AI-powered
podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Sounds Like A Cult
The Cult of BookTok
Mar 4, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Morgann Book, a BookTok creator celebrated for her bookish content, joins the hosts to unravel the fascinating world of BookTok. They explore how this vibrant community transformed the publishing landscape, spotlighting its impact on young readers and trends from dark romantasy to 'fancasting' favorite books. The conversation illuminates the balance between enthusiasm and authenticity in literary fandoms, questioning the cult-like nature of online book culture while celebrating its unifying force.
01:06:27
Episode guests
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- BookTok creates a communal reading experience that echoes cult-like behaviors, encouraging synchronized reading and aesthetic-driven rituals among its users.
- This platform has transformed the publishing landscape, elevating previously overlooked works to bestseller status through grassroots recommendations from passionate readers.
Deep dives
Culty Elements of BookTok
BookTok is characterized by a sense of community that exhibits cult-like behaviors through its rituals and aesthetic codes. Users participate in synchronized reading experiences, often showcasing practices such as reading live on social media, which fosters a communal vibe akin to a book club but amplified by the platform's rapid engagement features. The emphasis on trending titles and aesthetics dictates what is considered socially acceptable, sometimes leading to unwritten rules around how books should be treated, such as avoiding the dog-earing of pages. This cultish devotion manifests particularly around popular young adult fiction that often features strong community ties, turning mere reading into a performative act where followers seek validation through their book choices.
Get the Snipd
podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered
Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any
moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share
& Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered
podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode