In brief
TikTok's new BookTok bestseller list showcases a shift in how books are consumed, emphasizing the influence of social media on reading preferences. Dominated by female authors and the romantasy genre, the list demonstrates how platforms like TikTok can elevate titles and genres often overlooked by traditional charts.
If you've picked up a book recently, there's a good chance it's because someone on TikTok told you to.
What we read is no longer driven by bookshops or bestseller charts alone, but by a constant stream of fast, highly personal recommendations. From rapid-fire reviews to emotional reactions, creators are shaping reading habits at scale, and #BookTok has more than 77 million posts.
Now, this influence is being formalised with the launch of the UK's first official #BookTok bestseller list. This new chart, compiled by Media Control and NielsenIQ BookData, combines UK sales data with analysis of the #BookTok hashtag.
The inaugural top 20, updated monthly, is entirely made up of female authors, with Irish writer Chloe Walsh appearing most frequently. Her Boys of Tommen series, which follows a group of teenagers navigating love, friendship, and trauma at a private school, features all six of its titles on the list.
The chart illustrates how BookTok is influencing the lifecycle of books, with Donna Tartt's The Secret History, initially published in 1992, reappearing after gaining traction on the platform. Many of the titles are also linked to recent or upcoming screen adaptations, including Colleen Hoover's It Ends With Us and Rebecca Yarros's Fourth Wing.
With a majority of titles from the romantasy genre, TikTok influencers Kris and Mads explain that the accessibility of this genre fosters a passionate reader community. They advocate for how recommendations from casual readers resonate more with peers compared to professional critics.
The rise of this new bestseller list could signify a shift in the literary industry, highlighting how BookTok is shaping audience discovery and how traditional bestseller lists still hold relevance within an evolving publishing landscape. The popularity of TikTok and its impact on sales is evident: NielsenIQ reported 11 million UK book sales in 2025 linked to BookTok, demonstrating a powerful connection between social media and book sales.
Ultimately, the BookTok chart reflects emerging trends in reading preferences, providing insights into how young readers discover and engage with literature today.
