The Debrief

By Maya Jacobson 05/06/2026

Falling Back In Love With Reading 

During quarantine in 2020, I (like a lot of people) fell into the endless doomscroll of TikTok, but somehow, also fell back in love with reading. What started as watching creators say “you have to read this” turned into actually buying books for my own pleasure outside of school, probably for the first time since I was little. And now, six years later I read about 15-20 books a year and consider it one of my favorite things to do in my free time. That’s the power of #BookTok. It didn’t just make reading trendy again, it made it feel special, community-driven, and honestly fun. 

Access Isn’t Equal

But the fact is not everyone has the same access to books that BookTok presents as accessible. In the U.S., millions of kids grow up in “book deserts” where books are extremely limited or too expensive to regularly buy. This creates a major literacy and educational gap. Reading regularly is tied to academic success and long-term opportunities. So while BookTok is making reading go viral on social media, there’s a systemic accessibility issue that needs attention.

How First Book Makes an Impact 

This is where the nonprofit First Book comes in. First book is a nonprofit social enterprise focused on removing barriers to education by providing books and educational resources to kids in low-income communities. Each year, they connect millions of children through a network of educators, program leaders, and volunteers across the country. They also have distributed hundreds of millions of books and learning materials since their founding in 1992.

What makes the First book extremely unique and effective is how they run. Instead of donating books at random, they work directly with educators who understand their students’ needs. Through their marketplace and network, teachers and community programs can access affordable or free books specifically tailored to their students. This approach makes their impact more meaningful for the children and educators they serve, as well as more sustainable. 

Can Virality Become Advocacy?

BookTok is essentially a viral marketing engine for reading, or in other words something that spreads really fast on online platforms, like TikTok. It thrives on emotional connection, for example people crying over a gut wrenching plot twist, debating their favorite book tropes, sharing how a book changed them, or simply just giving their recommendations. This kind of content helps drive engagement, especially among Gen Z audiences who inhabit these spaces online. 

If First Book tapped into that energy, there could be potential for successful collaboration. Imagine famous BookTok creators partnering with the organization to not only showcase what they’re reading, but why access to books is so important. Campaigns could focus on themes like “the first book that changed your life” or “read a book, give a book.” This partnership would work well because BookTok already has a loyal audience, and First Book has the mission. 

Turning Pages With a Purpose 

There’s also something powerful about turning a trend into real impact and change. BookTok got me and so many others back into reading for fun. But for a lot of kids, the issue isn’t motivation, it’s a lack of access and support. Organizations like First Book are working to close that gap, making sure more kids can experience the same joy that BookTok reintroduced to so many of us.