Many bookworms find themselves mindlessly scrolling on Tik Tok and stumble upon #BOOKTOK. This specific hashtag includes great reads, upcoming authors, new releases, and so much more. Throughout the countless videos under this hashtag, there are plenty of intense readers sharing their personal favorite books to encourage new readers to get cozy and pick up a book, specifically ones that can introduce them to interesting stories. Some specific books have been suggested by Foran students in a survey.
Better Than The Movies:
A rom-com following main character Liz as a former crush comes back into her life. Liz is on a mission with high stakes to get close to him in any way possible, even going so far as to befriend Wes Bennet, her next-door neighbor and longtime pain in her butt. A Foran student said they “heard about this book from a friend and really enjoyed the chemistry the characters had and how interesting the plot was.” Written by Painter Lynn, it’s a New York Bestseller and has captivated young adult audiences since its release in 2021.
Summer of Broken Rules:
Written by K.L. Walter, this story has taken audiences captivated by a tragic story of growing and dealing with pain. In a review done by a reader, they stated, “ It explores the ideas of recovery after loss. The main character is able to move through her grief with the help of her family and a boy she meets on a family vacation. Together they share their secrets, and without knowing it help each other in unimaginable ways.” The same reader says that while the book deals with heavy themes of loss and grief, “overall it is a fun summer romance book that I would recommend to anyone.”
All The Bright Places:
This New York Times Best Seller was recently turned into a film in early 2020. A Foran reader described the book as a story of “love and heartbreak” and to “be prepared to cry, laugh, and experience all your feelings.” The story follows two seniors named Violet and Finch, who help represent the struggles of grief at a young age and how losing a loved one can affect the average person. It explores the ideas of having a close friend or significant other that is there to support one another through thick and thin. The story is also described as an “incredible book about friendship, grief, and depression.”
If He Had Been With Me:
One student stated that “I read ‘If He Had Been With Me’ a couple months ago and it’s still my favorite book.” They went on to say “It’s really heartbreaking and if you want a good cry then this is the book for you.” This book, written by Laura Nolwin, is a tragic tale of missed chances. It follows the character Autumn, as she copes with the great loss of a loved one.
These stories are some of the most popular amongst Foran high school students, and were influenced by #BOOKTOK. With all of these great reads becoming popular on Tik Tok, it gets many young readers interested in new entertaining authors. This specific hashtag surfacing the internet was made to help people want to read and enjoy the books they pick up, instead of it feeling like a boring task.
