Buying SF on the Strength of the Title Alone

Liosse de Velishaf · Feb 13, 2009

I know this might sound pretty superficial, but I have had an enormous amount of luck buying SF books on the strength of the title alone: The Lies of Locke Lamora, Gardens of the Moon, A Song of Ice and Fire, Children of the Mind, A Wizard of Earthsea, The Left Hand of Darkness, Shaman's Crossing, etc...

So when I heard about a book called "The Name of the Wind", I was ready to run out and buy it on the spot. But since I've been low on funds lately, I decided to read the reviews on Amazon. I read the "most helpful favourable" review, and thought, "Okay, looks like another score." Then I see the review is by Robin Hobb. Double score. I scroll down. Whole bunch of other Fantasy biggies. Next, I decide to read a few of the critical reviews. I mean, hey, Paolini gets all this hype and I think he's pretty much crap. (Please, leave it at that.) It turns out, despite the fact that 5-star reviews are like 339 to 94 less-than, what people are talking about sounds like this book hits the majority of my turn-offs/pet peeves. I read all 94 of the four-down, and somewhat less of the 5-stars... because they all sort of began to run together in my head. Now I have to read it, to find out if who's right.

But that's not the point of this thread. It just happened that this particular book sparked my inquiry--even though I haven't had the chance to read it yet. (So if you've read the book, I'd love to hear some comments.) The point is this question: Is my strategy of buying by title reasonably good, or have I just been incredibly lucky? I mean, I was all hyped up to learn why this title was chosen (just like the other times), but after reading the amazon reviews, I'm worried that the book won't live up to the title. Any thoughts for me?

Mr. Chuckletrousers · Feb 13, 2009

The point is this question: Is my strategy of buying by title reasonably good, or have I just been incredibly lucky?

I imagine it's better than picking books at random. However, I doubt there is a strong correlation between titles that tickle your fancy and books that you end up enjoying. Serendipity is a fickle mistress, and I suspect that one day soon she will betray you with an intriguingly packaged and labeled pile of crap.

The title, or sometimes the author, is what first attracts me to a book. Then the blurb, the cover-art, the map(s), and ultimately the first page or two, are what close the deal. Reviews also help, but only when I am shopping online...

Layla · Feb 13, 2009

99% of the time I choose books whose title and cover art catches my eye. I go to second hand bookshops though, so I haven't lost much if the book is crap, as i can always go and exchange it. But, I've been quite successful and going with my gut feeling regarding books.
I only buy a new book when I KNOW what the book is, and/or I've been waiting for it to come out. Latest was "The Stone Key" by Isobel Carmody because I had read the rest of the books in the Obernewtyn chronicles and was waiting for that one a good while.
I can't afford new books at the rate I read them, and besides, there are plenty of second hand books that need to be read out there.

sirensix · Feb 14, 2009

I'm not sure about title, but you definitely can NOT judge a book by its cover. I was enchanted by the cover of Daughter of the Blood, but I could only force myself to about page 60 of it. It may be the first book I have ever willingly put down before the end (as opposed to, life got busy and I wasn't able to finish).

Then again, now that you mention it, I think the title could have clued me in a bit to its "melodramatic teenage feminist vampirotica" ambiance.

Buffysquirrel · Feb 14, 2009

I seem to have generally bad luck choosing books whatever method I use

. If your method works for you, continue using it until it ceases to work.

Gynn · Feb 15, 2009

I have to read the first page. The title and cover get me to pick it up, but the first page has to be good.

2Wheels · Feb 15, 2009

You might want to look at this thread for a bit of fun if nothing else:
Predictability of a book's success by its title alone:
http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=130280

Ciera_ · Feb 15, 2009

I automatically decide against books based on their titles alone, sometimes. Okay, often. I'm really picky when it comes to titles. Over 75% of the book titles out there sound hokey, cheap, and cliched to me. I feel sort of bad for judging them so harshly. But I can't like them. I just really, really hate a lot of titles that other people think are fine, or spectacular. And sometimes I'll go outside my comfort zone and take a closer look at a book with a god-awful title, and sometimes that book ends up being extremely good. But I just can't train myself to easily get past a title.

Nakhlasmoke · Feb 15, 2009

Ciera_ said:
I automatically decide against books based on their titles alone, sometimes. Okay, often. I'm really picky when it comes to titles. Over 75% of the book titles out there sound hokey, cheap, and cliched to me. I feel sort of bad for judging them so harshly. But I can't like them. I just really, really hate a lot of titles that other people think are fine, or spectacular. And sometimes I'll go outside my comfort zone and take a closer look at a book with a god-awful title, and sometimes that book ends up being extremely good. But I just can't train myself to easily get past a title.

And sadly, you'll probably find that the writers had nothing to do with title because it was changed by the marketing people to target a certain audience.

*shrug*

Ciera_ · Feb 15, 2009

*sigh* yeah...
I pray they never do that to my books. But we'll see when I get there.

Liosse de Velishaf · Feb 16, 2009

2Wheels said:
You might want to look at this thread for a bit of fun if nothing else:
Predictability of a book's success by its title alone:
http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=130280

Lol... that thing is so wack. It may be right, but it's pretty silly.

Oddsocks · Feb 16, 2009

I pick up a book based on title, cover art and novelty (i.e. I haven't picked it up and rejected it several times before).

But I buy on the strength of the blurb and map/s, and, if I remember, a sample chosen at random from near the start.

The other reason I buy a book is because it comes strongly recommended, or I've read something about it that makes it sound like the kind of book I'd like.

As for the Name of the Wind - I started it, but didn't finish it. The main character was a little too perfect for my tastes, and the focus was just about exclusively on him. But that's probably just a matter of personal taste - it seemed well enough written, from memory.

ELMontague · Feb 16, 2009

Liosse de Velishaf said:
So when I heard about a book called "The Name of the Wind", I was ready to run out and buy it on the spot.

I can't testify for your method, because I've gotten some real losers that way. However, I can testify for Name of the Wind. I don't have enough positive things to say about it.

EL

Buying SF on the Strength of the Title Alone

Liosse de Velishaf

Mr. Chuckletrousers

Sith happens.

Layla

sirensix

Mediocre Sorceress

Buffysquirrel

Gynn

Wandering worlds

2Wheels

Anachronista

Ciera_

Nakhlasmoke

yes

Ciera_

Liosse de Velishaf

Oddsocks

ELMontague