In writing this blog, I really wanted to focus on coming up with thoughtful or insightful content about books … usually. This is not one of those posts.
Today, we’re here to judge books by their cover! Yay! More specifically, I thought it’d be fun to pit the United States versions of book covers against their European siblings and see who wins!
#1: Little Fires Everyhere by Celeste Ng
US BOOK COVER (LEFT) VS. UK BOOK COVER (RIGHT)
The poll has ended! Thanks to everyone who participated!
I think I’m partial to the UK version. I really like the scripty calligraphic writing used on it juxtaposed with the delicate burning house. It’s lovely.
From the publisher: “A riveting novel that traces the intertwined fates of the picture-perfect Richardson family and the enigmatic mother and daughter who upend their lives.” See it on Amazon (US version) or Book Depository (UK version).
#2: When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
US BOOK COVER (LEFT) VS. UK BOOK COVER (RIGHT)
The poll has ended! Thanks to everyone who participated!
I like that the UK version gives you more of an indication of what the book is about, but I have to hand this one to the US version. The font on that UK version just doesn’t work for me. It looks like the font is either London Tube or P22 Johnston Underground, but either way it looks like it’s meant to be a paragraph/body text font as opposed to a headline font.
Anyway, I started reading this book, but I’m not done with it yet. I liked what I read so far though.
From the publisher: “For readers of Atul Gawande, Andrew Solomon, and Anne Lamott, this inspiring, exquisitely observed memoir finds hope and beauty in the face of insurmountable odds as an idealistic young neurosurgeon attempts to answer the question What makes a life worth living?” See it on Amazon (US version) or Book Depository (UK version).
#3: Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
US BOOK COVER (LEFT) VS. UK BOOK COVER (RIGHT)
The poll has ended! Thanks to everyone who participated!
I’ve already discussed this book and it’s cover at length, so mosey on over here if you want to read my review! :)
From the publisher: “The smart, warm, and uplifting story of an out-of-the-ordinary heroine whose deadpan weirdness and unconscious wit make for an irresistible journey as she realizes. . . The only way to survive is to open your heart.” See it on Amazon (US version) or Book Depository (UK version).
#4: Circe by Madeline Miller
US BOOK COVER (LEFT) VS. UK BOOK COVER (RIGHT)
The poll has ended! Thanks to everyone who participated!
So, neither of these pictures really do the cover justice — in the gold parts, both hardcover versions are covered in this outer-embossed gold metallic paint/foil which looks nice. Here’s another photo of it from an angle, which shows it off a little better. Anyway, I like both, but went ahead and bought the UK version.
Publisher says: “A bold and subversive retelling of the goddess’s story.” See it on Amazon (US version) or Book Depository (UK version)
#5: Transcription by Kate Atkinson
US Book Cover (Left) vs. UK Book Cover (Right)
The poll has ended! Thanks to everyone who participated!
I’m torn on this one. I like them both. I like flamingos, but the US version looks more like it’d be an espionage novel. The UK version was originally released with a limited edition version that had cool red-ish/pink-edged pages to match the cover but I don’t think the UK version should get extra points for that because most copies aren’t going to have it. So this one is a wash for me.
From the publisher: “A dramatic story of WWII espionage, betrayal, and loyalty.” See it on Amazon (US version) or Book Depository (UK version).
By the way, there’s research that suggests that left-handers give a slight bias towards objects positioned on the left and right-handers tend toward a bias for objects positioned on the right. Does that make you want to re-think your selections? Hmmm…
Thanks for reading and/or participating! This is kind of a silly post, but I’m out of town for a few days and will be a little tied up, so I figured I would post something at least, haha. Hope you enjoyed it! Happy reading this weekend!
This is good fun!
thank you!
Agreed!
grazi! :)
I can’t see them on my iPad
thanks for the heads up — it looks like the post was a little messed up before, but should be fixed now!
