Impossible to enter a bookstore without coming across a table dedicated to popular titles on TikTok. Booktok, as it’s known, exploded, boosting books across genres and to thousands of subscribers on the app – YA, romance, mystery and thrillers and even highlighting some self-published titles.

BookTok has also been criticized for becoming a bit of an echo chamber, promoting the same books over and over and sharing “underrated” titles that were either New York Times best-selling or incredibly popular off-platform. And while the idea of ​​any good book going viral is great, we’d like to see a little more variety. So if you’re a BookTok enthusiast, be sure to check out this list of titles we think deserve to be more popular on TikTok.

Sing me forgot by Jessica S. Olson

The best fantasy novels are often the ones that play with magic in a unique way. In this kind YA The Phantom of the Opera, the MC, Isda, can manipulate memories when someone sings. Because of her magic, she is locked away from the world. Then one day, she finally falls in love with a sweet, gentle boy who works at the Opera House where she lives. It’s the kind of book that will leave you sobbing at the end and then immediately recommending it to your friends so you can cry together. Also, it is a Phantom tell, so you know there is so much epic cosplay and sing-along opportunities. — Abby Petree

This book is the definition of a “warm romance”. If Lara Jean was obsessed with classic novels instead of ’80s movies and had a big family, she’d be Mary Porter-Malcolm. The puns will have you laughing (or moaning) and the sweet family dynamics and female friendships will warm your heart. The romance is secondary, but still stellar. Mary also adapts her knowledge of classic lighting to create the Scoundrels Survival Guide, which is iconic in itself. This book deserves a place on any list of Jane Austen stories. — PA

This “good girl, bad boy” romance features two fantastic leads. Reagan is the perfect college student who feels like she’s collapsing under the weight of her parents’ expectations. Meanwhile, Guillermo finally tries to do the right thing with his parents after years of illegal behavior and a trip to prison. His previous relationship only led to bad behavior, so he vowed to be done with the girls. But when he meets Reagan while volunteering… can he really stay away from her? This story offers meaningful romance and beautiful portrayal! — PA

Sometimes a writer’s words speak to your soul. Although I’ve never accompanied a famous best friend on a multi-city concert tour, Reagan, the protagonist of Emery Lord’s debut, Summer on the open road, felt like a character I needed to read. Reagan is fierce and fragile – trying to put his life back together after an abusive relationship and hoping that a summer spent on tour with his best friend, country music pop star Delilah X, will help him heal. It’s not until a PR move puts the lead singer of boy band X in her path that she begins to feel open to love again. This book is a sigh of happiness. It’s swoon-worthy and empowering, about female friendships and forgiveness, first love and learning to grow. I love him with all my heart and I think every TikTok reader must experience Emery Lord’s lyrics. —Brianna Robinson

The only thing worse than me is you by Lily Anderson

Enemies of lovers’ romance, Shakespearean tales, and private schools make this YA romance irresistible. Trixie Watson and Ben West have been enemies since freshman year after an infamous monkey bars incident – years later they’re neck and neck for the top class mark and Trixie is determined to win.

When their best friends start dating, Ben and Trixie have to spend more time together and learn that they might not be so different after all. Their fragile alliance is tested when one of their friends is expelled for cheating and they must choose sides, again putting them at odds. Within a few pages, you’ll be captivated by the banter of Trixie and Ben, the mystery of the scandal at Messina High, and the overall enjoyment that is Lily Anderson’s storytelling. Nerdness and hilarity abound in one of the best YA books that definitely deserves to go viral. — BR

The girl at midnight by Melissa Gray

Fantasy is having a moment on TikTok, isn’t it? Waiting for the next season shadow and bone, I invite you to read one of the best overall fantasy series. Echo is a runaway pickpocket who was adopted by a magical race of bird-like people living underground in New York City. Their centuries-long war with a dragon-like race is endless, and if the legendary Firebird is not found – the only creature with the power to end the feud – Echo’s family will be destroyed. Along with her unlikely friends and acquaintances, Echo travels the world in search of the Firebird, hoping to wield its power to end the war for good. There’s so much to love about this series, but the multiple viewpoints and world-building are the main ones. Be sure to devour this series right before Melissa’s next novel, Valiant Ladies, released in June! — BR

