Best-Selling Books of 2009
The year has just about come and gone already, and so it's time to look back over some of the best of 2009.For this list I'll be running down the best-selling books of 2009. Fair warning: the list may be a bit subjective, as actual sales numbers are difficult to determine. Also, I'm only going to include books that did most of their business during the calendar year 2009. So despite Stephanie Meyer's absolute stranglehold on the best-seller lists, she won't be all over this one.
So, that said, let's get to it! Read on to discover the best-selling books of 2009.
Let's count it down!
#12.
Fitness guru Jillian Michaels has kicked people into shape with her hardcore strength training regimens on TV's The Biggest Loser. Yet in her book Master Your Metabolism, Michaels emphasizes the importance of metabolism and balancing the body's hormones for sustainable weight loss. Through a 3-phase plan, Michaels instructs the reader on how to choose a proper diet and avoid foods, chemicals and behavior that knock the body's hormones--e.g. estrogen, testosterone, insulin, and cortisol--out of whack. With these in balance, it will be effortless to lose weight and keep it off for good.#11.
It was worth the wait. A decade-and-a-half absence from fiction made anticipation for Pat Conroy's new novel South of Broad palpable. The beloved author of Prince of Tides didn't lose a step during his hiatus; his latest is another lush, sweeping novel of the Deep South, filled with vivid characters and emotional drama. Set in Conroy's native Charleston, South Carolina, South of Broad tracks the lives of a motley crew of diverse friends who cling together through socially divisive 1960's Charleston all the way to AIDS-ravaged San Francisco in 1989. Another triumphant epic from Conroy.#10.
As fate would have it, Nicholas Sparks--best-selling author of The Notebook--was already interested in writing a novel about teen romance when he was commissioned to pen a film vehicle for teen pop diva Miley Cyrus. The result is The Last Song, the novel version of the film slated for release in April of next year. The story focuses on teenager Ronnie Miller, who has reacted to her parents' divorce with rebellious behavior. Sent to live with her father in a small beach community, she eventually reconnects with him through their mutual love of music. But don't forget that it's Nicholas Sparks--keep the tissues handy.#9.
Swedish author, journalist and activist Stieg Larsson left behind the completed manuscripts of his Millennium Trilogy of crime novels after his untimely death. The Girl Who Played With Fire, the second book of the trilogy, continues the story of punk hacker and butt-kicker Lisbeth Salander and crusading journalist Mikael Blomkvist, who are both at odds with a Swedish society dominated by corrupt, powerful men. Blomkvist is tipped off about a sex-trade scandal that reaches high levels of Swedish politics, but must help Lisbeth clear her name when she is framed for a trio of murders. To get to the bottom of the conspiracy, Lisbeth will have to reveal parts of her painful past.#8.
The author of the best-selling memoir of all time is at it again, penning this stirring portrait of faith in action. Mitch Albom inspired millions with his work Tuesdays with Morrie, and takes on a similar task for Have a Little Faith--chronicling another man's wisdom and legacy. In this case, it's two men: 80-something Albert Lewis, a rabbi from Albom's hometown, who wishes for the author to deliver his eulogy; and Henry Covington, an ex-con and former drug dealer turned pastor of a crumbling church in Albom's adopted hometown of Detroit. Albom marvels at the power of faith in these men's lives, which leads him to rekindle his own long-dormant faith. Get inspired!#7.
John Grisham's 21st novel is another page-turning legal thriller in the tradition of The Firm. The Associate follows promising Yale Law grad Kyle McAvoy, who is about to embark on what is sure to be a brilliant career. But Kyle's life is thrown off track when a mysterious stranger named Bennie Wright turns up in possession of incriminating video evidence of a past indiscretion that would badly embarrass Kyle and damage his career. Forced to assent to Bennie's demands, Kyle finds himself playing mole in a high-powered New York law firm representing a defense contractor. As Kyle tries to outwit his blackmailers, his past unexpectedly comes calling anyhow--and all bets are off.#6.
Charlaine Harris has carved herself a niche with her Sookie Stackhouse novels, locking up the post-teenage vampire fan demographic with the help of the sultry HBO series True Blood based on her novels. In Dead and Gone, Sookie is hoping that the shape-shifters of Bon Temps, Louisiana will be afforded tolerance when they decide to reveal themselves to the world in the same way that vampires did previously. Her hopes are dashed, however, when a young werepanther girl is murdered and crucified. Meanwhile, Sookie finds herself being stalked by a malicious fairy prince and grilled by the FBI. Wicked fun.#5.
