10 Best #BookTok Books That Are Trending With Readers In 2022
When the world shut down in 2020, many found themselves turning to the social media platform TikTok for a source of community. Users found solace in finding other people who shared certain interests and commonalities. For book readers, they'd need not look further than the hashtag #BookTok — the official name for the TikTok sub-community of readers and authors.
Throughout the last few years, #BookTok has seen a massive growth in community, inspiration, and creativity. Suddenly, no-name authors could easily be discovered by the graces of the algorithm. It wasn't long before major publishing houses would start scouting the app and scrolling for their next potential client. #BookTok has not only been a game-changer for aspiring authors, but for eager readers seeking their next adventure between the pages as well. Below, we've gathered a list of some of the most popular books that have been circulating around the "must-read" lists of many who frequent the #BookTok space.
It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover
Noted as an easy read, this book takes us through the journey of a woman who dives into work in an effort to move on from her traumatic past and past lover. However, fate has something different in store for her when she meets a haughty man to whom she normally wouldn't be attracted. His strict no-dating policy is cast astray, and their entanglement ensues.
Adult romance novelist Colleen Hoover initially published this book in 2016. When some readers got wind of it a few years later, the book took off in the #BookTok community. Users began sharing their reactions while reading some of the novel's heart-wrenching moments. Author Hoover even acknowledged her joy and appreciation for the support via her own TikTok, with her caption reading, "THANK YOU I DON'T KNOW WHY Y'ALL ARE SO GOOD TO ME!!!" The overwhelmingly positive response led Hoover to publish "It Starts With Us," which gives readers another point of view of the story.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Major Hollywood actress Evelyn Hugo has had quite the decorated life, starring in films and being adored by many. Now in her later years, she decides to tell the story of her tumultuous personal life. Married seven times, Evelyn Hugo has been likened to Elizabeth Taylor, off of whom her character may very well be based.
Celebrated author Taylor Jenkins Reid is one of the most beloved authors around #BookTok, with gems such as "Daisy Jones and the Six" and "Malibu Rising" also seeing their fair share of popularity in the community. "This is one of the best books I've ever read," TikTok user Katie McDougall wrote in the caption of a TikTok video recording herself reading the book all in one day. The video, which captures the user's raw emotions ranging from pure joy to extreme sadness, garnered hundreds of thousands of likes and nearly 3 million views.
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
This award-winning book takes readers back to ancient Greece, set during the time of Homer's "The Iliad." Young and naïve Patroclus befriends the celebrated war hero Achilles. Readers are taken on an emotional journey as they begin to fall steadily in love, which leads Patroclus to follow Achilles into battle.
#BookTok thoroughly enjoyed this reimagined classic, with readers such as Lexi posting some of their favorite heartbreaking quotes. "This book literally kills me," her caption reads as she showcases her book, decorated with highlighted passages in a multitude of colors. While many users took their highlighters to mark passages that resonated with them, others found a different permanent way of showcasing their love for this book. User KTN dedicated a tattoo on their forearm inspired by the romance tale, with the quote "he is half my soul" delicately inked around before forming two entwined hands with a lifeline represented by red ink.
They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
Many authors have enjoyed seeing their books skyrocket to best-selling lists from sales purely due to TikTok's influence. Adam Silver is one of those authors. "They Both Die at the End" is an international best-seller and beloved book within the #BookTok community. A dystopian love story transports readers to a time when one gets a 24-hour warning before they're going to die. An app called "Last Friend" connects two people for one last adventure before death comes calling.
Loved across age ranges, this emotional book provides readers with thought-provoking questions and musings on their own mortality. Many users in the #BookTok community shared their emotions while reading this book. User Erica filmed her emotional release, while other users in the comments shared their own recounts of the emotions that waved through them while reading the book. With such a strong title as this, it's clear it still wasn't enough warning to prepare readers for what's inside.
Heartstopper by Alice Oseman
Many readers were introduced to the genre of graphic novels through Alice Oseman's bestseller, "Heartstopper," a series with a total of four volumes, with a fifth expected to be published in early 2023. This young adult story follows two school boys who are assigned to sit together in class. Soon enough, a romance blossoms that will tug at the heartstrings of any reader.
