For what is now the eighth time in a row, I am pleased to present the best book covers of the year—as chosen by some of the industry’s best book cover designers.

This year, I asked 47 designers to share their favorite covers of the year, and they came back with a grand total of 139 covers (!), representing work by 85 different designers for 74 different imprints at home and abroad. The designers’ choices, and their comments, are below.

But first . . . the stats.

The best of the best book covers:

First place (12 mentions):

Szilvia Molnar, The Nursery 
design by Linda Huang (Pantheon, March 21)

*
Second place (8 mentions):

Olga Ravn, The Employees
design by Paul Sahre (New Directions, February 7)

*
Third place (tie—6 mentions each):

Greg Jackson, The Dimensions of a Cave 
Design by Jamie Keenan (Granta Books, October 26)

Celina Baljeet Basra, Happy 
Design by Alex Merto (Astra House, November 14)

*

The presses with the most covers on the list:

First place:
FSG (19 covers)

*
Second place:
New Directions (11 covers)

*
Third place:
Pantheon (7 covers)

*

The designers with the most different covers on the list:

First place:
Na Kim (7 covers)

*
Second place:
Alex Merto (6 covers)

*
Third place (3-way tie)
Jamie Keenan, June Park, Jaya Miceli (5 covers each)

*

The best month for book covers:

First place:
August (20 covers)

*
Second place:
September (19 covers)

*
Third place:
October (18 covers)

<img decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" data-attachment-id="212779" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/lit-hubs-most-anticipated-books-of-2023/816ctnzntyl-_sl1500_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/816ctnznTYL._SL1500_.jpg" data-orig-size="993,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Szilvia Molnar, The Nursery" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Szilvia Molnar, The Nursery; cover design by Linda Huang (Pantheon, March 21)

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/816ctnznTYL._SL1500_-199×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/816ctnznTYL._SL1500_-678×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-212779″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/816ctnznTYL._SL1500_-678×1024.jpg” alt=”Szilvia Molnar, The Nursery” width=”678″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/816ctnznTYL._SL1500_-678×1024.jpg 678w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/816ctnznTYL._SL1500_-199×300.jpg 199w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/816ctnznTYL._SL1500_-768×1160.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/816ctnznTYL._SL1500_-40×60.jpg 40w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/816ctnznTYL._SL1500_-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/816ctnznTYL._SL1500_.jpg 993w” sizes=”(max-width: 678px) 100vw, 678px”> Szilvia Molnar, The Nursery (Pantheon, March 21)
Design by Linda Huang

Such wonderful simplicity, but also cleverly articulating a newborn’s not fully developed vision and the new mother’s struggle with her dissolving identity. Love the placement of ‘A Novel’.

–Holly Ovenden

Everything about this cover is so elegant and minimal. Using “a novel” as part of the illustration is such a clever way to keep from adding more elements to it.

–Vivian Lopez Rowe

–Na Kim

I gasped when I first saw this cover. Such a genius idea that speaks perfectly to the title while also avoiding cliches. The blurring is perfection.

–Jaya Nicely

Yes.

–Erik Carter

Perfectly captures the bleariness of new motherhood. Best design use of “A Novel” I’ve seen in a long time.

–Jenny Carrow

Tender, brilliant, beautiful. I almost can’t believe that Linda was able to get this approved, but I’m so glad she did.

–Alicia Tatone

Although this cover is blurred we know exactly what we’re looking at. Playful and surprising, yet elegant.

–Stephanie Ross

It’s placement of “a novel” for me. Genius!

–Cecilia Zhang

What a smart and sophisticated solution, it’s really beautiful.

–June Park

It’s perfect. The perfect choice of color, type, and image. Linda managed to find a refreshing way to evoke the tenderness, pain, and love of motherhood.

–Arsh Raziuddin

Such a bold, simple and evocative visualization of postpartum depression. Love the way “a novel” is set here and becomes part of the narrative.

–Yang Kim

<img decoding="async" data-attachment-id="230519" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/514unsyup5l-_sl1200_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/514UNsyup5L._SL1200_.jpg" data-orig-size="745,1200" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Olga Ravn, The Employees (paperback) (New Directions, February 7) Design by Paul Sahre” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Olga Ravn, The Employees (paperback) (New Directions, February 7)
Design by Paul Sahre

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/514UNsyup5L._SL1200_-186×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/514UNsyup5L._SL1200_-636×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230519″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/514UNsyup5L._SL1200_-636×1024.jpg” alt=”Olga Ravn, The Employees (paperback) (New Directions, February 7) Design by Paul Sahre” width=”636″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/514UNsyup5L._SL1200_-636×1024.jpg 636w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/514UNsyup5L._SL1200_-186×300.jpg 186w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/514UNsyup5L._SL1200_-37×60.jpg 37w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/514UNsyup5L._SL1200_-31×50.jpg 31w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/514UNsyup5L._SL1200_.jpg 745w” sizes=”(max-width: 636px) 100vw, 636px”> Olga Ravn, The Employees (New Directions, February 7)
Design by Paul Sahre

YESSS!

–Janet Hansen

–Na Kim

No water cooler talk in this office. The dripping “s” in the title is a smart way to echo the overflow above.

–Stephen Brayda

Sinister stock image and haunted office noticeboard type, this cover looks like nothing else. Also the back cover is a work of art in itself.

–Tom Etherington

This is my favorite book cover of 2023. The image is left to sing and the simple, off-kilter type works perfectly in concert.

–Beth Steidle

This seems like a depiction of an intrusive thought a bored office worker would have while at the water cooler. The falling ’s’ adds to the overall despondent mood.

–Stephanie Ross

The cover is beautiful, but the back cover is even better.

–Arsh Raziuddin

For me, the most striking cover of the year, hands-down. The back cover is just as good, too.

–Luke Bird

<img decoding="async" data-attachment-id="230632" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/61thbavigel-_sl1500_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61thbaVigeL._SL1500_.jpg" data-orig-size="1000,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="61thbaVigeL._SL1500_" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Celina Baljeet Basra, Happy; cover design by Alex Merto (Astra House, November 14)

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61thbaVigeL._SL1500_-200×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61thbaVigeL._SL1500_-683×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230632″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61thbaVigeL._SL1500_-683×1024.jpg” alt=”Celina Baljeet Basra, Happy; cover design by Alex Merto (Astra House, November 14)” width=”683″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61thbaVigeL._SL1500_-683×1024.jpg 683w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61thbaVigeL._SL1500_-200×300.jpg 200w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61thbaVigeL._SL1500_-768×1152.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61thbaVigeL._SL1500_-40×60.jpg 40w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61thbaVigeL._SL1500_-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61thbaVigeL._SL1500_.jpg 1000w” sizes=”(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px”> Celina Baljeet Basra, Happy (Astra House, November 14)
Design by Alex Merto

Joyful, smart, eye-catching—instantly iconic.

–Holly Ovenden

–Na Kim

Amusing, witty, and incredibly clever—a funhouse distortion of the stereotypical happy face. Turning the book over is an added treat—you’re greeted with an inverted version of the cover, with that elongated smile turned wistfully upside down.

–Devin Grosz

This makes me feel happy.

–Tyler Comrie

Always a sucker for a bold smiley (and frowny!) face cover.

–Yang Kim

Just makes you smile. The use of the space is the key to this. Looks so nice on the shelf too.

–Jon Gray

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230684" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/81rknu9kzl-_sl1500_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81rknU9kZL._SL1500_.jpg" data-orig-size="971,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Greg Jackson, The Dimensions of a Cave (Granta Books [UK], October 26)
Design by Jamie Keenan” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Greg Jackson, The Dimensions of a Cave (Granta Books [UK], October 26)
Design by Jamie Keenan

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81rknU9kZL._SL1500_-194×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81rknU9kZL._SL1500_-663×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230684″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81rknU9kZL._SL1500_-663×1024.jpg” alt=”Greg Jackson, The Dimensions of a Cave (Granta Books [UK], October 26)
Design by Jamie Keenan ” width=”663″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81rknU9kZL._SL1500_-663×1024.jpg 663w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81rknU9kZL._SL1500_-194×300.jpg 194w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81rknU9kZL._SL1500_-768×1186.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81rknU9kZL._SL1500_-39×60.jpg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81rknU9kZL._SL1500_-32×50.jpg 32w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81rknU9kZL._SL1500_.jpg 971w” sizes=”(max-width: 663px) 100vw, 663px”> Greg Jackson, The Dimensions of a Cave (Granta Books [UK], October 26)
Design by Jamie Keenan
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230692" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/dimensions/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Dimensions.jpg" data-orig-size="1554,1556" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="Dimensions" data-image-description data-image-caption="

See also: the front flap!

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Dimensions-300×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Dimensions-1023×1024.jpg” class=”wp-image-230692″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Dimensions-1023×1024.jpg” alt width=”650″ height=”651″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Dimensions-1023×1024.jpg 1023w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Dimensions-300×300.jpg 300w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Dimensions-150×150.jpg 150w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Dimensions-768×769.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Dimensions-60×60.jpg 60w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Dimensions-1534×1536.jpg 1534w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Dimensions-109×109.jpg 109w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Dimensions-100×100.jpg 100w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Dimensions-600×600.jpg 600w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Dimensions-50×50.jpg 50w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Dimensions.jpg 1554w” sizes=”(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px”> See also: the front flap!

The back flap as front cover is a perfect backwards way to start this journey.

–Stephen Brayda

A truly weird cover, and the flaps made me laugh out loud.

–Tom Etherington

This design is so clever and trippy—tricking you into thinking you are looking at the back flap of the book. What’s really great is that the entire jacket follows through with the concept.

–Laywan Kwan

I love the back flap image on the front cover. So clever!

–Jaya Miceli

The U.S. design is excellent as well, but a particular nod of respect to the U.K. design, a mind-bender of a jacket.

–Mark Abrams

Brilliant idea, brilliantly executed. So good it’s almost unsettling.

–Luke Bird

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230522" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/81o95bombml-_ac_uf10001000_ql80_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81O95bOMBML._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg" data-orig-size="710,1000" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Bronwyn Fischer, The Adult Design by Kate Sinclair” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Bronwyn Fischer, The Adult
Design by Kate Sinclair

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81O95bOMBML._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-213×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81O95bOMBML._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg” class=”size-full wp-image-230522″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81O95bOMBML._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg” alt=”Bronwyn Fischer, The Adult Design by Kate Sinclair” width=”710″ height=”1000″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81O95bOMBML._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg 710w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81O95bOMBML._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-213×300.jpg 213w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81O95bOMBML._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-43×60.jpg 43w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81O95bOMBML._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-36×50.jpg 36w” sizes=”(max-width: 710px) 100vw, 710px”> Bronwyn Fischer, The Adult (Random House Canada, May 23)
Design by Kate Sinclair

Gorgeous execution!

–Janet Hansen

😭😭😭

–Erik Carter

The juxtaposition of the cool, linear paint “tears” with the hyperreal portrait is enough to make ME cry. Achingly gorgeous.

–Alison Forner

Stunning interpretation of a coming-of-age novel. The super-tight crop and brush strokes work brilliantly.

–Luke Bird

I love the use of photography and paint here. Just beautiful and emotive.

–Jon Gray

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="212756" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/lit-hubs-most-anticipated-books-of-2023/91idw4a9el-_sl1500_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/91idW4A9EL._SL1500_.jpg" data-orig-size="985,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Gerardo Sámano Córdova, Monstrilio" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Gerardo Sámano Córdova, Monstrilio; cover design by Alex Merto (Zando, March 7)

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/91idW4A9EL._SL1500_-197×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/91idW4A9EL._SL1500_-672×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-212756″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/91idW4A9EL._SL1500_-672×1024.jpg” alt=”Gerardo Sámano Córdova, Monstrilio” width=”672″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/91idW4A9EL._SL1500_-672×1024.jpg 672w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/91idW4A9EL._SL1500_-197×300.jpg 197w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/91idW4A9EL._SL1500_-768×1170.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/91idW4A9EL._SL1500_-39×60.jpg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/91idW4A9EL._SL1500_-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/91idW4A9EL._SL1500_.jpg 985w” sizes=”(max-width: 672px) 100vw, 672px”> Gerardo Sámano Córdova, Monstrilio (Zando, March 7)
Design by Alex Merto

The liquidy script, creepy monster, and colorful geometric shapes combo create an intriguing and magical world I want to learn more about.

