Reading bestsellers

[CattiGuen]

A local Bay Area author by the name of Brenda Webster (The Last Good Freudian, The Beheading Game dropped by my English class today to give a talk on her latest book. As the conversation went on, the discussion turned to what it is that publishers want to publish, what they think will sell rather than what they think is good literature. Then my professor said something: "Most of what's on a bestsellers list is crap. Its plot-driven, genre crap." Now, I've read quite a few bestsellers, though I tend to stray from what is currently a bestseller...In a few words, I dont need to be told what to read. Here on the Book Forum however, it seems that bestsellers always seem to be one of the hot topics of discussion. I guess I'd just like to know why it is that many of you read bestsellers. How much of the fact that it is a bestseller weighs into whether you decide to read the book or not?

 

[Justin91]

I think this depends mainly on "why" you are reading in the first place. If you are reading for a life changing experience or proclaim that you actually understand a new genius writer who is able to break the rules of writing poetically and masterfully, then you are reading to learn, to expand your life per se.

I used to fall into this category of reader...however, I am not a professor of composition or am employed in any artistic field, I do not keep up with the latest literary trends. I believe many of today’s Genre readers are like me...I work a hell of a lot of hours, have very few hours to kick back and relax and I like to relax without spending time in front of the television. I would say I read about fifty percent "genre crap", mostly to check my mind at the door, step inside, and take a short break from a very busy and hectic schedule.

As for bestsellers, I think any of us can choose a best-selling author whose voice and style (of course there are some of you out there saying a best selling author has style?), is comforting to us, almost soothing…like talking to an old friend. A good thing about a best selling author is that once you are hooked, they usually give you a few more books along the way!

 

[SFG75]

I don't buy books based on how they rank according to the New York Times bestseller list or anything like that. I go for books that appeal to my interest. That is a pretty wide area admittedly. Popular writers that I enjoy include Tom Clancy, Clive Cussler, as well as an occassional Ralph Cotton western. I just want a decent plot and some action in regards to popular fiction.

 

[theoptimist]

I absolutely loved The Shadow Of The Wind, it's a bestseller. Just because alot of people agree that the book is good doesn't actually mean it isn't. I'll read a bestseller if i like the look of it, I won't read one purely because everyone else is reading it, there is a line.

What if you read a book before it becomes a bestseller? hehe!

 

[Breaca]

I don't necessarily follow the 'best sellers' list and I read a lot of books through personal recommendations. When visiting book stores I tend to take my time going from bookshelf to bookshelf. And whatever catches my eye..... And I'll give most books a try. I love a good story with strong characters and descriptive passages. I would never limit myself on the basis of the likes and dislikes of others opinions - after all I am my own person - I know what I like and dislike.

 

[DiscoDan]

I read bestsellers sometimes just so I can join in those "hot topics" but mostly I read them if the story looks appealing. Best Selling books are a common bond between readers, and it's always fun to read a book that your friends have too.

I wouldn't say all popular books are "crap" though they might be compared to some deeper literature. It just depends on what you like I guess.

 

[ions]

Current NYT Bestseller Lists in fiction on April 19, 2006.

HARDCOVER FICTION

Top 5 at a Glance
1. TWO LITTLE GIRLS IN BLUE, by Mary Higgins Clark
2. GONE, by Jonathan Kellerman
3. THE DA VINCI CODE, by Dan Brown
4. SHIVER, by Lisa Jackson
5. THE 5TH HORSEMAN, by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

PAPERBACK FICTION

Top 5 at a Glance
1. THE DA VINCI CODE, by Dan Brown
2. NO PLACE LIKE HOME, by Mary Higgins Clark
3. FULL SCOOP, by Janet Evanovich and Charlotte Hughes
4. ANGELS & DEMONS, by Dan Brown
5. COUNTDOWN, by Iris Johansen

I've only read one, Angels & Demons, and none are on my list of books to be read. Yes, Bestsellers are often crap.

 

[abecedarian]

Current NYT Bestseller Lists in fiction on April 19, 2006.



I've only read one, Angels & Demons, and none are on my list of books to be read. Yes, Bestsellers are often crap.

I've read both Dan Brown books, but I can't say they were worth the effort. I view Bestseller lists as curiosity items..I might check once in awhile to see if anything looks interesting, but they have no real impact on what I choose to read. Places like this one provide much better reading choices.

 

[pontalba]

I've read a few of Mary Higgins Clark. Where Are the Children? was good IMO, but I have not enjoyed the latter ones, and have stopped reading her books.
Unfortunately I did read The daVinci Code , time wasted I now regret, but it is what it is.

James Patterson is waayyy too graphically violent for my taste, I have started one or two of his and put them down due to that.

Now I've liked a few of the Iris Johansen, but they are too much alike in the end for me and don't grab me. I'll read them, and in fact have more in my TBR stack(s).

