Well, often they have strong and relatable characters. Readers can identify with the characters' struggles and joys in terms of their sexual identity.
One of the top selling lesbian fiction books is 'Fingersmith' by Sarah Waters. It's a Victorian - era novel filled with mystery, intrigue, and a complex relationship between two women. The story weaves a web of lies, secrets, and forbidden love that has captivated many readers.
Many of the top - selling 2017 fiction books had strong themes. For example, books like 'The Handmaid's Tale' had themes of female oppression and resistance. They also had engaging characters. In 'Big Little Lies', the complex and flawed characters made the story interesting. And most of them were well - written, with good pacing and descriptive language.
'Tipping the Velvet' by Sarah Waters is also highly popular. It tells the story of a young girl's journey of self - discovery in a lesbian context, with vivid descriptions of the Victorian era and its subcultures. The story is engaging and well - written, which contributes to its high sales.
One characteristic is that they often have relatable characters. For example, in 'Where the Crawdads Sing', Kya is a character that many can empathize with as she faces isolation and the challenges of growing up alone.
Top selling historical fiction books often have vivid descriptions of the time period. For example, in 'The Pillars of the Earth', Ken Follett describes 12th - century England in great detail, from the architecture to the social hierarchies. They also usually have engaging characters. In 'Gone with the Wind', Scarlett O'Hara is a very complex and memorable character. Another characteristic is that they can make history come alive. 'All the Light We Cannot See' does this by showing the experiences of people during World War II in a very personal way.
Most top selling crime fiction books have a strong and engaging plot. For example, books like 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' have a complex mystery that draws readers in.
The book 'Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit' by Jeanette Winterson is a great example. It's a semi - autobiographical novel that explores themes of love, identity, and non - conforming to the norms in a society. It has been widely read and loved in the lesbian fiction genre.
One of the well - known best - selling lesbian fiction is 'Rubyfruit Jungle' by Rita Mae Brown. It's a classic that has been popular for a long time.
A great deal of them also have engaging storylines. 'The Price of Salt' by Patricia Highsmith has a very captivating plot. It's about a chance encounter between two women that leads to a deep and complex relationship. The way the story unfolds keeps the reader hooked, which is a common trait among top selling lesbian romance novels.
Some popular ones are 'Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit' by Jeanette Winterson. It's a semi - autobiographical novel that tells a coming - of - age story of a lesbian girl in a religious community. Another is 'The Price of Salt' by Patricia Highsmith, which was quite revolutionary at the time of its release for its positive portrayal of lesbian love.