Bestseller lists from the past
I was reading this post a few minutes ago and suddenly the line below popped out at me
It is interesting to look at the bestseller lists, say, of the 1920s, where one would be hard-pressed to recognize virtually anything that is read today, with a few notable exceptions. As someone said: Today’s bestseller lists are tomorrow’s obituary columns.Off I went to find the bestseller lists. Have found one, which needs some hours to run through. Here's the 1961 fiction list (looks like the US bestseller list btw)
1. The Agony and the Ecstasy, Irving StoneYes, pretty obvious why I picked this year isn't it?
2. Franny and Zooey, J. D. Salinger
3. To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee
4. Mila 18, Leon Uris
5. The Carpetbaggers, Harold Robbins
6. Tropic of Cancer, Henry Miller
7. Winnie Ille Pu, Alexander Lenard, trans.
8. Daughter of Silence, Morris West
9. The Edge of Sadness, Edwin O'Connor
10. The Winter of Our Discontent, John Steinbeck
Update: Talking of lists, here's a useful metalist.
