The internet has a huuuuge influence over my reading choices. I’ve been a life-long reader and book lover and YES I was that child who won the libraries’ Summer reading challenge every year. But whilst I might not read quite as much as I did when I was 10, I’m still always engrossed in books and looking for new ones to add to my shelves. And the internet comes in REAL handy for that!
We could delve into the argument of whether bloggers or internet personalities actually have any influence and the answer is a resounding YES. For me, I’m very influenced over what other people are reading. If I see a book featured on more than 2 blogs in the space of a week, I instantly make a mental note to add it to my TBR list.
And when it comes to books in particular, I very much trust the opinion of other bloggers and would much rather buy a book based off of what a handful of bloggers I love are thinking rather than a random review in a newspaper or from a critic.
For that reason, most books on my bookshelf are ones that I’ve heard about online and decided to try for myself. Do I enjoy all of them, even the ones that have been monumentally hyped up? No way. But nonetheless, the internet well and truly made me by them. Here’s 8 books that fall under that category.
Becoming by Michelle Obama
I’m a big fan of Michelle Obama and I loved her Netflix documentary “Becoming”. But I honestly don’t think I would have felt the need to pick up the book and read the more in-depth story of her life and journey into the White House if it wasn’t for the hundreds of reviews I saw online. But I’m SO glad I did. I only finished reading this book in September and it was a stunning read.
My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell
This is a book that I saw occasionally on my travels; in the Tesco book section or in Waterstones but never felt the need to even pick up and look at. UNTIL I saw everyone talking about it online. My Dark Vanessa is an uncomfortable read and covers some heavy topics, so reading people’s reviews and opinions of this one was interesting and instantly made me want to try it myself.
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
Funny story. Years ago now, I was sent a book subscription box to review which included this book in it. This book was published in 2014 might I add and at the time, I had heard nothing about it. It didn’t sound like it was for me, so I decided to give it away to someone who would enjoy it. Fast forward to 2020, year of the pandemic, suddenly everyone’s talking about it and I decide to buy it again.
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
This is 100000% not a book I would have picked up had it not been for everyone and their Nan raving about it online. The cover is beautiful and whilst I might have been initially drawn to it for that reason, I don’t think I’d have felt like this was a book I’d enjoy. But thanks to everyone’s reviews I read of this, I did decide to read it and whilst at first I didn’t think I’d like it, after a few chapters I was hooked.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Woah okay we’re going back a good few years here but before I even really started blogging, the internet 100% made me buy this book. Everyone was sharing photos of this book on Instagram and saying how profound it was, with everyone’s bio reading, “we were infinite” and everyone was getting infinity symbol tattoos. I needed a slice of that pie. Simpler times.
Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo
I haven’t actually read this one yet, it’s still sitting on my bookshelf but I’m hoping to get around to it before the end of the year but the internet definitely made me buy this one as I saw it featured on so many different blogs and YouTube channels and have heard generally very good things.
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Again, let’s rewind a second here. If you WEREN’T influenced to read The Fault in Our Stars back in the day and then spent your whole life saying “Okay? Okay” to your best friend then what on Earth were you doing? Although after this read, I did become a big fan of John Green’s work and whilst TFioS is by no means by favourite book by him, it still holds a special place in my heart.
Fun fact: To this day, this is the ONLY book my boyfriend has read. When we first started talking, I posted by copy to him (because he lived in Lincolnshire at the time and I was in Essex and we hadn’t yet met IRL) and he read it, even though he’s not a reader. Proud.
The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary
And finally, a little bit of a cop-out this one because I didn’t buy it but I got it from the library but the only reason I did is because everyone was raving about it. Andddd I didn’t like it one bit. Usually, I tend to jump on the hype train but I just couldn’t with this one.
So tell me, which books did the internet make you buy? Did you enjoy them? Loathe them? Let me know!
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Great list Jenny, I’m checking them out now.
Hope you find some you like!
I am also very influenced by what others are reading! I actually have many of these on my TBR list as well!
Hope you enjoy them when you get around to reading them!
