If there was one app that dominated my phone’s Screen Time during the early stages of the pandemic, it was TikTok. I spent the majority of my free time scrolling aimlessly through my “For You” page, trying to learn the latest dance trend and quietly laughing to myself at the 15-second videos I would save to my Favourites and never watch again. There is no doubt that the app is addicting, and with all the free time on my hands, this easily-accessible form of entertainment was all I needed in my life.
Soon, “#Booktok” was all over my feed, flooding the app with videos dedicated to celebrating books. And not just a few––there were hundreds of them. Users were posting a variety of literature-related content, ranging from book hauls and monthly wrap-ups to recommendations and TBR (To Be Read) lists. A digital community was growing right before my eyes, but it wasn’t long before I started noticing a pattern. People loved to recommend the same books to the point where it seemed like they were the only pieces of literature that existed in the world. It bothered me, but I fell right into the rabbit hole and began reading.
So, if you’re like me and have found yourself tangled in the #Booktok world, unsure if these “hyped up” books are truly worth all the praise, then you’ve come to the right place. I managed to read five of them, and hopefully my opinion will help you decide if they’re really worth your time and money.
We Were Liars – E. Lockhart
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart had everything that a great mystery novel should have: family secrets, suspense, a private island and wealthy, yet mysterious characters. But it still fell a little short for me. The novel follows 18-year-old Cadence, a member of the wealthy Sinclair family. Two years ago, she was involved in an accident she couldn’t remember much of. It was only until she returned to her family’s private island in Massachusetts when she slowly began to regain her memory, also revealing her family’s frightening secrets. The writing style is very poetic, yet slightly awkward and frustrating. However, I definitely didn’t see the plot twist coming, so if you only read novels for unexpected twists rather than its writing style, go for it!
The Song of Achilles – Madeline Miller
It took me a long time to read Madeline Miller’s The Song of Achilles. Not because I hated it, but because I didn’t want her lyrically beautiful writing style to end. The novel is an adaptation of Homer’s Iliad told through the perspective of Patroclus and follows his love story with Achilles. It explores the journey of their relationship from childhood to adulthood, including their roles in the Trojan War. After finishing the book, I was blown away and slightly heartbroken. So, if you’re a lover of ancient Greek history (and don’t mind crying over fictional characters), this book is definitely for you.
Normal People – Sally Rooney
Normal People is the book you’ve probably seen all over your Instagram feed. The novel takes place in Ireland and follows the complicated relationship between two students, Marianne and Connell. Rooney observes their relationship throughout high school to university, drifting apart and finding their way back to each other again. It explores intimacy, mental health, political issues and the “normal” struggles we experience as humans – both within relationships and with ourselves. Many people either admire or dislike Sally Rooney’s writing style as it is very raw and leaves you feeling a bit uncomfortable. However, the dialogue and interactions between characters are so realistic that sometimes it feels like you’re eavesdropping on a conversation. In the end, I really enjoyed this one and even picked up her other novel, Conversations with Friends afterwards.
They Both Die at the End – Adam Silvera
I remember when Adam Silvera’s They Both Die at the End was first released. It was on the front display of almost every bookstore I went to, showing off its stunning cover and very depressing title. It’s definitely not the happiest book you’ll ever read, but the story was so creatively written that I’ll always recommend it. The novel follows two teenage boys, Mateo and Rufus, who discover that they only have one day left to live after getting a call from Deathcast, a mysterious company that knows exactly when you’re about to die. The pair meet each other through an app called “Last Friend” which matches you with someone who is also facing the same fate. In their last hours of life, Silvera explores topics of family, love, friendship and the fragility of life. While some people didn’t enjoy this book as much as I did, Silvera’s simple yet gripping writing style left me on the edge of my seat until the very end.
The Seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo – Taylor Jenkins Reid
If I could recommend one book to anyone, it would be The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. I picked this up last summer after seeing all the love for Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Daisy Jones and the Six (which is also fantastic) and wanted to know what all the buzz was about. It follows Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo, who, now at the age of 79, is finally ready to tell her life story to an unknown journalist named Monique Grant. The novel addresses her early years of fame, the details behind her seven marriages and her forbidden love – all while Monique realizes she’s closer to Evelyn than she thought. This book was emotional, powerful, heartbreaking and glamorous, and I couldn’t get enough of it! If you’re a sucker for old Hollywood tales and love some drama, go buy it. Right now.