I Always Judge a Book by Its Cover

Heart of the City by Ariel Sabar. I love New York, so it’s no surprise I love this cover. Part grunge, part classic Big Apple dedication, the design captures the unique persona of its subject matter: love in a city as anonymous as New York. Anyone can spot the familiar “I <3 NY” logo through use of the American Typewriter font and large red heart. I like that only a magnified chunk of this logo makes its way to the cover, with the red heart encasing the appropriate book title. This part of the cover looks to be a page torn out of an old book, and rests atop what appears to be a peeling, painted facet that could reside in practically any alley in the city. Whether you see it as city grunge or tribute to real-life New York romances, you have to admit this is a design worthy of such a city.

Readers’ Average Rating: B

Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan. Appropriate for Valentine’s Day, this cover uses creative street signage and hearts to a perfect degree. With a colorful blurred-out cityscape serving as background, readers are immediately transported to an urban setting of love and youth. Both the book’s title and authors make clever use of the street signs, and one must note that these signs are in focus against the blurry city. The final lovely touch comes from the decoration of hearts, both as a walk sign and as scattering snowflakes. This design spectacularly showcases a New York romance for young adults.

Readers’ Average Rating: B+