30 BookTok Books That Are Actually Worth the Hype (2024)

RD.COM Books

Updated: Jun. 21, 2024

TikTok's book-loving community has no shortage of reading recommendations. But which BookTok books are worth it? We've got the answers.

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Verity by Colleen Hoover

Genre: Psychological thriller

For fans of: The Housemaid by Frieda McFadden and The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose

Colleen Hoover has become one of the most popular authors on TikTok, with roughly 3.6 billion views under her name alone. It Ends with Us may be her most talked about title on the platform (2.2 billion collective views), but the white-knuckle psychological thriller Verity (506 million collective views) is our choice for compulsively readable suspense. Struggling writer Lowen accepts an offer to finish writing the rest of a bestselling series by injured author Verity Crawford. At the request of Verity’s husband, Jeremy, Lowen moves into the Crawford home to dive deeper into the famous author’s research, notes and outlines. It’s there that she finds a concerning and bone-chilling autobiography written by Verity, and soon after, odd things begin happening to Lowen, threatening her safety.

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Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Genre: Romantic fantasy

For fans of: Outlander by Diana Gabaldon and A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Imagine Harry Potter with an R rating, and you’ll start to understand the rabid enthusiasm behind 2023’s TikTok sensation Fourth Wing, the first in a fantasy book series that follows 20-year-old Violet Sorrengail as she enters an academy for dragon riders where cadets either graduate or die. Violet is small and unsure of herself, and it doesn’t help that the strapping wingleader Xaden Riorson would relish her failure or her death—whichever comes first. With heart-stopping suspense, deadly politics, incredible world-building and a steamy enemies-to-lovers romance thrown in for good measure, it’s no wonder this “romantasy” quickly jumped to No. 1 on the New York Times bestseller list, where it stayed for a whopping 18 weeks.

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They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera

Genre: YA contemporary fantasy

For fans of: Simon vs. the hom*o Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli and The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Those familiar with BookTok may already know this Black Mirror-esque YA novel, which follows two teenage boys living in New York City during the era of Death Cast, a new technology that informs people when it’s their last day to live. The novel was first published in 2017, but in August 2020, author Adam Silvera noticed a surge in sales and couldn’t pinpoint why. A reader told him they found it from recommendations on TikTok, and currently, They Both Die at the End has 58.5 million collective views.

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Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert

Genre: Romance

For fans of: The Hating Game by Sally Thorne and The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren

Talia Hibbert is beloved on TikTok, with roughly 909,000 views under #TheBrownSisters hashtag and more than 19.5 million views under her name alone. And it’s easy to understand why—she writes witty, independent, relatable characters who make mistakes, learn and grow. And they also find romance. In Act Your Age, Eve Brown(the third book in The Brown Sisters series, published in 2021), we follow the youngest sibling. Eve is a little bit of a mess and is struggling to figure out what she wants to do in life when she comes across a bed-and-breakfast and decides to apply for an open position. She doesn’t quite ace her interview, and things worsen when she accidentally hits owner Jacob Wayne with her car. To try and make things right, she offers her assistance around his B&B and eventually, the two become close.

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Brother by Ania Ahlborn

Genre: Horror

For fans of: The Girl Next Door by Jack Ketchum and Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill

If one serial killer isn’t enough to make your spine tingle, how about a family of them? That dark twist on the genre may be what propelled 2015’s Brother into the viral TikTok sensation it’s become. Deep in the heart of Appalachia lives Michael, whose family is to blame for many of the missing girls in West Virginia. But Michael, like most members of a dysfunctional family in a small town, yearns for something more. When he meets pretty record-store cashier Alice, he wonders if this might be the chance to start anew, but his brother isn’t willing to let him give up his past so quickly.

“Brother by Ania Ahlborn is one I love to recommend because it starts off with a bang and really just doesn’t let up a single time throughout the very depressing and disturbing reading experience,” says Brandon Baker, a BookTokker who shares reading recommendations on the account @baker.reads. “I think it’s a great recommendation for those who love dark horror because the author does a great job of displaying just how senselessly evil people can be to one another. I recommend this book to horror lovers who enjoy reading books about the darker side of humanity.”

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The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake

Genre: Dark fantasy

For fans of: Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo and A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

Readers who love dark academia have fallen hard for The Atlas Six, which has more than 61 million TikTok views alone. It follows the Alexandrian Society, which invites six of the brightest and most talented magical academics each year to an initiation—but only five are selected. The leader of the selective process is the enigmatic Atlas Blakely, and it’s through the perspectives of six students that we see this magical competition take off.

