The Bibliollama

One of the most unexpected perks (and occasional hazards!) of social media is just how easily it can influence your TBR pile. A five-minute scroll can turn into a full-blown book haul, and suddenly you’re rethinking your entire reading schedule because someone on Instagram or TikTok described a book as “an emotional rollercoaster you won’t recover from.” How could I possibly resist that kind of promise?

This week’s Weekly Wednesday Blogging Challenge prompt is all about the books I’ve discovered thanks to social media — the ones that kept popping up in posts, reels, and tweets until I finally gave in.

Here are a few standout titles I owe entirely to the online book community:

📚 The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
This book was everywhere — from #BookTok to Instagram feeds. The vintage Hollywood glamour, the compelling, layered storytelling, and Evelyn herself (flawed, sharp, and unforgettable) made this an instant favourite. It absolutely lived up to the hype and then some. Social media introduced me to Taylor Jenkins Reid, and I haven’t looked back since!

📚 Book Lovers by Emily Henry
Another one I couldn’t escape on Instagram, especially among rom-com fans. I picked it up after seeing endless posts praising Emily Henry’s witty dialogue and emotionally sharp characters. I loved how it played with tropes while still delivering a heartfelt, deeply satisfying story. Sometimes social media recommendations really do hit the spot.

📚 Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
This was one of those sweet surprises that started with a single post and snowballed from there. The moment I saw the phrase “an orc opens a coffee shop” attached to it, I knew I had to read it — and it turned out to be exactly the cozy, low-stakes fantasy I didn’t know I needed.

📚 A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
I’m not usually a fantasy reader — it’s really not my go-to genre — but this series was absolutely impossible to avoid on BookTok and Instagram. Curiosity got the better of me, and I ended up loving the first book way more than I expected! That said, for me, the series did lose its spark as it went on, but I can completely see why so many people are hooked on this world.

📚 The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
Another social media sensation that seemed to pop up on every “romance must-read” list. I was hooked by the fake-dating trope, STEM setting, and sweet slow-burn dynamic. It’s a light, fun read that absolutely delivered on the charm BookTok promised.

📚 I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
This memoir made waves all over Instagram and TikTok, and after reading it, I can see why. It’s raw, deeply personal, and at times heartbreaking — but also sharply written and incredibly honest. Definitely not an easy read, but one that lingers long after you finish.

It still amazes me how much social media has changed the way I find new books. I used to rely on wandering through bookshops and library shelves, but now one viral post can send a book soaring to the top of my list. Sure, the hype doesn’t always live up to expectations, but sometimes you stumble across absolute gems you might never have noticed otherwise.

What about you? Have you added any books to your shelves thanks to Instagram, TikTok, or Twitter recommendations? I’d love to know which ones!