Global Insight, inside TEXTOM

The BookTok (the vibrant literary community on TikTok) Effect 📈

▶ Key word : booktok, tiktok, book, romantasy, media, novel, reader, LDA, Topicmodeling

 

Intro. 📰
In recent years, BookTok—the vibrant literary community on TikTok—has emerged as a powerful cultural force reshaping both the publishing industry and reader behavior. This report explores the growing media attention surrounding BookTok from May 2024 to May 2025, based on Google News data. By leveraging topic modeling techniques, the analysis delves into the dominant themes driving the BookTok phenomenon.

01. Dataset Overview 🔍

Google News article volume referencing "BookTok" has steadily increased from May 2024 to early 2025, highlighting rising media interest and the platform’s growing influence in publishing and entertainment.

02. LDA Topic Modeling in Booktok 📚

The topic token distribution reveals that discussions around BookTok are heavily centered on its role as a cultural and market-driving force. Nearly half of the discourse (47.2%) focuses on how BookTok revitalizes romantic and fantasy literature, highlighting its influence on reader behavior and publishing trends. 

A significant portion (36.1%) captures the commercial ripple effects, especially the growing wave of screen adaptations and multimedia expansions stemming from viral BookTok titles. Meanwhile, the remaining 16.6% reflects concentrated attention on specific romantasy series and authors that serve as focal points for fandom-driven momentum. 

Overall, the data suggests that BookTok operates not just as a social media trend, but as a transformative ecosystem reshaping both literary culture and the entertainment industry. 

🔳 Topic 1 : The Rise of BookTok: Romantic and Fantasy Literature’s Viral Renaissance ✨
* Key Terms : book, booktok, romance, author, tiktok, fantasy, community, novel, reader, romantasy

Source : AI-generated image

BookTok, a dynamic community on TikTok, is driving a significant surge in the popularity and sales of romance and fantasy novels—particularly the emerging hybrid genre “romantasy.” This trend highlights the platform's growing influence over readers’ preferences, reshaping publishing success and fostering deep engagement between authors and audiences. 

The phenomenon has not only led to bestsellers and cross-media adaptations but is also revitalizing traditional book retailers and literary culture through viral marketing and community-driven promotion.

🔳 Topic 2 : BookTok-Driven Romantasy Hype and Media Adaptations 🎬

* Key Terms : booktok, tiktok, series, reader, thorn, court, rose, acotar, novel, love, rebecca, sarah, romantasy, netflix, movie

Source : AI-generated image

This topic captures the explosive popularity of romantasy novels, particularly A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) and Fourth Wing, within the BookTok community. The discussion centers around the viral success of these fantasy-romance hybrids, the rise of authors like Sarah J. Maas and Rebecca Yarros, and the growing trend of major streaming platforms—such as Netflix and Hulu—securing adaptation deals based on BookTok sensations. 

The topic reflects a broader cultural shift where TikTok virality directly influences publishing trends, fan engagement, and multimedia content production.

🔳 Topic 3 : BookTok Adaptation Boom: From Viral Reads to Screen Deals 🎥
* Key Terms : booktok, adaptation, tiktok, romantasy, netflix, author, fantasy, romance, series, movie

 Source : AI-generated image

This topic highlights the increasing trend of viral BookTok novels being adapted into mainstream media such as films, TV series, and merchandise. The coverage spans from major acquisitions by Netflix and Amazon to the influence of BookTok on new genres like "romantasy."

This topic is distinct from previous ones as it focuses less on reading habits or genre discussions and more on the commercial and cultural ripple effects of BookTok — including celebrity endorsements, licensing deals, and the transformation of social media trends into profitable IP assets across publishing and entertainment industries. 

Outro. 🌐
The BookTok phenomenon illustrates how digital communities can profoundly reshape traditional industries. Through viral engagement and fan-driven momentum, BookTok has reinvigorated genres like romantasy, propelled unknown authors to global fame, and catalyzed a surge in screen adaptations. 

As evidenced by our analysis, BookTok is more than a fleeting trend—it represents a new paradigm in media convergence, where social platforms, literature, and entertainment industries increasingly intersect. Publishers, media companies, and cultural institutions would do well to understand and strategically engage with this evolving landscape.