30 BookTok Hits You Don't Want to Miss

Romantasy, horror, self-help, literary fiction, and more

These days social media can be one of the biggest drivers of a book's success. And BookTok has taken hold as the place that many readers look to for recommendations, new and old. Here are thirty titles across a variety of genres that literary influencers want you to know about.   

#Romantasy

With the massive popularity of books like Fourth Wing and A Court of Thorns and Roses, this newly coined genre is riding high. Here are five titles that are having a  moment.

Never Keep by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti

Fate doesn't favour the wicked in the highly anticipated first installment in Sins of the Zodiac, a new spin off to the Zodiac Academy series, from the two bestselling authors also known as the #TwistedSisters.

Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry

This slow-burn, high-stakes enemies-to-lovers tale is set in a world where monsters stalk a cursed realm. And a forgotten princess must find the strength to tear off her crown and become the warrior she was never meant to be.

Silver Elite by Dani Francis

In the first book of a sizzling new dystopian romance series, psychic gifts are a death sentence and there are rules to survival: Trust no one. Lie to everyone. And whatever you do, don't fall for your greatest enemy.

One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig

For fans of Uprooted and For the Wolf comes this dark, lushly gothic fantasy about a maiden who must unleash the monster within to save her kingdom. But the monster in her head isn't the only threat lurking.

Phantasma by Kaylie Smith

In Phantasma, there are only two rules: Stay alive. And don't fall in love. When her sister goes missing, Ophelia must enter the deadly contest inside a haunted mansion, and claim its prize—a single wish.

#HorrorTok

The thrills and chills of horror and suspense are perfectly suited to the season and the socials. Here are five reads that left us riveted.

When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy

When struggling actress Jess finds a five-year-old boy hiding in the bushes, it sets off a horrifying chain of events. This adrenaline-fueled horror thriller has drawn high praise from heavy hitters like Stephen King and Grady Hendrix. 

House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski

When Will and Karen move into their new home, they have no idea what awaits them there. This mind-bending classic offers an astonishingly immersive, maze-like reading experience that redefines the boundaries of a novel.

The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas

Mexican Gothic meets Rebecca in this supernatural suspense novel, set in the aftermath of the Mexican War of Independence, about a remote house, a sinister haunting, and the woman pulled into their clutches.

The Troop by Nick Cutter

A scout troop fights for survival after encountering a mysterious stranger in the Canadian wilderness. Part Lord of the Flies, part 28 Days Later, this tightly written, edge-of-your-seat thriller takes you deep into the heart of darkness.

The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones

Fans of Silvia Moreno-Garcia and Tommy Orange will love this story following the lives of four American Indian men and their families, all haunted by a disturbing, deadly event that took place in their youth.

#Romance

Do you delight in meet-cutes, witty banter, and would-be lovers finding their way through mountains of baggage? If you love love, these heartfelt, sexy tales will fulfill your fondest fantasies.

Keeping 13 by Chloe Walsh

Falling in love was the easy part. Injured rugby player Johnny is grateful for the distraction of his connection with Shannon. But can he draw her out of the shadows she's retreating into? Return to the romance that began in Binding 13.

Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter

Perfect for fans of Kasie West and Jenn Bennett, this adorable teen rom-com follows a hopelessly romantic teen girl and her cute yet obnoxious neighbor as they scheme to get her noticed by her untouchable crush.

Act your Age Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert

Eve Brown is a certified hot mess, but it's time for her to grow up and prove herself. When the flightiest of the The Brown Sisters crashes (literally) into the life of an uptight B&B owner, the last thing either of them expect is love.

Pucking Sweet by Emily Rath

As the new PR Director for the Jacksonville Rays, Poppy has to prove she can wrangle some big personalities. The lines between work and play get deliciously blurred in this red hot, inclusive MMF (why choose?) hockey romance.

