WELCOME TO CURIOUS COVERS
Welcome to Curious Covers!
As the old saying goes, "never judge a book by its cover". But why not? After all, some of them are a tad quaint perhaps even a bit quirky. While on the other hand, some are just downright questionable!
This light-hearted lens is dedicated not to what is going on between the sheets , but rather what appears on the wrapping paper.
Images and words are, of course, designed to tweak your imagination by inviting you to dive or simply delve into the book's contents as the case may be. On the other hand, some may languish on the shelves for many years gathering an inch of dust without so much as a "tsk tsk" or even a "tut tut" if you please.
CURIOUS COVER OF THE MONTH CLUB

"One Beastly Beast" (Japanese/English Translation)
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Image Credit: Illustration by Mr. Biggs@flickr.com
THE ODD AND OBSCURE BOOKCOVER COLLECTION
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DUST JACKETS
"Dust jackets" and "dust wrappers", are the detachable front and back folded flaps or wrapping that can be found around hard-back books.Made of paper, plastic or fabric, the dust jacket is designed to protect the book against scratches. It also has an intrinsic value if not an aesthetic or financial one, especially for book binding collectors.
The cover may be quite simple with simple colors and type only, or involve illustration and photography. The front flap usually highlights the contents while the back flap contains information about the author or short snippets by reviewers.
THE CRAZY CHRISTMAS COVER COLLECTION
THE CURIOUS COVER RESOURCE LIBRARY
- FAUX COVERS
- Here's something new...amaze your friends with these silly slip-on book covers.
- SNAPPY SELECTION OF COVERS
- Some are surreal, while others might make you scratch your head.
- DEEP MUSING DESIGNS
- Now here's one you can have fun with!
- BOOK COVER EXPRESS
- These folks will help you design your very own book cover (if you want to self-publish a novel or technical tome.)
- HELPFUL HINTS FOR BOOK COVERS
- Some great resources for those who want to know more about book cover art and illustration.
- MOST COVETED COVERS
- A short critique of modern book covers (with illustrations).
- THE DECLINE OF DESIGN...
- A word about what has changed over the years.
- BOOK DESIGN IN CANADA
- Yes there actually is a curious Canuck collection (pity there are no pictures).
- DUST JACKET ARTISTS AND ILLUSTRATORS
- Here's a fine selection of vintage illustrations and more information about their creative geniuses.
- HANG ON TO THAT PERFECT FIRST EDITION OF DANIELLE STEELE
- A book is almost always known by its cover, and to the antiquarian (rare book collector) its appearance most certainly conveys its value.
- THE WIZARDS OF ODD
- A delightful dust jacket that exemplifies the curious contents by well known odd characters.
- ROMANCE NOVEL ART
- Romance novels have been a mainstay of cover art that disguises what goes on between the sheets.
- BIZARRE BOOKS
- A rather fine collection of curious book titles.
- WONDER WHAT THE COVER OF THESE BOOKS LOOK LIKE?
- Odd-ball books deserve odd-ball covers...and one wonders just what appears on the front of these titillatingly titled tomes.
- THE GOREY DETAILS
- Edward Gorey, an eccentric author and unconventinal illustrator, made more than a few tongues wag with his intriguing escapades into esoteric ephemera.
- VERY STRANGE BOOK COVERS
- Are you sure you're read to learn about "Knitting With Dog Hair" and "How to Toilet Train Your Cat"?
- WHAT'S WRONG WITH MY SNAKE?
- What every happy-challenged herpetologist wants to know...and the graphic will make you giggle if nothing else.
- DO-IT-YOURSELF WACKY COVER
- Here's a rather fine way to generate your very own daring or delightful dustjacket.
- BEST BOOKCOVER OF 2007?
- We'll leave you to be the best judge of this one.
- AVON BOOK COVERS
- A very odd collection of off-the-beaten track book covers.
- BATTY BOOKCOVER CLUB
- A wonderful collection of curious covers to keep one amused for at least 15 minutes!
- RIDICULOUS BOOK TITLES AND COVERS
- Here's a rather fine collection of oddly titled books and their covers.
BOOK DESIGN AND COVERS MADE EASY
By Its Cover: Modern American Book Cover Design
A book is definitely known by its cover...so make it memorable!
Front Cover: Great Book Jackets and Cover Design
A collection of good book cover designs.
Cover To Cover: Creative Techniques For Making Beautiful Books, Journals & Albums
For those D.I.Y. folks who want to make their own book, journal and album cover.
Children's Book Covers: Great Book Jacket and Cover Design
Who says designing book covers for kids isn't fun?
ALTERED ART & BOOK COVERS
For those with short-attention spans and creative hands, there is hobby that's right up your alley called the altered book (a form of mixed media artwork).All you have to do is take an old or recylcled book, remove the pages and create your own with pockets, found three dimensional objects, trinkets, or odds and ends. Redesign the cover by changing it's shape, or just adding a bit of zip with a collage of old photos, illustrations, advertising text, pieces of fabric, or by drawing your own cartoons.
If you're really creative...you can become a member of the International Society of Altered Book Artists. And if that doesn't turn your crank, you can always flog your altered books at flea markets, on friends for special occasions, or perhaps hawk them at your favorite online auction!
ALTERED BOOK COVERS
For those who are tired of bland book covers want to try their hand at creating their very own bizarre, fun or weird wrappings!
ENTERTAINING EPHEMERA
Urgent 2nd Class: Creating Curious Collage, Dubious Documents, and Other Art from Ephemera
How to create curious covers from the masters!
The Complete Guide to Altered Imagery : Mixed-Media Techniques for Collage, Altered Books, Artist Journals, and More
A great guide to making altered art books!
Visual Chronicles: The No-Fear Guide to Creating Art Journals, Creative Manifestos and Altered Books
Visually stimulating works of art...and how to make them!
Creative License, The: Giving Yourself Permission to Be The Artist You Truly Are
Let your inner artist come out and play!
Tomorrow : Adventures in an Uncertain World
When today is getting you down, try Tomorrow!
LOOPY LOVELORN TALES
Ripsnorting romance novels with a twist.
BATTY BOOKMARKS FOR THE BAFFLED & BEWILDERED
SNAPPY SNIPPETS WELCOME!
blue22d wrote...
Great idea for a lens. I like the altered book covers pics. Five stars to you.
Stazjia wrote...
I love the examples of book covers you've chosen. Welcome to the Art & Design Group.

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