Jade Fabri
Picking up that book that has been blowing up on Tiktok is a risky move. It will either alter your brain chemistry, or it could. That said, here are seven popular Booktok books that will (hopefully) not disappoint.
Normal People by Sally Rooney
This complex story navigates love, friendship, class, communication, and mental health in the lives of two Irish teenagers, Marianne and Connell, as they mature through high school and university. Rooney does a deep dive into the emotional complexities of young adulthood. With compelling characters and thoughtful examination of the young adult/human experience, Normal People is raw and honest. This novel’s complexity and thought-provoking story will stay with readers long after they have finished it. After reading the book , the BBC adaptation is a must-watch.
Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
The tumultuous story of the rise and fall of 1970s band Daisy Jones and the Six is told through a series of interviews with band members, managers, and other key players in their orbit. It explores themes of love, addiction, creativity, and the complex dynamics of relationships within a band. With its immersive storytelling and vivid characters, the novel captures the spirit of an era and the power of music to move and inspire. The accuracy and realism with which Taylor Jenkins Reid tells the story will have readers believing that the band is real.
Beach Read by Emily Henry
This romantic novel is set in a charming small town on the shores of Lake Michigan. The story follows two rival writers, January and Gus, who are struggling to overcome writer’s block. They agree to swap genres for their next books, leading to interesting adventures and growing attraction to each other. With humour and heart, Beach Read is a perfect witty read for any contemporary romance lover.
Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren
In need of childhood friends to lovers with an added second-chance trope? This story of Macy and Elliot will satisfy that. After 11 years of radio silence, Macy and Elliot run into each other with the mystery of why they just disappeared from each other’s lives. Told in alternating timelines, the novel explores themes of absorbing characters and heartfelt storytelling, Love and Other Words delves into the many facets of love.
Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton
The book is a witty, warm, and sincere account of Dolly Alderton’s journey through heartbreaks, friendships, self discovery, and survival of young adulthood. Alderton talks about the highs and lows of modern dating, the importance of platonic love, and the transformative power of therapy. Her writing is relatable to anyone who has ever navigated the complexities of love and life. This is a must-read for anyone in their 20s.
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
Fantasising about your hot professor? Or are you a girlie in STEM looking for representation in romance fiction? Then this contemporary romance novel is for you. When physics PhD student Olive needs a fake boyfriend, she strikes a deal with the stoic Professor Adam Carlsen. As they spend more time together, Olive realises that the chemistry between them has got nothing to do with the science she studies and everything to do with how hot her professor is. The witty banter between these two love interests is bound to pique any hopeless romantic’s interest.
Verity by Colleen Hoover
Although Colleen Hoover may be a controversial author, Verity is a must-read. This dark and suspenseful thriller follows the story
of struggling writer Lowen Ashleigh, who is hired to complete the remaining books in a bestselling series by author Verity Crawford after he is incapacitated. While working in Verity’s office. Lowen discovers an unfinished autobiography that reveals disturbing details about Verity’s thoughts on her life and family. As Lowen becomes more intimately entangled in the Crawford family’s secrets, she must decide what to believe. This story will leave you staring at your ceiling wondering what you just read, which is exactly why it is an essential read.