Top Ten Tuesday is an original weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. I thought this would be a fun way to share a condensed version of potential rambles and thoughts that I have.
This Week’s Theme:
Top Ten Book Covers
I’d Frame As Pieces of Art
Initial Thoughts:
In an ideal world where you have a wall lined with bookshelves with slide-y ladders and then other walls lined with framed book covers…what would you opt to hang? Surprisingly, this week involved a lot of revisiting books and absent mindedly staring at all the details of book covers to see which one I coveted the most. Some quickly came to mind while others required a good staring–but I think the general consensus is that I have dry sockets from too much cover gazing. The things you do, right?
I certainly do apologize that I wasn’t able to change this weeks theme up with some creative pizazz.
Book cover images link to their respective Goodreads sites.
Book Covers Coveted to be Framed:
1. A Monster Calls – Patrick Ness
I haven’t read this yet (shame on me) but I think it’s kind of a stark contrast to the other bright covers.
2. The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry – Gabrielle Zevin
I’m holding my breath for this one when I get around to reading this next week (spoiler alert: it’s one of my Bout of Books reads). But there’s truly something about this cover that’s real mellow, honest, and picturesque.
3. The Furies: A Thriller –
Mark Alpert
So I still have my reservations about this book (you can see my review here)…but I can’t deny that the cover is something that that caught my attention when I initially picked this novel up. The silhouette tho. The colours tho. I think it’s the overall composition of the cover that looks rad.
4. Dublin in the Rain –
Andrew Critchley
There’s something about the cover looking like droplets of rain just chilling on a window pane that makes me enjoy it even more. Whoa rhyme time.
For more details on this stellar book, (you can see my review here)
5. Everyday – David Levithan
It’s pretty serene. I’d probably put it next to Ness’ A Monster Calls. That contrast, amiright?
6. Snow Like Ashes – Sara Raasch
Uh, yeah… I actually want whatever that is in the image to be either a paperweight or a book-end. Thanks, potential Etsy reader. My wallet is waiting. But I’ll settle for anything.
7. Hungry – H.A Swain
Replace Hungry with Hangry and this would make so much more sense to me. Either way, need to represent the foodie lifestyle.
8. Chasing the Star Garden – Melanie Karsak
With some slight tweaks in sizing, I’d say this cover could stand out even more. By expanding the overall image, greater detailing can be shown for the steampunk elements—even if the image is just a few hundred pixels larger.
9. Some Fine Day – Kat Ross // Lexicon – Max Barry
When I saw Some Fine Day on Netgalley…it felt so similar to something that I’ve seen before within the past year. Then bam—realised it looked like another edition of Lexicon. I’d probably creepily combine the two with a split down the axis to separate the two.
(Edit: I just realised how awkward they look side by side due to the size and formatting differences. Well, shit. Oh well–as long as you understand my perspective!)
10. Say What You Will – Cammie McGovern.
It’s really the message behind the novel title that makes me enjoy the cover. The typography could be changed, the colours could pop less…and I’d still use it. Maybe.
Book Inspired Landscape/Setting Artworks:
9.25. Divergent – Veronica Roth
I actually don’t want the book covers. I’d prefer a landscape photograph featuring the beat-up and rusted architecture; including all of the fix-ins of what makes the world of Divergent so robust.
9.5 Lord of the Rings – J.R.R Tolkien
I just want a map of middle earth….that’s all. A very large map.
9.75 The Maze Runner – James Dashner
As some of you may already know, I keep saying that I haven’t read this series yet. But upon re-watching the trailer…when they showed the schematic of the maze…I kind of want a folded book-art 3D version of the maze. I’m not sure how this will work though…but I can imagine it in my head—so it must be possible.
10. Hunger Games – Catching Fire (Collins)
Okay, I had to make a tacky image to explain my concept. If you own (or have seen) a large hand fan like the one on the right, you’ll know that most of them are usually scenic or calligraphy-based. Depending on the size of the wingspan, my concept is basically as depicted: each two panels would reflect a specific time of the quarter quell and their events and blended together at the edges of the next wedge to make a cohesive art piece. I hope that makes sense?
I also kind of want something similar to these art prints where you roll it onto a wide rectangular canvas…but that’s another story for another post… (Images taken from Aliexpress @ Arvin Art Print Canvas).
Afterthoughts:
This week’s theme was more difficult than I imagined…I basically had to pull out all them books and stare absent-mindedly at them for the longest time…
Cheers,
Joey
Loving The Furies cover! It’s a bit similar to Dark Eden which I have on my list! (http://lipsyy.wordpress.com/2014/05/06/top-ten-tuesday-top-ten-covers/) Why are trees so pretty? Weird.
