Inspired by What She Reads, Pure Imagination Blog, and Stacked.
I admit I’m a book cover snob. Who isn’t though?
Book covers are the first thing that attracts readers to a book. A good cover can draw someone is, just as a bad cover can easily draw someone away. It can essentially make or break a book. Holy, Mother Cover! is where I showcase the book covers that stand out (or make me cringe), and discuss cover changes.
(A big special thanks to Georgie at What She Reads for bestowing me this fabulous name and to Charlotte at Gypsy Reviews for creating the beautiful feature banner you see before you.)
COVER CHANGE: The Lucy Variations by Sara Zarr
Sure, the picture of the hand and the piano are perfect for the book since it is about a pianist, but the font, the font hurts me. The title font is so out of place. It doesn’t complement the font for the author, nor does it use the spacing at the top very well. I also don’t like the white glow around “Sara Zarr” because the glow draws my attention to it (not to the author’s name itself).
Plus, the font color of the title doesn’t match the font color of the author. In every cover image I’ve seen of this book, the coloring is completely off. It’s either too light purple or a pink color (like the one above), and none of those covers works with the purple.
Would I buy this book based on the cover? Noppppeeee.[/column] [column size=”1/2″]What do I think about the cover design? Again, FONT ISSUE. Ugh.
The font in this is worse than the hardcover one. (I sighed so loud when I saw it.) It’s very stiff, and looks extremely outdated because of the shadows. It just screams early 2000s to me. The shadows would kind of work if it wasn’t pink. The problem is that the color tone of the entire cover is already a bit magenta; the pink shadows blends into the picture, hiding itself in the pink dress, in the dark stone, and in the overly magenta skin tone. That’s a big no-no if you want the title to stand out on its own.
Also, the cover picture doesn’t tell me anything about the book. At least with the hardcover, it shows a piano. This cover is like any other book with a girl having fun.
Would I buy this book based on the cover? Never.[/column][/row]
But who’s the real winner?
- Sheet music! I love that it’s torn. It’s a really perfect way of showing that this book is about music.
- The font for the title! It fits perfectly. Plus, I love that it kind of looks like it was written in pastel.
- The purple ribbons! All wrapped together nicely like a present.
My only issue with this cover is the font choice and color of “Sara Zarr.” It doesn’t fit with the overall cover, but it’s not a huge deal breaker.
That was definitely a surprise! I can see what you mean, it’s more simplistic and easier on the eyes. Great choice :)
I just found your blog yesterday via pinterest and your font posts. :) I like the hidden cover the best. The first cover is nice, but the font is awful.
WOW. WHAT A PLOT TWIST UH HUH.
Idk I think for the hardcover I might have to disagree with you. Apart from the font for the author, I prefer the simplicity of the photo. I like that the font title brings a certain elegance to the cover and the colour scheme, although a bit odd, it still sort of matches (I just noticed the fingernails are pink lol). You should definitely see the under the jacket spine though because that is pretty with the font title and little musical notes around it.
Blergh the paperback is a huge mess. What is up with that font and the effect of the shadow is just jarring. It says nothing about the book at all either because knowing that the book is linked to music or the piano could actually entice more readers (tbh that’s what made me read this book in the first place). This is a cover that’s going to get lost in the many other contemporary covers out there.
I’ve never seen the UK cover until today actually but I do like it. I think I’m still more partial to the hardcover because the font for the author name in the UK cover is too much for me to ignore. But I do love the font used for the title and the concept of the cover really fits the story well.
Ooohh I was not expecting that one! I’d totally buy the book based on that third cover :D Although I think I’d get the paperback if I had to pick between the first two. It’s *slightly* better. But still: the font.
I think your choice would be my choice as well, although the Hardcover one isn’t too bad. The font is just to painful to my eyes on the paperback!
Ooh I really like that third cover! I’m with you…both the hardcover and paperback are awful. It’s like the person who designed knows nothing about fonts or spacing or anything! Ugh
I really like the third cover you revealed! But the other two… nope. The first one looks like something you could create on Microsoft Word, it just looks so bleh.
Oooh, fancy new technique to reveal the winner! I like! :D I agree with all your analysis. The hidden cover is 100% superior!