Everything You Need to Know About Booktok + 5 Best Books
The TikTok community of BookTok has quickly become one of the leading book recommendation platforms in the world. Its unique combination of social media and book reviews has revolutionized how people find new books to read.
But what is BookTok? How do you get started on BookTok? And who are some of its top influencers?
We’re here to answer all your questions about BookTok and give you a list of the top 10 books recommended by BookTok this year.
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What is BookTok?
BookTok, short for “Book TikTok,” is a community of users on TikTok who are passionate about books and literature. By making entertaining videos centered around the books they read, they have created an inventive way of discussing, reviewing, and recommending books that have revolutionized the literary and publishing communities.
BookTok started as a hashtag on TikTok by a group of book lovers, and it quickly became a massive trend. Now, it is one of the world’s biggest social media communities for books. BookTok has over 29.1 billion views, and many big box retailers like Barnes & Noble have dedicated sections to the BookTok community.
Like Instagram’s Bookstagrammers, these BookTokers are influencers with a devoted following of literary lovers worldwide. They use their platform to promote books they love, introduce new authors, and foster conversations with fellow readers.
Creators often post content discussing their current reads, book hauls, and much more. They also like to talk about the characters in books they are reading and share funny anecdotes related to those characters.
@adridiaries I’ve heard so many good things about each book, so excited to read!!!
#bookhaul #bookhaul2022 #newbook #minihaul #minibookhaul #barnesandnoble #booktok #books #bookworm #bookish #bookrecs #fyp #amillionkissesinyourlifetime #girlinpieces #byathread #beforewewerestrangers #thefineprint #booktoker #foryoupage
There’s a strong focus on young adult fiction, fantasy, and romance genres in BookTok. So, if you’re into those genres, this is the community for you! You’ll find book recommendations and discussions about popular book tropes like “enemies to lovers,” “morally gray villains,” and “right person wrong time.”
@elenaslibraryy #BookTok #books #fyp #book #bookworm #bookclub #wattpad #wattpadstories #bookish #booktoker
BookTok’ers are known to dress up as characters from books they love, an activity that has spawned the trendy book-related aesthetic known as “Twilight Core.”
@librafairyyy Reply to @t.xagan guysss I looked at pics and I was shook cause it also looks similar from the outside
#twilightcore #twilight
Some authors have even found fame on BookTok, such as These Violent Delights author Chloe Gong. Her book has become so popular on BookTok that it landed on the New York Times Bestseller List, with some booksellers citing BookTok as the reason for its popularity.
Top BookTok creators in 2023
The rise of BookTok has taken the publishing industry by storm over the past few years, with influencers inspiring book lovers of all ages to pick up a book.
Here are some of the biggest BookTok influencers on TikTok in 2023 who have helped spark a generation’s bookish revolution.
| Username | Followers | Likes |
|---|---|---|
| @aymansbooks | 892.4K | 102.6M |
| @thebooksiveloved | 553.3K | 29.3M |
| @ezeekat | 549.6K | 25.3M |
| @abbysbooks | 462.4K | 34.5M |
| @amyjordanj | 385.7K | 14M |
| @jennajustreads | 371.6K | 14.8M |
| @munnyreads | 356.5K | 16.5M |
| @caitsbooks | 306.1K | 16.9M |
| @penguin_teen | 285.4K | 91.0M |
| @moongirlreads_ | 228.3K | 20.5M |
Here’s a breakdown of the top five.
1. @aymansbooks
@aymansbooks is the year’s top BookTok’er with 892.4k followers and over 102 million likes. Ayman’s content mostly focuses on bookish humor, book reviews, product hauls, and book recommendations.
@aymansbooks had to be said…#lolatung #bellyconklin #thesummeriturnedpretty #thesummeriturnedprettyseries
2. @thebooksiveloved
@thebooksiveloved is run by BookTok’er Pauline Juan and features book recommendations, book reviews, and videos of Pauline reacting to scenes or characters in her favorite books. Pauline has amassed more than 553.3k followers and 29.3 million likes with her BookTok recommendations.
@thebooksiveloved book boyfriend WHO
#kindlescribe #annotatingbooks #ebooks
3. @ezeekat
@ezeekat is run by BookTok’er Jaysen Headley, an avid bookworm and anime fan who makes regular BookTok book recommendations. Jaysen centers his BookTok content around young adult novels, anime, and manga. But you’ll also find other fun content about board games, Disney movies, and Doctor Who episodes. So, if you like all things nerdy, geeky, and bookish, @ezeekat has you covered.