–Janet Hansen

The contrast between the cheery, childlike shapes and the monster lurking down on the bottom edge makes for a compelling cover.

–Stephanie Ross

The creature catches you by complete surprise in its unexpected placement beneath all the happy shapes and loopy type. The eeriness of those eyes stayed with me, even after I put the cover down. Unsettling in all the best ways.

–Cecilia Zhang

I had no idea Alex was behind this cover the whole year I’d admired it. I love everything about it; the choice of fonts, the colorful shapes, the crouching monster… everything seems to be in perfect harmony, but the tension is palpable. I want a poster!

–June Park

It’s not easy to make a cover with a red-eyed monster appealing…I guess that is unless you’re Alex Merto.

–Grace Han

Justin Torres, Blackouts (FSG, October 10)
Design by Na Kim

Hauntingly beautiful. The glossy slab in the center, the glimmer of the gold typography, the creature emerging from the inky blackness—the alchemy of these elements reflect the novel’s theme of a story blotted out and then resurrected.

–Devin Grosz

This cover is a perfect example of how to do a lot with very little. It’s an exercise in minimalism and contrast that manages to feel lush, textural, and mysterious.

–Beth Steidle

Simply but effectively executed black-on-black art. It’s smart and elegant.

–Yeon Kim

“It’s the wild colour scheme that freaks me out,” said Zaphod, whose love affair with the ship had lasted almost three minutes into the flight. “Every time you try and operate these weird black controls that are labeled in black on a black background, a little black light lights up in black to let you know you’ve done it.” -The Restaurant at the End of the Universe

–Mark Abrams

I already thought it was perfect, and then I saw ‘a novel’. Brilliant.

–Arsh Raziuddin

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="213025" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/lit-hubs-most-anticipated-books-of-2023/attachment/9780374606244/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/9780374606244.jpg" data-orig-size="1650,2531" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Fiona McFarlane, The Sun Walks Down" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Fiona McFarlane, The Sun Walks Down; cover design by Na Kim (FSG, February 14)

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/9780374606244-196×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/9780374606244-668×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-213025″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/9780374606244-668×1024.jpg” alt=”Fiona McFarlane, The Sun Walks Down” width=”668″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/9780374606244-668×1024.jpg 668w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/9780374606244-196×300.jpg 196w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/9780374606244-768×1178.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/9780374606244-39×60.jpg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/9780374606244-1001×1536.jpg 1001w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/9780374606244-1335×2048.jpg 1335w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/9780374606244-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/9780374606244.jpg 1650w” sizes=”(max-width: 668px) 100vw, 668px”> Fiona McFarlane, The Sun Walks Down (FSG, February 14)
Design by Na Kim

This cover feels simultaneously bold and delicate. I can’t get over the “A Novel” disappearing into the haze. Another one that made me gasp on first sight.

–Jaya Nicely

I love how beautifully simple yet atmospheric this book cover is, It’s mesmerising, like staring into the literal sun!

–Kishan Rajani

Moody! I love looking at this.

–Anna Kochman

When it comes to effectively utilizing negative space, Na Kim dominates—and this cover is no exception. It’s like a colorful abstract painting that evokes pure emotion.

–Pete Garceau

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230694" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/sorrows-of-others-design-janet-hansen/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/sorrows-of-others-design-janet-hansen.jpg" data-orig-size="1556,2400" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Ada Zhang, The Sorrows of Others (Public Space Books, May 9)
Design by Janet Hansen” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Ada Zhang, The Sorrows of Others (Public Space Books, May 9)
Design by Janet Hansen

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/sorrows-of-others-design-janet-hansen-195×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/sorrows-of-others-design-janet-hansen-664×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230694″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/sorrows-of-others-design-janet-hansen-664×1024.jpg” alt=”Ada Zhang, The Sorrows of Others (Public Space Books, May 9)
Design by Janet Hansen” width=”664″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/sorrows-of-others-design-janet-hansen-664×1024.jpg 664w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/sorrows-of-others-design-janet-hansen-195×300.jpg 195w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/sorrows-of-others-design-janet-hansen-768×1185.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/sorrows-of-others-design-janet-hansen-39×60.jpg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/sorrows-of-others-design-janet-hansen-996×1536.jpg 996w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/sorrows-of-others-design-janet-hansen-1328×2048.jpg 1328w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/sorrows-of-others-design-janet-hansen-32×50.jpg 32w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/sorrows-of-others-design-janet-hansen.jpg 1556w” sizes=”(max-width: 664px) 100vw, 664px”> Ada Zhang, The Sorrows of Others (Public Space Books, May 9)
Design by Janet Hansen

In a world of big shouty titles, this cover really stands out. So elegant and understated.

–Tom Etherington

Simple, quiet and beautiful. I love the gradating colors.

–Jaya Nicely

The delicately intertwined arrows work as a perfect visual metaphor for these stories—evoking the journeys undertaken by the characters across continents, generations, and deep within their own emotional landscapes. A quiet gem.

–Devin Grosz

–Allison Saltzman

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="227352" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-17-best-book-covers-of-september/4dc720a36f412716fa7152de4d78c2580a6b7ed8-1556×2400/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/4dc720a36f412716fa7152de4d78c2580a6b7ed8-1556×2400-1.jpg" data-orig-size="1556,2400" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="4dc720a36f412716fa7152de4d78c2580a6b7ed8-1556×2400" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Victor Heringer, The Love of Singular Men (New Directions, September 5)
Design by Pablo Delcan

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/4dc720a36f412716fa7152de4d78c2580a6b7ed8-1556×2400-1-195×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/4dc720a36f412716fa7152de4d78c2580a6b7ed8-1556×2400-1-664×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-227352″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/4dc720a36f412716fa7152de4d78c2580a6b7ed8-1556×2400-1-664×1024.jpg” alt width=”664″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/4dc720a36f412716fa7152de4d78c2580a6b7ed8-1556×2400-1-664×1024.jpg 664w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/4dc720a36f412716fa7152de4d78c2580a6b7ed8-1556×2400-1-195×300.jpg 195w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/4dc720a36f412716fa7152de4d78c2580a6b7ed8-1556×2400-1-768×1185.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/4dc720a36f412716fa7152de4d78c2580a6b7ed8-1556×2400-1-39×60.jpg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/4dc720a36f412716fa7152de4d78c2580a6b7ed8-1556×2400-1-996×1536.jpg 996w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/4dc720a36f412716fa7152de4d78c2580a6b7ed8-1556×2400-1-1328×2048.jpg 1328w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/4dc720a36f412716fa7152de4d78c2580a6b7ed8-1556×2400-1-32×50.jpg 32w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/4dc720a36f412716fa7152de4d78c2580a6b7ed8-1556×2400-1.jpg 1556w” sizes=”(max-width: 664px) 100vw, 664px”> Victor Heringer, The Love of Singular Men (New Directions, September 5)
Design by Pablo Delcan

Eye-catching perfection. I can’t stop staring at the sun. The red type on top of the green creates just the right amount of vibration.

–Sarah Schulte

–Na Kim

Simple geometric shapes, beautiful colour and Ed Ruscha type on an uncoated paper. Take my money.

–Tom Etherington

The simplicity and confidence of this cover just work!

–Cecilia Zhang

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="212855" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/lit-hubs-most-anticipated-books-of-2023/attachment/9780374603335/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/9780374603335-scaled.jpg" data-orig-size="1707,2560" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="John Wray, Gone to the Wolves" data-image-description data-image-caption="

John Wray, Gone to the Wolves (FSG, May 2)
Design by Thomas Colligan

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/9780374603335-200×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/9780374603335-683×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-212855″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/9780374603335-683×1024.jpg” alt=”John Wray, Gone to the Wolves” width=”683″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/9780374603335-683×1024.jpg 683w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/9780374603335-200×300.jpg 200w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/9780374603335-768×1152.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/9780374603335-40×60.jpg 40w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/9780374603335-1024×1536.jpg 1024w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/9780374603335-1366×2048.jpg 1366w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/9780374603335-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/9780374603335-scaled.jpg 1707w” sizes=”(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px”> John Wray, Gone to the Wolves (FSG, May 2)
Design by Thomas Colligan

My favorite cover of the year. I’m a huge fan of the metal lettering + foil + pink endpapers.

–Stephen Brayda

–Na Kim

Exquisitely channeling the heavy-metal-death-cult vibe.

–Lauren Peters-Collaer

The type! The holographic foil! Just so much fun and visually electrifying.

–Yang Kim

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="217073" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/exclusive-see-the-cover-for-bryan-washingtons-new-novel-family-meal/9780593421093_familymeal_jkf/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/9780593421093_FamilyMeal_JKF-scaled.jpg" data-orig-size="1696,2560" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="bryan washington family meal" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Bryan Washington, Family Meal

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/9780593421093_FamilyMeal_JKF-199×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/9780593421093_FamilyMeal_JKF-678×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-217073″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/9780593421093_FamilyMeal_JKF-678×1024.jpg” alt=”bryan washington family meal” width=”678″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/9780593421093_FamilyMeal_JKF-678×1024.jpg 678w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/9780593421093_FamilyMeal_JKF-199×300.jpg 199w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/9780593421093_FamilyMeal_JKF-768×1160.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/9780593421093_FamilyMeal_JKF-40×60.jpg 40w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/9780593421093_FamilyMeal_JKF-1017×1536.jpg 1017w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/9780593421093_FamilyMeal_JKF-1356×2048.jpg 1356w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/9780593421093_FamilyMeal_JKF-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/9780593421093_FamilyMeal_JKF-scaled.jpg 1696w” sizes=”(max-width: 678px) 100vw, 678px”> Bryan Washington, Family Meal (Riverhead, October 10)
Design by Grace Han

You can hear these forks scraping! The odd colors add even more tension.

–Jenny Carrow

Bryan Washington’s covers have all been so bold and witty, and this most recent one is no exception!

–Cassie Gonzales

This color combo is so unexpected and strangely appealing. I really love when color can do a lot of the heavy lifting in creating a compelling cover. And this is a great example of color that is not in your face but still eye-catching.

–Lauren Harms

The interlocking forks! This cover feels so fresh.

–Lauren Peters-Collaer

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="222514" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/lit-hubs-most-anticipated-books-of-2023-part-two/61xmzvnhxil-_ac_uf10001000_ql80_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/61XmzVnHXiL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg" data-orig-size="672,1000" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Olga Ravn, tr. Sophia Hersi Smith & Jennifer Russell, My Work" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Olga Ravn, tr. Sophia Hersi Smith and Jennifer Russell, My Work; cover design by Joan Wong (New Directions, October 10)

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/61XmzVnHXiL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-202×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/61XmzVnHXiL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg” class=”size-full wp-image-222514″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/61XmzVnHXiL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg” alt=”Olga Ravn, tr. Sophia Hersi Smith & Jennifer Russell, My Work” width=”672″ height=”1000″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/61XmzVnHXiL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg 672w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/61XmzVnHXiL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-202×300.jpg 202w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/61XmzVnHXiL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-40×60.jpg 40w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/61XmzVnHXiL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-34×50.jpg 34w” sizes=”(max-width: 672px) 100vw, 672px”> Olga Ravn, tr. Sophia Hersi Smith and Jennifer Russell, My Work (New Directions, October 10)
Design by Joan Wong

I love everything Joan Wong x New Directions. Joan has a beautifully distinctive style, and she continues to do something surprising each and every time. Poster please!

–June Park

Meltingly good.

–Mark Abrams

Beautiful.

–Grace Han

Another bold interruption of a sweet image, this time with a more disturbing feel.

–Lucy Kim

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="227915" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-future-future/attachment/9780374607616/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/9780374607616.jpg" data-orig-size="900,1381" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="future future" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Adam Thirlwell, The Future Future; cover design by Alex Merto (FSG, October 17)

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/9780374607616-196×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/9780374607616-667×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-227915″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/9780374607616-667×1024.jpg” alt=”future future” width=”667″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/9780374607616-667×1024.jpg 667w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/9780374607616-196×300.jpg 196w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/9780374607616-768×1178.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/9780374607616-39×60.jpg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/9780374607616-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/9780374607616.jpg 900w” sizes=”(max-width: 667px) 100vw, 667px”> Adam Thirlwell, The Future Future (FSG, October 17)
Design by Alex Merto

A thrilling mash-up of old and modern, brilliantly executed. It’s also hilarious that the lady is plummeting rather violently yet her expression remains unperturbed.

