How ‘BookTok’ is redefining reading for a new generation of Saudis

Beyond social media hype, the growth of book fairs reflects the Ministry of Culture’s strategy and efforts to raise awareness about the importance reading has on the quality of life. (SPA)
Beyond social media hype, the growth of book fairs reflects the Ministry of Culture’s strategy and efforts to raise awareness about the importance reading has on the quality of life. (SPA)
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Updated 17 January 2025

How ‘BookTok’ is redefining reading for a new generation of Saudis

How ‘BookTok’ is redefining reading for a new generation of Saudis
  • Popularity of books on social media app is driving publishing trends
  • Authors are adapting their work to get views, says one commenter

RIYADH: While TikTok is often criticized for minimizing attention spans with its fast-paced content, the social media platform’s “BookTok” community has sparked renewed interest in reading among young adults in and beyond.

Described by The New York Times as a “best-seller machine,” BookTok has become a global phenomenon.

The platform has emerged as a virtual book club, where readers connect to share recommendations and discuss their favorite titles — especially in genres like romance, fiction, and thrillers.




Sales in this genre increased by 8.5 percent in 2022, followed by an additional 1 percent rise in 2023. (SPA)

Arab News spoke to a number of authors and content creators who described how the social media trend is driving book sales and reshaping the local publishing industry.

Mohammed Al-Ashaari is a young reader who regularly shares book recommendations and discussions on his TikTok account.

The platform’s fast-paced nature prioritizes aesthetically pleasing content that can be shared in bite-sized clips, and Al-Ashaari spoke about how this algorithm is changing reading habits.

BookTok has brought about significant changes in how people read novels, as the reading trends within the BookTok community are constantly evolving, and with each trend, a new way or habit of reading emerges

Mohammed Al-Ashaari, TikTok user

“BookTok has brought about significant changes in how people read novels, as the reading trends within the BookTok community are constantly evolving, and with each trend, a new way or habit of reading emerges,” he said.

Al-Ashaari explained that this impact was not only limited to readers on the platform but also extended to authors, influencing how they approach their writing and adapt their work to fit the tastes and interests of the platform’s active community.




The BookTok community emerged on TikTok during the COVID-19 lockdowns, and its impact on publishing is undeniable, with authors and publishers seeing remarkable sales growth. (SPA)

He added that the most trending genres on BookTok are fantasy, science fiction, and horror: “Books that gain the most engagement tend to be in these genres, which has led many authors to shift their focus on popular categories.”

The BookTok community emerged on TikTok during the COVID-19 lockdowns, and its impact on publishing is undeniable, with authors and publishers seeing remarkable sales growth.

This impact is especially notable in how it has affected book sales and author engagement.

A report by the US-based retail tracking service Circana revealed that TikTok has significantly influenced book sales in the US, particularly in the adult fiction category.

Sales in this genre increased by 8.5 percent in 2022, followed by an additional 1 percent rise in 2023. Other genres, such as dystopian, romance, and thriller, also witnessed notable growth during this period.

Yasmina Al-Mutabagani, the Saudi author of “Beyond the Surface,” said BookTok has played a significant role in boosting the sales of her latest novel, which explores the story of two strangers who form an unexpected connection during a pandemic.

“I did paid ads multiple times on a video I posted that talked about my book; however, at that time, I didn’t think it was going to be that effective. After a while, I went to Jarir Bookstore, and the man told me it was sold out in multiple branches,” she said.

Al-Mutabagani highlighted BookTok’s broader influence on the literary world. “There’s a positive impact on literature and publishing because BookTok offers advice on writing in general, how to publish your book, how to find a literary agent, and it can be useful in promoting your book if you’re an author,” she said.

Kendah Jambi, a Saudi author of the fantasy novel “Al-Rahala,” said that many attendees at Saudi book fairs recognized her from TikTok’s BookTok.

Her novel follows a group of people called Al-Rahala, or nomads, who possess the ability to shift realities and travel through the multiverse.

Jambi emphasized the importance of building a connection between authors and readers. “Interaction between author and reader is often underrated. It’s very important for readers to be genuinely interested in the author as a person to maintain their interest in the books,” she said.

She further elaborated on the impact of BookTok, adding, “BookTok definitely helped readers express their opinions, which is valuable to the author on both an emotional and constructive level.”


King Salman appoints Majid Al-Fayyad as advisor to the Saudi Royal Court

King Salman appoints Majid Al-Fayyad as advisor to the Saudi Royal Court
Updated 10 July 2025

King Salman appoints Majid Al-Fayyad as advisor to the Saudi Royal Court

King Salman appoints Majid Al-Fayyad as advisor to the Saudi Royal Court
  • Al-Fayyad has been executive general supervisor at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre since 2017
  • He graduated in 1990 from King Saud University’s medical school and has amassed decades of clinical, academic and administrative experience

JEDDAH: In a royal order issued on Wednesday, King Salman appointed Majid Al-Fayyad as an advisor to the Saudi Royal Court.

