Day 77: 5ПЯТИЛЕТКА

I think I was a Russian in a past life. A Russian or a Mongolian. I read Five Months in A Leaky Boat in primary school and became obsessed. It's not particularly a great book, at all. But I simply loved it and it sparked my love and interest in Russia (Mongolia too). This book, however, may be somewhat of a pill to swallow. Firstly, I don't speak Russian, unless vodka translates to vodka. Secondly, I don't read Russian, unless vodka translates to vodka. I'm beginning to think in these circumstances vodka could come in handy.

It is a really striking book cover even if I have no idea what's going on. There could be some hardcore blasphemy against the entire human race inside there. Bit of light reading, huh? And of course the colour red and Russia really transpire to something else. Putting my half-hearted political innuendos aside, the Russian culture, history and people are something to think about. Then again if you're not a history enthusiast like myself you can enjoy the design. This book cover is apparently quite famous.

Day 76: A Perfect Mess, The Hidden Benefits of Disorder by Eric Abrahamson and David H. Freedman

Oh how I can see you squirm. This picture doesn't bother me. I feel no great desire to correct the lamp or to correct the F. But thinking about those who I know would need to makes me laugh wholeheartedly. Of course, it's a sad condition, having the burning desire to wash your hands 30 times after doing anything. It's actually also quite annoying. How do you get anything done?  Rather than comment more I thought I'd leave you with some oddly satisfying images (even for me) to describe this cover. Enjoy.

Day 75: A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think this cover makes use of all of the primary colours. What a bold statement to make! Colour-blocking has become very fashionable in recent times, gracing the covers of magazines and fashion blogs as well as being seen on celebrity outings.

Let's back track for a second. Colour-blocking is known as wearing multiple solid colors in an outfit. Alright now fast forward. So you know what colour-blocking is, how do you do it? Take a hint from the above. Get the brightest colours from the opposite side of the colour wheel and give it a whirl. 

As you can see the possibilities are endless. Not without rules though, however flexible they may be. Black will always be classic, primary colours will always be the same, and figure flattery will still apply. I'm undecided about the above cover. Does he look like a warped Noddy character? See http://tinyurl.com/ph34vfn

Day 74: Creature by Andrew Zuckerman

If you've been piecing me together through this blog you'll know I love cats. Cats, dogs, cows, sheep, goats, you name it, I kinda love 'em. Animals are majestic creatures. But cats are my first true love.

Did you know, The Cat Fanciers' Association (wait, what?) recognizes 22 cat breeds that come with a solid black coat? Now you do. You're all the better for it. A solid black cat may be coal black, grayish black, or brownish black, with the exception of the oriental, sphynx and ragamuffin, just to name a few.

Although I have no idea what this book is about, judging from the cat, the title, and the colour, a few ideas pop to mind. Anarchy? Superstition? Bad luck? Who knows I'm not the one telling the story mate. Nevertheless the cover is striking and resounds within me. How can something so precious and innocent connote such negative themes? 

Day 73: Ramona by Helen Jackson

So far, most of the book covers I've reviewed have either been your stock standard hard cover or paperback. I believe this is the first textured book cover I've come across to feature on the blog!

When I think of a textured book, leather-bound books come straight to mind. People have leather-bound books for aesthetic reasons such as decorating a room or library shelves, and other people have leather-bound books that are simply versions of their favourite novels.

Whatever their motivations, I'm assuming this book cover isn't leather-bound. Instead it looks to me as if it's a rich, hard-wearing material. Perhaps linen (not that rich, even if you do pay a fortune for it) or canvas, both of which I have no particular knowledge about.

Either way, knowledgeable or not, there's no denying the wholesome, classical feeling you get when you see one of these books. It's like you're looking at a piece of history. And I have to mention the rich blue of the book! It's like a midnight swim.

Whether you own textured books and read them regularly or have them as mere displays, they're truly delightful.

