The Book-Buying Dilemma: Why Do We Keep Buying Books We Don't Read?

📚The desire to buy books is often driven by the nostalgia of our reading habits as children.

📖BookTok, a phenomenon on TikTok, plays a significant role in influencing book buying decisions through vague yet enticing recommendations.

💡Books recommended on BookTok have a higher chance of being read compared to books discovered through traditional methods.

📈BookTok recommendations are reshaping the publishing industry by promoting novels that may have been overlooked by traditional publishing standards.

🌍Social media platforms like BookTok provide a space for underrepresented authors, allowing them to reach a wider audience.

Why do we buy books we don't read?

—The desire to buy books is often driven by nostalgia, the hope of recapturing the joy of reading from our childhood.

How does BookTok influence book buying decisions?

—BookTok recommendations on TikTok are often vague but focus on the emotions and vibes a book evokes, enticing readers to explore new titles.

Do people read books recommended on BookTok?

—Yes, readers are more likely to finish books recommended on BookTok compared to books discovered through traditional browsing methods.

How does BookTok impact the publishing industry?

—BookTok recommendations are shaping the publishing industry by promoting books that may have been overlooked by traditional standards, increasing sales and exposure for authors.

Is BookTok inclusive of underrepresented authors?

—BookTok provides a platform for underrepresented authors to reach a wider audience, allowing their work to gain recognition and fostering a more diverse literary community.

00:00Introduction to the book-buying dilemma and personal experience of buying unread books.

06:22Explanation of how BookTok, a phenomenon on TikTok, influences book buying decisions through vague yet enticing recommendations.

09:01Insights on the impact of BookTok in reshaping the publishing industry and promoting underrepresented authors.