Created by MeganCasey
Ahoy landlubbers. Thanks for stopping by this page. I was a book editor prior to Squidoo (among other things),... (more...)
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The Thing About Books
People create Squidoo lenses to talk about things.
Sometimes they talk about ideas, businesses, how-tos, Presidential candidates, favorite movies, their stores, their pets, themselves.
Lots of times, people talk about books. Even more often, they recommend a book for further reading on their topic.
We understand books, we like books, we feel safe talking about books, books make us feel smart.
Similarly, people like to buy books. Books are souvenirs for ideas that we care about. Books are companions on car rides and planes. Books stick around.
So I'm not surprised that books were the top selling product category on Squidoo for 2007.
This lens will talk a little more about how that works, and show you what the 15 bestsellers were!
This page at a glance
Table of contents
- Books were the #1 top selling product category on Squidoo for 2007
- The Book Report
- But first: The #1 book on Squidoo
- The rest: The top 15 bestsellers on Squidoo
- The top 15, re-sorted. (Now you decide!)
- Authors who have lenses get found more online than authors who don't.
- Readers and authors, show off your best book lenses
- Any tips for how to make a really stellar book lens?
- Lensmasters:
- P.S. I recommend SquidLit.com
- P.S. (yes, again) -- Curious about the bestselling movies (DVDs) on Squidoo?
- New YouTube vids
Books were the #1 top selling product category on Squidoo for 2007
The Book Report
A quick look at revenue
Of all the types of things that visitors to Squidoo could buy from the pages they land on, across all the merchant modules (Amazon, eBay, CafePress, the Superstore), "Books" was the number one product category for 2007 -- in both number of units sold & revenue.In other words, Squidoo lenses sold more books in 2007 than they did anything else. By a factor of 7.
You guys sold 21,054 different book titles. And that's not accounting for titles that sold lots of copies! Also, please keep in mind that if you pasted in your own Amazon affiliate info and sold books that way, we aren't able to track those purchases... so I bet book sales were a lot higher than we're reporting here.
Other top-performing categories? Books were distantly followed by electronics, followed by "Other" (long tail, anyone?). Apparel, Toys&Games, and DVDs made notable sales as well.
Anyway, I thought it would be interesting to show the 15 bestselling books on Squidoo from 2007. And let you vote on them.
Happy reading!
P.S. Nota Godin: It's probably not very fair that Squidoo was founded by a bestselling author! So on the list below, I have removed any of Seth's books that sold mega-copies. Still, The Dip is seriously worth your while).
But first: The #1 book on Squidoo
Web Analytics: An Hour a Day
Amazon Price: $19.79 (as of 05/09/2008)
Avinash is one smart and generous guy. If you run a website, you won't be sorry you bought this.
The rest: The top 15 bestsellers on Squidoo
A static list to preserve their rankings. You can vote for your favorites below!
#2) Rule the Web: How to Do Anything and Everything on the Internet---Better, Faster, Easier
#3) Gainsborough: Colour Library (Phaidon Colour Library)
#4) Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7)
#5) The Japanese Tattoo
#6) The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich
#7) 50 Hikes in the Adirondacks: Short Walks, Day Trips, and Backpacks Throughout the Park (50 Hikes)
#8) A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future
#9) Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia
#10) Stylish Knits for Dogs: 30 Projects to Knit in a Weekend
#11) The Secrets of Economic Indicators: Hidden Clues to Future Economic Trends and Investment Opportunities
#12) The Lost Art of Towel Origami
#13) The Weight Loss Cure They Don't Want You to Know About
#14) The Dangerous Book for Boys
#15) The Houdini Solution
The top 15, re-sorted. (Now you decide!)
Vote for your favorites. Or click 'em to buy.
HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS (Book 7), by J. K. Rowling
Readers beware. The brilliant, breathtaking conclusion to J.K. Rowling's spellbinding series is not for the faint of heart--such revelations, battles, and betrayals await in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows that no fan will make it to the end unscathed.11 points
A WHOLE NEW MIND: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future, by Daniel H. Pink
Just as information workers surpassed physical laborers in economic importance, Pink claims, the workplace terrain is changing yet again, and power will inevitably shift to people who possess strong right brain qualities.11 points
TEH DANGEROUS BOOK FOR BOYS by Conn Iggulden
Equal parts droll and gorgeous nostalgia book and heartfelt plea for a renewed sense of adventure in the lives of boys and men, Conn and Hal Iggulden's The Dangerous Book for Boys became a mammoth bestseller in the United Kingdom in 2006. Adapted, in moderation, for American customs in this edition, The Dangerous Book is a guide book for dads as well as their sons, as a reminder of lore and technique that have not yet been replaced by the digital age.8 points
THE 4-HOUR WORKWEEK, by Timothy Ferriss
"It's about time this book was written. It is a long-overdue manifesto for the mobile lifestyle, and Tim Ferriss is the ideal ambassador. This will be huge."%u2013Jack Canfield, Co-creator of Chicken Soup for the Soul6 points
RULE THE WEB, by Mark Frauenfelder
How to Do Anything and Everything on the Internet---Better, Faster, Easier. From the founder of Boing Boing.3 points
THE JAPANESE TATTOO, by Sandi Fellman
American photographer Sandi Fellman used a rare large size Polaroid camera to create these photos of Irezumi Japanese men and women who wear elaborate full-body tattoos. Fellman treats the tattoos as artworks and their creators as artists. Her text touches on the tattooing process, common motifs, the sociology of the tattoo, and relationships between the tattoo masters and their clients.2 points
50 HIKES IN THE ADIRONDACKS, by Barbara McMartin
This classic guide to hiking in the Adirondacks has been extensively revised and updated and now includes 5 new hikes. Barbara McMartin has been hiking in the Adirondacks for decades; her family, for generations. She has distilled her vast experience into the 50 hikes offered here, representing a cross-section of the wilderness and wild forest: rugged peak climbs, gentle trips to distant waterfalls, bushwhacks to wild rivers. In all she describes 360 miles of trails to caves, uninhabited lakes,....2 points
EAT, PRAY, LOVE: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia, by Elizabeth Gilbert
"At the age of thirty-one, Gilbert moved with her husband to the suburbs of New York and began trying to get pregnant, only to realize that she wanted neither a child nor a husband. Three years later, after a protracted divorce, she embarked on a yearlong trip of recovery, with three main stops: Rome, for pleasure (mostly gustatory, with a special emphasis on gelato); an ashram outside of Mumbai, for spiritual searching; and Bali, for "balancing." These destinations are all on the beaten track,....2 points
STYLISH KNITS FOR DOGS: 30 Projects to Knit in a Weekend, by Ilene Hochberg
Women-and men-of all ages are learning how to knit. Knitters, especially the new ones, enjoy easy-to-make projects that can be completed in a short time. Pets are equally popular in our modern society. Pet owners who often indulge their animals with special treats and accessories will like these easy and quick-to-make designer-quality dog sweaters.2 points
THE WEIGHT LOSS CURE THEY DON'T WANT YOU TO KNOW ABOUT by Kevin Trudeau
Weight Loss Cure book shares secrets for shedding pounds and keeping em off. Health expert Kevin Trudeau explains natural, diet-free methods for quickly andpermanently losing fat and inches without feeling hungry. Includes advice on organic food, exercise, adding muscle and internal cleansing. Hardcover, 256 pages.2 points
THE HOUDINI SOLUTION by Ernie Schenck
Transform the shackles of conformity into the tools for generating amazing, unconventional results. Houdini performed his greatest tricks within the confines of a box. Now one of the advertising industry's brightest and most innovative stars shows you how to do likewise: to use the power of thinking inside the box to unleash the power of innate creativity.2 points
WEB ANALYTICS: An Hour a Day, by Avinash Kaushik
Written by an in-the-trenches practitioner, this step-by-step guide shows you how to implement a successful Web analytics strategy. Web analytics expert Avinash Kaushik, in his thought-provoking style, debunks leading myths and leads you on a path to gaining actionable insights from your analytics efforts.1 point
THE SECRETS OF ECONOMIC INDICATORS by Bernard Baumohl
Every day, stocks, bonds and currencies bounce around wildly in response to economic indicators like these. They're monitored obsessively by the world's leading money managers. Why? Because they provide crucial, subtle clues about the future of the market -- and of individual investments. Now you can profit from these indicators just like the professionals do. You don't need an economics degree, or a CPA -- just this easy-to-read book. In plain English, renowned economic journalist Bernard Baumo...1 point
THE LOST ART OF TOWEL ORIGAMI by Ivy Press
From the lost ancient art of towel folding (yes, there is one, and it does stem from ancient times) comes the newly revived and hot trend The Lost Art of Towel Origami. Filled with hilarious completed-project photographs and step-by-step instructions and illustrations, this book will provide hours of entertainment. Stun your company by skillfully creasing and crinkling your linen into works of art. You've got everything you need, right in your own bathroom.1 point
Authors who have lenses get found more online than authors who don't.
Authors, isn't it time that you started lenses for your books? Talk about your ideas, point to your blog, highlight great blurbs you've gotten, link to your publisher, say thanks to people who inspired you, and, of course, spotlight your book for sale on Amazon. What are you waiting for? (Heck, get your editor or your publicist to make lenses, too).
Readers and authors, show off your best book lenses
I'll start the list with a few of my favorites, but you should post yours...
Book lenses and author lenses only, please.
The Osgoode Trilogy - Award Winning Legal Mystery Thrillers
When Mary E. Martin said goodbye to changing diapers and saw a lull in her legal practice, she put pen to paper and discovered an outlet to her endles...5 points
In Defense Of Food
In In Defense of Food the author, Michael Pollan, expands on something most of us already know but might have forgotten. We should be eating real food...4 points
Who is John Galt?
