I did an interview yesterday and one of the questions was…what’s your favorite cover?
I was a little stumped. I clearly know how covers effect me. People say we shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover, but I’m aware of the impact the “right” cover can have on me. It plays a huge role in what I gravitate towards. Now, having said that, there isn’t a crappy cover out there that would stop me from reading a highly recommended book. But what if the concept is reversed and we judge a book solely on it’s cover? What happens if we take out the pages–erase the story–and just stare at that cover as if it was a piece of art? Which covers would be your favorites
*cover montage taken from Goodreads
As I pondered the interview question, I really struggled with picking one. I eventually decided on THE GIVER by Lois Lowry–which is also my favorite book. I thought about how I felt about the book when my high school teacher handed out our copies in class. I was intrigued by the uniqueness of it–by the emotion and mystery on the elderly man’s face. It was something I hadn’t seen before and something about it felt important compared to the other types of books I’d been reading. But would I still be saying that now if I hadn’t read the copy flap? If I hadn’t fallen in love with the book? I’m not sure.
What I do know is that I’m still thinking about it–pondering what I find to be visually stunning–apart from the words that are attached to it. My mind is still turning and I have a couple more in mind, but I was wondering what is your favorite cover and why? Can you separate the visual from the words? Or are they in inexplicably linked for you? Have you ever adored a cover and NOT read the book? I’m curious–bring on the cover love.
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I love this because the cover of The Giver is the reason I didn’t read it in high school! The old man scared me, and it seemed quite dark and ominous — something that, at the time, I was not eager to pick up. Since it came up only in my Senior year and we were given a choice what to read, I never read it. And I still haven’t, though now I want to and am no longer put off by things like that.
It’s still tough, but the two covers I always come back to when thinking about YA are Beth Revis’ Across the Universe hardcover and Ned Vizzini’s It’s Kind of A Funny Story. ATU’s was STUNNING, and the reason I read it – I’d never heard of it before, but I glimpsed it on the shelf at the library and grabbed it, didn’t even bother reading the cover flap before checking it out. Which was shallow, but it’s still one of my YA favs today, so good in the end. And even though I still find it gorgeous, I never really think of it in terms of the story; both seem to stand independent of each other to me. Ned Vizzini’s is unique and symbolic, and I always feel like I could create a story just from the cover. Once I read it and found out there’s a deeper meaning to it, I loved it more.
I love that the same cover can get two completely different reactions!!! I would love to hear what you think if you read it!
I really loved the cover for Angelology but found the book a bit disappointing.
I did not like the Hunger Games cover but adored that book.
And, of course, I’m rather fond of the cover for SEND! 🙂 *winks*
I love the cover of SEND too! (I’m a little partial to mine too!)
I am totally a cover person and they are what will make me buy books without even knowing what they are about. I really love the very beautiful covers like Touching the Surface’s cover is one of my favorites, I also love the covers for the Gemma Doyle Trilogy, and the UK covers for Kristin Cashore’s books.
Awwww my cover totally loves you back!
What’s also great about the cover of the Giver was that Lowery took the photograph (of the man) herself years ago. She was doing a story about “a man who was a painter.”
My favorite would be the cover of “A Wrinkle in Time,” original FSG hardcover edition. It’s the simple graphic version with the many circles.
Great topic Kim!
I had no idea that she took that photograph! That makes my love meter go shooting through the roof!!!!! That Wrinkle cover is a classic!!!!
Here it is!
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/0b/WrinkleInTimePBA1.jpg/300px-WrinkleInTimePBA1.jpg
A good cover is so important!! I have to admit that I love all the covers that were made for “Across the Universe.” So pretty.
They are very pretty and unique!
I have to say the first factor that actually drew me to your was the cover, and i’m glad for that since Touching the Surface is like one of my most anticipated books of the year.
I absolutely loved Jenny Pox and i was drawn to it first just because of its cover.
*drew me to your book
Sorry for the mistake 🙂
Oh, Priya…you’re making my heart flutter!!!!
Don’t hate me, but I’m a sucker for the much maligned “Girls in Dresses” covers. Though my recent favorites do have to be the French “Dearly, Departed” hot zombie cover *facepalm* and the Italian “Dreamless” cover (which I want made into a giant poster to stare at all. of. the. time.)
If I’m going for an emotional connection, though, my favorite covers of all time is the 1980s/90s reprints of “Emily of New Moon” and “Emily Climbs.” Nothing will make me happier than seeing that little girl with a cat or the dreamy teenager wandering home from school.
I could never hate you and a fabulous dress makes me want to twirl too!
I am notoriously against faces on covers (But I love yours Kim!) I think my favorite is either “Marcelo in the Real World” or “Split”
I’m very picky about faces too!!!
Hehe, I love that my question required so much thought. (I’m assuming this is from my interview, because that was one of the questions.) Personally, I adore the cover for Incarnate by Jodi Meadows. I haven’t read it, but that cover is completely gorgeous. Some other covers I love are The Selection by Kiera Cass, Take a Bow by Elizabeth Eulberg, This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen, and the covers for the Hush Hush saga by Becca Fitzpatrick. I love how colorless the Hush Hush covers are. I don’t know why, but I do. 🙂
♥Jessica(: