Cooking with Pooh ... and Other Mishaps in Choosing a Title

By: Mary Jane Honegger

What?  Did no one say the name of this book out loud before it was published?  Sometimes I wonder if the author and publisher were just naive; but, I guess in the marketing world, they were spot-on.  What two-year-old isn't totally obsessed with Pooh?

What were they thinking?  

Other unfortunate titles and questionable book covers 

Akin to our Pooh versus poo conundrum, how about a double-entendre period? Clever or misguided? Personally, I think it is creatively suggestive in a positive way. Most women can relate to the fear of a missed period and other "scares."  The words "unplanned" and "unwanted" are pure genius for women ... although, I'm pretty sure no self-respecting man would walk out of Barnes & Noble with this book tucked under his arm.

My pick for worst title by a woman:

How to Tell If Your Boyfriend Is the Antichrist And If He Is, Should You Break Up with Him? 

by Patricia Carlin

My pick for worst title(s) by a man:
Walter The Farting Dog Farts and Walter The Farting Dog Farts Again

by William Kotzwinkle Glenn Murray 

Whether tongue-in cheek or in-your-face, the following authors get their view across through the use of creative titles and/or book covers. And, who'd-a-thunk-it, they got published!  Kudos to them!

1. Be Bold with Bananas by Crescent Books

2. Fancy Coffins to Make Yourself by Dale L. Power

3. The Flat-Footed Flies of Europe by Peter J. Chandler

4. Across Europe by Kangaroo by Joseph R. Barry

5. 101 Super Uses for Tampon Applicators by Lori Katz and Barbara Meyer

6. Suture Self by Mary Daheim

7. The Making of a Moron by Niall Brennan

8. Superfluous Hair and Its Removal by A. F. Niemoeller

9. Lightweight Sandwich Construction by J. M. Davies

10. How to Be a Pope: What to Do and Where to Go Once You're in the Vatican by Piers Marchant

Do you think she wore pastels?

Bad editor or new diet?

How about a new take on an old favorite?

Would you buy this?  I'm sure it's a classic!

Notice the author's name, or rather, number.

Sometimes just the subject makes the book strange ...

A big hit with the teen crowd ... or maybe senior retirement homes?

I always thought Dick played nice with Jane, myself.  

Is there really an audience for this book?
 If you need an entire book on how to avoid huge ships,
maybe you shouldn't be out in the water.