What’s up with all the “Girls” in literature these days? Everywhere I look–magazines dedicated to publishing, social media, library stacks, you name it–books with the word Girl stand out from the rest as if that particular gender demands it finally be recognized.

If only in the title of a book.

As a writer, I realize publishing goes through trends. We’ve seen books about pets who saved their person’s life, stories about LGBQT relationships or gender confusion, and everyone who was anyone was writing a memoir. We still see the occasional story about someone who went to Heaven and returned to inspire us. Within genres they even create trendy plots and titles.

I suppose one trend that won’t get much attention or come back with a bang is the Western (pun intended). You’d have to be a Stephen King to do it. (For proof, see The Dark Tower series)

You’ve probably read a few of the Girl titles I found during my browsing. Some have been bestsellers; others loved so well they were made into major motion pictures.

Banned books. Which have you read you “Naughty Girl”?

Here’s a list, not by any means complete, of some books I discovered with that word somewhere in the title.

• The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (and the sequels)
• The Girls of Atomic City
• The Girl You Left Behind
• The Girl Before
• The Girl Next Door
• The Girl Who Disappeared Twice
• The Girl Who Was on Fire
• Luckiest Girl Alive
• The Girl Who Knew Too Much
• The Girl on the Train
• Gone Girl
• The Girls
• Girls Acting Catty
• Girl, Stolen
• Girls in White Dresses
• Girl, Gone (sound familiar?)
• Girl in Progress
• A Girl’s Guide to Vampires
• Girls Just Want to Have Fun
• Girls From Da Hood
• Girls Dinner Club
• Girls Rule
• The Sandcastle Girls
• Kiss the Girls
• The Pained Girls
• The Forgotten Girls
• The Summer Girls
• The Silent Girls
• The Good Girls
• The Drummond Girls
• The Radium Girls
• The Wicked Girls
• Last Girls of Pompeii
• Lab Girl
• The Land of Forgotten Girls
• When All the Girls Have Gone
• How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents
• The Dead Girls’ Dance
• Rise of the Rocket Girls
• The Girls She Left Behind
• A Few of the Girls

That list is a humble offering from the over 300 entries on my library’s search list which included CD books, downloadable, large print and DVDs. I don’t know which are fiction, non-fiction, or media, but you get the idea.

There’s a bunch of “Girls” out there just waiting for your attention.

Not to mention the daughters, wives, and mistresses in titles. “Women, can’t live without ‘em, can’t kill ‘em” a friend of mine used to say. He could be wrong and it’s a crude thing to say. But I’d be willing to bet some of these titles include a woman dying, whether by natural means or murder.

Speaking of men, did you ever notice most books about men have vaguer titles? The title suggests action and adventure rather than mention “Him.” Men appreciate when we recognize how mysterious they want to remain. At least in fiction. Consider these: “Rogue Lawyer,” “Road Dogs,” “Mr. Majestyk,” and “Come and Get Us.”

Sometimes in literary fiction we get to know a guy inside and out. I’ve discovered those are books that both men and women rate four to five stars on a five-star scale. And yes, I could say that some of my real-life male friends are also open books, so to speak.

I don’t believe I’m going to be adding any of these titles to my “Must Read” list soon. However, I do have a copy of “Little Women” and I never read it as a youngster. It’s probably for good reasons the book is a classic.

Don’t be one of The Silent Girls (or boys). Let me know if you’ve read any of these titles. What did you think of it? How long before we see this trend go the way of the dinosaur (as in “Jurassic World”)

Enjoy your book nook!