circe by Madeline Miller is a mythological retelling that delves deep into the character of one of Greek mythology’s most intriguing figures.

The Future of BookTok

Trends and Predictions

BookTok is set to continue shaping the literary world, with emerging trends focusing on increased diversity, the rise of indie authors, and the continued reshaping of the publishing industry. The community’s commitment to inclusive literature and supporting new voices promises to broaden the landscape of available literature, building upon its thriving LGBTQ+ libraries and furthering the ever-growing popularity of dark romance.

Emerging trends to watch:

• Growth in genres like BookTok fantasy books and spicy BookTok books, as well as a normalization of dark romance and its complex tropes.
• More collaborations between authors and BookTok influencers to reach a wider audience.

How Authors and Publishers Are Adapting

BookTok has become a critical part of marketing strategies for many authors and publishers. Utilizing BookTok for book promotion involves creating engaging content that can go viral, thus driving book sales. Authors increasingly turn to BookTok to share their writing processes, new book announcements, and behind-the-scenes looks at the publishing world. For example, authors participate in BookTok challenges to showcase their books, and publishers craft BookTok-specific campaigns that highlight the visual and emotional appeal of books. The goal of going viral presents specific guidelines that allow authors and publishers to tune into trending genres or tropes as well as present their work in ways that can easily translate to BookTok’s video format.

Conclusion

BookTok has undeniably transformed the way books are marketed, discussed, and enjoyed. By continuing to explore BookTok, readers can discover a wealth of books and authors, participate in a global community of book lovers, and stay updated on the latest in literary trends by exploring hashtags and fine-tuning the algorithm to offer a curated selection of books, accounts, and authors. As BookTok continues to evolve, its impact on the reading community is only expected to grow, making it an exciting time to be a part of this vibrant literary movement.

SuperSummary’s Booktok Books Collection is designed to complement and guide your BookTok book reading experience, offering popular titles in a variety of genres to ensure the best user experience on both SuperSummary and BookTok. SuperSummary’s Before You Read section and carefully crafted Content Warnings ensure a safe, informed experience as you continue on your reading adventure.

Whether you are a seasoned BookTok user or a curious reader eager to dive into this cultural and literary phenomenon, SuperSummary is here to share in your reading journey by providing resources at every stage. From pre-reading, reading, and analysis—whether private, academic, or social—our materials are designed to offer your best reading experience. Stay tuned for our top BookTok Books and up to date recs!