What’s in a Name?
First apologies for the rather lame title. It’s been established that titling is beyond my realm of success*, not to mention it’s Friday before a long weekend in the US meaning Weekend Brain has already arrived.
Thank goodness Paper Hangover’s topic is easy peasy.
Back when the topic was book covers, I mentioned that with books the cover catches my eye more than the title. This doesn’t change the fact that sometimes the title does win out. Some examples of purchases based off of title alone are…
- Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging. When I saw this in the YA section of the bookstore, I stopped and stared. The hilarity grabbed my attention right off. The jacket copy totally cemented the purchase.
- The Fuck Up. Saw this at Newbuy Comics and thought, “Best. Title. Ever.” It contained my most favorite swear and who doesn’t love reading about slackers?
- A Visit from the Goon Squad. Between the title and the cover, I’m totally intrigued. Still haven’t read it and despite the reviews and such my brain is still imagining a bunch of DC and Marvel villians are going to run amock.
- Hairstyles of the Damned. I love this title so much I constantly pick up the book. However I never had the urge to complete the purchase transaction.
- The Good, The Bad, and The Undead. While it’s the 2nd book in Kim Harrison’s Hollows series, it’s the one that nabbed my attention enough to pick up Dead Witch Walking.
So while covers rule supreme with attention-grabbing points for yours truly, titles really have to pop. No wonder I have such difficulty titling my own stuff.
Lurkdom, what titles–books or otherwise–have caught your attention as of late?
* Something yours truly is working on, but perhaps with less aid of the caffeine monster.
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Last.fm hit of the day: Everything Went Black by The Black Dahlia Murder
Love your first and last ones esp.
I forgot Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging! I can't think why, I was mortified when my Grandad picked up the book I was reading and saw the title! I was fourteen, which makes it a bit more understandable really.
I love the first one and it's on my TBR after reading Withering Tights (which I wasn't super crazy about, but her characters are incredibly quirky and hilarious!) I've not heard of the rest, but I just typed four new adds into the TBR list. Holy attention-grabbing titles!
Have a great weekend!
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LOL – awesome book titles! Now I feel like I'm missing out – I may need to go an lurk around Barnes and Nobel for some awesome titles.
Just a heads up, I have set up a Google Reader with all of NA/Crossover Group 65 in it to help organize all of our blogs – I am missing 1 person (technical issues I am trouble shooting) but hope to get them added in soon! Link is:
http://www.google.com/reader/shared/user%2F08181744977128699830%2Flabel%2FNA%20Crossover%20Group%2056
Umm, choice #1? LOVE!
I liked the title of your post. I'm so tired, I probably wouldn't have understood anything more cryptic!! And a friend of mine titled her ms FML, but her agent thought it wouldn't work in most bookstores, so right now it's called something really boring and non-eye-catching. 🙁
erica
#1 and #4 are killer titles. Love them!
1 was a good book. I'll have to keep my eyes out for #2 and also #3.
I'm reading #1 later this month – the title cracks me up every time I look at it.
A book title that caught my eye was 'The Slap' by some Aussie guy. Unfortunately, I didn't really enjoy the book itself!
Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging might just be the best YA title EVER! I have no idea what it's about, but I totally want to read it now. Great list, Alicia!
One of my favorites is The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. It was a O_o title but a delightful book.
I'll have to go with Donna and The Guemsey Literary. Loved your choices as well.