Ah, cover art… cover design… or cover works of art. However you slice the world that is graphic designing a book cover, I’m always up for chatting up the beauties that result from the talent of the designers behind the pretty book covers we place on our bookshelves. How about you? Let’s talk some of these novel art masterpieces, shall we?
LIST | A Few of the 2020 Novels I Hope will Dazzle as Five Stars
Before we get to this ‘novel art part two’ list of beauties, let’s talk trends – just for a minute. One of the things I find most interesting in this 2020 (and even in 2019) year of designs is the illustrated look of cover design. I’m seeing two kind of “looks” within this trend, one of which is more simple, understated, like the debut What I Like About You; or more of the full scenescape like Lucky Caller by Emma Mills. Either way, they “feel” quite alike.
Note: These aren’t all books I’m anxious to read (simply because I don’t know much about them all), but they DID capture my attention because of their pretty – or fierce, or cute, or stunning – art!
Cute & Creative (Upcoming)Novel Art, Part Two! | March – June
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1: The Betrothed (May) by Kiera Cass
Yes, I have had this one on one (or two?) lists lately, but I don’t think I’ve featured it on a “cover” list. Either way, all the gold makes it look regal, and given the synopsis for this upcoming (and highly anticipated!) novel, this seems appropriate. Amazon | Goodreads
2: Beach Read (May) by Emily Henry
Ran across this one on Amazon, and aww doesn’t it embody its title? I’m curious for sure! Amazon | Goodreads
3: The Life and (Medieval) Times of Kit Sweetly (May) by Jamie Pacton
Simple, cute and the title text using up the entire space is done to PERFECTION. Also, look at those colors. Amazon | Goodreads
4: The Two Lives of Lydia Bird (March) by Josie Silver
I (sadly) did not care for Josie’s first novel, One Day in December, but this cover art is really pretty; love the concept (fitting the plot) and these colors are gorgeous. Plus, I feel like I might give this one a chance, because who knows… it’s entirely possible I may enjoy this novel by the same author. Amazon | Goodreads
5: Jo & Laurie (June) by Margaret Stohl and Melissa de la Cruz
To be honest, I’ve never been in the should-have-been-ship that is these two characters (I really don’t care either way, because the ’94 adaptation made me like the professor), but this book DOES intrigue me – plus, THIS cover…! Amazon | Goodreads
6: Stay with Me (May) by Becky Wade
I mean, if you’re anything like me, you love a good swoony contemporary romance cover! This one is the epitome of this, and it’s dreamy, swoony and perfectly Becky Wade “branding” in all the right ways. Amazon | Goodreads
PS: THANK YOU to everyone who visits these week-to-week lists – I’m so appreciative! I know my lack of prompt replies to your comments (and visits to your blogs) may suggest otherwise, but I see them, I read them, and I’m grateful you take the time to visit here. One of my 2020 blogging goals is 100% to get better about replies. In the meantime, just know I appreciate your visits and comments – always all for the bookish and fun conversation! Thank you.
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Linking up with That Artsy Reader Girl January 28: Book Cover Freebie
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Some of the Cute & Creative Novel Art I Like, Part Two! Talking the upcoming cover are aka 'novel design part two' I heart. features @BeckyWadeWriter, @MelissadelaCruz + MORE! #BookNerd #BookLove #CoverDesign Click To TweetTell me, how did YOU spin this week’s ‘freebie’ post? Did you talk about upcoming cover art? Design trends you love? Favorites already ON your shelf? Or did you go the “ugly” route…? Tell me all about your cover art thoughts in the comments below. I’d love to chat. If you have a blog or joined in the Top Ten Tuesday meme, leave your links below. It may take me an entire week, but I’d love to come by and visit your bookish spaces.
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26 Comments
There are so many cute illustrated covers now! I want all of them, ha ha!
Same! I really love this newer trend. :) Thanks so much for the visit, Leah.
I’m really liking the illustrated cover trend as well. I love seeing how inventive the designers get, and honestly they just look so good on the shelf as well!
Jo & Laurie is nice with the green- I like that one a lot!
They do look good on the shelf! Makes it all the harder to resist picking them up to add to our shelves. :) Jo & Laurie is quite pretty; and I agree, the colors are nice! Thanks so much for the visit, Greg.
I have an arc of Beach Read. The cover definitely enticed me! ;)
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Fun! Hope you enjoy Beach Read; as its title and design suggests, it looks like a perfect summertime read. :) Thanks for the visit, Dedra.
Such good examples. I modified this week’s topic, though you can see my favorite books with their covers! My favorite YA Books of the decade with covers.
Always fun to change things up and be creative. :) Thanks so much for the visit, Anne. (Apologies for the late reply delay.)
Hm… well, matter of taste, right? I don’t care for the Betrothed at all, or Stay With Me. No matter – nice list!
Thanks so much for the visit, Davida! Appreciate it.
Great list! The cover of The Life and (Medieval) Times of Kit Sweetly is so cute, and that Jo & Laurie cover is beautiful – I love the colour combo! I probably won’t read it, though – I’ve never been into Jo and Laurie as a romantic couple, I love their friendship and I love that Louisa May Alcott decided, back in the 19th century, that it was okay for men and women to just be friends.
Right!? ‘Kit’ looks SUPER sweet, and “Jo & Laurie” is indeed a stunner; love those colors, too. I don’t have thoughts one way or another about Jo & Laurie (I like them as friends, but did “feel” something there, however, so far, I also always like the Professor from each adaptation I’ve seen, so… I’m fine with how Alcott writes it), but I am curious about this one. :) Thanks so much for the visit, Jess – and apologies for the reply delay.
I hadn’t seen the Jo and Laurie book before!
I thought it was really pretty. :) Thanks for the visit, Marg; and apologies for the reply delay.
The Betrothed does sound interesting.
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I think so too! Thanks for the visit!! :)
Jo and Laurie looks like such a good read! I shipped them, too, back in the day.
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Doesn’t it look good?? I’m certainly curious about the book, so I’m hopeful it’ll be good. Thanks for the visit, Lydia.
I’m really loving all the illustrated covers lately. They’ve become some of my favorites. Though I do I have to say that I really like Becky Wade’s cover. I can’t wait to get my hands on that one. Her books are always so good! :)
I like Becky’s too! It’s such a dreamy image, which is perfect for her genre; like you, I’m eager to read this one as well. :) Thanks so much for the visit, Ashley.
I am LOVING all these cute, illustrated covers! Also, I totally just added Kit Sweetly to my TBR, ot sounds so good!
SAME! And yay, doesn’t ‘Kit’ sound fun!? Eager to learn more about that one. :) Appreciate your visit, Lindsey.
Definitely intrigued by Jo & Laurie. Hope you enjoy these!
SAME! It sounds/looks really good. Thanks for the visit, Alicia. :)
Omg yes! I love illustrated covers and that’s what I focused on for the cover freebie too :) Can’t believe I forgot Lydia Bird though. That cover (and those colors!) always give me life whenever I see it ? I haven’t heard of that Kit Sweetly book but it’s for sure going on my TBR now lol great list, Rissi!
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Aren’t some of these color combinations stunners?! I’m mainly excited about how some of these look, but of course, I’m eager to read some of them too. :) Appreciate your visit, Dini. Thank you!