There’s nothing like a good title that tempts me to take down a book from the shelf, scan it, and consider taking it home. What makes a title good? To me, it’s one that makes me wonder. Looking around now, I see a number that do/did just that: Chango’s Beads and Two-Tone Shoes, Edge, Bed, A Visit from the Goon Squad, The Buddha in the Attic, Baking Cakes in Kigali, Sing You Home, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. A few of them I’ve reached for in the past, read, and felt that they’ve lived up to their titles; some not so much. One title that doesn’t stand a chance with me is one with a pun. I’ve heard authors talk about slaving over the perfect title; heard others mention that their editors came up with it; and one even said that he narrowed his options by flipping coins. So there you have it. And if we’re not familiar with the author, that’s all we have to go on. Unless you’re into arresting graphics.
─Chris
Read it or Weep 