Judging A Book By Its Cover: I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone

The cover we're judging this week is:

I love this cover! The black and white picture is simple yet eye-catching, and the guitar picks add some much needed color and fun to the whole thing. I don't really like the blurb on the front because I think it makes it look a tad busy, but overall I would totally pick up this book based on the cover alone, and I love that is screams, "HELLO TODAY WE WILL BE DISCUSSING PUNK ROCK DEAL WITH IT."

Now that we've judged the cover let's see what the book's about:

A raw, edgy, emotional novel about growing up punk and living to tell.  

The Clash. Social Distortion. Dead Kennedys. Patti Smith. The Ramones. Punk rock is in Emily Black's blood. Her mother, Louisa, hit the road to follow the incendiary music scene when Emily was four months old and never came back. Now Emily's all grown up with a punk band of her own, determined to find the tune that will bring her mother home. Because if Louisa really is following the music, shouldn't it lead her right back to Emily? 

Judging A Book By Its Cover: Ashes

The cover we're judging this time is...

This cover CREEPS ME THE EFF OUT. I didn't realize it until just now when I blew it up to judge it, but GAH HOLY CRAP. For that, I've gotta give this cover designer props. They obviously had a certain direction in mind for this cover, and I feel like it was executed really well. I love the fonts, the colors, the FRICKING CREEPY image...it's just cool (if you can look at it for too long, which I cannot).  My only complaint would be the blurb at the top because it's way too long. Other than that, this cover's unique and totally different than the rest of the Covers With Faces that are being produced right now.

Now that we've judged the cover, let's see what the book is about...

It could happen tomorrow . . .  

An electromagnetic pulse flashes across the sky, destroying every electronic device, wiping out every computerized system, and killing billions.  

Alex hiked into the woods to say good-bye to her dead parents and her personal demons. Now desperate to find out what happened after the pulse crushes her to the ground, Alex meets up with Tom—a young soldier—and Ellie, a girl whose grandfather was killed by the EMP.  

For this improvised family and the others who are spared, it’s now a question of who can be trusted and who is no longer human.  

Author Ilsa J. Bick crafts a terrifying and thrilling novel about a world that could be ours at any moment, where those left standing must learn what it means not just to survive, but to live amidst the devastation.

 

Judging A Book By Its Cover: Cracked

The cover I'm judging this week is...

I have to say that this cover is just...not for me. In my opinion, the black border just kind of ruined it. The cover would be so much more striking if it just weren't there. Also, what's with the backwards E? This is not Toys R Us, people. I actually like the blue and white combo and the cup, but THAT BORDER...sorry, just no.

Now that we've judged the cover, let's see what the book's about.

Sometimes there's no easy way out.  

Victor hates his life. He has no friends, gets beaten up at school, and his parents are always criticizing him. Tired of feeling miserable, Victor takes a bottle of his mother's sleeping pills—only to wake up in the hospital.  

Bull is angry, and takes all of his rage out on Victor. That makes him feel better, at least a little. But it doesn't stop Bull's grandfather from getting drunk and hitting him. So Bull tries to defend himself with a loaded gun.  

When Victor and Bull end up as roommates in the same psych ward, there's no way to escape each other or their problems. Which means things are going to get worse—much worse—before they get better….

 

Judging A Book By Its Cover: From Bad To Cursed

The cover we're judging this time is...

I love the cover for this novel's predecessor, Bad Girls Don't Die and I have to say that I quite like this one, too. The girl's pose is a little awkward, but her glare is great. Also, I love the way the light's shining in. So yes, I like the image a lot. I don't really love the color of the font. It just doesn't seem to tie into the image at all. The swirlies (yes it's a word) around the door frame are a very nice touch, though. All in all a good cover but not quite a great cover.

Now, let's learn what the first book in this series (Bad Girls Don't Die) is about:

When Alexis's little sister Kasey becomes obsessed with an antique doll, Alexis thinks nothing of it. Kasey is a weird kid. Period. Alexis is considered weird, too, by the kids in her high school, by her parents, even by her own Goth friends. Things get weirder, though, when the old house they live in starts changing. Doors open and close by themselves; water boils on the unlit stove; and an unplugged air conditioner turns the house cold enough to see their breath in. Kasey is changing, too. Her blue eyes go green and she speaks in old-fashioned language, then forgets chunks of time.

