Shining displays, radiating lights, and captivating covers, booktok books are ever more eye-catching. Smack center in bookstores, they beam at readers who wander in to pick them up. But why are booktok books so popular? Are the contents to which it pertains to of any substance? What causes people to be obsessed with books?
With #BookTok having over 200 billion views on tiktok, Colleen Hoover, Ana Huang, and numerous other authors now have millions reading and posting about their books. Now in bookstores such as Barnes and Nobles, there are whole shelves and displays dedicated to these BookTok books.
Here are 3 reasons for their rise in popularity.
- Community
Booktok books are much more than just the plot and characters it contains. It’s about the community to which it builds. When millions are able to fall in love with a single book, readers are able to share their thoughts and feelings about these books online, forming bonds with others who share their passion for reading. People post videos online of their reactions, recommendations, and reviews to exchange insights. These shared experiences of reading BookTok books further fosters conversation and make the journey ever more fun and enticing.
- More than just a trope
Now, outside of the BookTok community, many seemingly look down upon people who indulge their time simply reading these popular books. The highest critique being that the books are just cliche tropes of no real substance. But, to the millions who have fallen in love with books in BookTok and continue to buy books they see on their FYP, these books are so much more than just a normal trope.
With numerous videos on Tiktok about booktok books, it is easily detectable that most videos aren’t actually about the book plots or explaining the story, it’s about the reactions and feelings brewed up by reading the books. BookTok books are so popular because they are able to evoke emotions within readers to connect with.
- An Entrance ticket
As BookTok becomes more and more popular, more people want to join in. Before, a community sharing their passion as they open the door to a magical world, has been transformed due to the online craze to a material object many want to own. Like a Stanley Cup or a Lululemon bag, these books are now one of the many possessions that add up to be the so-called “it girl.” They symbolize status and belonging, an entrance ticket to the world of BookTok. As teens and adults showcase their newest BookTok buy, not only highlighting their literary tastes, but more, their inclusion in a larger cultural phenomenon of being a part of that community. In this way, the popularity of BookTok books reflects a broader societal desire for connection and validation within online communities.
