We all know what they say: never judge a book by its cover. Guess what? We’re doing it today! Well… kind of. Technically, we won’t be judging them per se, but I will be sharing with you my all-time favorite book covers. Because even I can’t resist a beautiful cover, too, from time to time! And let me tell you, it happens more often than you think… these are only some of my favorites.
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
Let’s start off with something special, and listen, I may be a little biased with this one because The Secret History also happens to be one of my favorite books, but look at that cover. It’s just so… beautiful. From the fonts used down to the very classic feel of its color tone, it just gets me every time I see it on my shelf.
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
Even before I decided to pick up A Little Life in February, I’ve always seen it in bookstores—that bold and haunting cover has always caught my attention. It’s so intricate and intimate that every time I hold the copy in my hands, I feel like I’m trespassing someone’s private moment. After I finished reading it, I immediately did some research on the book and found out that the photo used was actually taken by Peter Hujar in 1969, called Orgasmic Man.
If on a Winter’s Night a Traveler by Italo Calvino
While I love neutral tones on book covers, I also adore the minimalistic ones. This neat and very plain edition of Calvino’s classic is definitely not to be overlooked. In reality that gray-ish figure in the middle of the cover art is actually silver in tone, which makes it more attractive and catching.
The Beautiful and Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Now this is one of the classiest book covers I’ve ever seen my entire life. I admire the lovely pop of colors, and the details are… everything. Peak Jazz age at its finest. It’s all on here, on this cover. But my favorite thing about it are the gold details, it gives the book that certain feel of elegance.
Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
Among the many cover designs to choose from, this is my favorite one of Lolita‘s. It’s subtle and suggestive at the same time, without giving away too much of what the story is about, yet it perfectly captures the sense of tainted innocence that’s present in the novel. Hmm… also I might be biased because this is the edition I own. But still, it’s beautiful.
Weather by Jenny Offill
Usually something like this would already be too much for my eyes, because I appreciate simplicity in cover designs, those that don’t feel like they tried too hard. But I found the artistic vividness of the colors in this one very expressive, creative, and easy on the eyes despite the many colors.
The Dutch House by Ann Patchett
Listen… that art is everything. It’s what really drew me towards wanting to include this one on the list. Sell me anything with a good art on the book cover and you bet I’ll take it. Right away. No hesitations.
The Beauty Myth by Naomi Wolf
Honestly, there’s not much to say about this one aside from the fact that the directness in this cover design gets me every time. The subtlety suggested by the doll on the center is brilliant.
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