It’s not always easy to be invested in a book, especially when you’ve been going through a reading slump. There are only so many genres to choose from, and sometimes, we just want to not have to choose between all the books out there. Luckily, Tiktok has been doing all the choosing lately. Booktok is full of viral TikTok books that will allow you to dive right back into this beautiful world of stories.
What’s fun about reading Tiktok books is how universal our experiences with these books feel. It is something that we are all reading together. Whether you’re just reading for fun, to pass time, to cry your heart out or just because you feel like reading something cheesy, reading is always a good idea for the heart and the soul.
So, without further ado, we’re introducing you to our favorite booktok recommendations!
On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous
by Ocean Vuong
“They say nothing lasts forever but they’re just scared it will last longer than they can love it.” – Ocean Vuong
Just like the title of the book, the read is just as profoundly beautiful. It tells the story of a young Vietnamese American boy with the nickname Little Dog. The novel is written as a letter to his mother who cannot read, and it mirrors the life of the author Ocean Vuong.
Vuong’s beautiful tribute to his and his mother’s lives is evident in his exploration of race, masculinity, and his family’s history in Vietnam. This book will take you on a journey of trying to understand empathy, family, and what it means to truly love a parent, no matter how challenging it can be.
This book is trending for many reasons, and you’ll get it when you read it.
Beach Read
by Emily Henry
“Happy. Not giddy or overjoyed, but that low, steady level of happiness that, in the best periods of life, rides underneath everything else, a buffer between you and the world you are walking over.” – Emily Henry
One day, you’ll be sitting in your room wondering why they don’t make good romance books because all the ones you’ve read have been shallow and annoyingly cheesy, then you’ll find Beach Read and you’ll think it’s like every romance you hated until you finish the book and understand why it’s not like any romance you’ve read before. Not because it has anything new to offer, but because it’s fun and emotional to read. It’s the first romance I read after my teenage years that is also not YA, and it was nice to read a book about finding love after turning 25.
Beach Read tells the story of January and Gus, two authors who strike a deal to get out of their creative block. Gus will spend the summer trying to write something happy, and January will try to write something adventurous and real. They’ll walk each other through their writing processes and this is where it all starts. Beach Read is a light read, it speaks of grief and love in a way that is healing and gentle. It is a perfect read if you need a break from heavy books.
Before the Coffee Gets Cold
by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
“At the end of the day, whether one returns to the past or travels to the future, the present does not change.” – Toshikazu Kawaguchi
Who doesn’t need a little magic in their everyday?
Before the Cofee Gets Cold tells the story of a cafe that along with good coffee, it offers its customers the chance to go back in time provided they come back before their coffee gets cold. The book takes us through the lives of four characters who want a piece of that cafe’s magic. Whether it’s to try and fix something or meet someone they miss, the journey is still as sad as it could get.
Toshikazu Kawaguchi’s writing is engrossing and beautiful enough to feel the entire book from start to finish. If you’re looking for something more, Before the Coffee Gets Cold is a perfect choice.
Normal People
by Sally Rooney
“Marianne had the sense that her real life was happening somewhere very far away, happening without her, and she didn’t know if she would ever find out where it was or become part of it.” – Sally Rooney
This list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Normal People. The book tells the story of Connel’s and Marianne’s anxious relationship throughout the years. It is an introduction to true internal monologues that we all go through, without any sugarcoating or dishonesty. Nothing has been more beautiful than getting to know Connel and Marianne throughout this book. If you’re looking for a slow, mind grabbing, and encompassing read, this book will definitely give you that.
After reading the book, do yourself a favor and start watching the adapted show immediately!
A Little Life
by Hanya Yanagihara
“Wasn’t friendship its own miracle, the finding of another person who made the entire lonely world seem somehow less lonely?” – Hanya Yanagihara
A Little Life tells the story of 4 friends, mainly focusing on one specific character; Jude St. Francis. It walks you through Jude’s life since childhood and introduces you to why he grew to be such a secretive person, not allowing anyone to understand or know anything about him. The story goes on and the relationships between the friends deepen, leaving you with an incredibly honest and heartbreaking reality of growing up, childhood traumas, and true struggle.
It would be wrong of me if I didn’t mention this book. After viraling on Tiktok for two years, and simultaneously making anyone who gets remotely invested in it cry their heart out, this book has earned a solid 10/10 for me. However, don’t go into reading this book unless you’re 100 percent ready to face it. It is a tough and triggering read. It is graphic and full of detail.
Without exaggeration, here’s what you need to do before reading A Little Life:
- Read the trigger warning list (Trust me it’s long)
- Don’t read the book if you’re not in a good place in life
- Prepare yourself for a long read (the book is 800 pages)
- Read the trigger warning list
Books are not only a means to ease the everyday and make it more adventurous. They are also way for us to truly know and understand that there are people, no matter how far, no matter if they’re real or not, share our thoughts and values and love. Books are a look into people’s minds in the most profound and beautiful way possible.
