Because a novel is on the New York Times Best Sellers list, does this make it worth reading? I’m not sure. Maybe. Yeah, the list has great books, but with the millions of novels “out there”, this is a very short list to choose from as there are literally millions that could be tagged as a good novel and worth a look.
Maybe it’s time to consider lesser-known novels and begin to add more inventive ways to your next good novel search. Could it be time take a few more risks to find your next read? Frankly, the risk is minimal.
Most “Best Sellers” Lists are Limited
Something close to 4 million new books will be published in 2025 compared to about 2.7 million a decade ago, and only a mere 280,000 in 2005. Wow! Most truly great reads are buried.
Although there are many estimates from a variety of sources on the number of published books, these figures could be off slightly–but not much. But one thing that is certain, they definitely reflect the growth in the publishing industry. If nothing else. it is safe to say that newly published books have grown by 15 times in the US over the last twenty-five years.
Take a Risk and Treat Yourself to Something New and Different
Instead of the old “best sellers” list and everyone’s lists on GoodReads and social media book groups, chart your own course. There’s more to a good novel than the same formulaic, refomatted story. Novels are personal and what one stranger may think is a great read may not be to you. The question should be what resonates with you and NOT what do others say you SHOULD be reading.
I’ve noticed that online book groups, however, only promote the two percent of all books that make up about ninety-eight percent of all sales–the same old same old. That’s kind of boring.
Using a few keywords that describe what you like to read, you could consider going to online to any/many online booksellers and use those keywords and see what comes up. I’m sure you will come up with some intereesting and intriguing possibilities. Plunk down $12.95 (a couple of lattes) and in a few days you’ve got something new to explore..
This may be a “no brainer” but so is the same old same old we hear about all the time.
Lots of Good Books but with Fewer Readers
I have both traditionally and independently published books. I have learned from this journey that very few people read novels, but I still write them. But the stats are staggering.
- Less than 40 percent of adults have read one novel in a given year.
- More women read than men,
- and those woman with a college degree, who earn a higher income and are under 50 years of age, read the most.
Two Requests for Those Who Read Novels
- Please encourage others to join you. If not you, who will?
- Broaden your scope and take a risk on a novel that you discover, and then tell your friends about it–both those who read and those, sadly that don’t.
If You’re Still Here…
…then you are a reader and in all honesty, keep reading whatever you enjoy. But keep in mind, a good novel is waiting for you and it might not be what everyone else is reading. Take a chance for $12.95.
More to enjoy: Writing Literary Fiction and What I’m Learning, Self Discovery Books – an Excerpt from Cutting of Harp Strings, Keep Reading , Why Read Fiction?
About E.G. Kardos
I am a fiction writer and the author of five books. My writing draws inspiration from the beauty surrounding us all—both in nature and in each other. Spirituality, friendship, love, and our connection to the universe inspire me to write. Here’s more about me and my books.
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