It’s said that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover … but what about by its title?
I mean, face it, those are the two things you first see about a book, and first impressions matter, regardless of what some people would have to believe. So that’s just what we’re going to do today, is judge ten books on their titles!
This Top Ten Tuesday is dedicated to extraordinary book titles.
For this prompt, I actually chose books I haven’t read yet, because it makes it all the more fun. I can speak about the title and what it invokes in me, personally, without all that pesky knowledge of what the book is actually about. Sometimes, ignorance is better, okay? But just sometimes.
A Lush and Seething Hell
Initial Thoughts: These descriptions just seem to contradict each other, and I sort of love it? How can hell be both lush and seething? But both are just really strong adjectives on their own, and they elicit this really dark, atmospheric picture in my mind.
What I hope it’s about: Hell! Hopefully, a super dark and creepy one that’ll keep me up at night, because SLEEP IS FOR THE WEAK!
What Goodreads says it’s about: Two horror stories that do sound vaguely creepy: a poet-in-exile attempting to translate a maddening text and a librarian who finds a recording of the Devil’s music.
Nothing Hidden Ever Stays
Initial Thoughts: Crows are signals for creepiness! But also really remind me of Edgar Allen Poe (Quoth the raven, “Nevermore.”) Which gives me all sorts of dark Gothic vibes. But the title sounds a bit like Lovecraft and Poe had a baby and they were forced to name it, as you do.
What I hope it’s about: Deliciously dark secrets that tear people apart and/or destroy them. With a creepy atmosphere, of course.
What Goodreads says it’s about: Teenage mental patient has premonitions and is haunted by things and has to find out the truth about her family.
A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians
Initial Thoughts: Magicians are people, too. Mostly. So why shouldn’t they have a declaration? Pretty much everyone else does. Also, they’re in a pretty unique position to demand these rights, because if they’re not met … well, you know, magic.
What I hope it’s about: Philosophy meets monarchy, and they live happily ever after. Well, after several bloody wars, treason, betrayal, and all sorts of questionable life choices.
What Goodreads says it’s about: Famous people during the Age of Enlightenment re-imagined as magicians fighting tyranny and oppression across the world, only to realize there’s a greater evil that will require them to unite in order to defeat it or the world will fall into chaos. You know, like it does.
Begone the Raggedy Witches
Initial Thoughts: I’ve always been a fan of the word “begone,” and honestly, this title is just really fun to say. It’s got this really neat old-worldy feel to it, while also sounding just a bit childish and stubborn.
What I hope it’s about: Witches! Who are … raggedy? Honestly, I don’t know. It feels very folksy and I bet there’s a wood involved and evil witches.
What Goodreads says it’s about: A Coraline-esque story, where creepy witches steel the protagonist’s father, and her (and her mother? which is a weird twist) have to travel to another world in order to save him.
How We Became Wicked
Initial Thoughts: Listen, I’m super predictable. Anything that includes the word “wicked” sounds like a good time to me. I love dark things. This makes me think of some sort of fall from grace, some fundamental turn. In who? I have no idea. But someone.
What I hope it’s about: Good people finally coming to the dark side, enjoying the cookies, and endlessly mocking those rubes on the light side. Maybe something post-apocalyptic/dystopia?
What Goodreads says it’s about: Plague! (insert “Bring out your dead” call from Monty Python which I immediately think about every time something involves a plague). This divides the world into three people: the Wicked, who are infected and hunt and maim others (I’m obviously rooting for them); the True, who are people who are quarantined away from the virus; and the Vexed, who have gained immunity (aka the obvious party-poopers of this here plague apocalypse).
We Contain Multitudes
Initial Thoughts: Any quote that involves multitudes automatically makes me think of “I am legion,” which leads to me thinking about Abaddon. He was the original multitudes, before all these copycat wannabes.
What I hope it’s about: Demon possession seems unlikely, though it would be exciting. Split personalities feels like it’d be too on the nose. I don’t want it, but I suspect it’s a feel-good quote about being more on the inside than you appear on the outside or something silly like that. Which is a waste of a perfectly great, potentially dark book title, in my opinion.
What Goodreads says it’s about: Two high school boys fall in love and realize the world is an ugly place and relationships are hard and being gay is hard and … I mean, it’s pretty much the thing I said it would be that I didn’t want, so no surprises there.
The Sea Dreams it is The Sky
Initial Thoughts: It’s such a poetic line, isn’t it?! I sort of love how dreamy and airy it is, but almost in a sad way full of longing. It makes me think of the idea of “the grass is always greener on the other side.”
What I hope it’s about: I don’t care so much what it’s about. I just want it to be contemporary, literary, and be written really prettily and give me all the feels.
What Goodreads says it’s about: … it’s apparently horror? Oh, wow, I wasn’t even cloooose. It’s about war and blood and a mystery past and future and, really, the desire to leave a broken country while still always being called to return.
An Assassin’s Guide to Love and Treason
Initial Thoughts: I 100% approve of assassins, so logically, their guide to anything must be noteworthy, right? They’ve survived this long, so clearly, they must have unlocked some secret or another. Also, treason is fun. The love? I can take it or leave it.
What I hoped it was about: Death, betrayal, and maybe such apt love advice as “it’s totally okay to stab your partner in the back … so long as they clearly had it coming.”
What Goodreads says it’s about: Romance, Shakespeare, and a plot to assassinate the queen. All in all, a bit of a letdown. Less assassins and more actors playing a part, and not very well, at that.