The inspiring main character from Ayn Rand's epic novel, Atlas Shrugged.4 points
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Book 7
"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" is the last book in J.K. Rowling's magical series. In this seventh and final book, Harry Potter discovers what...4 points
My Son's Favorite Children's Picture Books
Book reviews of my son's favorite picture books. Plus, download a free e-book edition of my new children's picture book, Squirt Swims with the Stars....4 points
If God Made the Universe, Then Who Made God?
Who made God? How did God make the world? Why does God let bad things happen? Does God love me? If God Made the Universe, Then Who Made God? is a chil...4 points
A Thousand Splendid Suns
Khaled Hosseini's second novel, A Thousand Splendid Suns, is a story of two women and their lifes in Afghanistan over the past 40 years. Mariam was bo...3 points
Book List from "The Colbert Report" with Stephen Colbert
"I don't trust books. They're all fact, no heart."' ~ Stephen ColbertWhile this may be true, Stephen has a lot of authors on his show who have written...3 points
Born Standing Up by Steve Martin
Can you imagine Steve Martin being called a wallflower? Me neither. But that's the exact word he uses when describing himself in Born Standing Up.The...3 points
Wizard's Daughter
It is the latest release from Coulter as part of her Sherbrooke series of historical romance novels, with a magical twist.It involves a woman with no...3 points
The Handmaid's Tale
This is one of Margaret Atwood's best works, showcasing a world where women have lost all of their rights in society, and those who are fertile become...3 points
Atlas Shrugged
Atlas Shrugged is the story of a world that has grown tired of Capitalism. It is no longer a place where achievement or work is rewarded. Instead, Cap...3 points
Tom Clancy
Perhaps one of the best Military Fiction Authors in History3 points
Christopher Hitchens
Christopher Hitchens is an outspoken atheist and antitheist, and he describes himself as a believer in the Enlightenment values of secularism, humanis...2 points
The Shop On Blossom Street
This is the first book in an amazing series that combines two of my favorite things: Romance and Knitting. The story revolves four women whose paths c...2 points
Any tips for how to make a really stellar book lens?
You're the expert. Share your tips.
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osgoodetrilogy
What a wonderful lens! So many great books. Your Top 15 list is a very interesting mix of titles. Please feel free to visit my lens -- The Osgoode Trilogy -- and say hi. I'd love to hear from you. Posted April 25, 2008 |
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FoxMusic
Great Lens!! My New Lens is on Andy Warhol Posted April 25, 2008 |
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Frankster
Great information. Thanks and bear hugs, Frankie Posted April 15, 2008 |
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funwithtrains
Interesting lens -- great information. 5 stars and a favorite! Please visit my Marklin Trains lens. Posted April 14, 2008 |
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whytedove
This is a great lens. I found several new authors that have made their way onto my "to read" list. One new author that I didn't see on the list is Susan Walerstein. I read her Dancing Above The Waves in a marathon session on the weekend. I couldn't put it down! Posted April 08, 2008 |
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Retro_Loco
As if my "books I want to read" list wasn't long enough! I just found more on your lens I want to read. I like the idea of "The 4-Hour Workweek", but I would be lost if I didn't work 16 hours a day! Terrific lens, Megan! Posted April 06, 2008 |
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ElizabethJeanAllen
I;ve written book reviews for my website, amazon, and writing.com. Now I'm writing them for squidoo. I just published The Weekend Reader. Posted April 06, 2008 |
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ElizabethJeanAllen
I've written book reviews and posted them on my webpage, amazon, and writing.com. I just published a lens called The Weekend Reader. I love to read and I love to write. Writing reviews accomplishes both. Posted April 06, 2008 |
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BradKamer
This is a pretty solid list. I do have to check out Web Analytics. Great lens. Posted April 06, 2008 |
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purplelady
I love books and I love your lens. Great job. I can remember when as a child I would go to the library (within biking distance) during the summer reading program and could check out 10 books at a time. Lucky for me I had a basket on the front of my pink and white Schwinn bike. I would take them home and sit in Father's favorite chair with my legs over the edge and read and read. Depending on which books I got I would finish them very quickly and immediately go back and get 10 more. Posted March 30, 2008 |
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Lakota429
Yet another great lens by the infamous Megan!!! Smiles :) !! Great job on this one, too! Come one over again and see what I've done since last year's LOTD and your eBay ebook! Cheers! Annie~ Posted March 29, 2008 |
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MythRider
Now this is a place I've got to come back to. Posted March 28, 2008 |
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tastybreakfast
Hi great lens! Pls do check out mine =) Posted March 28, 2008 |
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Aztar99
Awesome Book page you did a great job. Always nice to meet a another book lover :) I have a book page as well if you would like to have a look its brand new but I just love books, I don't know what I would do without a good story to bring that element of blazing adventure into my life. Posted March 26, 2008 |
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dual-shock-3
thanks for the information. Posted March 25, 2008 |
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StacymomBiz
Awesome lens - so much great information, 5 stars! Keep up the great work :-) Posted March 22, 2008 |
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MaryLynn
Thanks so much. I'm enjoying the lenses. I have places all over this internet. It's hard getting a name out to the public, but I have to continue. Posted March 18, 2008 |
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golffitness
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