BookTok is a reading phenomenon which has seen the rise in popularity of books on social media, particularly TikTok. It has led to more young people becoming engaged in reading, and has even made its way into the real world, with bookstores around the world producing ‘as seen on BookTok’ displays on their shelves.
However, with so many people producing content on books, it can be hard to know which are actually worth the read. I will preface these reviews by saying that reading is subjective, and I am not here to tell you what you should and should not read. Everyone enjoys different things, it is what makes the world an interesting place. So take my suggestions with a pinch of salt.
Without further ado, let’s get into it. Here are my honest reviews of five books which have seen a surge in popularity on BookTok this year.
The Song of Achilles
This book is definitely worth the read. I read it in one sitting and couldn’t put it down, even when sobbing during the ending. The Song of Achilles is a beautiful retelling of the Iliad, and you don’t have to be into Greek mythology to find yourself invested in the story of Achilles and Patroclus.
Madeline Miller has a wonderful way with words and I would recommend reading Circe afterwards. If you enjoyed The Song of Achilles, The Silence of The Girls by Pat Barker is another great book to read as it offers another perspective on the love story between the protagonists in Miller’s book, and tells the same story from the point of view of the forgotten victims of the war- the women.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo came highly recommended on TikTok and it didn’t disappoint. A wonderful period piece balanced perfectly with modernity, this book is the type of novel you read in one go. It allows you to get lost in the glitz of Hugo’s life in the golden age of Hollywood without the heavy writing of some of the books written in that era.
However, in my opinion, this isn’t Jenkins Reid’s best work. Daisy Jones and The Six tops Seven Husbands, although both are fantastic, as well as Malibu Rising, which is the perfect beach read. Jenkins Reid’s books are easy and accessible, emotionally rich, and make you feel something for the characters which for me, is what a good book is all about. The connections between all her books, mostly through the character of the slimy Mick Riva, add another interesting element.
Where The Crawdads Sing
I read this book just as the film was released and wasn’t too sure what to expect given the mixed reviews. The book was fantastic and I found myself invested in Kya, the protagonist’s, life. However, it isn’t the easiest book to read, particularly due to the lexicon and dialect of Kya and her family, who lived in the marshes of the Deep South.
While I enjoyed the authenticity, those who struggle to get into books which require a bit more attention to get through may not feel the same. No judgement here, I definitely found myself frustrated at certain points at the start while I got used to the spelling during the dialogue but pushed on and was glad I did.
They Both Die at The End
I perhaps am not the most qualified to write about this book, given the fact that I never finished it. As someone who tends to suffer through almost every book she starts no matter what, for me to give up after just four chapters is definitely a sign that I did not enjoy this book. This was disappointing, as I had heard such good things about it. But unfortunately the writing style wasn’t for me and I would say that this book is aimed at a younger audience than I had thought.
We Were Liars
Again, I felt disappointed by this book after having seen such glowing reviews on TikTok. Given that the twist became obvious halfway through, the second half of the book felt painstaking to read, and somewhat pointless. The main character was unlikeable and not in a way that still made you want to read on, and the other characters weren’t explored in enough detail for you to feel any sort of emotional response to them or the events of the book.