It's that time of the week again, where I ransack my mind and try to participate to The Broke And The Bookish's Top Ten Tuesdays. I'm going to branch away from this week's subject, because "jerk" resembles a lot to "bad guy", which I have already done. Instead, I'm going to rip off my friend's Heath Lowrance post about the best book titles. I will also invite you to read the original, on his blog. And to also buy his debut novel from Amazon. Because it's a damn good book.
1-Hubert Selby Jr. - Requiem For A Dream: This title pokes at a special place and I'm sure it does for many of you. It's even worse after you've seen the movie (I want to read the book, but I'm somewhat scared of what effect it could have on me). There is, what Donald Maass calls "micro-tension" to this title.
2-Megan Abbott - The End Of Everything: It's not out yet, but I am DYING to read it, only from its title and cover. It's the kind of idea I would have loved to have for a novel title. It suggests that something went horribly wrong somewhere in somebody's life. And judging from the cover, that person probably didn't ask for it.
3-Chuck Klosterman - Killing Yourself To Live: 85% Of A True Story: Essayists have a knack for titles. I have just finished this one, I haven't reviewed it yet, but I like how the title underlines that people live in the past of in the future. Therefore, the ultimate marketing gimmick for rock stars being death. Placing yourself where most people live their life.
4-Frédéric Beigbeder - Holiday In A Coma: Probably the least annoying French writer of his generation. Holiday In A Coma might also be his most sincere work. The titles refers to the state of oblivion-bliss that people prefer to spend their life into.
5-Ernest Hemingway - For Whom The Bell Tolls: Everything about Hemingway is thoroughly badass. Even his titles are. For Whom The Bell Tolls is slick and graceful. It had power, but also smoothness and dignity. And it has modern readers hum Metallica whenever it's mentioned.
6-David Foster Wallace - A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again: It's a spectacular title and somehow it relates so well to the writer's nature, of wanting to observe rather than actively participate to the phenomenon they are witnessing. Somewhat also descriptive of Wallace's non-fiction.
7-Ernest Hemingway - Across The River And Into The Trees: I haven't read this one yet, but how cool is that title? The only reason why I haven't picked this up yet is that I'm scared the novel won't live up to the title. I know it's Hemingway and all, but if no one is hurled across a river to crash into a tree, I'll be thoroughly disappointed.
8-Anthony Neil Smith - Hogdoggin': Read it slowly, then go on page two and read the definition. Then you will start saying "Hogdoggin'" whenever you have a chance. It's that kind of word. It's seducing and it rolls off your tongue. Hogdoggin'! Try it. It has urban suave and redneck charm.
9-James Ellroy - Killer On The Road: I like this one in a "Snakes On A Plane" kind of way. If you're not looking to read about a demented psychopath riding a car, then DON'T READ IT. It was published under another title first. "Silent Terror" I think, or something generic like that. This title is a lot better.
10-Arhundati Roy - The God Of Small Things: I like that this title implies the idea of vulnerability for a God and the protection of innocent beings. It's at the image of the novel, where the smallest family dramas can make the earth tremble. It's also a terrific read.