Shrill right-wing conservative radio talk show host Mark Levin proves how easy it is to sell books to people who march in step with you. Liberty and Tyranny does what all books from ideologues of any stripe do: rip apart the opposition with a litany of myopic or distorted factoids of which no average reader would ever bother to check the veracity. Levin rails against social security, big government, immigration and other re-tread conservative talking points in his manifesto. #4.
Comedian Steve Harvey spent months on the best-seller list with his funny and frank self-help book Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man. Harvey provides real relationship advice that is geared to help women understand just what's going on in a man's head at various stages of their interaction. From how to spot a mama's boy, to how long a man will wait for sex before seeking it elsewhere, Harvey tells it straight.#3.
Kathryn Stockett dazzles with The Help, her uplifting debut novel set in Civil Rights Era Jackson, Mississippi. Recent Ole Miss graduate Skeeter Phelan returns to Jackson and is dismayed at how poorly her fellow white women treat the African-American help. She decides to write a tell-all book with the help of Aibileen, a quietly-suffering nanny who has raised 17 white children but isn't allowed to use the same bathroom, and Minny, the best cook in town who nonetheless finds herself constantly fired when she speaks out against her mistreatment. Stockett authentically gives voice to these vibrant characters in a truly outstanding first novel.#2.
Why are ultra-successful people ultra-successful? asks best-selling author and journalist Malcolm Gladwell in his brilliant work Outliers. Through a wide swath of observations and social data, Gladwell engages the reader in a nature versus nurture debate to determine what factors contribute to success. Gladwell demonstrates the unbalanced manner in which society often cultivates talent, providing advantages to those who already have advantages. Gladwell also endorses the "10,000 hour rule," which he believes is the amount of practice required to master a skill. Gladwell contributes another stirring, insightful work.And of course, the #1 book of 2009 is...
This was a certainty from the day the book was announced. The Lost Symbol, Dan Brown's first book since the record-breaking The DaVinci Code, broke all conceivable sales records itself by selling over one million books on its first day, and two million in its first week. Brown's brilliant symbologist Robert Langdon is back again, and this time he's back home in the States. When he finds the severed hand of his friend Peter Solomon--head of the Smithsonian and a senior Freemason--waiting for him in D.C., Langdon and Peter's sister Katherine begin a breathtaking race around the capital to solve an ancient puzzle and rescue Solomon. The magnificent architecture of Washington, D.C. serves as the backdrop for Brown's twisting story, which delves into the dense and fascinating history of the Freemasons, who were intricately linked to the founding of this country. Brown scores with another engrossing, enlightening and fast-paced book that you just can't put down. Literally!Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed this list of the best-selling books of 2009. We'll see you in 2010!
Comments page 1 of 3
Neutral
xbucfan said 12-29-2009 @6:36AM
Where is "Going Rogue" ? I thought it was such a big hit !
replyNeutral
dave said 12-29-2009 @9:49AM
Take a look at the comments for Mar Levin's book. Then tell me the media is not biased towards the left. Their supposition is that NO ONE investigates the "factoids". NO ONE??!! That would include every single person who buys/reads the book! NO ONE??!! Now I think I know how the Obamanation got into the White House!
Neutral
Joe said 12-29-2009 @11:49AM
It is, but if you notice, when the author talks about Mark Levin's book, the author has nothing good to say about conservative thinkers. Which makes me belief that the author rather have a root canal than say something nice or objective about a conservative author.
I did bother reading it, checking the reference, and analyzing the logic of the book, contrary to the author's opinion.
"Common Sense" or "Arguing with idiots" are not even mentioned, but have been in hte NYT Best sellers list for many weeks straight.
Neutral
Alberto said 12-29-2009 @7:19AM
There is no way this Steve Harvey could have written a book on his own. He is uneducated and doubt if he can even spell simple words just like Obama who has people writing his speeches etc. It is funny how they are pushing books on us which are so stupid, mostly copied from other writings.
replyNeutral
tracy said 12-29-2009 @8:03AM
Just because you are uneducated does not mean everyone else is. Just because someone is unknown to you, does not make them uneducated either. You don't know Steve Harvey and obviously you know nothing about your president. Obama is VERY educated and writes his OWN speeches. Something I doubt you could pull off....
Neutral
sac0020 said 12-29-2009 @9:37PM
Read the book!!! It is really awesome!!!
