Top Ten Tuesday: Extraordinary Book (and Series) Titles

I’ve been aware of the Top Ten Tuesday challenge for a while, but never actually did one myself – well, until now! This week’s prompt seemed interesting, so even though I’m a day late on it, I’m going to give it a try (also thanks to Keikii for alerting me to it).

Books are in no specific order.

1. This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone

– goodreads –

I like titles that make the readers intrigued about the book all by themselves. This is definitely one such. Not only does it immediately indicate what will the book be about (unlike most of the more standard [The X of Y] or [X of Y and Z] titles), but you see it, and immediately there are questions: What is the time war? How, indeed, would one lose it? Why? Besides, it’s a splendid novella.

2. The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch

– goodreads –

A title so good it made me notice and want to read the book, all those years ago. And I’m glad I did. It’s of the [The X of Y] pattern, sure, but done right. I wanted to know who Locke Lamora is and what are his lies. And the other titles in the series are pretty good as well.

3. The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow

– goodreads –

Descriptive, unique, instantly recognisable, and relevant to the story – what else would you want from a title?

4. Last Song Before Night by Ilana C. Myer

– goodreads –

It’s probably obvious by now that I tend towards longer, more poetic titles. And this one is no exception. It’s more thematically relevant than plot-descriptive since the book is about bards and music, but it’s a good one regardless. That, along with the gorgeous cover, and I simply had to go for it.

5. The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers

– goodreads –

Like This Is How You Lose the Time War, here is another book with a title that’s more or less a plot summary. Perhaps even more so. Except instead of raising questions, it tells you everything you need to know about the book – that it will be about the long way to a small, angry plannet or some sort. Which is absolutely correct. The sequels, A Closed and Common Orbit and Record of a Spaceborn Few are a little less descriptive, but no less good – both in terms of content and titles 🙂

6. The Chronicles of the Bitch Queen series by K.S. Villoso

– goodreads –

This is the first series (rather than book) title to feature. Because come on, look at it. Originally titled Annals of the Bitch Queen when it was still self-published, it’s a rather striking one, and I’m glad they kept the “Bitch Queen” part. I can’t wait to see what the re-edited version looks like.

7. All the titles in the Children of the Black Sun trilogy by Jo Spurrier

– goodreads –

Seriously. There’s not one bad title in the bunch. From the series to the individual books, they’re all good, and what they lack in descriptiveness, they make up in poetry. All three titles together almost sound like a prayer of some sort – winter be my shield, black sun light my way, and north star guide me home. I hope to do a full series reread review sometime soon.

8. Hard to Be a God by Arkady & Boris Strugatsky

– goodreads –

I also wanted to include one book that did not live up to its title’s promise. My expectation were set sky-high based on the title (I mean, how hard can it be to be a god?) and the premise, but while it contained some interesting ideas, it was tarnished by the sexism. From fridging, to a general treatment of female characters, to a super icky relationship…just no. Would not recommend.

9. The Word for World is Forest by Ursula K. Le Guin

– goodreads –

I haven’t read this yet, but since I TBR’d it just based on the title, I think it very much belongs on the list. It just rolls of the tongue and the imagery is wonderful. I can’t wait to find out its full meaning.

10. In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan

– goodreads –

…because it very nearly shares a name with my blog, even though I heard of it long after I picked it. So obviously, a good title 🙂