How to Build Your TBR List with the Best BookTok Picks

Let me start with a confession: I didn’t really get BookTok at first.

As someone who spends most of my day deep in code, testing APIs, or fixing bugs that appeared out of nowhere, reading often got pushed to the bottom of my to-do list. Then came a random evening scroll on TikTok, where a creator cried (yes, literally cried) over a book I’d never heard of — The Song of Achilles. Intrigued, I bought it.

What happened next was a full-blown reading revival.

That’s the magic of BookTok — it’s not just a trend; it’s a movement of passionate readers sharing the books that moved them, shocked them, or broke their hearts in the best way. If you’re looking to rebuild or refresh your TBR (To Be Read) list, BookTok might just be the spark you didn’t know you needed. Here’s how to do it right.

What Is BookTok, Really?

If you’re new to the BookTok trend, think of it as the cozy corner of TikTok where readers talk books — passionately, dramatically, and often hilariously. From mini reviews and emotional reactions to book hauls and reading challenge updates, it’s a haven for book lovers of all kinds.

But more than anything, it’s a goldmine of booktok recommendations that cater to every taste — whether you’re into fantasy books, romance, thrillers, or even niche subgenres you didn’t know existed.

Step 1: Identify the BookTok Vibe That Matches You

Not all viral books are created equal — and that’s okay. What makes BookTok fun is its diversity of voices. Some creators lean into emotionally devastating love stories (hello, Colleen Hoover!), others highlight indie fantasy or hard-hitting nonfiction.

Here’s what to do:

• Follow a few different BookTokers and notice whose taste aligns with yours.
• Pay attention to the types of popular BookTok books you naturally gravitate toward — are they fast-paced? Lyrical? Thought-provoking?
• Start saving the ones that hook you at the caption alone.

Think of it like debugging your reading taste — the more data you collect, the clearer your preferences become.

Step 2: Create Your “Soft Stack” TBR

Before you go on a book-buying spree, pause. (Your wallet will thank you.) Instead, build a “soft stack” — a working list of titles you’re genuinely interested in, based on BookTok books that pop up repeatedly or spark your curiosity.

Tips for this phase:

• Use apps like Goodreads or Notion to organize your list.
• Categorize by popular genres (fantasy, romance, mystery, sci-fi) or mood (heartbreaking, cozy, dark academia).
• Add notes like “slow burn,” “enemies to lovers,” or “makes people sob at 2AM” — yes, that’s an actual tag you’ll see.

Remember, your TBR is a living list — let it breathe and evolve with your tastes.

Step 3: Balance the Viral with the Personal

It’s easy to get swept up in the hype. But just because a book is trending doesn’t mean you need to read it right now.

Mix viral books with titles that you have a genuine interest in, even if they’re not dominating the BookTok feed. Maybe it’s that old fantasy trilogy you never finished or a memoir about tech entrepreneurship you’ve bookmarked for months.

Blending hype with heart ensures your reading motivation doesn’t burn out after two disappointing reads.

Step 4: Set a Low-Key Reading Challenge

Especially if you’re juggling work in tech, deadlines, and the occasional existential crisis at 2 a.m., your reading life should feel like a joy, not a chore.

Create a reading challenge that’s realistic for your lifestyle:

• 1 BookTok pick per month
• Alternate between fiction and non-fiction
• 5 books from genres you’ve never tried

Gamifying your TBR (even in a spreadsheet or sticky note) can boost your reading motivation—it’s like hitting “run” on a successful script without a single error.

Step 5: Don’t Forget the Joy of the Book Haul

Okay, maybe now it’s time for that little shopping spree. A well-timed book haul—even if it’s just a couple of titles from your TBR—can give your reading life a jolt of excitement.

Pro tip: Try a mix of trending BookTok titles and one or two wild cards.
A few recent hits from the BookTok trend include:

• Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros (fantasy dragons + romance? Yes, please)
• A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara (bring tissues)
• The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake (dark academia + magic + betrayal)

Supporting local bookstores or using second-hand platforms is a nice bonus for your budget — and the environment.

Why BookTok Is More Than Just Book Sales

Yes, book sales spike every time a title goes viral on TikTok — but the deeper impact of BookTok is cultural. It’s making reading cool again. In a world of endless notifications and digital burnout, picking up a physical book and escaping into a story feels like a personal rebellion.

For those of us in high-tech careers where we’re constantly consuming fast data, this kind of slow, immersive experience is powerful. It resets the brain. It softens the edges.

And most importantly, it reminds us why stories matter.

Final Thoughts: Start Small, Read Big

If you’ve been in a reading slump or just want to feel that “can’t-stop-reading-at-3AM” energy again, building your TBR with the help of BookTok recommendations is a fun and surprisingly effective way to start.

Let it be messy. Let it be spontaneous. Let it be yours.

Whether you’re into fantasy books, swoony romances, or thought-provoking literary fiction, there’s a corner of BookTok (and a stack of books) waiting for you.