Top 5 Book Cover Designs - a personal list
Half way through 2024 and I thought it's been a while since I wrote about book covers. Hence, I reviewed the books I've read so far and made a short list of my favorite covers. Here are my top 5:
This touching novel follows Stella Grant and Will Newman, two teenagers with cystic fibrosis who fall in love while being treated in the same hospital. Despite their mutual attraction, they must maintain a safe distance of five feet to avoid cross-infection. The story explores their struggle with their illness, the rules imposed on them, and their desire to connect, ultimately leading to a heart-wrenching and poignant conclusion.
Book Cover
This design is so great and yet I can't exactly but my finger on what makes it so great. For one, of course, it is the contrast between a larger dark blue (almost black) background and dark elements such as the roots branching off and, on the other side, the flowers and title in their bright peach color. The silhouettes add more to the mysteriousness of the cover. The symmetry, broken up by the weaving and irregurlarity of the roots and flowers, give the design a certain aestetic. I think the colors are well pickes and fitting, and the general appearance is of mystery, darkness, depth and softness.
2. The Midnight Raven by Orson Moore, paperback
Very compelling, moving and full of adventure
Book Cover
I´m not sure how well this picture comes across but the raven is actually painted with oil paints by an artist. The brush strokes are cleary visible and super precise for being so broad. It looks stunning and mysterious. I love it!
2.b. The Midnight Raven by Orson Moore, hardcover
Well, this might not be fair, but I couldn´t decide: The hardcover of The Midnight Raven is very different from the paperback and yet just as eye-catching. I don´t need to repeat the plot of the story, so I´ll get right into why I added this extra to my list: I love the close-up of the bird feathers, the wing and the way the plumage kind of opens up. Plus, the contrast between the blackness and the white lettering is stunning. It gives off a very mysterious vibe, very fitting to the story.
3. Cannibals in Love by Mike Roberts
This debut novel tells the story of Michael, a young man navigating life and love in contemporary America. Set against the backdrop of economic uncertainty and social change, Michael's journey is one of self-discovery and disillusionment. Through relationships and personal trials, the narrative delves into themes of desire, alienation, and the quest for meaning in an unstable world.
Book Cover
A close-up of interlocked fingers combined with letters that have not been written with a pen but edged out, and this is a very fine manner as if with a scalpel: This design is simple but very unique and, on any book shelf, stands out. Its also very intense and unnerving through the symbolism of the interlocked fingers and the cut-out letters when you think of the theme of cannibalism.
Yellowface is a provocative novel that tackles issues of cultural appropriation, racial identity, and the publishing industry. The story follows a white author who steals a manuscript from her deceased Asian-American friend and publishes it as her own. As the book becomes a bestseller, the protagonist grapples with the moral implications of her actions and the scrutiny that follows, offering a sharp critique of systemic racism and privilege.
Book Cover
The designer of this cover knew what he/ she was doing. No other color is as bold and flashy as yellow. You can see this book from miles away. In combination with its simple yet aptly element of the eyes it just radiates a certain insensity. Leaving a lot of "empty" space is actually a major factor in graphic design and serves what the human eye likes. With the one word title, the author's name and a very small addition at the bottom, the cover is striking, yet easy to take in and not overwhelming as other covers sometimes are. Also, of course, the entire graphic take on the subject of envy and greed fits perfectly.
This acclaimed autobiography chronicles Maya Angelou's early years, depicting her struggles with racism, trauma, and identity in the segregated South. Through her poetic and powerful prose, Angelou narrates her experiences with displacement, abuse, and eventual self-empowerment. The book is a testament to her resilience and strength, highlighting the importance of literature, education, and the enduring human spirit.
Book Cover
This design works on clear coloring and icons. It looks simple, but not boring, and is indeed well thought through. I truely like that it is not symmetrical. Instead it has a certain dynamic to it with the title (in a very specific font) on the left, the black shape of the bird, fitting to the title, on the right, the rings of the sun on the left again, balanced by the smaller text in the right lower corner. The colors, by complementary and contrast, give the cover a certain clearity. The most striking element is the black bird, making it the centre of the design although it is not centred in the design. In general, I also enjoy this cover because it has a certain softness to it, which stems from the lack of harsh edges and all shapes being very rounded and the fonts italic.
that very cool
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