Fueled by the global adoption of TikTok, BookTok gives everyone from avid readers, to amateur writers, to esteemed authors a platform to discuss their favorite books. In the slightly altered words of Animal Farm, “All books are equal, but some books are more equal than others.”
BookTok recommendations can catapult even the most illegible novels to the charts. Plot holes and spelling mistakes aren’t enough to stop the fervor that surrounds some of the most popular BookTok book recommendations. But every now and then, a book crops up that’s actually worth the hype. Let’s dive into 15 of our favorites.
the seven husbands of evelyn hugo
Goodreads: 4.42 stars
Legendary film actress Evelyn Hugo is 79; her family is dead, her ex-spouses are long gone, and she has been reduced to a recluse who waits for death. She contacts reporter Monique Grant to tell her life story, starting from Los Angeles in the 1950s to her retirement from show biz in the 1980s.
Set against a backdrop of 1950s Los Angeles, this glitzy and glamorous tale probes into the dilemma of being bisexual in a society with traditional values. Once you’ve seen your Activity Report, the chances are that you want to set time limits on apps.
they both die at the end
Goodreads: 3.76 stars
Strap in for this BookTok book; They Both Die at the End subverts well-trodden gothic literary traditions to create a romance that will tug at your heartstrings. Before you start reading, you need to know one thing: this story is set in a world where people receive a call from Death-Cast on the day they are going to die. Mateo and Rufus receive the call, and instead of spending their last waking moments alone, they download Last Friend, an app that connects people who have no other options. There, their day-long romance begins. Death aside, this novel is filled with revelations, adventures, and heart-warming moments.
the song of achilles
Goodreads: 4.32 stars
Very few BookTok recommendations center around Greek mythology, but The Song of Achilles quickly became one of the most hyped books on TikTok.
It follows the story of Achilles, son of sea goddess Thetis and King Peleus. Achilles joins the cause to return Helen of Sparta and meets Patroclus, a young prince who was exiled from his homeland after an act of violence. Together, they experience love, loss, and redemption, set against the backdrop of the Trojan War.
we were liars
Goodreads: 3.67 stars
This BookTok book recommendation has been around for a while, so it’s stood the test of time. It invites readers into the world of the wealthy Sinclair family, who spend each summer on their private island. One summer, the protagonist Cadence suffers a head injury, and, as she attempts to unravel what happened on the island, loyalties are pushed to their limits.
a little life
Goodreads: 4.32 stars
A Little Life followed four classmates from a small college in Massachusetts who move to New York, intent on breaking into acting, architecture, and the art world. What appears to be a classic coming-of-age novel soon spirals into a tragic look into childhood trauma. As far as BookTok recommendations go, this is one of the darker ones.
mexican gothic
Goodreads: 3.67 stars
Noemí Taboada is the unlikely detective in this moody, sublime thriller. After receiving a panic-stricken letter from her cousin, Noemí travels to a house in the Mexican countryside called High Place. There, she meets her cousin’s imposing husband, Virgil Doyle, and the mystery begins. Does Virgil intend to kill Noemí’s cousin? Or is it a case of mistaken identity? The author’s writing style has been compared to Daphne du Maurier, which adds another layer of intrigue to this already mysterious book.
→ Discover how to read more on iPhones to hit your reading goals and power through our BookTok recommendations!
tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow
Goodreads: 4.16 stars
In Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, long-time friends Sam and Sadie create a video game that catapults them to international acclaim. The novel spans from the early days of their friendship to the height of their success, weaving in questions about modern technology, the decay of society, and, of course, a nail-biting will they won’t they love story.
i’m glad my mom died
Goodreads: 4.46 stars
BookTok recommendations rarely include memoirs, but I’m Glad My Mom Died has received widespread acclaim. Former iCarly actress Jenette McCurdy shares her journey from a six-year-old hopeful actress to a depressed, chronically ill teenager. Under her mother’s manipulative gaze, Jenette battles an eating disorder, alcohol addiction, and a slew of abusive relationships. When her mother dies, Jenette reflects on her life and realizes her mother’s intentions weren’t as wholesome as she was led to believe.
babel
Goodreads: 4.18 stars
Historical fantasy novels don’t get any more epic than this. Babel is one of the few BookTok books that spans more than 500 pages (544 to be exact), but the world-building calls for it. It’s set in an alternative reality where Britain’s global supremacy is dependent on magical silver bars. Protagonist Robin Swift hopes to enroll in Oxford University’s Royal Institute of Translation, where he can make the bars himself. There, his eyes are opened to the imperialism, colonialism, and racism that he perpetuates.
my year of rest and relaxation
Goodreads: 3.63 stars
The deeply depressed, massively privileged protagonist of My Year of Rest and Relaxation is a divisive character. She has inherited almost unfathomable wealth, but she would rather have her parents back. Alone in the world (except for her frenemy Reva), the unnamed protagonist decides there is only one cure: she coaxes sleeping pills out of a crook psychiatrist and sleeps through most of the year. This darkly comic, turn-of-the-century book is perfect for people who are struggling to find their place in the world.
carol, or the price of salt
Goodreads: 4.02 stars
Originally published under The Price of Salt, and later released under the same name as the 2015 hit film, this novel was first published in 1952. The release of the film exposed new LGBT audiences to what is now considered to be a timeless classic. Like many BookTok book recommendations, this one explores the intricate nature of same-sex relationships, intersecting with the unforgiving weight of public scrutiny.
it ends with us
Goodreads: 4.15 stars
This wouldn’t be a list of BookTok recommendations without at least one of Colleen Hoover’s books. It Ends With Us follows small-town girl Lily as she enters into a relationship with Ryle Kincaid, a gorgeous neurosurgeon who seems too good to be true. Ultimately, the book gives readers an insight into the complexities of abusive relationships.
the invisible life of addie larue
Goodreads: 4.19 stars
Addie LaRue makes a deal with the Devil to achieve immortality. Here’s the catch; everyone who meets her forgets her. Did I mention that the novel is set in 18th-century France? Historical fiction twines with magical realism to create a truly spellbinding story that spans 300 years and covers everything from romance to identity issues.
the secret history
Goodreads: 4.17 stars
Some BookTok book recommendations became famous long before TikTok was invented. The Secret History is a good example; this novel was a bestseller in its heyday, and for good reason. It follows a group of misfits who thrive under the watchful gaze of their charismatic classics professor. What starts as an exercise in free thought and self-actualization leads to a murder that will change their lives forever.
Looking for an eReader? Read our review of Kobo vs. Kindle to find the best eReader for 2024.
giovanni’s room
Goodreads: 4.33 stars
This book is not for the faint-hearted. Giovanni’s Room is a cult classic novel that portrays the realistic struggles of a gay couple in Paris in the 1950s. The protagonist, David, is a young American who is drifting through France when he meets Giovanni, a mesmerizing Italian bartender. Cultures and social classes clash as the reader wonders, will David be brave enough to face his feelings?
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