emelee Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 A list of best-selling authors. Now the question is: how many of these are you responsible for? How many of these authors have you bought something of? William ShakespeareAgatha Christie Barbara CartlandDanielle Steel Harold Robbins Georges Simenon Sidney Sheldon Enid Blyton Dr. SeussGilbert Patten J. K. RowlingLeo Tolstoy Jackie CollinsHoratio Alger, Jr. R. L. Stine Corín Tellado Dean Koontz Alexander Pushkin Stephen KingLouis L'Amour Erle Stanley GardnerJin Yong Jirō Akagawa Janet DaileyNora RobertsEdgar Wallace Robert Ludlum James Patterson Frédéric Dard Jeffrey Archer Stan and Jan Berenstain John GrishamZane GreyIrving WallaceJ. R. R. TolkienKarl May Mickey SpillaneC. S. LewisKyotaro NishimuraDan BrownAnn M. MartinRyōtarō ShibaArthur HaileyGérard de VilliersBeatrix PotterMichael CrichtonRichard ScarryClive CusslerAlistair MacLeanAstrid LindgrenDebbie MacomberPaulo CoelhoEiji YoshikawaCatherine CooksonStephenie MeyerNorman BridwellDavid BaldacciRoald DahlEvan HunterAndrew NeidermanRoger HargreavesAnne RiceRobin CookWilbur SmithErskine CaldwellEleanor HibbertLewis CarrollDenise RobinsCao XueqinIan FlemingHermann HesseRex StoutAnne GolonKen FollettFrank G. SlaughterEdgar Rice BurroughsJohn CreaseyJames MichenerYasuo UchidaSeiichi MorimuraMary Higgins ClarkPenny JordanPatricia CornwellTom Clancy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emelee Posted July 2, 2014 Author Share Posted July 2, 2014 I am guilty of these: William ShakespeareAgatha ChristieEnid BlytonLeo Tolstoy Stephen KingRobert LudlumJohn GrishamC. S. LewisDan BrownArthur HaileyClive CusslerAstrid LindgrenPaulo CoelhoRoald DahlTom Clancy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 Best seller doesn't necessarily = good! William ShakespeareAgatha ChristieSidney Sheldon Enid Blyton Dr. SeussJ. K. RowlingJeffrey Archer J. R. R. TolkienC. S. LewisBeatrix PotterPaulo CoelhoCatherine Cookson - I read loads of these after I got too old for Enid Blyton! I haven't read her for many years now though and suspect I wouldn't like themDavid Baldacci - a book club book. It was dire! Roald DahlRoger HargreavesLewis CarrollIan Fleming - another book club book. I couldn't believe how dense James Bond was - I spotted the 'baddie' a mile off! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissy Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 I have bought and read books by these authors from the list; William ShakespeareAgatha Christie Enid Blyton Dr. SeussJ. K. RowlingLeo Tolstoy Stephen KingJames Patterson J. R. R. TolkienC. S. LewisDan BrownArthur HaileyPaulo CoelhoStephenie MeyerRoald DahlAnne RiceLewis CarrollPatricia Cornwell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nursenblack Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 I agree with Janet's statement. I often wonder how some writers become bestsellers. I guess it is usually some mainstream appeal, and after awhile they build up a large fan base. For me, writers like Danielle Steel, Nora Roberts and Debbie Macomber have just never appealled to me much. The one Nora Roberts book I read was a thriller and loaned by a friend, it was pretty good though. I have bought numerous amounts of Debbie Macomber, but have never read the first one because they are always gifts for my grandmother. Agatha Christie Danielle Steel (have only bought and read one novel by her) Dr. Suess R.L. Stine J.K. Rowling (only read H.P. so far) Dean Koontz Stephen King Nora Roberts(read one novel) James Patterson (read two) Debbie Macomber (gifts for grandmother) Anne Rice (read one) Lewis Carroll Roald Dahl Stan and Jan Berenstain (I read one of these everyday to my daughter) William Shakespeare Stephenie Meyer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kell Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 I have bought the following (the ones in bold are part of my permanent collection): William ShakespeareAgatha ChristieEnid Blyton J. K. RowlingLeo Tolstoy R. L. Stine Dean Koontz Stephen King (The Stand is one of my all-time favourite novels)John GrishamC. S. LewisDan BrownBeatrix Potter (I have all her tales for Xan and Josh)Michael CrichtonAstrid Lindgren (Ronia, the Robber's Daughter is a childhood favourite of mine)Paulo CoelhoRoald Dahl (I'm building this collection with Xan at the moment)Anne RiceLewis Carroll (The Nursery Alice is one of my own childhood books which I've kept)Ian FlemingPatricia Cornwell I have to ask, where is Terry Pratchett on this list??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Begins Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 (edited) Just the usual suspects for me, I guess. I thought Margaret Mitchell would be on this list? I am ashamed of how many authors on this list I don't know. William ShakespeareAgatha Christie Dr. SeussJ. K. RowlingLeo Tolstoy Alexander Pushkin Stephen KingJohn GrishamBeatrix PotterRoald DahlAnne RiceLewis CarrollKen Follett Edited July 2, 2014 by Anna Begins Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athena Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 (edited) Here's my list: William Shakespeare Agatha Christie Danielle Steel Sidney Sheldon J. K. Rowling Leo Tolstoy Jackie Collins R. L. Stine Dean Koontz Stephen King Janet Dailey Nora Roberts James Patterson John