,

This list is for the best break out novels...the book that created buzz and established the author's career.

Note: This list is not for advertising. Please only vote if you are an active Goodreads member and have actually read the book(s) you are voting for.
1

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4.13 avg rating — 4,353,432 ratings
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2

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4.07 avg rating — 2,157,156 ratings
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3

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3.67 avg rating — 2,846,091 ratings
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4

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4.47 avg rating — 11,313,018 ratings
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5

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3.98 avg rating — 161,118 ratings
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6

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3.92 avg rating — 741,805 ratings
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7

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3.62 avg rating — 813,702 ratings
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8

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3.67 avg rating — 7,257,700 ratings
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9

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4.47 avg rating — 3,001,897 ratings
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10

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3.96 avg rating — 464,291 ratings
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11

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4.06 avg rating — 479,629 ratings
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12

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4.01 avg rating — 128,927 ratings
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13

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3.87 avg rating — 218,269 ratings
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14

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4.10 avg rating — 198,440 ratings
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15

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3.77 avg rating — 119,319 ratings
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16

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3.80 avg rating — 100,792 ratings
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17

by
3.91 avg rating — 964,091 ratings
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18

by
4.15 avg rating — 354,056 ratings
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19

by
4.01 avg rating — 84,494 ratings
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20

by
3.98 avg rating — 56,003 ratings
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21

by
4.39 avg rating — 2,857,282 ratings
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22

by
4.16 avg rating — 2,102,935 ratings
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23

by
4.05 avg rating — 75,645 ratings
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24

by
3.91 avg rating — 62,216 ratings
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25

by
really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 707,045 ratings
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26

by
3.79 avg rating — 58,959 ratings
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27

by
3.84 avg rating — 70,572 ratings
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28

by
3.84 avg rating — 1,022,085 ratings
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29

by
4.06 avg rating — 115,282 ratings
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30

by
4.15 avg rating — 562,117 ratings
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31

by
really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 1,854,099 ratings
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32

by
3.76 avg rating — 11,555 ratings
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33

by
3.77 avg rating — 620,192 ratings
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34

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really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 1,091,845 ratings
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35

by
4.36 avg rating — 3,468,500 ratings
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36

by
4.10 avg rating — 94,799 ratings
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37

by
3.60 avg rating — 298,330 ratings
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38

by
3.86 avg rating — 30,512 ratings
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39

by
3.93 avg rating — 29,947 ratings
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40

by
3.88 avg rating — 345,759 ratings
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41

by
4.31 avg rating — 3,407,138 ratings
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42

by
3.70 avg rating — 166,235 ratings
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43

by
4.02 avg rating — 553,958 ratings
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44

by
3.76 avg rating — 18,120 ratings
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45

by
4.24 avg rating — 1,986,722 ratings
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46

by
4.35 avg rating — 9,815,337 ratings
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47

by
3.96 avg rating — 1,739,258 ratings
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48

by
3.79 avg rating — 18,920 ratings
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49

by
4.05 avg rating — 629,485 ratings
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50

by
4.45 avg rating — 2,718,735 ratings
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51

by
3.93 avg rating — 351,523 ratings
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52

by
4.13 avg rating — 295,671 ratings
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53

by
4.01 avg rating — 190,615 ratings
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54

by
4.17 avg rating — 176 ratings
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55

by
3.57 avg rating — 8,328 ratings
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56

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4.29 avg rating — 4,757,300 ratings
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57

by
3.71 avg rating — 17,073 ratings
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58

by
3.92 avg rating — 143,656 ratings
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59

by
3.85 avg rating — 799 ratings
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60

by
4.31 avg rating — 714,576 ratings
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61

by
3.84 avg rating — 1,206,262 ratings
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62

by
3.73 avg rating — 5,478 ratings
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63

by
3.86 avg rating — 2,456,234 ratings
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64

by
3.88 avg rating — 99,297 ratings
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65

by
4.16 avg rating — 133 ratings
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66

by
4.27 avg rating — 45 ratings
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67

by
3.87 avg rating — 38,049 ratings
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68

by
3.93 avg rating — 9,435 ratings
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69

by
3.94 avg rating — 53,919 ratings
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70

by
3.94 avg rating — 8,217 ratings
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71

by
3.89 avg rating — 48,835 ratings
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72

by
4.26 avg rating — 1,147,654 ratings
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73

by
3.73 avg rating — 433 ratings
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74

by
4.04 avg rating — 337,046 ratings
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75

by
3.97 avg rating — 8,452 ratings
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76

by
3.80 avg rating — 9,014 ratings
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77

by
3.69 avg rating — 5,621 ratings
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78

by
4.21 avg rating — 95,263 ratings
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79

by
4.32 avg rating — 227 ratings
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80

by
3.83 avg rating — 4,821 ratings
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81

by
3.92 avg rating — 1,352,224 ratings
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82

by
3.24 avg rating — 2,936 ratings
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83

by
3.57 avg rating — 1,878 ratings
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84

by
3.88 avg rating — 137,008 ratings
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85

by
3.57 avg rating — 6,668 ratings
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86

