Ever since Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn came out in 2012 every thriller book since then has been compared to it. This not is only is somewhat damming to the new book as it holds a book to a too high standard but additionally, it doesn't allow the author and the book to move on.

We do for other authors too. Take J.K. Rowling for instance, for the rest of her career her books will be compared to Harry Potter, no matter the subject material. It's no surprise that her most recent books have been authored under a pseudonym due to this pressure but also it allows her to write and create under no stressors. Gillian Flynn has faced similar critiques to her other two books, which were actually published before Gone Girl, as they were not able to draw the same twists and engagements that Gone Girl did. Comparing authors other works to their biggest hits and other authors to a single book does not do anyone good, especially for the readers.

When a book is advertised under the guise of the "Next Gone Girl" it draws readers in but often leaves them dissatisfied. I myself have read six books that have fallen under this category and only two of them I enjoyed thoroughly, those were Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins which has seemly become the new "Gone Girl" and Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight, but still found myself confused by the comparisons to Gone Girl. Neither of these books had similar plots or crazy twists like Gone Girl did but still where top-noch Thrillers.

It seems like advertisers should retire the phrase "The New/Next _______!". It does not do the authors of that book any good into the future as it will always be compared to their biggest hit but it also does not do other authors any good because they will strive to make their book fit that category. Lastly, it does not do the readers any good to get overly excited or hyped to read a book that does not live up to expectations as they don't enjoy the book as much and may be deterred from the author's future works because of the bad experience.

Overall, it seems like we need to do away with these titles and comparisons and only use them when deserved before the become to overused and not valued anymore. While a recommendation is always welcomed, it shouldn't need more forcing than the words and the praise for the book itself. It seems like this is one of the rare times in which you can judge a book by its cover, but look at the back flap as well so you can read a summary and choose for yourself.