Al-Fayyad is the executive general supervisor at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, which has facilities in Riyadh, Madinah and Jeddah. He graduated in 1990 from the medical school at King Saud University in Riyadh, and has amassed decades of clinical, academic and administrative experience.

In the US, he undertook specialized training in pediatrics at Tufts University, and in pediatric cardiology at Columbia University. He holds several certifications and degrees, including a master’s in medical administration awarded by the University of Southern California in 2015.

He was appointed in 2017 to his current position at King Faisal Specialist Hospital, where he has helped spearhead key reforms to the Saudi healthcare sector. He has also played important roles in national healthcare committees and initiatives, earning recognition for his contributions to research and administration.


Saudi deputy FM receives UK ambassador in Riyadh

Saudi deputy FM receives UK ambassador in Riyadh
Updated 09 July 2025

Saudi deputy FM receives UK ambassador in Riyadh

Saudi deputy FM receives UK ambassador in Riyadh

Saudi Deputy Minister for International Multilateral Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Rassi was visited by UK Ambassador to the Kingdom Neil Crompton in Riyadh on Wednesday.

The ambassador visited to bid farewell on the occasion of the end of his tenure in the Kingdom, the Foreign Ministry wrote in a post on X.

Al-Rassi praised the ambassador’s efforts in strengthening and advancing relations between the two countries.


Riyadh museum to host interactive camp for kids

Riyadh museum to host interactive camp for kids
Updated 09 July 2025

Riyadh museum to host interactive camp for kids

Riyadh museum to host interactive camp for kids

JEDDAH: The National Museum in Riyadh will launch its third interactive summer camp, themed “Made in the Museum,” for children aged 10 to 12, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The initiative is part of the “Year of Handicrafts,” celebrating ’s cultural heritage and its role in shaping national identity and intergenerational bonds.

The camp has two sessions: July 21-31 and Aug. 4-14, running daily from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., both inside the museum and outdoors.

Designed as an educational and immersive experience, the camp invites participants to explore and revive traditional Saudi crafts, the SPA added.

Children will engage in hands-on activities in four core tracks: clay crafts, textiles, woodworking, and supportive crafts, blending play, learning, and exploration.

This year’s camp strengthens the museum’s role as a community hub, providing children with opportunities to develop critical thinking and design skills while inspiring their imagination and showing the cultural and economic importance of handicrafts.

The camp encourages children to make and show their projects at the end of each session, helping them feel confident and encouraging new ideas and creativity.


Riyadh hospital succeeds in rare disease treatment

Riyadh hospital succeeds in rare disease treatment
Updated 09 July 2025

Riyadh hospital succeeds in rare disease treatment

Riyadh hospital succeeds in rare disease treatment
  • The hospital has provided 22 years of care for a patient with a rare genetic blood clotting disorder, culminating in a successful liver transplant — the first worldwide for this condition

RIYADH: King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center in Riyadh has provided 22 years of care for a patient with a rare genetic blood clotting disorder, culminating in a successful liver transplant — the first worldwide for this condition.

Diagnosed in infancy with congenital plasminogen deficiency, the patient required ongoing treatment to manage fibrous deposits affecting her tissues and organs, according to a press release.

Over the two decades, a multidisciplinary team including hematology, transplant specialists, nursing, nutrition and IT supported her care, the report said.

The patient’s father said: “She suffered from birth and couldn’t nurse. We had no clear answers until we found hope through the care provided by the Saudi government. After 22 years of struggle, we witness our daughter’s recovery.”

The treatment involved regular plasminogen infusions and eyedrops to reduce the disease’s effect on her vision, with annual costs exceeding SR6 million ($1.6 million), fully covered by the government.

Dr. Hazzaa Al-Zahrani, director of the adult hematology and stem-cell transplant division at the center and supervising physician, said that managing the case required a precise and long-term approach to prevent complications and ensure stability.

He said that the decision to proceed with a liver transplant came after careful consideration as an extraordinary therapeutic option for this exceptionally rare case.

The procedure’s success marked a turning point in her medical journey and was a beacon of hope for patients with similar conditions worldwide, Al-Zahrani added.


Program to boost youth, SME role in Saudi economy

Program to boost youth, SME role in Saudi economy
Updated 09 July 2025

Program to boost youth, SME role in Saudi economy

Program to boost youth, SME role in Saudi economy

RIYADH: The Small and Medium Enterprises Loan Guarantee Program, known as Kafalah, in collaboration with the Riyadh Chamber, will hold interactive sessions on July 15 to mark World Youth Skills Day.

The initiative aims to raise awareness and develop entrepreneurial skills among youth, entrepreneurs and SMEs, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

The sessions will cover key topics to boost youth contributions to national economic development, in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 reform plan.

Focus areas include access to finance, building administrative and financial capabilities, enhancing SME sustainability, and turning ideas into viable projects.

These sessions highlight the collaboration between entities supporting the SME sector in the Kingdom, the SPA added.

The Kafalah program and Riyadh Chamber aim to foster youth growth and strengthen their role in the national economy.

Kafalah supports micro, small and medium enterprises by providing financial guarantees, improving their access to financing and reducing lending risks for banks.