BookTok is a community of users on TikTok who post videos reviewing and recommending books, which has boomed in popularity over the past years. BookTok’s impact on the book industry has been notable, helping new authors launch their careers and propelling new titles to best-seller status.
How BookTok Can Make Books Go Viral
An example of this phenomenon is one video containing the hashtag #TheyBothDieAtTheEnd which has amassed more than 37 million views, features users reacting — often crying — to the book’s emotional ending. Because of this and many other videos, BookTok’s impact on the book industry has been notable, helping new authors launch their careers and propelling new titles.
The Growing Popularity of #BookTok
Books in recent years have become increasingly popular on social media platforms, and BookTok is no exception. The #BookTok tag currently has over 4.4 billion views with Tik Tokers recommending any book they have read, so other users can know what book to read next.
Connecting Readers and Writers
BookTok isn’t just a place to recommend books to users but is also a great platform to engage with other readers and writers. Many TikTokers has used the BookTok community to create connections and establish friendship with a common purpose.
“With the ongoing pandemic it has become harder to have our weekly book meet ups,” says Jessica, “but I have expanded my circle to include people from all over the world, and we meet up every week to discuss a new book we found on TikTok.”
Why BookTok Matters to the Book Community
In conclusion, BookTok is a community of users on TikTok who post videos talking reviewing and recommending books. The idea for the community came from one user’s frustration with not being able to find good book recommendations online. Users can suggest any book they have read, so other users can know what to read next.