I don’t know about you but bookish perfection for me occurs when the beauty or creativity of the words inside a book are matched by an equally exquisite cover. It could be the cover perfectly captures the mood of the book, that it makes a clever allusion to the book’s content or theme or just that it’s a wonderful piece of artwork.
Looking back at all the books I’ve read in 2017, here are twelve covers that really stood out for me. It should be no surprise that quite a lot of these books also appear on my top ten favourite reads this year. To my mind, a cover can enhance a wonderful book but it can’t make an average book wonderful.
Miss Boston and Miss Hargreaves by Rachel Malik – I love the colours, the use of silhouettes and the font chosen for the title and author’s name.
If The Creek Don’t Rise by Leah Weiss – The cover is atmospheric and certainly attracted me to take a look at the book (the description then sold it for me). I also like the little details like the use of lower case for the book title and putting the first word in italics.
Shelter by Sarah Franklin – The Forest of Dean plays a key role in the book and I like how you get a glimpse of this through the window.
The Former Chief Executive by Kate Vane – I adore the painting used for this cover and it does really capture the reflective mood of the book.
Mothering Sunday by Graham Swift – Such a great choice of painting that really conveys the sensuality of much of the story.
Crimson & Bone by Marina Fiorato – This luscious cover reflects the role art and colour plays in the book and the author’s trademark romantic story line.
Wake Me When I’m Gone by Odafe Atogun – I love the simplicity of this cover that perfectly matches the style of the writing and the gorgeous, bold use of colour.
Stranger by David Bergen – I just find this face and, in particular, the eyes so compelling; an apt description of the powerful story to be found within the covers.
Home Is Nearby by Magdelana McGuire – There’s just something so appealing about the colours of the houses and how it makes you curious to find out what’s going on behind those windows.
Mr Dickens and His Carol by Samantha Silva – I love the simple colour scheme that somehow gives a Christmassy feel but without any sign of a reindeer or Santa!
The Summer of Impossible Things by Rowan Coleman – It’s so clever how the design of this cover incorporates an element of the story…but you have to look at both the front and the back to spot the really clever detail. Love the gorgeous colours as well.
The Existence of Pity by Jeannie Zokan – I love the detail in the botanical drawing of the plant which looks to me like coffee. The book is set in Colombia so you can be sure you could get a great cup of coffee there!
Were there covers you fell in love with this year?
I can’t quite believe that it’s a year since What Cathy Read Next was launched into the blogosphere but it is and today is my first blogiversary!
What Cathy Read Next... 