:P I'm actually already planning a post or two on the importance of reading famous/hyped books, so I've been thinking about this subject a lot. Personally, I do think it's very important to read the stuff gets super famous. There's generally a reason why something gets famous, and it's good to at least analyze famous books and see what we can learn from them. We can try to figure out what made them so appealing to such a wide range of people. So yeah, those are my thoughts in a nutshell.

Having said that, I've never actually read the Harry Potter series, although I do really want to. But I really love The Hunger Games and I highly recommend it. :)

That's an interesting question. It's hard to say whether you'd be missing out, because not everyone is going to enjoy the popular books. And popularity doesn't necessarily mean 'great.' I've read some hyped books where the writing was less than stellar. And just because a book isn't popular doesn't mean we can't learn from it, too.

So, do I think it's important for writers to read these books? For ME, it is. I WANT to read them and learn from their success. And if YOU think it's important, then I would agree. But I also say, that if you don't WANT to read a particular hyped book--don't sweat it. You'll still learn and grow from whatever else you choose to read, I think. :)

Ally @ The Scribbling Sprite

I think that it is important to read some of them, but that we don't need to read all of them. I have read the Hunger Games and Divergent, but have no intention of ever reading Harry Potter or Twilight. I think what you read should largely depend on 1) If it is the genre you want to write 2)If it is for the audience you want to write to 3) If it sounds like something you might enjoy, because if you don't enjoy it, you are less likely to get anything out of it.

I don't know if it's important or not to read famous and hyped books per se. I usually give the books that everyone talks about a fair chance - if it belongs to my favourite genre and I'm more or less interested in the subject matter. I don't think you should force yourself to read them even if they can teach you something, because if you don't like them, all you will remember in the end is the misery you've gone through while reading them.

But if the book manages to capture my attention and hook my interest, I will definitely read it till the end/or go through the whole series. In any other case, I won't bother even finishing it.

I never really got to like Twilight or Divergent and never read more than the first book. But if we take the Harry Potter and the Hunger Games series, which are among my all-time favourites and which I reread almost religiously, not only I find them great reads (because once you've managed to truly discover their magic, they will stay with you forever), but I also believe that their authors can teach us a lot about writing. In fact, I think that they are geniuses.

Personally, I've learned (among other things) about creating great characters, who leave no one indifferent one way another, plotting complex intrigue and planting clues so masterfully and inconspicuously among the ordinary and the everyday from the Harry Potter and I've learned how to finish on cliff hangers, write gut-wrenching scenes and deliver emotional shocks from the Hunger Games.

Ooh, this is a FASCINATING topic and I lurve it. Okay. Ahem. I think yes? I think it's very important to read, particularly, in the genre you're writing. Because if you write a cancer book without reading TFIOS, there's a chance you might inadvertently write too similarly? Or something. And I think it's good to know which books are mega-famous and analyse it. Not to particularly copy it, but to know what people are looking for and what's doing well. *nods* And just to be well educated on the topics! I mean, you want a career in writing = you research (read the famous books). If you want a career in music = you listen to all the famous players. So I kinda see it the same way??? XD

I think it's important (unless the famous book in question is... questionable in content) because 1. there's probably a good reason for the fame, like in Harry Potter - I didn't read it till I was in 8th grade, and it was totally captivating. I didn't stop reading them until I was done, and it took me two weeks, which is probably record speed. and 2. it helps you understand culture! Same thing with Star Wars, I didn't really watch it until this summer and I feel like I know the people around me a lot better. It gives a common ground, and if you end up liking it, a shared interest. That's been one of the coolest things to me about finally getting around to reading popular books/watching popular movies or shows - I just understand my fellow Americans that much better. :D

Personally, I think it's very important. It's been so helpful for me because not only have I found some that I actually liked, but I've learned a lot about what works and what doesn't, and what I want to 'borrow' for use in my own books. It's taught me a lot. *nodnod*

I think it's wise to read current bestsellers to glean on how these writers got to that point, to stay up to date on what's popular, and to get all of the references. XD I'm actually doing a whole post on this next month!

storitorigrace.blogspot.com

I think that there is some importance in reading famous books. I mean, it's not like you have to read them exclusively, but if you're a writer it helps to know what's out on the market, and what's more, you can get some really cool books out of the deal. So... Yeah. I think it's important, but it's not a requirement.