BookTok has taken the book world by storm. You can’t walk into a book store anymore without seeing a BookTok section. Books that go viral on the platform become bestsellers IRL.
But it can also be tiring to see the same few books constantly showing up on your TikTok feed. Once you’ve read every Taylor Jenkins Reid and Colleen Hoover book, what’s left?
Plenty of books that aren’t as big deserve just as much love as popular BookTok books. Here are six of my recommendations based on some of the biggest BookTok reads.
1. If you like The Inheritance Games, read…
A crazy scavenger hunt to receive an eccentric rich man’s inheritance? Check. Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts by Kate Racculia is about a woman who becomes obsessed with solving an Edgar Allan Poe-themed mystery about where a recently deceased billionaire hid his treasure, following clues hidden around Boston.
This book is a wild ride! It’s not the exact same vibe of The Inheritance Games because Tuesday is in her 30s (and there’s a bit of a supernatural element). But it’s a very fun reading experience.
2. If you like I’m Glad My Mom Died, read…
Educated by Tara Westover is the perfect book to read if you want another deep exploration of messed-up family dynamics and how one determined young woman broke out of them.
Westover grew up with a doomsday-prepping family and didn’t go to a traditional school because her dad was convinced it would brainwash her. But she decided to study in secret until she got into college.
Upon leaving for college, she enters a completely different life and realizes just how little she knew about the world. But the more she learns, the more her family alienates her.
This book is very similar to I’m Glad My Mom Died because it tells a heartbreaking backstory from a naive child’s perspective. And when she breaks out of her family’s control, it’s fascinating to see her reckon with the abuse she faced. (Note: look into potential triggers because this is a heavy book.)
3. If you like Red, White, and Royal Blue, read…
One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston is the perfect next choice after Red, White, and Royal Blue because it’s by the same author. This one is also an LGBTQ romance, but it has time travel elements!
The love story is very cute. Also, it scores extra points for not having a predictable ending.
4. If you like This Is How You Lose the Time War, read…
Invictus by Ryan Graudin doesn’t share the same lyrical writing as Time War. However, it does have similar elements of people traveling through time and messing with each other.
This might be one of my favorite time travel books because it has such a fun cast of characters. Also, the main character Far has a unique backstory that becomes part of the main conflict in unforeseen ways.
5. If you like Before the Coffee Gets Cold, read…
Many Japanese magical realism novels have this whimsical and serene vibe while also exploring deep topics. And If Cats Disappeared from the World by Genki Kawamura is no different.
Instead of the time travel-themed philosophy in Before the Coffee Gets Cold, this book explores how the world would be different if things people love left the world one by one.
6. If you like The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, read…
If you’re interested in another soaring tale of women’s lives told throughout history, this is the book for you. The Women of Chateau Lafayette by Stephanie Dray tells the stories of three women who lived in the Marquis de Lafayette’s estate during different turning points in history — the French Revolution, World War I, and World War II.
Though it was nearly 600 pages long, this book will keep you engrossed the whole way through as the three women’s stories converge in unexpected ways.
7. If you like The House in the Cerulean Sea, read…
Again, Under the Whispering Door is by the same author, so it has a similar syle. But this one focuses on a tea house between this life and the afterlife. And instead of the main character starting wholesome (though a little uptight), this main character is not a very good person in the start, but becomes better as he prepares to cross to the other side.
Both books are about a closed-minded man learning about magical beings and falling in love with a man who’s part of the magical world. However, this one sets itself apart in many ways. And it will probably make you cry, so be prepared.
8. If you like The Midnight Library, read…
Bittersweet by Susan Cain might be a nonfiction book, but it delves into many themes The Midnight Library explores. Told through interviews, research, and personal anecdotes, this book is about how to embrace sorrow as a part of life instead of denying it.
I didn’t love how self-helpy The Midnight Library felt at times. Bittersweet strikes the perfect balance between teaching you new things and providing insight into topics you might not have thought much about before.
Are there any books I missed? Let us know your favorite BookTok or non-BookTook books in the comments!
Feature Image by Ying Ge on Unsplash
I read Susan Cain’s “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking” which is a book that resonates with many introverts. Through her extensive research and personal experiences, Cain sheds light on the challenges that introverts face in a world that values extroversion. She also explores the strengths and unique qualities that introverts bring to the table and encourages them to embrace their introversion.
I’ve bought Bitter-Sweet but never got around to the book yet. It is still sitting on the bookshelf. 😀
This is exactly what I was looking for.
I just had to leave a comment and express how much I enjoyed this blog post. Your writing not only educates but also entertains. It’s rare to find a blog that strikes the perfect balance between informative and engaging. Keep up the fantastic work!
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I’ve discovered so many fantastic reading suggestions through BookTok, and my reading list is longer than ever. It’s wonderful to know that in this digital era, we have such a passionate community of book lovers.
Which BookTok-recommended book has impressed or inspired you the most? Let me know—I’m always on the lookout for new treasures to add to my book collection!