[…] book is a perfect example of what I was talking about in my post titled 8 Books the Internet Made Me Buy. I well and truly bought this because I’d seen so many book bloggers I like talk about it. I […]
Perks of a Wallflower is a brilliant mental health story. I have just started Flatshare. Good suggestions, I will check them out.
Agreed, love Perks!
I love reading books that I see all over social media! Recently I finally got Beartown by Fredrik Backman from the library and I am enjoying it so far! I haven’t read the ones on your list yet, but I have heard several of them are so good!
Oooh yes I’ve seen a lot of people talk about that one!
Hey can you tell me more about where the crawdads sing
What do you want to know?
How are the characters and whats the story about?
I’d recommend reading more about it on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36809135-where-the-crawdads-sing
the internet is a huge influence to my book choices as well – especially booktok on Tiktok.
great list of books here! thanks for sharing.
Ah I don’t watch TikTok but book bloggers have a huge influence on me!
where the crawdads sing has been on my tbr for quite awhile now, and i can’t lie–i’m a bit more motivated to read it now that i know that it’s being adapted :’) x
Yesss! Hope you enjoy it 🙂
I loved The Fault in our Stars and Becoming Michelle Obama! I’ve heard sooo much about Where The Crawdads Sing that I think it needs to be one of the next on my list. I love the movie of The Perks of Being a Wallflower so I imagine the book is even better?
The book is definitely better but I love the Perks of Being a Wallflower film as well. They did the book a lot of justice I think but would definitely recommend reading it!
Getting them from the library definitely counts as well – that’s what I’ve been doing a lot of lately. I did exactly the same with Becoming – I’m not usually a biography person but everyone was raving about it so much that I just had to, and boy am I glad that I did. The Flatshare was an internet one as well. I do a similar thing that if I start seeing a book crop up from my favourite reviewers who I know tend to have similar tastes, it goes straight on the list. Great post!
Yes that definitely applies for the library as well, I usually pick things up that I’ve seen people talk about!
I couldn’t agree more with the Fault in our Stars “okay” thing haha! But yes I also am so influenced by others reviews of books and it does help. It is something I need to invest more time into actually doing and relaxing as I do have a pile of books already to get through and then a wish list (which I have added some of your recommendations onto) x
Ah I hope you enjoy my recommendations too! Oh gosh the okay thing is SO cringe now!
I absolutely love that you are influenced by other bloggers over what books you read (and buy), that’s wonderful to hear. The only one on your list I’ve bought for myself (and everyone I know) is Where The Crawdads Sing, it was absolutely unputdownable and I’m praying the film does it justice 🙂 x
Oh me too. I’m so excited for the film but equally as nervous!
I have such a huge list of books to be read and reading about new books online makes this list even longer. Mrs Obama book seems interesting and I will add it also in my list 🙂
It’s an incredible read – would highly recommend!
I also read Where the Crawdads Sing because of all the hype surrounding it online. I didn’t love it quite as much as it seems everyone else does, but I can see why it is so hyped. I do adore TFiOS to this day, as well as The Perks of Being a Wallflower. I’m totally bummed you don’t like The Flatshare, since that’s one of my all-time favorite contemporary romances, but to each their own, of course! 🙂
Perks is always going to be a favourite of mine! Ahh sorry – I really didn’t enjoy The Flatshare! I thought I would!
The Perks of Being A Wallflower is one of our favorites!
Such a great read 🙂 x
While there are some of the books on here that I had never heard of before reading this post, there are definitely some books I felt like EVERYONE was talking about. Especially the Flatshare (which I enjoyed), Becoming (which I’m still currently reading, but also enjoying), and Where the Crawdad’s Sing (still haven’t picked it up, but I’m definitely curious, especially cause like you, it’s not something I would have chosen myself). Great post! xx
Melina | http://www.melinaelisa.com
I hope you enjoy Crawdads! I absolutely loved it despite not feeling like it was for me at first!
“I very much trust the opinion of other bloggers and would much rather buy a book based off of what a handful of bloggers I love are thinking rather than a random review in a newspaper or from a critic.”
