Among the Internet’s many subcommunities, Booktok has become one of the largest and most infamous, mainly on the app TikTok. The creators on Booktok discuss their favorite books through book reviews, skits, PoV videos and more. It has also become a platform for authors to promote their books.
You would expect this to be a positive thing however, Booktok has become a problem by removing depth from books, promoting the same overused archetypes and plots and with books that are overall poorly written.
Booktok-viral works have a clear negative shift from the writing of classic authors, such as Ray Bradbury or Charlotte Bronte, and even authors from the early 2000s, like Rick Riordan. These books are classics because of their timeless themes and characters, compelling plotlines and use of author’s craft to enhance the story, all of which are different and original.
On the other hand, similar genres, plots, characters and themes dominate Booktok books. For example, the works of Sarah J. Maas and Colleen Hoover, both of whom write young adult romance.
Though Colleen Hoover is loved by many, others have called into question the quality of her work. According to CNN, her novel “It Ends With Us” is alleged to romanticize abuse, with the main love interest exhibiting domestic violence towards the protagonist. Authors should not be promoting these ideas in their writing, much less be applauded for doing so.
Booktok books also display a low standard of writing. The basic issues with grammar, spelling and overall clunky sentences show a lack of polish. But there are also deeper problems, such as the aforementioned use of repetitive tropes that authors know will get them an audience. They don’t try to go outside of the box. There’s the grumpy sunshine trope, and the same misunderstood bad boy that people rave over, and the same “romantasies” every time.
“Many of the books that are raved about on Booktok are written with little to no care and are focused way more on marketability than actual artistry,” Olivia Pastrick, editor from The Reflector, said. “I think this, along with some of the stereotypes and tropes that are used in some of these books, makes the trend more harmful than it is positive.”
Further, many of these Booktok books focus less on portraying a theme, or universal message, which I would consider a staple of great literature. Harriet Sanders of Pan Macmillan believes that books can become classic when they are the “first of [their] kind, impressively inventive or the most influential example of a particular genre or literary style.” Booktok books almost never fit this description.
It’s true that any story can be boiled down to tropes, even William Shakespeare’s “The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet.” This story is the most famous example of the enemies-to-lovers and star crossed lovers tropes, but I can still find more nuance in it than the books nowadays that use similar plotlines. It has other themes, such as fighting against fate or the dangerous impulsiveness of young love, that make it much more powerful.
That’s not to say that none of the books viral on Booktok have any literary substance. Madeline Miller’s “The Song of Achilles” is a Greek myth retelling and Booktok hit, but it also has depth and complexity. Library Journal hails it as “a masterly vision of the drama, valor and tragedy of the Trojan War” and USA Today describes it as “fast, true and incredibly rewarding…a remarkable achievement.”
There is also much to be said about the merit of reading for pleasure, which Booktok also pushes for. When you’ve had a long day and just want to immerse yourself in a good book, deep themes and flowery language can take the enjoyment out of reading it. Having access to simple, entertaining books encourages people to read.
In a 2016 study done by Bavishi, Slade and Levy, it was found that reading greatly increases longevity by promoting both cognitive engagement and emotional intelligence. Further, a 2009 study performed by the University of Sussex found that reading is a great method of relaxation, reducing stress in the test subjects by 68%.
It doesn’t matter what you read; reading in itself is beneficial. With the rise of Booktok, there has also been an increase in interest in reading. While I condemn much of Booktok’s influence, I believe that everyone should feel free to open up “A Court of Thorns and Roses” instead of “War and Peace” if that makes them happier. Nevertheless, great literature should be appreciated to its full extent for their prowess of writing and impact and should not be overshadowed by novelty books.
It is becoming a problem that these poorly written, corporate books are now being hailed as the epitomes of literature. Instead of being a space where the same and often harmful authors, books and ideas constantly circulate, Booktok should be a space for writers and readers to share their love of books without judgment. It should also be a place for talented aspiring writers who have innovative ideas and true passion for the art of writing to get a start on their careers. Booktok could become an amazing place on the Internet, but only if it is used well.