Most disturbing of all is the dangerous new chip on Kasey's shoulder. The formerly gentle, doll-loving child is gone, and the new Kasey is angry. Alexis is the only one who can stop her sister — but what if that green-eyed girl isn't even Kasey anymore?

Judging A Book By Its Cover: As You Wish

The cover we're judging this time is...

I don't know, nothing about this cover really appeals to me that much. It all looks photo-shopped and awkward; the text, the girl, and then the author's name is just sort of slapped on. I can see that the designers were trying to make it fun and whimsical, and while that was almost a success, it just didn't work for me this time.

Now that we've judged the cover, let's read what the book's about:

Ever since Viola's boyfriend broke up with her, she has spent her days silently wishing—to have someone love her again and, more importantly, to belong again—until one day she inadvertently summons a young genie out of his world and into her own. He will remain until she makes three wishes.

Jinn is anxious to return home, but Viola is terrified of wishing, afraid she will not wish for the right thing, the thing that will make her truly happy. As the two spend time together, the lines between master and servant begin to blur, and soon Jinn can't deny that he's falling for Viola. But it's only after Viola makes her first wish that she realizes she's in love with Jinn as well . . . and that if she wishes twice more, he will disappear from her life—and her world—forever.

Jackson Pearce spins a magical tale about star-crossed lovers, what it means to belong... and how important it is to be careful what you wish for.

(It's Baaaaack!) Judging A Book By Its Cover: Brooklyn, Burning

Judging A Book By It's Cover was a feature I did when I started my blog...then a couple months later...and now, by popular demand (which is code for "my best friend's demand') I've decided to bring it back. Let me know if you like the feature or can see any way I could make improvements to it!

The cover we're judging today...

At first--because I'm an idiot--I didn't know what the image was. When I finally realized what it was, I fell in love with the cover. It screams, EXCITING and DIFFERENT and FIRE. Sure, the font for Brezenoff's name is kind of weird and hard to read, but overall I think this is a cover that really stands out in the best possible way.

Now that we've judged the cover, let's see what the book's about:

When you're sixteen and no one understands who you are, sometimes the only choice left is to run. If you're lucky, you find a place that accepts you, no questions asked. And if you're really lucky, that place has a drum set, a place to practice, and a place to sleep. For Kid, the streets of Greenpoint, Brooklyn, are that place. Over the course of two scorching summers, Kid falls hopelessly in love and then loses nearly everything and everyone worth caring about. But as summer draws to a close, Kid finally finds someone who can last beyond the sunset.

Brooklyn, Burning is the story of two summers in Brooklyn, two summers of fires, music, loss, and ultimately, love.

(I want it, guys. I want it reeeeal bad.)

Epic Cover Fail!

One of my favorite things about used book stores are looking at the old, crappy covers. Seriously. My friends and I make a game of who can find the worst cover (and dirtiest title. But that's a whole different story). Last time, I spazzed a little when I found this gem:

Goodreads page

I think my favorite part of this cover might be HIS WEIRD MULLET. No, no, his POSE. Wait, nope, maybe the TITLE. Nah, it's definitely HIS WEIRD MULLET.

Judging A Book By It's Cover: Bitter Frost

The cover I'm judging this time is:

While I don't really like the choice of photo used for this cover, I really love the colors and basic layout of it. The fonts, especially the title font, are really eye-grabbing and pretty much save this cover, in my opinion. The cover immediately makes me think of two possible genres for the book: vampires (super pale skin), or Gossip Girl-type books (weird lip color).

Now that we've judged the cover, here's what the book's about:

All her life, Breena had always dreamed about fairies as though she lived among them...beautiful fairies living among mortals and living in Feyland. In her dreams, he was always there the breathtakingly handsome but dangerous Winter Prince, Kian, who is her intended. When Breena turns sixteen, she begins seeing fairies and other creatures mortals don t see. Her best friend Logan, suddenly acts very protective. Then she sees Kian, who seems intent on finding her and carrying her off to Feyland. That's fine and all, but for the fact that humans rarely survive a trip to Feyland, a kiss from a fairy generally means death to the human unless that human has fairy blood in them or is very strong, and although Kian seemed to be her intended, he seems to hate her and wants her dead.

 

Judging A Book By It's Cover: Clarity

Wow, haven't done one of these in forever! The cover we're judging this time is:

There are so many things I love about this cover. The colors, the model, the weirdly awesome hair...I kinda really love it. It's simple, but pretty. And the tagline's pretty good...and creepy. "She can see your secrets." I like it, and I think it'll be even better in person!

