This poll is so straightforwards, I don’t even have a preamble.
[A] YES TO CHAPTER TITLES. They add an extra hint of the author’s flavour to the book.
[B] NO TO CHAPTER TITLES. I’m here to read the book. Even if there were chapter titles, I wouldn’t notice.
[C] IT DEPENDS. Some books benefit from titles. Others don’t need it.
I’m firm in the “it depends” camp on this one. A lot of the time, I don’t even notice what chapter I’m on, never mind if there are chapter titles. But with humour books in particular, I like when the author adds in witty titles.
What it comes down to for me: the title should enhance the work, not detract or distract.
Cast your vote in the comments!
Are books better with comments? Do you have a favourite book that uses chapter titles?
Yes, chapter titles, please.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think it depends too. I guess I never HATE it when a book has chapter titles, but sometimes they don’t add anything, and what’s the point?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m definitely in the it depends category too. I totally agree with them being able to add a lot to humorous books. Sometimes when it’s just generic (like a chapter about the first day of school is just called “first day”) I end up not reading any of the titles!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree about the generic titles adding nothing. Especially if the book has a generic title and no title numbers. I don’t remember what chapter I’m on *and* the name isn’t interesting.
LikeLike
I’m firmly in the “I ignore chapter titles” camp. I’ll read the little “excerpts” from fictional books at the top of the pages, but the only time I pay attention to chapter titles is when I’m listening to audiobooks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yup, same here. I read the excerpt (unless the previous chapter had a cliffhanger, then nope, I’m zooming forwards) also.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the clever and funny chapter titles. Gail Carriger’s can be really funny. But if there’s art for each chapter, I do want a chapter title even if it’s more of a general type. For example, Harry Potter or Nevermoor. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yes, chapter titles pair really well with books that have concept art. That’s a good point.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love a chapter title personally, I could be in the depends camp at some point in my life, but so far I am yet to find a book in which I dislike the chapter titles. The ones I have seen are often humourous and give the book a little more flavour. But there’s surely some out there that are a waste of time 🙂
Great post ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Maisy! Yes, a lot of the titles I have spotted have been humourous and those are my favourites so I can’t complain either.
LikeLike
I love well-thought of chapter titles! But as you said I will probably only realize they are there near the end of the book.. I just want to know the story!
(www.evelynreads.com)
LikeLiked by 1 person
YES. As long as I get the story, I’m happy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
it depends
LikeLiked by 1 person
all i got was… two words 😥
LikeLiked by 1 person
AND ANOTHER COMMENT oh right u know that responding to that now then
LikeLike
and a good book w titles is… oh i can’t remember the name but the ending is ‘of you and me’ and it’s a really funny book w a yellow cover and black writing and gah i don’t remember!!! will let u know
LikeLiked by 1 person
and more words! okay. happy now.
wait. the literal last words of the book are “of you and me” but you can’t remember the title or the author?
LikeLike
yay
okay I remember now (saw it in the library the other day lol) and I was close… ‘me being me is exactly as insane as you being you’ is the title, by todd hasak-lowy
LikeLike
I think it depends too! Sometimes chapter titles feel irrelevant in certain books, but I usually like them because it adds a little extra intrigue to the story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Chapter Thirteen:
‘The Unlucky Chapter’
LikeLiked by 1 person
It depends. I don’t care if chapter titles are missing, but I have read books, where the authors used them really well
LikeLiked by 1 person
I prefer fun and descriptive titles!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m strongly in the “it depends” category as well. There are some books that I wish would have chapter titles, and others that are so bland that I never end up reading the chapter titles because I don’t find they add anything, However Rick Riordan’s titles are the best, for sure!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love his titles too!
LikeLike
C. I gotta be honest and say that a lot of the time I usually don’t notice chapter titles, but other times (like in Rick Riordan’s books) they add a lot of value and humour.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Having grown up worshiping Harry Potter, I wholly say yes to chapter titles! They’re very entertaining to notice especially upon re-reads. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love chapter titles if they’re clever, like in the Percy Jackson books. ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love chapter titles, especially when the meaning of them becomes clear 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
The clever titles are the best.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They really are 😃💜💜
LikeLike
Definitely A! I love chapter titles and how, as the chapter goes on, everything gets explained!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gonna have to go with [C] too. Like you, I usually don’t process chapter titles, but do appreciate them when they’re done properly in humor books.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Definitely depends for me.
I don’t like it when the titles give away what happens in the chapter…but I like it when they are cheeky or funny.
That being said, I mostly like them in (and see more often) in the MG books I read. Where they are cheeky and cute.
LikeLiked by 1 person