I’ve noticed for the past year that the books appearing on the Daily Show increased the number of requests on those books, hence my Daily Show Book Club. I’ve also noticed books appearing on shows like Desperate Housewives and thought that this marketing tie in has to be a boon to publishers as well. The Book Standard is running an article that illuminates the link between even a fleeting glance at a book on a television and increased sales. The labyrinthine Lost featured a book called The Third Policeman by Flann O’Brien and as a result the relatively obscure book that sold about 15,000 copies between its 1999 reprint and 2005, has sold (shipped) 15,000 copies since the episode of Lost aired in September. As of today, the lone copy at the Campbell Library has 4 requests. Ahh, the power of the Telly.
The article notes that this kind of success doesn’t necessarily translate for all books. Stiff by Mary Roach, a book that I have read and really enjoyed, was featured on the last episode of Six Feet Under, barely registered on the indices of book popularity.
TV/Book tie-ins IN the library are a must.
Also, when I get to the library, remind me to do a “morbid” book and video list.
Currently watching: Tivo/Alias