Titles That Make You Pick It Up (Or Put It Down)

[Liz, Moderator]

Ok, what titles have drawn you to a book and are there any that have turned you right off?

[Andy]

I like unusual books, so am very drawn to different titles, i just had to go for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - which was a very good (and unusual) book.

[Bill]

Andy wrote: "I like unusual books, so am very drawn to different titles, i just had to go for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - which was a very good (and unusual) book."

I have to say that title grabbed my interest too.

[Chris]

Andy wrote: "I like unusual books, so am very drawn to different titles, i just had to go for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - which was a very good (and unusual) book."

This was one of my favourites too. Very different and very well written

[Em]

Yes, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time does hold an appeal, for me its the west country idiom "in the night time", made me think it might be written in an interesting style.

Haven't read it but I think The Elegance of the Hedgehog is an interesting title, no idea what the actual book's about, just want to read it based on the title!

Have read but didn't like the title of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society - what a mouthful!

[Lynne - The Book Squirrel]

Perdido Street Station by China Miéville

Terrible! I mananged to get to chapter 4 and gave up!

It was December/January sci fi bookclub read.

[Liz, Moderator]

Em wrote: "Yes, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time does hold an appeal, for me its the west country idiom "in the night time", made me think it might be written in an interesting st..."

There does seem to be a fashion (if you can call it that) for long titles combining items that don't normally sit in the same sentence. Is it the implied quirkyness that draws the reader - looking for something a little different?

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, The Elegance of the Hedgehog and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society all fit this theory! I have to say that I haven't read The Guernsey Literary blah-blah, because the title puts me off. Not sure why, feels too sentimental & whimsical for me perhaps? There, I've made a judgement based on no more information than the title!!! (and as a result I could be missing out on a great book).

Last year I read, The Luminous Life of Lilly Aphrodite and I admit, it was the title that initially made me stop and pick up the book to find out more. It's title in the US is The Glimmer Palace which wouldn't have grabbed me in the same way... In my case, the title worked, it was a good book!

[Gerald]

We read "Potato Peel" for a book club last year. I like book clubs, because you're encouraged to read books which you might not otherwise pick up. "TGLPPPS" was one of those. Having picked it up, I enjoyed it. It was an interesting read, not too deep and meaningful, but enjoyable nonetheless. I'd give it a go if I were you!

[Susan]

Em wrote: "Yes, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time does hold an appeal, for me its the west country idiom "in the night time", made me think it might be written in an

The Elegance of the Hedgehog is a wonderful book, I intend to read it every year! I thought the writing was beautiful, I had to keep on stopping so that I could think about it more deeply. Hope you enjoy it.

[Andy]

Another book i was attracted to by the title was The Raw Shark Texts, an unusual title and and unusual book.

[Lynne - The Book Squirrel]

Gerald wrote: "We read "Potato Peel" for a book club last year. I like book clubs, because you're encouraged to read books which you might not otherwise pick up. "TGLPPPS" was one of those. Having picked it up, I..."

I second you read it too! I loved it dispite its title it was one of my 2010 favourite reads.

[Liz, Moderator]

Lynne wrote: "Gerald wrote: "We read "Potato Peel" for a book club last year. I like book clubs, because you're encouraged to read books which you might not otherwise pick up. "TGLPPPS" was one of those. Having ..."

With two strong recommendations, looks like I'm going to have to!

[Clare]

I can't explain what I mean but titles like 'the post birthday world', 'the memory keeper's daughter' 'water for elephants' 'the pirate's daughter' really annoy me for some reason.

[Ian]

i love that book a lot i read it on audio book and it is a kid that reads it which makes it even more interesting. he reads it very well.Andy wrote: "I like unusual books, so am very drawn to different titles, i just had to go for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - which was a very good (and unusual) book."

[Maggie]

Liz wrote: "Em wrote: "Yes, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time does hold an appeal, for me its the west country idiom "in the night time", made me think it might be written in an int..."

I thought The Guernsey Literary and PotatoPeel Society was overrated - as you sais sentimental and whimsical - I expected more history but it was all a bit silly.

I really enjoyed Lilly Aphrodite though - plenty of history there along with a good story.

[Sam]

Katie wrote: "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies was the first book I ever looked at and thought "I MUST read that" from the title alone."

I was the same when I saw that and I've recently spotted Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls which seems to be having the same effect!

[Alex]

Infinite Welcomes Careful Drivers, caught my eye.

[Kris]

I never particularly liked the look of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. The title just didn't seem my sort of thing. I'm glad I gave the book a chance though because I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Alex]

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo put me off, but it was the front cover. Reminded me of an ex!

[Andy]

How about The Color of A Dog Running Away made me buy it anyway.

[Lynne - The Book Squirrel]

I am loving I Spied a Pale Horse by Mark Timlin, been reading it since 5.30 this morning!

[Nicola]

I loved the title A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian. Very little to do with tractors ( fortunately) and not written in Ukranian either!

[Sophie]

I loved the title Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, which resulted in me falling in love with the book entirely.

[Richard]

In Waterstones in London and was drawn to a quirky looking collection of titles by Cristopher Brookmyre. Titles like "All fun and games until someone loses an eye" and "A tale etched in blood and hard-black pencil". Have read a couple of his books and they are certainly entertaining!

[Susan]

Richard wrote: "In Waterstones in London and was drawn to a quirky looking collection of titles by Cristopher Brookmyre. Titles like "All fun and games until someone loses an eye" and "A tale etched in blood and ..."

