The other day, someone suggested I read The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave. I never heard of it. She’s not on Twitter. She’s not big on Facebook. I don’t recognize her name from conventions. Yet she has been on the New York Times Bestseller’s list for the past ten weeks.
Combined Print & E-Book Fiction – Best Sellers – Books (nytimes.com)
How, I wondered, is she getting her mojo? Turns out, she was one of the selected readings by Reese’s Book Club. Also, it turns out three of the top ten were recommended by Reese’s Book Club: The Paper Palace, The Last Thing He Told Me, Where the Crawdads Sing.
Reese’s Book Club (reesesbookclub.com)
So on my epic adventure to find the secret magic in writing, I joined the book club. I’m already listening to The Last Thing He Told Me. It is very good. My friend was right.
Which leads me to ask the question: What is going on in these books that makes them so attractive to readers? Sure, Reese Witherspoon recommended them but it’s not just her brand. I think she has her fingers on the pulse of a large readership. Something ineffable perhaps? Or is it definable?
What do you think? What do readers want? Would the recommendation of Reese’s Book Club be enough for you to buy a book? Do you belong to a book club?
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Keenan Powell
Author
While still in high school, she was one of the illustrators of the original Dungeons and Dragons. Art seemed an impractical pursuit – not an heiress, wouldn’t marry well, hated teaching – so she went to law school instead. When not writing or practicing law, Keenan can be found oil painting, studying the Irish language, or hanging out with her friends at mystery conventions.
6. Sales: Is the Publisher Selling Books?
Maybe Reese picks books she thinks would adapt well in a movie version? And maybe readers enjoy them because they’re easily visualized?
Will def pay more attention to her book recap now that you’ve pointed out their success rate on the best-seller list, Keenan!
I’m wondering. She has her own production company. I read somewhere she is thinking about selling it. I hope she keeps the book club up if she does.