Bestseller Bytes

by Daisy Maryles, Religion BookLine -- Publishers Weekly, 10/17/2007

Thomas Nelson pulled out all stops for Max Lucado's latest bestseller, 3:16: The Numbers of Hope. First printing was one million copies, the largest in Nelson's history. Lucado had heart surgery during the first week of his book tour, but was back on the road less than a week later. Launching the book on 9/11 was strategic, as the numbers that have come to represent terror proved to be a good counterpoint for 3:16, the numbers of hope. Nelson reports that according to Nielsen BookScan data, the book outpaced the past two Lucado releases, which were two of his biggest books: 3:16 hasoutsold Cure for the Common Life by 181% and Facing Your Giants by 39%. There are also multiple licensed products to further extend the reach of 3:16; partners include Hallmark, DaySpring, Kerusso and Bob Siemon Designs. The book has been released in several languages, including Spanish, German, Swedish, Dutch, Korean, Japanese and Chinese.

Charles F. Stanley celebrated 50 years of ministry in 2007 and has written more than 50 books on Christian life. His sermons are broadcast in more than 100 languages, in almost every nation, on radio, TV, podcast or the Internet. Signings on his national book tour average 400 to 500 people. Nelson reports 103,000 copies in print after five trips to press for Landmines In the Path of the Believer.

The Parting, book one in Beverly Lewis's new Courtship of Nellie Fisher series, is based on actual events that caused a split in a Pennsylvania Old Order church in the 1960s. The author is not surprised by the popularity of her Amish novels. She writes on her Web site that fan letters describe how her books have "touched a nerve, creating a curiosity about the Old Ways of the Amish... a yearning for a simpler life and return to traditional values in the mainstream society, where an impersonal, high-tech lifestyle reigns paramount."

Don Piper's league of fans seem much more inclined to buy his first book than his new one. 90 Minutes in Heaven, the #1 bestseller for eight months so far this year, has 2.4 million total copies in print.. Book #2, Heaven Is Real, fell off the list after one month. Thus far his readers seem to be more interested in the reality of heaven than Piper's take on earthly joys, but that could all change by next month.