Lights Out by Navessa Allen

Trauma nurse Aly never expects her dark fantasies to come true—until one drunken text brings the masked man of her dreams to her bed. This spicy romance burns with high heat, hilarious banter, and an unforgettable love story.

#FantasyBook

Do you enjoy leaving reality in the rearview mirror with speculative fiction featuring mystics, witches, and world-altering concepts? Get lost in magical lands and endless possibilities with these five mind-bending novels.

I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman

Deep underground, thirty-nine women live imprisoned in a cage. They have no memory of how they got there and only a vague recollection of their lives before. Ursula K. LeGuin meets The Road in this dystopian modern classic.

The Poppy War by R. F. Kuang

Inspired by the bloody history of China's twentieth century, this epic historical military fantasy is the debut from the bestselling author of Babel. It's a brilliantly imaginative tale perfect for fans of N.K. Jemisin's Inheritance Trilogy.

Rewitched by Lucy Jane Wood

Belladonna Blackthorn hasn't lost her magical spark, precisely. But she hasn't seen it in a while either. In this spellbinding cozy fantasy, a burned-out witch will need to turn to her friends and trust in herself to find her magic again.

She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan

In a famine-stricken village, two children are given two different fates. A boy, greatness. His clever and capable sister, nothingness. But when fortune takes a turn and her brother dies, Zhu lays claim on his greatness.

The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley

In the near future, a civil servant is offered the salary of her dreams. The project she'll be working on? A recently established government ministry is gathering "expats" from across history to establish whether time travel is feasible.

#Bibliophile

Some of us just want to read a well-written book, regardless of how it might be shelved on Goodreads. If you love critically acclaimed novels that transcend genre, here are five titles that gave us something to talk about.

My Friends by Frederick Backman

The bestselling author of A Man Called Ove and Anxious People returns with the funny, moving tale of four teenagers whose friendship creates a bond so powerful that it changes a complete stranger's life twenty-five years later.

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

A hymn to brotherly bonds, this award-winning novel traces the paths of four college classmates—broke, adrift, and buoyed only by their friendship and ambition—as they move to New York and pursue their dreams.

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

An action-packed adventure, an epic love story, and a marvelously conceived and executed page-turner, this debut novel from the bestselling author of Circe brilliantly reimagines the legend of Achilles and the Trojan War.

Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors

The Blue sisters are exceptional—and exceptionally different. A year after Nicky's unexpected death, her grieving sisters, Avery, Bonnie, and Lucky, return to their family home in New York to reckon with their loss.

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

August 1975: Thirteen-year-old Barbara Van Laar vanishes from her Adirondack summer camp. As a panicked search begins, the layered secrets of the Van Laar dynasty collide with the blue-collar community working in its shadow.

#SelfHelp

Are you looking for the life-changing power of a book that changes the way you navigate difficulties and helps you take on new challenges? Here are five reads to help you reach your next level. 

The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk

The author, one of the world's foremost experts on trauma, uses cutting-edge science to explain how trauma literally reshapes both body and brain. He explores innovative treatments, offering a bold new paradigm for healing.

Atomic Habits by James Clear

One of the world's leading experts on habit formation, reveals practical strategies that will teach you exactly how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results.

The Bhagavad Gita

Discover timeless wisdom and inner clarity with this powerful ancient guide to purpose, resilience, and spiritual awakening. Unlock deeper meaning in life and navigate challenges through its profound teachings and practical philosophy.

The Power of Your Subconscious Mind by Joseph Murphy

Unlock your mind’s hidden potential with this classic volume first published in 1963. Discover how to reprogram negative thinking, attract success, and achieve your goals by tapping into the limitless power already within you.

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

Now revised and updated for a new generation of readers, this classic was the first book to boldly ask, "What makes a winner?" The author draws on stories of famous success stories in our history to illustrate his principles.

Have you found any great reads via BookTok or social media? Let us know.

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Read more by Ashly Moore Sheldon