Hot or Not! My booktok hot takes

Booktok: you either love it or you hate it. Or maybe, if you're like me, it's a bit of both. I personally think there's no doubt that booktok can be a force for good. For one thing, it's helped so many people love reading again, which is just amazing. However on the other hand, does it promote quantity over quality? Well, that's what I'm here to discuss! Today I'm going to give you my honest opinions on every booktok book I've ever read, and it really is a mixed bag: some made me question my life choices, whilst others have become my favourite books of all time! So without further ado... let's play HOT OR NOT!!

(A little preface, or a set of rules if you will. I'll name a popular booktok book I've read and tell you if it's Hot! (good) or Not! (bad) and give a couple of sentences to explain why. Let's go...!)

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Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Hot!

Literally perfection in a fantasy novel. The most loveable group of criminals you will ever meet team up for an epic heist. The twists will keep you guessing and the settings feel brilliantly immersive. (Also it's my favourite book of all time).

Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross

Hot!

Tense rivals-to-lovers set upon the backdrop of an even tenser magical war. I adored the writing, magic system (magical typewriters!!) and of course, the characters and relationships.

The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake

Hot!

Messy relationships, existential-crisis-style philosophy, intrigue, and a set of incredibly three-dimensional characters makes for a perfect dark academia novel. May be too wordy for some, but I think the prose is just beautiful.

You and Me on Vacation by Emily Henry

Hot!

Emily Henry is truly as great as they say! A fun friends-to-lovers romcom which was funny but didn't cross the line into cringey. The dual timelines were weaved together perfectly and the endless vacation scenes made me feel like I was on holiday!

This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone

Hot!

The most romantic book I have ever read. The writing was beautiful, the premise was so unique, and the romance was achingly tender. I will never stop thinking about this book.

These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong

Hot!

This fantasy-mystery Romeo and Juliet retelling has a perfect plot, setting, and the best-written relationships I've ever had the pleasure to read. It was my favourite book of 2023 for a reason!

The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides

Not!

Boring at best, grossly uncomfortable at worst. The Virgin Suicides was far too wordy (not in a good way) and rarely focused on any intriguing details in the tragic lives of the sisters. The objectification of the girls was frankly disgusting to read, which was perhaps the point, but it didn't make me feel any less uncomfortable.

Yellowface by Rebecca F. Kuang

Hot!

One of the most justified popular books, I've been recommending this to my friends ever since I read it. A great satirical take on the publishing industry and issues of racism within it, but also a thrilling tale told by the villain of the story (who will continuously try to tell you she's not!)

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab

Not!

Maybe I don't get this one like everyone else does, but I felt massively let down. I think there were too many unnecessary details, and the book should've been about 200 pages shorter. I didn't feel much of a connection to our main characters or their relationship.

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Not!

I've only read the first book so far, but it was so bad that I haven't been able to pick up the next one. The protagonist is bland and the plot just isn't intriguing enough. It's an interesting premise, but not executed well enough in my opinion. My advice: don't read it. But if you do, don't buy the whole series at once like I did.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Hot!

A perfect historical literary novel that transports you to 1950s Hollywood. The glitzy life and loves of Evelyn Hugo feels so real that you want to immediately watch her films! Full of moments to make you laugh, cry and root for the characters until the end. One of my favourite books of all time!

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

Hot!

Although not my favourite book on this list, it's a fun and deeply romantic romcom. The author builds the tension between the two leads so well that you can't help but root for them. Also it's such a fun premise for a romance novel!

I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

Hot!

A truly moving and incredibly written memoir that exposes the horrors of her own life, and of other child stars. A brilliant read that I would recommend to anyone (be sure to check trigger warnings though).

Twisted Love by Ana Huang

Not!

The only thing I hate more than this book is myself for reading it and then proceeding to read the second one. They are weirdly addictive but objectively bad, and in hindsight, I regretted reading them. The characters are terrible, the romance is cringey and full of red flags, and it's simply a vehicle for obscene levels of gratuitous smut.

Heartstopper by Alice Oseman

Hot!

Adorable graphic novels with great representation, a focus on queer joy and heartwarming journies of self discovery. The TV show is how I discovered it, but the books are well worth a read!

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Not!

As much as I love The Grishaverse, I'm not a fan of its original trilogy. The side characters are far superior to the main ones and the plot is just not as interesting as the author's later works. Whenever I tell someone to start with this book universe, I always recommend reading Six of Crows first!

One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus

Hot!

Almost a modern classic by now, this YA crime novel is full of surprising twists, loveable main characters, found family and an ending that will have you gasping. I wish I could read it again for the first time.

Bridgerton Series by Julia Quinn

Not!

Diehard fans will hate me for this, but the books are so subpar to the TV show. Granted, I've only read the first two, but so far I've found them to be boring and all too repetitive.

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

Hot!

Like OOUIL, this is a perfect YA thriller! I adore the main characters and the mystery was brilliantly crafted. The additions of project reports to show us new evidence was so clever and really immersive!

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In the words of Taylor Swift at the end of Stay Stay Stay, that was so fun! Sorry to anyone I may have offended by dissing a book you enjoyed. 😅 But that's the cool thing about literature: there's something for everyone, and it's totally ok to love something I hate (and vice versa). But hopefully this has given you a book or two (or more) to add to your tbr, and proves that booktok isn't all that bad when it comes to book recommendations.

See you in the next one! <3