Between Kindle, iBooks, and audiobooks, many people believe print books are dead. Bookstore closings don’t help disprove the idea either. However, many writers have taken their print books a step further, using design ideas along with their writing, that may prove print isn’t dead after all.
1. “S” by J.J. Abrams and Doug Dorst
The mystery novel by J.J. Abrams and Doug Dorst is designed to look like more than your regular novel. In fact, it’s meant to look like two. Presented as a novel within a novel, from the outside, it looks like a library book called “Ship of Theseus,” published in 1949 by fictitious author V.M. Straka. And yet, when you open the book, you’ll notice Jen and Eric’s notes (two readers). Their postcards, photos, newspaper clippings, etc. are all hidden between the pages.
2. “This Is How You Lose Her” by Junot Diaz
The deluxe edition of “This Is How You Lose Her,” by Junot Diaz is stunning in that it was illustrated by comic book artist Jaime Hernandez, and comes tucked into a dust jacket. Hernandez also produced full-page illustrations, one for each of his stories. What a great way to celebrate all different kinds of love, including illicit love, fading love, and maternal love.
3. “Map of Days” by Robert Hunter
“Map of Days” by Robert Hunter looks like a genuine work of art, and frankly, like it belongs in a 60’s art gallery. And yet, it goes beyond that. The book isn’t just interesting to look at, the illustrations work with the writing. In fact, they’re a part of the story. If creation is a combination of elements, then this book mimics it by combining illustrations and text.
4. “Mr. Spaceship” by Philip K. Dick
“Mr. Spaceship,” by Philip K. Dick comes in a limited edition that looks like it never quite got out of the manuscript phase, and yet, it just works. It was actually done intentionally, since artist Hamish Robertson is republishing several books with their original art and typesetting, “Mr. Spaceship” being the first in the series. There’s even limited edition prints of the cover art available for purchase.
5. “Bough Down” by Karen Green
Karen Green’s “Bough Down,” seems to tip her hat to Philip K. Dick and Hamish Robertson with her hardback and dust jacket combo. It looks like a pile of paper that has stuck together, after being drenched, and somehow, it’s alluring. Featuring 56 color illustrations, this book is a mixture of both prose fragments and miniature collages. Green charted her passage through grief beautifully, and emotionally, seemingly writing what came to mind with such grace that readers can’t help but feel a captivating sense of understanding. Furthermore, the collages are made up of scraps, illustrating nothing but the act of having to pick up the pieces of life after something heart breaking.
6. “Nobody Is Ever Missing” by Catherine Lacey
Catherine Lacey’s “Nobody Is Ever Missing,” is definitely a novel that pushes boundaries through a conflicted, loss, and deteriorating character. While she presents herself to be relatively normal on the outside, she’s really sinking into the depths of her mind. The cover art, beautifully designed, depicts Elyria, the main character, slowly sinking into the water. Or is it her own suppressed rage?
7. “Leaving the Sea” by Ben Marcus
“Leaving the Sea,” by Ben Marcus is one of those books that, personally, remind me of simpler times when I used to sit making paper crafts in elementary school. Ocean waves are really craft paper, all in different shades of blue and green. Snippets of stark white paper scattered throughout, as if swimming around, give readers the title and author. Perhaps they’re repeating Marcus’ words during an interview:
“I realized how many other kinds of stories I wanted to write. I saw huge holes and limitations in what I’d done.”
8. “Silence Once Begun” by Jesse Ball
The off-white cover of Jesse Ball’s “Silence Once Begun” playfully crosses out the words “A Novel” on the front, in what is meant to look like red crayon. This air of obsessiveness fits well with the novel’s content of lost love, unjust conviction, and journalistic obsession. This is perhaps one of the best cover designs for dystopian fiction many have seen in a long time.
9. “Love Me Back” by Merritt Tierce
When I first saw the cover for Merritt Tierce’s “Love Me Back,” I have to say it reminded me of the opening of the TV show Bates Motel, and yes, that’s a good thing. The greenish-blue wall that makes up the book cover is lighted up by the title of the book, written using neon letters, their cords tangled and hanging like a person suffering of unrequited love certainly feels. Only in this case, it’s a mater of “cutting a precarious path through early adulthood,” as the synopsis summarizes so well.
10. “The Martian” by Andy Weir
The hardcover novel by Andy Weir titled “The Martian” takes place on Mars, with one astronaut being the first to ever make it to the mysterious, intriguing planet. For those of you who may have read Ray Bradbury’s short story “Dark They Were And Golden-Eyed,” this cover isn’t too much of a stretch, with the red orange dust dancing around the astronaut. Truly captivating, this cover shows simplicity can also be ground-breaking.
Hopefully, these ten novels prove print isn’t really dead. Some still prefer the musty smell between the pages, the feel of the covers, and the design surprises that just wouldn’t be as captivating on a digital format.
Remember to keep an eye out for the next article, in which the top ten comic book cover designs will be announced!