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Silhouette trees and a technicolour colour palette? SIgn me up!
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Loved, loved, loved your cover choices! And once again, you’ve thought outside the box (unlike me where I take these Top 10s literally) and I loved what you came up with!!
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Well I thought I was pretty literal this week for the most part (until the end…I guess). But thanks, hope some covers caught your eye!
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I love your choices, particularly Dublin in the Rain – maybe because I used to live there?! Hungry is fantastic too, I’m a fan of clean, graphic images.
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The cover actually grew on me, I didn’t expect much from the image when I first saw it but after reading the novel– it really grew on me! I think graphic images (for me) depend on what the focal point is; which is why the comic book characters just work for me in giving me the feels because it’s almost all inclusive in characters. Otherwise, simple and clean graphic designs (i.e. on Hungry) are striking in their own right!
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Great picks! I especially like the covers for The Furies, Snow Like Ashes, and Chasing the Star Garden. 🙂
Here’s my TTT
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I think it’s the colour scheme that really sells the covers! Thanks for dropping by!
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Really like your picks! I have A Monster Calls on my list, too. I think I’d actually prefer some of the artwork from inside, but that cover is awesome as well. The cover for Dublin in the Rain is really cool!
My TTT!
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I wish I could say that i’ve actually seen any of them images inside! In time, Stefani…in due time (like all the other rest of the books that you’ve pressured me to read, am I right? Haha).
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Haha. At least I’m just pressuring you into reading books. It’s okay to be addicted to books. Right? RIGHT?! 🙂
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I’ve actually considered the potential of my reading habits being heavily linked to my enjoyment for spewing out words of nonsense rather than reading for the sake of reading. Though I better not elaborate too much on that thought to save myself some street creds!
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Brilliant choices Joey! A lot of grey in there!
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Ahhh — you’ve caught me, I’m a sucker for anything greyscale! This is usually reflected in my clothes haha but I guess preferences seems to find its way anywhere I guess.
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I have A Monster Calls on my mental honorary mention. I love the cover art, but I really love some of the art on the inside.
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One day…when I finally read it…I will also be able to bask in the joys that is the art on the inside (but I’ll settle for the cover for now…)
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Wow, great list! I love Dublin in the Rain, that is such a great cover.
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Agreed! Although I do kind of wish the physical copy had a bit more gloss/sheen to it to make the raindrops pop out more (like the digital image). But hey, a great cover is still a great cover.
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Wow I absolutely love the Dublin in the Rain cover – it is amazing. I may go need to read it now. Also A Monster Calls has a great cover but looksa little too creepy for me! Great list!
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Dublin in the Rain is a wonderful book! I can’t say I’ve read anything like it before, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. A Monster Calls definitely has to be something I put in a living room or foyer and not anywhere near the bedroom — can you imagine the image hanging above your headboard? Creepy stuff.
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A Monster Calls almost made my list, boy was that a great book too! It had me sobbing. We actually do have one in common though 😉 Come by and check out my Top Ten Covers and see which one it is! hee hee heee
xoxo Michelle @ Book Hangovers
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I would have checked your list out regardless. I’ve heard that A Monster Call brings in the tears from some friends too and I’m still finding that so perplexing. I guess I’ll have to see when I read it though!
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thanks! I was just thanking you on the comment you left me, for not making any PO-Ta-TOE references this time! 😉
HA!!!
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Wow. I totally glossed over the potential for a potato reference when I read your comment…and yet now you bring it back up! Guess that means it’s been playing on a loop, huh?
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Great list! I would totally hang A Storied Life and Dublin in the Rain! Chasing the Star Garden caught my attention at “airship racing.” I’ll def consider reading this.
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Chasing the Star Garden was actually one of my intro books into the whole concept of reading about Steampunk. I mean, it never really caught my eye in general…but I kind of enjoy it more now and understand why people love it so much!
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Oh I haven’t seen that cover version of A.J. Fikry before! Love the book and how you will too. Say what You WIll is a favorite of mine too, and a good example of the book living up to the cover. Awesome list as always.
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I hope so! I’ve only glossed over some comments per A.J. Fikry and they’ve all been spectacular. Always awesome to hear your thoughts on these future reads of mine!
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Hey Joey! Most of your covers are new to me, but I totally agree with you about water droplets. The cover for Dublin in the Rain looks awesome! And I do love the cover for The Furies. Nice picks!
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Thanks Ashley! I think I might just have a natural affinity to anything water-based–there’s just so much you can do with it!
