Top Ten Unique Book Titles

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and The Bookish.

Book covers. They promise beauty and poise before you open floodgates into other worlds. Some readers like good covers. Some readers do not focus on them. Some readers obsess and equate a good story with a great cover.

I found myself as a lone wolf. Book covers do not demonstrate a story’s promise. Sure. They’re pretty, but their purpose underlies an aesthetic. That’s it.

Book titles. That’s a story’s initial hook for me. I gravitate towards compelling book titles, instead of book covers. Today’s top ten revolves around unique and compelling titles that caught my eye and my wallet.

For me, a book title’s worthiness must adhere to the following:

  1. No cliches. Save the “girl” titles. I’m done with them. You’ve seen them. “The-Fill in the blank-Girl.” “The Girl With Blah. Blah. Blah.” “Girl…”  If you see these titles, you can surmise a cliched story.
  2. The title should hint at a plot’s or character’s complexity and theme. It should make me want to dig deeper into what the book offers.
  3. Call me a snob. If a book sounds like an elementary or high school student named it, I’m nixing my interest. In other words, did an editor really consider how much people like me equate the title to the story?
  4. Call me strange. Sometimes, I like to see book titles as song titles. If a book’s title could make an interesting song, I’m good.

Without further adieu, I present ten books whose titles compelled me to lose coins. Enjoy!

HorrorstörSalvage the BonesThe Seven Husbands of Evelyn HugoNew PeopleDebbie Doesn't Do It AnymoreExit, Pursued by a Bear

Paper ButterfliesNeverwhere

AllegedlyPurple Hibiscus

Do you care about a book’s title as much as I do? Do you have self-created rules too? Any books you liked based on title alone? Feel free to share in the comments.

Happy Reading!

crafty2

Author: Crafty Scribbles

Lover of Words. Mother. Teacher. Traveler. Writer. Bionic woman against ignorance. Finding the balance between words and reality. M.Ed. built to school you.

19 thoughts

  1. I don’t think that I notice myself passing a book over because of its title (unless that title is horrific). I do like a certain rhythm to the title, however. I like how you put it with song lyrics. It shouldn’t be something awkward to say. I really like your choice of books here. Although, I did read Paper ButterFlies as Can You Paper Fly With Butter Broken Flies Wings” which might make for a nice title for a surrealist novel.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I do enjoy that title “Can You Paper Fly with Butter Broken Flies Wings”. It has a great ring to it.

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  2. I have to admit, these titles do pull me in. I’m one of those cover freaks though. I have purchased books after being lured by the cover, but the blurb has to sound good too. Great post! 💜

    Liked by 1 person

  4. I’m so glad you call out those “girl” titles. The charm is LONG gone. I’ll take a title like Debbie Doesn’t Do It Anymore. more interesting! I’m on your side on this one, titles are super important.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks, Melanie. Yeah, the thrill’s gone with girls. I love female protagonists, but let’s write their stories without pulling out that “girl” cliche.

      Liked by 1 person

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