Cover Awe: Textures, Cats, & More

Welcome back to Cover Awe, where we talk about things we like about book covers.

The Spare Man by Mary Robinette Kowal. An illustrated cover of a man and woman starting in front of silver, sleek futuristic bar. The man is in a dark grey 3-piece suit, leaning against the bar and looking seriously at the woman in front of him. She has a short, curly  blonde bob and is wearing a silver knee-length dress with sparkly blue shawl. She's using a cane, while a small white terrier is perched at feet.

Cover art by Jaime Jones

Amanda: I love how the artist drew the different fabric textures and details!

Sarah: I love this cover. I love looking at it, I love how subtle and stylish it is, I love the lighting. I love it.

When Life Gives You Vampires by Gloria Duke. A illustrated blue cover with the silhouettes of bats. A plus-sized woman stands with her hands on her hips, wearing coral pants that end at the ankle with a pink tank top, black blazer, and black strappy heels. She has curly orange hair.

Cover art by Louisa Cannell

Amanda: The coral and pinks of the outfit really make her standout. And yes, I want this outfit, though I’ll be changing out the heels for booties.

Sarah: This is so cute.

Blue by Emmelie Prophete. A hardcover book resting on a fabric of twisting colors of white, pinks, browns, and oranges. The cover looks like collage that comes together of a Black woman with a golden halo on a deep, blue green canvas.

Cover art by Tamara Natalie Madden

Maya: I was just flipping through a list of Caribbean authors and saw this!! (decidedly not a romance)

Sneezy: Oh my GOD!

Sarah: That is exquisite design.

Chasing Your Tail by Kate McMurray. An illustrated cover of a black and white cat tripping a woman right into the arms of a hunky pastry chef, holding a plate of cupcakes.

Cover art by Elizabeth Turner Stokes

Amanda: The hero is a pastry chef for a cat cafe and I love the real time photo of a cat trying to trip a human. Seeing a lot more mischievous animals on book covers lately.

Comments are Closed

  1. DonnaMarie says:

    The cover of THE SPARE MAN also has a subtle reference to the character’s place in the story. Shal at her side, but in the background. Tesla front and center, the focus of all eyes unless Gimlet is present, and then it’s all about the dog.

  2. Jane says:

    “Chasing Your Tail” is like me and Coco in the kitchen every night, but without the hot guy with cupcakes. I don’t know why I’m being tripped—maybe just revenge for taking so long getting his dinner.

  3. filkferengi says:

    The gorgeous cover on _Blue_ by Tamara Natalie Madden brings back fond memories of many Leo & Diane Dillon covers.

  4. Sandra says:

    The Spare Man is an all around great book. It was on sale recently, which is when I picked it up, but seems to be back to regular price.

  5. Gail says:

    Ha! Love the cat tripping a human. This happens in my house almost weekly.

  6. MelMc says:

    So much with the cat tripping. I recently realized I’ve developed the habit of going down the first stair then stopping so I don’t trip on the cat running past. This is regarded as very strange at work unless I’m with other cat slaves.

  7. Jane says:

    MelMc, I totally get it. I don’t have stairs (thank goodness) but for me it is in the dark after leaving a room. I take two steps and then wait for the (black) cat to dart past my feet, crossing over my path, before I continue.

  8. HeatherS says:

    @MelMc: I do similar, but it’s me pausing at my bedroom door as I go into the living room. Otherwise my cat WILL trip me and then complain vocally about it. He’s old and takes longer to get off the bed now, so the doorway is where he catches up to and passes me.

  9. I love the cover of The Spare Man. It so perfectly captures the “Thin Man in space” vibes of the book. And I really want a Gimlet. (The dog, not the cocktail.)

  10. denise says:

    Beautiful covers

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