Did the New York Times Book Review finally grow a Conscious?

Is it just me or have we now heard the truth about these best sellers lists and how those who get on them may not doing so in the true spirit of sales?  For as long as I can remember, writers have worked very hard to get their works included not only on the New York Times Best Sellers List but the Los Angeles Times and others as well.  Many will find inventive ways to market their books and some will only consider writing a book with their intended audience in mind but nothing makes all this seem less worthy than what is found in this article written by John Prager titled “NY Times Throws Ted Cruz Off Bestseller List For Cheating, Conservatives Go Insane”.

The article says “Ted Cruz’s new book, A “Time For Truth,” has managed some impressive sales numbers since it was published on June 30, with almost 12,000 copies sold in the first week. In fact, judging purely by sales, it should have been near the top of the New York Times’ bestseller list, with more than 1,000 sales over Aziz Ansari’s “Modern Romance.” However, there’s one small problem — and it’s one the Times refuses to ignore: Ted Cruz cheated.  When asked to elaborate, Murphy explained that the Times has evidence that suggests Cruz cheated his way onto the list, and that his impressive book sales were the result of Cruz buying up as many copies as he could in an effort to make himself seem important:  “In the case of this book, the overwhelming preponderance of evidence was that sales were limited to strategic bulk purchases.”  Cruz’s tactic was one adopted by conservative pastor Mark Driscoll with regard to his book, “Real Marriage.” Driscoll’s book quickly flew to the top spot on the Hardcover Advice section of the bestseller list, but it was eventually uncovered that the true reason behind Driscoll’s success was a consulting firm by the name of Result Source, which the Daily Beast notes “purchased books on behalf of Driscoll in a coordinated effort to spike sales and give the impression that the book was popular with thousands of book buyers.”  Amid the controversy, Driscoll resigned from his church, later admitting that he was wrong to cheat the system as he did. An ashamed Driscoll even asked that “New York Times best-selling author” be removed from his bio and book covers. While Result Source’s web page is nothing but a contact link now, the company once boasted of its ability to rocket a book to the top:  In 2014, the Times told the Daily Beast that they are well aware of companies like Result Source that manipulate the list through phony book purchases:  Mitt Romney also took advantage of some shady tactics to boost sales for his book, “No Apologies: The Case for American Greatness.” Facing an utter lack of interest, Romney required that half of his $50,000 speaking engagement fees be paid in book purchases:”

Maybe this is book reviews finally getting a conscious or maybe this is just s fluke but either way, it is definitely a question for any writer.  Is now making the list of any best seller organization worth it?  Are you writing or having something written to make the list or share your talent and experience?