The old saying goes, “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” but can we judge them by their titles?
I mean, because I’m clearly a complete rebel with a disregard for all the rules, I judge books by their covers, too. But suppose I don’t. Hypothetically. Could I judge them by their titles? After all, what’s in a name?
Since humans are really bad at following instructions in general, of course, names mean a lot. And since I’m a judgmental little bookwyrm, I obviously love reading out titles and thinking what they say about the book. And that moment where you read a scene that makes the title suddenly make sense? *chef’s kiss*
Today’s Top Ten Tuesday is super long book titles.
Now, granted, I read quite a few books with really long titles. In fact, some of my favorite books have really long titles (My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry, Tristan Strong Punches A Hole in the Sky, etc.). So when I see a long title that sounds interesting and really grabs my attention, on the TBR it goes.
More than that, a really catch title, in general, will automatically land a book on my TBR simply because the title sounds so interesting! Today’s post is dedicated to these books, the books with the titles that make me sit up and take notice and go, “Yeah, okay, I should probably read that.”
What It Means When a Man Falls from the Sky
It’s a good thing we’ve agreed not to judge books by their cover, because this cover tells me nothing at all about this book, as far as I can tell. This title, though … what does it mean when a man falls from the sky? It’s a legitimate question. I mean, first, it means he needs work on his superpowers. Maybe a longer dip in a vat of nuclear waste? I don’t know, something. Either that or he got lost, took a wrong turn somewhere, and refused to just stop and ask for direction. That wouldn’t surprise me, either.
All Those Explosions Were Someone Else’s Fault
First, I would just like to say this sounds like something I would say, so of course it attracted my attention. But also … what explosions? Did I miss something? *gasp* Even worse, was I left out of something?! Why do other people get to blow things up and I don’t?! The nerve!
A Man Too Old for a Place Too Far
I’m a huge fan of older protagonists, I’m not gonna lie. So as soon as a man is saying he’s too old for something, he’s probably the right age for me to fall in love with him as a character. Works every time. It sounds like the main character of this may just be the sort of curmudgeon that I enjoy reading about.
The Things We Learn When We’re Dead
I’d hope it’d be things like where the other sock goes when they disappear from the dryer or how bacon tastes so good when the rest of the pig is very meh. I’d say necromancy, buuuut … it’d be a little late to learn that after you’re already dead. I mean, you can’t reverse-necromance yourself alive from the afterlife or something. So yeah, I’m definitely curious about what things this author had in mind.
This Is How You Lose the Time War
I’m not sure this is something I really need advice on. Pretty sure I can manage this myself. Step one: have me on your team. Step two: let me lose. Congrats! You’ve officially lost the time war, along with any other war you had in mind. Huzzah! Unless you send me back to the time of dinosaurs or something. That’s a no-go for me, thanks.
Zoey Punches the Future in the Dick
I mean, this is kind of the sort of title that just immediately grabs you, doesn’t it? Sort of the type of thing I expected from the author of John Dies at the End and This Book is Full of Spiders. Still, this title definitely screams pick me up and find out what the heck the future did wrong. Because clearly, it must’ve been something to deserve that kind of treatment.
The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen, 83¼ Years Old
As I said, I love older protagonists! I’m so curious, though, that it’s specifically 83 1/4 years old. Usually, people stop counting fraction ages by the time they hit the double digits, basically. Plus, secret diaries are always a plus. I’m a fan of reading things I’m “not supposed to,” even if that’s diaries! Woe to my daughter … when she starts having something going on in her life where reading her diary might actually be interesting.
How to Make Friends with the Dark
Helloooo darkness, my old friiiiiend. You can never have too many friends, right? The darkness sounds like a marvelous friend to have. Why not? This made me curious about what kind of dark, of course. Like the pitch black darkness outside your window that some horrible creature is probably lurking in, or the darkness buried deep inside everyone? Because those are two totally different types.
How Rory Thorne Destroyed the Multiverse
Okay, let me just say that I feel like there are a LOT of ways to achieve this goal. I can think of several dozen without even trying. But yeah, okay, I’m curious how exactly Rory Thorne accomplished it in this particular instance.
