Question #1 - How can classifying books into genres be helpful to readers? How can it be problematic to writers?
Classifying books into genres can be helpful for readers because if they know they like reading a certain genre, it's easier for them to find a book they like.Ursula K. Le Guin, author of On Despising Genres, agrees, "Useful to readers who like fiction of a certain kind or about a certain subject," and also she later says, "Segregated shelving helps addicts find their fix,". But it's problematic for writers because sometimes they write a book that fits into multiple genres and it's hard to choose which genre it fits the best in.For example, if a book had romance and action in it, a writer might put it into the genre of romance and someone that only reads action might miss out on the opportunity of reading it because they never checked out the romance section.
Question #2- Why do you think there is such a difference between some books' commercial success and their critical success?
I think that there is a difference between a books commercial success and critical success because sometimes a book isn't just good because of the writing (diction, syntax) , which is what critics focus on. Some books become popular because of the plot and the emotional connection the characters in the book send off to the readers, which is how a book gain commercial success. Two completely different things that are being judged.
Question #3- Who gets to decide what good writing is? Who should decide?
As of now the book critics get to decide what good writing is because they are the ones handing out the awards but I think that the people (readers) should decide. They are the ones actually reading books out of enjoyment. Readers are the critics that really matter. They should be able to decide what good writing is. It's just the book critics job but it's readers that are actually impacted by the books therefore it would be more logical if they had a say.
