(opinion article)

Bestsellers are now a normal part of the book world. In bookstores, we often see bright stickers on book covers that say things like “Top Seller,” “New York Times Bestseller,” or “Recommended by Everyone.” These words make us think the book is important or good. But do they really mean the book is worth reading?

Usually, a bestseller is a book that sells many copies in a short time. But the rules for calling a book a bestseller are different in each country and in different publishing houses. For example, in the USA, being on the New York Times list means a book is a bestseller. But this list does not only count sales. It also looks at where the books are sold. In Ukraine, the system is not so clear. There is no one rule. So publishers can say a book is a “top seller” based on their own numbers or to help with marketing.

Today, a book can become popular not because it is well written, but because it makes people feel something. Social media also plays a big role. Short videos and emotional reactions help books go viral. A good example is the book ‘The Chase of Adeline.’ It became very popular on BookTok, the TikTok community for book lovers. Many people talked about it. Soon the book was on bestseller shelves. Even though the entire plot of the book is reduced to 18+ scenes.

So, a bestseller is not always a good or bad book. It only shows that the book was  well promoted. Just because everyone talks about a book does not mean you will like it. And sometimes, a small book without big labels can give you the best reading experience.