In a digital age where social media and the internet consume most of our lives, it would seem most people have forgotten about the good old days of going to the bookstore. The thrill of finding a book that could take you on a journey you would never forget. Or that one book that would bring your imagination to life with characters you would come to love. Well, it would seem books are becoming popular again! and it’s all thanks to a TikTok subculture called BookTok.
So let’s dive a little deeper into the world of BookTok shall we?
![Image depicting the word booktok overlayed on the TikTok logo](https://megasplain.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/image.jpeg)
BookTok means that reading has never been more fun
Reading is naturally a solitary activity. It’s no surprise then that viewers are yearning to connect with others about their favourite reads. Popular BookTok creator @abbysbooks injects fun and curiosity into her uploads by sharing exciting challenges for herself and viewers alike to participate in.
One such example is the ‘Reading the top 100 books of all time’ challenge. The premise is as basic as it is fun. Simply scratch off the panels when you finish each listed book to see if you can cross off the entire poster!
+memes
+general discourse on books
Popular BookTok book genre’s are on the rise
BookTok helps authors to connect with their audiences
.. and audiences to connect with authors
BookTok is a vibrant community tucked in the corner of TikTok where book lovers from all walks of life can come together and discuss, share, and recommend their favorite books while celebrating their passion for reading. All you have to do is search for BookTok on TikTok and you will see a wide variety of content such as book reviews and recommendations for book hauls and unboxings. There is something for every reader out there! So much so It has become so popular that over 61.9 Billion people have viewed the hashtag.
Another amazing thing about this corner of the app is how it has helped books gain popularity again and reach a much wider audience. It’s basically like a huge virtual book club with many others who share their passion for reading.
Why is it so important for Authors?
TikTok is an amazing app for many reasons but one of them is being able to make new trends while also bringing back old ones. This is why authors are loving this newfound passion for books people on the app are having, as it offers new and unique ways of connecting with readers in a fun and engaging way. Through BookTok, authors can find inspiration, motivation, and encouragement and also reach a much broader audience and gain exposure for their books.
Now when a book goes viral on TikTok it often leads to a huge surge in sales and interest in the particular title, which is great for the authors and especially for up-and-coming authors, who are just starting out and not as well known yet. This gives the writers direct contact with readers which can be good for feedback on books, can establish more of a personal connection with fans, and also offers a sense of community among authors where they can interact, collaborate on projects, and support one another. BookTok alone has been estimated to have helped the sales of as many books as 20 million in 2021 alone, per New york times.
If you’re new to BookTok, I recommend checking out some of the bigger creators on the app who have gained a following for their insightful and engaging content. You can also follow hashtags such as #BookTok #Bookrecommendations or #BookTube to discover new creators and videos.
So, whether you’re looking for a thrilling mystery, a heart-warming romance, or an epic Sci-Fi fantasy, BookTok has it all and is a great start to any reader’s journey.