BookTok (or ‘Book TikTok’) is a niche community that has taken root on TikTok, redefining how readers around the world discover, share, and engage with books. This movement isn’t just about books; it’s about building relationships and finding common ground for discussion.
How BookTok is Building In-Store Communities for Readers
BookTok has evolved from a niche hashtag into a powerful community movement, driving sales and bringing together readers both online and offline. It began to grow during the Covid-19 lockdowns in 2020 and 2021. Publishers began to reach out to popular creators to collaborate and promote specific titles or offer free books. In November 2023 it was reported that the #BookTok had been viewed over 200 billion times on TikTok with about 60 billion videos.
To develop this sense of community in physical spaces, bookshops have adapted, moving beyond traditional genre-based displays. Now, when you enter a local Waterstones or similar bookstore, you’re likely to find tables marked “Books Seen on TikTok” or “BookTok Made Me Buy It.” These displays not only guide customers toward titles they first discovered online, but also create a shared space where readers connect over popular reads.
The Power of TikTok’s Algorithm: Building a Digital Book Club
TikTok’s unique algorithm, powered by the “For You” page, has been key to BookTok’s success. It has enabled books and authors to reach a highly specific audience by connecting people based on their interests. Users simply search for BookTok hashtags or TikTok users, including authors.
TikTok’s algorithm learns from user behaviour, including interactions, time spent on specific types of content, and repeated viewings. This allows TikTok to surface content that aligns closely with individual preferences.
For book lovers, TikTok doesn’t just enable content discovery; it helps build a sense of community. As people interact with BookTok content, they form niche subcommunities. Here users can explore genres, discuss favourite characters, and even recommend bookshops.
For authors, BookTok is a way to gain visibility, increase sales and connect with readers.
Hashtags like #BookTok and #DiverseBookTok serve as gateways into these communities, allowing users to engage with content that reflects shared passions and identities. This enables BookTok to act almost like a recommendation engine within a community. It amplifies voices and sparks discussions that makes users feel connected to a larger reading culture.
In a sense, TikTok’s algorithm has turned BookTok into a virtual book club, where recommendations spread through the app’s viral structure. This has allowed people to build friendships and shared experiences around literature in a digital-first way.
Extending Beyond TikTok: Social Media Communities for Readers
BookTok’s success illustrates a larger trend: the movement toward digital communities where readers can find connection and support. But TikTok is only one option. Across social media platforms, book lovers and authors gather, each community offering unique ways to bond over literature.
Book Clubs in Facebook Groups
Facebook offers a more traditional setup for book lovers through groups like “Gals Who Read” which adopt the familiar model of book clubs but with a digital twist.
Facebook groups encourage long-form discussions, structured monthly reading schedules, and even live discussions over Zoom.
These groups offer a welcoming space for readers seeking more intimate, focused discussions, often around a set reading list.
The platform’s events, polls, and scheduled posts make it easy for users to stay organised and connect with a steady group of readers over time. Mirroring the sense of regularity and commitment of in-person book clubs.
Other popular Facebook groups tailored for book lovers:
- Silent Book Club: Known as the “introvert’s book club,” Silent Book Club invites readers to gather either online or in-person to read together without the pressure of forced discussions or small talk. It’s perfect for those who enjoy companionship in reading without the expectation of conversation.
- Beth’s Book Club: This club offers a more interactive experience with a jam-packed social calendar, including monthly book discussions, author Q&As, workshops, and even yoga sessions.
- The Men’s Book Club: Originally founded on Goodreads, The Men’s Book Club is a male-focused group where members discuss a wide range of books. While the group centres around a male perspective, women are welcome to join the conversations and share insights.
- Black Girls Read, TOO!: This vibrant group of women of colour celebrates a shared love of reading through book reviews, recommendations, and a virtual book club. They also offer a mix of book-related and general discussions, aiming to keep the community engaging and dynamic. Important notifications and events are posted in the “Featured Announcements” section to keep members updated on group activities.
Reddit: Visual Literary Community
Reddit subreddits such as r/bookshelf provide book lovers with a unique space to engage with literary content through a mix of intellectual discussion and visual appreciation.
Known for its image-focused posts and upvote system, Reddit encourages users to share their personal libraries and discuss rare book finds, attracting readers who enjoy the aesthetics of books as well as intellectual engagement.
Other subreddits ideal for book lovers
- r/suggestmeabook: This is a go-to for personalised book recommendations, where users post specific reading preferences, and community members respond with tailored suggestions. It’s a collaborative space where even the most niche requests find a match. Making it perfect for readers who crave unique and specific book recommendations.
- r/52book: Ideal for readers who enjoy a challenge, this subreddit encourages members to read 52 books per year—one per week. It’s a motivating environment with members sharing reading goals, progress, and book reviews, making it a supportive and engaging community for ambitious readers.
- r/bookclub: This subreddit provides a virtual space for readers who want to join book clubs without geographic constraints. Members discuss current reads and often propose new book club ideas, offering a flexible approach to finding book club groups based on specific genres or topics of interest.
Discord: Real-Time Book Discussions
Discord’s servers, like “Book Lovers Club,” offer real-time, genre-specific channels that facilitate spontaneous, interactive discussions. Unlike other platforms, Discord is organised into multiple channels within each server, allowing users to move between discussions by genre, theme, or book.
This setup enables users to have focused conversations without the clutter of unrelated posts, and the platform’s voice channels support live reading sessions or group discussions. Discord’s structure appeals to readers who want constant access to conversations with the flexibility to discover specific interests.
More Discord Channels for Book Lovers
- Book Lovers Club
This is one of the largest book communities on Discord, with channels for different genres, monthly book picks, and regular discussions. It’s a welcoming space for readers of all backgrounds to discuss their favourite books and authors. - Bookaholics
A friendly community for people who love to read and chat about books, Bookaholics offers themed reading events, buddy reads, and even book trivia nights for a fun and interactive experience. - Organized Book Club
This server hosts monthly reading events, group discussions, and buddy reads in an organised setup. Perfect for book lovers who appreciate structure and variety in their reading community.
X Hashtags for Book Lovers
- #BookTok – This popular hashtag brings readers from TikTok to X, sharing viral book recommendations and reviews.
- #BookRecommendations – Perfect for readers looking for suggestions or sharing their favourite reads.
- #AmReading – A widely-used hashtag for sharing current reads and mini-reviews.
- #BookClub – This hashtag connects virtual book clubs and discussions, making it easy for readers to find club activities online.
- #DiverseBooks – A hashtag that highlights diverse voices and underrepresented authors, fostering a community around inclusive literature.
That’s a Wrap on BookTok Communities
BookTok exemplifies the powerful role of social media communities in reshaping reading habits and creating connections among readers worldwide. What started as a niche hashtag has grown into a thriving, multifaceted network. It spans platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Reddit, and Discord.
Each of these platforms contributes to the BookTok ecosystem in unique ways. They enable readers to engage with literature, share recommendations, and build friendships around a shared love of books.