Now that we've judged the cover, here's what the book's about:

Clarity "Claire" Fern sees things. Things no one else can see. Things like stolen kisses and long-buried secrets. All she has to do is touch an object and the visions come to her. It's a gift.

And a curse.

When a teenage girl is found murdered, Claire's ex-boyfriend wants her to help solve the case — but Claire is still furious at the cheating jerk. Then Claire's brother — who has supernatural gifts of his own — becomes the prime suspect, and Claire can no longer look away. Teaming up with Gabriel, the smoldering son of the new detective, Claire must venture into the depths of fear, revenge, and lust in order to track the killer. But will her sight fail her just when she needs it most?

(Coming  March 1st 2011)

 

Judging A Book By It's Cover: The Cardturner

The cover I'm judging today is:


So, at first glance I didn't really give the cover much thought. But the more I look at it, the more I like it. I really like the tagline, and the picture of the guy. I also like that the title and the author are different colors but pretty much the same font. It's making me want to read the book more than I did originally!

Now that I've judged the cover, here's what the book is about:

How are we supposed to be partners? He can’t see the cards and I don’t know the rules! The summer after junior year of high school looks bleak for Alton Richards. His girlfriend has dumped him to hook up with his best friend. He has no money and no job. His parents insist that he drive his great-uncle Lester to his bridge club four times a week and be his cardturner—whatever that means. Alton’s uncle is old, blind, very sick, and very rich. But Alton’s parents aren’t the only ones trying to worm their way into Lester Trapp’s good graces. They’re in competition with his longtime housekeeper, his alluring young nurse, and the crazy Castaneda family, who seem to have a mysterious influence over him. Alton soon finds himself intrigued by his uncle, by the game of bridge, and especially by the pretty and shy Toni Castaneda. As the summer goes on, he struggles to figure out what it all means, and ultimately to figure out the meaning of his own life.

Judging A Book By It's Cover: Starlighter

The cover I'm judging today is:


I got to hear the author, Bryan Davis, speak at a homeschooler event in a Cici's Pizza. (Yes, having an author speak at Cici's is a little odd, but we're homeschoolers. We're fantastically unconventional.) It was pretty cool and I ended taking some of his books home.

I actually really like the cover. The girl (and her awesome Hailey Williams hair), the dragon eyes, the darkness of it, the fonts, it all combines together wonderfully. I was definitely drawn in by the cover of Starlighter. My only complaint is the round thing covering the girl's face. Is it an egg? Or just something to keep us from seeing her whole face? If I read the book will it explain the oval thing? But overall I think this is a pretty neat cover.

Now that we've judged the cover, here's what the book's about:

Dragons are enslaving humankind and a black egg signals the end of the world. Jason Masters must journey to another realm and join forces with a slave girl named Koren to rescue the captives and save two worlds from destruction. What if the Legends Are True? Jason Masters doubted the myths: people taken through a portal to another realm and enslaved by dragons. But when his brother is taken, he must uncover the truth and find the portal before it's too late. Once he's through the portal, he meets Koren, a slave in the dragons’ realm, who struggles to destroy a black egg prophesied to doom all mankind. Jason and Koren must work together to save their two worlds before the dragons learn that their secrets have been discovered. In Starlighter, bestselling author Bryan Davis masterfully weaves fantasy and inspiration into a captivating novel for young adults.

Have a great Memorial Day weekend!

Judging A Book By It's Cover: Restoring Harmony

Today the cover I'm judging is:


You know, when I saw the cover I wasn't interested. At all. It didn't look like my type of book. However, once I actually saw the synopsis I became surprised and intrigued. Now that I've just finished the book (review coming soon) I can gladly say that the cover fits the book very, very well. My least favorite thing about the cover is the lines surrounding the author and title, but other than that this cover has definitely grown on me.

Now that we've judged the cover, here's what the book is about:

The year is 2041, and sixteen-year-old Molly McClure has lived a relatively quiet life on an isolated farming island in Canada, but when her family fears the worst may have happened to her grandparents in the US, Molly must brave the dangerous, chaotic world left after global economic collapse—one of massive oil shortages, rampant crime, and abandoned cities.

Molly is relieved to find her grandparents alive in their Portland suburb, but they’re financially ruined and practically starving. What should’ve been a quick trip turns into a full-fledged rescue mission. And when Molly witnesses something the local crime bosses wishes she hadn’t, Molly’s only way home may be to beat them at their own game. Luckily, there’s a handsome stranger who’s willing to help.

