As part of starting up Oak Grove Books, I’ve realized that BookTok is a thing. I mean, I knew it existed. I’ve heard people like Sellsword Arts mention it in passing. I’ve had videos, reels, TikToks, or whatever the kids these days are calling them, show up on my phone. Sometimes I glance at them, but mostly I move on.
That’s generally how I find books anyway. I’ll see a book that looks interesting and grab it. Or I’ll hear the same title mentioned a million times until I finally give in and see why. Looking at you, Crawlers. You were right. It’s great. I love it. Sometimes I’ll keep seeing a series referenced in different places until I decide I should probably check it out.
Every once in a while, I’ll hear that a movie or television adaptation is coming and decide I should read the book before I watch it. That’s how I found Ready Player One, Good Omens, and The Witcher. I’m glad I did because, in all three cases, I liked the books far more.
But in 2026, BookTok is part of reaching people. So I’m trying. Strangely enough, the best part so far isn’t making the terrible videos, although I’m having more fun doing that than I expected.
It’s cracking open physical books again.
Most of my reading these days happens on my Kindle. It fits in my pocket. It tucks into the car door. A lot of my reading time comes while I’m waiting for kids somewhere, and at night I can read without keeping my wife awake with a light. It’s convenient, and I’m not giving it up anytime soon. Besides, when I finish a book, I can download the next one immediately.
But making these videos has given me an excuse to go back to the shelves. To pull down books I haven’t touched in years. To remember where I was when I first read them and why some of them have followed me around for decades.
I’d forgotten how much I like the physical part of reading. I love the weight of a book. Flipping through pages looking for a passage you vaguely remember. Seeing the wear on a copy you’ve owned since you were fourteen. So while I’ll probably remain a heavy Kindle reader because it simply fits the way I read now, maybe these terrible little videos are good for something after all.
They’ve gotten me reacquainted with my books.
Oh! Apparently audiobooks count as reading?
I have thoughts…