Day 72: Let's Make Some Great Art by Marion Deuchars

Books like these inspire me because I can't draw to save my life and it's a skill I would love to have. But I do wonder, do books like these actually inspire anyone? I guess it depends on the quality of the content right. Unfortunately we can't just flip through this one and make a call.* But judging from this cover I'm sold.

I'm sold on three equal parts: the colour of the background, the typography, and the illustrated bird. According to colour psychology, blue is the colour of the intellectual. All "how-to" authors should take note. If you want readers to choose your book, appeal to their intellect. Typography is also important, especially when it comes to design and art themed books. Without knowing it, the reader can easily be put off or attracted to how a word looks. Hence serif and sans-serif both have their pros and cons.

Last but not least, I would like to know how to draw the tiny, snowy bird in the bottom right corner. There's nothing better than being able to draw an animal. Actually there is one thing that's better. That's being able to draw an animal that's recognised by others.

No props to Mona, she already got enough.

*Hence blog title.

Day 71: Street Art New York by Jaime Rojo and Steven P. Harrington

This book cover is particularly attractive to me because I appeal to books with strong visual imagery and bright intricate details (don't quote me on this - I am unpredictable and contradictory). I'm not particularly profound when it comes to art. I don't even really know how to appreciate the finer details. Sometimes I don't even know what I like and what I don't like.

This cover is something I particularly like because I have a genuine appreciation for street art. There are two schools of thought surrounding street art. Either you're a firm believer in the term graffiti and any form of writings or drawings, scribbled, scratched or sprayed in public places comes under that umbrella. I put myself in the category of the other school of thought, that the world is a canvas. Of course whenever you categorise something so arbitrary there will be grey areas. After all, how often can scribbling your name be called art?

Day 70: Jip en Janneke by Annie M.G. Schmidt en Fiep Westendorp

After choosing many children's book covers to judge, I thought about the need for young children to read the same book over and over again. What is with that? I'm the first to put my hand up and say I'm guilty of this. My habit started with The Babysitters' Club when I was about 6-years-old. To this day, whenever I am stuck without a book at my parents home, I'll find a Babysitters' Club book and happily read it. I guess the familiarity and ease of how we find ourselves in the same situations over again is what makes us human.

Day 69: Harry Potter e La Pietra Filosofale by J.K. Rowling

I stumbled across an article in The Observer where writer Tom Lamont wonders why the same books in different countries are given completely different covers. 

Take for example the above Harry Potter book cover. What prompted the Italian designers to give young Harry a mouse-shaped hat...wait what?

Of course there are the emotional reasons as to why:

"What you are trying to get across on a cover is the essence of a book, quite an ambiguous thing," says Nathan Burton, a British designer. "Designers in different countries read and interpret the fiction in different ways." 

And the business reasons: 

Julian Humphries, head cover designer at Fourth Estate: "Different sales channels have different sensibilities," It can be hard to pinpoint what exactly these sensibilities are – "It's a cultural thing," he says, "as taste-driven as different countries eating different things for breakfast" 

So there's a few obvious reasons as to why this is done. What comes from this is a majestic range of Harry Potter covers that you may not have seen before. Here are some of my favourites! 

Harry Potter rocks double denim

Harry Potter rocks a perm

Harry Potter rocks

Read the full article here: http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2010/may/09/judge-book-by-cover

Day 68: Interim Goddess of Love by Mina V. Esguerra

Unfortunately my life is not as interesting as the characters embroiled in passionate and romantic novels such as this. Well so I imagine. So rather than bore you with what I know about...anything really, I decided to compile a list of quotes that sum up my thoughts on romantic novels. In no particular order, and in no particular sense I might add:

“I am ever a gentle maiden," she shouted. "Damn if I'm not.” 

- Julie Garwood, Honor's Splendour

“I had a romance novel inside me, but I paid three sailors to beat it out of me with steel pipes.” 

- Patton Oswalt

“I thought of writing a summary about you, but when I finished it was a book.” 

― Amit Kalantri, I Love You Too

“it takes one to know one” 

- Suzanne Collins

"Romance novels have this way of making real life not so romantic at all."