“This is one of those titles that was previously self-published, but due to its popularity on TikTok, it was picked up by a major publisher [Macmillan],” says Barnes-Young. “To see this book go from print-on-demand to a sold-out launch event for the newly published edition in roughly one year has been a ride to witness. And it’s probably the best example of how TikTok can change an author’s entire trajectory.” Thanks to its popularity, Barnes-Young has also seen a boost in interest in books with dark academia vibes.

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People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

Genre: Rom-com

For fans of: Beach Read by Emily Henry and This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune

Both BookTok and Bookstagram have embraced the wonderfully rich characters that Emily Henry creates in her beach reads. Her second adult romance, People We Meet on Vacation, was published in 2021 and immediately became a bestseller, thanks to the witty dialogue and banter between Alex and Poppy, two close friends who met in college (you’ll get When Harry Met Sally vibes). Every summer, no matter what’s going on in their lives, they take a vacation together. It’s told through both past and present timelines, and in the present, we learn that the friends have experienced a falling out. In order to fix it, Poppy invites Alex on a trip to Palm Springs in hopes that they can reconnect. Will feelings get in the way?

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The Women by Kristin Hannah

Genre: Historical fiction

For fans of: The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah and Band of Sisters by Lauren Willig

No stranger to fame, Kristin Hannah has made a name for herself as a historical fiction powerhouse. Her well-researched and riveting novels, includingThe Four Winds, The Great Alone and The Nightingale, have sold millions of copies around the globe. It’s no surprise, then, that her latest, The Women, released in February 2024, became an instant New York Times bestseller and caught fire on TikTok, racking up more than 2.5 million posts. This somber yet moving story follows 20-year-old nursing student Frankie McGrath as she enters the Army Nurse Corps and is shipped off to the frontlines of Vietnam. Shining a much-needed light on the female heroes of a dark time in our country’s history, The Women is sure to become a modern classic.

“Hannah pulls no punches in this gripping tribute to the female nurses who fought in Vietnam,” says Reader’s Digest Books Editor Tracey Neithercott. “The Women is a heartbreaking account of war and its traumatic effects, but it’s also an uplifting story of sisterhood and heroism. It may come in at a hefty 480 pages, but this story absolutely flew by.”

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Babel by R.F. Kuang

Genre: Historical fantasy

For fans of: The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin andThe Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

If you’re a reader who likes your fiction with a dash of rewritten history, fantasy, dark academia and decadent, lush writing, then Babel, a 2022 favorite by booksellers and readers alike, is one you shouldn’t miss. This book has more than 7.1 million views on BookTok videos associated with its title and almost 50 million views for its author. What makes it a standout? R.F. Kuang infuses her novel with fantasy elements while exploring the Asian experience and the cost of imperialism.

The year is 1828, and orphan Robin Swift is brought to London by a mysterious Professor Lovell to study academia and silver working (uncovering meaning lost in translation) at Oxford University’s prestigious Royal Institute of Translation, known as Babel. But as a Chinese boy raised in Britain, Robin begins to understand that his education at Babel is ultimately betraying his motherland. As Britain becomes closer to starting a war with China over silver and opium, Robin finds himself torn between his life at Babel and an organization designed to stop imperial expansion.

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The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Genre: Historical fiction

For fans of: City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert and Swans of Fifth Avenue by Melanie Benjamin

Have you really been on BookTok if you haven’t encountered a book by Taylor Jenkins Reid? While she has many popular titles, videos about this cult-classic historical fiction novel have more than 322 million views on the platform. Released in 2017, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo follows Monique Grant, a journalist who has been selected by the glamorous yet reclusive Hollywood starlet and movie icon Evelyn Hugo to write an exclusive story about her life. Monique has no prior connection to Evelyn, which makes her wonder why Evelyn is intrigued by her. As the book unfolds, Monique soon discovers how her life intersects with Evelyn’s in tragic and irreversible ways. For fans who want to see Evelyn on the big (streaming) screen, Netflix announced a film adaptation of the book in 2022.

“For a while, I kept seeing everyone on TikTok rave about The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and how gripping the plot and characters were, so I finally decided to give it a read,” says Reader’s Digest Associate Editor Mariah Thomas. “Now, I totally get the hype! From the very first page, I was hooked, just like the main character, trying to unravel the mysteries of Evelyn Hugo’s life and anticipating the big plot twist. The book is packed with unexpected turns, romantic drama and enough conflict to keep you captivated until the very end.”