And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer
Initial Thoughts: Okay, I cheated on this one, but you had to see this coming. You didn’t really think I’d go for one Top Ten list without cheating at least once? Pffft. You have too much faith in me, clearly. I did read this book, and I still think the title is brilliant and perfect.
What I hoped it was about: An intrepid explorer who finds it more and more difficult to find his way back home after his adventures, even though it’s where he longs to be.
What Goodreads says it’s about: A man with dementia who is losing himself and his family bit by bit, while still trying desperately to hold on. Sooo … pretty much what I hoped it was about.
All Those Explosions Were Someone Else’s Fault
Initial Thoughts: I’m 99% sure this, in fact, is not the case, but I kind of don’t care either way because … explosions. Do we really need a reason why things are going boom? The fact that they are is really the most important thing here.
What I hoped it was about: Explosions! Comedy! Fighting and nemeses and grudges. Lots of kabooooooms! With a little laughter mixed in to the background.
What Goodreads says it’s about: Superheroes versus dark monsters with a healthy dose of comedy on the side. Also, a Mad Genius! What superhero book is complete without one?
Yes yes absolutely yes. I saw Begone the Raggedy Witches and laughed so loud. I love that title. I had to add it to my TBR asap. This is such a great list, I love ALL of it
Hahaha I’m glad it’s not just me! xD I hope it’s as good as it sounds.
Oh wow, that last title is pretty cool, that’s my favorite of the bunch! Also, I want to read it just because of the title😁
Right? That’s what made me stop and pay attention to the book in the first place. The sequel is called They Promised Me the Gun Wasn’t Loaded, which is also a fun title. xD
If only books were always about our first impressions of them, eh?
My TTT.
Sometimes it’s a good thing they don’t … but usually, I tend to be disappointed that they’re so different. xD I always think it’s a good sign when the title gives me a mental picture that matches what the book is about.
Sammie, I am a sucker for a catchy title and a pretty cover! I don’t know any of the books on your list, but there are some great titles on it. I particular like The Sea Dreams it is The Sky which I think it really lovely. Here’s my TTT post: https://thebookwormchronicles.wordpress.com/2019/10/15/top-ten-tuesday-15th-october-2019/ 🙂
Glad to know I’m not the only one that falls for a nice title and a pretty cover. 😉
Fun list, and I love your explanations!
Also, All Those Explosions Were Someone Else’s Fault sounds awesome based on the title alone. (The cover needs some help, though.) And sadly while The Sea Dreams it is the Sky sounds like an amazing book based off the title, I do not do horror, so I’ll have to skip that one. Alas.
Well, it’s a YA comedic superhero book, so the cover actually sort of fits that very specific niche. xD Although it’s really not much to look at, is it?
I don’t read a lot of horror, either, so that’ll be a maybe for me. I’ll read some reviews and gauge just how scary/gory it is.
I mean, the colors do scream “fire!” so I guess it fits the explosion part. But it’s too much of the same, I think? Nothing really jumped out and caught my attention.
If it had been a lyrical contemporary, though, that would have been amazing! Maybe it will be horror-lite enough that we can tolerate it.
I feel like Backman always has interesting titles. And somehow that synopsis of Begone Raggedy Witches sounds dissapointing. I mean you could go so many ways.
I’ll admit that I was definitely a little disappointed with the summary of Begone the Raggedy Witches. It could be good, but it’s not what I was expecting from that title.
We Contain Multitudes almost went on my list too! I haven’t heard of most of the others on yours, and they sound really interesting!!
The Assassin’s Guide to Love and Treason sounds so cool! Can’t wait to read that one.
You’ll have to let me know how it is after you’ve read it. 😉 I guess it’ll probably be a while until I get to it lol.
It will be a while before I get to it too! My list is ever growing.
Ahhh I’d laugh, but I relate a little too much to this that it makes me want to cry. xD
oo! A Lush and Seething Hell sounds awesome, and I’ve heard some good things about All Those Explosions.. 😀
Have you?! Well, that’s always good to hear. I don’t think I’ve really seen many people talk about it, but I’m excited to read it.
Oh man, all of these titles are so great but especially the last one. All Those Explosions Were Someone Else’s Fault. I love it! Great post.
In theory, it’s supposed to be much along the lines of Jackson Ford’s books, except geared at a younger audience! So that’s sort of why I’m excited to give it a try lol.
Begone the Raggedy Witches has me laughing! And A Lush and Seething Hell is soooo intriguing based on title alone, like wow.
I admit, that’s definitely what attracted me to A Lush and Seething Hell in the first place!
An Assassin’s Guide to Love and Treason is amazing – I highly recommend it!
Is it? That summary sounded a little disappointing to me compared to the title, so I’m actually really glad to hear this!
These titles would’ve really caught my attention when I get to see them in bookstores or anywhere! 🙂
I think that’s a fun idea to go for books you (mostly) haven’t read and are attracted to based on the title alone! 🙂 I also love the way you laid out your post!
I think the title that appeals most to me (from this list) is The Sea Dreams It Is the Sky; very evocative! Although the genre isn’t up my alley. 😉 Also, the title And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer is so heartbreaking and compelling.
Thanks for sharing and for stopping by my post!
~Amber
Thank you! I had some fun with this one, for sure. xD
And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer was for sure heartbreaking, but so worth the read (with tissues nearby, obviously). Though, I’m biased because I’m in love with everything Backman writes, it seems.
Wow! You’re right these are some extraordinary titles!