How To Deal With the Book Buzz Blues
Welcome to Episode 2 of the Dear Book Nerd podcast! My guest host this week is once again the great Rebecca Schinsky. In this show, we answer two reader-submitted questions and discuss topics such as what makes a book a bestseller, how to choose what to read, and how to get back into the reading groove. This episode is sponsored by Audible.com.
Here are this week’s questions!
Dear Book Nerd:
I find it interesting that some books make it to the top of the bestseller list that in my opinion should never be considered great works read by everyone. I know this is partly due to the change in desire for reading material and the reading level of society in general. However, I wonder sometimes if they make it to the top of the lists because a few people have decided what we should all read or if they are actually great books that everyone should enjoy. Even I have purchased and read books that I absolutely hated because “everyone is talking about it.” This then contributes to the bestselling status of the book, even though it’s not something I would ever recommend anyone read. How do you sift through the bestseller lists to find the gems vs the books that have made it because of good marketing and buzz?
– Librarian Goddess
Dear Book Nerd:
I’ve always loved reading, but in the past five years, the passion is gone. I don’t have the urge to start reading, and when I do, oftentimes the book is just something to slog through. I’m burnt-out on recommendations from agents or editors who exclaim something is a book they utterly loved, only to read it and find nothing exciting. Recommendations from friends so often leave me cold. Sometimes a book still hits the sweet spot, and I’ll plow through it in twenty-four hours, but most often it’s a chore to finish and then I don’t want to start the next. I miss the years of reading four or five books a week. What can I do to rekindle my love of reading?
– Jane
________________________________________________
Listen to Episode 1 of the Dear Book Nerd podcast here! And you can subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, or via iTunes here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
Check out past Dear Book Nerd Columns here!
Links Referenced in the Show:
Forbes.com: “Here’s How You Buy Your Way Onto The New York Times Bestsellers List”
Do you have a burning question about life, love, and literature? We want to hear from you! Please submit your questions in the form below, or send an email to DearBookNerd@bookriot.com. Thanks for listening!
