The 5 best Nicholas Sparks books — and 5 you can skip

• Nicholas Sparks is, without a doubt, the king of romance novels.

• Sparks has released 24 books, and 11 have been adapted into movies.

• "The Notebook," "Dear John," and "A Walk To Remember" are among his best.

Any romance reader knows Nicholas Sparks isn't just an author — he's practically a genre of his own: the kind that promises sweeping love stories, emotional gut-punches, and at least one moment that will have you staring at the page in disbelief.

The American writer has spent decades dominating bestseller lists with stories that blend heartfelt devotion with inevitable heartbreak.

From "The Notebook" to "A Walk to Remember," his books have become cultural staples, many of which have made the jump from page to screen with massive success.

But are they all unforgettable masterpieces? Not exactly.

Here are five of the best Nicholas Sparks novels and five you can skip. First: his must-read books.