Discover the most trending YA books on BookTok in 2024! From fantasy to contemporary fiction, find your next must-read book recommended by the BookTok community.
If you’ve been anywhere near social media lately, you’ve probably heard of BookTok – the corner of TikTok where book lovers unite to share their latest reads, emotional reactions, and top recommendations. As someone who’s spent countless hours scrolling through BookTok (for research purposes, of course!), I’ve watched certain YA books rise to meteoric fame thanks to passionate readers sharing their thoughts one video at a time.
Today, I’m diving deep into the most buzz-worthy YA books that have taken BookTok by storm. Whether you’re looking for heart-wrenching romance, edge-of-your-seat fantasy, or powerful contemporary fiction, I’ve got you covered. Let’s explore the books that have everyone hitting that “Add to Cart” button!
Table of Contents
The Romance Powerhouses
It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover
If there’s one author who’s absolutely dominated BookTok, it’s Colleen Hoover (or CoHo, as her fans affectionately call her). It Ends With Us isn’t just another romance novel – it’s a powerful story that tackles tough themes while delivering an unforgettable love story. I remember picking this up after seeing the millionth TikTok about it, thinking it would be a typical romance. Boy, was I wrong! The emotional depth and raw honesty of this book have readers creating video after video of their tear-stained reactions.
What makes it special:
- Complex characters that feel incredibly real
- A thoughtful exploration of difficult relationships
- An ending that stays with you long after you’ve finished
📚 It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover
📖 Genre: Contemporary Romance/New Adult
📚 Synopsis: Lily, a small-town girl who moved to Boston to start her own business, finds herself torn between her first love, Atlas, and successful neurosurgeon Ryle. As she navigates these relationships, she confronts difficult truths about abuse cycles and breaks them.
😭 Why Everyone Is Reading It: Readers consistently post crying reaction videos, with many saying they had to take breaks while reading due to emotional intensity. Many share personal stories about how the book helped them understand toxic relationships.
💬 Why BookTok is obsessed: The raw portrayal of complicated relationships, the emotional depth, and the way it challenges romantic tropes. Plus, the plot twist halfway through has readers gasping.
🔗 Available from: [amazon.com]
They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
Don’t let the title fool you – despite knowing the ending, readers can’t stop talking about this beautiful exploration of love, friendship, and making every moment count. The BookTok community has particularly embraced this book for its LGBTQ+ representation and the way it handles themes of mortality with both grace and humor.
📚 They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
📖 Genre: YA Contemporary/LGBTQ+
📚 Synopsis: In a world where people receive a call on their last day of life, Mateo and Rufus connect through an app called Last Friend to live their final day together.
😭 Why Everyone Is Reading It: Despite knowing the ending from the title, readers still post emotional reactions and share how the book changed their perspective on life.
💬 Why BookTok is obsessed: The bittersweet romance, LGBTQ+ representation, and the way it makes readers reflect on making every day count.
🔗 Available from: [amazon.com]
Fantasy That Sets BookTok Ablaze
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
If there’s one fantasy series that consistently trends on BookTok, it’s “Six of Crows.” This gritty heist story set in a fantasy world has captured readers’ hearts with its morally grey characters and intricate plot. The way BookTok has embraced these characters is nothing short of phenomenal – from cosplay to fan art, the creativity knows no bounds.
What readers love:
- A complex, diverse cast of characters
- Masterful world-building
- A perfect blend of action, romance, and suspense
📚 Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
📖 Genre: YA Fantasy
📚 Synopsis: A dangerous heist story following six outcasts in a magical world who attempt an impossible break-in to the most secure prison for a massive payday.
😭 Why Everyone Is Reading It: Readers create character cosplays, share fan theories, and make edits of their favorite morally grey moments.
💬 Why BookTok is obsessed: The found family dynamic, complex character relationships, and the way each character’s backstory unfolds throughout the heist.
🔗 Available from: [amazon.com]
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
The BookTok community has practically created its own language around this series, with terms like “Rhysand” and “Inner Circle” becoming part of daily vocabulary. What started as a Beauty and the Beast retelling has evolved into something far more complex and addictive.
📚 A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
📖 Genre: YA/New Adult Fantasy Romance
📚 Synopsis: Feyre, a human huntress, is dragged into a magical realm after killing a faerie wolf. In this dangerous new world, she finds herself falling for her captor, Tamlin, a powerful fairy lord. But darker forces are at work, and Feyre must fight to save both her love and the entire faerie realm.
😭 Why Everyone Is Reading It: Readers post dramatic reaction videos to the plot twists, especially regarding book 2’s developments. Many create fan art and cosplay of the characters, particularly Rhysand. The spicy scenes have readers fanning themselves in videos.
💬 Why BookTok is obsessed: The slow-burn romance, the intense character development (especially in later books), and the steamy scenes that push YA boundaries. Plus, the enemies-to-lovers trope is executed masterfully.
