Countless sources have shown us what to do when you find yourself in the public eye for no good reason; write a book.

Monica Lewinsky, Paris Hilton and “Jon and Kate Plus 8” star Kate Gosselin went before her. Now, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has joined the ranks of distinguished, American authors — well, sort of.

Palin’s memoir “Going Rogue: An American Life” hit stands Nov. 17, and it is already a best seller. Even better, if one book does not quench your Palin thirst, the 2008 Republican vice presidential candidate’s novel has triggered everything from unauthorized biographies to coloring books slated for release in the upcoming weeks.

People cannot get enough of this woman — the first printing of “Going Rogue” was 1.5 million copies. To her credit, the Palin frenzy began long before HarperCollins announced her 400-page book deal. She sparked the public’s — and media’s — attention the moment Sen. John McCain revealed her as his running mate.

So, why all this fascination with Palin, a caribou-hunting, Carhartt-wearing, homegrown Alaskan renegade?

She was an outsider, a small-government politician no one had ever heard of, but McCain and the Republican Party saw her as their best chance to take over the White House. It was an intriguing turn of events, so the public assumed she must possess something extraordinary. There has to be more to Palin than her you-betcha attitude and any other Tina Fey-inspired parodies that never leave her side.

Right? Maybe not.

The day before her 13-city book tour commenced, Palin appeared on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” for a world exclusive interview. It also dispelled rumors Winfrey snubbed the conservative candidate during last year’s campaign.

The talk show host provided Palin a platform to redeem herself for past bloopers, but the new author did not make amends. Referencing the infamous Katie Couric interview, Winfrey again asked her guest the newspapers, magazines or books she read to help prepare for her candidacy.

This was Palin’s opportunity to gush about all the foreign policy articles she poured over prior to McCain’s announcement, but she had nothing to say. She beat around the bush, and her nonanswers were reminiscent of early Mike McGinn-Joe Mallahan debates.

Whether we care to admit it or not, I think many cannot stop watching because Palin is one of us. She is eager to state her political opinion, but is neither certain of the vice president's duties nor clear on how the Legislature actually works.

As mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, Palin changed the course of future mayoral races by debating hot topics such as abortion and gun control. In 2006 she ran for governor on an ethics-reform platform, petitioned for the taxpayers of Alaska and challenged the status quo once in Juneau. She also chaired the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, and worked hard to preserve natural resources detrimental to the state’s economy.

These are credible accomplishments, but I think most would agree Palin’s political and academic credentials are not her claim to fame. She is a hockey mom of five, and her traditional family values appeal to the average American. She rose in popularity by being herself. People can relate to her struggles with everything from child rearing to grasping the intricate health-care debate.

And in any case, she’s a maverick.

With her toothy grin and glossed lips, Palin looked good in her emerald green suit sitting beside Oprah. She graciously dodged questions of a 2012 presidential bid, and whether her book tour is actually the beginning of another campaign — after all, it does makes stops at 11 key battleground states.

She also compared herself to the likes of Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, and extended playgirl Levi Johnston, the father ofher grandson, an open invitation to the Palin Thanksgiving dinner, so who knows what to believe?

Whether you are a Palin fan or not, her antics are certainly entertaining, and I think that is why her spotlight has stayed lit for so long. As critics have often said, she is predictably unpredictable, and that is why we keep watching.

Palin did reveal one exceptionally thoughtful observation about her political experiences thus far, possibly the most eloquent thing she has ever said. Referring to her governor resignation, she told Oprah, “You don’t need a title to do great things.”

Unfortunately for Seattleites, Palin’s book tour will be skipping the Emerald City and several other major U.S. cities deemed too Democratic for the politician including San Francisco, Philadelphia and Los Angeles.

For more on the Oprah-Palin interview, or to read about Palin’s thoughts on President Obama, visit: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/entertainment/