The wonderful city of Lier

Research Question 

TAAK ENGELS

For my essay, I would like to research how social media has influenced literature. Therefore, my research question is also as follows: 'The influence of social media on literature'. Because this is quite a broad topic, I would like to go a little closer and focus on just one particle. That particle will be BookTok.

Everyone probably knows TikTok by now, but have they heard of BookTok? I am a true reader and sometimes end up on that side of TikTok myself. It is an interesting side that can teach us many things as well as often bring us, as readers, new inspiration. For me, this raised a lot of questions: "Does BookTok bring back true classics?" and "Does it only have positive, or maybe also negative, consequences?" There are also many other claims about it... For instance, it is sometimes said that it brings young people back to reading, but is that really true? I would love to explore that a bit further!

Research Question: What's the influence of social media on reading behavior?

• How does this work in literature? How are we influenced in our literary choices through social media?
• Through which channel are people mainly influenced? (Instagram, YouTube, TikTok?)

               i. What is TikTok? What's BookTok?

• What are the effects of the BookTok
  - Positive
  + Have any particular genres come back into prominence, because of BookTok/social media?
     - Does BookTok bring back true classics?
     - Does BookTok bring back Fantasy?
     - Does BookTok bring back Murder Mysteries?
  - Negative 
  

• Hypothesis to the future: Will BookTok continue to grow in an upward direction, or is it just another one of the many trends?
• Conclusion: The influence of social media on reading behavior.

SOURCES:
- TikTok; BookTok- Own experience
- Swell Entertainment (2022, January 18). The cult of BookTok. [YouTube]. Retrieved from URL-address.
- The Book Leo. (2023, February 13). Is TikTok ruining reading? & the desire to be 'a reader'?. [YouTube].   Retrieved from URL-address.
- Destiny Sidwell. (2022, August 26). Let's talk about BookTok (overhyped books?, is TikTok toxic?). [YouTube].  Retrieved from URL-address.
- The Book Leo. (2022, December 4). The ultimate guide to TikTok books (which ones should you read?). [YouTube].   Retrieved from URL-address.
- Demeyer, P. (2023, March 4). Tien jaar geleden een flop, nu miljoenen stuks verkocht: de revolutie die BookTok  veroorzaakt voor schrijver én uitgevers. GVA.
- Lonbois, M. (2022, May 3). #BookTok zet jongeren aan het lezen, vooral in het Engels: "Speciale plek in de winkel  voor TikTok-boeken". VRT NWS.
- (Geyser, W. (2022). What Is TikTok? – Everything You Need to Know in 2023. Influencer Marketing Hub.
- Wat is TikTok? (z.d.). MediaNest
- BookTok: de trend die ervoor zorgt dat onze tieners weer aan het lezen slaan. (2023). mamabaas. Geraadpleegd op 23 mei 14AD
- Gillian Flynn talks new book and shares reading recommendations. (2023, 13 februari). [Video]. TODAY.com.
- Paula. (2021). Wat je moet weten over #Booktok. Bookbreak.
- Smolders, J. (2022b, juni 8). Met Booktok kan Tiktok ook boeken maken of kraken. De Standaard.
- BookTok & TikTok boeken. (z.d.). Bruna.
- Pierce, B. (2023, 1 februari). In the shallow world of BookTok, being 'a reader' is more important than actually reading. British GQ.
- Oksenhendler, V. (z.d.). The BookTok Effect: Are TikTok Classics Worth Your Time? The Classic Critic.
- The 2021 Reading Renaissance: Bringing Books Back With #BookTok • The Daily Fandom. (z.d.). The Daily Fandom.
- Onder de loep: oude vs. moderne klassiekers. (2021, 15 januari). bol.com Lees Magazine.
- Alyssa Matesic. (2023, 22 januari). Most Popular Book Genres for 2023 | Book Publishing Trends [Video]. YouTube.
- Wikipedia-bijdragers. (2023b). Pride and Prejudice (boek). Wikipedia.
- the catcher in the rye - Google Search. (z.d.).
- Curcic, D. (2023, 12 januari). Fantasy Book Sales Statistics [2023].
- Reilly, A. (z.d.). Conformity book culture: The toxic side of BookTok. Hi's Eye.

ABSTRACT:
I examined the effects of social media on our reading behaviour. To do that, I used one specific example namely BookTok, a section of the world-famous TikTok app. BookTokkers create short videos in which they recommend their favorite books and discuss what they think is good or bad about them. In addition to giving their opinions, tips on reading strategies are often shared.
In addition to my own experiences with BookTok, this research is based on a number of source materials on the subject.
At the end of my research, I could conclude that social media does have a big impact on our reading behaviour. The influences can occur under different 'forms', both negative and positive. For instance, we can conclude that it brought young people back to reading and that even bookshops can enjoy it. The platform has created its own community, where people can share their passion and love for a common hobby. Some genres also returned, such as the love for a good classic or perhaps rather the murder mysteries. Of course, I also found some drawbacks. Reading would be considered an aesthetic vibe among young people. There is pressure because a certain number has to be achieved. In addition, the same books are often recommended, so variety gets very limited.
My research can be useful to see positives and negatives. Besides, a lot of people and sectors can use it. For example, schools can be more responsive to what exactly engages students when we talk about reading. Book reports and also reading itself thus become increasingly fun for students.
In my presentation, I also talk about what the future may hold for BookTok. Today, it looks like BookTok is facing a bright future. People are buying lots of books and shops need to be expanded for an extra shelf. Whether this will remain so in the distant future, however, is a question The comments on BookTok are definitely not positive and could well mean the end for the world-famous app.