BookTok fills my FYP with recommendations. I love it, new books, indie authors, well written
stories all brought to me by the algorithm. Suggestions coming from TikTokers with books in the
background and millions of followers, I trusted the source and what they had to say on the novels. I
loved BookTok, but now it feels off.
Now, the same book is recommended in every reel and post I see. There are different faces,
voices and styles, but the similarities are too much to ignore. Everyone has millions of followers, is well dressed, made up and has a background of aesthetically pleasing bookshelves (that all have the same popular, viral books). They are all saying the same thing, about the same book. “You have to read this! It’s amazing!”
They are chirpy but hollow words. I thought it was my algorithm, that I was getting the same
thing over and over because of interactions. It always happens when a new viral sound clip comes out.
Then I asked my friends, they were getting the same recommendations as well. We were all getting the same over-saturated content, from different accounts. Why is everyone pushing the same content?
I am not opposed to having a book go viral, or be popular. I’m happy that the author is getting
the attention that their art deserves, however, when every book is “viral”, “binge worthy”, and “a must
read” it gets tiring. BookTok has almost become the Home Shopping Channel for books. Endless pushing to buy, and consume everything that is flowing through the screen. Watching these, I feel like I will miss out on a masterpiece and be late to a trend. No one watches the Home Shopping Channel because it is interesting, they watch to consume.
BookTok was a good place for readers because, when it began, it was for the readers. Now it is a
place for popularity, follows and likes. It is a cacophony of voices trying to speak over each other. All
good things come to an end, but there is an opportunity to make it into something even better. BookTok cannot go back to what it was, and we can only make it into something else.
I imagine that the BookTok community could be reborn if new voices are placed back into the
algorithm. Genuine voices on books that are not in the spotlight, instead of vocalizing opinion on books that have already had their viral moment. True viral sensations hardily ever go out of style. Bring out the books that are at the back of the shelf. Books that deserve recognition but don’t get it because they haven’t found the right audience yet.
Let’s give a little more love to the indie authors and the self-published authors. They deserve
our likes and follows as well. Indie and self-published authors put years and thousands of dollars into
publishing their work, giving them the spotlight will revive the spirit of BookTok. And with diversifying
the constant stream of book recommendations, it will bring back the magic of both the writing and
reading community.
By Esther Fisher
Esther Fisher is a graduate of York University with a BA in English and Creative Writing. She loves ballroom dancing, tiaras, and travelling to the far flung corners of the world. She has been published with Forget-Me-not Press, Poetry Undressed, Humana Obscura, Firefly Magazine, and Pandamonium Publishing House. Resurrection is her first novel. She lives in Toronto. Follow her on Instagram @e.f.fisher
Resurrection by Esther Fisher is available here: Purchase your copies
