Is BookTok Getting Too Circular? Let’s Talk About It

Okay, let’s be honest—we all love BookTok. It’s chaotic, passionate, full of unfiltered emotions, and it’s introduced millions of people to books they might never have picked up otherwise. From sobbing over fictional deaths to arguing over morally grey love interests, BookTok has created an entire culture around reading.

But lately, there’s been a growing whisper that’s turning into a full-blown conversation: Is BookTok getting a little… repetitive?

The Same Books, Over and Over

If you’ve spent more than five minutes on BookTok, you’ve probably seen at least one video screaming about Fourth Wing, A Court of Thorns and Roses, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, or They Both Die at the End. These books (and others like them) are constantly trending, being re-read, re-purchased in alternate covers, and praised in endless loops.

And hey, there’s nothing wrong with loving a popular book. These stories resonate for a reason. But the problem is, the algorithm seems to reward content that sticks to a narrow pool of authors, tropes, and aesthetics. And that means a lot of other great books—and voices—get pushed into the shadows.

Tropes, Tropes Everywhere

It’s not just about the same titles—it’s the same types of books. Enemies-to-lovers. Morally grey male leads. Tragic endings. Fantasy worlds with a sprinkle of romance and just enough spice to make TikTok mildly scandalous. These tropes are fun, but they’re dominating the feed so heavily that it can feel like there’s no room for anything else.

Where are the literary fiction gems? The quiet contemporary stories? The sci-fi books that don’t involve royal bloodlines? The non-Western fantasies that don’t center around white protagonists?

When BookTok becomes an echo chamber, it starts to lose the magic that made it so exciting in the first place—its ability to discover and elevate.

Why This Happens

The reality is, TikTok’s algorithm favors what already works. Once a book starts trending, the platform pushes more videos featuring that book because it knows users will engage. It’s a feedback loop that benefits the few and buries the rest.

Plus, a lot of creators are just trying to survive in the algorithm. If they talk about a lesser-known indie book, they risk getting 50 views. But post a reaction to The Cruel Prince and they might get 100,000. It’s not always about what people want to recommend—it’s what gets seen.

So… What Can We Do?

This isn’t a takedown of BookTok—it’s more of a nudge. If we want BookTok to stay vibrant, diverse, and genuinely exciting, we have to make room for new voices. That might mean scrolling past the 200th video of someone crying over Verity and actively seeking out creators with different tastes, different backgrounds, or smaller followings.

Creators: Don’t be afraid to shake up your content. Feature that hidden gem you just finished. Talk about a debut author. Spotlight a genre that doesn’t get enough love.

Readers: If you’re feeling stuck in the same cycle, try digging into hashtags like #underratedbooks, #indieauthors, or #diversebooks. There’s a ton of great stuff out there—you just have to look past the algorithm’s greatest hits.