The desire to be a "reader"
and why it makes me angry
Not So Long Ago…
In the not-so-distant past, the world of literature existed in a realm far removed from the instant nature of social media. Books were discovered through recommendations from friends, reviews in newspapers, or the carefully organized aisles of physical bookstores. However, with the rise of social media, a digital revolution swept through the literary landscape, forever changing the way readers discover, discuss, and consume books.
Being an avid reader myself, I couldn’t ignore this revolution—this new era of literature. In 2020, when the pandemic hit me straight in the face and I had nothing to do at the age of 15, I turned to social media for entertainment. That’s when I entered this universe: BookTok, a place where many content creators shared their favorite reads, authors who had moved them, and countless other unexpected discoveries on TikTok. I rediscovered this passion buried within my teenage self, too "cool" to read. I took these recommendations from strangers—and I read.
Reading for the Aesthetic
As I approach 19, I now realize just how toxic this community can be. Buying more than 100 books a year and actually managing to read them all is neither healthy nor normal. Yet, this has become the norm on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Goodreads, and more. Users consume content from creators who portray reading as something primarily aesthetic rather than a simple hobby.
In recent years, trends such as the "Coquette" and "Sad Girl" aesthetics, and more recently, "Dark Femininity" and "Feminine Rage," began as fashion and lifestyle trends. However, the media used as reference points quickly started including books, to the point where "female rage" or "unhinged women" became recognizable literary categories. The community then began creating its own literary genres based not only on the books themselves but also on the subcultures they belonged to. Instead of recommending a book for its literary aspects, themes, or potential impact on readers, books are now recommended based on their aesthetic appeal. If you subscribe to the "Feminine Rage" aesthetic, it becomes essential to read specific books that belong to this category.
The inevitable problem is that it becomes extremely difficult to step outside this aesthetic in search of other recommendations, for fear of no longer being considered a member of that aesthetic.
Always More
Last year, I set myself a challenge: I had to read all the books I had purchased in recent years before buying any new ones. Social media platforms heavily encourage overconsumption among readers. According to BookNet Canada, a book statistics institute across the Atlantic, Cain’s Jawbone by Edward Powys Mathers saw a staggering 235,600% increase in sales after being promoted on #BookTok. Other notable growths include It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover (42,133%) and Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo (6,769%). This massive surge in sales is due to the influence of social media. Imagine how many people buy books simply because they are trendy.
There is always another book to buy, always a better book than the last. Getting recommendations is great, but too much is too much. Every day, a different book becomes more popular than another according to internet users. Keeping up with reading trends becomes impossible. Meanwhile, influencers—who may not have school commitments or a typical 9-to-5 job—use their free time to stay relevant by reading multiple books a day. Readers who follow them end up purchasing book after book, only to find themselves with an enormous unread pile at the end of the year.
Reading 100 books a year is unrealistic, yet it's incredibly common to see videos like “I read 100 books this year” or “I challenge myself to read as many books as possible in 24 hours.” This culture of reading as much as possible is extremely unhealthy because it primarily promotes overconsumption and often creates a competitive atmosphere among readers.
For me, this ruined the reading experience. I always felt like I was in competition—not just with others, but with myself. I wanted to stay up to date and achieve goals that were simply unattainable in my situation.
Algorithms: The Curse of Recommendations
When social media gets involved in book recommendations, a crucial question arises: how do algorithms target their suggestions based on users' ages, particularly young readers? Unfortunately, this process is not always as accurate as one might hope. Age-based recommendations are often imprecise, relying on broad criteria and generalizations that fail to account for individual intellectual and emotional development.
Despite their sophistication, algorithms can struggle to grasp the nuances of age-appropriate literary preferences. As a result, teenagers may be exposed to books whose narrative complexity or themes are unsuitable for their stage of development. For instance, recommendations for overly mature novels or inappropriate content can slip through algorithmic filters, leading to reading choices that neither align with cognitive needs nor respect young readers' emotional sensitivities.
Working in a bookstore, I frequently encounter young girls—around 13 years old—asking for books that are highly inappropriate for their age simply because they are "trendy" on TikTok or Instagram. I’ve even had deep discussions with parents about their children's reading choices.
One particular instance stands out: a mother was about to buy a book for her daughter that glorified domestic violence—without even realizing it. The real issue here is that this 13-year-old girl might have read the book and come to believe that the relationship depicted was completely normal. These books normalize certain situations and influence young readers, making them believe, for example, that it’s perfectly fine for a boyfriend to be abusive—as long as he apologizes and feels remorse afterward.
What Can Be Done?
So, the question I ask myself is: is it possible to use these platforms without falling into this vicious cycle? The influence of the internet is strong, but I believe that the importance we give it also plays a role in the equation. It is essential to do personal work to understand and control the impact social media has on us.
I sincerely believe that, with moderation, this entire universe can lead us to discover many new things—not only about the world but also about our own hearts as readers.
i love this because i agree with u 100%