First things first: what is BookTok? BookTok is an online community on TikTok of readers reviewing and recommending books. It encourages people to start reading and enjoy literature. Here are five books that should be on the top of your list. (Disclaimer: these books may contain topics that could potentially be triggering, so please research before reading.)

• People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry 

For those who love romance and the friends-to-lovers trope, this book is perfect. Follow the story of two best friends, Poppy and Alex, who for the last decade have taken a summer trip every summer. Until, things got ruined two years ago, and they haven’t spoken since. Hoping to rekindle their friendship and fix everything with one more vacation together, Poppy and Alex navigate the complexity of their relationships, and the beauty and hardship of falling in love. 

• The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

A fun story tailored for those who enjoyed Knives Out, this book has plot twist after plot twist that will make you crave more. The Inheritance Games follows Avery Gambs as she attempts to discover why she has inherited billions of dollars from a man she has never met before. This book has everything: money, mystery, and not one, not two, not three, but four hot brothers! 

• Verity by Colleen Hoover

A thriller romance so dark and disturbing, it will change your life. Lowen Ashleigh, a struggling writer, accepts a job to complete the remaining books of bestselling author, Verity Crawford. Lowen unexpectedly uncovers an unfinished biography of Verity’s that contains bone-chilling admissions and what happened the day her daughter died. This book will leave you speechless with the plot twists and suspense. 

• The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

The Song of Achilles, tells the story of Greece’s greatest hero, Achilles, from the view of his best friend, Patroclus. The author manages to create a phenomenal and painstakingly beautiful romance, and with every page I read, there was something new to discover in this story of two young men deeply in love: one who will choose to die for fame and recognition, and the other who will follow him to death. 

• Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

A dark academia book that delves deep into the heart of institutionalized racism, Ace of Spades tells the story of Aces, an anonymous texter who brings out two students’ dark secrets to light and will stop at nothing to get at them–putting both of their personal lives and academic futures on the line. This heart-racing, twisty thriller explores being queer and black, and the destructive nature of racism, classism, and homophobia.