@ezeekat Which ones should I read that i haven’t?? #booktok #books #reading #classics #bookworm #narnia #frankenstein #dune #booklover
♬ Monkeys Spinning Monkeys – Kevin MacLeod & Kevin The Monkey
4. @abbysbooks
@abbysbooks comes in at number four on the top BookTok creators of 2023. Abby has 462.4k followers and 34.5 million likes for her quirky, book-loving content. Whether it’s book reviews, book hauls, book recommendations, or book humor, Abby is sure to keep her followers entertained and informed with her bookish adventures!
@abbysbooks
5. @jennajustreads
BookTok creator @jennajustreads‘ name says it all. She loves to read! On this BookTok account, you’ll find reviews of popular BookTok books, BookTok recommendations, and videos of Jenna breaking down popular young adult novel tropes. Jenna has 371.6K followers and more than 14 million likes through her videos.
@jennajustreads what signs should I put in part 2?? #fantasy #aesthetic #zodiac #books #booktok #fypシ #yabooks #whichworld #foryou #yabooktok #lovestory #tropes
Top BookTok books in 2023
Book lovers around the globe now covet BookTok recommendations. Here’s a sneak peek into some of the hottest titles being recommended on BookTok in 2023.
1. How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water by Angie Cruz
How to Not Drown in a Glass of Water is a powerful and vivid book that follows Cara Romero as she navigates her journey to the US. This book offers a visceral experience as readers are taken on an emotional roller coaster of self-discovery, cultural confusion, and generational trauma.
BookTok’er @LupitaReads TikTok review of this book saw 1.2 million views.
@lupita.reads I’m still not over how much this one made me cry #immigrantmother #daughterofimmigrants #motherwound #latinaswhoread #hownottodrowninaglassofwater #angiecruz @lupita.reads
2. Nightcrawling by Leila Mottley
Set in East Oakland, Nightcrawling follows a young woman’s search for solace and security amidst family loss and displacement. With elements of magical realism and hip-hop culture, this book explores identity and belonging.
Nightcrawling was made popular on BookTok by creators like @jackbenedwards.
@jackbenedwards the saddest book I’ve read since A Little Life ….. you’re welcome and I’m sorry #booktok #nightcrawling
3. The Guest List by Lucy Foley
The Guest List is a gripping psychological thriller set on a remote Irish island where two families come together to celebrate the wedding of the season. But as dark secrets and suspicions threaten to ruin the festivities, tensions mount, and relationships are tested.
Many BookTokers have promoted this book, including @reesesbookclub (that’s right, it’s Reese Witherspoon’s official book club!).
@reesesbookclub Did you hear the news? #TheGuestList has now sold 2 million copies!
Help us congratulate author LucyFoley! #booktok #summer #summerreading #thriller
4. The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
The Midnight Library comes highly recommended by popular BookTok stars like @ezeekat. This book tells the story of Nora Seed, a woman offered infinite choices that could alter her life’s path. Through exploring each book on the shelves of The Midnight Library she can experience different versions of life and make decisions to find out which one would be her best possible future.
It’s a thought-provoking book that has gained a loyal following from those who enjoy its philosophical take on life and its questions about regret, choice, and hope.
@ezeekat Many of you have asked for a review of this one so here it is! #booktok #books #midnightlibrary #bookish #bookreview
♬ Memories (In the Style of Maroon 5) [Karaoke Version] – Instrumental King
5. Before Your Memory Fades by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
If you’re looking for a tearjerker of a book, look no further than Before Your Memory Fades by Toshikazu Kawaguchi. This book follows four customers of Café Funiculi Funicula, each looking to travel back in time. Through this book, we learn about these unique characters and their stories, as they search for love, redemption, and answers to life’s toughest questions.
Fans of BookTok will be especially fond of this book, as Kawaguchi is well-known for his unique and thought-provoking writing style. I think this review by @aymansbooks says it all.
@aymansbooks worth every tear tho
#beforeyourmemoryfades
Frequently asked questions about BookTok
How do I get BookTok?
Anyone with the TikTok app can be part of BookTok. Simply search for BookTok users or hashtags you like, then follow and interact with their content. You don’t even need a book-related account to be a part of BookTok.
Why is BookTok so popular?
BookTok is popular because it offers book lovers a chance to connect with like-minded readers and discuss their favorite literature. It also provides book recommendations from other users, allowing readers to discover new books and authors they may not have known about before.
What is the most popular BookTok?
The most popular BookTok account is @aymansbooks, which has over 892K followers! Ayman’s account combines bookish humor, book reviews, recommendations, hauls, tags, and more. It’s a great book-lovers haven!
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