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American Dirt


"American Dirt is a Grapes of Wrath for our times."
—Don Winslow
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Do you follow celebrity book recommendations? How do you think celebrity book endorsements influence readers?

Created: 02/06/20

Replies: 30

Posted Feb. 06, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
davinamw

Join Date: 10/15/10

Posts: 3442

Do you follow celebrity book recommendations? How do you think celebrity book endorsements influence readers?

"American Dirt" has been recommended by Oprah Winfrey. Have you read any of her other picks, and have you enjoyed them? Are there any other celebrities whose book selections you follow? Overall, would you say that celebrity endorsements are a force for good or bad, or does it depend?


Posted Feb. 08, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
bestmartin's Gravatar
bestmartin

Join Date: 02/20/13

Posts: 103

RE: Do you follow celebrity book recommendations? How do you think celebrity book endorsements influence readers?

I personally don’t. I do seriously consider BookBrowse recommendations. If I were to follow any celebrity it would be Oprah because she likes complex characters studies.


Posted Feb. 08, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
garyr

Join Date: 10/23/12

Posts: 35

RE: Do you follow celebrity book recommendations? How do you think celebrity book endorsements influence readers?

I really don’t buy or read a book just because it’s a celebrity pick, it has to pique my interest -- there are far to many great books out there being published to just focus on celebrity book club picks.


Posted Feb. 08, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
laurap

Join Date: 06/19/12

Posts: 407

RE: Do you follow celebrity book recommendations? How do you think celebrity book endorsements influence readers?

While I take note of celebrity recommendation, I don't choose books because of them. I read a lot (around 100 books a year; I follow a variety of sources and publications in selecting what I read (friends, Bookbrowse, Goodreads, a couple of book magazines and several online recommendations lists as well as the NYT, Wasington Poast and other newspapers), and I try to balance between fiction and nonfiction, so while celebrity picks will sometimes make my list they don't govern my selections at a macro level.


Posted Feb. 08, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
susanr

Join Date: 04/14/11

Posts: 201

RE: Do you follow celebrity book recommendations? How do you think celebrity book endorsements influence readers?

I pay attention to what celebrities suggest but would never read a book just because it was a celebrity pick. I am happy to see that many people are reading these celebrity picks that might not be readers.


Posted Feb. 08, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
louisee

Join Date: 06/29/15

Posts: 143

RE: Do you follow celebrity book recommendations? How do you think celebrity book endorsements influence readers?

I also choose the books I read from a variety of sources. I will look at a book recommended by a celebrity but only choose it if it sounds interesting. I have only read a few of Oprah's book picks and discovered Where the Crawdad's Sing because of Reese Whiterspoon's suggestion. I also think celebrity endorsements get me to notice a book and get non readers to read which is great.


Posted Feb. 08, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
dawng

Join Date: 02/08/20

Posts: 7

RE: Do you follow celebrity book recommendations? How do you think celebrity book endorsements influence readers?

I don't choose books solely based on celebrity recommendations, however, with that being said, I do read a review on a book recommended by a celebrity and decide from that review whether it is something I would be interested in. Sometimes a book comes on my radar based on a celebrity review in which case if not for that I may not know about that particular book.


Posted Feb. 08, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
jenniferk

Join Date: 02/08/20

Posts: 8

RE: Do you follow celebrity book recommendations? How do you think celebrity book endorsements influence readers?

I might peruse an article that has a celebrity recommendation, but it doesn't influence my choice to read a book. I have read two of Obama's top books of 2019 and hated both books. Usually, I don't trust celebrity endorsements. I think many times a celebrity endorses a book that might make them look a little smarter or more sophisticated, not because he/she really liked the book. Just my 2 cents.


Posted Feb. 09, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
melanieb

Join Date: 08/30/14

Posts: 265

RE: Do you follow celebrity book recommendations? How do you think celebrity book endorsements influence readers?

I don’t read a book simply because its endorsed by a celebrity. I may see that so and so celebrity recommended the book or a particular writer may recommend it, but if the subject matter doesn’t interest me, I pass on it.


Posted Feb. 09, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
peggyt

Join Date: 08/10/17

Posts: 215

RE: Do you follow celebrity book recommendations? How do you think celebrity book endorsements influence readers?

I read publishing news so I do see that kind of thing but I don’t make my decisions based on book choices by celebs. I also read a lot of book reviews and I take those into account when choosing a book to read. This is one of the reasons I like BookBrowse.


Posted Feb. 09, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
ColoradoGirl

Join Date: 05/16/16

Posts: 149

RE: Do you follow celebrity book recommendations? How do you think celebrity book endorsements influence readers?

