The rise of #BookTok inspires people to read and write more books!
With 85.3-billion views (as of this writing) under the hashtag #BookTok on TikTok, it definitely has been pushing teens to read more books. The videos usually revolve around book collections, aesthetically-pleasing libraries, spicy book moments, fictional character cosplays, recommendations, and so much more.
I should mention that 25% of TikTok users come from ages 10 to 19. 22.4% are from 20 to 29, 21.7% are from 30 to 39, and 20.3% are from 40 to 49. Let me just emphasize: the largest bracket of TikTok’s audience is those of ages ten to nineteen. And, #BookTok has definitely been brushed in their For You Pages.
The rise of #BookTok inspires people to read and write more books!
#BookTok has become the corner of TikTok devoted to reading. Predominantly young women post short videos. These videos are inspired by the books they love, the books they currently read, and the books they seem to cherish. These TikTok users have created imagery from the books they read. And, a lot of people truly believe that it has become a clever way to promote reading. Especially to the younger and more technologically-dependent generation.
And, to be honest, I completely agree.
When I was younger, I would look at books and think No more homework, thank you very much. I loved movies more. I would watch every genre of movie but always favored action and fantasy more than others. Although we have plenty of books at home (from my mom’s own collection), my sisters and I rarely open them up.
Then, one day, I remember watching Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban for the nth time. We’ve watched it in cinemas before. I especially loved the third Harry Potter movie due to its aesthetically-pleasing visual mentions of how important time was. Then, someone mentioned about how a lot of scenes from the books were deducted from its live-action adaptation.
So, thirteen-year-old me felt curious about which scenes weren’t in the movies. So, I went to my Catholic school library. I was pleasantly surprised that the Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone was present on the shelves. I grabbed it, borrowed it, and read its entirety for two weeks. Thus, the start of my love for Harry Potter – and my love for reading.
The more we read, the better we can build up our knowledge, vocabulary, values, and beliefs. It opens up new ideas and an understanding of new things.
I finally realized how fun it was to read fictional books as it allows me to step into another world. Whether it’s fighting against Voldemort or volunteering myself as a tribute for the Hunger Games, I knew I could count on my imagination to take me to places that people could only dream of.
That’s why I love #BookTok so much.
#BookTok excites the platform’s audience. It has become a new and powerful opportunity to reach. Aside from that, it engages non-readers to create more book lovers. It’s like the newest way to convert people to become bookworms. Moreover, TikTok users even make cinematic videos of how certain books feel like. For example, the video below shows off the beauty of Oxford University. But, other users leave comments like THAT IS HOGWARTS or Harry Potter vibes 🤙 or the closest we will get to Hogwarts </3.
Not only does #BookTok distances itself further away from mainstream dancing and music content but it has also become a place where bookworms come to seek refuge with fellow literature lovers. #BookTok creators hold the power to influence those who could see their videos into reading novels they are fond of. Plus, they contemporaneously post critical reviews of ones they haven’t enjoyed as much.
As a viewer, I feel encouraged to delve into it with them and I want to share their experience. And, I’m not alone in that thought. So many people have gone to #Booktok just to look for recommendations, listing them down, and rushing to either the nearest bookstore or an online shop to excitedly buy these books.
According to abbysbooks, #BookTok and its unanticipated success were initially spiked from lockdown and the resurgence of reading as a way to pass the time.
During the pandemic, a lot of us have remained in isolation. And, we didn’t know what else to do — including me! I was in a lockdown far away from home and I didn’t have anything else to do aside from working. I haven’t opened a fictional book for a long time due to the hectic work schedule I had.
Now that I didn’t have anything else to do aside from work, I went back to books. I would go online and read e-books to pass the time. #BookTok has made it easier to look for good reads. Plus, it allowed young minds to unite as a community.
Aside from that, it also allows us to discover new books of all different genres. With social distancing and isolation in the midst, many turned to their own forms of enjoyment. For bookworms, reading has become just that. It’s like going back to that form of escapism I had as a kid when I wanted to get away from reality.
Of course, there are people who have minimal reading experience and those who have only recently joined the app.
These users take to the comment section to voice out their desire to further their reading. And, the community rushes to their aid. Other users would advise them on which books they should begin with. Plus, #BookTok creators also remain very careful not to reveal too many spoilers in their videos.
#BookTok has completely changed the way people recommend books. It ranges from POVs to aesthetics to interesting book moments and so much more. Aside from that, there are people who don’t have English as their first language. And, bianca_.reads is just one of those people who recommend easy-to-read books.
Writers have also become a big part of the #BookTok community.
Both book authors and online writers participate in the conversation. They share their works with like-minded users and even have their own hashtag, #AuthorsOfTikTok. They create videos accompanied by tips, exercises, and announcements of their upcoming work. Aside from that, when an author becomes popular on #BookTok, it leads to an astounding jump in sales or the beginning of a career as a writer.
#BookTok has even inspired me to write my own book.
The moment I stepped foot in college, I knew I wanted to write. I wanted to create something that could be a form of escapism for a lot of people. However, as time passes by, I felt like there are already lots of talented writers. How can I even compete? But, with the resurgence of people looking for more books to read, I felt like there is no harm in trying. My passion for reading resulted in the desire to write and create something that inspires people the way countless stories have inspired me.
So, I’ve started writing. And, I hope – one day – I can publish it. That way, people can enjoy it. The rise of #BookTok has done a lot. It pushes teens to read more books. And, it has inspired writers to give these teens a lot more books to enjoy.