🔗 Available from: [amazon.com]
The Mystery Mavens
The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Think “Knives Out” meets YA, and you’ll get “The Inheritance Games.” This series has taken BookTok by storm with its clever puzzles, family drama, and swoon-worthy romance. I’ve seen countless videos of readers trying to solve the mysteries alongside the protagonist, creating their own theory boards and sharing their predictions.
Notable elements:
- Intricate puzzle-solving
- Multiple potential love interests
- Wealth and privilege themes that spark discussion
📚 The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
📖 Genre: YA Mystery/Thriller
📚 Synopsis: Avery Grambs suddenly inherits billions from a mysterious stranger, but to claim it, she must live in his mansion with his four enigmatic grandsons and solve a series of intricate puzzles.
😭 Why Everyone Is Reading It: Readers are posting their theories, creating elaborate puzzle-solving videos, and debating which grandson is their favorite.
💬 Why BookTok is obsessed: The combination of “Knives Out” style mystery with YA romance, plus the addictive puzzle-solving elements, keeps readers guessing.
🔗 Available from: [amazon.com]
Diverse Voices Making Waves
The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna
BookTok has become an incredible platform for amplifying diverse voices, and The Gilded Ones is a shining example. This West African-inspired fantasy has captured readers’ attention with its unique world-building and powerful themes of female empowerment.
📚 The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna
📖 Genre: YA Fantasy
📚 Synopsis: Deka discovers she has golden blood, marking her as impure in her society. She must choose between death or joining a special military unit of girls like her with extraordinary gifts.
😭 Why Everyone Is Reading It: Readers praise the powerful feminist themes and unique West African-inspired fantasy elements.
💬 Why BookTok is obsessed: The fresh take on fantasy tropes, diverse representation, and strong themes of female empowerment resonating with young readers. resonate
🔗 Available from: [amazon.com]
Heartstopper by Alice Oseman
What started as a webcomic has become a BookTok sensation, particularly after its Netflix adaptation. The sweet LGBTQ+ romance and authentic representation have made this graphic novel series a must-recommend on the platform.
📚 Heartstopper by Alice Oseman
📖 Genre: YA Contemporary Romance/Graphic Novel
📚 Synopsis: A sweet love story between Charlie Spring and Nick Nelson, two boys who meet at an all-boys school and discover their growing feelings for each other.
😭 Why Everyone Is Reading It: Readers share their favorite wholesome moments, create art of the characters, and post about how the story helped them with their own coming-out journeys.
💬 Why BookTok is obsessed: The authentic LGBTQ+ representation, mental health discussions, and the adorable art style that perfectly captures teen romance.
🔗 Available from: [amazon.com]
Contemporary Stories That Hit Home
All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
Mental health is a topic that resonates deeply with the BookTok community, and All the Bright Places handles it with remarkable sensitivity. The raw honesty of this story has sparked important conversations about mental health awareness among young readers.
📚 All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
📖 Genre: YA Contemporary
📚 Synopsis: Violet Markey and Theodore Finch meet on the school bell tower, both contemplating jumping. They end up saving each other and embark on a project to discover the “bright places” in their state while dealing with grief, mental health, and first love.
😭 Why Everyone Is Reading It: Readers share tearful reactions and personal stories about mental health. Many posts about needing multiple breaks while reading due to emotional intensity.
💬 Why BookTok is obsessed: The honest portrayal of mental health issues, the beautiful writing style, and the way it handles difficult topics with sensitivity while still maintaining hope.
🔗 Available from: [amazon.com]
Looking Ahead: 2024’s Most Anticipated Releases
The Prisoner’s Throne by Holly Black
BookTok is already buzzing about this upcoming release from fantasy queen Holly Black. The community’s excitement is palpable, with readers creating countdown videos and speculation content about what to expect.
📚 The Prisoner’s Throne by Holly Black
📖 Genre: YA Fantasy
📚 Synopsis: This 2024 release follows a young princess who must navigate court politics and magic while trying to save her imprisoned mother. She discovers dark secrets about her kingdom and must decide whether to embrace or reject her dangerous magical heritage.
😭 Why Everyone Is Reading It: Early readers are posting excitement about the return to Black’s signature dark fairy tale style. Many are creating anticipation videos and theory posts.
💬 Why BookTok is obsessed: Holly Black’s reputation for crafting complex fae politics and morally grey characters has BookTok eagerly awaiting this release. The promise of court intrigue and forbidden magic has sparked numerous prediction videos.
🔗 Available from: [amazon.com]
For those new to the community, here’s how to make the most of your BookTok experience:
- Follow the right hashtags: #BookTok, #YABooks, #BookRecommendations
- Engage with content creators who share your reading interests
- Keep a TBR (To Be Read) list handy – trust me, it’ll grow quickly!
- Don’t be afraid to join the conversation
Conclusion
The beauty of BookTok lies in its ability to create genuine connections through shared reading experiences. Whether you’re a long-time reader or just starting your YA journey, these trending books offer something for everyone. The community’s passion for storytelling has transformed the way we discover and discuss books, making reading a truly social experience.
What’s your next BookTok-inspired read going to be? Dive into these recommendations and join the conversation – your next favorite book might just be a scroll away!
