I think if you read anything but bestsellers and romance books, you're automatically in the minority.
I couldn't have said it better myself. Someone once told me, "Best-selling does not mean best-written. It merely means it sold the most."scarlet said:the majority is made up of a bunch of individuals. some of whom have very loud voices and can convince people that EVERYBODY loves something. there are things that are bestsellers that I love, and things that are bestsellers that I loathe. and remember, just because something sells a lot of copies, it doesn't automatically follow that everyone who bought it loved it, or even finished it.
Not really. I mean, I usually know what the current "bestseller" is. But for every bestseller I could name off equal numbers of people I know who both like and dislike the novel.Richardcrasta said:Are there others who feel that in their reading tastes, they belong to a minority?
Herman's Hermits!tim290280 said:Remind me who else were charting at the same time as The Beatles, Elvis and The Rolling Stones.![]()
Who?James Everington said:Herman's Hermits!
I'm slightly misquotingf you here, but I don't think Herman's Hermits could ever be put in the 'arty' category!tim290280 said:Who?
Which is my point: popularity and a level of longevity will see things remembered in generations to come. It won't be the arty book that won some award unless a lot of people read and enjoyed it.
I had to remind myself of their music, and yes they were very successful and a notable pop act; not arty at all.James Everington said:I'm slightly misquotingf you here, but I don't think Herman's Hermits could ever be put in the 'arty' category!
Dickens sold a lot of books during his lifetime. Austen sold quite a few. So did Hemingway and Steinbeck.Richardcrasta said:Hi,
Many writers who have lasted more than a hundred years after their deaths often could barely sell a few copies of their work in a lifetime. Many of the popular authors of the 19th century are forgotten today.
I find most bestsellers difficult to read. I can't read "success books" or thrillers.
Writing has to hold me--language has to hold me, interest me, grip me.
Are there others who feel that in their reading tastes, they belong to a minority?