The rise of BookTok: How TikTok has influenced people to get back to reading

Photos: Courtesy of @thebooksiveloved, @the.ones.about.books, and @aymansbooks

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a group of young book enthusiasts launched BookTok, a video-sharing platform integrated with TikTok.

The burgeoning popularity of BookTok has witnessed a growing number of individuals seeking refuge in books as a means of escape. It has evolved into a platform where people convey their perspectives and encounters with reading in a cheerful and humorous manner.

This platform has transformed into a close-knit community for book aficionados, extending an invitation to others to embark on literary journeys. As a fellow book lover, TikTok has reignited my passion for and interest in reading.

BookTok has emerged as my go-to destination for tracking the latest literary trends and identifying books of genuine merit.

Photograph: Tali Arbel/AP

It comes as no surprise that Adam Silvera's 2017 novel 'They Both Die at the End' has greatly benefited from the influence of BookTok. Users began recording themselves in tears as they completed the book. In March, the book made its debut at the top of the teen fiction charts, with weekly sales exceeding 4,000 copies. Remarkably, 'They Both Die at the End' has now surpassed 200,000 copies sold in the UK.

In 2022, Colleen Hoover's young adult romance, 'It Ends with Us,' achieved an astonishing feat by selling 427,000 copies in the UK, as reported by market analyst Nielsen BookScan. This remarkable figure outpaces the sales of any other book across all formats and genres.

The impact of BookTok on authors and bookstores has been profound. This surge in interest has prompted people to purchase more books and engage in more reading.

Researchers have also discovered that reading has various mental health benefits. Reading can alleviate stress, offer an escape from the pressures of the real world, stimulate the brain, and help prevent memory loss, among other advantages. Benefits of Reading Books: For Your Physical and Mental Health (healthline.com)

If you're looking for a good book, these are some that are currently trending on BookTok:

- The seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

- It ends with us by Colleen hoover

- Honey and spice by Bolu Babalola

- They both die at the end by Adam Silvera

- The virgin suicides by Jeffery Eugenides