Top Ten Tuesday: Extraordinary Book Titles
For this weeks Top Ten Tuesday I decided to have a look at the increasing trend in books to have the most ridiculously long title possible, making it very difficult to talk about these books without needing to take a break and catch my breath. As annoying as it is, I do love the long titles that take us away from the YA dystopia trend of using a single word to describe the entire story!
I've ordered the books from shortest title to longest, so watch as they slowly get more and more ridiculous as the list goes on.
The Lonely Life of Biddy Weir
Starting off small with a title that is only 6 six words, I always feel ridiculous when I tell people the title of this book, and often end up shortening it to just Biddy Weir. Compared to the rest of the books on this list, maybe I shouldn't feel so ridiculous!
The Curious Incident of Dog in the Night-Time
Another short, long title that comes in at 9 words (depending how you split night-time), this books is well-loved and can only be said as a full title. How would you split it to make it shorter? Who knows? But I do know it takes up enough time to earn a place on this list.
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
I read this book over the Summer and though it was absolutely incredible. For a book so short it sure does make up for it with the length of its title, although we still haven't hit double digits yet!
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
Last one in the single digits, and a beautiful one to end with. The story and writing style is as poetic as the people that inspired the character's names and I always get distracted by the cover when I see it on the shelves in bookshops.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Our first book that is in the double digits and what an iconic one! I haven't actually read this book but I do know all about it (which I think is true to most book lovers around the world). Compared to the rest of the books on this list its title is still short, only just making it to 10 words.
The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making
Who else remembers when this book came out and all the booktubers were trying to find a way to shorten the title? The entire series has crazy long titles, but this one is the longest (12 words) and the most intriguing, in my opinion. Also, the covers of this series are gorgeous so that makes up for the extraordinarily long title!
The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared
Admittedly not the longest title that Jonas Jonasson has come up with in his time as a writer, it is the most memorable and the book I talk about the most. This is another one that I have troubles shortening because 'The Hundred Year Old Man' just doesn't sound right but I don't want to say the whole title all the time.
The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure
Did anyone know that this was the full title of The Princess Bride? I quite like the full title actually because it adds an extra layer of excitement and adventure to this story. Also, it makes it sound more like a classical Medieval story that has been passed down the generations (which is fitting for a story this timeless).
The Boyfriend List: 15 Guys, 11 Shrink Appointments, 4 Ceramic Frogs and Me, Ruby Oliver
The Ruby Oliver series was actually the first set of books I read by E. Lockhart, so I had no idea that she wrote thrillers. Although I love her thriller stories there will always be a special place in my heart for her ridiculously names Ruby Oliver series
Captain Underpants and the Invasion of the Incredibly Naughty Cafeteria Ladies from Outer Space and the Subsequent Assault of the Equally Evil Lunchroom Zombie Nerds
o all Captain Underpants books have ridiculous book titles, but this one definitely wins for most ridiculous. Coming it at 25 words it is the longest title I've ever seen, and I didn't even realise when I read it! Luckily most people just to refer to this series as the Captain Underpants books so I don't have to recite this monster every time I talk about it.
And bonus one: the longest title in the world which is 1022 words long!
I honestly didn't believe this when I looked it up, but the title is actually that long (and obviously it is about Harry Potter)!
What is the longest title of a book you've read? Have you read any of the books on this list?
Let me know in the comments below!
And until next time, keep reading!
I love the title of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime; sadly, though, I didn't enjoy the book very much...great list and happy Tuesday! :D
ReplyDeleteOh yes, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.
ReplyDeleteThe Curious Incident of the Dog in Night-Time was such a great story, too.
ReplyDeleteMy TTT.