by
4.12 avg rating — 5,679,011 ratings
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87

by
3.75 avg rating — 820 ratings
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88

by
3.73 avg rating — 896 ratings
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89

by
3.85 avg rating — 37,864 ratings
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90

by
4.02 avg rating — 91,789 ratings
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91

by
4.37 avg rating — 370 ratings
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92

by
3.84 avg rating — 626 ratings
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93

by
3.56 avg rating — 2,630 ratings
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94

by
4.05 avg rating — 67,177 ratings
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95

by
4.16 avg rating — 2,307,104 ratings
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96

by
4.59 avg rating — 46 ratings
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97

by
4.44 avg rating — 162 ratings
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98

by
4.04 avg rating — 135 ratings
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99

by
4.10 avg rating — 678,877 ratings
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100

by
3.87 avg rating — 754 ratings
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2,131 books · 3,977 voters · list created June 1st, 2011 by Shawn (votes) .
147 likes · 
Lists are re-scored approximately every 5 minutes.


Shawn 401 books
136 friends
Shari 255 books
351 friends
Dannye 330 books
429 friends
Anna 190 books
74 friends
L 547 books
215 friends
Valerie 523 books
1055 friends
Ottilie 766 books
413 friends
Thomas 161 books
1124 friends

More voters…


Comments Showing 1-42 of 42 (42 new)

dateUp arrow    newest »

message 2: by Jerome (new)

Jerome Peterson Who decides on the books that get posted on this list and why?


message 3: by Shawn (new)

Shawn Jerome wrote: "Who decides on the books that get posted on this list and why?"

Anyone can add books or vote for one already on the list. If you go to the "add books to this list" tab you can add which ever books you think fit the description. That way it's open for all goodreads members to voice their opinion. :)


message 4: by Tanja (new)

Tanja Interesting to see that some books are on the list more than once and that books made it that are obviously not the authors first book and therefore shouldn't be on a list called "Break Out Author Novels"


message 5: by Sherry (new)

Sherry Actually, the term "Break Out Novel" doesn't usually apply to debut novels, but to the book -- usually the third or fourth -- that breaks a novelist out to a big readership.


message 6: by Sherry (new)

Sherry But I am nevertheless honored to be included on this list. :)


message 7: by Jerome (new)

Jerome Peterson You hit the nail on its head, Sherry.


message 8: by Kim (new)

Kim De Lair SR & EL (Icy to her fans) are two of my favorite authors who took it to the next level! They are beloved on the fandom and will always be beloved as they make their mark in the mainstream. Love you guys and your stories. KimiD


message 9: by Chris (new)

Chris Hackett I just added my book to this list since I am actually a breakout Author. Hopefully someone sees it at some point.


message 10: by BookAddict (last edited Jul 13, 2011 06:57AM) (new)

BookAddict Bit confused about this list since the description says: "This list is for new authors and their books." And yet Stephen King is on the list? Is this list for Break Out Authors (which would be a new or old -- not age -- author with a book that is finally a hit? Is it for "new authors"? And "new" as of when? Which is it? Does it matter? Probably not but it's still confusing.... ha-ha..


message 11: by Breanne (new)

Breanne This vote was for Colleen Houck. Tiger saga all the way :)


message 12: by Anna (new)

Anna I was excited to see Crushed on here. I just finished reading it, and the writer is addictive. I love her style. The characters are very cool. Can't wait for the next book.


message 13: by Dana (new)

Dana Pratola By mistake there are two of my book on here - one with a cover one without. Will the votes from each be combined?


message 14: by Tammy (new)

Tammy Doherty Sherry wrote: "Actually, the term "Break Out Novel" doesn't usually apply to debut novels, but to the book -- usually the third or fourth -- that breaks a novelist out to a big readership."

That still doesn't explain "Wicked Appetite" by Janet Evanovich...she broke out long before that novel was published!!!


message 15: by Tanya (new)

Tanya Hanson My book Faithful Danger is on here (I didn't even know LOL) and it is as romantic suspense, it is break out for me. I write sensual Western historicals and inspirational Western contemporaries.


message 16: by Katherine (new)

Katherine Owen My book, Seeing Julia, is my debut novel and is now listed. It's contemporary fiction and has been well received by readers. I voted for a few of my absolute favorite novels. It's a great list!


message 17: by Terri (new)

Terri I added my book Forget Me Not to the list because it's new and I don't think anyone knows about it here. =) It's my first novel, I have a novella published as well. Thank you, if you choose to vote for me. =D


message 18: by [deleted user] (new)

Check out "The Ballad of Young Tam Lin." (You can read the first 3 chapters free on Amazon's Kindle sneak peek.) Historical fantasy romance. Great characters, compelling plot, wit and seriousness. I've laughed out loud many times, and had to hold back tears.


message 19: by Luse (new)

Luse Blood Red Road is a debut novel, c'mon people and read it. It deserves at least being Top 5 !!!! Blood Red Road by Moira Young to the end.


message 20: by Huimin (new)

Huimin ANGELFALL should be higher! it's fantastic!:)


message 21: by Natalie (new)

Natalie The Hunger Games wasn't Suzanne Collins's first book. She wrote the Gregor the Overlander series before it. I know I'm nitpicking but this detail annoys me a little (especially because I read those books as a kid and they were really good)


message 22: by Gigi (new)

Gigi Tom Bombadil wrote: "The Hunger Games wasn't Suzanne Collins's first book. She wrote the Gregor the Overlander series before it. I know I'm nitpicking but this detail annoys me a little (especially because I read those..."

