While the cover alone doesn’t make or break a book for me, book covers are an important part of deciding to read a book. If the book is by an author I know and adore, or part of an ongoing series, I’m going to read it regardless of what the cover looks like. But if it’s a new-to-me author or a title I’m not familiar with, the cover can make a huge difference. That’s why it makes me sad to see so many disappointing covers lately.

Covers that draw my eye include bright colors or dynamic scenes. I am also drawn to unique typography or central images. Here are some covers I love.

Unfortunately, I’ve been seeing some covers with blank typography or repeated use of the same stock photos over and over, or flat scenes that don’t even reflect the story. These are the covers that I just skim past as I am looking for book recommendations.