stargazer

Top Ten Tuesday: Book Titles with Colours

I loved doing Top Ten Tuesday with numbers and when I saw a similar prompt with colours instead of numbers, I decided to join in. Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.

1. White Nights

Ann Cleeves’ Shetland series is a favourite of mine. Cleeves is a master of interesting and complex characters and her stories are gripping and sometimes heartbreaking. But the big selling point is her descriptions of Shetland, which are so vivid and atmospheric, that I often think, I’ve actually been there. White Nights is the second instalment.

2. The Black Stallion

Oh, how I used to love this series about The Black Stallion. I have no idea, how many times I’ve read the books through my childhood. Even as an adult I reread the first book, when I received a free copy. Still good. ๐Ÿ™‚

3. The Yellow Wallpaper

Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s story about a young woman’s depression spiralling out of control is as haunting and chilling as any horror novel. It is also a grim reminder of a time, when mental health issues were considered a non-issue, which could be sorted with plenty of rest.

4. A Clockwork Orange

Written in self-invented slang and filled with extreme violence, this is not an easy read. But I liked the questions about free will and morality, which are raised and the inventive language, which is such an integrated part of the story, won me over in the end.

5. A Study in Scarlet

A Study in Scarlet is the very first Sherlock Holmes story. It includes the initial meeting between Holmes and Watson and it may have set the record for the longest explanation of a murder motive ever seen in detective fiction.

6. All Systems Red

The plot in Martha Wells’ All Systems Red is not particularly original. But who cares, when you get to know Murderbot, who is such an adorable and relatable character.

7. The Color Purple

Ever since the movie The Color Purple made an unforgettable impression on me, I’ve been meaning to read the novel. Any day now…

8. The Woman in Blue

I used to enjoy Elly Griffiths’ series about forensic archeologist Ruth Galloway, but eventually I gave up on it. The Woman in Blue was fine, but not amazing.

9. Anne of Green Gables

Anne of Green Gables was another childhood favourite. I love how the contrasting colours red and green are used for this cover.

10. The Man in the Brown Suit

Apparently, I can’t make a list without Agatha Christie. Many of Christie’s stand alone novels feature a young, adventurous heroine. The Man in the Brown Suit is no exception and I, for one, quite enjoyed reading about Anne Beddingfeld and her adventures in Africa.

There you have it, 10 book titles with colours. It wasn’t difficult, apparently there is a lot of colour in the literature. Do you have any examples?

55 comments

    • You should definitely read A Clockwork Orange, the language takes a bit of an effort to get used to, but it’s worth the effort! I will look out for your review on Thursday ๐Ÿ™‚

    • Thanks Nicki, I think, I’ve seen Anne on a few lists by now ๐Ÿ™‚

    • Thanks! ๐Ÿ˜€ All Systems Red seemed an obvious choice. I can’t believe you haven’t red Anne, you really need to do something about that. ๐Ÿ˜‰

    • It’s always like that, isn’t it. ๐Ÿ™‚ Whilst browsing through the TTT posts today, I’ve said that several times: Ah, why didn’t I think of that one…

  8. What a great theme and a great list! Even though I don’t have the opportunity to join in with this, I’ll enjoy mulling over what I might have included!

    • It is a great theme! A shame you couldn’t join, but it’s fun to think about the possibilities. Once you start, you quickly realise, there are so many book titles with colours! ๐Ÿ™‚

    • Thanks! ๐Ÿ˜€ I find that these lists alway provide good inspiration.

    • I’ve noticed that! Probably not surprising, as you say it is a great classic! ๐Ÿ˜€

  11. Yes, The Yellow Wallpaper was amazing. I hope it’s made into a short film sometime.

    My TTT .

    • I agree, it would make a great short film! After reading it, I’m glad to have very plain wall paper in the bedroom. ๐Ÿ™‚

  12. Ooh I love Christie but I’ve never read The Man in the Brown Suit! I will look out for it! All Systems Red is the next book up on my TBR too! ๐Ÿ˜€

    • I’m glad, I managed to pick a few, which are not included in too many lists. There are so many book titles with colours out there and then we all go for Anne and The Color Purple. ๐Ÿ˜‰ Thanks!

