Titles? Do they really matter to you? Would you not buy a book because the title is just too unpalatable for your tastes? As a writer, I try very hard to give my books titles that fit. My first book had four titles before it was all said and done. It started out as An Honorable Rogue, then moved to A Midsummer’s Night Folly before being changed to A Lady’s Compromise. I really thought A Lady’s Compromise was a completely appropriate title for the book because, well, my heroine is a lady and indeed is compromised. Alas, however, that title would not do so it became SINFUL SURRENDER, sexier, hotter?
My second book was titled simply The Gauntlet. Even though I knew I’d never be able to keep it because it wasn’t sexy or romantic enough, I did love it and thought it suited my hero and heroine’s relationship to a ‘T’. I believe my editor came up with A TASTE OF DESIRE and I’m happy with it. I’m pretty happy with both titles of my books.
But within the past two years, I’ve definitely noticed a trend where titles are concerned. The first book that comes to mind is Julia Quinn’s WHAT HAPPENS IN LONDON, which is an obvious play on the famous saying, “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas”. Her next book was titled TEN THINGS I LOVE ABOUT YOU, again a play on the popular movie starring Heath Ledger, 10 Thing I Hate About You.
On a brief aside, I thought The Dark Knight was the best super hero movie every made and Heath was beyond brilliant as The Joker.
Okay, getting back on point, recently, this title caught my eye, WHEN HARRY MET MOLLY by debut author Kieran Kramer. Okay, now you got me because When Harry Met Sally is my favourite romantic comedy ever. Yes ever. Love love love that movie. Of course now I’m intrigued with the book simply because of the title. This particular title will make me at least pick it up to read the back cover copy. And as you can see the cover isn’t bad either. 😉
Next in Kieran’s offerings? DUKES TO THE LEFT OF ME, PRINCES TO THE RIGHT. Okay, some of you may be too young to get where this title is coming from. This time it’s the Stealer’s Wheel song Stuck in the Middle with You written by Joe Egan and Gerry Rafferty.
Chorus:
Clowns to the left of me.
Jokers to the right.
Here I am stuck in the middle with you.
I love that song, so Jennifer Enderlin, Kieran’s editor at St. Martin’s Press who came up with that title, totally tapped into my love of 70s hit songs. Again, the cover isn’t bad either. 😉
Yes, there are many more book titles now following in that theme (and have in the past). Some I find completely delightful, others not so much. So as you can see, the title of a book can intrigue me enough to make me want to know more about the book, but can a title totally turn me off one? Unless, I find the title totally offensive or roll my eyes just plain silly, nope. I know many authors have very little say in the title of their books so, I, as a reader, don’t want to hold that against them.
What about you, how much, if any, do titles influence you when selecting books? Can a title totally turn you off a book?
Ok, if it is a fav author, the title doesn’t matter at all. Of course, a catchy title will definitly catch my attention. There are a lot of titles, especially in the historical romance genre that are very samey…so if something is different, it stands out more.
Valerie
in Germany
If the title belongs to an author I am fimilar with, especially if it belongs to a continuation in a series then it don’t make a difference.
If it’s an unknown author to me and the title is catchy and the cover jumps at you I am intrigued enough to take the book off the shelf and read the back cover and inside excerpt and if I am interested then I purchase the book. I have spent many hours at my bookstore looking for new books to read while waiting for new releases of the authors I love to read.
I would think that the titles are part of the marketing, something that grabs you is bound to sell than something that is generic.
To be honest I dont go by titles I go by descriptions. Titles can be very misleading and if I don’t like what the description says then I don’t buy it.
Titles don’t really mean that much to me. I’m more concerned with author. I’m different from lots of people in the fact that when I go book shopping, I take a list of books I’m looking for (researched before hand) and don’t impulse buy any titles. I’ve done that before only to discover I already had the book on my TBR shelves. LOL
One thing I will say on this subject: I read an historical anthology titled ‘In Praise of Younger Men’ and was rather disappointed when the book content did not really living up to the title. Yes, the heroines in each story where ‘older’ than their heroes…but not by much (less than 1 year to maybe 2 years older). I would rather have seen a 5-10 year difference in the stories. I believe that would have been more in keeping with the Younger Man image of the book. But that’s just MHO!
I don’t pay much attention to titles unless they are mystery or suspense books since you can get an idea of what the book will cover from reading the title.
A title alone probably wouldn’t sway me to buy a book but it does help if it’s memorable. “The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie” made me take note, never saw a title like that before and it made me pick up the book. I ended up buying it.
In romance there are so many similar titles using the same type of words…sin, seduction, passion, scoundrel, wicked…it all blends together after awhile.
Titles are so important! I am can’t say whether a title can COMPLETELY turn me off to a book, but it definitely is the stoplight when I am looking for a new read.
It’s a combination really: Enticing title, Alluring Cover, Intoxicating Blurb..and then the actual story has to hold some merit too ;).
