CURIOUS COVERS

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

It's Kind of a Funny Story Galley cover... by Ned Vizzini

Definitely not for airheads!

Looking up the nose of Love by verybigjen

A ripsnorting romance!

Importance of a good title!

Recent Acquisitions: Ivor Cutler Mini-Book by looceefir

For Potty People only!

toilets book cover wmark by dogs down belows

Attention Loo-Lovers!

Chatterbox Annual - (1940) by mando maniac

Macho Motormouth?

Pocket Full of Rain and Other Stories by Jason by fantagraphics

A Pocketfull of Precipitation?

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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

How Santa Really Works

Cheerful Stories & Funny Pictures

jasons christmas gifts by little english

A Cookbook For Men

Naughty Needles?

Idea Book (Handmade)

A Novel Christmas!

Very Important Person

"The Catholic Girl's Guide to Sex is here to help you enjoy your inevitable fall from grace." by Fenchurch!

For Holy-Rollers?

Birds of a feather...

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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

by: Ned Drew, Paul Sternberger

A book is definitely known by its cover...so make it memorable!

Amazon Price: $20.42 (as of 07/05/2009)

Front Cover: Great Book Jackets and Cover Design

by: Alan Powers

A collection of good book cover designs.

Amazon Price: $14.96 (as of 07/05/2009)

Cover To Cover: Creative Techniques For Making Beautiful Books, Journals & Albums

by: Shereen LaPlantz

For those D.I.Y. folks who want to make their own book, journal and album cover.

Amazon Price: $11.53 (as of 07/05/2009)

Children's Book Covers: Great Book Jacket and Cover Design

by: Alan Powers

Who says designing book covers for kids isn't fun?

Amazon Price: $19.77 (as of 07/05/2009)

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!