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Books with Gorgeous Covers Our Staff Loves

They say, “never judge a book by its cover”, but here at the library we not only celebrate cover love but also encourage it! Picking a book based on the cover is completely valid. Someone (or many people) worked really hard to make that cover gorgeous. Looking at the cover first, synopsis second is also one of the easiest ways to get a reluctant reader to pick up a new book. So come on, pick up a book based on its gorgeous cover. The insides just might match.

A beautiful, mysterious graphic novel about fear, insecurity, and creativity, from the enchanting imagination of Lorena Alvarez. While this graphic novel was written with the intention for children to read it, the stunning illustrations and creepy plot will intrigue anyone.

After hiding in a karate school to escape a bully, Bushi wakes up in another time and learns from a karate master that intelligence can be more powerful than mere strength. The illustrations are amazing!

A powerful, vibrantly illustrated story about the first day of school–and two sisters on one’s first day of hijab–by Olympic medalist and social justice activist Ibtihaj Muhammad. With her new backpack and light-up shoes, Faizah knows the first day of school is going to be special. It’s the start of a brand new year and, best of all, it’s her older sister Asiya’s first day of hijab–a hijab of beautiful blue fabric, like the ocean waving to the sky. But not everyone sees hijab as beautiful, and in the face of hurtful, confusing words, Faizah will find new ways to be strong.

Firekeeper’s Daughter is a groundbreaking YA thriller about a Native teen who must root out the corruption in her community. I love this cover, because of the gorgeous use of color and thick lines.

This book is beautiful inside out! Taking chances, even when it feels risky. The best moments in life are out of your comfort zone. This book sparked my interest into taking more chances as they come, and start creating my own version of a bucket list.

I’m a sucker for anything watercolor and these cover illustrations capture the beauty of the alternate realities reflecting off each other (parallel worlds, anyone??) Marguerite Caine’s physicist parents are known for their groundbreaking achievements. Their most astonishing invention, called the Firebird, allows users to jump into multiple universes—and promises to revolutionize science forever. But then Marguerite’s father is murdered, and the killer—her parent’s handsome, enigmatic assistant Paul— escapes into another dimension before the law can touch him.

I love that this book tells a story with the cover image alone. The way the artist uses the colors is soft and subtle and really encourages you to take your time looking at it. A medieval saga with political intrigue reminiscent of Game of Thrones, The Golden Age is an epic graphic novel duology from Roxanne Moreil and Cyril Pedrosa about utopia and revolution.

This book is about the most compelling theme in Jenny Lawson’s work: living with severe depression and mental illness-and taxidermied roadkill raccoons. Dude, it’s a taxidermied raccoon with a big smile on its face. What’s not to love?

Who better than Kite Runner author Hosseini to capture world attention in a work clarifying our understanding of the refugee’s awful yearning and sometimes awful fate? Inspired by the heartrending image of three-year-old Syrian Alan Kurdi, found drowned on Turkey’s shore in September 2015, this brief, illustrated work is presented as a letter from a father to his son, reflecting on the dangerous life they’re leaving behind and the dangerous sea voyage they face.

This cover very much suits the book. Mr. King has written an in-depth biography of an actual bookseller who lived during the 14th century.  In addition to doing incredible amounts of research, he made the book quite readable.  It feels a bit like stepping into a street in Florence during that time, where you might see the scene on the cover.

Before RuPaul’s Drag Race propelled the cultural phenomenon into the global spotlight, drag had been around for thousands of years. Immerse yourself in the rich history of drag in this lusciously illustrated guide, brimming with dazzling colors and fabulous facts, all held together with a unique Swiss binding that lets each spread lay flat so that you can experience this book in all its trailblazing glory. I love the cover of this book because of the bold use of color and shapes. You may not be able to tell from the picture but the title is foiled in gold.

I really fell in love with the story as I was writing it. I wrote it back in 2016 and to help me cope with, well, everything that I could see happening in society. The characters fight for survival in a world that’s gone completely corrupt and find that the painful truth of who humanity is, is the only path to redemption in the end.

I love this cover, because of how dark and mysterious it is. I also love that while looking at the cover you just see random objects, but after finishing the book they all hold so much more meaning. Chosen from birth to usher in a new era, Poppy’s life has never been her own. The life of the Maiden is solitary. Never to be touched. Never to be looked upon. Never to be spoken to. Never to experience pleasure. Waiting for the day of her Ascension, she would rather be with the guards, fighting back the evil that took her family, than preparing to be found worthy by the gods. But the choice has never been hers.

A world divided. A queendom without an heir. An ancient enemy awakens. The best fantasy books have dragons (don’t @ me). Just LOOK AT THIS DRAGON!

The power of photography to witness, reveal, persuade, celebrate, explore and change the way we see the world. This book is filled with stunning, beautiful photographs.  It’s a great coffee table-style book to just look at and admire.