between happiness and me by Lizzy Mason

Fans of Jandy Nelson and Jennifer Niven need read Lizzy Mason. His beautiful books are some of the best contemporary YA has to offer. Her ability to write about difficult subjects is balanced by so much love and hope. Sydney’s overprotective mother is devastated when she’s accepted to NYU, upending her plans to go to Rutgers and commute from home. This great diversion leads to more – the chance to get to know the talented and outlawed musician, Grayson, and the truth about her estranged father, who left due to drug addiction when she was little. As she explores her relationship with him, she discovers his diagnosis of schizophrenia and the possibility that she may inherit it. His decision to live his life and take risks despite it is well worth reading. Bring the tissues, but also be prepared to feel ready to take on the world when you’re done, because Lizzy’s books are just as powerful. —BR

White Rabbit by Caleb Roehrig

This book looks like Sherlock Holmes would be if Sherlock and Watson were allowed to be gay. by Caleb Roehrig White Rabbit draws you into a compelling murder mystery where you guess at every turn. The entire book takes place over the course of one night, so the pacing is relentless, but it keeps you on the edge of your seat wanting more. The romance and tension between Rufus and Sebastian is also endearing to experience as an underlying plot. — Giselle Lopez

The doors by John Connelly

If you’re looking for a book that’s both hilarious and informative, John Connolly’s The doors is for you. In the same vein as jurassic park (though aimed at a younger audience), Connolly carefully weaves intriguing fact with engaging fiction with The doors, and it’s a perfect way to resume reading if you find yourself in a slump. An easy and hilarious read, I recommend it to anyone who wants to get back into reading! —GL

Friends and relatives by Marieke Nijkamp

Friends and relatives is a fantastic opportunity for readers unfamiliar with Dungeons & Dragons to see how tabletop role-playing games can inspire a fun fantasy tale. It follows the lives of Vex’halia and Vax’hildan, a pair of half-elf twins, before their experiences in the Critical Role steamer. Doing well with Matt Mercer’s campaign narrative, Friends and relatives is an excellent introduction to critical role and a welcome addition to fantasy stories. Plus, the audiobook is narrated by Robbie Daymond, Liam O’Brian, and Laura Bailey! What’s not to like? — GL

TikTok is known for its obsession with all things aesthetic, whether it’s cottagecore, e-girls, dark colleges, and more. Ashley Shumacher’s Contemporary Magical Realism, Integral Amelie, would fit perfectly into its cozy and magical library setting, where tiny whales swim between the shelves. The novel isn’t as “spicy” as many popular BookTok favorites, but it is heartfelt and moving in its description of overcoming grief and finding hope and love after tragedy. — MRS

TikTok, again, is the place to find all aesthetics, and the dark, cottagecore college aesthetic has become increasingly popular over the past few years. That is why winter wood by Shea Ernshaw is the perfect romance for TikTok. It’s dark cottagcore, a new aesthetic that I didn’t know I needed. It mixes haunted woods, a dark, deep lake, and a school for troubled boys with a cottagecore cabin, herbal teas, and fluffy wolfhounds. — meagan stanley

last memory by Rachel Emma Shaw

Unreliable storytelling? Character driven? Memory magic? Check, check and check. This self-published fantasy novel by Rachel Emma Shaw is one reader who will find it hard to forget. Easy to digest, yet deeply emotional and unique, last memory is a dark, fast-paced thriller of a book where everyone sucks, the world is awful, and the dark atmosphere lingers long after you read it. — Bella Philippe

Pure by Julianna Baggot

The world we’re immersed in is a disgusting and awe-inspiring post-apocalyptic hellscape of bird-backed, doll-headed survivors simply trying to survive, until a greater purpose manages to find them. Pure’s greatest asset is Baggot’s ability to make readers extremely uncomfortable with gruesome depictions of this setting (now we remember the baby coming out of someone’s neck) and its interesting cast of characters. It’s dystopian, it’s dark, it’s a bit bogged down with descriptions, but hey, when was the last time you read that two brothers merge together, piggyback style, one trying to kill the other? — PB