I Always Judge a Book by Its Cover

I Wore the Ocean in the Shape of a Girl by Kelle Groom. This cover is lovely, and not just because of its fantastic title. The graceful, unraveling blue scarf (or perhaps ribbon) creates an intense contrast against the billowing, stormy clouds in the background. The photography is beautiful, touched just right with an effect that is somehow both sharp and hazy, an eye-popping combination that is very popular right now. The bright blue of the scarf is gorgeous and likely symbolic of two words in the title: “ocean” and “shape.” The delicate, curly typography weaved into the scarf adds just the right feminine appeal for the memoir detailing a woman’s descent into alcoholism. This design is both aesthetically stunning and incredibly effective at creating visual (and textual) allegory.

Readers’ Average Rating: B

The Archaeology of Home by Katharine Greider. The use of selected color in this design is magnificent. Immediately the eye is drawn to the color gradient that highlights a specific Lower East Side apartment in this photograph. The gradient fades from red to white to turquoise, like a funky patriotic theme, breathing unnatural life into the old structure. This apartment literally stands out from the rest of the black and white photo, which is a great illustration of the story to come. I like that the edges of the cover (and photo) are beset with faded smudges, a grunge look before grunge was cool. Finally, the use of the titles slanted to the perspective of the street line and building rise is indeed a clever (and appropriate, considering the ties to architecture) design move. If the story is as interesting at the cover, readers of memoirs will want to pick this one up.

Readers’ Average Rating: B-

In Stitches by Anthony Youn. One look at this cover inspires intrigue, if not fascination. Between the title and certain visuals, viewers can ascertain that this is a memoir concerning a medical incident. Yet the design is set up so creatively that even those not normally interested in said memoirs must look twice. The cream and tan color scheme intermixed with bright red provides an appropriately sterile design with bits of pizazz. The Barbie doll torso and arms on either side of a red candy sucker suggests a number of puzzling possibilities. I love the band-aid backdrop for the author’s title, yet another indication of the story’s medical premise. I must admit that the design is somewhat misleading, however—judging by the Barbie body parts, I would have guessed this memoir surrounded a woman’s tale of the body, not a man’s tale of the mouth. Even so, the cover is a success in terms of cleverness and color.

Readers’ Average Rating: B+

Tiger, Tiger by Margaux Fragoso. This gorgeous cover art in no way speaks to the devastating truths within the pages. With a triadic color scheme of blues, greens, and yellows, the design emits a sense of deep peace and beautiful settings. It is interesting, too, that the forest (and cover itself) is framed by black vegetation, a kind of burrow opening into a magical place of nature. The trees themselves are illustrated with delicacy and ethereal grace. The yellow title sits naturally against the blue-green background, neither jarring nor camouflaged. Perhaps the sense of safety and calm expressed by the design is a metaphor for the memoir’s subject matter—pedophiles tricking children into their dark grips. Either way, the cover is misleading, yet undeniably mesmerizing.

Readers’ Average Rating: B+

Tornado Warning by Elin Stebbins Waldal. ‘Tis the season for tornadoes, so why not celebrate (if you’re into tornadoes) with an appropriate cover? What I love most about this design is the high contrast color against the looming thunderous sky. The clouds in the background are various shades of grey, exuding the chaotic violence of such a storm. The disintegrating flower, or perhaps dandelion, is bursting with color against the ominous background. The stem is bright spring-time green and the exploding petals are vibrant orange-yellow. This provides space for the title, which is bold white against the flower. This design is the picture of spring and one of nature’s most furious acts. My only complaint is how misleading the title and design is—no one would ever guess this is a memoir about teen dating violence unless they read the fine print.

Readers’ Average Rating: A-

Revolution by Deb Olin Unferth. With a design like this, the book should be called “revelation” instead of Revolution. The cover pops with a background color that is somewhere between red and fuchsia and suffused with a grunge texture. The multicolored diagonal title is probably my favorite part of the design. It is blocky in nature, but stretches across the cover in a flexible, fun manner. The white silhouette of a woman sitting atop one of the letters is another fun touch, and clearly signifies the author and her time spent roaming the war-town jungles of South America in 1987. Another indication of the memoir’s setting comes from the white (and occasionally black) silhouettes of palm trees and tropical birds in the lower left corner. This colorful design is an achievement in memoir creativity.

Readers’ Average Rating: B+

My Appetite for Destruction by Steven Adler. The majority of celebrities who put out books feature themselves on the cover—that is just one of the reasons why I like this famous drummer’s memoir design. Mostly, I’m excited about all the interesting elements that work together on this cover. With classic Guns N’ Roses touches, the design still manages to stand alone in terms of authenticity. I love the faded, Old West look and the complementing red accents. Besides, what could be cooler than sixguns and roses together (Can you tell I’m a Dark Tower fan?)?

Readers’ Average Rating: B

Fury by Koren Zailckas. This cover channels movie-poster vintage. Its use of color and texture is fantastic. The striking red title (appropriate, considering the word) transposed over the velvety dark green background presents a perfect contrast in hue and feel. The blurred face of the girl is just the right amount of creepy and intriguing. In class memoir fashion, the straight-forward, sans-serif text complements the bold simplicity of the design.

Readers’ Average Rating: B