Titles That Make Me Wish I Owned a Stetson
I don’t remember how old I was when I decided which genres of fiction I would enjoy, but I DO remember that I was thirteen when I fell in love with horror and fantasy. The former was thanks to the genius that is Stephen King and the short stories found in Skeleton Crew. The latter was due to my discovery of David Eddings’ Belgariad series. When I was older, I started borrowing mysteries from my grandmother (Agatha Christie, mostly) and read a lot of forensics-heavy mysteries by Kathy Reichs and Patricia Cornwell–unless I was on a plane. My ONLY plane-ride reads were mysteries by Robert B. Parker, dialogue-heavy books that I could start during take-off and devour in the five-ish hours it took to arrive on the West coast.
Until a few years ago, I avoided the dusty little corner of the store where the Westerns reside. And then Robert B. Parker wrote a western. And another. And I knew it would be a good read regardless of subject, simply because I enjoy Parker’s style. I gave it a chance, enjoyed it, and started browsing the section. And that’s when I realized: Westerns have The Most Kickass Titles.
<Damn right, bullets don’t die. So don’t even TRY to…kill a bullet. Cuz, you will fail. Also, you might look kinda stupid trying to stab a bullet>
<…are the fine states of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama?>
<I don’t know what a “High Grader” is, but it sure looks like I wanna be one>
<This would also be a splendid title for an erotica novel by Trixie Loinburger>
<Need I say anything about this one?>
So, are there any Westerns you particularly enjoy? What does one drink when one reads a Western? Beer? Whiskey? Is there a genre that you think can TOP the Kickass Title Championship currently held by these fine offerings? Are there any titles that knock your socks off?
When it comes to westerns, L’Amour is THE one, particularly the Sackett novels. He is the A J Aalto of westerns. Also did a bang-up job of detective/mystery/adventure tales, and a bit of poetry. Titles? Smoke From This Altar, The Hills of Homicide, To The Far Blue Mountains.
Hi AJ! Holding up my end of the bargain about barns and #HumpToys and I figured it fit in nicely with the western theme. *Grins wickedly*
Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry. Best ever. Even loved the movie. It’s so real that you forget it’s a western. It’s just life. Damn hard life. And I adore it. <3
My mentor was Jory Sherman, a prolific, talented author of Western and historical fiction. (Google his name, learn more about him. He has written and published over 500 books) He is closing in on 80 years old, has gone blind, and still writing and selling!
Several years ago I was privileged to be his girl-Friday at the Western Writers of America Convention when it was held in Branson, Missouri. (Google WWA; it’s the Academy of Western literature). I got to meet so many of the Western writers including Elmer Kelton, Win Blevins, Cameron Judd, Doug Hirt, Loren E. Estleman, (who also writes gritty mysteries) Robert Randisi, Richard Wheeler, and so many more I can’t remember them all. Famous fellows in the world of Western literature, and I had four days of wild, raucous, crazy fun.
Also, A.J., are you aware of the “adult Western”genre? Yeah, erotic Westerns, written by guys using names like J.D. Hardin and Longarm. I know you. You’d love ’em.
First off, I love the skill testing question. I feel like I’m now eligible to win something.
As for titles, I got nothing, but you definitely drink whisky while reading westerns. Anything with the word “evil” in the title is good. “Death” or “dying” also work well (assuming we’re not talking about a romantic comedy). But what the hell do I know. according to me “Dying an Evil Death” would be the best title for a book ever.