How Steroetypically “BookTok” are you?

‘BookTok’ is a world of its own. A vibrant community of like-minded, supportive readers nestled away inside one of the most popular social media platforms of the day. Influencers offer up their recommendations for the next best read and the users gobble them up like starved pigeons. It is an amazing sight to behold – especially for the indie authors and up and comers.

While the reviews are less wordy (I recently read a book purely because the influencer recorded her reaction to the end of a book where she squeaked, looked personally affronted when she realised it was the end of the book, and then threw it across the room), the variety of reads are amazing. The platforms algorithm knows you. Sometimes it feels like it knows your soul. It doesn’t just show you books from genres you normally read – it shows you what it thinks you need.

So, let’s have a look at what books trended on ‘BookTok’ through 2023, and see “How Stereotypically ‘BookTok’ you are.

1. Fourth Wing – by Rebecca Yarros 

Starting with the obvious choice – Fourth Wing. A Sci-Fi Fantasy set in the fictional Basgaith War College; it ticks all the troupe boxes. Enemies-to-lovers, check. Train-or-die, check. Dragons, check. Bad guy hates main character because of some silly family feud, check. I obviously enjoyed this one, and you will too.

2. A Good Girls Guide to Murder – by Holly Jackson

Part of a YA trilogy (who doesn’t love a series) comes this intriguing mystery novel as Holly Jacksons debut book. Under the guise of a school project,17-year-old Pip starts to investigate a 5-year-old murder-suicide case involving students from her school. This one gave me very big ‘Veronica Mars’ vibes, if you’re old enough to know who ‘Veronica Mars’ is.

3. Red, White and Royal Blue – by Casey McQuiston

In this beautifully written LGBTQ+ romance – we have Alex, the President’s son, and Britain’s Prince Henry navigating their secret romance in a highly public world. It’s got boy love, it’s got secret love, it’s got high profile families – what more could you ask for?

4. A Court of Thorns and Roses – by Sarah J Maas

There is no way this book would not be on this list. It is a gateway for all things ‘Fae’. This story centres around human girl, Feyre, and her complete disregard for scary creatures that live through the magic wall near her home, and how she is so adorably convenient  to Tampon , whoops, I mean Tamlin. Cue creatures with names I can never pronounce and an evil queen with a weird vendetta against the main character even though she has never met her.

I only ask you to read the second book in the series before you start designing ‘Tamlin’ tattoos…

5. The 7 Husbands of Evelyn Hugo – by Taylor Jenkins Reid

As unknown journalist, Monique, is personally requested to listen to and report on the tales of Evelyn Hugo’s life, and, of course her seven husbands, she becomes increasingly aware that Evelyn’s life is somehow connected to hers, and why she was picked for this once in a lifetime opportunity.

This one is for lovers of the old Hollywood glitz and glamour – if you love reading about Marylin Monroe and enjoy The Great Gatsby, this is for you.

6. It Ends With Us – by Colleen Hoover

This one began trending again in 2023 due to the movie casting being announced and the complete disregard for Co-Ho’s characterisation of her main girl, Lily. It’s not your typical romance, with Co-Ho inserting some of her darker writing into Lily’s love interest, Ryle Kincaid, and then kicking it up with childhood family trauma. I did enjoy the read myself, the writing was clever, and I loved how Colleen Hoover paralleled the present bad guy with flashbacks of the past good guy, but I will put in a trigger warning for anyone who needs it.

7. Divine Rivals – by Rebecca Ross

This one is a very surprising read. It has a little bit of everything – magic, war, romance, enemies-to-lovers, journalism, healthy competition, family bonds…the list goes one. What I liked the most about it was that it did not focus solely on one genre to sell itself. It flowed so freely amongst its story and was one of my favourite reads of the year. It’s kind of like “The Hating Game” meets “Shadow and Bone” with magical typewriters, if that’s what you’re into.

8. The Atlas Six – by Olivie Blake

Diving back into the fantasy genre now, we have The Atlas Six. The first in a trilogy, again set in a fictional academic setting, six magicians are offered the chance to vie for one of five spots in the secretive Alexandrian Society. Magical shenanigans ensue. I was once told that if you imagine the characters of The Atlas Six as the cast of Gossip Girl – your whole read will change. Happy imagining, XOXO!

9. One Dark Window – by Rachel Gillig

One Dark Window is one well written story. This absolute smasher of a book was very quicky (we are talking one night here) read in the darkness of my loungeroom, as I soaked up the superb world building. The story centres around Elspeth, and the spirit voice in her head she calls Nightmare. I am a sucker for historical romances, but when magic is involved and you find you are drawn into the political unrest of Elspeth’s life by a mere deck of cards, how can you say no?

10. A Little Life – by Hanya Yanagihara

Last, but certainly not least, we have A little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. This one has made my BookTok look like an emotionally unstable rollercoaster ride. So many clips of people ugly crying – there is no way this is not on the list. The novel focuses on the lives of four friends through multiple POV’s as we delve into their histories and explore how their pasts have shaped their current relationships. Very big trigger warning for this one, if you are looking for an easy read – don’t pick this one up. It is heartbreaking to its core and will stay with you forever.

So, how did you go? Are you stereotypically “BookTok”? If there is any that you have missed on this list, please get reading! They are worth the hype.

The good news is Western Downs Libraries carries all these titles in their collection (I double checked!) – have a look for the eBook on Borrowbox or reserve your copy here or from one of our branches today!

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