Welcome to the next stop on the Where Things Come Back Blog Tour hosted by GReads. I am honored to be on a tour that talks about this wonderful and award winning book. I am very pleased to have Corey Whaley on the blog today talking about something I love – book titles! As it turns out, Corey has a thing for book titles and if you’ve read WTCB, you know that Cullen does, as well.
Book titles can be the first impression of a book for many people. Why do you think you are so drawn to them, in particular?
You know, I’m not sure when my fascination with book titles first started. I just know that for the longest time, I kept lists of book titles (just like Cullen in WTCB) and I’ve always had every intent to use each title someday. Then, when I gave Cullen the same “hobby,” I realized I could use the titles in a different way. I think I’m so drawn to them because I like the challenge of structuring a story around a single word or phrase–even thought it sometimes doesn’t work all that well for me. I think I’ll always have a title preoccupation. It is, after all, the first impression a book puts on us, like it or not.
Does your opinion of the book color your opinion of the title? For instance, if you disliked a book, would you still love the title?
I can’t think of a good example of when this has happened, but I’m sure it has. And, the other way around too—where I’ve loved a book with a weak title.
Did you have the title for Where Things Come Back before the book was finished or did it come to you after it was written?
Well, the original title of WHERE THINGS COME BACK was, in fact, GOOD GOD BIRD. We decided early on to change the title, so I borrowed it from a chapter title (The Place Where Things Come Back) that had already been used in the book.
Do you think it’s harder for longer book titles to get past the marketing departments in publishing? So many book are only one to three words.
I won’t even pretend to be knowledgeable on this topic, as I only have my one experience to go by, but I’d say it’s safe to assume that books with catchier, more memorable and less complicated titles (mine not being one of these) are met with much more enthusiasm in the early stages of the marketing process.
What are your top five favorite YA book titles?
I have a thing for longer titles, as my top five list will prove.
If you still aren’t convinced that you need to read this wonderful book, here are a few more reasons in the form of quotes from the book –
1. Because it will make you laugh –
“I call it the Pretty Paradox. Pretty girls always want guys who treat them, and most everyone else, like complete shit. It is perhaps one of the most baffling phenomena of history.”
2. Because it will make you think –
“Life, he says, doesn’t have to be so bad all the time. We don’t have to be anxious about everything. We can just be. We can get up, anticipate that the day will probably have a few good moments and a few bad ones, and then just deal with it. Take it all in and deal as best we can.”
3. Because second chances mean that there is a possibility things can end up being overwhelmingly good –
“Being seventeen and bored in a small town, I like to pretend sometimes that I’m a pessimist. This is the way it is and nothing can sway me from that. Life sucks most of the time. Everything is bullshit. High school sucks. You can go to school, work for fifty years, then you die. Only I can’t seem to keep that up for too long before my natural urge to idealize goes into effect. I can’t seem to be a pessimist long enough to overlook the possibility of things being overwhelmingly good.”
You must be 13+ to enter and it’s open internationally.
I’ve been dying to read this book!! Thanks for the great giveaway.
I’ve been meaning to buy this book for months now. Everyone I know who has read it has said that it’s one of the greatest books ever. Thanks for the interview and giveaway, Kate and Corey! <3 🙂
Sounds great!
hi, I’m seeking readers for my giveaway.
http://vrc2012.blogspot.com
Come check it out!
I keep meaning to pick this book up! Sounds amazing!
I’m excited to read it!
Great interview! I LOVED this book and I happen to like the pb cover A LOT better than the hc, so thanks for the giveaway!
Also, John Corey Whaley is quite the cutie! 🙂
Karis @ YA Litwit
Since reading reviews and watching it win the Printz and Morris awards, this has been a book that I can’t wait to read it!
John Corey Whaley’s “Where Things Come Back” is one of the best books I’ve read in awhile. I loved the raw writing style and the relatable characters.
I have a fascination with book titles, especially if I find them catchy. It makes me happy that he picked out It’s Kind of a Funny Story as one he liked because I loved that one too!
Thanks for the giveaway! Where Things Come Back sounds like a wonderful book. 🙂
Thanks for the giveaway! 🙂
Thanks for the giveaway! I read this book back in April and I’ve been dying for a copy of my own ever since.
This looks good! I love the cover. This is one I would pick up without even reading any reviews.
Nice interview, now I’d really like to win a copy of Where Things Come Back. Thanks very much.
Sounds really good! Thanks for the chance to win!
Great interview! Thanks for the giveaway!
Thanks for a great read 🙂
Great interview. I love reason #3 also. I’m sold now I have to read this book.
Great interview! Thank you for the int giveaway 🙂
I’ve only heard positive things about this book. It sounds awesome 😀
I can’t believe I haven’t read this book yet. I’ve heard great things about it! I love the small town aspect especially, since I’m a small-town girl. 🙂 Thanks for the giveaway!
This looks fabulous, thanks so much for the giveaway!! Oh, don’t tell anyone, but…I think your blog design is the BEST of any of the blogs I follow!! Something about the tree FULL of books just makes me smile 🙂
Ex Libris