If one of those elements is off, sometime the other two can compensate. But as for titles alone, they wield some hefty power. I can honestly say that creative, different and down-right odd titles tend to pique my interest faster than a regular run-of-the-mill title.
take for instance: ‘The Truth About Lord Stoneville’, which I have recently read. The title made me wonder, what exactly is that said truth? And ‘The Madness Of Lord Ian Mackenzie’- you get the point 😉
I also LOVE Sarah MacLean’s titles: ‘Ten ways to be adored when landing a lord’..It’s so fun and different from what I am use to in historicals!
I’ll JUMP at titles like those and usually pick them up far quicker and with more frequency in lue of the ‘usual suspect titles’ with te words: ‘Seductions’, ‘Rogue’, ‘Kiss’, ect.. =D
-Rita
Title really doesn’t matter to unless is ridicules that it makes want to laugh instead of picking it up and reading it.
The Gauntlet makes me think your book would be a medieval but I checked your site and it isn’t so I think the change to A Taste of Desire was a good thing. 🙂
I’m with Rita, different titles pique my interest more than your run of the mill titles. I loved When Harry Met Sally too so seeing there’s a book with a similar title made me go to the author’s website to check it out. The premise is interesting. I might wait on a couple reviews though before I run out and buy it.
And I’m with you. If the title is completely ridiculous, I won’t even bother to read the blurb unless it’s an author I know and love or if the book comes highly recommended.
As someone previously stated, if it’s an author that I read, the title is irrelevant. However, when shopping in a bookstore, a bad title or cover might cause me to pass over the book and not check out the back plot description. There are so many books lined up, that I tend to pick up the books with the best covers and then read the book blurb. An exception to this is when a book gets a lot of buzz; then the title doesn’t really matter.
As an aside, I’m in the minority in that I wasn’t crazy about The Dark Night. I think the reviews were so glowing, that the movie just couldn’t live up to the hype. Does an author ever worry about this? If review blogs all said your book is the greatest, do you then worry that a reader’s expectations will be too high? I know great reviews are a good thing, but it definitely raises expectations.
Well I have to be honest here and say that a title does matter to me. If it is by an author that I know then I won’t be too quick to judge and read the book. If it is an author who I don’t recognize, I might not even pick up the book because of the title. But if the cover is attractive and the blurb lures me in, I might attempt to read the book. I am picky like that.
I don’t think the title is what draws me to a book.
Titles don’t really mean that much to me. It might make me pick up a book to look through it, but it doesn’t influence my buying.
I hardly pay attention to titles if the book is from a tried and true author. The first romance I ever bought was “To Sir Philip With Love” by Julia Quinn since I love the move To Sir With Love I had to had it, So clearly a clever play on words will work on me lol. A horrible title can really turn me off a book (I also commit the cardinal sin of judging a book by its cover).
@Kim
I think if authors worried about too much good buzz setting too high expectations (which is a very good thing), I think they’d drive themselves crazy. If I were in that enviable position I’d just sit back and thank goodness the book was getting good buzz and go along for the ride. You can’t do anything about readers’ expectations except write the best book you can. 😀
Oh and I’m not asking the question will a title cause you to buy a book. That’s not it at all. I’m asking. I should have phrased it differently. What I meant was can it pique your interest enough to pick up a book or dismiss one altogether.
It wouldn’t stop me if I knew the author or knew about the book but a weird title or cover could stop me from ever picking it up just as an interesting cover or title could get me to pick it up.
Titles don’t influence me to buy books. However, there are some titles out there that make me laugh. If I was the slightest bit embarrassed about buying romance novels, these titles would be a total turnoff.
Titles can be misleading on some books. I usually don’t spend much time on the covers or titles- I like to read about the story.
If it was an Author I’m familiar with or read often it doesn’t matter. I really spend more time reading blurbs and seeing covers. I can honestly say that any title with the word Highlander in it is definitely getting picked up..
Carol L.
Lucky4750@aol.com
I don’t pay much attention to the title of a book, I mostly buy by author.
Yes, some titles that are really out of the ordinary will jump out and make me look at the plots to the books.
Like the book “The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker”. Who couldn’t resist looking to see what that book is about?
Also, some books have completely ridiculous titles. I’ve mentioned before on this blog that I read Harlequin Presents books and some of their titles are so silly (and embarrassing to bring to the counter!) Like: “The Sheikh’s Virgin Stable Girl”, “Baby of Shame”, and “Love Slave To the Sheikh” just to mention a few! But I know what I’m getting with the Presents books so I can overlook their horrible titles. (Though someone who has never read one before may have second thoughts before buying some of these books with those titles.)
Titles don’t stop me from buying books (obviously) but some great sounding ones sure will make me pick them up and look at them.