I make note of them but rarely does a celebrity recommendation alone cause me to pick up a book. I am much more interested in what other readers recommend, Goodreads, BookBrowse, etc. I do think those celebrity recommendations make a huge impact on book sales. I'm all for more people reading so I do like that more and more celebs are sharing their love of reading.


Posted Feb. 10, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
jww

Join Date: 05/31/11

Posts: 166

NO

Celebrity book recommendations usually turn me off. I will go out of my way to avoid them. Almost did this with American Dirt. Luckily, a good friend said it was worth reading. Oprah's recommendations especially bother me because they always seem to be about 'victims'. She loves victim stories. I don't.


Posted Feb. 10, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
marks

Join Date: 02/25/19

Posts: 112

RE: Do you follow celebrity book recommendations? How do you think celebrity book endorsements influence readers?

A celebrity recommendation has never been the sole reason I bought a book, but I do think it is interesting to read what other authors/celebrities have to say about a book. It might make me do my own research on the book and see if it is something I would probably enjoy.


Posted Feb. 10, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
pate

Join Date: 03/15/13

Posts: 36

RE: Do you follow celebrity book recommendations? How do you think celebrity book endorsements influence readers?

While I always enjoy seeing which books celebrities endorse, they do not drive my reading. I am more apt to choose a book based on reviews from the book blogs/websites I follow, recommendations from my local bookstore and friends. I do think, though, that if celebrity endorsements bring attention to books and get people reading, it is a good thing.


Posted Feb. 10, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Andrea

Join Date: 08/31/18

Posts: 32

RE: Do you follow celebrity book recommendations? How do you think celebrity book endorsements influence readers?

I do not follow celebrity recommendations but occasionally hear about them. I must admit that when I do hear about them, I take a closer look at the selection but do not feel obligated to read it. I am sure that a celebrity’s book endorsement will influence their most avid fans who enjoy reading.


Posted Feb. 10, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
acstrine

Join Date: 02/06/17

Posts: 438

RE: Do you follow celebrity book recommendations? How do you think celebrity book endorsements influence readers?

When Oprah first started her book club many years ago, I paid closer attention to her recommendations. Now, I look more for books that interest me, regardless of who recommends them or if they are even recommended at all. I am more likely to read a book if another reader I respect has read the book or reviewed it positively. I also have more time to investigate better sources for books than I did when I was working full time.

I agree with many of the posters that endorsements draw attention to books that many might not pick up otherwise. And I am glad that some celebrities focus on books rather than make-up, clothes, or purses. :)


Posted Feb. 10, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
katherinep

Join Date: 07/16/14

Posts: 374

RE: Do you follow celebrity book recommendations? How do you think celebrity book endorsements influence readers?

I really don't care what Oprah, Reese or Ellen read


Posted Feb. 11, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
kimk

Join Date: 10/16/10

Posts: 889

RE: Do you follow celebrity book recommendations? How do you think celebrity book endorsements influence readers?

I do follow these book recommendations, but more from a curiosity standpoint than anything else. I like to know what others are reading and what's currently popular, even though it doesn't impact my book selections. I'm much more likely to pick a title or two from a longer "best of" list published by a reputable source.


Posted Feb. 11, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Maggie

Join Date: 01/01/16

Posts: 434

RE: Do you follow celebrity book recommendations? How do you think celebrity book endorsements influence readers?

No I do not. I am a retired librarian, but even if I was not I know when a book will interest me. I will often read a book that gets bad reviews and love it.


Posted Feb. 15, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
vickic

Join Date: 09/15/14

Posts: 84

RE: Do you follow celebrity book recommendations? How do you think celebrity book endorsements influence readers?

Absolutely not unless the 'celebrity' is one made so as a result of being an author of merit. I think most people are sick of celebrities assuming the general public heralds their pronouncements on politics, books, etc. are actually paid attention to or are helpful.


Posted Feb. 15, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
joannew

Join Date: 07/08/17

Posts: 17

RE: Do you follow celebrity book recommendations? How do you think celebrity book endorsements influence readers?

I have read many Oprah selections over the years and will certainly take a look at any she recommends. I also follow Reese Witherspoon and Jenna Bush suggestions and have enjoyed some of theirs as well. Why not?


Posted Feb. 15, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
angelakuemmel

Join Date: 03/11/15

Posts: 12

RE: Do you follow celebrity book recommendations? How do you think celebrity book endorsements influence readers?

I'm always interested to see their picks and happy when they pick a book I like. I usually go by book browse and good reads as my rule of thumb


Posted Feb. 17, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
sheyc

Join Date: 02/17/20

Posts: 5

RE: Do you follow celebrity book recommendations? How do you think celebrity book endorsements influence readers?

