Covers
Yesterday I was at Queens College, London, talking about – among other things – which were my favourite book covers from among my books. It’s not always the case, but this time the girls agreed with me on our favourites, which were these (the hardback edition of Threads and the new paperback of The Look):
Threads
The Look
I’ve been noticing book covers a lot recently. There are some very beautiful ones around, that you want to run your fingers over and stroke. And some very arresting ones. Here are the ones that have been catching my eye in bookshops. Have any covers made you think ‘I just have to have that book’ recently?
Silver, by Andrew Motion
Wonder, by RJ Palacio
The Bees, by Carol Ann Duffy
Itch, by Simon Mayo
The Girl in the Mask, by Marie-Louise Jensen
I agree, Threads and The Look. I also love the cover of the book Silver.
That’s such a favourite of mine. It’s even more lovely in the flesh …
Brill post and BRILL covers! I’m enjoying The Look so much i don’t EVER want it to end!
I’m like, on chapter 34, On the last few chapters. 
Oh wow, Laura. I hope you enjoy the last little bit. The final chapter was one of my favourites to write. xxx
Wow! I’ll enjoy it even more now! x
Your books have SUCH gorgeous covers! The book cover that I’ve most adored recently isn’t on a children’s book, but the hardback edition of Claire Tomalin’s Dickens biography. It has a black-and-white-photo of Dickens, with a half-cover wraparound thingy in the most gorgeous green, with gold lettering. A link would be easier, wouldn’t it…?
Charles Dickens: A Life
But I think Threads is even better. So classy. The fabulous illustration would look as good on a wall as on a bookshelf!
X
Thank you, Kay! And I love that picture of Dickens. He looks so happy and interesting. Would definitely be one of my top 5 people to invite to a party. (If he wasn’t dead, obviously.)
Oh, that limited edition cover for Threads is amazing!
I spotted an amazing set of (adult) covers in Blackwell’s yesterday, redesigned for Picador’s 40th anniversary: you can see them all here. I absolutely love the new covers for Keren David’s ‘When I Was Joe’ YA series. And I’m very lucky to be mates with MG Harris, so I’ve got the final Joshua Files book, Apocalypse Moon, sitting on my desk in its shiny black slipcase, looking like something from outer space and not a book at all…
Hi Susie. Thank you for all those links. There are some amazing covers there – really beautiful. They all make me want to find out what’s inside …
I’m definitely going to buy Threads on my Kindle! I love Kate Maryon’s covers, they are amazing! And so is The Look x
BTW, It’s Kate, but it wont let me change my name
Hi Kate. Sorry about not being able to change your name. I hope you manage to sort it out, but you might need to create a new login to do it. Susie Day might know … As for Threads, I’m afraid it’s not available on Kindle yet, except in the US (as Sequins, Secrets and Silver Linings). I wish it was! Maybe one day … xxx
Please could you visit my blog? http://www.kateish101.wordpress.com It hasn’t been added on the list (could it please be?)
I love the covers for all of your books Sophia! I love book covers too, sometimes I just stare at them for ages! At the moment, I have copy of Jane Austen Stole My Boyfriend by Cora Harrison, and I’m constantly just admiring it! It’s not particularly amazing, I just think it’s really pretty!
Hi Cliona. I love that cover too. And it is the BEST title. By the way, I’ve tried to comment on a couple of great posts you’ve done recently and not been able to (the computer says ‘no’) – so it’s good to have the chance to say hi. Hi! xxx
Yeah, it’s a pretty cool title!
Awwww, it’s a pity you can’t comment! Thanks anyway for trying!!! 
Hi Sophia! I just wanted to say I love your new book, The Look! I admit, I have always had a tiny secret urge to be a model… but after seeing what Ted goes through all dreams have popped out my head! Besides, living in rural Kent, I doubt I’d be scouted..!
Covers matter a lot to me, because I do think that all of us – no matter what we might like to think – judge a book a little bit by its cover. I love seeing foreign editions of books too. And wouldn’t you rather a bookcase full of diverse and gorgeous novels than drab and yellowing ones?
Hi Georgie. So glad you loved The Look. And that it made you think a bit about modelling. I do think you have to be amazingly strong and independent to cope in that world and it’s definitely not for most people. Personally, I’d rather do something more directly creative, like art or photography, were you get to be in control.
As for covers – I agree. We all judge books by their covers, so it’s important to get them right. But I actually love drab covers too! Some of my favourites are the green and white stripey Penguin classics. They make me curious about what’s inside …
wow! the covers are beautiful!
especially Silver.
I especially like the cover of the Look and am bursting to read it!
Loads of people judge books by their covers which sometimes isn’t such a great idea, as the book may be one of the best books you’ve ever read but the cover just well, may be rubbish!
gr8 post
You’re quite right, Shakira, but we can’t help it!
they’re some lovely book covers!
I think the ‘Book of wonders’ has a lush cover!
