How can I learn to love bestsellers?

[Anonymous]

I've tried many in various genres (though I am generally a science fiction and fantasy reader), but I don't find them appealing for reasons I'm not able to articulate. I would love to learn to enjoy them so I can have better conversations with other bookish friends. Advice?

[Anonymous]

Someone I once knew who was very smart was reading Harry Potter (which I love) and I said something to him like - I’m surprised you are reading that and don’t think it’s beneath you (because he usually read more high brow stuff)- and he said - I think there’s value to being in the know about popular culture. And I agree with that and still think of that from time to time!

Did you read the Fourth Wing? There is fantasy that is also best seller these days.

[Anonymous]

Because not all best-sellers are well-written or interesting, OP.

I loved Harry Potter when it came out. At the time it had a highly original and well-constructed plot, and for a children's book series it was quite well (not wonderfully) written. A lot of tween/teen/young adult "bestsellers" these days are complete trash.

A lot of new stuff that comes out is not great, and you don't need to force yourself to read it. Classics that have stood the test of time have survived for a reason: most of them have exceptional plots (at their time of publication) and are very well-written.

[Anonymous]

Which bestsellers are we talking about here?

[Anonymous]

I find it easier to like best sellers if I read them at times it is harder to read. For example, in an airport or on a plane, at the holidays when I am busy, and so on. I find I can usually read them faster than the genres I normally read and am less critical of them because I want to keep reading but don't have the time or energy to invest in other genres during those times.

[Anonymous]

Twilight was a bestseller. It's ok not to like them.

[Anonymous]

What are some examples of books that you feel like you should have liked but didn't?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Twilight was a bestseller. It's ok not to like them.

I liked Twilight. It was cheap and easy entertainment. Some nights I am too tired and that’s just what I need.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Twilight was a bestseller. It's ok not to like them.

It's really not.

Full disclosure: I'm a writer who was recently dropped by her agent because three of my books just didn't sell. In her words, "They're lovely and well-written, but publishers are looking for stories with wider appeal."

For the past year, I've been on a hunt to figure out what makes the stories with wide appeal so successful - but because I don't personally enjoy, it's a struggle. I would like to find out what I'm missing.

[Anonymous]

If you do like them, don't bother. Maybe it's the thrill of the hunt for you. Read ARCs and find the amazing books you want to tell other people about.

I don't love all best sellers, but some are quick and enjoyable.

Either way, don't be insufferable about it.

[Anonymous]

Stop trying - just find people to chat with who like the book genres you like. Reading should be enjoyable - if it's not, put down the book.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Twilight was a bestseller. It's ok not to like them.

It's really not.

Full disclosure: I'm a writer who was recently dropped by her agent because three of my books just didn't sell. In her words, "They're lovely and well-written, but publishers are looking for stories with wider appeal."

For the past year, I've been on a hunt to figure out what makes the stories with wide appeal so successful - but because I don't personally enjoy, it's a struggle. I would like to find out what I'm missing.

Oh I see, you should have mentioned that.

Frankly, the majority of people are stupider than you think, and younger generations have a quail's attention span because of social media. Our recent election proves that. So what you want to do is create a powerful hook right off the bat, because everyone is used to a Tik Tok span of attention-grabbing. Something that smacks the reader in the face. Make your stories and characters a little more obvious, with plots that hit more directly at the dopamine: romance, thrills, whatever you're writing about, has to be more easily and rapidly felt by the reader. If you need to dumb down your writing style to do this, go right ahead. If the reader can guess who the villain is, or which beau the heroine will finally choose, before the denouement, they will think "Oh I'm so smart" instead of thinking "this plot was too obvious".

Sorry, but this is how it is.

[Anonymous]

What the hell are you talking about? Just read the books you want to read. No need to go slumming with your book list. Life is short.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Twilight was a bestseller. It's ok not to like them.

It's really not.

Full disclosure: I'm a writer who was recently dropped by her agent because three of my books just didn't sell. In her words, "They're lovely and well-written, but publishers are looking for stories with wider appeal."

For the past year, I've been on a hunt to figure out what makes the stories with wide appeal so successful - but because I don't personally enjoy, it's a struggle. I would like to find out what I'm missing.

If you have actually published three books, you should be savvy enough to understand what makes books sell. Even if yours didn’t.You should understand how people like a plot that drives. You should understand what kind of characters have mass appeal. None of this should be news to you, or something that you need to study up on by going through the New York Times bestseller list.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Twilight was a bestseller. It's ok not to like them.

It's really not.

Full disclosure: I'm a writer who was recently dropped by her agent because three of my books just didn't sell. In her words, "They're lovely and well-written, but publishers are looking for stories with wider appeal."

For the past year, I've been on a hunt to figure out what makes the stories with wide appeal so successful - but because I don't personally enjoy, it's a struggle. I would like to find out what I'm missing.

Oh I see, you should have mentioned that.

Frankly, the majority of people are stupider than you think, and younger generations have a quail's attention span because of social media. Our recent election proves that. So what you want to do is create a powerful hook right off the bat, because everyone is used to a Tik Tok span of attention-grabbing. Something that smacks the reader in the face. Make your stories and characters a little more obvious, with plots that hit more directly at the dopamine: romance, thrills, whatever you're writing about, has to be more easily and rapidly felt by the reader. If you need to dumb down your writing style to do this, go right ahead. If the reader can guess who the villain is, or which beau the heroine will finally choose, before the denouement, they will think "Oh I'm so smart" instead of thinking "this plot was too obvious".

Sorry, but this is how it is.

I'm ashamed of it, so I try not to bring it up unless it's necessary. But this is really helpful - thank you.