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Delilah Green Doesn’t Care by Ashley Herring Blake

Genre: LGBTQ+ romance

For fans of: One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston and Mistakes Were Made by Meryl Wilsner

This romantic, steamy and hilariously witty queer romance has been popular on TikTok since it was published in 2022. Delilah Green Doesn’t Care follows Delilah, who didn’t think she’d find herself back in Bright Falls. But when she’s offered a big paycheck to photograph her stepsister Astrid’s wedding, she hops on a plane. Claire Sutherland is a single mom who’s raised her 11-year-old daughter mostly on her own, and she’s also one of Astrid’s closest friends. Delilah has always thought of Claire as stuck up, but the more they’re around each other throughout the wedding festivities, the closer the two become.

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I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

Genre: Memoir

For fans of: Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner and The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

Considered one of the best memoirs of 2022, and for good reason, I’m Glad My Mom Died is a heart-wrenching, personal story told with wit and self-reflection by former child actor Jennette McCurdy. She teased the book on TikTok leading up to the release, but once it was available, readers were quick to recommend it. Known for her character Sam on the Nickelodeon sitcom iCarly, McCurdy writes about her early life acting—it was her mother who wanted her to become a star, and because she craved peace and harmony within her family, McCurdy did it to appease her mom, especially after her mother’s cancer diagnosis. In an unflinchingly honest memoir, told with both humor and grace, McCurdy recalls the dark secrets she kept on her rise to fame, including her struggles with eating disorders, addiction and unhealthy relationships.

“I had never heard of Jeanette McCurdy or the television shows iCarly and Sam & Cat that she starred in,” says Ann Hood, author of over a dozen novels, including the recently released The Stolen Child, and memoirs such as Fly Girl. “But now, [after reading] I’m Glad My Mom Died, I feel like I know her. I laughed. I cried. I was jaw-droppingly shocked. This isn’t a typical celebrity memoir, but anyone interested in behind-the-scenes for child actors or extremely dysfunctional families will love this book.”

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My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh

Genre: Literary fiction

For fans of: The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath and Luster by Raven Leilani

Ottessa Moshfegh’s 2018 novel has always been popular among literary fiction fans. On TikTok, though, it started going viral among those whose For You page looked like the 2014 Tumblr aesthetic. My Year of Rest and Relaxation is a dark, witty satire told from the viewpoint of an unreliable and self-proclaimed beautiful narrator who has graduated from Columbia University and lives in New York City. This unnamed narrator is trendy and pretty, but she’s also unhappy. That’s when she comes up with a plan: She’ll spend the year sleeping under the influence of prescribed medication—resting. After all, her wacky and not-so-ethical therapist is prescribing the pills, so it really can’t be any easier. But the more she ascends into sleep, the more she begins to alienate herself from the world, including her best friend.

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Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi

Genre: Contemporary fiction

For fans of: Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward and Everything Here is Beautiful by Mira T. Lee

From the author of Homegoing is another widely loved novel, which spread across social media platforms when it was released in 2020. Set in Alabama, Transcendent Kingdom tells the story of a Ghanaian family: Gifty is a fifth-year neuroscience candidate at Stanford studying the neural circuits of depression and addiction. Her brother was a talented athlete who died after a knee injury left him addicted to opioids. Now, her mother is suicidal, and Gifty wants to understand those who are struggling, on a scientific level. On top of this, she finds herself drawn to the evangelical church where she was raised, perhaps as something of a comfort, even though it offers more questions than answers. Anyone looking to read more books by Black authors is going to want to pick up this transcendent novel.

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Every Summer After by Carley Fortune

Genre: Contemporary romance

For fans of: Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren and The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston

This is the ultimate summer read: Search Every Summer After on TikTok, and you’ll find videos with more than 30 million combined views. It was eagerly consumed by voracious readers when it was published in 2022, and that’s thanks to the coming-of-age love story. Set in Canada and told in past and present timelines, the book follows 30-year-old Percy as she returns to her childhood lake house in Barry’s Bay after learning that a childhood friend’s mother has passed away. Sam and Percy were best friends who grew up spending summers at their neighboring lake houses, but their friendship imploded somewhere along the way. Old feelings arise when Percy and Sam see each other, despite being at very different places in their lives.