I'm planning to visit Waterstones tomorrow, and shall be buying , if they have a copy....I'm intrigued.

[Richard]

Susan wrote: "I'm planning to visit Waterstones tomorrow, and shall be buying , if they have a copy....I'm intrigued. "

So far, I have read, "A tale etched in blood and hard-back pencil", "Quite ugly one morning" and "Pandemonium". I already have copies of "A big boy did it and ran away", "Be My Enemy" and "Boiling a Frog" ready to read. Haven't been dissapointed so far. Good luck with your purchase!

[Lynne - The Book Squirrel]

I read Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer simply for its title. What a great read, I then found another copy for one of the wife of a patient who sadly died because she was facinated with the title too.

[Ben]

Susan wrote: "Richard wrote: "In Waterstones in London and was drawn to a quirky looking collection of titles by Cristopher Brookmyre. Titles like "All fun and games until someone loses an eye" and "A tale etch..."

You won't regret it. I started on Brookmyre because of the title Attack of the Unsinkable Rubber Ducks and it was absolutely fantastic. I'm slowly making my way through all of his now, and they all have eye-catching titles.

Mark Watson's A Light-hearted Look at Murder caught my eye a couple of years ago, and he's now one of my favourite novelists.

[Richard]

Ben wrote: "Mark Watson's A Light-hearted Look at Murder caught my eye a couple of years ago, and he's now one of my favourite novelists."

Added this one to my to-read list. Curious!

[Sam]

I like the sound of those Cristopher Brookmyre books, going to have to keep an eye out for them!

[Lynne - The Book Squirrel]

Sam wrote: "I like the sound of those Cristopher Brookmyre books, going to have to keep an eye out for them!"

So do I I like quirky titles. I love the Thursday Next series by Jasper Fforde. Hi new one is One of Our Thursdays Is Missing which I hope to get soon to go with my others on my ereader.

[Ben]

Ah, the Thursday Next books are great. I think it was the cover of The Eyre Affair that got me interested -- the title would have put me off, on it's own.

[Lynne - The Book Squirrel]

Ben wrote: "Ah, the Thursday Next books are great. I think it was the cover of The Eyre Affair that got me interested -- the title would have put me off, on it's own."

I ate up the series in no time and have read his Nursery Crime ones too. Shades of Grey is also on my ereader.

[Ben]

I'm really excited about the Shades of Grey series. The first one was my favourite of Fforde's by a distance, and I loved the other stuff before that.

[Richard]

Sam wrote: "I like the sound of those Cristopher Brookmyre books, going to have to keep an eye out for them!"

They are definitely great fun books... The ones I have read anyway. If you have just read some Orwellian dystopia you could use a Brookmyre to cheer yourself up!

[Robert]

I always liked the title 'The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest.' Wasn't grabbed by the story though.

[Alex]

Backwards (Reddwarf novel) letters are backwards in places. Caught my eye, blurb sold it and the book was amazing.

[Daniel]

This book is absolutely amazing!!!

Immortal Jaguar is Hugh Fox's account of his experiences with the inner worlds and ancient powers unleashed by his use of traditional South American spiritual hallucinogenics. After consuming psychoactive plants in Peru he is gripped by visionary experiences and finds a dazzling magical world of Immortals opening up, a whirl of ancient knowledge pouring through his consciousness. On his return to academic life in the US he finds that having a shamanic gift which he is unable to switch off is something of a dangerous liability.

[Melki]

I am a sucker for a great title. I even created a shelf in my book list called "Love the title"!
Sadly, I have learned over time that a great title does not always mean a great book - but, here are some of my favorites:

Night of the Avenging Blowfish: A Novel of Covert Operations, Love, and Luncheon Meat
Fingerprints of Armless Mike
The Legend of the Barefoot Mailman: A Novel
and Lord Vishnu's Love Handles: A Spy Novel

[Vanessa]

I was drawn to Ali Shaw's The Girl With Glass Feet based on the title, thought it sounded quite fairy-tale like... the story sounded intriguing too, but about halfway I'd had enough of the melancholic tone and had to put it down.

[Emily V]

I think The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight is an awesome title!

[Dave]

Oh love the title - but having read the reviews I think I'll wait for the inevitable rom-com in about 2 years time.

[Hannah]

'Sea Otters Gambolling In The Wild, Wild Surf' is the book title that most caught my attention and made me want to read it, I think.

[Esther]

A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian and Round Ireland with a Fridge are two books I was attracted to because of the title.

[Elaine]

I've just finished "Fried Green Tomatoes at the whistlestop cafe" Its an American classic I think but less well heard of over here. Anyway ,I bought it because of the bizarre title and its a lovely story full of fun and wonderful characters

[Angela]

Elaine wrote: "I've just finished "Fried Green Tomatoes at the whistlestop cafe" Its an American classic I think but less well heard of over here. Anyway ,I bought it because of the bizarre title and its a lovely..."

I loved this book!

[Elaine]

@Amgela, isn't it fabulous, the characters just jump out of the pages . my favourite book I've read this year

[Angela]

Elaine wrote: "@Amgela, isn't it fabulous, the characters just jump out of the pages . my favourite book I've read this year"

I've read several books by Fannie Flagg and have enjoyed them all, but Fried Green Toms is my favourite! Have you seen the film? That was good too.

[Michael]

I saw the film years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. It's the kind of film that proves the Americans can make classic stuff, and not just the pap they put out these days.

[Angela]

Michael wrote: "I saw the film years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. It's the kind of film that proves the Americans can make classic stuff, and not just the pap they put out these days."

Absolutely, Michael!