Colleen Hoover, James Patterson and a pug with 'No Bones' are among this week's best selling books

James Patterson's week has had its ups and downs. The author's autobiography "James Patterson by James Patterson: The Stories of My Life," (Little, Brown, 368 pp.) debuts on the USA TODAY Best Selling Books list at no. 14. It joins the more than 200 hundred of his books (and co-authored books) that have made the list. But it is an interview he gave last weekend that is causing buzz. 

In an interview with The Sunday Times, Patterson lamented white men struggling to find writing jobs in film, theater, TV and publishing industries as "just another form of racism." 

"What’s that all about?" he continued. "Can you get a job? Yes. Is it harder? Yes. It’s even harder for older writers. You don’t meet many 52-year-old white males."

Patterson issued an apology Tuesday via Twitter: "I apologize for saying white male writers having trouble finding work is a form of racism. I absolutely do not believe that racism is practiced against white writers. Please know that I strongly support a diversity of voices being heard—in literature, in Hollywood, everywhere." 

That came after many writers took to Twitter on Monday to call Patterson out on his comments, which some found galling because of the author's profound wealth and factory-like business model. Author Roxane Gay tweeted, "First of all, write your own books, pal."

Check out: USA TODAY's weekly Best-selling Booklist

"I’ve been in editorial meetings where books by BIPOC writers were turned down because 'we already have one,'" wrote thriller writer Jason Pinter. "I respect everything James Patterson has done for indies and giving back to the industry, but his comments on race are false, hurtful, and beyond tone deaf."

More:James Patterson apologizes for saying white male writers face 'another form of racism'

Hoover hits No. 1, No. 5, No.6 and...

Colleen Hoover's "It Ends With Us" (Atria, 384 pp.) topped the list this week. Hoover last hit No. 1 in January with "Reminders of Him" (No. 13 this week), and before that again with "It Ends With Us" in 2016.

But there's more to popularity than being No. 1, especially for Hoover. There is staying power. And like most of this year, this week's list includes multiple titles by the author – 10, to be exact. In addition to "It Ends With Us" and "Reminders of Him," other titles on the list include "Verity" at No. 5; "Ugly Love" at No. 6; "November 9" at No. 15; "All Your Perfects" at No. 23; "Regretting You" at No. 64; "Maybe Someday" at No. 67; "Confess: at No. 89; and "Layla" at No. 107.

Noodle is having a 'Bones' week

When Noodle has bones, there is no stopping the elderly pug. This week, "Noodle and the No Bones Day" (Margaret K. McElderry Books, 32 pp.), by Jonathan Graziano with art by Dan Tavis, debuts on the best sellers list at No. 27.

But not every day is a "Bones Day." The children's book lets readers know that a "No Bones Day" is not a bad day. It is just a day when we all need a little self-care and kindness.

In October last year, Noodle and his owner became TikTok sensations. Every morning, Graziano shares what mood Noodle is in by propping him up and seeing if the dog remains standing (bones) or flops down (no bones). Bones days call for treating yourself and taking risks while no-bones days are a sign to "take it easy" or "flop on plans and activities if you don't want to do them." 

"We really need to change the narrative on a no-bones day. So a bones day is a day where you have to go after your ambition... a no-bones day is a day where you have permission to wear soft clothes, self-care, take a bath," Graziano said on the "Today" show.

More:How TikTok's 13-year-old pug Noodle teaches us about self-care and living life to the fullest

Contributing: Hannah Yasharoff, Barbara VanDenburgh, Rasha Ali