–Linda Huang

Perfect execution of an exceptional concept. Everything works in concert here to evoke both old and new.

–Alison Forner

The use of color, texture, and repetition is incredibly engaging. Every choice is so well conceived.

–Emily Mahon

It’s not just the treatment of the artwork, but the way the type echoes it that really makes me love this.

–Lucy Kim

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="212904" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/lit-hubs-most-anticipated-books-of-2023/attachment/9780374607043/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/9780374607043.jpg" data-orig-size="1650,2531" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Jamel Brinkley, Witness" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Jamel Brinkley, Witness: Stories; cover design by Na Kim (FSG, August 1)

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/9780374607043-196×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/9780374607043-668×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-212904″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/9780374607043-668×1024.jpg” alt=”Jamel Brinkley, Witness” width=”668″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/9780374607043-668×1024.jpg 668w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/9780374607043-196×300.jpg 196w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/9780374607043-768×1178.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/9780374607043-39×60.jpg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/9780374607043-1001×1536.jpg 1001w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/9780374607043-1335×2048.jpg 1335w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/9780374607043-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/9780374607043.jpg 1650w” sizes=”(max-width: 668px) 100vw, 668px”> Jamel Brinkley, Witness: Stories (FSG, August 1)
Design by Na Kim

I knew this would be one of my favorites of the year as soon as I saw it. So smart, the kind of simple that is anything but. Really elegant.

–Jamie Stafford-Hill

Even when you figure out the footprints are thumbprints, your brain still refuses to see it that way. So simple and so brilliant!

–Jamie Keenan

This is just beautiful, simple and clean. A lovely idea beautifully executed. The finished book feels nice too.

–Jon Gray

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="222511" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/lit-hubs-most-anticipated-books-of-2023-part-two/81pydqfsdgl-_ac_uf10001000_ql80_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/81PydqFsDgL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg" data-orig-size="658,1000" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Zadie Smith, The Fraud" data-image-description data-image-caption="

The Fraud

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/81PydqFsDgL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-197×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/81PydqFsDgL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg” class=”size-full wp-image-222511″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/81PydqFsDgL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg” alt=”Zadie Smith, The Fraud” width=”658″ height=”1000″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/81PydqFsDgL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg 658w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/81PydqFsDgL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-197×300.jpg 197w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/81PydqFsDgL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-39×60.jpg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/81PydqFsDgL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-33×50.jpg 33w” sizes=”(max-width: 658px) 100vw, 658px”> Zadie Smith, The Fraud (Penguin Press, September 5)
Design by Jon Gray

This gradient + type combo kills me. So good.

–Lauren Peters-Collaer

–Allison Saltzman

Jon Gray does it again.

–Emily Mahon

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230788" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/61vkyoloscl-_sl1500_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61vkyOLosCL._SL1500_.jpg" data-orig-size="978,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Couplets Design by June Park" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Couplets Design by June Park

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61vkyOLosCL._SL1500_-196×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61vkyOLosCL._SL1500_-668×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230788″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61vkyOLosCL._SL1500_-668×1024.jpg” alt=”Couplets Design by June Park ” width=”668″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61vkyOLosCL._SL1500_-668×1024.jpg 668w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61vkyOLosCL._SL1500_-196×300.jpg 196w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61vkyOLosCL._SL1500_-768×1178.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61vkyOLosCL._SL1500_-39×60.jpg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61vkyOLosCL._SL1500_-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61vkyOLosCL._SL1500_.jpg 978w” sizes=”(max-width: 668px) 100vw, 668px”> Maggie Millner, Couplets (FSG, February 7)
Design by June Park

I love how mirrored bold type treatment becomes the cover image. Pink and red!

–Jaya Miceli

What more can I say? I love clever typographic solutions. I love how the type forms a beautiful abstract shape. I love the red-pink palette. I love the display font.

–Linda Huang

So simple and so so charming.

–Anna Kochman

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230968" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/6c359a4b39ccb70b0136380d7cbd2f0e6f042be1-1875×2850-copy/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/6c359a4b39ccb70b0136380d7cbd2f0e6f042be1-1875×2850-copy.jpg" data-orig-size="1000,1520" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="Mathias Énard, tr. Frank Wynne, The Annual Banquet of the Gravediggers’ Guild (New Directions, December 5)
Design by John Gall” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Mathias Énard, tr. Frank Wynne, The Annual Banquet of the Gravediggers’ Guild (New Directions, December 5)
Design by John Gall

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/6c359a4b39ccb70b0136380d7cbd2f0e6f042be1-1875×2850-copy-197×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/6c359a4b39ccb70b0136380d7cbd2f0e6f042be1-1875×2850-copy-674×1024.jpg” class=”wp-image-230968 size-large” src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/6c359a4b39ccb70b0136380d7cbd2f0e6f042be1-1875×2850-copy-674×1024.jpg” alt=”Mathias Énard, tr. Frank Wynne, The Annual Banquet of the Gravediggers’ Guild (New Directions, December 5)
Design by John Gall” width=”674″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/6c359a4b39ccb70b0136380d7cbd2f0e6f042be1-1875×2850-copy-674×1024.jpg 674w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/6c359a4b39ccb70b0136380d7cbd2f0e6f042be1-1875×2850-copy-197×300.jpg 197w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/6c359a4b39ccb70b0136380d7cbd2f0e6f042be1-1875×2850-copy-768×1167.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/6c359a4b39ccb70b0136380d7cbd2f0e6f042be1-1875×2850-copy-39×60.jpg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/6c359a4b39ccb70b0136380d7cbd2f0e6f042be1-1875×2850-copy-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/6c359a4b39ccb70b0136380d7cbd2f0e6f042be1-1875×2850-copy.jpg 1000w” sizes=”(max-width: 674px) 100vw, 674px”> Mathias Énard, tr. Frank Wynne, The Annual Banquet of the Gravediggers’ Guild (New Directions, December 5)
Design by John Gall

I need to blow this up and hang it on my wall.

–Janet Hansen

A collage with a depth and perceived dimensionality not always seen with this art creation technique.

–Nicole Caputo

The delicate type juxtaposed with the boldness of the collage, the balance of it all just works for me.

–Yang Kim

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="225539" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-13-best-book-covers-of-august-2/81o29pba2kl-_ac_uf10001000_ql80_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/81O29PBa2KL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg" data-orig-size="662,1000" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Alexandra Chang, Tomb Sweeping; cover design by Vivian Lopez Rowe (Ecco, August 8)” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Alexandra Chang, Tomb Sweeping; cover design by Vivian Lopez Rowe (Ecco, August 8)

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/81O29PBa2KL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-199×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/81O29PBa2KL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg” class=”size-full wp-image-225539″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/81O29PBa2KL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg” alt=”Alexandra Chang, Tomb Sweeping; cover design by Vivian Lopez Rowe (Ecco, August 8)” width=”662″ height=”1000″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/81O29PBa2KL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg 662w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/81O29PBa2KL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-199×300.jpg 199w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/81O29PBa2KL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-40×60.jpg 40w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/81O29PBa2KL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-33×50.jpg 33w” sizes=”(max-width: 662px) 100vw, 662px”> Alexandra Chang, Tomb Sweeping (Ecco, August 8)
Design by Vivian Lopez Rowe

Great use of color, love a grid design especially one with such intriguing and charming illustrations.

–Kelly Winton

This color palette is gorgeous. A lot is going on in this design and yet the whole thing is still soft and moody.

–Zoe Norvell

–Allison Saltzman

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="212910" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/lit-hubs-most-anticipated-books-of-2023/913luorqsjl/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/913LuorqsJL.jpg" data-orig-size="1677,2516" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Jenn Shapland, Thin Skin: Essays" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Jenn Shapland, Thin Skin (Pantheon, August 15)
Design by Tom Etherington

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/913LuorqsJL-200×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/913LuorqsJL-683×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-212910″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/913LuorqsJL-683×1024.jpg” alt=”Jenn Shapland, Thin Skin: Essays” width=”683″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/913LuorqsJL-683×1024.jpg 683w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/913LuorqsJL-200×300.jpg 200w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/913LuorqsJL-768×1152.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/913LuorqsJL-40×60.jpg 40w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/913LuorqsJL-1024×1536.jpg 1024w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/913LuorqsJL-1365×2048.jpg 1365w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/913LuorqsJL-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/913LuorqsJL.jpg 1677w” sizes=”(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px”> Jenn Shapland, Thin Skin (Pantheon, August 15)
Design by Tom Etherington

A truly gorgeous cover. These soft, ethereal rainbow waves elegantly wrap around to the back of the jacket, organically integrating all of the type in a sophisticated way.

–Sarah Schulte

There is a calming feel to this cover. The type is thoughtfully placed, while the undulating shapes move your eyes around the entire space.

–Kimberly Glyder

I love this by Tom Etherington, so calming and beautiful! It’s a work of art.

–Anna Morrison

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="215861" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/encounters-with-a-mad-king-jac-jemc-on-finding-a-story-while-lost-in-research/empty-theatre/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/empty-theatre.jpeg" data-orig-size="900,1381" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="empty theatre" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Jac Jemc, Empty Theatre
Design by June Park

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/empty-theatre-196×300.jpeg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/empty-theatre-667×1024.jpeg” class=”size-large wp-image-215861″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/empty-theatre-667×1024.jpeg” alt width=”667″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/empty-theatre-667×1024.jpeg 667w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/empty-theatre-196×300.jpeg 196w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/empty-theatre-768×1178.jpeg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/empty-theatre-39×60.jpeg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/empty-theatre-33×50.jpeg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/empty-theatre.jpeg 900w” sizes=”(max-width: 667px) 100vw, 667px”> Jac Jemc, Empty Theatre (MCD, February 21)
Design by June Park

A personal favorite for not only the content of the novel but the brilliant solution of how to place such a long subtitle. I love the bright colors and little stars throughout.

–Jaya Nicely

So funky and vibrant, you just want to keep looking at it and get lost in the ribbons.

–Cassie Gonzales

The spiraling type is SO FUN! The cadence of the ribbon bunching adds dimension and movement; reading the copy was a mini adventure! The sharp drop shadow is an added plus. June is an absolute pro!

–Cecilia Zhang

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230518" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/big-swiss-copy/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Big-Swiss-copy-scaled.jpg" data-orig-size="1591,2560" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="Jean Beagin, Big Swiss (Faber & Faber, February 9) Design by Kishan Rajani” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Jean Beagin, Big Swiss (Faber & Faber, February 9)
Design by Kishan Rajani

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Big-Swiss-copy-186×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Big-Swiss-copy-637×1024.jpg” class=”wp-image-230518 size-large” src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Big-Swiss-copy-637×1024.jpg” alt=”Jean Beagin, Big Swiss (Faber & Faber, February 9) Design by Kishan Rajani” width=”637″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Big-Swiss-copy-637×1024.jpg 637w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Big-Swiss-copy-186×300.jpg 186w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Big-Swiss-copy-768×1236.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Big-Swiss-copy-37×60.jpg 37w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Big-Swiss-copy-955×1536.jpg 955w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Big-Swiss-copy-1273×2048.jpg 1273w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Big-Swiss-copy-31×50.jpg 31w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Big-Swiss-copy-scaled.jpg 1591w” sizes=”(max-width: 637px) 100vw, 637px”> Jean Beagin, Big Swiss (Faber & Faber [UK], February 9)
Design by Kishan RajaniThis cover brings me pure joy. Perfection!

–Janet Hansen

This cover really packs a punch. The crop of the dog’s noses works so well—and that tongue!

