Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish, and is now hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. It’s all about books, lists and sharing the love we have of both with our bookish friends. This week, we’re considering books we wanted to read purely on the basis of the title and/or cover art.
I regularly discuss my weakness in the face of great cover art, so today I’m going to home in on book titles that leapt out at me. It’s rarely just the title that sways me to read something, but it will certainly get me to at least read the blurb. For today I’ve leaned towards books that were also my first encounter with particular authors – name recognition plays a far greater role for me than book title once I’ve fallen in love with an author’s prior work.
A title can be a double-edged sword, of course. I would never have picked up Rupert Wong, Cannibal Chef at all based on its title (you should, it’s great. The scene in book two where he takes part in cannibal Masterchef is excruciatingly funny). I’m also grateful for all the templated paranormal romance titles that scream from a thousand yards that no, this isn’t my sort of shifter story.
But let’s take a look at some titles that did tickle my fancy…
Cover
Title
Foxfire, Wolfskin and other Stories of Shape-shifting Women
Appeal
It was the other stories of shapeshifting women that swung it – it promises a certain kind of myth and a female lens. The gorgeous cover art didn’t hurt either!
Verdict
(review)
A Wizard’s Guide To Defensive Baking
As a bread baker I can’t help but be drawn to the combination of magic and baking (especially sourdough). Besides, it appeals to my sense of whimsy.
Not yet read
The Long Way To A Small Angry Planet
This could have been any Becky Chambers book – her titles are always brilliant – but this is where it all started.
(review)
The Lies of Locke Lamora
Lies is doing all the heavy lifting here: instant intrigue. tell me more about this Locke Lamora and his lies. Why does he lie? Is he good at it? Does it get him in trouble? AHAHAHA YES
The Library of the Unwritten
Speaking of intrigue, I immediately had questions about this title. How would that work? What did it contain? Why? The answers were entirely satisfying.
(review)
This Is How You Lose The Time War
That cheeky second person you with the emotive lose after the teasing this is how had most of the work done before I even got to the tantalising time war. Bravo.
(review)
A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians
If ever a title screamed alternate history, it’s this one. I love a good alt history. Factor in a promise magic and a suggestion of civil rights and be right back, I just need to grab my frock coat
Not yet read
The Gone-Away World
I grew up rewatching Willow so I can’t read this title without hearing Sorcha yell it went away? Anyway, I immediately wanted to know where and how and why and then there turned out to be ninjas, so I was in.
take the rating with a pinch of salt, it was ten years ago
The House of Shattered Wings
House promises politics; shattered suggested disaster; wings should soar. My heart is already breaking. There’s so much wrapped up in this title (rather like the tale it tells).
(review)
Sixteen Ways To Defend A Walled City
This one suggests a military focus that isn’t usually my bag, but that sixteen is irresistible. It’s so specific. It sounds like an unlikely training manual and help yes I want to know what these sixteen ways are.
Not yet read
What titles have made you look at a book twice?
onemore.org 