- Unknown 

And this last quote is probably the best. Capturing the moments of romantic novels that make you wonder why you read anything else, and the moments of romantic novels that make you want to read literally anything else:

"Always read something that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it."

- P.J. O'Rourke

Day 67: Jamaica's Best Beaches by Lebawit Lily Germa

If this book is designed to sell Jamaica's tourism industry to the world, I'd like to see how those figures are doing. From what I know about Jamaica, and can actively picture in my mind, this illustration does not do it justice. I could commission myself to take an image of Jamaica's worst beach on my 2-year-old iPhone 4S, apply no filter, and upload it to instagram with no hashtags and still reach over 20 likes. 

Challenge accepted. See you in Jamaica. 

Day 66: Esquimo by Fabricio Corsaletti

Upon researching international book covers I came across the 10th Brazilian Graphic Design Biennial in Sao Paulo earlier this year. This contemporary collection of Brazilian Graphic Design showcased a total of 444 projects which represents the best of Brazilian design over the last four years.

One of the four, "axes," as they're known, is called Editorial Biennial, with a focus on editorial publications and reading fonts. This is where I stumbled upon the above book cover created by Kiko Farkas/Maquina Estudio - whatever that means. There is a whole series of similar book covers and to be perfectly honest with you I'm not even sure they're actually books. There is a high chance I have no idea what they are.

Pushing all that aside, the one tone and black colour play together nicely on the book covers. It's skewed symmetry (what a contradiction) and simply typeface add dimension and depth while not confusing the viewer much, well, too much anyway.

See some of my favourites below.

Day 65: Pluk van de Petteflet by Annie M.G. Schmidt

In dedication to my Dutch m8 Renato, I have chosen a Dutch children's book.

From what I can gather, the main character is Pluk. Pluk has bright red hair. Pluk has a best friend called Dolly. Dolly is a dove. Are you following so far? 

See notes I compiled when creating this blog:

• Best friends w dove called dolly

Anyway Renato and myself both love this book simply because of Pluk! I mean just look at the cutie. From his locks, to his expression, to his stance, he is the perfect little Pluk. And I mean that in the most affectionate way. 

Rather than try and explain any further I've left you with some more illustrations of Pluk. Anyone have any real life Pluks? 

Day 64: if you want to see a whale by julie fogliano

Oh how I do though! This is a really cute book cover. If you've been reading my blog - perhaps reading might be a bit of a stretch. Let me rephrase, if you've seen my blog you may have noticed my obsession with children's books. Oh, I mean children's book covers. How is it that they capture my attention more than books that are written for adults? Surely that's a testament to my attention span and brain capacity. Who cares though. Any book that captures your attention is worth your time. You're a strong, black woman who don't need no man. And don't let anyone tell you otherwise. If you wanna see a whale, go and see that gaddamn whale. Ya'll hear me now?

Day 63: The Dark by Lemony Snicket

I want to reach through my computer screen and pull the boy away from the door and lock it forever. Too much? It's probably the garage or something right? Hmm if I know anything about Lemony Snicket, which I don't particularly, I know it's that nothing good is going to come from this. And although this book cover gives off an ominous scent that I can smell from a mile away, and like many horror movies, I can't help but want to know what happens. So I found out. Scroll down, if you dare.

"The voice of the dark was as creaky as the roof of the house, and as smooth and cold as the windows, and even though the dark was right next to Laszlo, the voice seemed very far away."

"What do you want?" asked Laszlo.

"I want to show you something," said the dark.

Now if that doesn't send shivers hurtling down your spine then I don't know what will. This is one of those rare covers that I see and immediately have to look inside. Mostly because it's a picture book, yes. My tendencies to think the worst of every situation really does not come in handy. 