–Holly Ovenden

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="212712" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/lit-hubs-most-anticipated-books-of-2023/big-swiss-9781982153083_hr/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/big-swiss-9781982153083_hr.jpg" data-orig-size="1400,2146" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Jen Beagin, Big Swiss" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Jen Beagin, Big Swiss; cover design by Jaya Miceli, art by Anna Weyant (Scribner, February 7)

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/big-swiss-9781982153083_hr-196×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/big-swiss-9781982153083_hr-668×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-212712″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/big-swiss-9781982153083_hr-668×1024.jpg” alt=”Jen Beagin, Big Swiss” width=”668″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/big-swiss-9781982153083_hr-668×1024.jpg 668w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/big-swiss-9781982153083_hr-196×300.jpg 196w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/big-swiss-9781982153083_hr-768×1177.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/big-swiss-9781982153083_hr-39×60.jpg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/big-swiss-9781982153083_hr-1002×1536.jpg 1002w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/big-swiss-9781982153083_hr-1336×2048.jpg 1336w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/big-swiss-9781982153083_hr-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/big-swiss-9781982153083_hr.jpg 1400w” sizes=”(max-width: 668px) 100vw, 668px”> Jen Beagin, Big Swiss (Scribner, February 7)
Design by Jaya Miceli, art by Anna Weyant

Bold image that is victorious in striking so much mystery between title and the ambiguous expression and composition…and gravity!

–Nicole Caputo

Bold, sexy—I love it.

–Yeon Kim

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230019" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/91vjtlt6nll-_sl1500_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/91vjTLt6NlL._SL1500_.jpg" data-orig-size="954,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Anne Enright, The Wren, The Wren (Jonathan Cape, August 31) Design by Suzanne Dean and illustration by Anna Morrison” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Anne Enright, The Wren, The Wren (Jonathan Cape, August 31)
Design by Suzanne Dean and illustration by Anna Morrison

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/91vjTLt6NlL._SL1500_-191×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/91vjTLt6NlL._SL1500_-651×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230019″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/91vjTLt6NlL._SL1500_-651×1024.jpg” alt=”Anne Enright, The Wren, The Wren (Jonathan Cape, August 31) Design by Suzanne Dean and illustration by Anna Morrison” width=”651″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/91vjTLt6NlL._SL1500_-651×1024.jpg 651w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/91vjTLt6NlL._SL1500_-191×300.jpg 191w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/91vjTLt6NlL._SL1500_-768×1208.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/91vjTLt6NlL._SL1500_-38×60.jpg 38w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/91vjTLt6NlL._SL1500_-32×50.jpg 32w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/91vjTLt6NlL._SL1500_.jpg 954w” sizes=”(max-width: 651px) 100vw, 651px”> Anne Enright, The Wren, The Wren (Jonathan Cape [UK], August 31)
Design by Suzanne Dean and illustration by Anna MorrisonThis striking cover feels both vintage and contemporary. I love the subtle pink type against the orange. That gaze draws me in completely.

–Sarah Schulte

Beautiful colours and such a striking and thoughtful illustration.

–Holly Ovenden

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230017" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/711206arxfl-_sl1500_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/711206ARxfL._SL1500_.jpg" data-orig-size="1000,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Gabriela Wiener, Undiscovered (HarperVia, September 26) Design by Kelly Winton” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Gabriela Wiener, Undiscovered (HarperVia, September 26)
Design by Kelly Winton

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/711206ARxfL._SL1500_-200×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/711206ARxfL._SL1500_-683×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230017″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/711206ARxfL._SL1500_-683×1024.jpg” alt=”Gabriela Wiener, Undiscovered (HarperVia, September 26) Design by Kelly Winton” width=”683″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/711206ARxfL._SL1500_-683×1024.jpg 683w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/711206ARxfL._SL1500_-200×300.jpg 200w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/711206ARxfL._SL1500_-768×1152.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/711206ARxfL._SL1500_-40×60.jpg 40w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/711206ARxfL._SL1500_-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/711206ARxfL._SL1500_.jpg 1000w” sizes=”(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px”> Gabriela Wiener, Undiscovered (HarperVia, September 26)
Design by Kelly Winton

This bright, citrusy palette is so pleasing to look at. That soft green is sublime. The hole punches through the objects add a satisfying layer of mystery.

–Sarah Schulte

The shapes around the artifact remind me of rock climbing holds and I love how that implies a solitary and intense struggle with heritage, identity or history. I also like the nostalgic and fading quality of watercolor.

–Vivian Lopez Rowe

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230018" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/71cjhxfe0nl-_sl1500_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/71cJHXFe0NL._SL1500_.jpg" data-orig-size="1000,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="King Young-sook, trans. Janet Hong, At Night He Lifts Weights (Transit Books, November 14) Design by Justin Carder” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

King Young-sook, trans. Janet Hong, At Night He Lifts Weights (Transit Books, November 14)
Design by Justin Carder

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/71cJHXFe0NL._SL1500_-200×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/71cJHXFe0NL._SL1500_-683×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230018″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/71cJHXFe0NL._SL1500_-683×1024.jpg” alt=”King Young-sook, trans. Janet Hong, At Night He Lifts Weights (Transit Books, November 14) Design by Justin Carder” width=”683″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/71cJHXFe0NL._SL1500_-683×1024.jpg 683w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/71cJHXFe0NL._SL1500_-200×300.jpg 200w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/71cJHXFe0NL._SL1500_-768×1152.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/71cJHXFe0NL._SL1500_-40×60.jpg 40w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/71cJHXFe0NL._SL1500_-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/71cJHXFe0NL._SL1500_.jpg 1000w” sizes=”(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px”> King Young-sook, trans. Janet Hong, At Night He Lifts Weights (Transit Books, November 14)
Design by Justin Carder

I love the energy of this cover. The whimsical type treatment paired with the bubbly illustration, shattered into pieces like a broken plate, is intriguing.

–Sarah Schulte

A clever way to depict a character on the cover, without really showing them. The illustration is gorgeous as is the movement of the type.

–Alicia Tatone

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="222262" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-12-best-book-covers-of-june-3/a1cqkj9ljql-_ac_uf10001000_ql80_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/A1cQkj9LjQL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg" data-orig-size="663,1000" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Helen Schulman, Lucky Dogs (Knopf, June 6)” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Helen Schulman, Lucky Dogs (Knopf, June 6)

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/A1cQkj9LjQL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-199×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/A1cQkj9LjQL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg” class=”size-full wp-image-222262″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/A1cQkj9LjQL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg” alt=”Helen Schulman, Lucky Dogs (Knopf, June 6)” width=”663″ height=”1000″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/A1cQkj9LjQL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg 663w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/A1cQkj9LjQL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-199×300.jpg 199w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/A1cQkj9LjQL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-40×60.jpg 40w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/A1cQkj9LjQL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-33×50.jpg 33w” sizes=”(max-width: 663px) 100vw, 663px”> Helen Schulman, Lucky Dogs (Knopf, June 6)
Design by Janet Hansen

Such an evocative photograph and great use of negative space. This cover reminds me of Sofia Coppola (high praise in my book!).

–Kelly Winton

I love how there are so many parts of this cover that are uncomfortable—the empty space, the slightly misshapen square, the fidgeting hands and the handwritten text shoved right up against the title.

–Jamie Keenan

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230697" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/the-lottery-2/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/The-Lottery.jpg" data-orig-size="978,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="The Lottery" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Alex Merto—The Lottery and Other Stories by Shirley Jackson

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/The-Lottery-196×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/The-Lottery-668×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230697″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/The-Lottery-668×1024.jpg” alt width=”668″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/The-Lottery-668×1024.jpg 668w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/The-Lottery-196×300.jpg 196w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/The-Lottery-768×1178.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/The-Lottery-39×60.jpg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/The-Lottery-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/The-Lottery.jpg 978w” sizes=”(max-width: 668px) 100vw, 668px”> Shirley Jackson, The Lottery and Other Stories (Picador, June 6)
Design by Alex Merto; illustration by Tim Lahan

I love that the text almost isn’t present (graceful as it is)—the illustration maxes out the visual space and the touch of blood signals the story before you even read the title. Keen and gorgeous.

–Alban Fischer

A redesign of a classic that feels both timeless and yet entirely new. Tim Lahan’s illustration is the perfect nod to the titular story.

–Alicia Tatone

Mona Awad, Rouge (S&S/Marysue Rucci, September 12)
Design by Oliver Munday

Love the intriguing dream-like head of the rose / jellyfish combination.

–Holly Ovenden

The novel itself descends into a frightening yet irresistible world, so fusing a jellyfish with a rose is a stroke of genius. Both are beautiful, yet both can inflict pain—one with its tendrils, the other with its thorns. The lush type treatment furthers the seduction.

–Devin Grosz

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230731" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/71m-vhdqyhl-_sl1500_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71M-vhdqyhL._SL1500_.jpg" data-orig-size="985,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Tezer Özlü, tr. Maureen Freely, Cold Nights of Childhood (Transit Books, May 2)
Design by Sarah Schulte” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Tezer Özlü, tr. Maureen Freely, Cold Nights of Childhood (Transit Books, May 2)
Design by Sarah Schulte

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71M-vhdqyhL._SL1500_-197×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71M-vhdqyhL._SL1500_-672×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230731″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71M-vhdqyhL._SL1500_-672×1024.jpg” alt=”Tezer Özlü, tr. Maureen Freely, Cold Nights of Childhood (Transit Books, May 2)
Design by Sarah Schulte ” width=”672″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71M-vhdqyhL._SL1500_-672×1024.jpg 672w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71M-vhdqyhL._SL1500_-197×300.jpg 197w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71M-vhdqyhL._SL1500_-768×1170.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71M-vhdqyhL._SL1500_-39×60.jpg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71M-vhdqyhL._SL1500_-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71M-vhdqyhL._SL1500_.jpg 985w” sizes=”(max-width: 672px) 100vw, 672px”> Tezer Özlü, tr. Maureen Freely, Cold Nights of Childhood (Transit Books, May 2)
Design by Sarah Schulte

So original and elegant. I love the flowing placement of the type and how it works with the illustration.

–Anna Morrison

Such a sweet, whimsical illustration with a surprise pop of color in the vessel. Love the unusual composition.

–Linda Huang

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="227349" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-17-best-book-covers-of-september/81-szsrbfl-_ac_uf10001000_ql80_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/81-SZsrBFL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg" data-orig-size="666,1000" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="81-SZsrB+FL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Sean Michaels, Do You Remember Being Born?; cover design by Rodrigo Corral, 3D illustration by Danny Jones (Astra House, September 5)

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/81-SZsrBFL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-200×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/81-SZsrBFL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg” class=”size-full wp-image-227349″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/81-SZsrBFL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg” alt width=”666″ height=”1000″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/81-SZsrBFL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg 666w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/81-SZsrBFL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-200×300.jpg 200w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/81-SZsrBFL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-40×60.jpg 40w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/81-SZsrBFL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-33×50.jpg 33w” sizes=”(max-width: 666px) 100vw, 666px”> Sean Michaels, Do You Remember Being Born? (Astra House, September 5)
Design by Rodrigo Corral, 3D illustration by Danny Jones

I’ve always been drawn to covers that pose a question to the reader, and this one is quite literally full of them. The insistent repetition of the title question, the unnatural pastel flowers rising to obscure the words from view—gorgeous and unnerving.

–Devin Grosz

A brilliant and beautiful image that seems indeed to be a perfect marriage of poetry, art and tech and that draws the viewer in enough to inspire a win for design and for the team and author who approved this, as the title is parsed slightly more slower than most covers out there today. Refreshing.

–Nicole Caputo

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="225536" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-13-best-book-covers-of-august-2/618uqvdrf6l-_ac_uf10001000_ql80_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/618uQvDrF6L._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg" data-orig-size="607,1000" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Harald Voetmann, tr. Johanne Sorgenfri Ottosen, Sublunar; cover design by Jamie Keenan (New Directions, August 1)” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Harald Voetmann, tr. Johanne Sorgenfri Ottosen, Sublunar; cover design by Jamie Keenan (New Directions, August 1)

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/618uQvDrF6L._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-182×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/618uQvDrF6L._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg” class=”size-full wp-image-225536″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/618uQvDrF6L._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg” alt=”Harald Voetmann, tr. Johanne Sorgenfri Ottosen, Sublunar; cover design by Jamie Keenan (New Directions, August 1)” width=”607″ height=”1000″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/618uQvDrF6L._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg 607w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/618uQvDrF6L._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-182×300.jpg 182w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/618uQvDrF6L._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-36×60.jpg 36w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/618uQvDrF6L._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-30×50.jpg 30w” sizes=”(max-width: 607px) 100vw, 607px”> Harald Voetmann, tr. Johanne Sorgenfri Ottosen, Sublunar (New Directions, August 1)
Design by Jamie Keenan

Looks good, smells even better.