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Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Genre: Gothic horror

For fans of: The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas and Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s Mexican Gothichas found quite the fan base in bookstores, on social media platforms and even in Hollywood—it’s currently in development as a Hulu original series produced by Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos. One of the best recent books by Latinx authors, this 2020 gothic historical fiction novel is tinged with horror and follows Noemí Taboada, a glamorous debutante who rushes to her cousin’s side in the isolated Mexican countryside. But the two uncover eerie, menacing mysteries and dark secrets within her cousin’s new husband’s family home.

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It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

Genre: Contemporary romance

For fans of: Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score and Part of Your World by Abby Jiminez

This 2021 romance launched to viral fame by word of mouth, and videos about the BookTok book now have more than 200 million views on TikTok. It Happened One Summer follows a fallen “it” girl (think: Alexis Rose from Schitt’s Creek) who is forced out of Los Angeles and into a desolate small town in Washington where she must work at her late father’s dive bar with her sister in order to learn some responsibility. Throw in a grumpy sea captain, and this enemies-to-lovers romance is deliciously spicy and filled with tension.

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A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Genre: Romantic fantasy

For fans of: Throne of Glass and House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas

BookTok loves fantasies filled with super-steamy romance, and author Sarah J. Maas delivers. Search her name, and videos associated with the author alone have more than 1.8 billion views. A Court of Thorns and Roses is one of her most popular book series and one of the most famous TikTok books overall. It’s a Beauty and the Beast fantasy retelling that follows a girl named Feyre, who (after slaying a predator in the woods) is forced out of her home and must live among fairy folk. The first book finds her captured by the fae prince Tamlin. Feyre is able to live comfortably in his home, as long as she obeys his rules, but Tamlin is hiding something from Feyre, and she soon discovers that she’s a necessary part of breaking his curse.

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Time Is a Mother by Ocean Vuong

Genre: Poetry

For fans of: Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur and Bright Dead Things by Ada Limón

Ocean Vuong has found a readership on TikTok that deeply appreciates his lush poetry. Time Is a Mother is his latest work, and it’s filled with tender, heartbreaking and emotional writing. In intimate moments of grief and vulnerability, the author explores themes of loss and memory after the death of his mother in this illuminating collection. BookTok recommendations tend to lean toward romance and “romantasy,” but Time Is a Mother is a welcome addition for anyone hunting for truly great poetry.

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Ready or Not by Cara Bastone

Genre: Rom-com

For fans of: Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan and Happiness for Beginners by Katherine Center

An unexpected pregnancy from a one-night stand may be a familiar trope, but Cara Bastone turns it into something fresh and fun in Ready or Not, a friends-to-lovers rom-com that racked up nearly 500,000 posts on TikTok in the weeks following its February 2024 release.

“Ready or Not by Cara Bastone is all the best parts of the romance genre (specifically the rom-com) on full blast,” says Kendra Keeter-Gray, a BookTokker who shares reading recommendations on the account @kendra.reads. “The main character, Eve, is funny and witty, and you can’t help but root for her from the very first page. This book made me swoon, laugh out loud and shed a few tears. I would recommend this to anyone in need of a good beach read or a pick-me-up in the form of a novel. Also, anyone who is hesitant about the romance genre or even the pregnancy trope can be won over by this amazing title!”

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Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan

Genre: Romantic fantasy

For fans of: The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller and Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James

After its debut in 2022, Daughter of the Moon Goddess was highly discussed among readers both on and offline and was named one of the best fantasy BookTok books by many. “This book is a lovely intersection between two types of reads that often trend on TikTok: romantic fantasy and mythology,” says Barnes-Young. In a story inspired by the legend of Chang’e, we’re introduced to Xingyin, who grew up on the moon alongside her mother. But when her magic gives her away to the Celestial Empire, she’s forced to flee. She disguises her identity and makes her way to the Celestial Kingdom to save her mother, striking a dangerous bargain to do so.

“I’ve been noticing a huge rise in Eastern-based fantasy books—from R.F. Kuang’s more brutal The Poppy War to young adult fare such as Axie Oh’s The Girl Who Fell Beneath The Sea,” says Barnes-Young. “The crossover appeal is most likely why I see so many readers giving this a spin. More than a year out from publication, and it’s still a strong seller, even without my voracious hand-selling—which I do!”