As a book blogger, every time I reach that “why am I doing this?” point in my life and blogging adventure, I think about this. I myself don’t really listen to critics or magazines. There are bloggers and readers that I know have the same taste as I do or whom I trust and I would rather check a few blogs before deciding than go with the flow of trends (because that’s what critics and magazines usually end up doing and it wasn’t just once that people bought that hyped book only to find out they didn’t like it)
Book bloggers have such a valuable place in this industry!
I think that the more you hear people talk about a book, and how much they liked it, the more interesting it becomes. So many people have talked about, “Where the Crawdads Sing”, that now i definitely want to read it… 🙂
It’s a great read 🙂
Some of these books are so good, like you, I do get influenced to buy books that I see people rave about on social media! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
It’s easily done!
There are so many books I’ve bought & read because of other bloggers recommended it! The last book I read that was highly recommended was They Both Die at the End.
Where the Crawdads Sing is also on my TBR because everyone I know who has read it, liked it!
I love They Both Die At the End! Such an amazing book!
Hi Jenny,
My wife has read Barack Obama’s book so perhaps she’ll be interested in the one by Michelle. There you go, you have played the role of ‘the internet’ and it is likely that my wife will buy this book 🙂
And I know exactly what you mean, I would far rather buy based on feedback from like-minded people on the internet than based on reviews on TV, radio, or newspapers that, being cynical, have probably been paid for.
Haha glad to hear it! I’ll have to read Barack’s book.
I’m reading more than ever, thanks to the internet, having more time and just the massive choice of books. I definitely think ebooks are a game changer. To download books instantly, on their published date, with no need to travel is great.
I totally agree, eBooks are great!
I am also influenced by what other people are reading! I loved The Flat Share I read that a few months ago also The Fault in Our Stars is a such a great book.
Sarah | http://www.aspoonfulofvanilla.co.uk
Glad you loved The Flatshare more than me!
I read The Fault In Our Stars when I was in 10th grade, when it had just came out and it was my first heartbreaking read.
Thank you for sharing this list! I’ll be checking out My Dark Vanessa !
Nons Mshengu | http://www.cherbelle.co
I agree, I cried so much reading The Fault in Our Stars!
Some good books here! People on the internet make me buy all the books! My dark Vanessa is on my TBR x
It’s a great read but very uncomfortable!
I love this. I too bought Becoming by Michelle Obama because it was highly recommended on a lot of blogs.
Have you read it yet?
love this! The internet made me Normal People and so many other books. I’m about to back up my Kindle with new books for Autumn so I’ll be adding some of these to it
Rosie
https://www.loverosiee.co.uk
I still haven’t read that book but I’ve heard great things x
I love this post! There are a few books I’ve seen online, and instantly known I would love them, and others that I’ve just been intrigued to try haha 🙂 I’m glad some of these were a success x
Haha same! Some of them I’ve definitely not liked x
The internet well a certain YouTuber made me buy atomic habits book. I can be so easily influenced ha ha! Thank you for sharing this list of books. They sound interesting! Xx
Hahah the Internet is so easily to be influenced by!!
I love a good book post, I’m always looking for new recommendations. I personally love The Fault In Our Stars – such an amazing movie/book! I think after seeing the world go crazy for it, that’s what got me interested. Xo
Elle – ellegracedeveson.com
Oh same! The world went absolutely mental for it didn’t they!
Love The Fault in Our Stars! & the one you gave away then bought again, haha! Like films & TV series, I think there is a time for certain books.
You’ve inspired me to put my reading list together and start getting through it!
I agree! I wish I hadn’t given Station Eleven away haha x
Great post, great books on here My Dark Vanessa was such an important book but so hard to read x
I agree, great read but so difficult x
I did find the manipulation triggering (adult relationship) I think emotional abuse and coercive control needs to be on the curriculum and books like this are a must read even if they are really uncomfortable x
Oh wow I love a good book post!! These books sound amazing. I read The Fault in Our stars years ago and loved it, I’ve read most of John’s books and he’s such a good writer. I’ve always wanted to read the perks of being a wallflower as the film was amazing!x
I love John Green!