Bolu Babalola, Holly Jackson, and Alice Oseman are among the winners of the first-ever TikTok Book Awards UK and Ireland.
The video hosting service announced the recipients of the awards, who were voted on by TikTok users, on Thursday. This is the inaugural year for the prizes, which “are all about celebrating the books, independent book shops, authors and creators that are loved by the #BookTok community.”
Babalola took home the book of the year prize for Honey & Spice, her debut romance novel that a Kirkus critic praised as “smooth, sophisticated, and sexy.” The book was a bestseller and a selection for Reese Witherspoon’s popular book club.
Jackson, known for her Good Girl’s Guide to Murder series of young adult thrillers, was named author of the year, while Oseman’s graphic novel Heartstopper: Volume One took home the prize for best book I wish I could read again for the first time.
Dolly Alderton’s Everything I Know About Love won the award for best book to end a reading slump, while the prize for best BookTok revival went to Pride & Prejudice by up-and-coming literary sensation Jane Austen (who could not be reached for comment).
Eden Victoria was named the winner in the BookTok creator of the year category, and the prize for indie bookshop of the year was given to Portobello Bookshop in Edinburgh, Scotland.
James Stafford of TikTok UK & Nordics said in a statement, “From Jane Austen to Bolu Babalola, the winners truly reflect the diversity and vibrancy of the #BookTok community. We have been truly blown away by the response and excitement from everyone who has been involved in this process.”
Michael Schaub, a journalist and regular contributor to NPR, lives near Austin, Texas.
