If your TikTok ‘For You’ page looks anything like mine, then a BookTok recommendation pops up every other video. However, not every book is a must-read, despite what the creators say. Here’s a breakdown of what books actually deserved the hype, as well as the ones that didn’t.
What To Read
- The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
-
If you’re a fan of history and fantasy, then The Poppy War is definitely one to read. This book follows the story of Rin as she attends an elite military academy where she learns the nature of shamanism. Unfortunately, after a war breaks out and Run must fight to protect her country, she risks losing herself in the process as well.
Before I begin applauding The Poppy War, I do want to advise potential readers to research the content warnings contained in the book. This book parallels real-life events that happened during the Sino-Japanese wars and is very detailed in that regard. That said, the author does a fantastic job at incorporating prominent real-life issues into the book while still keeping the fantasy aspects. Kuang was able to create an entire, in-depth world and yet it felt personal to the readers. Lastly, each of the characters is fantastically three-dimensional, allowing anyone reading to form a connection with them — especially Rin, who serves as both an antagonist and protagonist throughout the series.
- Red, White, And Royal Blue by Casey McQuinton
-
Red, White, and Royal Blue is a witty and heartfelt romance that revolves around the son of the President of the United States, Alex Claremont-Diaz, and the British Prince Henry as they fall in love. I am not one that typically likes novels that solely surround romance, yet this book had me hooked. I finished it within a night. Casey McQuinton’s writing style immediately draws the reader into the story, keeping it personal and funny, yet still delving into deep subjects. It’s easy to find yourself in the characters’ heads, imagining that you are experiencing what they are.
- If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio
-
Dark academia and suspense are perfectly enraptured in this novel, as well as the complexity of human beings and the connections we develop. If We Were Villians focuses on seven college friends who study Shakespeare until one of them is murdered and the rest have to deal with the consequences. The particularly creative thing about this book is that the characters reflect Shakespearean archetypes and allude to Shakespeare’s plays in a way that leaves you in awe. M.L. Rio does a great job at both that and understanding how love, friendship, and grief affect people. It’s a great recommendation for those who enjoy mystery, Shakespeare, or feeling lost after finishing a book.
- Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
-
Six of Crows is another fantasy book with gorgeous world building. The only downfall is that in order to understand the world that the characters are in, you must read the Shadow and Bone series before this one — although I’m sure a quick SparkNotes run-through would suffice.
This book focuses on a deadly heist that would make the leader, Kaz Brekker, and his five partners unbelievable rich. Again, as said in the previous books, it contains great characters. Their interactions with each other and their development keep readers invested. More so, the world that Bardugo has built is both impressive and complex, both important features of a wonderful book.
What To Avoid
- The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake
-
To begin with the bad books, we are starting off with The Atlas Six by Olivia Blake. I went into this book with high expectations due to BookTok’s insistence that it was a five-star book, only to leave disappointed. The plot is incoherent, mostly due to the pretentious and confusing writing, and the characters are hard to relate to. I almost didn’t finish the book but decided to in hopes that it would redeem itself. Unfortunately, it did not.
- The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
-
Again, I had a lot of high hopes for this book going in. The plot is usually what I enjoy in a novel. However, the plot was also hard to understand and it was hard to connect with the characters. I desperately wanted to find myself lost in it, but never found that. There was no climax, just a straightforward plot.
- It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover
-
It Ends With Us is probably one of the top trending books on BookTok, and I can almost see why. It deals with the very serious issue of domestic abuse in a way that provides the readers to sympathize with Lily, the main character, so victims of domestic abuse itself can relate to her. That’s where the ‘literal masterpiece’ aspect ends. Colleen Hoover’s writing feels both naive and childish. It doesn’t show anything about the characters, instead telling the readers what Lily wants. Lastly, the characters are very one-dimensional.
- The Invisible Life of Addie Larue by V.E. Shwab
-
The Invisible Life of Addie Larue was one of the better books I read thanks to BookTok, but it still wasn’t impressive. To begin with, I had a hard time finding a connection between the main character and her love interest, despite this being predominantly a romance book. Secondly, like the other avoidable books, it didn’t have a plot. It revolved mostly around aesthetics, so it was hard to become engaged with this novel.
Take it from me, an avid reader, when I say that not every book promoted on BookTok is worth the money or time. If you’re questioning whether or not to buy that book you kept seeing in videos, check out this article before you say yes — it may not be worth it.
Can’t get enough of HC UMass Amherst? Be sure to follow us on Instagram, listen to us on Spotify, like us on Facebook, and read our latest Tweets!