Restoring Harmony is a riveting, fast-paced dystopian tale complete with adventure and romance that readers will devour.

Judging A Book By It's Cover: New Moon

The cover I'm judging today is:


(You weren't expecting this New Moon, were you?) I like the models and their poses, but I don't really like the color of the cover...it washes everything out too much for my liking. The font's pretty cool. I feel like this cover had a lot of potential to be great, but certain aspects of it (yes, mostly the color) made it a OK cover instead. It isn't something I'd pick up on the cover alone.

Now that we've judged the cover, here's what it's about:

Two hundred years ago, the Fire Queen destroyed her rival queens of Earth, Air, and Water in the fateful Burning and took power over Oran. No child with a trace of the elemental magic was alloved to live. Years later, the country still trembles under her oppression. But now there are rumors of hope. Four young women escaped—four who have the powers of Earth, Fire, Water, and Air—and are even now finding each other. At the same time, a ragtag army of artists and singers, orphans and vagrants, thieves and knifewielders is stealing into the city. Their sign is the bloodred, blade-thin New Moon . . .

Judging A Book By It's Cover: Merger

This week the cover I'm judging is:

I like this cover. Something about the photo makes me think it's a romantic realistic fiction, but luckily the tag line and title of the series sets me straight. And I do like the picture, it immediately catches my eye. I wonder why the girl's side is in black and white and the guy's in color...? But, overall, good fonts, good photo, and good colors.

This is the part where I would post the synopsis of the book, but it's the second in the Soterians series, and I don't want to spoil anything for anyone (including myself) so I'm posting the synopsis to book 1, Rising Shadow:

Ashlyn Woods seems like an average college student: going to classes, riding her bike, and spending time with her boyfriend, Kai. But Ashlyn is far from average . . . she is a Soterian, a person who has developed special powers to fight evil. When a large car manufacturing plant in Minnesota is shut down because of a merger, putting an entire town out of work, Ashlyn struggles to balance school, her training, and her sometimes fragile relationship with Kai while fighting against the corruption that is threatening thousands of innocent people. But when she and the other Soterians discover that a new factory in Mexico holds the key to a dangerous secret, Ashlyn is reminded that nothing is as important as the ever-present threat of Deimos, the ultimate source of evil, who knows much more about Ashlyn and her loved ones than she had ever feared.

Judging A Book By It's Cover: Night Runner

Here's the cover I'm judging today:

I'm on the fence about it. I love a lot of things about it, like the fonts and the smoke and kids at the bottom. I don't like the face at the top. In fact, it kind of creeps me out. The eyes are cool, but the face seems to have a weird expression. Overall, it's OK, but not something that would draw me in.

Now that we've judged the cover, here's what the book is about:

For Zack Thomson, living in the Nicholls Ward isn't so bad. After his parents died, he developed strange and severe allergies, and the mental institution was the only place where he could be properly looked after. As strange as it was, it was home. He could watch as much television as he wanted; his best friend Charlie visited him often enough; and Nurse Ophelia--the prettiest no-nonsense nurse ever--sometimes took him bowling. Of course, that didn't mean he had it easy. His allergies restricted his diet to strawberry smoothies, and being the only kid at the hospital could get lonely. But it never once crossed Zack's mind to leave...until the night someone crashed through the front doors and told him to run. Now he's on a race for answers--about his past, his parents, and his strange sickness--even as every step takes him closer to the darkest of truths.

Judging A Book By It's Cover: Once A Witch

So, today the cover I'm judging is:

I like it! The colors are definitely eye-catching, the book makes me think of a million possible synopsis' for Once A Witch, and they show just enough of the girl's face to leave some to the imagination, but enough to still look good too. And the font's edgy and new. Definitely one I would pick up based on the cover.

Now that we've judged the cover, here's what the book is about:

Tamsin Greene comes from a long line of witches, and she was supposed to be one of the most Talented among them. But Tamsin's magic never showed up. Now seventeen, Tamsin attends boarding school in Manhattan, far from her family. But when a handsome young professor mistakes her for her very Talented sister, Tamsin agrees to find a lost family heirloom for him. The search—and the stranger—will prove to be more sinister than they first appeared, ultimately sending Tamsin on a treasure hunt through time that will unlock the secret of her true identity, unearth the sins of her family, and unleash a power so vengeful that it could destroy them all. This is a spellbinding display of storytelling that will exhilarate, enthrall, and thoroughly enchant.

