I’m sad to say I don’t have anything new to write about today! Rather than take another day off, I scouted the internet for some bookish news to share with you and want to provide some commentary on an article I found.
Did a YA book buy its way to the top of the New York Times bestseller list?
This article surprised me for a few reasons. Firstly, I guess I didn’t think about how the numbers were compiled for this list. It makes sense that a few stores are picked to count orders and averages are used. I get that. Secondly, I’m frankly surprised it hasn’t happened before. We’ve read about authors manipulating their reviews and this seems like a very straightforward way to promote a book.
Like the author of the article and the people she references, I haven’t heard of the book in question, Handbook for Mortals by Lani Sarem. Seeing as it only has 191 reviews on Goodreads and an overall rating of 1.93, it’s surprising this scam lasted as long as it did.
I guess it’s a little scary that this even happened. I mean, it’s a total publicity stunt on behalf of the publisher and the author was likely ecstatic at first. Imagine if you’d just published your first book with a new publisher and you were told it was #1 on the NYT list! And then imagine the disappointment when you found out that was revoked because your publisher did it by sneaky and untruthful means. I would be beyond crushed. I hope that when the movie does come out, they try to say it was a #1 NYT and have to change it and get shut down! I’d love to see NYT wield that kind of power.
I’m happy for author Angie Thomas, whose book was restored to the #1 position after the controversy was cleared up. I’ve heard great things about her book and I bet she was shocked to think she’d been ousted not by a book creeping up the charts, but one out of left field.
As a side note, today is my first day of school! Send some good vibes my way, please!
Until next time, write on.
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Taking On a World of Words 
I was following the development of this story – another instance of truth being stranger than fiction. I was so happy to hear it all got cleared up and Angie Thomas is back in the number one spot.
I started wondering if there’s an alternative movie to be made about the (attempted) scam itself?! The sort of thing Aaron Sorkin would script!
Very best of luck for your first week of school! 🙂
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Happy first day. Totally sending good vibes for all the days ahead.
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Thank you! It was a good class and I think the semester will go smoothly. Happy reading!
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Thanks
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Whoa that’s crazy! I’d be so crushed if I was the author of that book.
Have a good day first day at school! 🌟
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Thanks! I think I’d be crushed if I was either author but one got her spot back at least. Happy reading!
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That is a horrible situation. How crushing to find out your book making #1 was a hoax. I’ve seen authors boost their own reviews – it does happen. I can’t believe no one immediately noticed.
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I’ve heard those stories, too. This is just the first I’ve heard about the publisher being in on it and even orchestrating it. Happy reading!
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