I definitely don't follow Oprah's recommendation. Of the two books I have read from her selection, one was a DNF and the other was awful! I do like Reese Witherspoon's selections. They are fluffier and usually easy to read. After the crap I read last year I will take ANY recommendations (seriously, send them to me!)! I haven't finished American Dirt but I am loving it so far!


Posted Feb. 20, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
TLVZ721

Join Date: 03/26/18

Posts: 21

RE: Do you follow celebrity book recommendations? How do you think celebrity book endorsements influence readers?

I absolutely follow celebrity book clubs to a ridiculous degree. Why? I really have no idea. I think it started with Oprah and, especially in recent years, blew up from there. The ones I follow are Oprah, Reese Witherspoon (Hello Sunshine), Emma Watson (Our Shared Shelf), Emma Roberts (Belletrist), Sarah Jessica Parker (who has her own imprint at Hogarth Press), Florence Welsh (of Florence and The Machine fame), and Jenna Bush Hager (on the Today show). I'm not sure what draws me to their recommendations, but they have yet to steer me wrong and I've discovered some favorites by their suggestions.


Posted Feb. 20, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
scgirl

Join Date: 06/05/18

Posts: 245

RE: Do you follow celebrity book recommendations? How do you think celebrity book endorsements influence readers?

I rarely follow celebrity endorsements, in part because it is a rare thing when a celebrity actually reads the book. Usually they have one of their "people" read it and make recommendations. I rely more on reviews by friends, family, and customers who have read the book and have found it to be good.


Posted Feb. 28, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
bonnieb

Join Date: 09/11/11

Posts: 132

RE: Do you follow celebrity book recommendations? How do you think celebrity book endorsements influence readers?

Celebrity book recommendations interest me but I don't usually follow them. There was a time when I read all of Oprah's books but that was long ago.


Posted Mar. 01, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
rebeccar

Join Date: 03/13/12

Posts: 548

RE: Do you follow celebrity book recommendations? How do you think celebrity book endorsements influence readers?

Celebrity Book recommendations definitely generate interest in a book. Many best sellers have been generated from Oprah's recommendations. Occasionally I will look for more information on books recommended by people whose opinions I respect. Choices of Hollywood personalities who lack a specific platform for helping to make the world a better place do not in and of themselves make me buy a book.


Posted Mar. 01, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
gerrieb

Join Date: 09/03/19

Posts: 208

RE: Do you follow celebrity book recommendations? How do you think celebrity book endorsements influence readers?

My first impulse is to say no. However, I am often aware of celebrity recommendations and therefore they are hard to ignore. I can say I do not consciously purchase a book because of a celebrity endorsement. Celebrity endorsements can be a double edged sword. Just as I can say with certainty that I have do not consciously purchase a book due to a celebrity endorsement, I can honestly say I have made choices NOT to purchase a book because of a certain celebrity’s endorsement. There are some people I just don’t want any involvement with and that certainly applies to my love of books.


Posted Mar. 02, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
judithc

Join Date: 02/28/20

Posts: 31

RE: Do you follow celebrity book recommendations? How do you think celebrity book endorsements influence readers?

I choose the books I read mostly by reader reviews, recommendations from friends, The NY Times best seller list, prizes they have won, authors I have already read, book magazines and what Book Clubs in our area are reading which is published in our local paper. Rarely do I read a book based on celebrity endorsement.


Posted Mar. 06, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
bethanieg

Join Date: 03/06/20

Posts: 3

RE: Do you follow celebrity book recommendations? How do you think celebrity book endorsements influence readers?

I don’t follow celebrity endorsements. I pick books by reviews from critics who generally see aspects of the book that give it merit or not. Likewise, I follow the awards given by high quality organizations like Pulitzer or National Book Award. The criteria used by celebrities to choose their books is not the same as the knowledgeable unbiased sources like Book Browse!


Posted Mar. 25, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
taking.mytime's Gravatar
taking.mytime

Join Date: 03/29/16

Posts: 364

RE: Do you follow celebrity book recommendations? How do you think celebrity book endorsements influence readers?

I believe that celebrity endorsements are way to over emphasized. I could care less what known name says "Oh read this!" So many books use their covers to publicize this rubbish, when they could be furthering the work of the author or the uniqueness of the book itself. Celebrity gibberish I do not read or watch and so wish it would be curtailed. Relevant sources to me are critics, other readers or friends who know my reading preferences. I will listen to what they have to say about a book, then I make up my own mind. Sometimes I agree with them, other times I don't.


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