STACKED

books

Double Take, Part ??

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Here’s an upcoming title along with a recently released title with another double take. This one is a mirrored image, though the coloring and effects are exactly the same:


Chasing Brooklyn by Lisa Schroeder was published by Simon Pulse in January 2010.


While browsing for new titles on Net Galley, I stumbled across this one. So, no guarantee on final cover art, of course, but this was what they had up there.

Saving Max by Antoinette van Heugten will be published by Mira September 28, 2010.

I’ll be honest: I’m not a huge fan of either one. Do you have a preference?

Covers change the story

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Remember this post, a long time ago, about changing covers on Judy Blume? My coworker and I got to talking about the changing covers of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice — check out what vibes these different cover portrayals give the books:

Our main character look young. The cover’s a bit dated, but it looks classic.

This one looks like a fun ball, no? I love the blue and black with pink contrasts.

Good models on this one, for sure.
Twilight inspired? I mean, the quote at the top says “The Love That Started It All.” That wasn’t Romeo and Juliet? Alas, this one has no people and gives an edgy vibe.


This looks like a sweet read, no? I love how Austen’s name is central here.


This is a standard B&N issue. Looks a classic, and the girl on the bottom left looks angry about it.
Steamy romance inspired?


A total classic look.


Another “classic” look. Wait for the contrast with the next two:

This is my FAVORITE and one that has total appeal to a certain audience. I’m toying with buying a copy of this one for my teen department, since I think it would expose new readers to Jane Austen.

This gorgeous cover is apparently a rare find from UK’s “Book of the Month Club” copyright 1996. It took an hour to find an image of it, so it’s borrowed from Ebay (obviously, I kept the copyright on it there). This is my coworker’s favorite, and I have to say, it is beautiful. Just compare this one to my favorite — two entirely different takes on the book, no?

Do you have a favorite? Do any speak to you more? I – gulp – have NOT read this book, so I can’t give an opinion on content to cover matching. But that last one I’d pick up in a heart beat (as I would pick up the one I can’t locate an image from — think gorgeous old pink dress).

More Fake Fat Girls

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I realize I bring this up a lot, but this is an issue that really needs to be addressed. This spring and fall will be bringing us more stories of accepting yourself as a fat person — or in some cases, getting in better shape so you can accept yourself as you are. But as you probably guessed, we won’t be seeing any fat girls. Check out the new selection of young adult titles that will bring you more of less.*

Fat girls love ice cream!


Fat girls can be stylish, like Veronica who loves vintage, but we can only show you the dresses while they’re on the hanger.


We can only see the Designated Ugly Fat Friend’s face, and she’s actually quite attractive and doesn’t feature anything fat about her. Oh wait for the new cover design for this one …


YES! We have a face AND food (I’m classifying gum here as food). I love the girl’s freckles, but seriously. She’s still not a. ugly or b. fat.


I think that Bookshelves of Doom covered this one better than I can.

SERIOUSLY? Can we not put a fat girl on a cover, ever? I do not understand why this is so tough and unrealistic. Let me remind you of this and this. As has been shown with the covers of and Liar and Magic Under Glass, we can make a difference. We need people to speak out and speak up. This includes with our wallets.**

* Let me also add this: when we get into these conversations about fat girls on cover, we are also prodding an issue of thinness, too. Inadvertently, thin models and girls are going to feel attacked because of their body. It’s unfair and not right on any level. There IS NO PERFECT, but this is misrepresentation or lack of any representation. It is a lose-lose situation for everyone. If we want to write the books about being ok with yourself, we should also show that fact.

** It’s really a bummer to the authors, too, who work SO HARD to write these books. I’d be curious how they felt about the issue. We shouldn’t punish them since they are trying to do something important.

Cover spotlights: Lurlene McDaniel

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One of my favorite authors when I was a teen was Lurlene McDaniel. Yep, the overly sentimental, medical dramas* featuring teens who were dying or near death and, of course, in love. I was a teen during her heyday, though she’s far from slowing down. Like Richard Peck, her covers have changed a lot over the years. What always seemed to work for her, though, was that her series books featured very similar cover styles — and boy was she ever the series writer! I loved them.

I though it’d be fun to take that walk down memory lane:

Six Months to Live 1985

Hold Fast the Dream 1985. Nothing speaks 80s romance like the sepia tones, the big hair, and two dashing men, one clearly good and one clearly evil.


Why Did She Have to Die? 1986. Perhaps this is one of the first covers featuring the “things being held” theme that is so popular now.


A Time to Die 1992


If I Should Die Before I Wake 1992. I’m afraid that still wouldn’t apologize for the shorts…


Reach for Tomorrow 1999 (and book #12 in the “One Last Wish” series, still holding onto the similar cover theme)


Angels Watching Over Me 1996 (book #1 in the series featuring an Amish family – my favorite series of hers)


Angels of Mercy 1999

The Girl Death Left Behind 1999

Journey of Hope 2004. This combines two novels, Angel of Mercy and Angel of Hope. This is the first of her books starting to change direction in cover art.

Angels in Pink: Kathleen’s Story 2004


Angels in Pink: Raina’s Story 2005 (the hair in the face!)


Briana’s Gift 2006. Things in hands again.


Prey 2008. I LOVE this cover. It is so creepy and yet so perfectly gives an idea of what the book will be about.


Breathless 2009. Interestingly, my co-booktalker talked this book in the winter. She didn’t know Lurlene McDaniel was a pretty prolific writer for teens prior to reading this. It’s so different looking from her other titles.


Heart to Heart 2010. Reminds me of an adult romance for sure.

What do you think? Are you a Lurlene McDaniel fan? Any cover favorites?

* This doesn’t mean they’re not good books; they’re definitely of a specific drama that has such appeal to teens. I still like her books, since they’re quick reads with at least one strong and memorable character. And some aren’t even medically-related. Those were the ones that I ate up like crazy, though.

Who wrote this one?

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When I took my first actual class on young adult literature, I learned the name Richard Peck. Know it? If not, don’t fear: I didn’t either. But when you hear about a book called Are You in the House Alone and see the very, uh, amusing covers for what was one of the first true adolescent novels (and horror ones at that), you remember the name.

So since then, I haven’t thought too much about him, but I know his name well now that I work regularly with his books. I noticed something really interesting, as he’s always been easily identified as a classical young adult writer. You can kind of get that idea from his book covers. Check out this non-comprehensive gallery from the 1970s to 2008. His books hit all genres and since these cover a wide range of time in design aesthetics, it’s interesting to look at:









Not always the highest of design or appeal, but the author’s name alone can sell the book. Imagine my surprise when his forthcoming title was on more than on “Waiting for Wednesday” post. “What?” I thought to myself. I don’t remember people ever getting that excited about a new Richard Peck book (kind of like they don’t get excited about a new Gary Paulsen book or a new Ann Rinaldi book, since these are standard authors who ALWAYS do very well). But look at the cover and tell me what you notice:


Ah, how refreshing: it’s like every other paranormal-looking cover on the market now. And to me, it seems like his name is no longer the center stage to sell the book. It’s the cover.

Interesting marketing technique or genius? I’m not sure. I like the cover and find it really appealing. I think this will get a new generation of readers into his wide catalog of titles. Moreover, what an interesting perspective on how the young adult book market has changed, seen simply from the changes in covers of one perennial author.