In the past year or so, TikTok has become literature’s new best friend, with BookTok encouraging millions of Gen Z kids and teens to put down their phones and pick up a book (albeit perhaps a digital copy). On this app, millions of viewers are finding their new favorite book, whether that’s a romance, thriller, or young adult (YA) novel. Trends such as reading celebrity’s favorite books, 24 hour reading challenges, and book reviews have taken over the video app. 2022 is off to a great start with a stacked roster of books for Gen Z readers, here’s BookTok’s top 5 books of 2022 so far.
#1 Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover
Colleen Hoover is probably one of the most well-known authors on BookTok. Known for her suspenseful romance novels that capture the hearts of Gen Z readers, Hoover has probably benefitted the most from the rise of readers on social media platforms. She released Reminders of Him on January 18th, and BookTok was quick to devour the novel and turn it into another sensation for Hoover.
#2 Good Girl Complex by Elle Kennedy
Kennedy’s YA novel, Good Girl Complex, is a perfect example of one of BookTok’s favorite trends: sweet romance books with a pastel-themed, hand drawn cover. This became popular in 2021, with favorites such as People We Meet on Vacation, The Love Hypothesis, and more. Kennedy’s novel is right up the lane of many young readers and is a perfect introduction for any Gen Z wanting to start reading again.
#3 The Maid by Nita Prose
A thriller featuring a neurodivergent maid in her mid-twenties, a 5-star hotel, and a dead mogul, Prose’s novel is for those who still think reading has to be “boring”. An excellent introduction to the world of suspense and murder mysteries, Prose has been on BookTok’s radar since the release of this novel in January. The novel has also earned other acclaims such as the #1 spot on the New York Times Bestseller’s List and being picked for the Good Morning America book club.
#4 To Paradise by Hanya Yanagihara
From the author of A Little Life, one of the most popular books on TikTok in 2021, fans of the novel were excited to hear that Yanagihara would be releasing a new novel in 2022. Spanning 300 years, in three different timelines in America, with three very different settings. All three timelines are intertwined by themes of love, loss, identity, family, and other touching topics that Yanagihara is known for having an exceptionally skilled hand in writing about.
#5 The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley
Another thriller novel surrounding family disappearances, Foley’s novel was just released this month but has already garnered a lot of interest on BookTok. Set in Paris with a missing brother and a building full of possible suspects, The Paris Apartment is perfect for BookTok’s target audiences. They’ll enjoy the twists and turns of Foley’s novel just as much as binging a thriller series on Netflix or scrolling through true crime videos for hours.
We never thought social media would be the reason that the younger generations start reading again, but with so many great reads only two months in to 2022, readers can be sure to find great reads on BookTok all year long.