I know you’re not to meant to judge a book by its cover but sometimes its impossible not to! Having an incredible cover (Like The Look!) draws attention to the book, and makes it look good! I think everyone looks at the cover, because we’re only human!
Fab post as always!!! xxxx
Hi! Great post and lovely covers!
I really want to read The Look!
Some of my favorites are: the hunger games http://www.thehungergames.co.uk/about_the_book
The 13 Treasures: http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/features/13treasures/index.html
The Emerald Atlas: http://www.emeraldatlas.co.uk/index.html#aboutthebook
Percy Jackson American covers: http://rickriordan.com/my-books/percy-jackson/percy-jackson-olympians.aspx
Heroes of Olympus American Covers: http://rickriordan.com/my-books/percy-jackson/heroes-of-olympus/the-lost-hero.aspx
Scorpia Rising: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Scorpia-Rising-Rider-Anthony-Horowitz/dp/1406310492/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1332358385&sr=8-1
Sarah Webb’s book covers: http://www.askamygreen.com/TheBook.htm
Cathy Cassidy’s Book Covers: http://cathycassidy.com/books/
Karen McCombie’s Book Covers: http://www.karenmccombie.com/Mybooks/tabid/94/Default.aspx
Sam Osman’s Book Covers: http://www.samosmanbooks.com/quicksilver/
Diana Wynne Jones’ book covers: http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=diana+wynne+jones+books&tag=googhydr-21&index=stripbooks&hvadid=7736239926&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=963985389183922946&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&ref=pd_sl_2zqbajania_b
Troll Trilogy: http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=diana+wynne+jones+books&tag=googhydr-21&index=stripbooks&hvadid=7736239926&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=963985389183922946&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&ref=pd_sl_2zqbajania_b#/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=troll+trilogy&rh=n%3A266239%2Ck%3Atroll+trilogy
Pseudonymous Bosch: http://thenameofthiswebsiteissecret.com/the-secret-books
Wardstone Chronicles: http://www.spooksbooks.com/spooksbooks.asp
Traitor’s Kiss: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Traitors-Kiss-Pauline-Francis/dp/1409527417
Chris Higgins book covers: http://www.chrishigginsthatsme.com/books/
Book of Blood and Shadow: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11378763-the-book-of-blood-and-shadow and http://www.amazon.co.uk/Book-Blood-Shadow-Robin-Wasserman/dp/1907411445
Wow, that’s loads, and there’s still so many more that I love!
Hi Sophia!
I’m thrilled to tell you that last Sunday I finished The Look and it was absolutely AMAZING. What an amazing author you are.
I find Kate Maryon’s covers absolutely stunning (as well as yours) because they’re just gorgeous. Also Cathy Cassidy’s (NOT the ones with the girls on them).
xxxx
PS – I read a very interesting point the other day – would you read a book if the description sounded amazing but the cover was AWFUL? Or vice versa – the cover was AMAZING, but the book sounded dull…?
I’m so glad you loved The Look, Orli! And as for the cover/description problem, I know from experience I’m more likely to buy a bad book with a good cover than the other way around. For books which have covers that don’t do them justice, thank goodness for friends who can recommend what’s inside! xxx
Hi, I’m reading ‘The Look’ right now ad it is absolutely amazing! I’m on chapter 37, so quite near the end! I was reading it today in school, and my teacher said, ” I need sunglasses to look at the pages of your book, Niamh!” I’ve only ever seen one other set of books with coloured page edges and that is the ‘gone’ series by Michael Grant, my brother loves them! I’ll do a review of the look on my blog as soon as I’ve finished it, my blog is listed in the ‘your blogs’ sections. It’s pretty easy to guess which it is from my name! (Neevie – my blog is called ‘totally Neevie’). Actually, I did a post on covers and titles yesterday, take a look! I love the covers of the Sarah dessen books (even though they are a bit challenging for my age group, 10-12) And, I love Fiona dunbar’s silk sisters covers. I also love catherine machphail and Dyan Sheldon’s covers, they’re so cool! Finally, have you seen maggo gibson’s covers? I LOVE them!!!
Me again, I’ve finished ‘The Look’ it was so so so good! I didn’t get it on kindle (I asked you about that in your last post) it was quite strange reading a normal book again. I absolutely loved Ted, and hated Tina! I new from the start she was going to be bad! Sorry, I’m talking about them as if they’re real people, but they did seem quite real!
Great post and such amazing covers, especially the Threads one! Unfortunately I’ve only got the normal version.
But it’s just as amazing inside. 
I can’t wait to read The Look – I’ve just ordered it! People always say ‘don’t judge a book by it’s cover’ but I think you have to! I mean, you don’t pick up a book if it’s got a horrible cover, do you? Replying to Orli’s post, I would read a book with a bad cover if I’d heard it was good, but I would never notice a book with an awful cover so… hmmmm….