According to Amazon the list of 2017’s most popular books includes some old favourites, however it is (perhaps unsurprisingly to many readers) heavily influenced by popular television adaptations.
Many believe that film and television have the capacity to ruin a perfectly good novel by adapting it to fit into a series or film. Even Peter Jackson’s epic reworking of Lord of the Rings, and The Hobbit trilogy tried hard to squeeze in Tolkien’s vision but fell short for many fans of the books (coughTOMBOMBADILcough).
While some of us may scoff or sneer at the seemingly constant need to adapt already-existing stories for television or movies, it has become apparent that introducing someone to a story via television can impact book sales of the original title. This year’s hit adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s A Handmaid’s Tale shows this to be the case with the 1985 novel hitting the top of Amazon’s most read list of 2017.
Also on the list are many of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series (previously adapted into very popular movies), and Stephen King’s IT (one of 2017’s biggest movies released so far). Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin makes an appearance too. Perhaps this proves that film and book can live harmoniously side by side..? Or perhaps it just means movie screenwriters can’t seem to come up with any ideas of their own..?
Another title on the list, Beneath A Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan is also due for movie release soon. Is this indicative of a great story, we wonder, or merely an easy money maker for film producers?
As long as people continue to be encouraged to read the original book, I am all for it.
Amazon’s Year In Books 2017
3. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's (Sorcerer's) Stone by J.K. Rowling
5. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J. K. Rowling
7. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J. K. Rowling
10. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling
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