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Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Genre: YA dystopian

For fans of:Delirium by Lauren Oliver andDivergent by Veronica Roth

First published in 2011, this dystopian book is the first installment in the author’s bestselling young adult book series that found a new wave of enthusiastic readers on TikTok (with more than 1.3 billion views under Shatter Me). Given Tahereh Mafi’s unique and distinct narrative voice, it’s easy to see why. Juliette is a teenager who has been locked up by the Reestablishment because she possesses a fatal touch. Then she’s introduced to Warner and Adam, two very different guys who influence Juliette to make a choice: Is she a weapon or a warrior?

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A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

Genre: Literary fiction

For fans of: The Secret History by Donna Tartt and The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai

If you haven’t heard the overwhelmingly emotional reaction to Hanya Yanagihara’s 2015 book A Little Life, then let us warn you: Grab tissues before diving in. The National Book Award finalist has critical acclaim and is widely mentioned on TikTok by readers whose hearts have been eviscerated by the tearjerker of a book. A Little Life follows four classmates from a small college in Massachusetts who move to New York to follow their dreams and ambitions. Over the next decade, trauma and unforeseen challenges leave their mark on each character, changing their lives with bleak realities.

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Red White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

Genre: LGBTQ+ romance

For fans of: Boyfriend Material by Alexia Hall and The Unlikely Heir by Jax Calder

Casey McQuiston’s 2019 romance, , takes two favorite romance tropes—a fake relationship and enemies to lovers—and adds a twist: The nemeses aren’t fake dating; they’re in a phony friendship. One of TikTok’s favorite LGBTQ+ BookTok books, Red White & Royal Blue follows Alex Claremont-Diaz, son of the U.S. president and the slightly chaotic counterpart to Britain’s Prince Henry. When a confrontation between Alex and Henry escalates, the president (who is about to kick off her reelection bid) forces Alex to play nice for optics. So what happens when a fake friendship leads to a very real romance? Though you may be tempted to watch the recently released Prime Video movie to find out, we suggest starting with the must-read novel first.

“I’m always so skeptical about majorly hyped books—they tend to let me down,” says Neithercott. “Not so with this novel, and I went in with astronomically high expectations. Admittedly, the third-person present narration threw me at first, but I quickly forgot about it once the story got going. The book is smart and layered, but it’s also fun. Grab it when you want a feel-good story with depth.”

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Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

Genre: Contemporary fiction

For fans of: Normal People by Sally Rooney and One Day by David Nicholls

“Does this come in paperback?” That’s one of the most common questions Barnes-Young receives as a bookseller. “But I rarely get that question with [Gabrielle] Zevin. Folks are snapping Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow up in droves, regardless of the deeper [hardcover] price tag. I see readers of all ages and reading preferences buying it,” she says.

This 2022 coming-of-age book about friendship follows Sadie and Sam, two childhood friends who met in middle school and bonded over their love for video games. After reuniting in college in the late ’80s, they decide to program a video game of their own. And with the help of Sam’s roommate, Marx, the three create Ichigo—which becomes a massive hit. But each character deals with their success and individual ambition in different ways, leading to tension, a fallout and heartache as they try to navigate careers.

“We’re selling more copies of this book now than we did in its first months of release, which is rare when it comes to hardcovers that have been, historically speaking, front-loaded in terms of sales,” she adds. “Zevin continues to break that trend.”

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She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan

Genre: Historical fantasy

For fans of: Circe by Madeline Miller and The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang

She Who Became the Sun is beloved by readers on TikTok and Instagram, with more than 8.5 million views on videos discussing the historical fantasy novel. In the story, set in an alternate 1345 China, a girl is forced to use her brother’s identity after he tragically passes to enter a monastery as a young male novice. But when her new haven is destroyed, she must take on the greatness her brother was destined for to create real change.

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Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Genre: LGBTQ+ YA contemporary fiction

For fans of: I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson and The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

This beloved coming-of-age book was released 11 years ago, but it’s still a tale widely loved by readers online. Benjamin Alire Sáenz’s contemporary LGBTQ+ novel Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is set in Texas during the ’80s and introduces readers to two boys, Dante and Ari. The story follows the challenges of their powerful friendship and the all-encompassing love they share for each other.

“Aristotle and Dante is a wonderfully complex book about friendship, budding sexuality and family relationships,” says Stacy Whitman, owner of the Curious Cat Bookshop in Winsted, Connecticut, and the founder and publisher of Tu Books. “And be sure to pick up the sequel, Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World.”