I could only see the covers for Little Fires Everything. The rest didn’t show up. But this was a fun idea.
thank you! and thanks for the heads up — it looks like the post was a little messed up before, but should be fixed now!
Great post! My overall favourite has to be the UK cover of Circe, it’s just too pretty!
Thank you! Agreed, it’s a lovely cover and even nicer when you actually see it I think, the picture doesn’t really do it justice
Really interesting idea for a post, thanks.
Thank you!
I love the Circe UK cover! That was such a cover buy for me – luckily the book turned out to be amazing as well :)
Haha, yeah I definitely think the cover made this a much easier “purchase now” decision :) I haven’t read it yet, but I’m looking forward to it!
Really enjoyed this interactive little post. 😊 I’m definitely drawn to beautiful books with a good dollop of symbolism. I love the moments when you are reading and you have to flick to look at the front cover because you suddenly realise the importance of ‘that clock in the background’ or whatever it might be. In those moments you edge a little closer to the writer and get a glimpse of their marvellous brain that has toiled away inventing the wonderous fictional world that you are investing your heart and mind in. 💗
Thanks ginny! I agree, a well designed cover where they have meaningful nods towards the contents of the book adds to my enjoyment of the novel. Thank you for the thoughtful comment
I waist the minority on most of the votes. It’s an interesting exercise. Thanks for the post.
Thanks for participating! :) I’m surprised by how split some of the results are!
That was fun, thanks!
Thanks for participating, carol! :)
to me the Transcription UK is Waaaaaay better and surprised of the result :D
I’m surprised by the results of a lot of these — I sort of thought everyone would be on the same page for most of these but I guess not!
I think only with Little fires Everywhere did I want to click both options, every other cover was clear cut choice. I am right-handed btw. Don’t think it mattered here.
Yeah both the little fires everywhere covers are pretty solid, thanks for participating!
What a great idea for content. The same is true for movie posters, CD covers, vehicle names, and more.
Thank you! And thanks for dropping by!
Love the comparisons! I would’ve gotten the UK version have I not bought the US version for Circe! UK’s so gorgeous!
Thank you! Agreed, it’s a lovely cover though the US version is quite nice as well! :)
Yes I agree :)
Super fun! I love seeing how different covers can be from country to country.
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for dropping by!
Such a cool idea! I always compare covers – we get UK versions in NZ but my local library often has US editions and i’m often surprised by covers I wasn’t expecting!
Me too. In fact, my friends know me to be completely picky when it comes to covers because of it😂
Thank you! I’m jealous that you guys get a little bit of both, that must be nice! :)
Fun. Thanks
Thanks martie!
Commenting because there isn’t a like button…
I always find it odd to see the covers in different markets. Some markets/publishers are clearly not as invested in selling the book as others, or don’t really understand what they have. I remember reading something from Barry Eisler on this topic. Although, given the votes above, maybe all markets should have multiple covers for books.
Also, interesting insight on the left-right bias.
Thanks for your thoughts Tyson — yeah, I expected the results of this informal poll to less split than they seem to be, so I guess there may be a good reason for having different covers. Thanks for dropping by!
Done done and done. I love the US covers of Little Fires Everywhere and Eleanor Oliphant, they look unassuming but pretty and colorful. I’ve never been a great fan of UK covers but THE CIRCE ONE IS BEAUTIFUL.
Thanks for participating — and yes Circe was definitely a book where I initially got interested in it specifically because the cover was so pretty, so a nice book cover really can sell a book
Super fun and informative post! Finishing When Breath Becomes Air was hard for me to, but so very worth the persistence.
Thank you! And thanks for encouragement re: When Breath Becomes Air — I will try to forge onward :)
This was such a fun post! :)
Thank you! I’m enjoying seeing the responses! Thanks for participating!
I loved this! Thanks for this interactive post. I had fun dong this. :)
Thanks for participating! :)
After going through this list and voting, I had to go back and look for Paul Kalanithi’s “When Breath Becomes Air”. I must say it’s worth it. Thank you!