Best Booktok 2022 Novels & Stories

BookTok has been absolutely buzzing lately, and I can't resist gushing about some of the gems I've stumbled upon. 'The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo' by Taylor Jenkins Reid keeps popping up, and for good reason—it's this lush, cinematic dive into old Hollywood glamour with a protagonist who's equal parts ruthless and vulnerable. The way Reid unravels Evelyn's story feels like peeling an onion, layer by layer, until you're left raw and emotional. Then there's 'Fourth Wing' by Rebecca Yarros, which is basically if dragons and military academies had a baby, and that baby was addictive as hell. The romance is spicy, the stakes are high, and the world-building sucks you in like a vortex.

Another one I've seen everywhere is 'Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow' by Gabrielle Zevin. It's not your typical romance or fantasy—it's a love letter to friendship, creativity, and video games. The characters feel so real, their flaws and triumphs hitting close to home. And let's not forget 'Babel' by R.F. Kuang, a dark academia masterpiece that blends language, colonialism, and magic into something utterly unique. BookTok loves its morally gray characters, and this delivers in spades. Personally, I binged 'Babel' in two sittings and then stared at the wall for an hour processing it.

BookTok is a vibrant corner of TikTok where book lovers gather to share their favorite reads, reviews, and literary obsessions. It’s a community that has breathed new life into the publishing world, turning older titles into bestsellers and launching new authors into the spotlight. The most recommended books on BookTok often include 'The Song of Achilles' by Madeline Miller, a heart-wrenching retelling of Greek mythology that has captured countless hearts. 'They Both Die at the End' by Adam Silvera is another favorite, known for its emotional depth and unique premise. 'The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo' by Taylor Jenkins Reid is a must-read for fans of historical fiction and complex characters.

Other popular picks include 'We Were Liars' by E. Lockhart, a gripping psychological thriller, and 'A Court of Thorns and Roses' by Sarah J. Maas, a fantasy series that has become a sensation. BookTok’s recommendations often lean towards emotional, thought-provoking, and immersive stories, making it a treasure trove for readers seeking their next great read. The trend has also revived interest in classics like 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen, proving that timeless stories never go out of style.

Man, trying to pinpoint the 'biggest' trends from that year is like herding cats, but 'The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo' absolutely took over. It wasn't just a book; it was an event. My entire feed was people in glamorous makeup, debating which husband was the worst and sobbing over the ending. It felt like everyone was reading it at the same time, dissecting every line about love and legacy.

That book single-handedly made 'historical fiction with a celebrity twist' a whole sub-genre to watch. Suddenly, every recommendation list had 'if you loved Evelyn Hugo...' at the top. It also cemented Taylor Jenkins Reid's backlist as essential reading—people finally gave 'Daisy Jones & The Six' its flowers, too. The trend wasn't just about the plot; it was about the shared emotional breakdown in the comments.

I'd argue the real spark was the focus on complex, messy older women's narratives. It pushed against the young adult-dominated space and proved there's a massive, vocal audience for stories about a woman's whole life, not just her first love. Seeing that shift in what gets popular was pretty rewarding.