Day 62: The Martian by Andy Weir

I'm a big fan of science fiction because of how inexplicable it is. So often we aim to understand how things work, how to do things better, the reason why. But for a moment we can forget about understanding and we can just marvel at the enigmatic, baffling, and bewildering world of the unknown. For this reason this book cover appeals to me in a big way! Of course I appreciate there's much more to science, and fiction, and science fiction than just a cool story. I don't even know what this story is even about. It may be about bar-tending in the 1930's. Because of this cover, I would still (try) read it. 

“I have never listened to anyone who criticized my taste in space travel, sideshows or gorillas. When this occurs, I pack up my dinosaurs and leave the room" - Ray Bradbury, Zen in the Art of Writing

Day 61: The Orphan Master's Son by Adam Johnson

Introducing the 2013 Pulitzer Prize winning entry, The Orphan Master's Son by Adam Johnson. Described as an epic novel and thrilling literary discovery, The Orphan Master's Son follows a young man's journey through the icy waters, dark tunnels, and eerie spy chambers of the world's most mysterious dictatorship, North Korea, and into the most intimate spaces of the human heart.

Well, nothing about this front cover screams North Korea to me - admittedly I can't think of much that does. I can tell there's Asian themes in it though. Being half Asian myself I'm allowed to say that. You see the lion has always been a revered symbol in Asian culture. The "powerful," and, "majestic," lions face and mane is actually one of the most widely acknowledged animal symbols in human culture. 

From what I can gather about this book cover is that this is the kind of reaction that Adam's team was after. The protagonist associated with bravery and courageousness, his intrepid journey representative of a lion's own life. A common motif. Of course there is much more to this story than the physical climbing over snow-capped North Korean peaks, or running through bullet-ridden jungles, or crawling through murky swamps. Even the bravest of men, who heart is like the heart of a lion, has something they would run from. 

Day 60: The Family Book by Todd Parr

It seems as if I'm developing a pattern of choosing book covers that deliver important life-learning messages through bright colours, playful anecdotes and silly scenes. Is this a testament to my distinctive sarcastic tendencies? Please note this is a rhetorical question. We already know the answer.

Anyway, similar to my personality, this book has been banned from a select few establishments. This is because of it's use of same-sex families. Personally, the use of shocking red on the cover is more offensive to me than its use of same-sex families.

The people are cute, the tree is cute, the words are cute. This is like the time Harry Potter got banned. Get a hobby people.

Day 59: Le Petit Prince by Antoine de Saint-Expury

After discovering this little classic online I automatically fell in love with the cover. The innocence of the illustration evokes feelings of youth and purity, something we often don't appreciate within ourselves until its gone, only memories we scratch at to remember.

One of my favourite childhood memories was having that love of play. Having the ability to leave all pressures, well whatever pressures a 10-year-old school kid would have, and simply disappear into the jungle that was the playground. It was nothing but fun, nothing but pure youthfulness. 

How easily we can watch it vanish.

Although we often trick ourselves into a satisfactory life of stresses, and responsibility, and structure, this book reminds me that for the shortest periods of our lives we once had all the sweetest freedoms in the world. 

Nostalgia will trip you up like that. 

Day 58: French Milk by Lucy Knisley

I simply adore this book cover. So much so I had to find out what it was about. Cover eyes and ears for the next section if you don't want to know.

"Through delightful drawings, photographs, and musings, twenty-three-year-old Lucy Knisley documents a six-week trip she and her mother took to Paris when each was facing a milestone birthday. With a quirky flat in the fifth arrondissement as their home base, they set out to explore all the city has to offer, watching fireworks over the Eiffel Tower on New Year's Eve, visiting Oscar Wilde's grave, loafing at cafés, and, of course, drinking delicious French milk. What results is not only a sweet and savoury journey through the City of Light but a moving, personal look at a mother-daughter relationship."

Take me to a grassy knoll, sit me under a breezy palm tree, and hand me this book on a platter. It's the sweetest thing. Sometimes we don't always need to know, what we need to know. Sometimes all we need is an inventory of consumption and wit-filled anecdotes to get us through. 

