Sunday, 9 October 2016

How Do You Feel About Matching Book Covers?


Above is my collection of books by the author Lisa Genova, as you can see, the first two books are one cover design and the lower two a different cover variety. It was actually only recently that I completed my Lisa Genova collection up to date, and it was upon receiving the last book in the collection that I got to thinking about the difference in covers, and how overtime I have changed as a book reader and collector.

Once upon a time I would have HAD to replace two of these covers so that they would all match - it would have bothered me to the extent that I would have paid extra money in order to replace books I already owned so that the collection matched... To me now that seems absurd, but a year or so ago, it made perfect sense.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for matching covers - had I purchased all the books in the one go, I assure you they would definitely all be the same cover design, but I don't NEED them to be matching anymore... Unless it's a series, of course.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT MATCHING BOOK COVERS?

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15 comments

  1. I have given up worrying about it because they change them halfway through series and I would rather buy books I don't own than repurchase ones that I do. But, I used to do that... lol I have even got over my owning a series in the same format issues. I recently read The Fifth Season as an e-book for example, and resisted buying it in paperback when I bought the sequel in paperback. That being said, if I find books at the second hand store that match my current covers, then I will buy a book I all ready own. :)

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    1. It feels great when you're able to let go of bookish hang ups like that, doesn't it?! Although, I don't think I could deal with the different formats in a series! Thanks for sharing your thoughts :-)

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  2. I never thought about those that collected books and the difficult decision you would have. I don't mind different covers for stand alone's but I really don't like when they do it in a series. The Amanda Stevens Graveyard series is a great example, the first 3 are gorgeous Gothic looks. The last 2-3 are nice but nothing like the original.

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    1. I took a look at the series you referenced and I totally see what you mean - I don't like when they switch series artwork up like that either! Also, I've seen quite a few book covers for Still Alice too.

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  3. BTW I have never seen that version of Still Alice cover, that must have 3-4 covers I believe.

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  4. I have both kinds in my collection. I have some series that are all the same and I have a lot that are varied, like my Ann Patchett and Madeleine L'Engle books. Some are hardcover and some are paperback; I'm just trying to collect all of their books in whichever versions I find.

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    1. That totally makes sense - GET ALL THE BOOKS :-P

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  5. I only need my covers to match if they are a series. I can't stand when they don't match unless the books were released many, many years apart.

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    1. When a series doesn't match, it is quite frustrating. I like mine to match in those circumstances. Thanks for sharing your thoughts :-)

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  6. If it's not a series, it doesn't bother me all that much. Not enough to buy another copy of the book, unless I was getting it super cheap.

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    1. That totally makes sense - I'm glad I'm not wasting money like that anymore!

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  7. This is maybe slightly different, but one of my favorite authors, Emily Giffin, had a definite signature style for her covers for her first few books - the same cute font, written small, with just a tiny image related to the book. Her last couple books have deviated from that - the size of the title has gotten a lot bigger and the font has changed dramatically. I'm not sure if I like it! But - it's Emily Giffin, so I will buy anything she writes.

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    1. I totally get what you mean! I don't like it when they change the overall format / theme of an author's cover designs either. Thanks for sharing :-)

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  8. Haha, I had to chuckle at your last sentence! The not matching cover thing never really bothered me as much as other readers, other than to grumble a bit if I liked the first design better and wondering why the publisher messed with a good thing -- if it ain't broke, don't fix it, right?

    It's never bothered me to have mixed hardcover and paperbacks for a series either which I know bugs some people.

    My one book design indulgence lately though has been replacing some classics with different editions, particularly illustrated editions. I keep thinking the beautiful artwork will make me more likely to read them - and to interest my son in reading them one day! I'm probably being silly, but I do think it will add to the reading experience. I've also gotten some Audible editions of books I have in print, but those don't take up any room! I really enjoyed doing both print and audio for the Beatrix Potter stories and hope to try that approach for more classics in the future :)

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    1. 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it' - I'm with you on that!

      The hardcover and paperback thing used to bother me, as well as the matching covers, but I have overcome that also. I think the older I get I realise those kind of things really don't matter.

      Ah, I don't think that's silly at all, and illustrations definitely add to a reading experience - whether young or old! I know a lot of people mix reading audio and print books of the same title, but I just don't think I could do that. In fact I'm terrible with even listening to audios at the moment. I hope that method helps you to read more classics in the future, like you hope!

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