–Erik Carter

The title streaming down from the nostrils is a nice (yet slightly gross) touch—this cover is wacky in the best way.

–Stephanie Ross

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="212749" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/lit-hubs-most-anticipated-books-of-2023/1653405038-birnamwood-1-1653405023/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/1653405038-birnamwood-1-1653405023-scaled.jpg" data-orig-size="1707,2560" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Eleanor Catton, Birnam Wood" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Eleanor Catton, Birnam Wood; cover design by Jon Gray (FSG, March 7)

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/1653405038-birnamwood-1-1653405023-200×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/1653405038-birnamwood-1-1653405023-683×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-212749″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/1653405038-birnamwood-1-1653405023-683×1024.jpg” alt=”Eleanor Catton, Birnam Wood” width=”683″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/1653405038-birnamwood-1-1653405023-683×1024.jpg 683w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/1653405038-birnamwood-1-1653405023-200×300.jpg 200w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/1653405038-birnamwood-1-1653405023-768×1152.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/1653405038-birnamwood-1-1653405023-40×60.jpg 40w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/1653405038-birnamwood-1-1653405023-1024×1536.jpg 1024w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/1653405038-birnamwood-1-1653405023-1366×2048.jpg 1366w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/1653405038-birnamwood-1-1653405023-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/1653405038-birnamwood-1-1653405023-scaled.jpg 1707w” sizes=”(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px”> Eleanor Catton, Birnam Wood (FSG, March 7)
Design by Jon Gray

Amazing movement and depth . . . the hand-drawn, edgy quality screams thriller.

–Kimberly Glyder

This cover has a great sense of movement. It’s easy to imagine the type, trees, and drone on the cusp of being swept away in the wind.

–Stephanie Ross

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230724" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/81vhkpehnpl-_sl1500_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81vHkPEHNpL._SL1500_.jpg" data-orig-size="993,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="81vHkPEHNpL._SL1500_" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Ayesha Manazir Siddiqi, The Centre (Gillian Flynn Books, July 11)
Designed and illustrated by Jonathan Bush

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81vHkPEHNpL._SL1500_-199×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81vHkPEHNpL._SL1500_-678×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230724″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81vHkPEHNpL._SL1500_-678×1024.jpg” alt width=”678″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81vHkPEHNpL._SL1500_-678×1024.jpg 678w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81vHkPEHNpL._SL1500_-199×300.jpg 199w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81vHkPEHNpL._SL1500_-768×1160.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81vHkPEHNpL._SL1500_-40×60.jpg 40w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81vHkPEHNpL._SL1500_-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81vHkPEHNpL._SL1500_.jpg 993w” sizes=”(max-width: 678px) 100vw, 678px”> Ayesha Manazir Siddiqi, The Centre (Gillian Flynn Books, July 11)
Design and illustration by Jonathan Bush

The attention to detail in this illustration is astonishing. The entire cover is dangerous and lush.

–Laywan Kwan

I love a twisted still life! The venus fly traps, the skull, the spilled coffee—every sinister detail is spot on.

–Alison Forner

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="198743" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/29-works-of-nonfiction-you-need-to-read-this-summer/attachment/9780374722722/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/9780374722722.jpg" data-orig-size="1500,2250" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="everything i need i get from you" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Kaitlyn Tiffany, Everything I Need I Get From You

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/9780374722722-200×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/9780374722722-683×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-198743″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/9780374722722-683×1024.jpg” alt=”everything i need i get from you” width=”683″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/9780374722722-683×1024.jpg 683w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/9780374722722-200×300.jpg 200w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/9780374722722-768×1152.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/9780374722722-40×60.jpg 40w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/9780374722722-1024×1536.jpg 1024w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/9780374722722-1365×2048.jpg 1365w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/9780374722722-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/9780374722722.jpg 1500w” sizes=”(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px”> Kaitlyn Tiffany, Everything I Need I Get From You (MCD x FSG Originals, June 14)
Design by Thomas Colligan

It’s just… perfect. I don’t know what else to say. It’s perfect! Makes me want to be a fifteen-year-old girl again.

–Alicia Tatone

10/10 perfect execution.

–June Park

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="213091" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/lit-hubs-most-anticipated-books-of-2023/erpenbeck_kairos_rgb/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/erpenbeck_kairos_rgb.jpg" data-orig-size="1613,2400" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="jenny erpenbeck Kairos" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Jenny Erpenbeck, tr. Michael Hofmann, Kairos (New Directions, June 6)

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/erpenbeck_kairos_rgb-202×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/erpenbeck_kairos_rgb-688×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-213091″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/erpenbeck_kairos_rgb-688×1024.jpg” alt=”jenny erpenbeck Kairos” width=”688″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/erpenbeck_kairos_rgb-688×1024.jpg 688w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/erpenbeck_kairos_rgb-202×300.jpg 202w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/erpenbeck_kairos_rgb-768×1143.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/erpenbeck_kairos_rgb-40×60.jpg 40w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/erpenbeck_kairos_rgb-1032×1536.jpg 1032w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/erpenbeck_kairos_rgb-1376×2048.jpg 1376w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/erpenbeck_kairos_rgb-34×50.jpg 34w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/erpenbeck_kairos_rgb.jpg 1613w” sizes=”(max-width: 688px) 100vw, 688px”> Jenny Erpenbeck, tr. Michael Hofmann, Kairos (New Directions, June 6)
Design by John Gall

This one forces you keep trying to work out what exactly is going on and noticing another new bit.

–Jamie Keenan

Beautiful, ominous.

–Mark Abrams

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="227348" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-17-best-book-covers-of-september/61jnjogfrxl-_ac_uf10001000_ql80_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/61JnJoGFRxL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg" data-orig-size="673,1000" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="61JnJoGFRxL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Ida Vitale, tr. Sarah Pollack, Time Without Keys; design by Tyler Comrie (New Directions, September 4)

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/61JnJoGFRxL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-202×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/61JnJoGFRxL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg” class=”size-full wp-image-227348″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/61JnJoGFRxL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg” alt width=”673″ height=”1000″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/61JnJoGFRxL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg 673w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/61JnJoGFRxL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-202×300.jpg 202w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/61JnJoGFRxL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-40×60.jpg 40w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/61JnJoGFRxL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-34×50.jpg 34w” sizes=”(max-width: 673px) 100vw, 673px”> Ida Vitale, tr. Sarah Pollack, Time Without Keys (New Directions, September 4)
Design by Tyler Comrie

So tender and edgy. If Tyler did this in Photoshop, it’s just brilliantly executed.

–Linda Huang

Sings.

–Mark Abrams

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="222310" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-12-best-book-covers-of-june-3/71ryhr7ha0l/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/71RyHr7Ha0L.jpg" data-orig-size="773,1200" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="My Search for Warren Harding" data-image-description data-image-caption="

My Search for Warren Harding

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/71RyHr7Ha0L-193×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/71RyHr7Ha0L-660×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-222310″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/71RyHr7Ha0L-660×1024.jpg” alt=”My Search for Warren Harding” width=”660″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/71RyHr7Ha0L-660×1024.jpg 660w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/71RyHr7Ha0L-193×300.jpg 193w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/71RyHr7Ha0L-768×1192.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/71RyHr7Ha0L-39×60.jpg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/71RyHr7Ha0L-32×50.jpg 32w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/71RyHr7Ha0L.jpg 773w” sizes=”(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px”> Robert Plunket, My Search for Warren Harding (New Directions, June 6)
Design by Oliver Munday

Food for thought!

–Erik Carter

So Monty Python. The way you see just under a half of Harding’s rueful eye peering out at the reader, 😘.

–Mark Abrams

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230730" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/attachment/9781784878771/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/9781784878771-scaled.jpg" data-orig-size="1575,2560" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Haruki Murakami, A Wild Sheep Chase (Vintage Classics [UK], March 8) Design by Suzanne Dean; illustration by Tatsuro Kiuchi” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Haruki Murakami, A Wild Sheep Chase (Vintage Classics [UK], March 8) Design by Suzanne Dean; illustration by Tatsuro Kiuchi

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/9781784878771-185×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/9781784878771-630×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230730″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/9781784878771-630×1024.jpg” alt=”Haruki Murakami, A Wild Sheep Chase (Vintage Classics [UK], March 8) Design by Suzanne Dean; illustration by Tatsuro Kiuchi” width=”630″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/9781784878771-630×1024.jpg 630w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/9781784878771-185×300.jpg 185w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/9781784878771-768×1248.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/9781784878771-37×60.jpg 37w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/9781784878771-945×1536.jpg 945w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/9781784878771-1260×2048.jpg 1260w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/9781784878771-31×50.jpg 31w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/9781784878771-scaled.jpg 1575w” sizes=”(max-width: 630px) 100vw, 630px”> Haruki Murakami, A Wild Sheep Chase (Vintage Classics [UK], March 8)
Design by Suzanne Dean; illustration by Tatsuro Kiuchi
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230830" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/murakamiallbooksgroupshotsquare_2048x2048_cropped-copy/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/MurakamiAllBooksGroupShotSquare_2048x2048_cropped-copy.jpg" data-orig-size="800,800" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="MurakamiAllBooksGroupShotSquare_2048x2048_cropped copy" data-image-description data-image-caption="

The full series.

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/MurakamiAllBooksGroupShotSquare_2048x2048_cropped-copy-300×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/MurakamiAllBooksGroupShotSquare_2048x2048_cropped-copy.jpg” class=”size-full wp-image-230830″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/MurakamiAllBooksGroupShotSquare_2048x2048_cropped-copy.jpg” alt width=”800″ height=”800″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/MurakamiAllBooksGroupShotSquare_2048x2048_cropped-copy.jpg 800w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/MurakamiAllBooksGroupShotSquare_2048x2048_cropped-copy-300×300.jpg 300w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/MurakamiAllBooksGroupShotSquare_2048x2048_cropped-copy-150×150.jpg 150w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/MurakamiAllBooksGroupShotSquare_2048x2048_cropped-copy-768×768.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/MurakamiAllBooksGroupShotSquare_2048x2048_cropped-copy-60×60.jpg 60w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/MurakamiAllBooksGroupShotSquare_2048x2048_cropped-copy-109×109.jpg 109w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/MurakamiAllBooksGroupShotSquare_2048x2048_cropped-copy-100×100.jpg 100w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/MurakamiAllBooksGroupShotSquare_2048x2048_cropped-copy-600×600.jpg 600w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/MurakamiAllBooksGroupShotSquare_2048x2048_cropped-copy-50×50.jpg 50w” sizes=”(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px”> The full series.

Suzanne Dean’s designs for the reissues of the Murakami series (illustrated by Tatsuro Kiuchi) are so unique, eye catching, and captured the spirit of Murakami’s writing so beautifully.

–Anna Morrison

This design of this series is a celebration of Japanese illustration, reflecting the narrative in a colourful and playful way, and the obi wrap-around is inspired. Any Murakami fan would be ecstatic to receive this series.

–Kishan Rajani

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="222535" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/lit-hubs-most-anticipated-books-of-2023-part-two/813xori2nl-_ac_uf10001000_ql80_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/813xOri2NL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg" data-orig-size="667,1000" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Will Hermes, Lou Reed: The King of New York" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Will Hermes, Lou Reed: The King of New York (FSG, October 3)
Design by No Ideas

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/813xOri2NL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-200×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/813xOri2NL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg” class=”size-full wp-image-222535″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/813xOri2NL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg” alt=”Will Hermes, Lou Reed: The King of New York” width=”667″ height=”1000″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/813xOri2NL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg 667w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/813xOri2NL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-200×300.jpg 200w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/813xOri2NL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-40×60.jpg 40w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/813xOri2NL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-33×50.jpg 33w” sizes=”(max-width: 667px) 100vw, 667px”> Will Hermes, Lou Reed: The King of New York (FSG, October 3)
Design by No Ideas

My favorite part of this half-jacket, pre-printed case combo is how “Lou Reed” peaks out from behind the jacket, like a crown on top of Lou Reed’s head.