The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires
I mean, doesn’t this just sound brilliant on the surface? I’m part of a Southern book club, and thinking about these lovely ladies learning to slay vampires makes me giggle so much. I definitely want to see it. When I read this, I imagine I’ll be picturing my own book club, which will definitely add an interesting layer to this.
This is an amazing list Sammie!! All Those Explosions Were Someone Else’s Fault sounds very… intriguing 😂 And I’ve heard lovely things about How to Make Friends With the Dark!
Thanks! I do so love that first title. xD Grabs my attention every time.
The Things You Learn When You’re Dead does sound interesting!
My post.
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All Those Explosions Were Someone Else’s Fault and How Rory Thorne Destroyed The Multiverse are awesome. Happy reading!
So glad to hear you enjoyed them! Looking forward to both of them. 😀
Zoey Punches the Future in the Dick definitely caught my attention! And This is How You Lose the Time War is easily one of my favorite books of all time.
Ren Strange recently posted…Hill House VS. Bly Manor— Which Season is Superior?
I really want to read This is How you lose the time war. And I am hoping to read the southern books clubs guide this month.
Saaaame, though I’ve been saying that for the past two months, soooo … I’m maybe not a reliable source on this one. xD
Ha! I laughed at all of these. I think long book titles tend to be funnier. You also reminded me that What It Means When A Man Falls from the Sky has been on my TBR for a while!
I forgot about the awesomeness that is the moment you discover what a book’s cryptic title actually means. Eureka! That is a fun feeling 🙂
I read two books with eight-word titles this year. THE SOUTHERN BOOK CLUB’S GUIDE TO SLAYING VAMPIRES was one of them. It’s a fun book.
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
It is definitely one of the best feelings, especially if it’s something particularly meaningful to the story!
Great list!
I love the title “The Southern Book Club Guide to Slaying Vampires”! Really need to pick it up!
My post!
Evelyn recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday – Long Books Titles!
I’ve heard it’s really good!
Zoey Punches the Future in the Dick is the BEST title. Great list!
Jess @ Jessticulates recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday | Recommendations for #NonfictionNovember
There are some great, long titles here, Sammie! I didn’t take part in week’s TTT topic, as I struggled to think of enough long titles, other than The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon. 😅
jessicabookworm recently posted…The Cottingley Secret by Hazel Gaynor
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time was one of the first titles I thought of, too! But I notice I’ve mentioned it several times in recent (ish) TTTs and didn’t want to keep mentioning it, so I thought I’d change it up. xD
All Those Explosions Were Someone Else’s Fault & This is How You Lose the Time War are both on my TBR.
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Hope you enjoy them when you get a chance to read them!
That vampire book is sure a popular pick this week! Great picks!
Ronyell (a.k.a Rabbitearsblog) recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday #77: Top 10 Longest Book Titles (or Book Titles I can’t say out loud because I’ll lose my breath saying them)
I think because it’s a new release, so it’s top of mind for so many people, and that title really does just grab you. xD
Okay, now I’m really curious how all those explosions are someone else’s fault, too. That’s a really catchy title. (And why am I not surprised that Tristan Strong made its way on here somewhere?)
Nicole @ BookWyrm Knits recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday ~ Super Long Book Titles
What?! Where? I didn’t see Tristan Strong. *whistles innocently*
Yeah, I really should pick that book up soon. I’ve been curious about it for a while. xD
Such fun titles! I have Southern Book Club on my list too 😊
AB @ iwishiownedabookstore recently posted…TTT: Super Long Book Titles
I’ve heard it’s really good! hope you enjoy it!
I judge by cover more so than titles, I’m a sucker for a good cove 😀 Great list today
I definitely go for covers more than titles, too. If something catches my eye, I definitely give the blurb a read. xD
Great examples! I keep meaning to read those Rory Thorne books. 😀
Lisa @ waytoofantasy recently posted…Halloween Book Tag!
Saaaame. I did finally buy the first book, which is … you know … a step in what I assume is the right direction? xD
Great list! Southern Book Club made my list, as well. Hopefully we can both read it soon!
Dedra @ A Book Wanderer recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday: Super Long Book Titles
I hope so! I checked it out forever ago and really probably should read it and bring it back at this point. xD