TikTok joins the National Year of Reading
A new chapter: TikTok joins the National Year of Reading and invites you to join the 'World’s Biggest Book Club
From book reviews and recommendations, to poetry and illustration, #BookTok is a thriving community of young literature lovers, who are united through their passion for reading. With over 76 million posts on TikTok, which has grown over 65% in the past 12 months alone, #BookTok continues to be one of the most transformative forces in modern publishing, bringing young people back into book shops, driving book sales and supercharging the careers of up-and-coming authors like never before.
To showcase this thriving community, TikTok is proud to become an official partner of the National Year of Reading 2026, a Department for Education initiative in collaboration with the National Literacy Trust.
Together, we are inviting the UK to celebrate the World's Biggest Book Club,aka #BookTok. Whether you've posted a tearful review, debated a plot twist in the comments, or found your new favourite author, you're already a member!
The National Year of Reading 2026 is a UK-wide campaign designed to inspire more people to make reading a regular part of their lives and to 'Go All In' on their passions and interests through reading. Put simply, if you into it, read into it.
Whether it's decoding fantasy worlds or reinventing the classics, [X]% of young people say TikTok has sparked a new passion for reading. Throughout the year, TikTok will be hosting a programme of unique events, both in person and in app, to give even more young people the opportunity to share and connect over the books they love most.
Introducing The first official BookTok Bestsellers
Beyond the For You Feed, #BookTok has become a powerhouse for the UK publishing industry. The community isn't just watching, they're buying. In 2025, over 11 million book sales in the UK are attributed to #BookTok, generating 86 pound million in revenue (1) .
On TikTok Shop, the momentum is even faster: three books are sold every single minute, as independent book sellers and beloved publishers like Penguin Random House, Harper Collins, Pan Macmillian and Hachette embrace this unique way of connecting with new customers.
To celebrate this influence and kick off the World's Biggest Book Club, we are thrilled to launch the UK's first official monthly BookTok Bestsellers list (1), in partnership with Media Control as part of the European expansion into new markets. By combining real world retail data with TikTok engagement, we are providing a definitive look at the titles truly resonating with readers today.
In bookstores, #BookTok Bestsellers will now also be marked with official #BookTok stickers, letting the community find their favourite books in their favourite stores on and offline. More information for publishers and authors can be found here.
The World's Biggest Book Club
To celebrate the National Year of Reading, throughout 2026 TikTok will host a programme of nationwide in-app and real-world events, designed to spark conversation and bring this vibrant community together. Here is how you can get involved!
Follow @go_all_in_2026on TikTok for campaign updates and to become a reading volunteer, supporting young people to rediscover the joy of reading.
Hay Festival 2026 TikTok returns as the official Digital Media Partner for the world's leading arts and literary festival. This year, we're celebrating all things #BookToScreen, from our favourite adaptations of classic literature, to upcoming book-inspired blockbusters. Follow @hayfestival and creators like @indiaysabel, @lucaspelizaro or @jesskbacon for an exclusive look behind the scenes at the festival.
Win! Want to join us there? We're giving away two 3-day trips to Hay Festival. Search '#BookToScreen on TikTok to discover more. Introducing #BookTok LIVE at The British Library for one night only, TikTok will partner with The British Library on #BookTok LIVE bringing the online community to life in a vibrant, social and multi-sensory experience. Follow @britishlibrary for a chance to join this unique community celebration!
Join a TikTok LIVE reading with your favourite BookTok creators or local book shops and watch out for exclusive LIVE events throughout the year.
Buy a bestseller on TikTok Shop Follow @harpercollinsukand @penguinrandomhouseto get your hands on the BookTok bestsellers and access exclusive National Year of Reading inspired offers throughout the year!
Join the book club! Check out#BookTok, follow @TikTok_UK and BookTok creators like xx and start sharing your own book recommendations and to discover your new favourite genre!
David Hayman, Director of the National Year of Reading 2026, said: "The National Year of Reading 2026 is about supporting people across the UK to rediscover the joy and power of reading in ways that feel relevant to them. Communities like #BookTok are playing a vital role in this, inspiring a new generation of readers through creativity, connection and shared passion. We're delighted to partner with TikTok to celebrate the World’s Biggest Book Club and encourage everyone to 'Go All In' on their passions and interests through reading."
Inspiring the next generation of readers
From automatic 60-minute screen-time limits for under-18s to sleep-friendly prompts after 10 PM, we ensure that as teens explore new genres and recommendations, they are supported by tools that promote healthy digital habits and a positive, age-appropriate experience.
By meeting young people where they already are, TikTok is turning digital inspiration into meaningful, real-world habits. Through the World's Biggest Book Club, we are making it easier than ever to build confidence, find a community, and celebrate the joy of books on a global scale.
New to TikTok and want to be a part of the World's Biggest Book Club with #BookTok? Getting involved couldn’t be easier, simply download for free via the Apple App Store, Google Play or Amazon.
Sources:
(1) Media Control & NielsenIQ BookData, Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Austria and Switzerland - The sales figures are taken by Media Control, the official provider of market research and bestseller lists & NielsenIQ BookData. The market research company analyses book sales across Europe – including high-street bookshops, e-commerce platforms and other relevant distribution channels. The data includes books that have demonstrably gained relevance through #BookTok recommendations – for example, because they appear in the #BookTok bestseller lists or have recorded a significant increase in sales in connection with viral TikTok trends.
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Ansprechpartner
Ulrike Altig
+49 (0) 7221 / 309-0