–Stephen Brayda

The case for simplicity.

–Tyler Comrie

Claudia Dey, Daughter (FSG, September 12)
Design by June Park

Having this much black and then this loud pop of color is such a bold choice. It feels so much like a movie poster.

–Vivian Lopez Rowe

The simplicity, contrast, and overall vintage quality of type and design really resonates. It’s one of those simple and effective covers, where you say…why didn’t I think of that??? But I didn’t….June Park did, and it’s stunning!

–Pete Garceau

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230767" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/717htwj2pkl-_ac_uf10001000_ql80_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/717HTwJ2PkL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg" data-orig-size="650,1000" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Adam Mars-Jones, Caret (Faber & Faber [UK], August 17)
Design by Jonathan Pelham” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Adam Mars-Jones, Caret (Faber & Faber [UK], August 17)
Design by Jonathan Pelham

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/717HTwJ2PkL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-195×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/717HTwJ2PkL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg” class=”size-full wp-image-230767″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/717HTwJ2PkL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg” alt=”Adam Mars-Jones, Caret (Faber & Faber [UK], August 17)
Design by Jonathan Pelham ” width=”650″ height=”1000″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/717HTwJ2PkL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg 650w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/717HTwJ2PkL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-195×300.jpg 195w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/717HTwJ2PkL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-39×60.jpg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/717HTwJ2PkL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-33×50.jpg 33w” sizes=”(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px”> Adam Mars-Jones, Caret (Faber & Faber [UK], August 17)
Design by Jonathan Pelham
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230956" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/screenshot-2023-12-11-at-8-02-01-am/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-11-at-8.02.01 AM.png" data-orig-size="1254,1379" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Jonny Pelham" data-image-description data-image-caption="

The full series.

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-11-at-8.02.01 AM-273×300.png” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-11-at-8.02.01 AM-931×1024.png” class=”wp-image-230956 size-large” src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-11-at-8.02.01 AM-931×1024.png” alt=” Jonny Pelham” width=”931″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-11-at-8.02.01 AM-931×1024.png 931w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-11-at-8.02.01 AM-273×300.png 273w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-11-at-8.02.01 AM-768×845.png 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-11-at-8.02.01 AM-55×60.png 55w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-11-at-8.02.01 AM-45×50.png 45w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-11-at-8.02.01 AM.png 1254w” sizes=”(max-width: 931px) 100vw, 931px”> The full series.

There’s something about the hierarchy of the type that feels wrong—it took me a moment to distinguish the title from the author, but that’s the type of rule-breaking that makes this so memorable and confident. I didn’t realize that this book was part of a series, which makes it all the more compelling. The sophisticated color combo is also winning.

–Linda Huang

Not easy to make a typographic series design feel as fresh and as striking as this. There’s retro nod which I love.

–Luke Bird

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="222509" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/lit-hubs-most-anticipated-books-of-2023-part-two/attachment/9780374606374/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/9780374606374.jpg" data-orig-size="1650,2531" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Yiyun Li, Wednesday’s Child" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Yiyun Li, Wednesday’s Child; cover design by Na Kim (FSG, September 5)

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/9780374606374-196×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/9780374606374-668×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-222509″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/9780374606374-668×1024.jpg” alt=”Yiyun Li, Wednesday’s Child” width=”668″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/9780374606374-668×1024.jpg 668w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/9780374606374-196×300.jpg 196w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/9780374606374-768×1178.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/9780374606374-39×60.jpg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/9780374606374-1001×1536.jpg 1001w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/9780374606374-1335×2048.jpg 1335w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/9780374606374-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/9780374606374.jpg 1650w” sizes=”(max-width: 668px) 100vw, 668px”> Yiyun Li, Wednesday’s Child (FSG, September 5)
Design by Na Kim

I love Na’s covers for Yiyun Lee. Everything feels so considered.

–Grace Han

I love the bold interruption of the pregnant pear shape into that charming dog painting.

–Lucy Kim

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="225537" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-13-best-book-covers-of-august-2/91vjq84jbcl-_ac_uf10001000_ql80_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/91vjQ84JbCL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg" data-orig-size="658,1000" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Yu Miri, tr. Morgan Giles, The End of August; cover art by Seahyun Lee, cover design by Lauren Peters-Collaer (Riverhead, August 1)” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Yu Miri, tr. Morgan Giles, The End of August; cover art by Seahyun Lee, cover design by Lauren Peters-Collaer (Riverhead, August 1)

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/91vjQ84JbCL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-197×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/91vjQ84JbCL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg” class=”size-full wp-image-225537″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/91vjQ84JbCL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg” alt=”Yu Miri, tr. Morgan Giles, The End of August; cover art by Seahyun Lee, cover design by Lauren Peters-Collaer (Riverhead, August 1)” width=”658″ height=”1000″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/91vjQ84JbCL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg 658w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/91vjQ84JbCL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-197×300.jpg 197w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/91vjQ84JbCL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-39×60.jpg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/91vjQ84JbCL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-33×50.jpg 33w” sizes=”(max-width: 658px) 100vw, 658px”> Yu Miri, tr. Morgan Giles, The End of August (Riverhead, August 1)
Design by Lauren Peters-Collaer; art by Seahyun Lee

I love these colors together. It’s such a contemporary choice and the contrast to the traditional imagery in the painting adds so much depth.

–Vivian Lopez Rowe

I love that red and pink combo. The combination of traditionalism and modernity is really striking.

–Emily Mahon

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="222504" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/lit-hubs-most-anticipated-books-of-2023-part-two/81kwpusutkl/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/81KwpusUtkL.jpg" data-orig-size="1743,2560" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Steven Millhauser, Disruptions: Stories" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Steven Millhauser, Disruptions; cover illustration by Dylan C. Lathrop, cover design by Janet Hansen (Knopf, August 1)

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/81KwpusUtkL-204×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/81KwpusUtkL-697×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-222504″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/81KwpusUtkL-697×1024.jpg” alt=”Steven Millhauser, Disruptions: Stories” width=”697″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/81KwpusUtkL-697×1024.jpg 697w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/81KwpusUtkL-204×300.jpg 204w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/81KwpusUtkL-768×1128.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/81KwpusUtkL-41×60.jpg 41w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/81KwpusUtkL-1046×1536.jpg 1046w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/81KwpusUtkL-1394×2048.jpg 1394w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/81KwpusUtkL-34×50.jpg 34w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/81KwpusUtkL.jpg 1743w” sizes=”(max-width: 697px) 100vw, 697px”> Steven Millhauser, Disruptions (Knopf, August 1)
Design by Janet Hansen; illustration by Dylan C. Lathrop

What’s not to love about this cover? It’s engaging, striking, and uses eyes in a way that’s never been done before (which is no small feat when it comes to book covers).

–Pete Garceau

I mean who couldn’t love all those teeny tiny eyes? She found the perfect piece of art for this!

–Lucy Kim

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230829" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/713ga12soyl-_sl1500_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/713Ga12SOYL._SL1500_.jpg" data-orig-size="952,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Wendy Cope, The Orange (Faber & Faber [UK], November 9
Design by Pete Adlington.” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Wendy Cope, The Orange (Faber & Faber [UK], November 9
Design by Pete Adlington

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/713Ga12SOYL._SL1500_-190×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/713Ga12SOYL._SL1500_-650×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230829″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/713Ga12SOYL._SL1500_-650×1024.jpg” alt=”Wendy Cope, The Orange (Faber & Faber [UK], November 9
Design by Pete Adlington.” width=”650″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/713Ga12SOYL._SL1500_-650×1024.jpg 650w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/713Ga12SOYL._SL1500_-190×300.jpg 190w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/713Ga12SOYL._SL1500_-768×1210.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/713Ga12SOYL._SL1500_-38×60.jpg 38w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/713Ga12SOYL._SL1500_-32×50.jpg 32w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/713Ga12SOYL._SL1500_.jpg 952w” sizes=”(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px”> Wendy Cope, The Orange (Faber & Faber [UK], November 9
Design by Pete Adlington“At lunchtime I bought a huge orange, the size of it made us all laugh”. The naivety and simplicity of this cover speaks so aptly to the beautiful prose of Wendy’s poem, I love it, I’m glad it exists.

–Kishan Rajani

Somehow a perfect blend of nostalgia, wit and design balance. The clashing palette works so well.

–Luke Bird

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230961" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/61wwi0ki0tl-_sl1500_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61WWI0Ki0tL._SL1500_.jpg" data-orig-size="937,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Noreen Masud, A Flat Place (Hamish Hamilton [UK], April 27)
Design by Josie Stanley Taylor” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Noreen Masud, A Flat Place (Hamish Hamilton [UK], April 27)
Design by Josie Stanley Taylor

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61WWI0Ki0tL._SL1500_-187×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61WWI0Ki0tL._SL1500_-640×1024.jpg” class=”wp-image-230961 size-large” src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61WWI0Ki0tL._SL1500_-640×1024.jpg” alt=”Noreen Masud, A Flat Place (Hamish Hamilton [UK], April 27)
Design by Josie Stanley Taylor” width=”640″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61WWI0Ki0tL._SL1500_-640×1024.jpg 640w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61WWI0Ki0tL._SL1500_-187×300.jpg 187w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61WWI0Ki0tL._SL1500_-768×1229.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61WWI0Ki0tL._SL1500_-37×60.jpg 37w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61WWI0Ki0tL._SL1500_-31×50.jpg 31w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61WWI0Ki0tL._SL1500_.jpg 937w” sizes=”(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px”> Noreen Masud, A Flat Place (Hamish Hamilton [UK], April 27)
Design by Josie Stanley Taylor
Again it’s the clever use of space and colour that make this cover so appealing. An unusual colour palette.

–Jon Gray

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230957" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/71ibrpcj7kl-_sl1500_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71IBrPcj7KL._SL1500_.jpg" data-orig-size="1015,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Boo Trundle, The Daughter Ship (Pantheon, June 27)
Design by Jenny Carrow” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Boo Trundle, The Daughter Ship (Pantheon, June 27)
Design by Jenny Carrow

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71IBrPcj7KL._SL1500_-203×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71IBrPcj7KL._SL1500_-693×1024.jpg” class=”wp-image-230957 size-large” src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71IBrPcj7KL._SL1500_-693×1024.jpg” alt=”Boo Trundle, The Daughter Ship (Pantheon, June 27)
Design by Jenny Carrow ” width=”693″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71IBrPcj7KL._SL1500_-693×1024.jpg 693w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71IBrPcj7KL._SL1500_-203×300.jpg 203w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71IBrPcj7KL._SL1500_-768×1135.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71IBrPcj7KL._SL1500_-41×60.jpg 41w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71IBrPcj7KL._SL1500_-34×50.jpg 34w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71IBrPcj7KL._SL1500_.jpg 1015w” sizes=”(max-width: 693px) 100vw, 693px”> Boo Trundle, The Daughter Ship (Pantheon, June 27)
Design by Jenny Carrow

The illustration and type feel spontaneous and fresh. I’m intrigued by these figures in a hot tub/boat. What are they scoping out?

–Emily Mahon

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230933" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/every-drop-is-a-mans-nightmare-2/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Every-Drop-is-a-Mans-Nightmare.jpg" data-orig-size="1000,1511" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Megan Kamalei, Every Drop is a Man’s Nightmare (Bloomsbury, August 29)
Design by Jaya Miceli” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Megan Kamalei, Every Drop is a Man’s Nightmare (Bloomsbury, August 29)
Design by Jaya Miceli

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Every-Drop-is-a-Mans-Nightmare-199×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Every-Drop-is-a-Mans-Nightmare-678×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230933″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Every-Drop-is-a-Mans-Nightmare-678×1024.jpg” alt=”Megan Kamalei, Every Drop is a Man’s Nightmare (Bloomsbury, August 29)
Design by Jaya Miceli” width=”678″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Every-Drop-is-a-Mans-Nightmare-678×1024.jpg 678w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Every-Drop-is-a-Mans-Nightmare-199×300.jpg 199w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Every-Drop-is-a-Mans-Nightmare-768×1160.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Every-Drop-is-a-Mans-Nightmare-40×60.jpg 40w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Every-Drop-is-a-Mans-Nightmare-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Every-Drop-is-a-Mans-Nightmare.jpg 1000w” sizes=”(max-width: 678px) 100vw, 678px”> Megan Kamalei, Every Drop is a Man’s Nightmare (Bloomsbury, August 29)
Design by Jaya Miceli

Lush and beautiful. It feels intriguing, raw and emotional. It really draws you in.

