Amazon’s Top 10 Bestsellers of 2017 and the Status of the Publishing Industry
Jonathan Smith//Blog Writer
Some say that a year is only as good as the literature read within its 365 days. In that sense, 2017 was actually phenomenal. For the purposes of this article, we can look back on the year from an optimistic perspective.
Last year, I wrote an article for this blog detailing the impact of Amazon’s top 10 bestsellers of 2016 on the publishing industry. The majority of those books related to self-help in some manner, either through diet or improving one’s daily social interactions. Some of the same books from last year made an appearance this year. The top 10 bestsellers in particular always provide fascinating insight as to where the publishing industry stands today, and how trends remain or change annually. With the holiday season around the corner, a review of Amazon’s top 10 bestsellers of 2017 is in order. Most of these are worthwhile additions to the libraries of literary buffs in your life.
- First 100 Words by Roger Priddy
Last year, First 100 Words ranked third overall on the Amazon bestseller list for 2016. Though it has dropped seven spots this year, the book is still popular. Why this particular children’s vocabulary book is so famous remains unknown.
- The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts by Gary Chapman
Like last year’s ranking, The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts currently stands at ninth on Amazon’s bestselling charts. Chapman evaluates relationships to help promote healthy bonds that will last a lifetime. Love is universal and every relationship has its difficulties, so Chapman’s book appeals to a wide audience.
- The Whole30: The 30-Day Guide to Total Health and Food Freedom by Melissa Hartwig and Dallas Hartwig
The Whole30 ranked tenth overall on last year’s chart, and has upgraded two spots this year. Through scientific analysis and recipes, Melissa and Dallas Hartwig break down their Whole30 program. With the growing amounts of nutritious options becoming available at restaurants and supermarkets, this book hopes to make everyone’s life healthier.
- Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson
A new addition to the top 10 bestseller list this year, Astrophysics for People in a Hurry approaches the concepts of astrophysics—including our relationship with space and time—without as much jargon as the standard textbook. Tyson appeals to a broad audience in his attempt to make astrophysics easier to understand.
- The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
Though The Handmaid’s Tale was originally published in 1985, the novel has made a resurgence with a television adaptation on Hulu. The story follows a handmaid named Offred who encounters sexism in every aspect of her life, though she remembers better days of the past where she lived more freely.
- Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae (Author) and Guy Parker-Rees (Illustrator)
Finishing eighth on last year’s chart, Giraffes Can’t Dance has moved up three spots. The children’s book follows Gerald the giraffe as he struggles to pursue his dream of dancing.
- The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life by Mark Manson
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life is a popular title and widely advertised in bookstores throughout the country. Part informal, part academic, this self-help book encourages people to embrace weaknesses through Manson’s unique ideology.
- Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis by J. D. Vance
Hillbilly Elegy is a memoir by a Yale Law School graduate and former Marine, who details his experiences from being born into poverty to attending one of the more prestigious universities in the world. Vance discusses the struggles of alcoholism and family division upon becoming middle-class American citizens.
- Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur
A collection of poetry, Milk and Honey discusses such prevalent literary themes of violence, love, and trauma. This is the only collection of poetry in the top 20 Amazon bestselling books of 2017.
- Wonder by R. J. Palacio
Replacing Harry Potter and the Cursed Child as Amazon’s number one bestselling book, Wonder is a story about Auggie Pullman’s journey toward acceptance within his fifth grade community. Upon entering public school for the first time, Pullman is bullied for having a facial difference. The popularity of Wonder coincides with the release of its major motion picture adaptation.
Four books remain on Amazon’s top 10 bestsellers list from last year. However, the diversity of humor, memoir, poetry, and science is always an auspicious sign for fans of varying genres. Two of the new additions correspond with the release of film adaptations, and self-help books still remain dominant. It’s certainly intriguing to see this trend repeat itself over the last couple of decades.