The recent TikTok Book Awards highlighted the impact that #BookTok has made on global reading habits. Throwing the spotlight out for more competition
Three of the books that were lauded at tbe TikTok Book Awards
For readers in the digital age, #Booktok has been a lifesaver. While social media can have its ups and downs, Booktok has stayed true to its purpose of boosting authors and books that deserve the recognition mainstream publishing can’t afford, while also making space for some truly deranged fanfics – life is all about balance after all.
The TikTok Book Awards is a venture that began last year to celebrate the impact that TikTok has made on how we read and how new authors put themselves out into the world, and recently, some favourites have made themselves known. Thousands of Booktok member plus a panel of judges including Jack Edwards (a popular YouTuber and book content creator), previous winner Eden Victoria, Publishers Association CEO Dan Conway, Black British Book Festival CEO Selina Brown, author Samantha Shannon and author and presenter Sara Cox. All of whom cast their votes for who would win this year’s award.
Book of the Year went to British author, Lisa Jewell‘s None of This Is True, a psychological thriller around two young girls who get caught up in mysterious circumstances after a visit to their local pub and the edge-of-your-seat consequences that follow. The International winner in the category was Fourth Wing by American author Rebecca Yarros which is the first book in the Empyrean series and garnered fame in 2023 when Booktook helped it reach No. 1 on The New York Times bestseller list.
The nominees for the TikTok Book Awards were selected by a panel comprising literary and media professionals, such as author Samantha Shannon, broadcaster Sara Cox, and Dan Conway, CEO of the Publishers Association. However, the winners were determined by the TikTok #BookTok community, with 82,000 participants casting their votes online.
The BookTok tag has over 35 million videos allotted to it (as per the BBC), and has a worldwide following, including in countries where TikTok is prohibited. BookTok has become a unique sensation for readers who want to share and delight in their reading find.
The Breakthrough author, Talia Hibbert, is known for her representation of marginalised communities in narratives that explore sexuality beyond the confines of ‘modest society’. The Creator of the year went to Maisie Matilda (@Maisie_Matilda), the rising staf creator went to John-Paul Kunrunmi (@JPreads6). Meanwhile, The Bookshop By The Sea, took the prize for Indie Bookshop of the Year while, The Pumpkin Spice Café by Laurie Gilmore was named the TikTok Shop Book of the Year.
BookTok and its pervasive impact is just another testament to the power of social media, and in an age where e-books and audiobooks are second nature and physical books are an afterthought, these awards are highlighting how the two worlds can harmonise and people can still share in their love for reading.
Book of the Year (UK & Ireland)
None of This is True by Lisa Jewell
Book of the Year (International)
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
BookTok Breakthrough Author
BookTok Creator of the Year
BookTok Rising Star Creator
Indie Bookshop of the Year
TikTok Shop Book of the Year
The Pumpkin Spice Café by Laurie Gilmore