This graphic novel series received high praise for its representation of coming out to parents and friends, oftentimes a difficult step for many in the LGBTQ+ community. In April 2022, Netflix released a fan-favorite TV adaptation. Many readers were excited about this, including TikTok user Fanfiction book club, who expressed their excitement over it. Meanwhile, other users such as Zoe have thrilled over finding their "comfort author," to whom they can turn again and again. "I can't wait to start reading heartstopper again this year," Zoe's caption reads.
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
Budding author Ali Hazelwood made her writing debut with "The Love Hypothesis." This novel follows a PhD student who lies to her friend about having a boyfriend, which her friend doesn't believe. To prove herself, she grabs the nearest guy and kisses him as if he's the guy she's seeing. As it turns out, this random man is actually her professor for one of her toughest classes in her program. They then have to go about pretending that they're in a relationship. Soon enough, feelings start to develop.
Soon enough "The Love Hypothesis" made its #BookTok rounds, where tens of thousands of fans gathered to share their feelings. academic validation AND love? really olive is out here living my dream," user @newlynova shares, while user @manifesting.ahappyending shares "JUST FINISHED AND IM IN LOVE."
Readers may enjoy this tidbit — the author is actually a neuroscientist, who publishes under the pseudonym Ali Hazelwood and enjoys writing main characters who are into STEM.
The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn
"The Viscount Who Loved Me" is a historic novel written as the second novel to author Julia Quinn's beloved "Bridgerton" series. This book follows the life of Anthony, who is the eldest sibling of the Bridgerton family. At nearly 30 years old, Anthony decides it's time for him to marry for the sole purpose of producing an heir. Determined to find a bride with whom he could not fall for, we follows Anthony's journey as he falls into the inevitable. This book was actually first published in 2000, however with the recent critically-acclaimed Netflix adaptation of "Bridgerton", a new generation of fans have been introduced into the world of English high society. With its popularity back on everyone's radar, it's no surprise that "The Viscount Who Loved Me" has made its way to #BookTok. "Screaming. crying. throwing up," wrote user @lightsupharry as they record a close-up of one of their favorite passages of the book.
The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake
"The Atlas Six" is about a secret society known as "The Alexandrian Society," who are caretakers of lost knowledge from the greatest civilizations. More prominently, they are a secret society of academicians, or magically-gifted academic students of the world. To earn a place within this society is a life promised with an abundance of wealth and power. Every 10 years, only six of the most gifted individuals are chosen to earn their spot in this society, with five members ultimately being chosen and one eliminated. This book follows their journey.
Author Olivia Blake had once self-published the book, but with the help of #BookTok, she was able to score a deal with a publishing house, which then helped this book skyrocket to #1 on The New York times Bestseller list. "This book has consumed me," TikTok user @aymansbooks wrote as their caption for a video about their enjoyment while reading the book.
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
"Where the Crawdads Sing" by Delia Owens follows the story of Kya, a "Marsh Girl" who resides on the coast of North Carolina in 1969. The nearby small town soon suffers the tragedy of losing a beloved quarterback on peculiar grounds, and Kya is named as a suspect. This coming-of-age story intertwines love with a murder mystery. This book was so well-received, it was shortly adapted into a film, with well-known names such as Reese Witherspoon and Taylor Swift attached to the project. "This book is so good I couldn't put it down man. It tugged my heart so many times and it was beautifully written. 10/10," wrote TikTok user @Peachypaigeyy, filming herself in a reenactment of reading a prominent plot twist, while user @doddyreads shares her opinion on the book with much excitement. "I love this book; it is so beautifully written," she stated in her video.
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
Readers who enjoy mystery thrillers will surely enjoy the thrill of "The Silent Patient" by author Alex Michaelides. This book swiftly made its rounds on #BookTok. User @mollyybooks provides her viewers with a summary of the book, stating, "Oh my goodness, it was so good ... it follows a psychotherapist when he goes to work at a new facility and he gets really interested in one patient who murdered her husband and has not talked since."
The psychotherapist then begins to treat the patient and starts uncovering bits of her life, as the tale unwinds with a shocking plot twist at the end. Other users share excitement for the book and its easy, page-turning reading experience. User @webna shared a time-lapse of her reading the book all in one day, with the video capturing her raw emotions as well as her providing her own commentary as she reads along.