Day 57: The Reason Why by Cecil Woodham-Smith

I love this book cover for a large number of reasons, from the rainbow of noble colours, to the mini-horses galloping around the bottom, to the hair. (The hair!) This cover sets off a whole bunch of positive vibes and I'm just trying to catch all of them. Purple leaves, majestic horses, intricate uniforms, gold touches, high necks, sassy attitudes, bold brooches, sparkling rings, bright necklaces, untarnished moustaches, and the hair. (The hair!) The combination enthrals.

Artists, Leo and Diane Dillon created cover illustrations for many books that were not first editions as well as being prominently known as the world’s pre-eminent illustrators for young people. As told by the New York Times, the two produced artwork that was praised for its vibrancy, ecumenicalism and sheer sumptuous beauty. A seamless amalgam of both their hands. I couldn't leave out the rest of their illustrations dedicated to this book, so please marvel at the below. 

Day 56: Cunt: A Declaration of Independence by Inga Muscio

When I first saw this book on my flatmates bedside table I literally did a double-take. Yes you are seeing it correctly. Does it make you feel a little bit uncomfortable as well? Softening the word-in-question with a sunflower and bright blue sky backdrop does not lessen the blunt in the slightest. Hmm am I going to be able to access this blog post at work...

Nevertheless Inga Muscio must be happy by the reaction that punches through. How great! All you have to do is find a something that has some of the worst connotations known to man, chuck it on a canvas, and voila there's a head-turning piece of art.

If only it were that easy. All I really get from this is an overbearing, bra-burning, shaved head of a Birkenstock screaming down my throat. I know issues like feminism have come a long way in recent decades and stereotypes are hastily being broken down. But are we now trying to get our issues across by "swearing" at our audiences? I thought the shock tactic died out. Or am I an 84-year-old stuck in a 24-year-old body?

I readily admit that I have no idea what's behind this book. It could be a gardening book for all I know. Just saying what comes to mind. Over and out.

Day 55: Burn This Book edited by Toni Morrison

For today's book-cover-judgement I have decided to do an acrostic poem to express my feelings.

  Burn baby burn
  Under the scorching sun
  Right
  Now

  This book.
oH 
  I am so
  Sorry I can't take the

 Bold texts that take up a full page any longer.
 Oh how they
 Ostracize themselves. RIP
 Kraffic design.

So I'm not good at poetry. Sue me.

Day 54: Wide Awake: A Memoir of Insomnia by Patricia Morrisroe

During my time writing this blog I've come to appreciate the power and interpretation of colour psychology. More specifically colour psychology in design. While many designers, marketers, branders etc. see colour as an important aspect to what they do, as colour is used to influence emotion and perception, personal preference will always take a firm hold.

Like some, when I see yellow, I often imagine large bellowing sunflowers. Although, to be perfectly honest with you, sometimes certain shades of yellow can make me feel a bit ill, like something went down the wrong way. And looking at this book cover, I'm immediately feel a bit sickly. It has something to do with the shocking yellow, the stark black contrast of text, as well as the word, "insomnia." A hint of what's to come?

Even though you don't want to put people off what you're selling or doing, sometimes any emotional reaction is a good one. In this case, although I don't want to look at this cover any longer than I have to, I would like to read it. Any publicity is good publicity right?

Day 53: Mile-High Escapades of the Stewardess with the Moustache by Justin Taylor

I like this cover. Never has erotica and hilarity been emulated so well in illustration. Speaking of, did you know that Mills & Boon publish imprints and several titles are published monthly in most imprints? According to their website these are all identifiable by a series title and colour border. Here are some examples, in no particular order, for your knowledge and entertainment only:

1. Blaze - very sexual novels featuring couples in contemporary romantic relationships.
2. Desire - Sexual novels featuring couples in a contemporary setting with dramatic plots.
3. Nocturne - Paranormal romance imprint, mixing romance with genres such as horror, science fiction and fantasy.
4. Vintage - Backlist titles from the Modern. Desire and Historical imprints.
5. Medical Romance - Contemporary romances set against the background of the medical profession.

