“There’d be a lot much less drama within the bookish group if folks discovered learn how to learn and interpret info.”

A brand new TikTok pattern is giving BookTokers the right option to share their spiciest opinions, with out immediately proudly owning them. The “Who mentioned that?” format has gone viral for its mixture of off-camera confessions and playful deniability, and readers are utilizing it to name out every thing from literary gatekeeping to fanfiction disgrace.

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What’s the “who mentioned that” BookTok pattern?

The “who mentioned that?” pattern is comparatively new on TikTok. Customers give a controversial take to an imaginary buddy, dealing with off-camera. Then, whip again towards the viewer, wide-eyed, and whisper: “Oh my gosh, who mentioned that?” The format is a component confession and half comedy. 

Within the case of BookTok, these are opinions concerning what counts as “actual studying,” and folks being able to interpret the textual content at hand. For instance, TikToker Cat (@kiim.caat) posed in entrance of her bookcase, hand overlaying her mouth as she mentioned, “When you solely ever speak concerning the variety of books in your studying objective, and by no means concerning the high quality or content material of any of these books, then perhaps you might be really studying for amount over high quality.” She pulled her hand away as a bell chimed, asking, “Who mentioned that?”

In one other, a TikToker half-whispers, “Any form of studying counts, even audiobooks,” whereas dealing with away from the digicam. After a beat, they look again and feign shock. “Who mentioned that?”

@kiim.caat it’s superior to learn 300+ books a yr however bringing it up each 30 secs isn’t 🫣📚 #booktok #bookish #authortok #hottake #whosaidthat ♬ unique sound – soundeffectsforyou – soundeffects4u

Examples of BookTok’s “who mentioned that?” pattern

This subgenre of the pattern has grow to be a favourite amongst BookTokers who need to stir the pot. And whereas it’s all performed playfully, the matters usually contact on bigger debates inside the book-loving group.

Some movies criticize the stigma round romance novels. Others query why folks nonetheless disgrace fanfiction. Often, creators defend underfunded libraries, dismiss the elitism of basic literature purists, or argue that studying 5 books a yr is completely legitimate.

@miah_biah1 #whosaidthat #bookishhumor #funnybooktok #moodreader ♬ unique sound – soundeffectsforyou – soundeffects4u

Though the tone is gentle, many customers deal with the pattern as an outlet for venting real frustration. One creator (@jz518971) mentioned, “There’d be a lot much less drama within the bookish group if folks discovered learn how to learn and interpret info,” earlier than giving the signature shocked look. The humor works as a result of the takes hit near house.

Because the “Who mentioned that” pattern unfold, it morphed right into a form of delicate rebel towards gatekeeping. It permits folks to throw out sizzling takes like how annotating isn’t required to be an actual reader, whereas shielding themselves behind the joke. 

@meetmeinthemediacenter I’m together with her! 🗣️ #library #librarian #learn #studying #books #e book #selection #normalize #all #studying #librarytiktok #librarytok #pupil #motivation #e-book #graphicnovel #audiobook #novel #librariansoftiktok #psa #themoreyouknow #achievement #mlis ♬ unique sound – Meet Me In The Media Heart

Importantly, BookTok’s model of the pattern retains the unique spirit alive: a mixture of honesty and humor.

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