Monday, April 10, 2017

Where Is Your Bookmark? (04/11/2017)

I just finished reading reading Etched on Me by Jenn Crowell, and thought I would share a few teasers with you today.



Every Tuesday Diane from Bibliophile By the Sea First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, where participants share the first paragraph (or a few) of a book they are reading or thinking about reading soon. It is also where I share my first impressions about the book I am sharing.

Have you ever wanted something so much, it's not a desire so much as a beacon? Have you ever prayed for it so hard, your fingernails curl into your palms and your eyes squinch shut and your whole body just hums?
My daughter is that simple, shining thing. Taken away from me under bright lights in a white room, my stitches still raw. I fought so much they put me in hard restraints. I screamed so loudly they shot me up with sedative.  

Every Tuesday, Ambrosia from The Purple Booker hosts Teaser Teaser at which participants grab their current read, open to a random page, and share two or more sentences from that page while avoiding any spoilers.


Teaser from page 48-49 of Etched on Me:
Dizzy now, I crawled to the stall door and pulled myself by its latch. Staggered out to the sinks, my gait wobbly. I couldn't look in the mirror. Couldn't look down at the dribbly trail I knew I was leaving. All i could do was yank paper towels from the dispenser on the wall. Stupid of me, I know--I mean, if thick work wasn't stopping anything, rough little paper scraps were hardly going to save the day. But still I pulled and pulled, dabbed and dabbed, until my knees buckled under me and I fell to the floor.
and from page 53:
"Waste of drugs." His face and his voice were one massive sneer. "She's obviously fine with pain." 
My chin jerked from the tray to the doctor to Miss as my mind stuttered. Oh my God oh my God oh my God, they really are going to hurt me--

What do you think? Would you keep reading?  

This book has taken me through a range of emotions. I think you can see why from the opening and teasers shared.

What are you reading at the moment?  Is it anything you would recommend?


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Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely ladies at Broke and Bookish.

Author Emily St. John Mandel wrote an interesting article back in October called "The Gone Girl With the Dragon Tattoo on the Train", in which she discusses the trend of "girl" in book and movie titles. Not all books with "girl" in the title are mysteries or or thrillers, of course, but quite a few are. While not meant as an academic piece, it is an interesting read. Taking a look at Goodreads data, Mandel found
A number of patterns emerged in our analysis: The “girl” in the title is much more likely to be a woman than an actual girl, and the author of the book is more likely to be a woman. But if a book with “girl” in the title was written by a man, the girl is significantly more likely to end up dead. 
Publishers are always on the lookout for ways to market their books, and having the word "girl" in the title seems to be one of the most recent selling trends the last few years. I have certainly read a number of books with "girl" in the title over the last several years. 

I decided to go in my own direction for this week's Top Ten Tuesday, and make a list of all the books in my TBR collection (books I own but have not read) that have the word "girl" or "girls" in the title. There are a lot. More than ten. *hanging head in shame*

The Girl in the Flammable Skirt: Stories by Aimee Bender
The Shining Girls by Lauren Beukes
The Burning Girl by Mark Billingham
Dead Girl Walking by Christopher Brookmyre
The Girl With All the Gifts by M.R. Carey
The Lost Girls of Rome by Donato Carrisi
The Last Girl by Jane Casey
The Girl Who Fell From the Sky by Heidi W. Durrow
The Danish Girl by David Ebershoff
The Girl Who Came Home by Hazel Gaynor
Mercer Girls by Libbie Hawker
Gasa-Gasa Girl by Naomi Hirahara

When All The Girls Have Gone by Jayne Anne Krentz
Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok
The Girl Who Stopped Swimming by Joshilyn Jackson
The Girls Guide to the Apocalypse by Daphne Lamb
The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women by Kate Moore
The Tattooed Girl by Joyce Carol Oates
California Girl by T. Jefferson Parker
Girl in the Dark by Marion Pauw
The Girl Who Knew Too Much by Amanda Quick
White Collar Girl by RenĂ©e Rosen
Radio Girls by Sarah-Jane Stratford
The Girl With the Clock for a Heart by Peter Swanson


Now to read them all . . .

What other title trends have you picked up on over the years? 


© 2017, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

50 comments:

  1. I really like your idea. I'd never thought of the trend of using 'girl' in titles. I bet I've got a fair few on my TBR too!

    Ely @ Tea & Titles

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    1. Ely - Thank you! I keep seeing them more and more since putting this post together. There are so many and no end in sight!

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  2. Ooh, a unique Top Ten list! :-) There are several on your list that appeal to me!

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    1. Chrissi - I'm looking forward to reading them--but there are so many! Haha

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  3. Wow I had not realized just how many books there were with "girl" in the tit;e. I need to go read that article. And nice list!

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    1. Greg - It's crazy. And these are just the ones on my TBR stack. I've read a number of others and know there are many more out there.

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  4. Oh gosh! It may be a bit too emotional for my liking unless there's some sort of relief in sight!

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    1. Karen - It was an emotional read, but definitely a good one. You'd be happy with the ending, I think. :-)

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  5. Sounds like a powerful book! Seems like the kind that will make you cry.

    I read about the article too, but I think part of the trend is because "girl" somehow sounds better in the title? (Especially in the singular)

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    1. Eustacia - There were definitely tears as I read. And maybe I called one of the characters a bad name out loud. Luckily no one was around.

