Why Titles Can't Suck

Ever browsed a bookshelf and just HAD to pull out a certain book just based on its title?  I'm sure everyone's done it.  What other way can we navigate bookshelves?  Read each and every back cover blurb?  Well, while that's essentially what an agent does (query letters are basically back cover blurbs), if I'm swamped with query letters, I'll peruse the email subject lines until something catches my eye.  If something has a title that I just can't look away from, I'll go ahead and read that one, even if it wasn't the first in my queue to read (I read from oldest to newest).

The point is, your title can't suck.  Not only are you trying to get the attention of your readers once the book is finally published and you have a pretty cover (a subject all its own), the first step is getting the agent's attention.  Easier said than done, I know.  I suck at coming up with titles.  But the time you put into it will be worth it.  And make sure you research the title you would like to use: if it's been used, over used, will remind readers of something completely different, etc.

For your pleasure (and procrastination) here is a compilation of the best book titles (I'm a fan of 6, 10, 16, and 25, though the others shouldn't be discounted).

Which are your favorites?

What books have you picked up based solely on their titles (not on the list above)?

If you could title a book anything (doesn't have to be written, yours or otherwise) what would you title it?

Happy writing!