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Is that how people chose which books to read? Oh its like Gone Girl so I'll read Girl on the Train? I don't think I've ever read a book because its been marketed as similar to a book I did like. It makes me wonder how people chose which books deserve their time. I'm fairly skeptical when I'm told "you have to read this, its sooooo good." blah! My best friend raved on and on about 50 shades of grey.....and I took it out from the library....and promptly returned it to the library only half read. Yet millions of women would disagree with my assessment of that novel. I didn't read Girl on the train, but I did watch the movie and found the entire thing completely unrealistic, most likely I would hate the novel, but I usually can't stand novels where the women leads are pathetic and spineless.
Writing is similar to music. There are tonnes of talented bands out there and the talent can't be denied...yet I don't like their music. What makes "good" music and who decides. In the end the fans decide. Just because "I" don't like a novel doesn't mean it isn't good. The same would go for art. Maybe I think Monet is the best but someone else thinks Picasso is the best. Taste is fickle and individual. Picasso will never be Michelangelo but who says which is better? I'm rambling now....so those are just a few of my thoughts on the subject.
Marketing is marketing, but I certainly have had plenty of friends tell me I'd like something because 'it's like....' I've also found music because it's like a band I like, and art because it's like art I like. I like surrealism. I found Dali as a small kid, and didn't know he was a surrealist. A couple years later, I found Magritte and etc...
I've recommended countless books to people based on what they like -- that's my first question if someone asks for a recommendation, 'what books do you like?'
This is the basis of so many things, from Netflix and Pandora and etc. recommendations to general social stuff. 'Do you like Olive Garden? No? Oh, good, I know a great Italian place."