by Chad Morris
Sorry I was a little late posting this one.
My amazing 1994 Suzuki Swift broke down last night (Yes,
that’s a car, not a dirt bike). It took me and a couple of amazing friends
a while to diagnose the problem (which means we still have no idea--at least I don't) and tow it
home. I still think it’s so strange that a 1994 car would break down (Did the
sarcastic font come through?).
Anyway, I’ve been thinking about book covers lately—what I
like, and what I don’t. What captures my attention and what doesn’t. I write
middle-grade, so obviously, I’ve been thinking about that group. Here are a few
that I think just work.
I love high concept ideas that grab my attention,
but sometimes a simple cover, like Leven Thumps, works for me.
Any other favorites you’d like to share? Any that just
bother you?
Do you like simple or complex?
I'd love to hear your ideas.
I love all of those. Great choices!
ReplyDeleteI think it all depends on the genre. I love all the Fablehaven covers for MG, as well as the 13th Reality. For YA Paranormal, I'm drawn to the covers that creep me out like Become or The Summoning. And if I'm going for YA contemp. something colorful or really bubbly catches my eye. For dystopian, I really like Divergent's cover, or Matched. (Didn't like THG cover until they set it on fire with the movie poster cover)
ReplyDeleteI also love the covers of Matched and Divergent. Good call.
DeleteI'm old-fashioned. I like plain brown or black leather with gold inlays. But, the choice that you've made are great for paperbacks.
ReplyDeleteIf a cover doesn't make me wonder about the words inside, I don't care for it. I like unique covers most of the time, but you're right about simple being better sometimes. Like everything else with books, it's all subjective.
ReplyDeleteI'm a sucker for a busy cover. I love the Museum of Thieves cover because even if I don't like big raven's, I do like girls in long dresses. And even if I don't like girls in long dresses, I am really curious about that huge staircase. And even if I think the staircase bit is used too much I can't help but like the idea of a girl, a boy, and their dog in a museum. I just think kids like different things and if you can give it a sense of genre but show lots of interesting things, you're golden. BUT-I adore the Matched book cover. My 6yo boy even pointed it out in B&N as 'cool'
ReplyDeleteLove those covers. I found one book that got me without ever reading a thing about it. It showed a wizard looking at computer monitor.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7745883-darkmage
If you are looking for middle grade, boys and girls, I would go with the styles of Sea of Monsters or Museum of Theives. I think they are neutral enough to attact either sex.
ReplyDeleteThis isn't even a cover, but the poster or dvd cover for Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is like the coolest concept ever. Anyway, that being said, for YA, I really like how the Ranger's Apprentice covers look. They have people on them, but somehow they made them look cool instead of kids in costumes. Anything that looks interesting like Museum of Thieves also catches my kids' eyes
ReplyDeleteI love the Keeper of the Lost Cities one. So awesome! As for other favorites? The covers for Janitors by Tyler Whitesides and every book by Brandon Mull are really, REALLY eye catching.
ReplyDeleteI really agree with james I love Janitors
ReplyDelete