      Yes, that was one of the factors mentioned in an article I read--that "girl" sounded better in the title. But even then, ultimately, it comes down to marketing. What word would sound better to the buyer.

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  6. That is a thought provoking piece. I don't like it when people call women "girls" but never thought of it in reference to book titles. Hm.

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    1. Kathy - I admit I sometimes refer to women as girls in general statements, but I have been working on it. It stands out to me more and more since I started paying closer attention.

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  7. Those teasers are very raw and emotional. I don't know if I could handle the book. I have a cozy mystery on my adult blog - Kale to the Queen by Nell Hampton. Happy reading!

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    1. Kathy Martin - It was an emotional book, but so good! I am reading a cozy right now! I hope you enjoyed yours. :-)

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  8. That teaser is intriguing. I'm curious to find out more about the book.

    My teaser for this week.

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    1. Majanka - I thought Etched On Me was very good. Emotional and thought provoking.

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  9. I'd certainly noticed (and begun to dislike) the trend, but had no idea how many "girl" titles were out there!

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    1. Jenclair - I was surprised at how many titles there are out there that have "girl" in the title. I see you reviewed one recently even!

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  10. Wow, Etched on Me literally grabbed me with those intense excerpts. I definitely want to know more!

    As for books with "girls" in the title, I read several last year...and I've read a few on your list.

    Thanks for sharing, and here's mine: “SLIGHTLY SOUTH OF SIMPLE”

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    1. Laurel-Rain - I was a little worried given what it was about and what I do for a living--that I wouldn't be able to take my work hat off--but I really liked Etched On Me. I think you would too.

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  11. Oh, this was absolutely fascinating! I've noticed some books with "girl" in the title, but I didn't realize there were so many of them.

    Here is my TTT

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    1. Astilbe - I wonder what the actual count would come out as, if we included all of the titles with "girl" in them. My list is just a small sampling, I'm sure.

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  12. I haven't read that article by Mandel but I have read about some of the things she mentions in other articles. It is certainly amazing how many books there are out there with "girl" in the title.

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    1. Athira - I know there are quite a few other trends out there as well. My husband cannot stand the "Wife" and "Daughter" trend that was really popular for a while there--and still comes up now and then.

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  13. Etched on Me looks really intense. I'm not sure it's for me, but I'd read more to make sure. Also, I love what you did with your Top Ten Tuesday list!

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    1. Monica - I really liked Etched On Me. It was an emotional read at times, but very hopeful as well.

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  14. Your first paragraph really caught my attention. Its so intense!

    I am fascinated by your look at "girls" in the title of books. I've never looked closely at this trend. I'm actually afraid to look at my own TBR list as you did. Good luck to you in conquering that list.

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    1. Margot - It's a good one!

      I find title trends fascinating too. This "girl" one really caught my attention.

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  15. That's a surprisingly long list of books with girl in the title; who knew there were so many? As for Etched on Me...you picked great teasers. I would definitely keep reading! :)

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    1. Lark - Etched On Me is worth reading, if you get the chance! I was surprised by how many "girl" titled books I have on hand. So many!

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  16. How interesting -- I'll have to check out that article. The title gave me a chuckle. The only book I've read from your "girls" list is "The Girl With All the Gifts," and I'd say it's one worth checking out! (Plus a lot of times the "girl" books are thrillers, with some historical fiction tossed in there, and this one is about zombies!)

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    1. Lindsay - Most of the books with "girl" in the title do seem to be thrillers or mysteries. Fortunately, there is a good mix of other genres in there too. :-)

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  17. Wow, what a teaser! You've got to keep us posted on this one. And, yep, isn't it crazy how many "girl" books there are? I saw an article about that on NPR last year or so. It was interesting and I think we can expect to see this trend to continue.

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    1. Iliana - I have a feeling we'll be seeing books with "girl" in the title will be around for a long while yet too.

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  18. The book intro you shared has me extremely courious--I would keep reading to learn more.

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  19. I like the sound of this intro Wendy, even though the subject matter might be tough.

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    1. Diane - It is a good one. I would recommend it if you get a chance!

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  20. Too many books with girl in the title anymore...it actually makes me not want to read some of them when even the title doesn't feel original. I like the teasers. Definitely keep reading this one!

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    1. Carole - I can see how a "girl" titled book could get old quick. You're right about it not being very original.

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  21. Titles with 'The Girl' does seems like a trend lately in the thrillers category and while some of them are leaning more towards the marketing strategy, some titles stand true to the story itself so that is it. ;) That said, it's interesting to see so many books with 'The Girl' title. Thanks for your list, Wendy. Now I'll have to check them out.

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    1. Melody - I find these types of trends so interesting. I wonder what the next big trend will be. :-)

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  22. Oh I love the list of Girl titled books! And I think I have the bulk of them on my TBR! Now I need to go think about title trends!

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    1. Katherine - The "girl" trend certainly took off, didn't it?

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  23. The opening certainly grabbed my attention. I've read 7 of the "girl" books.

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    1. Nise' - That's a lot of "girl" books! I bet you've read some of the same ones I have read too that aren't on the list. :-)

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  24. Heck yeah, I'd keep reading. I want to right now. And jeeez, all the titles with 'girl' in them ...

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    1. Christy - I can recommend Etched On Me. I hope to review it soon. If I ever get my act together. LOL

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  25. I really want to read The Girl With All The Gifts. :)

    Lauren @ Always Me

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