I wouldn’t NOT buy a book because of the title if I was already interested in the book, but if it’s not an author I know or one who’s been suggested to me, I might not pick the book up in the first place. If I LOVE the title of a book, I’ll be very likely to buy it, even if the author is unfamiliar to me. 🙂
I have to say titles do catch my attention and picque my interest. My first book, “The Notorious Bridegroom,” was originally called “To Catch a Spy;” however, it didn’t have sex appeal, and my editor changed it. My 2nd book, “The Vengeful Bridegroom” is absolutely on the money. Covers also appeal to me. There are so many great covers out there. I must say, Bev, the cover for “A Taste of Desire” is great and very different.
A title (just like the cover art) may cause me to pick up the book to see what it’s about but that’s about as far as it goes. It won’t cause me to buy or not buy the book. That said, if the title is blah, the cover art doesn’t catch my eye or it’s not a fave author, I’m less likely to look to see what it’s about and therefore less likely to buy it.
If the title even alludes to Victorian literature, I won’t even consider it.
Hmm. Some titles have made me at least pick up the book and read the blurb. More often than not the blurb is what sells me, but sometimes a unique title does make me pick it up.
I have to admit that when a title ends up not having anything to do with the story it does kind of tick me off.
Then again, I am such a historical romance slut I will read almost any of them the first time. After that, what will make me go out and buy another book by that author isn’t the title or the blurb, but what that author did with the story they told.
As an aspiring writer I DO pay attention to the titles of books coming out. I try to think of good titles for the books I write even if I know that once I sell a book all bets are off as to the title!
@Kit Donner
Thanks so much Kit. I certainly was very taken with my hero on the cover of Sinful Surrender and although I can’t see as much of his face, the model on the cover of A Taste of Desire is really on the money for Thomas. Kensy does get me some very good looking cover models. 😀
The title can be a turn off for the book. However if it is coupled with a cover that is too crass or ugly, that will be the kiss of death. Why get a book you wouldn’t want to be seen reading? A good title on a raunchy cover will not help. I realize authors are mostly at the mercy of their publishers when it comes to titles and covers. You, like us, have to cross your fingers and hope you are given something that fits your work to a T.
I have found that a lot of titles don’t really have much to do with the story so I have found that I rarely pay attention to them. If I am recommending a book I would mention the author’s name because that is what I remember.
If the title is too silly sounding I’m probably not going to be interested because I think the book will be silly too. The sheik’s/bachelor playboy/millionaire’s anything usually doesn’t interest me, those titles remind me of very old virginal harlequins which I am not interested in today.
I like titles that give me a sense of romance, intrigue, danger, sensual desire or favorite themes like medieval, scotland, knights, romantic suspense, vampires.
The Gauntlet or A Taste of Desire – yes to both titles and covers featuring the hero smooching on the neck of his girl always evoke a sense of passion.
The titel is important, but the cover does it for me. If I don’t like the cover I most likely won’t by the book.
I do go by titles sometimes. I don’t think I have never bought a book because of the title. I have however bought one because the title caught my eye or was catchy. Sometimes a book cover will turn me off more.
Last summer (I think), a book came out titled “The Druid Made Me Do It”. I forget who wrote it, but the title/cover combo always made me smile. It made one of my co-workers giggle. After reading the back cover copy, we both decided we wanted to read it. She ended up buying it (and loved it).
If not for the title, I doubt either of us would have given the book more than a cursory glance. ^_^
A title can make me look closer, but I’ve yet to see one that would turn me off completely – no matter how strange or inappropriate.
some titles do catch my eye I suppose. Except I usually notice the Style of the title & the colors (if I see the spine) or picture (for cover) before I read the title. That is what I notice first. A feelgood romance novel won’t have the horror/suspense/scifi style. If it seems like the rigt style I’ll look again. If it then looks like girl porn (you know what i’m talking about) I’ll usually dismiss on title/cover. Then I check the back if it looks like a Real romance novel.
Honestly thoug, I SELDOM remember titles. I read So much I an’t keep them all straight. I remember what it’s about & characters etc. That’s what’s Really important. If I remember the title & not the book I’ll prbably skip rereading it. Otherwise it’s a fun journey rediscovering which book had the heroine named Sheridan who got amnesia & thought she was someone else. (that’s the one I got my daugter’s name out of. It’s Until You by Judith Mdnaught & I Still can never remember the title)
Thank you so much for this article. It’s a terrific topic and very timely!
I find both the cover and title are grabbers for me with the following caveats: if those don’t match the book, it can be off-putting or, if the book I am searching for has these two hooks in addition, I am sold.
I know I’m posting pretty late, but I’ve noticed a lot of really silly titles lately. I roll my eyes at those that are take-offs on songs, movies titles or commercial catch phrases, but a good cover will usually get me to at least read the back cover. An example from earlier this year was ‘Sex and the Single Earl’ by Vanessa Kelly…cringeworthy title, but the cover is totally ‘HuminaHumina’! That interested me enough to read the back cover & put the book in my TBR pile. Had the marketing department chosen something like that for my latest, I would have gone with it — I hate coming up with titles, and they are in the business of actually selling books.
Just my 2 cents.