Monday, May 12, 2014

Book Covers And Consequences

We all know that we are drawn to books for different reasons: synopsis, character, recommendation, book covers, etc. We as, humans have this unearthly draw to illustrations and art.That is why book covers have so much put into them and are marketed so extensively.  Let's talk about what happens when book covers decide to be embarrassing or creepy (in no particular order):


City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
Problem: There is a half naked guy on the cover with strange tattoos and light pouring out of him. Besides the fact that there also happens to be the New York skyline just resting at the bottom.
What It Does: You are too embarrassed to read the book in front of other people who will comment on the "mature" cover of the book.


Days of Blood & Starlight by Laini Taylor
Problem: The cover has a picture of person with very elaborate eye shadow and a black and white picture of a girl on the front. (Out of all the American covers of the Daughter of Smoke & Bone Trilogy this cover was my favorite)
What It Does: People comment that you read creepy books which can lead to them thinking you're a creepy stalker (even if you are).

Misss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
Problem: There is a levitating girl who looks quite unhappy on a barren and stark background. The cover often marks this book down as horror, but the opposite is more often true.
What It Does: People think you are reading a twentieth century horror book and comment on how their mother won't let them read it because it is too scary for them and how they agree with their mother.

All of the "What It Does" have happened to me or one of my close friends. I love all of the books above and personally think (besides City of Bones) that the covers are beautifully done. If you feel that you can't read the book because of the cover I recommend you get a Book Sox and cover up the cover. You can claim that you are trying to protect the book from harm. What books give you problems because of the cover?

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