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Icebreaker by Hannah Grace

Genre: Romance

For fans of: The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood and Intercepted by Alexa Martin

Originally self-published on Wattpad, Icebreaker went viral on the platform and TikTok before it was picked up by Atria and published in fall 2022. Now, after spending months on the New York Times bestseller list and racking up over 100 million posts on TikTok, Icebreaker continues to spread like wildfire (incidentally, the title of the follow-up book in Hannah Grace’s romance book series), thanks to its witty banter and steamy love scenes. When an Olympic-bound figure skater is matched with the captain of the hockey team—yes, major Cutting Edge vibes for you ’80s babies—hilarity and hotness ensue. It’s fast-paced, unputdownable fun.

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Bunny by Mona Awad

Genre: Literary fiction/satirical horror

For fans of: Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado and Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh

Bunny, which was published in 2019, is one of those BookTok books that truly captivated TikTok readers with its uniqueness. It’s an eerie horror novel meets literary satire that follows outsider Samantha Heather Mackey, who attends New England’s Warren University as part of an MFA program. One thing Samantha can’t stand is the vapid rich-girl “Bunny” clique, but everything changes when she’s extended an invitation into their sinister yet saccharine world.

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Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo

Genre: LGBTQ+ YA historical

For fans of: Self-Made Boys by Anna-Marie McLemore andThe Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes

Malinda Lo’s National Book Award–winning and Stonewall Book Award–winning young adult novel has gained a huge readership and fan base on TikTok. Last Night at the Telegraph Club is a sapphic historical novel set in 1954 San Francisco and follows 17-year-old Lily Hu, a Chinese American teen who meets Kathleen Miller at a lesbian bar called the Telegraph Club. Although this isn’t a safe time for two girls to fall in love, Lily and Kathleen risk it all to be together.

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Geek Love by Katherine Dunn

Genre: Literary fiction

For fans of: Swamplandia by Karen Russell and Earthlings by Sayaka Murata

Published in 1989, Geek Love is gaining a new generation of fans, thanks to TikTok. It’s a polarizing read, but if you enjoy the offbeat, you’ll want to pick up this family drama centered on the Binewskis. Faced with a failing business, the couple sets out to create a freak show, using drugs to turn their children into oddities, then hitting the road in a traveling carnival.

“If you feel like curling up in a ball and wallowing in pain and despair, you really can’t go wrong with Geek Love by Katherine Dunn,” says Sonja Ska, who shares book recommendations on TikTok on the account @ghostlyreads. “If you spend time on BookTok, you’ve likely seen it floating around disturbing book lists, but as weird and bizarre and downright disgusting as it gets, nothing prepares you for how much it hurts. Body horror and utter depravity aside, Geek Love is intensely emotional, to the point that you’ll probably need a day or two to recover.”

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At Reader’s Digest, we’ve been sharing our favorite books for over 100 years. We’ve worked with bestselling authors including Susan Orlean, Janet Evanovich and Alex Haley, whose Pulitzer Prize–winning Roots grew out of a project funded by and originally published in the magazine. Through Fiction Favorites (formerly Select Editions and Condensed Books), Reader’s Digest has been publishing anthologies of abridged novels for decades. We’ve worked with some of the biggest names in fiction, including James Patterson, Ruth Ware, Kristin Hannah and more. The Reader’s Digest Book Club, helmed by Books Editor Tracey Neithercott, introduces readers to even more of today’s best fiction by upcoming, bestselling and award-winning authors. For this piece on BookTok books, Farrah Penn tapped her experience as a journalist who covers book publishing and an author of young adult novels to ensure that all information is accurate and offers the best possible advice to readers. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing, and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

• Kalie Barnes-Young, inventory commercial support and senior bookseller at Barnes & Noble; interview March 2023
• Brandon Baker, book influencer behind the @baker.reads BookTok account and @baker_reads Instagram account; interview June 2024
• Ann Hood, author of The Stolen Child, The Knitting Circle and The Book That Matters Most; interview June 2024
• Kendra Keeter-Gray, book influencer behind the @kendra.reads BookTok account and @kendra.readz Instagram account; interview June 2024
• Stacy Whitman, owner of the Curious Cat Bookshop in Winsted, Connecticut; interview June 2024
• Sonja Ska, book influencer behind the @ghostlyreads BookTok account and @spookycurious Instagram account; interview June 2024
• TikTok: “A new way to tap into the #BookTok community”

Originally Published: March 12, 2024