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There are certain books that I think everyone will agree are
very influential in the writing world. Books like Harry Potter, The Hunger
Games, Twilight, or Divergent, that have captured readers’ imaginations, and
have inspired writers to follow in their footsteps. These are the types of
books that other novels get compared to, and that typify the kind of success
most writers dream of. Their authors found that certain something that compels people
to read the books and share them with friends. These are the important books of
our time.
But, while these books are undeniably influential, and there’s
a lot of enjoyment to be had from reading them, there are some writers, like
me, who haven’t read a lot of these famous books. I haven’t read either The Hunger
Games or Harry Potter yet, and recently I’ve started to wonder something. When
we don’t read these books, are we missing out on not only what could be a great
read, but also missing out on the chance to learn from some of the most
successful writers of our time?
I’d love to hear from you on this question, because I certainly
don’t have the answers. Do you think that it’s important for us as writers to
read these influential books? Are we missing out if we don’t read them? What
books or series would you consider influential? Are there famous books or
series that you, like me, haven’t read? I want to hear your opinion. Let’s
discuss!
: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.
ReplyDeleteHaving 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. :)
Ooh, I can't wait to see what you have to say on the subject! I'll be looking out for that post for sure. That is a very good point. I always feel that there's something to be learned from analysing famous books. I'd be interested to know your thoughts though, do you think that writers can still get a lot out of reading famous books if they're not really interested in reading them for fun?
DeleteThat'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.
ReplyDeleteSo, 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
Very true. There's something to be learned from every book you read. And I think it's a very good thing that there are famous books in a host of genres, because then writers have a chance to find something that they can enjoy and learn a heap from. I'm interested to know, what do you think of reading famous books outside of the genre you write? Do you think that's important too?
DeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteThat's a very good point. There are things to be learned from all of the famous books, but it may not be necessary to read them all. I like your points about reading books in your genre, audience, and to your enjoyment. Especially that last one. I'm with you on that. I think that if you don't enjoy the book, you're more likely to see it's negative traits rather than be able to analyse it to see what it did right. Thanks for stopping and sharing your thoughts!
DeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteBut 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.
That's very interesting to think about, Farida. And I think you're right, it's not that beneficial to read a book just for the sake of having read it. Personally, I do find that I don't tend to give books fair judgement on what they did right if I didn't enjoy the experience of reading them. Which isn't really fair on the book or helpful to me.
DeleteAt the same time, it looks like you have learnt a lot from reading some of those books. They're certainly doing something right if they've managed to become so popular. I'm interested, do you think that writers should give all popular books a chance, and risk not liking some of them, or stick to the ones in their own genres that they're more certain to enjoy?
I guess as writers we should be open to all kinds of books and experiences that they deal with. We should definitely give them a chance - but if we find that we don't like them, I really don't think that we should force ourselves to keep reading.
DeleteI also think that popular books that make a lot of noise and make everyone talk about them will inevitably draw our attention to them both as readers and writers. However, I'm afraid that our opinion will be coloured beforehand by everything that we've read and heard about them from different sources and I'm not sure that we'll be able to look at them with unbiased and open mind.
That being said, I think that we should give those books a chance (unless they utterly repulse us), but we should not force ourselves if they prove unpalatable.
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
ReplyDeleteI totally get what you mean about reading so as not to copy. Fun fact, I actually wrote a book a couple of years back that pretty much ripped off The Maze Runner, and I hadn't even read it! I didn't realise until a friend told me how similar they were. And so true about needing to be well educated in your field. I totally see the writing and music comparison. Thanks so much for stopping and sharing your insight Cait.
DeleteI 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
ReplyDeleteAnd for things like Lord of the Rings, which has been around for decades, it helps you see influences in popular culture, which to me is SUPER cool to observe. So much of the modern fantasy genre owes itself to Tolkien, who owes himself to the Old English myths and Christianity, and that's just so interesting to me.
DeleteYou make a good point about understanding culture better once you've read the books, especially bookish culture, like with Tolkien's books. Really, the trailblazer when it came to high fantasy. We owe his books such a debt. Especially when it comes to older books that are, or have been super popular, reading them can really give you a good grounding in the genre, because so many books end up being based on them that they start directing the development of their genre. It's a very interesting though. Thanks for sharing your views Lily. You've given me plenty to think about.
DeletePersonally, 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*
ReplyDeleteI'm interested Aimee. You said that "not only have I found some that I actually liked". Did you read some popular books that you didn't really enjoy but read anyway? And if so, do you felt you learned as much from them as you did from the ones you did enjoy?
DeleteI 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!
ReplyDeletestoritorigrace.blogspot.com
Ooh, I'm really looking forward to reading it now. Can't wait for next month when it comes out. Definitely a good thing for writers to stay up to date on what's hot in the writing world. I feel like you'd also be more connected with other writers because you could discuss these influential books, even if they weren't your absolute favourites? Thanks for stopping and sharing your thoughts.
DeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with you. It's good to know what's happening in the market of books, especially if you're a writer planning on publishing. Especially seeing as these popular books often pave the way for trends. Even if you get nothing else out of them, you'll be able to tell whether it's the right time for your book, or whether plot elements are played out at the moment, or even if the genre is over published at the moment. But I do think it is possible to write a good book without having read these books. So, as you said, maybe a good thing to do, but not one hundred percent a requirement maybe? Interesting idea to consider. Thanks for sharing your opinion Heather.
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