I was about to say that--so I second it.


message 23: by Jonathan (new)

Jonathan  Terrington Tom Bombadil wrote: "The Hunger Games wasn't Suzanne Collins's first book. She wrote the Gregor the Overlander series before it. I know I'm nitpicking but this detail annoys me a little (especially because I read those..."

They were excellent I agree. I love how I read her books before her work became super popular.


message 24: by Gigi (new)

Gigi Jonathan wrote: "Tom Bombadil wrote: "The Hunger Games wasn't Suzanne Collins's first book. She wrote the Gregor the Overlander series before it. I know I'm nitpicking but this detail annoys me a little (especially..."

I never read the Gregor series but I read the Hunger Games years and years before it was famous--before the second one was even out. The Gregor series is for under 10s, right?


message 25: by Jonathan (new)

Jonathan  Terrington The Gregor series is aimed at younger audiences yes. But they're still good reading now I've found.

I read the Hunger Games when a friend recommended them - which was just before the surge of popularity. Right after I read them everyone else was reading them as the next big thing. I probably would have bypassed them otherwise because I tend to avoid hyped up books.


message 26: by Gigi (new)

Gigi Yeah same, I always seem to read books just before they get popular. I prefer to read books that aren't well known but are amazing.


message 27: by Loveliest Evaris (new)

Loveliest Evaris I really hate the fact that people are gaga over Suzanne Collins's 'Hunger Games' when she wrote a kick-ass series a few years before -- Gregor the Overlander. I loved that series.. For some reason I hated Boots, though .__. But I liked Gregor's other little sister, and the huge rat.. what was his name? I don't remember.. been awhile.. 2007 to be exact x__X .. I don't mean to sound 'hipster', but I get a little angry when people celebrate someone for a book or song or movie when they did awesome work before and the public just seems to ignore their past and only focus on the present-future.. It's not fair D:


message 28: by PExoo (new)

PExoo Congratulations to JK Rowling! #29 Breakout author of the year!


message 29: by Kellie (new)

Kellie I don't like how The Hunger Games are on here. It wasn't Suzanne Collins first series.


message 30: by Tom (new)

Tom I added my first novel, A Once Crowded Sky (out from Simon & Schuster this July). It's a literary take on super heroes, and it's a lot of fun. Thanks in advance to anyone who votes for it. I really appreciate the support.


message 31: by [deleted user] (new)

Why is clockwork angel on there?! That's like her 4th book!!!!!!


message 32: by Hannah (new)

Hannah The Hunger Games isn't Suzanne Collins break out novel. She wrote another whole series before she wrote the Hunger Games.


message 33: by Christian (new)

Christian Thank god I'm not the only one bothered by The Hunger Games' presence on here.


message 34: by Allan (new)

Allan Chinn Hunger Games is a good book, but hardly fits the category.


message 35: by Mike (new)

Mike I'm removing everything that doesn't fit. (Hunger Games, Shiver, Catching Fire, ect.)


message 36: by Martine (new)

Martine Allan wrote: "Hunger Games is a good book, but hardly fits the category."

i agree


message 37: by Mitchell (new)

Mitchell Friedman Umm. It's hard to consider any book a breakout book if it is less than 10 years old AND it has less than 1000 ratings on goodreads.


message 38: by Mitchell (new)

Mitchell Friedman as for not being a first book - I think that's the whole point of this list. for some author's it was their first book. For other's say George R.R. Martin it was the book that made them generally known rather than genre known.


message 39: by ~☆~Autumn (new)

~☆~Autumn Dana wrote: "By mistake there are two of my book on here - one with a cover one without. Will the votes from each be combined?"

Only if a librarian checks for duplicates and combines them which doesn't seem to happen anymore.


message 40: by Mitchell (last edited Mar 13, 2015 05:43PM) (new)

Mitchell Friedman Again I don't see how Hunger Games doesn't fit the definition of a breakout book. But books on this list with <100 ratings do.

Ayn Rand's first book was We The Living (or possibly Night of January 16th). As far as I know, her breakout book was The Fountainhead. And on this list we see Atlas Shrugged. But any of those would be better choices than books with 0-1000 ratings that are less than 20 years old.


message 41: by Aprilleigh (new)

Aprilleigh ~☆~Autumn♥♥ wrote: "Dana wrote: "By mistake there are two of my book on here - one with a cover one without. Will the votes from each be combined?"

Only if a librarian checks for duplicates and combines them which do..."


It absolutely does happen, but unless someone points it out to a librarian there's no guarantee one of us will see it


message 42: by Mitchell (new)

Mitchell Friedman in any case I hit the duplicates button and one duplicate was removed


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