Why is it that I almost never like books on the bestseller list?
Why is it that I almost never like books on the bestseller list???
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Why is it that I almost never like books on the bestseller list???
Maybe all the hype
Me too.
Probably your expectations are too high. That can happen to me, too.
I’m a genre reader, mostly sci-fi/fantasy. It’s almost never on the best-seller list.
Me too! But I read a lot of historical fiction, mostly Medieval, you never see that on a best seller list.
Me, too. Most are not my cup of tea. And it’s not literary snobbery. I enjoy what I think of as “popcorn reading” as much as the next person, but in different genres than typically appears in the bestseller list, I guess.
Ditto
Well, are most of the people you meet in rl “your” people? Smart, thoughtful, considerate, curious, caring, giving… oh, wait… That sounds snarky, and I don’t mean it to. But I think people read for different reasons. The question is why do people read those books?
Me too, I think it’s the lowest common denominator for readers?
Thanks for that! Lol
That said, I’m always happy to see a book I like on the list.
And from the Oprah Book Club. Yeesh!
Her’s are depressing
@Gail All of them.
You are right. Love Oprah! Really dislike all of her book choices!!
I haven’t liked one of her selections yet.
There have been a few from her list I like but I don’t like her so I’m always irritated when I like something from her list. Silly, I know – but true!
Getting on the bestseller list for books has nothing to do with the book being good or bad, it’s misleading to readers and I know the frustration. Bestseller list signifies how many printed copies of the book have been sold.
bestsellers do not always equate to people LIKING the book or even finishing the book. Look up Amazon charts. I think these paint a more accurate picture of what was actually READ.
Me too. I tend to have very unpopular opinions about books.
Yep
Yes, me also.
Probably for the same reasons you don’t like the music on free radio, or don’t generally watch mainstream sitcoms.
I don’t know. I often love bestsellers!
Because it’s pop culture,not literary excellence.k
It depends on the book.
Yes, saying you never like a bestseller is really cutting yourself off from some great books!
I once tried to excuse myself by saying “I’m not much for following literary fads” I wanted to be sensitive to the guy’s feelings, but he was still offended.
I can see why.
I rarely read mainstream fiction. I read genres that usually don’t make the bestseller lists – romance, sci-fi, cozy mysteries, etc. I sometimes have read a bestseller but that’s purely by accident because I wanted to read that book, not that I wanted to read a bestseller.
Me too – I don’t usually enjoy coming of age/angst/sadness/tears/family drama just for their own sake. I also prefer storylines and so many bestsellers just don’t stray far outside those lines. Although I do read some of them.
What are some of your favorites?
Well, as I said, I love Kent Haruf’s books. I read a lot of autobiographical (or seeming so) about people who have overcome great odds.
I meant books that are not on the bestseller list.
@Leah, memoirs are my favorite genre. I often feel like I’ve found a hidden gem and then get disappointed when it becomes mainstream. LOL I’m kind of quirky.
Literary fiction. Man Booker award is a good place to start. This is a cool site for finding your books, too: http://www.literature-map.com/
Thank you, Rosemary: I’ll check it out!
It’s fun. Slightly addictive.
@Rosemarie well, then, that sounds perfect! ?
Thanks – I just looked at this link (because you posted). This is a keeper!!
Omg, Rosemary! That’s AMAZING! How did I not know about this??? I kinda wish it would snow and we’d be trapped at home for days, and I’d wrap up in my bed, and read and read and read!!! ?
HA! I put in Barbara Kingsolver and got about twenty authors, most of whom I’ve read and loved. You’re right, it’s going to be addictive. Thank you! ❤️
Bitter cold cancelled school for me yesterday. I just started “We Are Water”.
@Rosemarie I loved that book.
This is my classroom library. I always have a lot to choose from.
It happens to me too Leah!
I’ve been disappointed by them many times too. I read what I like and don’t care if no one else does.
Me too.
I sometimes read a couple of best sellers but never any of Oprahs
Me too, you’re not alone!
http://whatshouldireadnext.com/
http://www.openingthebook.com/whichbook/
Thank you! Very cool.
I feel the same way
I usually don’t.
Because just because they’re popular doesn’t mean they’re good.
Usually they are not good. Exception was A Little Life. 😛
If they get on book list they are boring or aouthor/publishers are pushing book ( my opinion. )
It seems to me that the decision to not read popular titles is exactly the same as deciding to read only popular titles.
All major publishing house’s books are automatically losted as bestsellers. If you sign up with some of the big-shot self publishers like Blackcard books, your book is automatically a best seller. It is advertising scam. It gets the ball rolling by getting people to buy the book because they assume it is good
Wow, that is so interesting! You’re right, that’s a scam, for sure. Thanks for posting!
What’s your personality type? I’m an INFJ and hardly ever like anything popular.
I’m the same personally type but I haven’t noticed it influences my choice of books…something I should think about ?
Same !! I hardly ever read them.
Ha! I’m an ENFP. My youngest daughter is an INFJ, though, and she’s a person that has always forged her own paths!
I read books recommended by my friends and all of you.
I usually try to read a bit about them first and very rarely buy bestsellers unless they happen to be by a favourite author.
I just read what I want to read….if bestseller or not.
Because most of them aren’t that great! Not always, but often.
Same!!
Because you have unique tastes like me! ?
I rarely like books that have won awards so i tend to use that as a reason not to read.
You are not alone ?
I don’t read many either.
Good sense ?
I never really pay much attention to bestseller lists. I don’t take them seriously. Many years ago my late brother found a book he had written on the ‘bestseller’ stand in our local W.H. Smiths. He was rather taken aback (it wasn’t the kind of thing that was really likely to be a bestseller) so he asked a member of staff if it was really a bestseller, and he said no, they tend to put books on there that are going a bit slowly and they hope putting it on there will boost sales.
You are apparently capable of independent thought–that’ll foul up the whole shebang! ?
I KNEW it! ?
I’m the same way. I prefer more obscure books
same here. it’s all just propaganda.
Because they’re (mostly) rubbish?
As a retired teacher, I’m happy for anyone to get into reading. After a while, you may develop other tastes. My choices are much different than in my 20s. I may be a bit of a snob now. Lol. I had a 100 yr old neighbor who called herself a literary low brow.
Always overated and boring.
Kind of like top rated movies that are soooo dull. (I’m looking at you, Citizen Kane!) They’re only popular because the right critics said so. ?
Because you have taste?
Well, that just never occurred to me!
😉