Judging A Book By It's Cover: Eighth Grade Bites

Here's the cover we're judging today:


I kind of love this cover. I love the red face on the hoodie and the way it pops, I love the image of Vlad, and I love how the text is on the side. Having read the book (this is the only Vlad book I've read so far), I also think it really represents the book well.

Now that we've judged the cover, here's what the book is about:

Vlad has to keep his vampire urges under control while dealing with the pressures of middle school. Thirteen-year-old Vladimir Tod really hates junior high. Bullies harass him, the principal is dogging him, and the girl he likes prefers his best friend. Oh, and Vlad has a secret: His mother was human, but his father was a vampire. With no idea of the extent of his powers, Vlad struggles daily with his blood cravings and his enlarged fangs. When a substitute teacher begins to question him a little too closely, Vlad worries that his cover is about to be blown. But then he faces a much bigger problem: He’s being hunted by a vampire killer.

Judging A Book By It's It's Cover: A Chalice Of Wind

The cover I'm judging today is:

I kind of like the cover. I love the background, and the picture is both eerie and eye-grabbing. I do think that the cover's too busy. There's a lot of words with different fonts, and not a lot of room to put the words. So overall, I'm on the fence about this one. But it must've done something right, since I do own it.

Now that we've judged the cover, here's what the book is about:

After seventeen-year-old Thais Allard loses her widowed father in a tragic car accident, she is forced to leave the only home she’s ever known to live with a total stranger in New Orleans. New Orleans greets Thais with many secrets and mysteries, but none as unbelievable as the moment she comes face to face with the impossible— an identical twin, Clio.Thais soon learns that she and the twin she never knew come from a family of witches, that she possesses astonishing powers, and that she, along with Clio, has a key role in Balefire, the coven she was born into. Fiery Clio is less than thrilled to have to share the spotlight, but the twins must learn to combine their powers in order to complete a rite that will transform their lives and the coven forever.

Judging A Book By It's Cover: Ruined

Here's the cover I'm judging today:

The cover of Ruined is vague, mysterious, and great for what the book seems to be about. And the ghost looks pretty much how I've always imagined ghosts: graceful, elegant, and beautiful. I loved the frayed edges, the fonts, and the cemetery. And the cover is even better in person.

Now that we've judged the cover, here's what the book's about:

Rebecca couldn't feel more out of place in New Orleans, where she comes to spend the year while her dad is traveling. She's staying in a creepy old house with her aunt. And at the snooty prep school, the filthy-rich girls treat Rebecca like she's invisible. Only gorgeous, unavailable Anton Grey seems to give Rebecca the time of day, but she wonders if he's got a hidden agenda. Then one night, in Lafayette Cemetery, Rebecca makes a friend. Sweet, mysterious Lisette is eager to talk to Rebecca, and to show her the nooks and crannies of the city. There's just one catch: Lisette is a ghost. A ghost with a deep, dark secret, and a serious score to settle. As Rebecca learns more from her ghost friend - and as she slowly learns to trust Anton Grey-she also uncovers startling truths about her own history. Will Rebecca be able to right the wrongs of the past, or has everything been ruined beyond repair?

Judging A Book By It's Cover: Bones Of Faerie

Here's the cover I'm judging today:


I really like this cover. It's simple, elegant, and mysterious. I love the font for both the author and title font, and the color of the leaf is SO pretty. Even though I'm not sure the leaf has anything to do with the story...but maybe it does. I wouldn't know yet. But, all in all, it doesn't scream "ACTION PACKED!", but it's simplicity is done so well.

Now that we've judged the cover, here's what the book's about:

The war between humanity and Faerie devastated both sides. Or so 15-year-old Liza has been told. Nothing has been seen or heard from Faerie since, and Liza’s world bears the scars of its encounter with magic. Trees move with sinister intention, and the town Liza calls home is surrounded by a forest that threatens to harm all those who wander into it. Then Liza discovers she has the Faerie ability to see—into the past, into the future—and she has no choice but to flee her town. Liza’s quest will take her into Faerie and back again, and what she finds along the way may be the key to healing both worlds. Janni Lee Simner’s first novel for young adults is a dark fairy-tale twist on apocalyptic fiction—as familiar as a nightmare, yet altogether unique.