–Yang Kim

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230825" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/a1vflo-asil-_sl1500_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/A1vFLO-ASIL._SL1500_.jpg" data-orig-size="987,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Pratchi Gupta, They Called Us Exceptional (Crown, August 22)
Design by Arsh Raziuddin” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Pratchi Gupta, They Called Us Exceptional (Crown, August 22)
Design by Arsh Raziuddin

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/A1vFLO-ASIL._SL1500_-197×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/A1vFLO-ASIL._SL1500_-674×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230825″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/A1vFLO-ASIL._SL1500_-674×1024.jpg” alt=”Pratchi Gupta, They Called Us Exceptional (Crown, August 22)
Design by Arsh Raziuddin ” width=”674″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/A1vFLO-ASIL._SL1500_-674×1024.jpg 674w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/A1vFLO-ASIL._SL1500_-197×300.jpg 197w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/A1vFLO-ASIL._SL1500_-768×1167.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/A1vFLO-ASIL._SL1500_-39×60.jpg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/A1vFLO-ASIL._SL1500_-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/A1vFLO-ASIL._SL1500_.jpg 987w” sizes=”(max-width: 674px) 100vw, 674px”> Pratchi Gupta, They Called Us Exceptional (Crown, August 22)
Design by Arsh Raziuddin

This cover speaks to this subject matter so succinctly and emotively—from the perfect placement of the bindi and the sharpness of the Kajal, it speaks to the idea of the ideal Indian woman and wider expectations of the model minority. It’s brilliant.

–Kishan Rajani

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230888" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/71upwe9jel-_sl1500_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71uPWE9jeL._SL1500_.jpg" data-orig-size="978,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="comedy book" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Design by Thomas Colligan

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71uPWE9jeL._SL1500_-196×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71uPWE9jeL._SL1500_-668×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230888″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71uPWE9jeL._SL1500_-668×1024.jpg” alt=”comedy book” width=”668″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71uPWE9jeL._SL1500_-668×1024.jpg 668w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71uPWE9jeL._SL1500_-196×300.jpg 196w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71uPWE9jeL._SL1500_-768×1178.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71uPWE9jeL._SL1500_-39×60.jpg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71uPWE9jeL._SL1500_-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71uPWE9jeL._SL1500_.jpg 978w” sizes=”(max-width: 668px) 100vw, 668px”> Jesse David Fox, Comedy Book (FSG, November 7)
Design by Thomas Colligan

A charming collection of fonts and shapes.

–Tyler Comrie

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="231030" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/81t2l9pn0el-_sl1500_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81T2L9pn0eL._SL1500_.jpg" data-orig-size="993,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Harold Rogers, Tropicália (Atria, July 18)
Design by Laywan Kwan” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Harold Rogers, Tropicália (Atria, July 18)
Design by Laywan Kwan

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81T2L9pn0eL._SL1500_-199×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81T2L9pn0eL._SL1500_-678×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-231030″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81T2L9pn0eL._SL1500_-678×1024.jpg” alt=”Harold Rogers, Tropicália (Atria, July 18)
Design by Laywan Kwan ” width=”678″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81T2L9pn0eL._SL1500_-678×1024.jpg 678w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81T2L9pn0eL._SL1500_-199×300.jpg 199w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81T2L9pn0eL._SL1500_-768×1160.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81T2L9pn0eL._SL1500_-40×60.jpg 40w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81T2L9pn0eL._SL1500_-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81T2L9pn0eL._SL1500_.jpg 993w” sizes=”(max-width: 678px) 100vw, 678px”> Harold Rogers, Tropicália (Atria, July 18)
Design by Laywan Kwan

The artwork is gorgeous and the color and type work so beautifully together.

–Lucy Kim

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="215526" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/exclusive-cover-reveal-see-the-cover-for-ed-parks-same-bed-different-dreams/attachment/9780812998979/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/9780812998979-scaled.jpg" data-orig-size="1695,2560" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="ed park same bed different dreams" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Ed Park, Same Bed Different Dreams; cover design by Will Staehle (Random House, November 7)

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/9780812998979-199×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/9780812998979-678×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-215526″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/9780812998979-678×1024.jpg” alt=”ed park same bed different dreams” width=”678″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/9780812998979-678×1024.jpg 678w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/9780812998979-199×300.jpg 199w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/9780812998979-768×1160.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/9780812998979-40×60.jpg 40w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/9780812998979-1017×1536.jpg 1017w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/9780812998979-1356×2048.jpg 1356w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/9780812998979-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/9780812998979-scaled.jpg 1695w” sizes=”(max-width: 678px) 100vw, 678px”> Ed Park, Same Bed Different Dreams (Random House, November 7)
Design by Will Staehle

–Allison Saltzman

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230820" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/81tw6kjzmal-_sl1500_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81tW6KjZmAL._SL1500_.jpg" data-orig-size="994,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="I.S. Barry, The Peacock and the Sparrow (Atria, May 30) Design by Claire Sullivan” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

I.S. Barry, The Peacock and the Sparrow (Atria, May 30) Design by Claire Sullivan

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81tW6KjZmAL._SL1500_-199×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81tW6KjZmAL._SL1500_-679×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230820″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81tW6KjZmAL._SL1500_-679×1024.jpg” alt=”I.S. Barry, The Peacock and the Sparrow (Atria, May 30) Design by Claire Sullivan” width=”679″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81tW6KjZmAL._SL1500_-679×1024.jpg 679w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81tW6KjZmAL._SL1500_-199×300.jpg 199w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81tW6KjZmAL._SL1500_-768×1159.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81tW6KjZmAL._SL1500_-40×60.jpg 40w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81tW6KjZmAL._SL1500_-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81tW6KjZmAL._SL1500_.jpg 994w” sizes=”(max-width: 679px) 100vw, 679px”> I.S. Barry, The Peacock and the Sparrow (Atria, May 30)
Design by Claire Sullivan

Love me a good spy cover! Type, color, perspective, and figure placement are all spot on.

–James Iacobelli

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="214187" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-11-best-book-covers-of-january/81nupynb2l/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/81NUpYNB2L.jpg" data-orig-size="1400,2164" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="

Iliana Regan, Fieldwork: A Forager’s Memoir; cover design by Morgan Krehbiel (Agate, January 24)

” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Iliana Regan, Fieldwork: A Forager’s Memoir; cover design by Morgan Krehbiel (Agate, January 24)

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/81NUpYNB2L-194×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/81NUpYNB2L-662×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-214187″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/81NUpYNB2L-662×1024.jpg” alt=”Iliana Regan, Fieldwork: A Forager’s Memoir; cover design by Morgan Krehbiel (Agate, January 24)” width=”662″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/81NUpYNB2L-662×1024.jpg 662w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/81NUpYNB2L-194×300.jpg 194w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/81NUpYNB2L-768×1187.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/81NUpYNB2L-39×60.jpg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/81NUpYNB2L-994×1536.jpg 994w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/81NUpYNB2L-1325×2048.jpg 1325w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/81NUpYNB2L-32×50.jpg 32w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/81NUpYNB2L.jpg 1400w” sizes=”(max-width: 662px) 100vw, 662px”> Iliana Regan, Fieldwork: A Forager’s Memoir (Agate, January 24)
Design by Morgan Krehbiel

I just completely lose myself in the gills of this mushroom.

–Mark Abrams

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230786" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/lost-believers-9781668011539_hr/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/lost-believers-9781668011539_hr.jpg" data-orig-size="1400,2150" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Irina Zhorov, Lost Believers (Scribner, August 1)
Design by Emily Mahon” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Irina Zhorov, Lost Believers (Scribner, August 1)
Design by Emily Mahon

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/lost-believers-9781668011539_hr-195×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/lost-believers-9781668011539_hr-667×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230786″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/lost-believers-9781668011539_hr-667×1024.jpg” alt=”Irina Zhorov, Lost Believers (Scribner, August 1)
Design by Emily Mahon” width=”667″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/lost-believers-9781668011539_hr-667×1024.jpg 667w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/lost-believers-9781668011539_hr-195×300.jpg 195w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/lost-believers-9781668011539_hr-768×1179.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/lost-believers-9781668011539_hr-39×60.jpg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/lost-believers-9781668011539_hr-1000×1536.jpg 1000w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/lost-believers-9781668011539_hr-1334×2048.jpg 1334w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/lost-believers-9781668011539_hr-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/lost-believers-9781668011539_hr.jpg 1400w” sizes=”(max-width: 667px) 100vw, 667px”> Irina Zhorov, Lost Believers (Scribner, August 1)
Design by Emily Mahon

I love the dimensional collaged overlay with the hand lettered type. Beautifully executed.

–Jaya Miceli

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230890" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/61rglg95ggl-_sl1200_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61rglg95GGL._SL1200_.jpg" data-orig-size="778,1200" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Alison Mills Newman, Francisco (New Directions, March 7)
Design by Joan Wong” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Alison Mills Newman, Francisco (New Directions, March 7)
Design by Joan Wong

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61rglg95GGL._SL1200_-195×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61rglg95GGL._SL1200_-664×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230890″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61rglg95GGL._SL1200_-664×1024.jpg” alt=”Alison Mills Newman, Francisco (New Directions, March 7)
Design by Joan Wong” width=”664″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61rglg95GGL._SL1200_-664×1024.jpg 664w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61rglg95GGL._SL1200_-195×300.jpg 195w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61rglg95GGL._SL1200_-768×1185.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61rglg95GGL._SL1200_-39×60.jpg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61rglg95GGL._SL1200_-32×50.jpg 32w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61rglg95GGL._SL1200_.jpg 778w” sizes=”(max-width: 664px) 100vw, 664px”> Alison Mills Newman, Francisco (New Directions, March 7)
Design by Joan Wong

–Anna Kochman

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230775" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/eyeliner-cover/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Eyeliner-cover.jpg" data-orig-size="1650,2475" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Zahra Hankir, Eyeliner: A Cultural History; cover design by Lynn Buckley (Penguin Books, November 14)” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Zahra Hankir, Eyeliner: A Cultural History; cover design by Lynn Buckley (Penguin Books, November 14)

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Eyeliner-cover-200×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Eyeliner-cover-683×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230775″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Eyeliner-cover-683×1024.jpg” alt=”Zahra Hankir, Eyeliner: A Cultural History; cover design by Lynn Buckley (Penguin Books, November 14)” width=”683″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Eyeliner-cover-683×1024.jpg 683w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Eyeliner-cover-200×300.jpg 200w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Eyeliner-cover-768×1152.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Eyeliner-cover-40×60.jpg 40w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Eyeliner-cover-1024×1536.jpg 1024w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Eyeliner-cover-1365×2048.jpg 1365w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Eyeliner-cover-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Eyeliner-cover.jpg 1650w” sizes=”(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px”> Zahra Hankir, Eyeliner: A Cultural History (Penguin Books, November 14)
Design by Lynn Buckley

This could have easily fallen into a predictable trap, but Lynn took a completely unexpected approach and turned it into a work of art.

–Alison Forner

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="212877" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/lit-hubs-most-anticipated-books-of-2023/9781953534873-20221017044938/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/9781953534873-20221017044938.jpg" data-orig-size="776,1200" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Claire Fuller, The Memory of Animals" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Claire Fuller, The Memory of Animals; cover design by Beth Steidle, art by Lisa Ericson (Tin House, June 6)

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/9781953534873-20221017044938-194×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/9781953534873-20221017044938-662×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-212877″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/9781953534873-20221017044938-662×1024.jpg” alt=”Claire Fuller, The Memory of Animals” width=”662″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/9781953534873-20221017044938-662×1024.jpg 662w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/9781953534873-20221017044938-194×300.jpg 194w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/9781953534873-20221017044938-768×1188.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/9781953534873-20221017044938-39×60.jpg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/9781953534873-20221017044938-32×50.jpg 32w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/9781953534873-20221017044938.jpg 776w” sizes=”(max-width: 662px) 100vw, 662px”> Claire Fuller, The Memory of Animals (Tin House, June 6)
Design by Beth Steidle, art by Lisa Ericson

Absolutely beautiful art by Lisa Ericson and the minimal type with subtle gradient does a great job at toggling between the foreground and background without distracting from the art and its message.