Neutral
andj said 12-29-2009 @8:22AM
He is not uneducated. Listen to him speak.
Neutral
Dan said 12-29-2009 @8:02PM
I agree...Just because Steve Harvey is an expert on himself and his own defficencies doesn't qualify him to give advice!......Being marginally funny has allowed him a platform......Reading or hearing something doesn't mean you have to believe it.....His credentials are limited at best!!
Neutral
vwells said 12-29-2009 @11:32AM
Just because someone is uneducated (which he's not), does not mean they are not smart enough to write a book. I'll tell you what he is educated enough to do, he's educated enough to be a millionaire. How much money do you have in the bank?
Neutral
Ivory said 1-18-2010 @6:22PM
Tracy, Andj, Debbie and Easter,
You would all love reading the book, The War Between men and Women. You can review my comments about the book on page 3 of this comment board. You will not be disappointed, guaranteed
Neutral
frank said 12-29-2009 @7:40AM
How can Glen Beck have 3 books on the best sellers list for most of the year and not have one book on the list. Makes me think the list is a little bogus possibly even biased.
replyNeutral
Bruce Fontaine said 12-29-2009 @8:45AM
I agree totally Frank.
Glenn Beck should have been #3.
Levin is ok but seriously, even Palin's book is better.
Neutral
Debbie said 12-29-2009 @10:59AM
This column was obviously written by a liberal, and the glaring omission of the success of Glenn Beck's books, even allowing for the criteria the column's author cited, only shows how jaded the list really is. He did at least say at the start it would be subjective. Beck had three books on the NYT's Bestseller list at the same time for weeks and weeks... Um, how many other authors did that this year?
Neutral
bill said 12-29-2009 @1:53PM
Frank. You have asked part of the question that has baffled so many intelligent Americans, namely, "how could Glenn Beck have three books on the best sellers list ***?" How indeed?
Glenn Beck for those of you who don't know it is a fictional creation, the product of a bet by some studio execs a few years ago. Seriously. They were sitting around brainstorming trying to gauge the popularlty of so many talking heads and radio hosts. They formulated a bet among themselves. Take a nobody off the street give him a radio show and see what happens. In this case they took a blubbering everyman who stood for everything and nothing and loved to hear himself talk - perhaps a slightly more refined version of Primetime Glick with Martin Short. Glenn beck failed the tryout and hence passed the tryout. He was put on the radio and then given airtime. Amazingly no one seemed to catch on that Glenn Beck was just a primetime parody of a buffoon. The more he spoke the more enthralled the unknowing masses loved him. A modern day "Meet John Doe". And there you have it folks. Gig is up. Glenn Beck was just a cleverly conceived joke. Take him for what he is - a parody.
Neutral
frank said 12-29-2009 @3:42PM
Bill it looks like you hit the usual liberal talking points, although you forgot to tell us he's a fat alcoholic. That's the way you superior intellectual thinkers usually operate. Ignore the message, because you can't debate what he says, so you just try and eliminate the messenger by belittleing him. You Rock. Liberals like you never cease to amuse me.
Neutral
Michael said 12-29-2009 @7:40AM
WHERE IS "BOLD FRESH"? This list needs to be "fair and balanced. M.J.D'Angelo
replyNeutral
Michael said 12-29-2009 @7:44AM
WHERE IS "BOLD FRESH"by Bill O'Rielly? Something tells me you are not fair and balanced.
replyNeutral
Ada Robb Tisdall said 12-29-2009 @7:52AM
We discovered www.proimageteam.com/45460 on Dec 1st .We love the health products and compensation package. You don't have to consume the products, but the payout is as Tina stated, almost too good to be true . BTW, we'll be visiting Tina' site,too. You can make up your own business cards, send them out, pass them out, even e-mail your friends /associates .Jan,15 , our 1st check will be $300 + with minimum any effort.Imaging if we really tried. With so many jobs lost, we ALL had better think of self-employment.
replyNeutral
CD said 12-29-2009 @8:23AM
What did you expect, did you see their review of Mark Levin's book. I guess someone here has no respect for the conservative POV. How typical.
replyNeutral
Duane said 12-29-2009 @9:55AM
The said Levin's book sold so many because it was easy to get people who think like you to buy your books. Sarah's book has already sold a couple million -- Al's Inconvenient Misrepresentations sold about 40,000. I guess there are a lot of people who think like Sarah, Sean, Rush, Mark, Laura, etc. Hope it shows up at the polls in 2010 and 2012.