As much as the old saying tells us not to, we all judge books by their covers. I also feel like the cover design game has been particularly strong recently, and why not celebrate that by sharing a few of my favourites? Compiling them for this post, I quickly noticed an obvious (if very specific) trend that I clearly adore when it comes to design: realistic/anatomical images combined with floral/natural motifs. I suppose it makes sense, as there’s something beautiful and unsettling about the unlikely mix, which is basically my ideal vibe for a book.
After grouping all of the covers that fell into that category together, I expected the rest of my favourites to be a mishmash of random designs, but as it turns out, they also fit a type: bar one, they’re all illustrative rather than photographic, they all incorporate animal imagery, and there’s a very definite colour palette. Evidently, I know what I like on a cover, even if I didn’t realise it before making this post! Without further ado, here they are; my favourite covers, organised into the two groups mentioned above.
What are some of your favourite book covers?
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Callum McLaughlin 
Indeed, there’s a clear preference for human body parts and animals mixed with flower-ish patterns 🙂 Personally I am more inclined to pick up a book with flowers and / animals, not so much with human-related designs.
I knew there were a few of that sort I liked, but I had no idea quite how many until I started compiling them! 😊
I am reading Follow Me To Ground right now. I’m loving it, but my cover isn’t half as nice as either of those two you’ve featured!
I’m so glad you’re enjoying the book (even if your edition isn’t quite as nice).
Ha, this mix occasionally works for me (that Spanish version of Annihilation, I Am, I Am, I Am, Follow Me to Ground – lungs version) and occasionally creeps me out (Hex, Follow Me To Ground – head version, The Rib Joint). I don’t really like heads or skulls!
I’m definitely a fan of the macabre 😋
We have the exact same taste in book covers! I have never seen the edition of Follow Me to Ground with the lungs before. It is striking!
Follow Me to Ground really was blessed cover-wise; both the UK and US editions are gorgeous!
There’s definitely a flower trend going on in book covers and I love it! I find it fascinating how the same book will end up with different covers at different times or for various markets. It wasn’t the most beautiful cover but my recent read No More Nice Girls had a cover that I thought worked well. It had a kind of aggressiveness to it and I secretly enjoyed reading it in public because it felt like a bold proclamation!
That’s true; I love comparing covers for the same book but for different markets.
IT’S A BOOK COVER POST, my favorite thing! All of these are so pretty, and you definitely have a style of cover you like! Out of all of these Wilder Girls is probably my favorite, I am obsessed with that cover.
I hoped you would appreciate a covers post 😂 YES, Wilder Girls is so gorgeous.
I love covers with a surreal feel to them – “it would be night in caracas” and “When the Doves Disappeared” are my favourites, but “Tender Morsels” is lovely as well, filled with atmosphere and symbolism.
Yes! A sense of surrealism and a good dash of the macabre is my ideal mix for a cover.
You have good taste in book covers! Funnily enough I have a post on ‘ugliest book covers’ coming up on my blog 😀
Thank you! 😊 Ooh, I’ll keep an eye out for that one!
Anatomical covers are the BEST COVER case closed. This post is an aesthetic feast.
Absolutely! I mean, all the evidence is right here. Clearly a unanimous verdict.
These are all such unique covers.
I apparently share your cover design preferences! I love the illustrated covers with florals and an eerie twist. I don’t think I’d ever read most of these books because they’d creep me out too much, but I certainly don’t mind gazing at those beautiful covers! I think Anihilare and The Rib Joint are my favorites. Who knew skeletons and flowers went so well together!
They’re two of my absolute favourites as well! 😊
I love your taste in cover art, these are all so striking! Follow Me to Ground is particularly blessed, with TWO excellent covers. That was actually the reason I didn’t end up buying it though, I couldn’t choose, lol!
Why thank you 😋 I understand your predicament! They really are both excellent.