If you’re looking to reach a new StoryGraph or Goodreads goal, or just want to get into the swing of reading regularly, you may find inspiration in an unlikely place–on your phone.
Despite massive criticism, the media behemoth TikTok excels at creating globally engaged subcultures. Giant communities of creators and users around the world gather on TikTok to connect, discuss, and learn. These growing subcultures exist across all interests; from fashion and crafting to investing and sports, and just about everything else in between.
BookTok, the name of the literary TikTok community, is one such growing subculture. It is the place to find book reviews, recommendations, explanations, and reactions. You’ll even find tips on how to become a more engaged reader, hacks for annotating and comprehension, and suggestions on how to create the perfect #darkacademia set up for your book nook. The hashtag “BookTok” has been viewed nearly 115 billion times and is described as the “biggest book club on the planet.”
If you’re beyond browsing the isles of Barnes & Noble, check out some recommendations from these ten BookTok content creators.
The Ace of Books
Outside of review and recaps, Emma, aka The Ace of Books, teaches about niche literary genres and concepts. They have videos about hopepunk, a literary device (and sometimes subgenre) that describes radical resistance, and often physical violence, in pursuit of justice or a kinder outcome. Emma explains the concept of queer time–that queer people often don’t follow the same “life timelines” as their cis/het counterparts, meaning things like marriage, kids, and homeownership happen at different stages of life, if it all. The channel also does a great job helping users find books with engaging and realistic representations, including books about the autistic experience, LGBTQ+ experiences and beyond.
@theaceofbooks Replying to @dizzyclubsoda76 Leave recommendations in the comments! I don’t read nearly enough autism rep that’s actually good #ownvoicesbooks #themaid #diversebooktok #bookrecs ♬ Marimbas in Minor – Pensive, Fast, Modern – ericsutherlandmusic
Moon Girl Reads
Moon Girl Reads is the undeclared BFF of BookTok. Selene shares funny takes on book culture, reading humor, and TikTok trends that are super relatable and clever.
The TikToker was even responsible for a major sales spike of the book The Song of Achilles because of her viral “books that will make you sob” video.
@moongirlreads_ like keep that to yourself then smh ? #moongirlreads #bookworm #bookishhumor ♬ original sound – singersewer’s name is katie
Tomes And Textiles
Carmen is a BookToker who shares insights from the publishing world, including the HarperCollins strike, compensating BookTokers, and highlighting weekly Latinx releases. She’s also a vintage fashion lover, and shows off her incredible wardrobe full of colorful and unique pieces with every video.
@tomesandtextiles Other videos to watch on Harper Collins Union and 11/10 strike: @jamieisreading & @kaludiasays . #hcponstrike #booktok #booktokcommunity #hcpunion ♬ original sound – TomesAndTextiles | Booktokker
The Lovely Things
Do you want to read more well-known novels in 2023? Follow Eboni on her journey through the classics. Her videos of meticulous note taking, annotating, and dogearring will get you pumped to read Dostoevsky, Steinbeck, Austen and other classic authors. She only started sharing videos in January and has already amassed nearly 45,000 likes on the app.
@thelovelythings505 i love prince andrey so much ❤️ #warandpeace #leotolstoy #russianliterature #Russianlit #favoritebooks #favoritebook #annotations #annotated #artofannotating #annotatedbook #annotate #studyinspo #stufymotivation #studytok #booktok ♬ snowfall – Øneheart & reidenshi
Books With Lee
As one of BookTok’s most prolific and beloved creators, Lee brings fresh titles and recommendations to the app with every video. Right now, she’s working on a challenge called “Reading Across Asia” where she’ll read a book from a different Asian country every week in 2023. Lee talks about the financial pressure to buy all the latest BookTok reads, supporting your local library, and why she purposefully does not film videos in front of her bookshelf.
@books.with.lee Week 9- Frankenstein in Baghdad by Ahmed Sadaawi. List of books in by-o #readingacrossasia #horrorbooks #bookreview #readingchallenge #bookrec ♬ original sound – Lee | Booktok
Melissa’s Bookshelf
If you’re a writer and a book lover and want to learn more about the world of self-publishing, traditional publishing, or you’re just seeking tips on how to start crafting a novel, Melissa’s Bookshelf is a good place to start. Melissa talks often about writing through challenges including depression, compressed timelines, and embarrassing moments. Check out her series about Indigenous literature that includes an explanation on non-linear storytelling and several recommendations on how to start reading more Native lit.
@melissas.bookshelf Having a cover done ahead of time is essential for marketing too #authortok #selfpublishing #abrokenblade #writing #books #reading #regrets ♬ Love You So – The King Khan & BBQ Show
Bookworm Bullet
Bookworm Bullet’s account is all about diversifying the books you read. They make regular recommendations of books written by South Asian, Muslim, and Indigenous writers. If romance is your favorite genre, Bookworm Bullet has almost-weekly suggestions for what to add to your TBR list.
@bookwormbullet My brown girls get it #booktok #theprincessstakes #amaliehoward #historicalromance #romance #southasianbooks #desibooktok #romancebooks #romancebooktok #bridgerton #bookwormbullet #fyp ♬ Why are you ppl using my audio.. – AL
Katelyn’s Library
For lovers of the macabre, Katelyn’s Library focuses on literary thriller and horror recommendations. She summarizes stories so well that I immediately request them from the library. She’s also sharing her journey reading through the 300+ physical books on her bookshelf, which she wildly covered in kraft paper so she can’t see which book comes next.
@_katelynslibrary this book had me angry, it had me crying, it’s definitely one to prepare for, but it was a great book #booktok #thrillerbooklover #megangoldin #thenightswim ♬ she knows – favsoundds
Chapters of Chi
Adannia opens conversations around literature and book culture through her reviews, videos with trending TikTok sounds, and storytelling. She posts several times a week and brings fresh and creative content to BookTook. Adannia uses her TikTok to highlight Black authors across genres of romance, science fiction, fantasy and beyond.
@chaptersofchi Have you read this yet? #chaptersofchi #thegetawaybook #horrorbookrecs #thrillerbookrecommendations #blackhorrorbooks #bookreviewing #bookrecc ♬ Suspense, horror, piano and music box – takaya
Big Book Lady
Big Book Lady’s page is a great place to get recommendations based on what books you already like to read. Lauren, aka the Big Book Lady herself, shares recommendations, literary lore, and day-in-my-life videos from her cozy apartment. You can view several FFO (for fans of) recommendations, which give you a better idea of what to read next. She recently announced she’s starting her own book club on Fable. The first read is “Freshwater” by Akwaeke Emezi.
@bigbooklady Writers writing about writers #booktok #bookish #bookrecs #sadgirl #foryoupage ♬ original sound – Isaac H.P Karaoke Backup
Still looking for inspiration? Check out some of our recommended reads written by women.
Top photo: Books With Lee, Moon Girl Reads and The Ace of Books
