Reading with a Side of Life

Guide for adults who feel “too old for BookTok” but still want to participate — plus tips for picking viral reads, sorting hype from substance, and lifestyle ideas to become the reader I know you are craving to be.

Yes, you can enjoy BookTok (and keep your sanity)

Let me start off by saying-I get it. I had to take a break from Tiktok because it became so overwhelming and it was almost like the algorithm found out what I liked and ran with it so hard that it ran it into the ground.

It was the same thing over and over and I am the kind of person who lives life on shuffle. So if scrolling past a dramatic “BookTok” video makes you roll your eyes, you’re not alone — but you don’t have to be intimidated or ban Tiktok from your life like I did. I had to keep in mind that short-form video drives book discovery now, and adults and book clubs are part of that wave.

The platform changed how books trend and sell, and it’s created whole microgenres (think “romantasy”) that moved millions of copies for all the right reasons. If you want to participate without getting swept away or even having to download the app, this guide gives practical, adult-friendly steps no matter what kind of reader you are.

1) Start with intention: why you’re following BookTok or Tiktok at all.

Before you open the app, ask yourself: am I looking for discovery, community, or entertainment? Setting a goal keeps you from doom-scrolling. We all do it and it leads to being distracted by other videos such as the hilarious cat videos or yet another remake of a 2000’s dance. Some common, helpful goals:

• Find one great read for next month’s book club.
• Discover books that match your preferred mood (cozy mysteries, historical fiction, rom-fantasy).
• Curate a shelf for weekend reads and Instagram photos.

Having a clear aim makes it easier to filter the noise. Go ahead and find content creators that match your type of reads or you find that you also don’t understand why some people hate the books that you and the creator loved.

2) How to pick good viral reads (without the FOMO)

Not every viral book deserves your time and remember-times are hard and we are all out here trying to get that coin so some get paid to promote certain books. Use these checkpoints so you invest in reads that actually match your tastes.

A. Check a mix of sources
Don’t rely on one flashy review. Cross-check: BookTok buzz + professional review + reader reviews (Goodreads/Amazon). Viral = visibility, not guaranteed quality.

B. Read the Room (or the video)

• Depth of discussion: creators who explain why a book works (themes, character arcs) are more reliable than those who only show a dramatic reaction.
• Diverse takes: if several creators with different tastes praise the same book, that’s a stronger sign that the book is actually good.
  Research shows BookTok influences sales and reading choices, but is not the same as critical appraisal of the books they are talking about — use it as a starting point, not an authority.

C. Read excerpts & sample first
Use Kindle samples, library previews, or short excerpts to see if the writing and pacing suit you. For example, I know that not all narrators know that they are supposed to preform a specific accent when they accept a job. I am very picky about accents as a audiobook reader so I will preview the book within what ever app I am listening too. If its awful-I may have to read the physical copy of that book instead of listening to it. Also, if they have a warning before the book even begins….nine times out of ten-it is my kind of book.

D. Favor books that fit your book-club or lifestyle needs
If you’re picking for a book club, choose books that prompt discussion (rich themes, moral choices, ambiguous endings). Resources with ready questions make adoption easier.

3) Sorting hype vs. substance — a quick checklist

When a title trends hard, ask:

1. Is the hype emotion-driven (shock/plot twist) or theme-driven (meaningful topics)?
2. Are there repeatable reasons people recommend it (characters, prose, emotional truth) or mostly one-off reactions?
3. Do trusted reviewers or multiple readers back it up?
4. If it’s short on merit but trending, could it still be fun (guilty pleasure reads have value)?

Use that checklist to decide: read, skip, or save for a light weekend.

4) Build a cozy reading nook that you will actually use

Comfortable spaces help you read more and share better photos/videos. Design tips from interior experts:

• Start with a dedicated seating spot — a chair, chaise, or window bench. Add a small side table for tea/notes.
• Prioritize layered lighting — overhead + task lamp for evening reading. Good lighting improves mood and makes better photos.
• Keep a small shelf or stack of current reads to make haul photos easy.
• Add textiles (throw, cushion), a plant, and a dedicated basket for blankets or books.
  For practical, expert shopping and layout tips, see interior design guides on creating reading nooks.

5) Host a BookTok-inspired book-club meeting (adult edition)

Make your next club feel fresh without surrendering to trends.

A. Pick with intention
Pair one trending BookTok pick with a classic or thematically similar title or even pick one that may be on theme (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Mother’s Day, ect.)so you can also stay in the spirit of the season.

B. Prepare 4–6 focused prompts
Look-I love a list so don’t hate me for this one. But when you are new to book clubs-how do you even go about it? I suggest for you to use discussion guides (themes, character motivations, favorite passages) and one “social” prompt: how the book would perform on BookTok — what clip would go viral and why. What line did you find most quotable?

C. Format ideas

• Short lightning round (5 minutes): everyone names 1 emotional reaction that they had during reading the book.
• Deep dive (30 minutes): rotate speakers on theme, character, and craft to understand how the book made you feel or even get different thoughts of the book that you may not have thought of.
• Micro-workshop: pick a passage and read it aloud to analyze language.
• Social segment: create a group Reel or TikTok reacting to a scene so it doesn’t have to feel like your back in college for a reading assignment.

D. Hosting logistics
Assign a moderator, set time limits for speakers, and rotate hosts. For virtual clubs, share a doc with questions in advance.

6) Share your haul & Reels like an adult (no cringe required)

If you want to show your haul without feeling performative, keep it simple and aesthetic.

Reel/post ideas that work for adult readers

• “This month’s queue”: short clips of 3 books, 3-line caption why each fits your mood.
• Cozy micro-reviews: 15–30 sec per book — one sentence summary, one sentence feeling.
• Shelfie before/after: show how you organize incoming books.
• Book + beverage pairing: match each book to a drink or snack (appeals to lifestyle audience).

7) Practical weekly routine so trends don’t consume you

• Sunday quick scan (15–20 min): glance at your FYP for noteworthy titles and save to your TBR List…. but warning-doing this will make your list like mine counting into the 200’s.
• Mid-week sample (10 min): read an excerpt or listen to a chapter preview on audiobook apps.
• Monthly pick (1 hour): pick one trending book to try. If it’s not for you by 100 pages, DNF confidently. Granted, I have only DNF one book but I always have hope that it will get better.
  
  This routine keeps your feed fresh without taking over your life.

8) Final quick checklist — join BookTok (your way)

• Use book-club prompts that dig deeper than hype.
• Set one clear intention before opening the app.
• Cross-check viral titles with reviews and samples.
• Pick one trending book a month.
• Create a cozy nook you actually want to use.
• Design one BookTok/Instagram Reel format and reuse it.

Final Thoughts — Want to Join My Book Club?

If this post spoke to you — if you’ve ever scrolled through BookTok wondering where to start or wished you had friends to gush about your latest read with — you’re in the right place.

I would love to talk to those who want to read the viral books without the overwhelm. Each month, we can pick a trending book (or soon-to-trend) title, pair it with a cozy discussion theme, and chat about it in a relaxed, judgment-free space. Think comfy chairs, real opinions, and maybe a few snacks along the way.

✨ Want in?
Join the waitlist or sign up for updates, email readingwithasideoflife@gmail.com— you’ll get early access to book picks, discussion guides, and our monthly virtual meetups.

Let’s make BookTok fun, balanced, and full of heart — together. 💕📚