TikTok has celebrated some of the biggest stars in its thriving #BookTok community. The literary subculture, which centers around its namesake hashtag, found itself in the spotlight as the winners were announced for the inaugural TikTok Book Awards.
The Book Awards honored literary influencers in the U.K. and Ireland, where #BookTok has become an undeniable phenomenon. In a recent newsroom post, TikTok revealed a shortlist of Book Award finalists. The list was compiled by a panel of judges that included TikTokers like Coco Hagi and Ben Mercer as well as reps from Bloomsbury and other publishing industry firms.
Categories at the Book Awards included expected divisions like Book of the Year and Author of the Year as well as some unusual honors, such as “Best Book to End A Reading Slump” and “Best Book I Wish I Could Read Again For The First Time.” Once the shortlist was assembled, #BookTok community members were encouraged to vote for their favorites and share their commentary with one another.
The winners included some of TikTok’s most prominent authors, publishers, critics, and bookshops. Eden Victoria, a prolific reviewer with nearly 600,000 followers, earned Creator of the Year honors. Bolu Babalola‘s Honey & Space claimed the Book of the Year title, though Holly Jackson beat Babalola for Author of the Year. The Good Girl’s Guide to Murder scribe rang in her win with a celebratory TikTok.
@hojax92 Thank you so so much for voting, love you all #booktok #hollyjackson #booktokawards #agggtm #agoodgirlsguidetomurderseries #fivesurvivebook #agggtmtrilogy #hollyjacksonbook #authorsoftiktok #authortok @TikTok UK ♬ cruel summer nightcore – dani (taylor’s version)
A full list of TikTok Book Award winners can be found via the app’s Newsroom. “We have been humbled to watch this community of book lovers thrive and find a genuine connection on TikTok,” said James Stafford, the General Manager of Operations & Marketing for TikTok U.K. & Nordics, in a statement. “Your unapologetic love of reading has truly made this community what it is and we cannot wait to see what the future has in store.”
By rewarding the brightest #BookTok stars, TikTok is forging connections with its literary community at a time when it’s making a concerted push into publishing. Last month, TikTok parent company ByteDance announced its intention to launch a publishing house that will include some social elements.
TikTok is also integrating its literary interests into its ecommerce operations. TikTok Shop has emerged as a valuable tool for some indie authors, and #BookTok denizens have been invited to “shop the shortlist” of award nominees. A digital storefront powered by Bookshop.org offers deals on 16 of the titles that were selected by the Book Award judges.
The TikTok Book Awards show the influence of short-form video on book sales and accolades, but other platforms possess thriving literary communities of their own. A recent Nielsen report found that YouTube — not TikTok — is still the most common destination for book recommendations among readers between the ages of 14 and 25.
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