The broader reading community on TikTok beyond BookTok proper — encompassing diverse genres, formats, and reading cultures that emerged when millions of people rediscovered reading during 2021.
The Community
#ReadersOfTikTok became the umbrella tag for a reading renaissance. While #BookTok focused heavily on romance and YA, this hashtag embraced:
- Literary fiction enthusiasts
- Non-fiction deep-dives
- Manga and graphic novel fans
- Audiobook listeners
- Poetry communities
- Academic and scholarly readers
Why 2021?
Pandemic reading surge: With theaters closed and travel limited, people turned to books. TikTok became the place to share discoveries.
Accessible format: 60-second videos lowered the barrier to entry. You didn’t need a blog or YouTube channel to share recommendations.
Algorithm magic: TikTok’s FYP introduced readers to books they’d never encounter through traditional marketing.
Sub-Communities
#ThrillerTok — Psychological thrillers and true crime readers
#FantasyTok — Epic fantasy, romantasy, and SFF fans
#NonFictionTok — History, science, memoirs, and essays
#ClassicsTok — Revisiting canonical literature
#DarkRomanceTok — Morally gray characters and taboo themes
Impact on Reading Culture
The hashtag destigmatized genre fiction. Romance readers stopped apologizing for their preferences. Fantasy fans found community. Readers of color amplified diverse voices.
Reading became cool again for Gen Z. Carrying a physical book, posting “currently reading” updates, and building TBR (to-be-read) lists became identity markers.
Sources
- TikTok community analytics 2021
- Pew Research Center reading trends
- American Booksellers Association reports