Reading In The Time Of BookTok

BookTok is quite the topic lately amongst readers, journalists, and critics alike. I use Instagram far more than TikTok, but I often see BookTok recommendations and Bookstagram, especially on local bookshop shelves. While there are numerous criticisms for the book algorithm trend, I see a lot more good than bad with reading becoming trendy again.

The criticism starts with the lack of diversity and the same books being recommended over and over again. That is mostly due to the algorithm of course and is more of a TikTok issue than a user issue. Once you dive deeper you can personally follow people whose book recommendations speak more to you and the algorithm will learn your interests (I know, creepy, but effective). Personally, I don’t read trendy books unless they actually sound interesting to me. I love when people share their favorite books because it gives more positive recommendations to the world based on our unique interests. That being said, yes, there is a big lack of diversity, but thankfully that is changing with people recommending their favorite books or even lesser known literature.

The books being recommended have also been criticized as simply being “bad books.” I don’t necessarily believe any books to be bad. It is all about personal preference of course. And there are writers who are better than others naturally, but that doesn’t mean a book written in a simpler style or on a topic seen as less advanced or intellectual is any less important. Not everyone appreciates the same genres or writing styles. For example, I rarely read first person narratives. I happen to like books that are written in third person because they allow my mind to imagine more completely. I find reading a constant stream of consciousness of the characters pulls me away from the plot. Unless it is a memoir of course. And sometimes you want to dive into an easy read instead of something too serious or advanced. I often find that the books I reach for vary depending on my mood.

Another criticism I hear of BookTok is that it is about the aesthetic, and not about the love of reading itself. That is is more of a trend or another form of consumerism than a lifestyle. Which can also be true. When people care more about book hauls and collecting books they will never read over focusing on their to-read shelves, that can cause over consumption. When it is more about views than enjoying the books themselves therein lies the problem. When we care more about decorative bookshelves than functional ones, that is a waste. But I do not actually feel that is the norm.

While there are many people accepting free books just to recommend them without reading them or buying books for the aesthetic that they will never really use, there are more who buy books based on their preferences and actually read and enjoy the act of doing so. And while some people decorate their shelves with random books of certain colors just for the look of it, there are also people color coding or displaying their books in creative ways simply because they enjoy it that way.

If a person is an avid reader and book collector, I see no problem in it. However, with social media pressuring popular creatives to constantly be producing more and new content, you can be sure that it will turn into over-consumption. And that in turn inspires viewers to emulate what they see. Meaning, more book hauls, larger piles of unread books, and a lot more wasted money and book shelf space, not to forget the environmental impact.

An easy way to combat this is to only buy books that actually interest you. Just because a book is popular online or with your friends does not mean it will hold your interest. Only you know what books you like. Utilize thrift shops and used bookstores for books instead of always buying new. Borrow books from friends or your local library. Host a book swap with your friends or book club.

There are numerous good things coming out of Bookstagram and BookTok, starting with more people sharing their voices; more books by LGBTQ authors and platforms for people of color. More feminist voices and minorities are being heard and elevated. We can also unite against racism and book banning. Books spread ideas and ideas inspire, educate, and motivate.

I personally love that it is becoming trendy to read again. As my generation was growing up and social media and tech games became more popular than books, our generation worried that libraries and bookstores might be a thing of the past. I remember around 2000 when people were discussing that they might no longer print the dictionary. Even with Dictionary.com being around for a while, this fear has not seemed to pass. My mom bought a children’s dictionary for us out of fear of dictionaries becoming obsolete. She told me to make sure I kept it for my kids one day or they would not have a dictionary to use. True story. We worried about a future with no books.

When everything is digital, misinformation spreads like wildfire. Would history be lost? The United States illiteracy rate has also jumped to a high of 21% in 2022. With 21% of adults being illiterate and 54% of U.S. adults unable to read above a sixth grade level, hopefully we will see this number dropping in the future as reading becomes encouraged on social media. Thankfully, book stores are booming now more than ever thanks to the trends on social media. Dictionaries still exist. The younger generation is reading again. This can only be a good thing.