It's not my fault I see a lot of things I shouldn't see

[sovay]

See, I think there's no competition here:

From Bacon: A Love Story to An Intellectual History of Cannibalism, Collectible Spoons of the Third Reich and The Master Cheesemakers of Wisconsin, the Bookseller magazine has announced the longest ever longlist for its annual Diagram prize for the oddest book title of the year.

"Collectible Spoons of the Third Reich" wins hands-down.¹

The prize, set up in 1978 during a particularly dull day at the Frankfurt book fair, has been won in the past by titles including American Bottom Archaeology and Greek Rural Postmen and their Cancellation Numbers. Last year's award was controversially taken by The 2009-2014 World Outlook for 60-Milligram Containers of Fromage Frais, which was written by a computer.

1. I happen to know exactly which folktale The Great Dog Bottom Swap is based on, so it's not odd; it's a Coyote story. Ditto for Venus Does Adonis While Apollo Shags a Tree, although it gets points for prosody. You might be able to convince me of an honorable mention for What Kind of Bean Is This Chihuahua? I got nothing there.

Comments

[4nt1g0n3.livejournal.com]

I really enjoyed reading these, and reading them to Anson (he likes "Collectable Spoons of the Third Reich" too) as he tried to hold a civilized phone conversation with his brother. It degraded pretty quickly after there. Personally, I'm torn between "I Stopped Sucking My Thumb…Why Can't You Stop Drinking?" (I could get a copy for mom's husband) and "Schoolgirl Milky Crisis", which just sounds perverse.

Thanks for sharing!

[sovay]

and reading them to Anson (he likes "Collectable Spoons of the Third Reich" too) as he tried to hold a civilized phone conversation with his brother. It degraded pretty quickly after there.

Sorry about that . . .

"Schoolgirl Milky Crisis", which just sounds perverse.

It really does.

Thanks for sharing!

You're welcome. Some things are too weird not to!

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

Greek Rural Postmen and Their Cancellation Numbers sounds like it could plausibly be a murder mystery, actually....

[sovay]

Greek Rural Postmen and Their Cancellation Numbers sounds like it could plausibly be a murder mystery, actually....

You write it, I'll read it . . .

[papersky.livejournal.com]

The opportunities that come too late, and always in your journal -- I could have put someone reading Collectible Spoons of the Third Reich: Volume 6 into the Small Change books. I even know exactly where I could put it.

[sovay]

I could have put someone reading Collectible Spoons of the Third Reich: Volume 6 into the Small Change books. I even know exactly where I could put it.

Second edition?

[debka-notion.livejournal.com]

At first I thought that "Collectible Spoons of the Third Reich and The Master Cheesemakers of Wisconsin" was one title, which would Definitely have won. Without that option, I have to agree that the plain old "Collectible Spoons of the Third Reich" wins from the list.

[sovay]

At first I thought that "Collectible Spoons of the Third Reich and The Master Cheesemakers of Wisconsin" was one title, which would Definitely have won.

Absolutely. Bonus points if it turned out to belong to a children's series.

[rushthatspeaks.livejournal.com]

Oh, come on, people, Schoolgirl Milky Crisis is in fact a manga and if we're going to get into manga titling that list needs to be a lot stranger.

I am sad about the ineligibility of On Sledge and Horseback to Outcast Siberian Lepers. I would read that.

[sovay]

Oh, come on, people, Schoolgirl Milky Crisis is in fact a manga

I'm glad to hear that. It sounded like it should be, but I am the same person who thinks that "Ultraviolet Catastrophe" would be a great name for a band.

ETA: It was, in the late 1970's. Never mind, then.

and if we're going to get into manga titling that list needs to be a lot stranger.

What is your off-the-cuff vote for oddest manga title?

I am sad about the ineligibility of On Sledge and Horseback to Outcast Siberian Lepers. I would read that.

I think the real trick with this contest is a title that in context is still bizarre. For example, we own I'm Not Hanging Noodles on Your Ears—it's the source of the awesome curse about the daughter of the Angel of Death. Its title is odd only so long as you remain unaware that it's the Russian equivalent of "I'm not pulling your leg." Once clarified, it's not any weirder than most idioms. Whereas I'm fairly certain that I know the subject matter of Advances in Potato Chemistry and Technology and it's still blinkworthy; and makes me think faintly of Spudnik.

[martianmooncrab.livejournal.com]

From Bacon: A Love Story to An Intellectual History of Cannibalism, Collectible Spoons of the Third Reich and The Master Cheesemakers of Wisconsin,

I would love to read that book...

[sovay]

I would love to read that book...

It would make a hell of a patter song, too.