Booktok is a hashtag on TikTok that has brought light to many new and old authors, books, and genres. Users will post anything from opinions on books they have read, to recommendations of books based on different interests.
The original trend gained popularity in 2020 and has continued to grow each year. This trend has changed the reading habits of many students as it shows books in creative ways that catch the eye and bring more attention than if an individual browsed books in a library.
Booktok has helped upcoming authors promote their books and has had a significant effect on book sales. It meets teens on the app that they are on the most with the large amount of traffic the platform has daily. Students are exposed to more forms of literature as they see them posted and discussed on social media.
“Any reading increases your comprehension and reading skills,” Bismarck High School librarian Angela Siewert said. “I always use the cliche, Reading makes you kinder, you’re going to grow in all different worlds.”
Booktok promotes multiple genres of books and explores stories from each. This can broaden students’ interests in reading and the types of books they focus on. They may choose books that would not have been picked up otherwise.
“I’ve noticed that a lot of students that have not always been readers are readers now because of certain trending authors or books,” Siewert said.
The way that teens are able to express their opinions on books and see other’s points of view on them can be compared to a book club. It is an outlet for students to hear from their peers and explore different ideas that they may not have thought of themselves.
“People gain a lot from a book club, I think it’s very similar,” Siewert said. “You’re doing the video and giving your opinion to people, but not having a mutual conversation about it.”
A downside to the rise of this trend may be that students could pick literature that is not be best fit for them. Students choosing a book simply because they saw someone recommend it can be harmful as they do not know if the book’s triggering content. It is important for students to be able to relate to what they are reading and make connections between the content and their own lives.
“I believe that you need to see yourself in books, if you don’t see yourself in books, that’s when kids feel isolated and alone,” Siewart said. “We need literature that represents everybody.”
Bookstores such as Barnes And Noble have begun making sections specifically for books that have been seen on TikTok. This can catch the eyes of many teens because it is something that they recognize.
“I like to get suggestions from people, I don’t ever go to the shelves and just pick a book,” Siewart said. “I think recommendations like that generate an increase in reading.”
Overall, Booktok has become a resource for teens to express any thoughts that they have on a book or series, and take in the opinions of others. The way this platform has grown shows the interest in reading created when students have an outlet for inspiration.
“I think it helps a lot and brings more people to read if their peers are talking about how much they liked it or what they didn’t like in a book,” Siewert said. “It’s interesting to see what others think about books that you’re reading and how it fits with your own opinions.”
