Mari - booktok + media reviews
Region: US
Friday 23 January 2026 16:42:43 GMT
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Rachel Hannah📚 :
“Intellectual engagement is about how you read, not what you read” is IT
2026-01-23 17:48:21
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Moth Reads :
I would add that anti-intellectualism is also not the same as a lack of intelligence or education. Some of the issues that we see are also just the result of people who are genuinely not very good at reading, or not particularly educated, or even (yes) just not particularly intelligent, who are also putting their reviews out into the world. I think it's entirely possible to acknowledge that some reviews are more thorough and knowledgeable than others without trying to insinuate that less-skilled reviewers are necessarily OPPOSED to intellectual reviews.
2026-01-23 17:25:28
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grace 🌼 :
i totally agree with you on the way booktok tends to misuse the term anti intellectualism! however, i’m curious what you mean when you bring up that you think there has been a recent decline in quality of books being published. if you are referring to publishers being lazy and prioritizing special editions and ai cover “art” instead of editors, making sure books are actually produced without significant errors, and employing real artists, i would agree with that. but i have seen ppl claiming that more “bad” (which i also believe is subjective) books are being published nowadays and i really don’t think that’s true - ppl had the same complaints about the ya dystopia craze of the 2010s, twilight/paranormal fantasy of early 2000s, harlequin romance, bodice rippers, serial westerns, dime novels, domestic fiction, etc. i feel like it’s just survivorship bias to clam that “bad” books are more prevalent now than in the past.
2026-01-23 17:12:21
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OnyxMinthe :
Its so ironic that some people think Heartstopper is a book written for fun but it was mentioned and ANALYZED in my lit class.
2026-01-23 22:51:00
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Hey Nonynonymous :
The reason why I actually listen to your reviews is that you explain WHY you liked or disliked a book, what about it you thought was well done or not. I wonder if that Maddie woman’s initial video was not getting at this same problem when she called out BookTok reviewers and how she can’t trust their recommendations. I see so many videos that are just “my 5* reads,” “books with [x] trope” and I’ve started scrolling past them because there’s no substance to the review. No critical engagement with the books at all, and the assumption that if YOU liked it, everyone else will. Your video gets straight to the point 👏
2026-01-23 22:20:47
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TJ :
I'm glad you brought up the aspect of publishing companies and editors being overworked and understaffed. I feel like in general criticisms of reading and books on social media, booktok is being given almost too much credit for shaping what are long existing issues (becoming more prominent) in publishing. I feel that publishing companies are far too often left out of conversation when they play a big role in what kind of books we get sold (especially your major companies).
2026-01-30 11:49:25
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ylzamora :
Exhibit A: “It’s not that deep” 😒
2026-01-23 19:41:47
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hope_iochi :
Also, because "returning to school" was mentioned in this general discourse, I think an awareness regarding education system should be raised. That definitely would be more useful than blaming an entire genre.
2026-01-23 19:40:26
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Beth :
Every single book, even highly regarded, well-written literary fiction books, has one star reviews. No book in existence is for every single reader and I am exhausted by the amount of people who seem to think their subjective taste is superior simply because of the genres they prefer to read.
2026-01-24 03:14:58
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Fp :
Thank you ❤ From a Grad Student who balences!
2026-01-27 03:18:27
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Just Jasmine :
Romance books CAN be just as good as literary fiction. I like literary fiction more than anything but I’ve definitely read romance novels that changed my opinion of love. But that’s my standard. If it’s not making me think or feel something I don’t want to read it. I respect those types of romance novels, I’m not going into it asking how spicy it is and I think that’s my issue with a lot of booktok.
2026-01-23 22:30:38
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marysmanybooks :
I thoroughly agree with your thoughts on objectivity. Saying a book’s writing is “objectively bad” does not give me information about what the reviewer disliked! I need details! Also, a subjective experience/impact is… the point of art. 😅
2026-01-23 23:37:45
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bye 👋🏾 :
I swear we have this discussion every 6 months and you're always the one with the most level headed take.
2026-01-23 20:29:56
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lisamichelle🇨🇦 :
I’ve been seeing a lot of discourse on close reading on Bluesky, specifically Close Reading for the 21st Century Would love to see your analysis
2026-01-26 15:30:48
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Lara :
I love all your videos, but this one especially. You articulated really well why we should have conversation about the trends happening on tiktok. Love your work ✨✨✨
2026-01-23 16:53:33
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pola | thatmnlfangirl :
Generalizing booktok books as popcorn books 😭 people can't believe you can and are encouraged to engage with media critically!
2026-02-02 00:16:43
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c. | anime + manga + books :
Definitely agree. I know that when I say there are objective measures to what makes a good book, I mean in terms of critique. Like those measures only matter insofar as we apply them to analysis and discussion. It’s so frustrating when that analysis and discussion ends with “well I enjoyed it, so it’s a good book” without acknowledging that there is craft behind the media you’re consuming. Or even just being hostile when OTHER people acknowledge and discuss it.
2026-01-23 18:26:12
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El (ermreading) 📚🖤 They/them :
I've been waiting for your take on all this and it was absolutely fantastic as always 🖤🖤
2026-01-23 18:22:12
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Tomesandtextiles EVERYWHERE :
I always get so happy when your videos come into my FYP because you manage to succinctly say everything I have been thinking and MORE
2026-01-23 18:11:21
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Maggie Qwerty :
I feel called out and I'm grateful for it 😆 I generally do dismiss romantasy genre preference as less then, so I have some work to do.
2026-01-25 15:57:32
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robert 🇵🇸 :
you never miss 🙂↔️truly the best booktoker on here
2026-01-25 05:38:38
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👠Geri👠 :
whould it be anti intellectual if I read books for its emotional value. For instance the book maybe bad according to others yet you empathize and connect with it the themes and characters of the story
2026-01-25 13:31:26
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CMS :
I am so glad you made this video and I hope more people see it. The use of the term “anti-intellectualism” drives me crazy. Words mean things! When people throw around anti-intellectualism I feel like it cheapens the meaning and serves to change the colloquial definition, essentially making it a buzzword. We did it with the red “woke,” “discourse,” and and plethora of other terms people throw around to sound smart. An author who writes poorly lacks skill, not intellect. A reader who enjoys poorly crafted books might have bad taste (I include myself in that occasionally) but it doesn't mean they aren't engaging critically with the media they consume. A close friend of mine wrote their PhD dissertation about puritanical values in Twilight (which happens to be her favorite book.) I would argue they're one of the most intellectual people I know who happens to enjoy a bad book.
2026-01-24 13:09:18
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Jana Morgen 🏒 🦈 :
I was thinking the music was a choice originally 😂
2026-01-24 04:09:35
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@zoranne_ on TT/IG/YT 🐉 :
my attention span is fine
2026-01-23 20:53:25
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