Wow.

Gerald Rusgrove Mills and Charles Boon, you two have really outdone yourselves.

Day 52: A Day in the Life of Canada by David Cohen and Rick Smolan

Look at those pins! I've said it (more than) once and I'll say it again, no one likes a boy with nicer legs than you. And it's true. I would look like one of my childhood troll dolls next to him. To jog your memory: http://tinyurl.com/d2aawe.

If you can move past his model limbs please take your attention to the cover as a whole and just pause for a moment. We'll get to the cat soon. Now ask yourself this, would you use this image to advertise your country? If your answer is yes then congratulations you are one of three people, in the whole wide world, who own this book. (Also congratulations on being an author). If your answer is no then you're in the 99.999999% of the population who are re-thinking ever visiting Canada. Wait, are visitors to Canada greeted by child brides from the 1930's yielding baseball bats with their long-legged husband/brother/cousin in tow? I must appreciate the stifled giggles this cover has given me. Stifled because I am jealous I wasn't blessed with those pins.

The only redeeming feature on this cover is actually the precious cat. And even he's thinking, get me the hell out of here.

Day 51: All my friends are dead by Avery Monsen and Jory John

I first saw this book while browsing Iko Iko, one of the very best little gift shops in New Zealand. They often stock interesting and quirky little books like these, and try as I might, I can't help liking all of them. Like cats.

Covers such as these really pack a punch. And they're not even aimed at the 20-something audience I'm grouped in. Perhaps for cheeky devils like me who think its a great birthday present to those in our lives on the other side of the hill. I mean, I did email a copy of this image through to my boss along with a cheeky inquiry as to when his birthday was.

Although I've cheated somewhat, as I have on previous occasion flipped through this book, the content inside indeed lives up to the expectations that cover has set. We're basically just laughing at the inevitable. After all we're not making it out of this one alive. Life, I mean.

"Avery Monsen is an actor, artist, and writer. Jory John is a writer, editor, and journalist. They are friends. And neither is dead. Yet."

For your perusal: ikoiko.com

Day 50: Where The Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

Today's book cover was chosen in dedication to Maurice Sendak, and also to my boyfriend, still Maurice's biggest fan. Rather than write anything I've chosen one of my favourite stories to share with you.

“Once a little boy sent me a charming card with a little drawing on it. I loved it. I answer all my children’s letters — sometimes very hastily — but this one I lingered over. I sent him a card and I drew a picture of a Wild Thing on it. I wrote, “Dear Jim: I loved your card.” Then I got a letter back from his mother and she said, “Jim loved your card so much he ate it.” That to me was one of the highest compliments I’ve ever received. He didn’t care that it was an original Maurice Sendak drawing or anything. He saw it, he loved it, he ate it.”

Day 49: I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

This reminds me of one of my favourite quotes by Roald Dahl. 

He wrote,

"...if you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely."

And I smile.

I guess this book cover is supposed to make you feel happy thoughts like that. From the thought of gifting someone the sun, to brightly lit colours, to the author's name, Jandy. 

So it does. 

Day 48: Yes Please by Amy Poehler

This book cover is somewhat atypical of your big screen star. Portrait of themselves on the front? Check. Name in bold? Check. Witty title? Check. But I guess they can get away with all of that because they know it's gonna cash cheques. I also have my doubts over its content. Is the book about how hard it was making it as a female in the comedic-industry? Or coming from no money as a child? Or leaving home at 5 to pursue a career? Don't get me wrong, I know we all love a feel good story. I'm just pointing out the obvious. The things we don't think about when we pick up a celebrity tell-all but are in fact the same reasons why we pick up a celebrity tell-all because we're all voyeuristic by nature. Don't think I don't love Amy Poehler. Because I definitely do. Which is why I'm going to leave you with one of her truest quotes that should ring true in all of our hearts and minds.

"To say I'm an overrated troll, when you have never seen me guard a bridge, is patently unfair."