Ask HN: What good books are not bestsellers?

#1

Post by princeofxanadu » Mon, Dec 13, 2021, 6:41 AM UTC

When I pick up a book for a read, it almost always has a bestseller tag on it. This has often left me wondering whether there are any really great books outside the bestseller catalogue.

Re: Ask HN: What good books are not bestsellers?

#2

Post by blockwriter » Mon, Dec 13, 2021, 7:04 AM UTC

Books by William Gaddis.

Re: Ask HN: What good books are not bestsellers?

#3

Post by gregjor » Mon, Dec 13, 2021, 7:05 AM UTC

Pretty much all of them.

Re: Ask HN: What good books are not bestsellers?

#4

Post by beardyw » Mon, Dec 13, 2021, 8:05 AM UTC

gregjor wrote: post #3

Pretty much all of them.

Agree. People buy bestsellers because they are bestsellers. It's self fulfilling.

Re: Ask HN: What good books are not bestsellers?

#5

Post by f0e4c2f7 » Mon, Dec 13, 2021, 5:36 PM UTC

Game Programming Patterns by Nystrom.

Great book, a lot of the ideas apply outside of games

Use of Weapons by Ian M. Banks.

I was going to suggest the first book in the culture series but when I looked it was claimed to be a "best seller". So I take your point. This one is my favorite out of the series.