I first noticed the phenomenon in March 2003 with A Ship Made of Paper. A media blitz of enormous proportions hit that month with reviews and interviews with the author Scott Spencer. I hadn't read him before and it seemed like every news outlet was covering his book. I was intrigued more by the exposure than the plot line but read the book. It was a good story filled with discussion potential about love, race and stereotypes. All that coverage and I believe that book never made it to the New York Times Best Seller List.
Now I'm noticing the same phenom with Gary Shteyngart's Super Sad True Love Story. Not that the Chicago Tribune has reviewed it yet, but almost everyone else has. NPR, The Guardian, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Entertainment Weekly, The Miami Herald, The Dallas Times, and the beloved BookPage distributed here at the library. I'm familiar with Shteyngart as mentioned in a previous blog of mine. He's wry, satirical and writes far fetched stories from an immigrant's point of view. I've got the book in my hand right now. I can't wait to see if it makes the Best Seller list.
While researching and verifying my memory of March 2003, I came across the best seller list of April 2003. The first week of that month a certain book made it to the list and stayed there for years. This book actually accumulated more media coverage after it hit the number one spot than before. Feel free to guess the title. And what drives your book choices- media coverage or a personal recommendation?
Super Sad True Love Story.
A Ship Made of Paper.
1 comment:
I'm guessing that you're referring to the dreaded Da Vinci Code. Based on its performance on the bestseller list, I'll never read it. I would much rather read something recommended by a fellow reader, preferably one who knows my reading tastes.
Post a Comment
Please leave your comments and suggestions here. Thanks!
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.