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BookTok Takes Over Woodland

Teenager’s lives are being taken over by books as a new trend on Tik Tok emerges–Booktok.

BookTok has been going on for months and more recommendations appear every day. Avid readers have finally found a platform to share their ideas and book suggestions. This trend has especially piqued an interest in teenagers, even some who have never picked up a book outside of school.

“The BookTok Trend is a good way to quickly share book recommendations,” said Jodie D’Alexander, library media specialist.

D’Alexander has seen a couple videos and is very intrigued by the idea of this new and trendy way to discuss books with people all over the globe.

One of Woodland’s English teachers, Meghan Geary, is also a fan of the BookTok trend.

“It’s a very positive way to use social media to promote something that is healthy and good for the soul, good for the mind, and good for society,” said Geary.

Geary has also helped her students create BookTok videos reviewing books for and hopes to create more in the future.

“We need to be better readers, we need to do more reading as a society. I think it’s a wonderful idea,” says Geary.

The way BookTok works is that people will caption their videos with “#BookTok” and it will move under its own category that can be viewed with the TikTok search bar. This makes every video from all different creators easily accessible for anyone with a TikTok account.

Highly recommended books on BookTok include:

  • The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

The Song of Achilles is a variation of the Trojan War that includes a love story, epic battles, gods, kings, and great emotion. It follows the bond of extraordinary Greek hero, Achilles, and Patroclus, an awkward young prince. They form a powerful relationship and practically become inseparable. When word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped, Achilles joins the Trojan War and Patroclus follows. They are put to the test both mentally and physically during this epic battle. For Greek mythology lovers, or those simply seeking a beautifully written love story, The Song of Achilles would be the perfect read.

  • We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

We Were Liars follows teen Cadence Sinclair throughout her summer years. She comes from a prestigious family that visits their private island every year. Cadence has a strong bond with her two teenage cousins and her uncle’s step-son. When Cadence was 15-years-old, she suffered a terrible accident and had trouble remembering the details of it. After spending her 16th summer in Europe, she decides to return back to the island. She uncovers the lies and secrets of her family while discovering the truth about her accident. If you seek a book full of adventure and mystery, We Were Liars would be an interesting read for you.

  • The Selection series by Kierra Cass

The Selection, a romantic series, takes place three-hundred years in the future where North America is referred to as Illéa. Illéa has introduced the caste system which is a system that divides citizens into economic classes. The opportunity to become a princess arises during “the Selection” which occurs when the prince becomes of age. Thirty-five girls, each with different financial situations, are selected to live in the castle from all over Illéa, with the chance of a lifetime to increase their caste and become a princess. The story centralizes around America, a teenage girl, who is a member of a lower caste and is with Aspen, a boy from a lower caste whom she loves dearly. She was convinced by her family to send in an application for the Selection but never imagined she would have been picked. America was invited to the castle where she lives the life many girls dream of. America and the prince’s relationship has its ups and downs throughout the course of the books. America also faces the tough choice between the prince, where she can live the life of a princess and Aspen, who she is still in love with. The Selection series is a great read for those who enjoy love-triangles and adventure.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13623848-the-song-of-achilles

https://www.lapl.org/teens/books/teen-reviews/teen-review-we-were-liars-e-lockhart

https://prezi.com/yg1i08vkso2u/the-selection-bykiera-cass/

Abigail Messina

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