In the ever-expanding realm of social media, BookTok has emerged as a vibrant and influential community for book enthusiasts. BookTok is not a separate application; instead, it is a community within TikTok that you can access by simply entering the term BookTok in the search bar. This TikTok subculture, dedicated to all things literary, provides a unique space where users share their favorite reads, book reviews, and creative book-related content.

How to Get into BookTok

1. Create Your Bookish Account:

To immerse yourself in the BookTok experience, start by creating your own bookish space on TikTok. Consider setting up a dedicated account where you can curate content related to your reading journey, favorite books, and literary preferences.

2. Figure Out What Genres You Like

If you enjoy romance or fantasy genres, you probably have already discovered your corner in BookTok. However, those with different preferences might face challenges finding their ideal content. Before delving into the depths of the BookTok realm, you must first identify the genres that pique your interest.

Sera Wright, a bookseller and creator on BookTok, suggests using your movie and TV preferences to guide your taste in books.

3. Search Specific Genres

Consider searching for a book you enjoy and finding someone with comparable preferences and then proceed to follow them. The algorithm will prioritize presenting you with similar content as you engage more with their videos through likes, shares, and comments.

Try searching keywords based on your preference. Some keyword ideas are listed below:

• Horror BookTok
• Romance BookTok
• Fantasy BookTok
• Classics BookTok
• Sci-Fi BookTok

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4. Follow BookTok Creators:

Explore the BookTok community by following popular book creators. These users often share engaging book reviews, recommendations, and creative content related to literature. Join book clubs that interest you by following the creator. An example is Nina Haines' Sapph-Lit, a sapphic book club.

5. Diversify Your BookTook Recommendations

Sera Wright suggests putting in more specific descriptors. As a black woman, Wright likes to use the descriptors Black BookTok or BIPOC BookTok to find books that fit her identity. Simply searching 'BookTok' will give you unclassified BookTok recommendations. Wright also suggested using more specific descriptors like BIPOC nonfiction or Black History Month books. 

Utilizing BookTok for Your Library or Bookstore

For people who are passionate about books in and outside of work, BookTok may help your professional life, too. Kelsey Bogan, a high school librarian from Pennsylvania, recommends that librarians, especially those serving high school-age readers and older, should consider BookTok as a primary resource for building their book collections. In her library, there's a designated table labeled Popular on BookTok. 

Using BookTok also provides an opportunity to connect with a community of book lovers. Wright, who manages the TikTok account for Resist Booksellers, an independent, Black-owned bookstore in Virginia, shares various content, from author events and day-in-the-life recaps of booksellers to engaging Barbie audio clips.  

Navigating BookTok offers a dynamic and engaging way to discover new books, connect with fellow readers, and celebrate the joy of literature. By following these tips and actively participating in the community, BookTok is a valuable resource for expanding your reading list and fostering a genuine love for books. 

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