TikTok has been publishing its own bestseller list for around a year now. In March, non-fiction and romance dominated the BookTok charts.
TikTok has long since changed the book market. The short videos shared on the platform under the hashtag #BookTok have become a market force in the book segment. Not only have the short reading recommendations motivated many young people to read again, but they are now also a factor in the success or failure of certain works. This is also reflected in the BookTok bestseller list, which the video platform has been publishing monthly since April 2023 together with the market research institute Media Control.
The BookTok bestsellers in March
At the Leipzig Book Fair, which took place in March, it was announced that the list, which includes the 20 most popular titles, would be expanded to include four more rankings. In the future there will be a bestseller list for the non-fiction and young adult genres. In addition, both Switzerland and Austria receive their own BookTok rankings. On the overall list, the most successful titles in March were a mix of non-fiction and the romance genre, which is very popular on TikTok.
First place: “Crescent City – when the shadows rise” by Sarah J. Maas
The third volume of the “Crescent City” series was released at the beginning of March and went straight to first place. At the center of the plot is a young woman with magical abilities who, together with her friends - fantasy creatures of all kinds - has to free the planet from intergalactic parasites. The special thing about the fantasy novel is that it is set in the present, so modern technology is available to the protagonists.
Bryce Quinlan never thought she would see a world other than Midgard, but now that it has happened, all she wants to do is go back. Everything she loves is in Midgard: her family, her friends, her mate. Stranded in a strange new world, she will need all her cleverness to get back home. And that's no easy feat - because how will she know who she can trust?
- Blurb/dtv publishing house -
The bestseller list not only begins with a title by Sarah J. Maas, but also ends with another work by the successful author. At number 20 is the first volume of the “A Court of Thornes and Roses” series, which will likely be adapted as a series.
Second place: “The 1% Method” by James Clear
The minimalist cover of the “1% Percent Method” has been circulating not only on TikTok but also on Instagram since its publication in 2020. According to
Business Insider,
the work was one of the best-selling books of the past year. The guide, which is about how to get closer to your personal goals with minimal changes to your everyday routine, takes second place on the BookTok list and is even number one in the video platform's new non-fiction ranking.
The secret of success: “The 1% method”. It provides the tools you need to achieve any goal. James Clear, successful coach and one of the leading experts in habit formation, shares practical strategies to help you get better at what you set out to do, every day.
- Blurb/Goldmann-Verlag -
Third place: “Icebreaker” by Hannah Grace
Third place comes from one of the currently most successful genres: romance. “Icebreaker” by British author Hannah Grace is the first book in the “Maple Hills” series. The individual stories are not connected and therefore do not have to be read in a specific order. The second volume “Wildfire” is already available, and the third novel “Daydream” will be published
in September, according to
Thalia .
Since she was a child, Anastasia Allen has dreamed of making Team USA and the Olympics, and thanks to her scholarship to the University of California and a rigorous but perfect schedule, the figure skater is closer than ever to achieving her dream. But suddenly one of the few ice rinks on campus has to be closed, and shortly afterwards Anastasia's figure skating partner is also out. Completely unexpectedly, Nathan Hawkins, the popular and extremely attractive captain of the ice hockey team, offers to step in for her. Anastasia agrees to the offer, but she can't afford any more distractions - especially not in the form of her new partner, who makes her heart beat faster with every little smile...
- Blurb/Lxy Publishing -
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4th place: “The Serpent and the Wings of the Night” by Carissa Broadbent
Another romance book: “The Serpent and the Wings of the Night” took first place on the BookTok bestseller list in February. The book also rose to the top position on the Spiegel bestseller list at the end of February. It is the first volume of a multi-part series. As is often the case with great romance stories, the book is elaborately designed: a cover with ornate writing and a color cut give the work a special look.
Every day Oraya has to fight for survival. As the adopted human daughter of the Vampire King, she lives in a world designed to kill her. Your only chance of ever being more than just prey is to take part in the Kejari: a legendary tournament hosted by Nyaxia - the goddess of death.
- Blurb/Carlsen-Verlag -
Fifth place: “The child in you must find a home” by Stefanie Stahl
Since it was published in 2015, Stefanie Stahl's guide has sold millions of copies and has become an integral part of any bestseller list. The non-fiction book is one of the most popular titles of all time. Last year, Stefanie Stahl was named
Spiegel
's annual best-selling author for the seventh time in a row. The psychologist is now a prominent guest across all media and was described by
Stern
, for example , as “the woman who treats Germany”.
Every person longs to be accepted and loved. Ideally, we develop the necessary self-confidence and basic trust during our childhood that carries us through life as adults. But the insults we experience also leave an impression on us and unconsciously determine our entire relationship life. Successful author Stefanie Stahl has developed a new, effective approach to working with the “inner child”: When we become friends with it, there are amazing opportunities to resolve conflicts, make relationships happier and find an answer to (almost) every problem .
- Blurb/Kailash Publishing -