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The cover for The Furies is really nice. I love those colors. I haven’t read A Monster Calls either, but the cover is what initially caught my interest.
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Yeah, the colours in The Furies adds so much value to the silhouetted trees. All it takes is the right cover design to pique interest and you’re off to the races!
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Hahaha I literally laughed out loud at your comment about changing the title from “Hungry” to “Hangry.” I’m actually reading the ARC right now, and it’s making me plenty angry, rest assured haha
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I wonder how I’ll feel about the reading experience if i’m scarfing down ALL the food. Empathy for hunger? Maybe, maybe not. I’m not sharing.
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This one was really thought provoking wasn’t it – but enjoyable. And I could have chosen so many more. I was going to choose the Patrick Ness book too – the illustrations throughout are absolutely brilliant.
I also love No.4 – making the cover look like a rain speckled window seems such a simple and yet original idea.
I love the look of No. 9 – have you read it and do you recommend it?
Lynn 😀
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I haven’t read Some Fine Day (the left one on #9), I think you can request the ARC on Netgalley still! I know I would but I think I have like 2-3 books by them already so I’d feel bad gunning for another copy haha. I did enjoy Lexicon though! It’s everything you expect a thriller to be pretty much wrapped in a sci-fi backdrop where words are basically weapons. But my selling of the novels won’t do any personal investigative digging justice — so go forth!
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I just realized after reading your landscape photograph list that a wallpaper of some novel’s universe would even be better! I MEAN CRAP THAT WOULD BE 360° WALL OF AWESOME.
Great picks, by the way! Hungry up there gives me the creeps, haha.
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I did think about that but then I’d figure that what if there was a possibility, an off chance, that I’d end up getting sick of something? That wouldn’t be good LOL so I think personally…I’d be more inclined to just have hangups that I can change per seasonal/yearly tastes etc.
And Hungry just makes me hungry
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I just love Everyday. It is so magical and intriguing! And A Monster Calls is so hauntingly beautiful! I just love cover art!
THanks for stoppin’ by! Have a good week!
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I really enjoy the cover and the premise of Every day! But I will admit (that I didn’t describe in the post) that actually haven’t read the book yet! More power to the novel cover for drawing me in so quickly when I haven’t even bought into the story yet.
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So many beautiful covers I hadn’t seen before. I love the soft colors of The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry and find the cover of Hungry intriguing. I don’t know why since it’s just a fork on a blue background but whatever.
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‘Just a fork’ yet so perplexing at the same time–minimalist at it’s finest!
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Hungry is so simple… and so striking. There’s even something kinda creepy about it, which is a little weird, since it’s a picture of a fork! I loved The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry, but hadn’t seen that cover before. Pretty! A Monster Calls is an amazing book, and a great choice for this week’s topic. (I forgot about it until I already had 10… oh well).
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People keep saying they haven’t seen that cover of A.J. Fikry! It’s all I see up here in Canadian bookstores…maybe it could be a print thing then?
And yeah, Hungry (on top of making me hungry, obviously) sounds like it’s making the rounds between being intriguing and creepy.
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Wow, Hungry reminds me of “The Matrix.”… My surname means a gnome-like elf. While none of us sit in the front yard, they kinda remind me of my lineage. 🙂
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Oh I apologize if you might have taken my comment to offense then! Definitely nice to learn something new stuff everyday–and now I better understand the background to your username then!
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I wasn’t offended so no worries! I’m still working on a gnome-ish logo. 😉
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I LOVE the cover of Hunger. It’s simple — but very, very eye-catching all the same. Great list! 🙂
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Definitely–sometimes the most minimalist designs are the most striking!
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Wow, I really like the Snow Like Ashes cover. Just checked it out on GR too and it sounds awesome!
I never really thought about book landscape artwork, but now you mention it that sounds amazing. A map of middle earth would be awesome! 🙂
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I’m not one to read much High Fantasy and I’d imagine myself reading that! I think landscape artwork captures the same essence of a novel as much as a up-close beauty shot would do but presented in a different manner… or maybe I’m just wishful for thinking that haha.
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Great picks! I love the cover of Snow Like Ashes too, it was on my short list 🙂
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I know–the treatment with the glass teardrop is pretty rad, not to mention the colour palette is pretty easy on the eyes!
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I would love a room with slidey ladders too….
The idea of a framed map of Middle Earth would look amazing. I’ve been someone with a framed map of Hogwarts on their wall before and thought it was stunning.
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Oh that sounds wonderful! There’s certainly something vintage or rustic about a map that’s kind of rad to have on any blank canvas.
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