This Thursday we are forgetting the old adage and judging books by their covers. The New York Times published an article yesterday on the revamping of classic novel covers in order to be more appealing to teen audiences. As with every topic of discussion there is of course plenty of controversy. What works and what doesn’t in catching teens’ attention?
Well it just so happens that our Teen Press Corps has been discussing just that. Mackinsey says, “I definitely judge books by their covers and their titles. I don’t have to time to read the synopsis for every book I see. This is why it’s important for books to have good covers; it can make a book or break it.”
The New York Times cites books like Twilight and The Hunger Games as major influences for YA covers in the seasons since their phenomena.
‘”After the ‘Twilight’ books by Stephenie Meyer became a sensation, paranormal romances boomed. In the last several years, the “Hunger Games” trilogy has inspired dozens of dystopian novels.
Some of the redesigned jackets are clearly inspired by the Twilight series. HarperCollins released a cover for ‘Wuthering Heights” with a stark black background, a close-up of a red rose and an inscription that reads, ‘Bella & Edward’s favorite book.’ (Critics sneered that it was a Twilight rip-off.)
In a new series published by Puffin Books, an imprint of Penguin Group USA, a cover of the Gothic vampire novel “Dracula” by Bram Stoker features a ghostly woman floating in the center, her platinum hair flying in the air. The title and author are scrawled in cursive over a large pool of blood, rivulets of red dripping down the page.
‘We didn’t want to go with a muted approach,’ said Eileen Kreit, the president and publisher of Puffin. ‘We had that Urban Outfitters customer in mind. We wanted to appeal to that teenager and give a fresh look to these stories that have been around a very long time.”’
To read the whole article click HERE.
Are these ‘bold’ covers over dramatizing the books they’re meant to represent? Does the inconsistency in period attire or characters’ appearances make these novels more approachable or is there a disconnect? Our Teen Press corps spoke to their worst pet peeves frequently perpetrated on YA covers as well as what book designs they really love.
Mackinsey said, “I really hate it when you see a cover, then you read the book and the cover has it completely wrong, especially if the author made a big deal about it in the story. It really bugs me, and even if I really liked the cover when I first say every time I look at it after I’ve read the book I remember that it’s wrong and it mars the cover’s beauty.”
Mackinsey cites Seraphina by Rachel Hartman and Hawksong by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes as some of her favorite covers. She loves the “very detailed illustrations that require more than a glance to really absorb.”
To read Mackinsey’s full post click HERE.
Willa says “My biggest pet peeve when it comes to covers is when two of the characters are kissing. As a teen, your parents occasionally check out what you’re reading (especially for me) and I always cringe whenever they see the cover and it has two characters kissing. They immediately raise their eyebrows and ask, “What are you reading?”’
Willa loves the covers for the Sarah Dessen novels. Although her books are filled with romance the covers leave more to the imagination. That glimpse is just enough to intrigue the reader, Willa says.
To read Willa’s full post click HERE.
Be sure to follow our Teen Press Corps as we discuss all things YA!
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