TikTok is Saving Reading

[nouhailalaouina]

That’s exactly what I’ve been thinking. People should not drag others for reading Colleen Hoover books because that’s actually a good start they may not be of a good quality but they definitely serve a purpose which is to get people into reading. I mean most of us readers have gone through a Wattpad phase and while it doesn’t really count as reading it got us to where we are today.

[Andrea-ojfz]

Actually, I found my love for books through booktube, and I'm grateful for that. For kids who don't have books at home when they grow up, social media can be a real door opener that inspires them to read books, fall in love with them and discuss them.

[gottadasha]

I strongly believe that booktok and booktube are overall a net positive for the literary world. The challenges, tags, and conversations people create around novels are more widespread than they every have been. Discussions are diverse and easily accessible. Anyone can comment on a book or see what others think of it. Also, there's a newfound sense of community around authors and creators in the booktok/booktube spheres.

[gottadasha]

I am an avid reader and booktube/booktok consumer. I used to read constantly as a child but I have only started falling back in love with reading last year because of social media.

[MDobri-syce]

I kind of blame school ruining my reading experience. Before book reports I would read whatever I got my hands on. However, as soon as I had book reports starting in grade 3 I started to hate reading. I think kids should not have to do book reports until maybe mid grade 6 when they are starting to prepare for high school. But until then just enjoy the adventure of reading!

[Shawnpups]

Great video! As someone in the publishing industry, I'm glad to hear that people are becoming more aware of the draining effects of social media and actively seeking out more fulfilling pastimes like reading. Good for my work, good for publishers, good for civilization.

[jennifermarea]

I try to make sure that I spend more time reading each day than I do on social media. I think it’s the perfect act of rebellion as long as you don’t pay for the books. There’s no ads, no sponsorships, it’s a 100% free form of entertainment with a library card.

[LizApizaa]

This is so real. I have been an avid social media user for the past 10 years. After discovering bookish content during lockdown, it rekindled my love for books. Now my social media consumption is at an all-time low and the only content I consume is extremely bookish.

[mier_inc]

Man these last two videos gave me such valuable insights.

[Piyushm]

I really like your indirect strategy to make reading themed videos so once you gain an audience interested in reading books you can leverage that in your new startup which is also related to book reading. Glad that your passion reflects in all forms of work!

[Hillary]

I’ve always thought that since reading is such an isolated hobby we are drawn to discuss our experiences with others. This used to be in the form of book clubs with friends, then watching Oprah on tv, and now it’s BookTube and BookTok.

[probablybrian]

You're 100% correct. If we've entered a social media age, what other forms of media could bring reading back? Certainly books aren't going to influence a generation to start reading if they're no longer reading. Same with movies that are based off of books. The first book I read that got me into reading was a book I had seen a movie for which was the only reason I decided to read it.

[Koplinet]

I agree completely. I feel drained by social media and I am resorting to the moderate, self-guided pace of books to ground myself again.

[anitabrayco]

We forget the time on social media. That's really bad. Read is so much better.

[AmandaJYoungs]

I agree with everything you say here. Reading is brilliant. I think the difference is that you have to engage actively with the book in order to read, whereas you simply receive in audiovisual formats (although audiobooks are doing very well and expanding fast).

[HabiasaDeveloper]

As software developer and having portable computer I check every 5 minutes, I couldn't read books focused and efficient. I'm glad you've mentioned Audible in 2021. Listening to audio books is kind of my thing. Now I'm at Scholar level

[Pencilman]

The problem with TikTok and reading is that TikTok saps your attention span. When I used Tiktok, I started reading many books and didn’t finish any of them. I had to train myself to focus again after deleting the app. The problem with booktok in my opinion is that it gives you that dopamine good feeling that books give you, makes you feel like “I’m a reader” without you actually putting the time and energy and focus into actually reading anything. It’s the same as the people who buy books but never read them.

Although hopefully what you’re saying is true and people are encouraged to read via Tiktok. I just think the two mediums are counter to each other.

[Dan]

i recently got back into reading with American prometheus after watching Oppenheimer, i seriously forgot how good it is for you mentally.

[manueurope]

As a 17 yo,
I used to hate Social media actually, but once I realized what I really liked, (not trends or things other ppl do ) I searched them through on social media, And good thoughts, good recommendations came to me, I changed, and my whole pov change into positive, Remember if you use a knife correctly, it never gonna harm you

[anothersmallpotatopassingb]

Hey dude it seems that your videos don’t do as well as they used to but i just wanted to express the quality gain: the research, the structure of the argument and the way you express it, all of them have really gained in quality and i thought it was important for you to know