I did like Kellerman, but he got a little too........wierd....for my taste.

Thus the best seller list goes the way of the dodo bird (for me). To allow someone elses "top ten" be your guide is to lose out on lots and lots of books you would really enjoy.

 

[venusunfolding]

I don't read a lot of bestsellers, I don't pay attention to the NYT list because it's calculated by books purchased from publishers, not what people in stores are reading (which is why some books are bestsellers before they're even published)

Once in a while I might pick one up and be surprised, but yeah the bestsellers do tend to be genre stuff that I'm not into, or whatever fad is popular at the moment.

 

[abecedarian]

I don't read a lot of bestsellers, I don't pay attention to the NYT list because it's calculated by books purchased from publishers, not what people in stores are reading (which is why some books are bestsellers before they're even published)

Once in a while I might pick one up and be surprised, but yeah the bestsellers do tend to be genre stuff that I'm not into, or whatever fad is popular at the moment.

Is it just me, or do most of those books on any given week look and sound alike?

 

[denny]

I don't give a hoot whether a book is on the bestseller list or not. I read simply for relaxation and escapism.

Although, having said that, I haven't yet read The Da Vinci code. I do intend reading it, just to see what all the fuss is about!

 

[Stewart]

James Patterson is waayyy too graphically violent for my taste, I have started one or two of his and put them down due to that.

Was it actually one of Patterson's or one of the many, written by unknowns, that he puts his name to?

Simply, urgh!

 

[abecedarian]

Was it actually one of Patterson's or one of the many, written by unknowns, that he puts his name to?

Simply, urgh!

Ugh, why am I suddenly thinking of homongeonized milk? Safer maybe, but flat and bland..

Actually, Fantasy writers do something like this too according to Holly Lisle's e-book, Mugging the Muse.

 

[Doug Johnson]

Personally, I think that the vast majority of people who say "bestsellers are crap" are frustrated writers who lack the intellectual honesty, or the self confidence, required to admit that they have no idea how to write one.

If they were true fans of "good writing" they'd be gushing over Elmore Leonard.

 

[Stewart]

Personally, I think that the vast majority of people who say "bestsellers are crap" are frustrated writers who lack the intellectual honesty, or the self confidence, required to admit that they have no idea how to write one.

I tend to think many bestsellers are crap on the basis that the high octane story bores me.

 

[muggle]

Personally, I think that the vast majority of people who say "bestsellers are crap" are frustrated writers who lack the intellectual honesty, or the self confidence, required to admit that they have no idea how to write one.

If they were true fans of "good writing" they'd be gushing over Elmore Leonard.

Thanks for reminding me about Elmore leonard. I will have to check out a few of his books. I used to read him many years ago.

There are many best sellers that I have read and enjoyed by writers such as Larry McMurtry, Cormac McCarthy, James Clavell, James Lee Burke, Tony Hillerman, etc. For sure many of the best sellers are great reading.

 

[actonbell]

This is a great thread, very interesting question and discussion

Right now, the bestsellers list doesn't appeal to me at all (I did read DaVinci Code, wasn't enthralled), but there have been bestsellers that I really liked--The Shadow of the Wind, The Rule of Four, and The Kite Runner, to name a few. It's usually not wise to make blanket statements.

Some of the best writing I've ever read (this is my opinion), for whatever reason, never makes an appearance on bestseller lists. David Foster Wallace comes to mind (author of Infinite Jest). And then, some of the worst writing (in my opinion) is always there--such as James Patterson. (Someone's gonna lampoon me for that, but we're supposed to be opinioned here!)

So, in MY experience, the bestsellers are not what usually turns me on, except when they do.

 

[muggle]

Hmmm actonbell, I see that you are reading Thud by Pratchett. I have not read that book, how are you enjoying it. Have you read many other books by pratchett.

 

[DiscoDan]

You have to look at the good books that appear on the best-sellers list too though. J. K. Rowling is outselling everyone right now, and IMO her books are literary classics already. Stephen King is a regular and many of his.. .earlier novels were fantastic, maybe not recently, but I haven't given up on him. Usually Pulitzer Prize winners pick up some good sells. And Oprah is always making some artsy book hit the top of the list.

Books like The Da Vinci Code give bestsellers a bad name. There are different types of bestsellers--Hype--Dan Brown, the Historian, etc. There are popular authors whom people are fans of--James Patterson, Nora Roberts, Dean Koontz, etc. And there are extraordinary books that people have enjoyed immensely--Secret Life of Bees, the Kite Runner, 1776, other "pulitzer" books, etc. It's a shame that a great many of the Good best sellers dont get the hype they deserve, and sometimes rarely scrape the surface of the hot 100 or not at all. Usually they turn into movies though, and that sparks a whole new reading frenzy, so in the end, good literature will be found and read by many people.