Books Famous for Reasons not Based on Literary Merit [Circumstance] (39)

In this thread, we share novels,
textbooks, compendiums, journals, etc. that have become famous or infamous (in whole or in part) due to:

• Their presence in the right place at the right time.

House of Leaves - Mark Z. Danielewski

>>27
You could say that it was gimmicky, although this would mean it's significant due to its own merits. So it wouldn't belong here.

The Twilight series.

>>32
marketing

>>4
Works with literary/historical value or success based on their own merits/influence
The Satanic Verses was a Booker prize finalist. The fatwa would have never come about if it wasn't getting so much press for being a great (albeit controversial) book in the first place.

>>29
That really goes to most, if not all celebrity autobiographies.

The Shoppaholic.
So damn shitty. Why is it the #1 best seller? It's offensive to the audience it was intended for.

The Bible

Think about it.

>>37
Marketing. Any religious book is marketing by default.

>>37

Haha, I lol'd. But true.