BookTok recommendations 2023: biggest books in the app

Colleen Hoover may be the eternal queen of BookTok, but her steamy novels aren’t the only books that had that Us achieving our reading goals this year.

While not every novel on the list was released in 2023, some major page-turners saw a resurgence thanks to their popularity on the social media platform.

Sarah J. Maas‘First A Garden of Thorns and Roses The novel was released in 2015 and has since spawned four sequels. The most recent, A Court of Silver Flameswas published in 2021. However, BookTok has taken this book series to a whole new level – and is even being adapted for television.

While some argue that BookTok only recommends the same few titles, the creator of TikTok Satoria Raywho has more than 40,000 followers on the platform, disagrees.

“I would say this is someone who has probably been on BookTok for a day,” Ray told the author Leigh Stein in February. “I don’t think any of us in this room are on the same BookTok.”

The great thing about BookTok is that it has become a diverse range of authors, books and genres that allows readers to scroll through the hashtag for hours, days and months.

Keep scrolling to see 15 of this year’s best BookTok recommendations:

‘A Little Life’ by Hanya Yanagihara

Yanagihara’s 2015 novel has become a huge phenomenon years after its release. It tells the story of a group of four friends who experience the ups and downs of life together.

Many of the BookTok posts about this novel are readers crying because of the emotionally charged pages. “I’m not even 300 pages into this book yet,” one TikTok user told his fans through tears. A second captioned their video, writing: “I’ve just had a little life and I’m feeling heartbroken.”

‘Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow’ by Gabrielle Zevin

Released in 2022, this novel took BookTok by storm early the following year, making it one of the most recommended books on the hashtag. Author Zevin wrote the story of Sam Masur and Sadie Green, whose friendship spans more than 30 years as they become friends and then business partners.

“Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow and I’m sad and tomorrow,” one TikTok user wrote about the novel. Another reviewer said she had a “recent nervous breakdown in the bathtub” because of the book.

‘Fourth Wing’ by Rebecca Yarros

Yarros released this book this year and it quickly became a favorite among readers. She even dropped a sequel before 2023 came to an end. The first in the Empyrean series, Fourth wing introduced readers to Violet, who spent her life training to be a writer before being thrown into a war school for dragon riders.

One BookTok creator said “fk you” to “the first person who came here and recommended this book” because they quickly became “obsessed” with the novel. ‘It’s crack. It’s addicting. I can’t stop, it’s easy to eat. Like I hate you. I hate you but I love you, thank you very much,” she added.

‘Red, White and Royal Blue’ by Casey McQuiston

Thanks to the Prime Video film of the same name, BookTok went crazy for the 2019 love story between Alex, son of the President of the United States, and Prince Henry, reserve on the British throne.

“Who else is obsessed with Alex and Henry Rn?” one BookTok user captioned his video. Another social media user wrote: “No thoughts, just Alex and Henry.”

‘The House in the Cerulean Sea’ by TJ Klune

Released in 2020, the book tells the story of 40-year-old Linus Baker and the six magical orphans living at the Marsyas Island Orphanage.

Reviewers on TikTok call this book part of the ‘fun’ genre. “This book had my heart man😭,” one person said. A second called it ‘the best book of all time’.

‘A Court of Thorns and Roses’ by Sarah J. Maas

As the abbreviation ACOTAR is known, thanks BookTok. The series (so far) consists of five books and follows character Feyre Archeron and her love story in the elven kingdom of Prythian.

ACOTAR was first on ‘spicy’ BookTok, but has since entered the mainstream. Earlier this year, it was even announced that Hulu is developing a show based on the novels. Author Maas has also hinted at another book already in the works.

‘Maame’ by Jessica George

Not only Mom a BookTok choice, but it was there Today‘s book club, Read With Jenna [Bush Hager]. George’s novel, released earlier this year, is about a girl named Maddie, who lives in London and cares for her father while her mother spends most of her time in Ghana. However, Maddie is just trying to experience some much-needed “firsts.”

BookTok users called this a “must-read” of the year. “A good, recognizable coming-of-age book!” wrote one user.

‘The Song of Achilles’ by Madeline Miller

Miller’s, originally published in 2011 The song of Achilles has risen in popularity this year. The book is a retelling of the Trojan War from the perspective of Patroclus.

“Honestly this could be a new favorite read,” one TikTok caption read. A second reviewer said they were “scared” to read the ending.

“They Both Die at the End” by Adam Silvera

The 2017 young adult novel went viral this year, leading readers to fall in love with the characters Mateo and Rufus, who both discover they have only one day to live.

“I was such a mess after reading this book, I loved it so much I hated it,” said a BookTok review. Most TikToks surrounded the fact that the title is, hilariously, a spoiler for the ending of the novel.

‘The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue’ by VE Schwab

This 2020 fantasy novel follows a French woman in 1714 who made a deal to become immortal, but everyone who meets her will immediately forget her forever.

One emotional BookTok reader said the novel ‘just destroyed my mood’. They added, “I feel like my heart just got punched.”

‘The Atlas Six’ by Olivie Blake

This 2020 novel, the first of a trilogy, follows the final group of six possible members of the Alexandrian Society – the brightest and most talented mages – as only five qualify for initiation.

“These two books have captivated me and it is difficult to explain. The story is extremely slow, but the characters are so addictive that I can’t stop reading and learning more about them,” said a BookTok reviewer. “The Atlas Six And The Atlas Paradox by Olivie Blake won’t be for everyone, but for me they are definitely a must-read series.”

‘Honey and spices’ by Bolu Babalola

This 2022 novel was a Reese Witherspoon Book Club choice after its release, but BookTok made it popular this year. The book tells the story of Kiki Banjo who finds herself in a situation even though she swore she would never do it.

“Bolu Babalola should get a job as a postman because this book is DELIVERED,” said a BookTok user about the author. Another reviewer on social media said that the male protagonist had officially become her “book boyfriend.”

‘The Maid’ by Freida McFadden

The first Housekeeper The thriller was released in 2022 and followed Millie, who cleans the Winchesters’ house and soon discovers some big secrets within the family.

“The maid is 😳 I just finished chapter 42 and I need a break. I’m so upset 😭,” one reviewer shared on TikTok. According to another BookTok user, the sequel The Maid’s Secret is also ‘crazy’.

‘Happy Place’ by Emily Henry

This book was perhaps the biggest beach book released this year. Harriet and Wyn have been separated for six months, but haven’t told their friends. Instead, they decide to take a vacation with them and keep the news of their split quiet.

“I went in with no expectations and was blown away,” one BookTok user told social media users. A second review called author Henry “a genius.”

‘Immortal Desires’ by Chloe Gong

Immortal desires was released earlier this year and was the first in Gong’s Flesh and false God series. This episode reimagined William Shakespeare’s play Anthony and Cleopatra. After its release, Gong made her own BookTok post about the novel.

“One day you’re 14, finishing the first novel you ever wrote,” she said. “Then suddenly you’re sitting in a hotel room for 24 hours and you’re wrapping up your national book tour for your fourth NYT bestseller. Wild.”