Thursday 10 May 2012

Are You A Cover Girl, Too?

I'm a total cover girl. Not the kind that poses in front of a blowing fan while a voice behind a huge camera lens shouts things like, "Yeah, give me more attitude...NO! Only the eyes! Stop dancing!"

Well, at least that's what I imagine my photo shoot would sound like.

No, I'm talking about book covers. I'll admit, once I bought a book because of the pretty stuff on the front. It turned out to be disappointing. Although it ended up on the NYT's best seller list, so what do I know? I eventually gave it to someone, but I decided to keep the dust jacket ;)

I come by my book buying philosophy honestly, though. When I was in grade two my mom bought me a book because she thought the girl on the cover looked like me.

I still fondly remember that story, so I guess she knew what she was doing.



By Bernice Thurman Hunter
photo credit amazon.com
Me, age seven. Good times in plaid.
  


These days, I tend to go for the covers that are simple but striking. I've noticed that in most cases the cover has nothing to do with the story. It's usually an image that will catch your eye and make you pick up the book off the shelf, which I guess is the whole point.

My favorite cover this year, hands down, is CINDER by Marissa Meyer.


photo credit, usatodabooks.com

I love the black, white and red (worked for Twilight), especially the hardware under the sheer stocking...very unexpected. Also, the calligraphy style font of the title is perfect. This is the kind of  cover that you will recognize immediately and not confuse with any other book.


What are some of your favorite covers? Post your picks in the comments and read what others think.

Next Monday I'll be blogging the season finale of Once Upon A Time.

Cheers!






7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I have a lust/hate relationship with covers. In my teens, the covers of Frank Herbert's Dune novels were off-putting. These were usually sparse, loosely composed, fuzzy images with a central figure as a theme. The colors, (never more than three of the primary) were muted and defused. It was only after I read the books, (ultimately finding first editions for my office) that I found the covers lent foreboding and gravity to serious, richly wrought stories.

Torr's prequels and sequals and I dunnoquels to Herbert's Dune are the saucy girls at the party. Those covers have brilliant, sharply rendered scenes with myriad rich colors and stunningly detailed images. The writing is...different but I've ~ahem~ enjoyed displaying the stunning covers on my bookcase

Good topic, BR.

BR Myers said...

Thanks, Elias. The early Dune covers remind me of Edgar Rice Burrows stuff. Ten points for being the first to comment!

Anonymous said...

Well, it's either this, or actually working. ~Shutters~

Jen Downey said...

Um. You were kind of adorable. Still are. But anyhoo: I am utterly prejudiced against covers that feature colored photographs, giant author names in blinding shades of well anything, images that spill over on to the spine, techno-colors, or shiny finishes. I'm drawn to muted colors, painted and drawn images, matte surfaces, smaller tasteful lettering for author/title. SO glad you asked. I didn't ealize that I had such strong feelings pent up on the matter!

Unknown said...

They say you can't judge a book by its cover, but I sure do. . . Favorite covers? At the moment, it's Jo Knowles SEE YOU AT HARRY'S. Has such a warm, welcoming feel to it.

BR Myers said...

Oh my nerves! What the heck is left? ;)

I'll remind you of this when it's your cover reveal!

Thanks, Jen.

BR Myers said...

Gingham tablecloth and an empty sundae glass with two spoons! Who wouldn't pick that up?

Thanks, Angelina.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...