A press release from Glenn Beck's publisher claims he's making history now that the "The Christmas Sweater" has debuted at the number one spot on The New York Times Children's Books bestseller list. Here's the statement from Simon & Schuster:
GLENN BECK'S "THE CHRISTMAS SWEATER: A PICTURE BOOK" DEBUTS AT #1
ON THE NEW YORK TIMES CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK BESTSELLER LIST,
GIVING BECK FIVE CONSECUTIVE #1 NYT BESTSELLERS
Debut Makes Beck First Author in History to Have Books Debut at #1 On Four Different NYT Bestseller ListsTHE CHRISTMAS SWEATER: A PICTURE BOOK Is Beck's Third Book on the November 15th NYT bestseller lists
New York, NY (November 9th, 2009) - Glenn Beck's latest book, The Christmas Sweater: A Picture Book will debut at #1 on the November 15th New York Times children's picture book bestseller list, giving Glenn five consecutive #1 NYT bestsellers. Beck's publishing house, Simon & Schuster, believes that Beck has become the only author in history to ever have #1 New York Times bestsellers debut on these four different lists: hardcover fiction (The Christmas Sweater), hardcover nonfiction (Arguing with Idiots and An Inconvenient Book), nonfiction paperback (Glenn Beck's Common Sense), and now with The Christmas Sweater: A Picture Book, children's picture books.
"Glenn's success in adult fiction, nonfiction, trade paper originals and now, children's books clearly illustrates the broad scope of his talent and appeal, and paves the way for the many exciting projects yet to come under this successful publishing partnership," said Carolyn Reidy, President and Chief Executive Officer of Simon & Schuster, Inc.
The Christmas Sweater: A Picture Book is Beck's third book on current New York Times bestseller lists. Arguing with Idiots (Threshold Editions), Glenn Beck's most recent bestseller is currently #5 on the hardcover nonfiction list, and is in its 6th consecutive week on the list. Beck's Common Sense (Threshold Editions) is #8 on the NYT paperback nonfiction list and has sold over 1 million copies since its release on June 16th. Common Sense occupied the #1 spot for 15 weeks and has spent 21 straight weeks in the top 10.
The Christmas Sweater: A Picture Book (Aladdin) is Beck's first children's book released under his groundbreaking partnership with Simon & Schuster to publish a wide range of fiction, nonfiction, and audiobooks for all age groups.
Now, here are our questions to readers:
First: Is Beck the first to have books debut at the number one spot on The New York Times' four lists: hardcover fiction, hardcover non-fiction, paperback non-fiction and children's?
Second: Should The New York Times create a separate bestseller list for conservative blockbusters? Think of the history: we have a children's bestseller list because of "Harry Potter" -- Harry was knocking adult books off the top spots on the hardcover fiction list so publishers complained. The same thing must be true for Beck, Palin, Cheney, Bush (George W. and Laura), Malkin and others. What do you think?