Grisham J. R. R. Tolkien C. S. Lewis Dan Brown Ann M. Martin Michael Crichton Astrid Lindgren Debbie Macomber Catherine Cookson David Baldacci Roald Dahl Anne Rice Robin Cook Lewis Carroll Ken Follett Mary Higgins Clark Patricia Cornwell Tom Clancy I should point out a few of these were used books from the charity shop so they don't count towards the popularity. My parents bought some of the children's authors for us but I didn't buy it myself so I didn't include it in the list (ie. Beatrix Potter and Dr. Seuss). A few of the authors mentioned have books that are on my wishlist and I do own a Stephenie Meyer book but it was a gift and so doesn't count. Edited July 3, 2014 by Athena Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julie Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 (edited) I have a list below of the authors who I have read at least one book of ( most of them only one ) . I call most of these "Grocery-Store Books , because that's where you find them . I can't hardly agree either that most would be considered great reading . If these are on the bestseller lists, then I'm guessing most people aren't looking for much MEAT in their books . rather just something light to pass the time . I've read a couple Christie's and M H Clark ,which were good, but I'm not a huge mystery fan . I did read a couple Danielle Steele ,Cookson ,Janet Daily & Nora Roberts back in the early 80's . ....not memorable ... Sidney Sheldon - Master of the Game WAS good ! Dean Koontz and Stephen King, I've read a couple of each. They were both good if you like horror type books . Jeffrey Archer & Dan Brown , Follet were ok ... Grisham --Good writer if you like the legal thriller type books . Cussler - pretty good ,but aimed more for men I'd think .. Erskine Caldwell -- very surprising this is on the list ... Weird ... I didn't think most people would even REMEMBER this one ... that was a LONG time ago .. The books were odd ... Michener is great also , but takes a lot of patience. His books are whoppers and go into extreme detail ,but SO worth it if you stick with them ! The 2 that hit on target were Dr Seuss and Richard Scarry . Both EXCELLENT kid's authors . Edited July 3, 2014 by julie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hayley Posted July 4, 2014 Share Posted July 4, 2014 I have to ask, where is Terry Pratchett on this list??? I agree! Surely Terry Pratchett has sold more books from his (how many now, about 40?) Discworld novels than, for example, Stephanie Meyer? And where's Charles Dickens?? To be honest there are a lot of authors on this list I have never heard of but I have bought... William Shakespeare Agatha Christie Enid Blyton Dr. Seuss J. K. Rowling Stephen King James Patterson (kind of... I bought a book the library were getting rid of by him last week. I haven't read it yet though) J. R. R. Tolkien C. S. Lewis Dan Brown Beatrix Potter Roald Dahl Lewis Carroll Although actually Blyton, Seuss, Rowling, Lewis, Potter, Dahl and originally Carroll were bought for me by my parents when I was younger... does that still count?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppy Posted July 4, 2014 Share Posted July 4, 2014 (edited) There's more that I've read but don't own. I think my favourites from this list would have to be Dr Seuss and Stan and Jan Berenstain . I know quite a few of them almost off by heart and quote them on a daily basis William ShakespeareAgatha Christie Enid Blyton Dr. SeussJ. K. RowlingStan and Jan Berenstain J. R. R. TolkienC. S. LewisBeatrix PotterRichard ScarryCatherine CooksonAnne RiceWilbur Smith Edited July 4, 2014 by poppy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobblybear Posted July 5, 2014 Share Posted July 5, 2014 This is my list of authors whose works I have bought (at some point): Enid Blyton J. K. RowlingDean KoontzStephen KingRobert Ludlum James Patterson Jeffrey Archer John GrishamJ. R. R. TolkienDan BrownMichael CrichtonStephenie MeyerRoald DahlAnne RiceKen FollettPatricia Cornwell There are so many on the list that I have never heard of. I've bolded the authors whose books I have enjoyed and would still purchase now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Begins Posted July 5, 2014 Share Posted July 5, 2014 There are so many on the list that I have never heard of. Glad I'm not the only one I even had to look some up. According to wiki, The Little Prince tops the Best Selling Books list at 200 million, followed by A Tale of two Cities. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_books Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athena Posted July 6, 2014 Share Posted July 6, 2014 Wow, thanks for that Anna! I quite enjoyed The Little Prince but had no idea it was such a bestselling book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emelee Posted July 6, 2014 Author Share Posted July 6, 2014 I could not agree more, about best selling not equals quality. I for one would never read anything Jackie Collins or any other "romance" literature. Heck, I would not ever even consider reading 50 shades of gray. It's just not my thing. But I know that A LOT of women loves to read such novels. Hence why they sell like butter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emelee Posted July 6, 2014 Author Share Posted July 6, 2014 Astrid Lindgren (Ronia, the Robber's Daughter is a childhood favourite of mine) Same here. I L-O-V-E the movie. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088015/ and the Seacrow island tv-series. I watch them once a year still as an adult. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athena Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 I have some books by Jackie Collins but haven't read them yet (I hope to like them though). I own the first 50 Shades of Grey book after it was given to me for free, but I don't have much desire to ever read it. I read a few pages in the middle and it made me sick, so I've put it up the attic. I'd much rather read books I actually feel like reading. That said, my parents enjoyed the 50 Shades books and I would never look down on someone just because of what they choose to read or not to read. It's nice we all like different things, the world would be a bit more boring if we all liked the exact same books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Begins Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 I'll be the odd (wo)man out who actually liked 50 Shades of Grey. They were easy, fast reads for me. Oh and I liked Twilight too so Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ooshie Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 I'll be the odd (wo)man out who actually liked 50 Shades of Grey. They were easy, fast reads for me. Oh and I liked Twilight too so I liked the 50 Shades of Grey trilogy too, Anna, so that makes two of us Like you, I found them fast, easy reads. I thought they were more like slightly overheated Danielle Steele books than anything else, and as I have confessed elsewhere, Danielle Steele is my "guilty pleasure" author! From the list, I have read works by: William Shakespeare Agatha Christie Barbara Cartland Danielle Steel Harold Robbins Sidney Sheldon Enid Blyton Dr. Seuss J. K. Rowling Leo Tolstoy Jackie Collins Dean Koontz Alexander Pushkin Stephen King Robert Ludlum James Patterson Jeffrey Archer John Grisham J. R. R. Tolkien C. S. Lewis Dan Brown Arthur Hailey Beatrix Potter Michael Crichton Richard Scarry Clive Cussler Alistair MacLean Paulo Coelho Catherine Cookson David Baldacci Roald Dahl Anne Rice Wilbur Smith Lewis Carroll Ian Fleming Edgar Rice Burroughs James Michener Mary Higgins Clark Patricia Cornwell Tom Clancy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talisman Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 I am almost ashamed to admit that I have only bought and read 3 of them - mind you, think of all those lesser known authors and truly wonderful books that I have read instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsa Orlong Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 More than I thought I would have: William ShakespeareAgatha Christie Enid Blyton J. K. RowlingDean Koontz Stephen KingRobert Ludlum James Patterson J. R. R. TolkienDan BrownMichael CrichtonAlistair MacLeanDavid BaldacciRoald DahlAnne RiceKen FollettEdgar Rice BurroughsTom Clancy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Virginia Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 Lets see.... J. K. Rowling J. R. R. Tolkien C. S. Lewis Shakespeare Leo Tolstoy Arthur Hailey Agatha Christie Sydney Sheldon Not many of my favorites are on this list. No Jane Austen, Henry Thoreau, Elizabeth George, Jan Karon, Louise Edrich, Ken Follet, etc... I can not ABIDE James Patterson! I think it has to do with the fact that his writing machine pushes out at least four or five books a year. His books ALONE take up at least three shelves at the bookstore. I despise him on a matter of principle! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willoyd Posted August 6, 2014 Share Posted August 6, 2014 (edited) Boight as an adult: William Shakespeare Georges Simenon J. K. Rowling Leo Tolstoy J. R. R. Tolkien Lewis Carroll Tom Clancy Bought as a teenager/child: Agatha Christie Enid Blyton Dr. Seuss C. S. Lewis Beatrix Potter Michael Crichton Alistair MacLean Roald Dahl Ian Fleming (Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang! Not read any Bond) I've read a few others: Patricia Cornwell, Dan Brown, James Michener, Erle Stanley Gardner, John Grisham, Arthur Hailey at various times, with varying opinions on each, but not bought their books. Of those listed as bought, I thoroughly enjoyed books by them all at the time they were bought. Edited August 6, 2014 by willoyd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anisia Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 This is what I've bought/read from the list over the years: William ShakespeareAgatha Christie J. K. RowlingLeo Tolstoy Dean Koontz Alexander Pushkin Stephen KingRobert Ludlum James Patterson Irving WallaceJ. R. R. TolkienC. S. LewisDan BrownPaulo CoelhoStephenie MeyerAnne RiceLewis CarrollHermann Hesse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruth Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 Just the usual suspects for me, I guess. I thought Margaret Mitchell would be on this list? I am ashamed of how many authors on this list I don't know. I'm guessing Margaret Mitchell is not on there, because she only wrote the one book, whereas most of these authors (as far as I can tell) have written a fair few. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.