  16. As you know Stargazer, I also had A Study in Scarlet on my list, but otherwise I haven’t read any of the books on your list. However I am hoping to read Anne of Green Gables soon, as part of my Classics Club challenge. I should also really try some of Ann Cleevesโ€™ Shetland series because I love the TV show.

    • The Classics Club is a great way to get through some of the classics. I sometimes consider to join, but I’m too much of a mood reader and like complete freedom in what I can read. Fingers crossed, Anne comes up soon! ๐Ÿ™‚ I haven’t seen the TV show based on the Shetland series, but I can definitely recommend the books.

  17. Oh that’s an Agatha Christie title that doesn’t ring a bell… well I know lots of them but not all. I’m reading Dear Emmie Blue right now so I don’t have to look far ๐Ÿ˜Š There’s also White Is The Coldest Colour that I thought of. Great list!

    • I think it’s one of the lesser known Christies, but I quite liked it. Perhaps it’s because I would love to go on an adventure in Africa myself. ๐Ÿ˜‰ Oh, I’ve seen Dear Emmie Blue on a few blogs, I hope you enjoy it! I haven’t heard about White is the Coldest Colour, but it’s a great title and would fit perfectly here. Thanks! ๐Ÿ˜Š

    • Good to hear! ๐Ÿ˜€ I hope you enjoyed Anne and The Yellow Wallpaper. I loved both, for very different reasons, obviously. The Man in the Brown Suit is a solid story, although perhaps not a “typical” Christie.

  19. I loved the list, Stargazer, and reading your thoughts. I was obsessed with horses as a child and Black Beauty and The Black Stallion were two of my favorites. I really want to read an Anne Cleeseโ€™s book or two! Well done!

    • Haha, good to know I’m not alone. I was completely obsessed with horses as a child! I thought of including Black Beauty in my list, but I’ve definitely reread The Black Stallion more times. You should try one of the Shetland books, I think you might enjoy them.

  20. Oddly enough, my favorite is The Yellow Wallpaper. First time I read it, I couldn’t put it down. It was so sad. I wanted to reach through the book and hug that woman! Ultimate childhood favorite would be Anne of Green Gables. Have you read Emily of New Moon series by L.M. Montgomery? (although, it doesn’t have a color in the title.) I love Emily even more than Anne.

    • No, I don’t find that odd at all. ๐Ÿ˜€ The Yellow Wallpaper is definitely one of the most impactful reads in my list, despite of it being a short story. I completely understand your urge to reach out and hug her. It was so terrible, she didn’t get any help. I haven’t read the Emily of New Moon series, but now you’ve made me want to! Thanks for stopping by. ๐Ÿ™‚

  21. Your choices are THE BESTT!! Really – some are really unique and I hadnโ€™t even heard of them before now – and THEY ARE SOOO GORGEOUSSS!! ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜ Gonna add ALL of them to my tbr now! ๐Ÿ˜‡โค๏ธ

  23. A great list! Apparently authors love colours in their book titles and I cannot blame them because they often do capture the attention. Other examples that come to my mind are Flagg’s Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafรฉ, Pamuk’s My Name is Red and Fuller’s Bitter Orange.

    • Thanks Diana! ๐Ÿ˜€ Yes, I was surprised how many titles I could think of with colours. I like your suggestions – I haven’t read Green Fried Tomatoes, but I absolutely adored the movie, so perhaps I ought to.

    • Agreed, A Clockwork Orange was amazing!! I still need to see the adaption. Wow, I thought everyone in Canada was force-fed Anne from a young age ๐Ÿ˜‰

        • Haha, ah well, you can always catch up on any classics you were missing out on at a later stage. Anne was such a feisty and fun character. I loved reading about her as a child, perhaps slightly less impactful when I reread the first book as an adult.

    • Glad you liked it, I often find that these Top Ten Tuesday posts are fun to write (and hopefully to read as well ๐Ÿ˜‰ )

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