**BookTok’s Political Rift: Is it Possible to Separate Literature from Politics?**

BookTok, once a cohesive group of literary enthusiasts on TikTok, is now caught in a fierce discussion regarding the intersection of politics and literature. Originally intended as a platform for sharing book reviews and recommendations, it has transformed into a venue where creators, influencers, and readers clash over the inclusion of political discourse.

In a now-removed viral post, TikTok creator @Kenzies, who has since deleted their account, urged viewers to “keep politics out of BookTok” to preserve it as a “safe haven.” This request, however, ignited a debate. Although it appears to be a bid to distinguish the creator from their creation — a long-standing issue — numerous creators contend that it’s unfeasible to engage with literature without recognizing its political backdrop. This friction is emerging at a moment when political book bans and allegations of anti-intellectualism are intensifying divisions within the community.

Several prominent videos promoting a “political-free” BookTok originate from creators known for their overt support of Donald Trump, claiming to have encountered considerable backlash. For instance, TikTok user @jacobsreadingg shared a post that garnered over 200,000 views, using an explicit audio clip to illustrate the strong response he received after disclosing his political viewpoint.

The comment sections under these videos highlight the community’s divide. One popular comment from a fantasy reader mentions that numerous books contain political significance, often portraying themes of defiance against corrupt authorities. Conversely, another top comment claims that the politicization of BookTok has alienated some readers. A clear consensus remains elusive.

Central to this debate is a crucial question: Can an individual simultaneously support a political figure like Donald Trump while asserting their political stance does not affect their reading preferences? Or are reading and politics intrinsically connected? For bestselling author Victoria Aveyard, the answer is evident.

“If you’re going to advocate for ‘keeping politics out of BookTok’ but then also prevent people from discussing the political horizons of those particular books, not actually engaging critically with the texts, then I’m quite unsure what BookTok serves to achieve,” Aveyard stated in a TikTok video. She stressed that no book exists in isolation, as each author is influenced by their experiences, environment, and viewpoint. In her perspective, conversations about politics on BookTok are unavoidable because literature is inherently woven into its contextual fabric.

Political strains on BookTok are not a recent development. TikTok creator Raghad (@finepressedition) pointed out that conversations around “anti-intellectualism” have been ongoing for around two years. This debate focused on whether readers who engage with books solely for enjoyment, devoid of critical exploration, promote anti-intellectualism. Nevertheless, Aveyard posits that even reading for “just vibes” constitutes a form of thought and perspective, thus making it impossible to dissociate books from their historical context.

Furthermore, the right to read is increasingly under siege. BookTok champions the enjoyment of reading, yet any dialogue surrounding consumption must also tackle access issues. With libraries facing budget cuts and laws enabling prosecutions of librarians for distributing certain titles, access to literature is becoming more politicized. In 2024, 73 distinct libraries were on the ballot, prompting citizens to literally vote on books.

Book bans have become a political fact, with conservative factions routinely targeting publications authored by or addressing people of color and LGBTQ communities, including titles like *The Hate U Give*, *The Bluest Eye*, *Gender Queer*, and *All Boys Aren’t Blue*. Conversely, liberal groups often contest books with racist content, such as *Of Mice and Men* and specific Dr. Seuss works. While both sides engage in book banning, the volume of books under attack by conservatives far surpasses those challenged by liberals.

Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of the ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, emphasized the coordinated political assaults on libraries, which seek to restrict books to those that adhere to a narrow, politically sanctioned narrative. Even though both parties are culpable of attempting to ban literature, the magnitude of conservative efforts is considerably larger.

As the political chasm widens, BookTok is splintering into smaller factions. Readers who consider books to be politically charged have divided into groups: one for Trump supporters, another for those who align with Democratic figures like Kamala Harris, and a third for those who opt out of politics altogether. Simultaneously, creators who believe that literature and politics can be separated have established their own niche. This fragmentation reflects the polarization apparent in society at large, as numerous creators block and unfollow those with opposing views, culminating in what some refer to as an “unfollow party.”

TikTok creator Mrs. Yang (@them_yangs) addressed this trend in a video that amassed nearly 700,000 views, stating, “Y’all asked for BookTok…