Are you a reading enthusiast? Have you ever wanted to start a new book and wished you could read some reviews first? Would it be worth your while? Thanks to social media, it’s easier than ever to see some reviews before you turn that page. Do you want to know more about the novel you’re about to begin? Try taking a look at BookTok!
But what is BookTok? This online community is heaven for book lovers all over the world. From reviews to recommendations, readers can get their fix on TikTok. Who would’ve thought there’d come a day when social media and reading would combine? Well, here we are. Let’s explore some more!
What Is BookTok? Where It All Began
What does BookTok mean? BookTok is a community within TikTok where users share recommendations, reviews, and all things books! Let’s say you’re looking for some new reading inspiration, and here is a great place to start! On TikTok, users post short videos about a range of topics, and, in this instance, it’s all about books!
From reaction videos to challenges, reviews, and more, it’s so easy to get sucked in. Even if you’re not a reader, you can’t help but become transfixed! “Why is that review so good?” “Maybe I should read that.” “What’s that plot twist they’re reacting to?” It’s all very passionate! Here are some things you can find in this TikTok community:
- Book reviews
- Book recommendations
- Book hauls
- Bookcase setups
- Live reactions
During the pandemic in 2020 and 2021, people didn’t have much to do. So, reading and going on our phones became our go-to activities. According to BBC News, it “has over 200 billion views on TikTok.” This is the same as everyone in the world viewing it 25 times. So, you can probably guess that its popularity has grown! If you want to find this community on TikTok, just use the hashtag! Then just have a scroll and enjoy the content! What is BookTok on TikTok? An incredible phenomenon!
The Impact of BookTok: How It Shaped the Literary World
We just can’t deny the impact of this community on TikTok and the way it’s propelled the world of books. We all know how influential videos on social media can be, but how did it work for BookTok? Here are some ideas:
1. Gained Publicity for Authors
Once an author gets their book mentioned within the community, it takes their career to new heights. Books that people have discussed on TikTok have quite literally spiked in popularity. In some cases, books have become bestsellers overnight! By people sharing their positive opinions and reactions, many books and authors have gained visibility and success.
2. Brought Classics Back to Life
The TikTok community has shared its appreciation for classic literature, encouraging others to revisit it. Iconic books that have paved their way in the book world have re-emerged as popular choices.
3. Changing the Path of Publishing
Due to this phenomenon, the old-school way of publishing looks a little different now. Rather than sending their work to publishing houses, some authors are sending it to popular TikTok users. Book lovers then take the time to read the books and give their opinions. This is a great way to spread awareness and gain popularity. These content creators then work with authors to boost visibility amongst reading enthusiasts.
Booktok Trends: The Ever-Evolving World of Books
Thanks to TikTok’s influence, people are always stumbling across a new hobby or rediscovering an old interest. Reading is a great way to strengthen your mind, learn new things, and practice some self-care. It’s a pretty great hobby! BookTok trends are helping to encourage more people to read and dive into it. Here are some popular trends:
1. The Silent Book Reviews
One popular trend is the silent review, where people film their reactions to a particular section of a book. The content creators don’t use words to express their opinions, but they use facial expressions and body language. These videos are pretty entertaining and work great for enticing people to read the book themselves.
2. The “Show Me Your…” Trend
People in the BookTok community are using this sound to showcase their excellent book collections. The accompanying sound might say, “Show me your favorite book cover” or “Show me the thickest book you own.” This is great for increasing engagement and interaction. It also gives book lovers the chance to share their impressive selection.
3. The Colored Book Trend
Another popular trend is using a particular color to showcase a selection of books you own. For example, you might have three books with blue covers. This trend really lets book enthusiasts show off their collections. The number of books some people own is pretty impressive!
4. The 5-Star Reads Trend
This trend combines a book review and a book haul. It’s a great opportunity for BookTok girls or content creators to share their favorite books. In these videos, they sit down in front of the camera and share their opinions. People tend to take their word for it, which is great for any author looking for more popularity.
5. The Book Challenge Trend
The book challenge trend is an enjoyable way to encourage more people to read. For example, some challenges involve reading a book for every letter of the alphabet. Not only does this get people reading, but it’s a fun little challenge that consists of looking around for options. Another challenge might be setting a goal for how many books you can read within a certain time. It’s just a bit of fun, and the community loves it!
6. Tropes and Themes
Book lovers in the community also love experimenting with new tropes or themes. This is a good way for people to try something new and see if they like it. You might not have read fantasy before, but you might realize you love it! Popular ones are “Dark Academia,” “Romantasy,” and “Enemies to Lovers.”
These trends are great ways for people to get involved and strengthen their love for reading.
Booktok Festival: Celebrating Books Offline
Are you eager to socialize with your fellow bookish community? The BookTok festival is the place for you! Each year, a festival celebrates this phenomenon and brings reading lovers together. It’s a great opportunity to mingle with like-minded people.
This festival is lots of fun, and it’s a great way to celebrate books, authors, genres, and BookTok. Sure, the online community is a great place to interact with others, but you can’t beat an in-person event. Some activities that take place at a festival are:
- A panel of best-selling authors
- Quizzes
- Photobooths
- Book sales
- Craft activities
- Book clubs
- Livestreams with famous authors
- A tour of local bookshops
What Is a Booktok Girl? Decoding Identities
You might’ve heard the term “BookTok Girl.” But what is a BookTok girl? This phrase refers to the book enthusiasts who participate in the community. The term is based on the young girls who tend to be the ones creating the content. Generally, the community consists of women and teens who are passionate about reading.
A BookTok girl is basically a content creator who uses the platform to promote their love for books. They’re the ones sharing their reviews and recommendations and filming their reaction to certain novels. They’re also pretty influential on the social media platform, as people take their opinions on board. For example, you might feel more inspired to read something once you see a positive review! Social proof comes into play here!
Booktok Books: The Bestsellers
The powerful force of BookTok has taken the literary world by storm, increasing popularity for a wide range of authors. Some books have become an overnight success, getting plenty of attention. Here are some BookToks books that readers in the community are loving:
- “Verity” by Colleen Hoover
- “They Both Die at the End” by Adam Silvera
- “The Atlas Six” by Olivie Blake
- “People We Meet on Vacation” by Emily Henry
- “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid
- “The Transcendent Kingdom” by Yaa Gyasi
- “It Happened One Summer” by Tessa Bailey
These are just some books that have made an impression on the TikTok community. But why? Here are some characteristics that tend to make an impact:
1. Relatable Characters
We all love reading stories with relatable characters; it makes them a lot more interesting. If the character resonates with us, it’s a lot easier to get emotionally attached. As we follow their journey, we can’t help but feel gripped and invested.
2. Emotional Impact
Books that have a strong emotional impact are very popular in the BookTok world. People can’t resist a book that tugs at their heartstrings.
3. Different Perspectives
The BookTok community loves books that show different perspectives and highlight diverse voices. This adds another layer to the book and is always a great starting point for discussion.
4. A Plot Twist
The silent reaction trend and books with a plot twist go hand in hand. People love to be surprised and caught off guard. Plus, hinting at something coming up is always a fun way to encourage others to read.
Of course, there are many reasons why certain books thrive in the community. Any book that entices and grips the reader and makes for great conversation is a hot hit.
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