–Nicole Caputo

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="215095" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/what-our-fear-of-wolves-tells-us-about-ourselves/wolfish/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/wolfish.jpeg" data-orig-size="900,1368" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="wolfish" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Erica Berry, Wolfish: Wolf, Self, and the Stories We Tell About Fear; designed by Keith Hayes, illustration by Rokas Aleliunas (Flatiron, February 21)

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/wolfish-197×300.jpeg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/wolfish-674×1024.jpeg” class=”size-large wp-image-215095″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/wolfish-674×1024.jpeg” alt width=”674″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/wolfish-674×1024.jpeg 674w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/wolfish-197×300.jpeg 197w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/wolfish-768×1167.jpeg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/wolfish-39×60.jpeg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/wolfish-33×50.jpeg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/wolfish.jpeg 900w” sizes=”(max-width: 674px) 100vw, 674px”> Erica Berry, Wolfish: Wolf, Self, and the Stories We Tell About Fear (Flatiron, February 21)
Design by Keith Hayes; illustration by Rokas Aleliunas

I love how bold, evocative, and graphic this cover is—a real standout in the nonfiction world.

–Beth Steidle

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230768" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/815qygoynpl-_sl1500_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/815QygOYnpL._SL1500_.jpg" data-orig-size="920,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Melissa Bank, The Girls’ Guide to Hunting and Fishing (Viking, May 18)
Design by Annie Atkins” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Melissa Bank, The Girls’ Guide to Hunting and Fishing (Viking, May 18)
Design by Annie Atkins

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/815QygOYnpL._SL1500_-184×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/815QygOYnpL._SL1500_-628×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230768″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/815QygOYnpL._SL1500_-628×1024.jpg” alt=”Melissa Bank, The Girls’ Guide to Hunting and Fishing (Viking, May 18)
Design by Annie Atkins ” width=”628″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/815QygOYnpL._SL1500_-628×1024.jpg 628w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/815QygOYnpL._SL1500_-184×300.jpg 184w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/815QygOYnpL._SL1500_-768×1252.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/815QygOYnpL._SL1500_-37×60.jpg 37w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/815QygOYnpL._SL1500_-31×50.jpg 31w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/815QygOYnpL._SL1500_.jpg 920w” sizes=”(max-width: 628px) 100vw, 628px”> Melissa Bank, The Girls’ Guide to Hunting and Fishing (Viking [UK], May 18)
Design by Annie AtkinsI was super excited to see that Annie Atkins had been commissioned by Saffron Stocker to bring her talents to book covers. Because if you know her work, you know that each of these patches were painstakingly designed and made in real life. Annie’s design process and philosophies are an inspiration in a time of “quick” Photoshop and AI generative art.

–Lauren Harms

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230711" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/61bkngboonl-_ac_uf10001000_ql80_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61BKNgBOONL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg" data-orig-size="662,1000" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="61BKNgBOONL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Belknap Press (October 3)

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61BKNgBOONL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-199×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61BKNgBOONL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg” class=”size-full wp-image-230711″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61BKNgBOONL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg” alt width=”662″ height=”1000″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61BKNgBOONL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg 662w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61BKNgBOONL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-199×300.jpg 199w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61BKNgBOONL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-40×60.jpg 40w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61BKNgBOONL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-33×50.jpg 33w” sizes=”(max-width: 662px) 100vw, 662px”> Manon Garcia, The Joy of Consent (Belknap Press, October 3)
Design by Jaya Miceli

Who knew a gradient could be so sexy?! Love how the type just barely touches the shape.

–Jenny Carrow

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230790" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/ponyboy-design-luke-bird/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ponyboy-design-luke-bird.jpg" data-orig-size="1596,2553" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="ponyboy-design-luke-bird" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Eliot Duncan, Ponyboy</em (Footnote Press [UK], June 8)
Design by Luke Bird

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ponyboy-design-luke-bird-188×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ponyboy-design-luke-bird-640×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230790″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ponyboy-design-luke-bird-640×1024.jpg” alt width=”640″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ponyboy-design-luke-bird-640×1024.jpg 640w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ponyboy-design-luke-bird-188×300.jpg 188w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ponyboy-design-luke-bird-768×1229.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ponyboy-design-luke-bird-38×60.jpg 38w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ponyboy-design-luke-bird-960×1536.jpg 960w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ponyboy-design-luke-bird-1280×2048.jpg 1280w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ponyboy-design-luke-bird-31×50.jpg 31w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ponyboy-design-luke-bird.jpg 1596w” sizes=”(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px”> Eliot Duncan, Ponyboy (Footnote Press [UK], June 8)
Design by Luke Bird
It’s possible I am especially vulnerable to the Melty Look.

–Mark Abrams

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230728" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/81glpiwoshl-_sl1500_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81glPIwOshL._SL1500_.jpg" data-orig-size="993,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Sarah Cypher, The Skin and Its Girl (Ballantine, April 25)
Design and illustration by Holly Ovenden” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Sarah Cypher, The Skin and Its Girl (Ballantine, April 25)
Design and illustration by Holly Ovenden

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81glPIwOshL._SL1500_-199×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81glPIwOshL._SL1500_-678×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230728″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81glPIwOshL._SL1500_-678×1024.jpg” alt=”Sarah Cypher, The Skin and Its Girl (Ballantine, April 25)
Design and illustration by Holly Ovenden ” width=”678″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81glPIwOshL._SL1500_-678×1024.jpg 678w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81glPIwOshL._SL1500_-199×300.jpg 199w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81glPIwOshL._SL1500_-768×1160.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81glPIwOshL._SL1500_-40×60.jpg 40w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81glPIwOshL._SL1500_-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81glPIwOshL._SL1500_.jpg 993w” sizes=”(max-width: 678px) 100vw, 678px”> Sarah Cypher, The Skin and Its Girl (Ballantine, April 25)
Design and illustration by Holly Ovenden

The attitude of this design—the figure itself, yes, but also the scale and interaction with the gorgeous typography—is simply everything.

–Morgan Krehbiel

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230826" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/71shyh9dwul-_sl1500_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71ShyH9DWUL._SL1500_.jpg" data-orig-size="1000,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Sandra Newman, Julia (Mariner Books, October 24)
Design by Luke Bird” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Sandra Newman, Julia (Mariner Books, October 24)
Design by Luke Bird

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71ShyH9DWUL._SL1500_-200×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71ShyH9DWUL._SL1500_-683×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230826″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71ShyH9DWUL._SL1500_-683×1024.jpg” alt=”Sandra Newman, Julia (Mariner Books, October 24)
Design by Luke Bird ” width=”683″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71ShyH9DWUL._SL1500_-683×1024.jpg 683w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71ShyH9DWUL._SL1500_-200×300.jpg 200w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71ShyH9DWUL._SL1500_-768×1152.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71ShyH9DWUL._SL1500_-40×60.jpg 40w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71ShyH9DWUL._SL1500_-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71ShyH9DWUL._SL1500_.jpg 1000w” sizes=”(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px”> Sandra Newman, Julia (Mariner Books, October 24)
Design by Luke Bird

I love a typographic cover and this one works so well. The way 1984 is almost peering over the title, as a looming presence is so impactful.

–Kishan Rajani

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="218907" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-13-best-book-covers-of-april-2/melchor_miami_cover_rgb/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/melchor_miami_cover_rgb.jpg" data-orig-size="1613,2400" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="melchor_miami_cover_rgb" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Fernanda Melchor, tr. Sophie Hughes, This is Not Miami; cover design by Jamie Keenan (New Directions, April 4)

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/melchor_miami_cover_rgb-202×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/melchor_miami_cover_rgb-688×1024.jpg” class=”wp-image-218907 size-large” src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/melchor_miami_cover_rgb-688×1024.jpg” alt=”Fernanda Melchor, tr. Sophie Hughes, This is Not Miami; cover design by Jamie Keenan (New Directions, April 4)” width=”688″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/melchor_miami_cover_rgb-688×1024.jpg 688w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/melchor_miami_cover_rgb-202×300.jpg 202w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/melchor_miami_cover_rgb-768×1143.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/melchor_miami_cover_rgb-40×60.jpg 40w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/melchor_miami_cover_rgb-1032×1536.jpg 1032w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/melchor_miami_cover_rgb-1376×2048.jpg 1376w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/melchor_miami_cover_rgb-34×50.jpg 34w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/melchor_miami_cover_rgb.jpg 1613w” sizes=”(max-width: 688px) 100vw, 688px”> Fernanda Melchor, tr. Sophie Hughes, This is Not Miami (New Directions, April 4)
Design by Jamie Keenan

Jamie is always good at finding new ways of saying things. This captures streets at night and I love the use of colour.

–Jon Gray

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="221037" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-12-best-book-covers-of-may/917j70dijml-_ac_uf10001000_ql80_-2/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/917J70dijML._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-1.jpg" data-orig-size="658,1000" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Rita Chang-Eppig, Deep as the Sky, Red as the Sea (Bloomsbury, May 30)” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Rita Chang-Eppig, Deep as the Sky, Red as the Sea (Bloomsbury, May 30)

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/917J70dijML._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-1-197×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/917J70dijML._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-1.jpg” class=”size-full wp-image-221037″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/917J70dijML._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-1.jpg” alt=”Rita Chang-Eppig, Deep as the Sky, Red as the Sea (Bloomsbury, May 30)” width=”658″ height=”1000″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/917J70dijML._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-1.jpg 658w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/917J70dijML._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-1-197×300.jpg 197w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/917J70dijML._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-1-39×60.jpg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/917J70dijML._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-1-33×50.jpg 33w” sizes=”(max-width: 658px) 100vw, 658px”> Rita Chang-Eppig, Deep as the Sky, Red as the Sea (Bloomsbury, May 30)
Design by Mia Kwon and Patti Ratchford; illustration by Yuko Shimizu

The illustration is incredible! I love it when there are different levels of information in a design. This works on both a detailed micro level with the waves and the ship, and a macro level with the face.

–Laywan Kwan

Joshua Bennett, Spoken Word (Knopf, March 28)
Design by Tom Etherington
Great texture and craft.

–Tyler Comrie

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230705" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/naturalbeauty/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/NaturalBeauty.jpg" data-orig-size="900,1350" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Ling Ling Huang, Natural Beauty (Dutton, April 4)
Design by Kristin Del Rosario” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Ling Ling Huang, Natural Beauty (Dutton, April 4)
Design by Kristin Del Rosario

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/NaturalBeauty-200×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/NaturalBeauty-683×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230705″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/NaturalBeauty-683×1024.jpg” alt=”Ling Ling Huang, Natural Beauty (Dutton, April 4)
Design by Kristin Del Rosario ” width=”683″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/NaturalBeauty-683×1024.jpg 683w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/NaturalBeauty-200×300.jpg 200w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/NaturalBeauty-768×1152.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/NaturalBeauty-40×60.jpg 40w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/NaturalBeauty-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/NaturalBeauty.jpg 900w” sizes=”(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px”> Ling Ling Huang, Natural Beauty (Dutton, April 4)
Design by Kristin Del Rosario

I think I remember my mouth uncontrollably popping open the first time I saw this one—it’s just so unique. And those pokes!

–Zoe Norvell

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230821" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/815oq6g6hdl-_sl1500_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/815oQ6G6HDL._SL1500_.jpg" data-orig-size="982,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Stephen King, Holly (Scribner, September 5)
Design by Will Staehle” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Stephen King, Holly (Scribner, September 5)
Design by Will Staehle

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/815oQ6G6HDL._SL1500_-196×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/815oQ6G6HDL._SL1500_-670×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230821″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/815oQ6G6HDL._SL1500_-670×1024.jpg” alt=”Stephen King, Holly (Scribner, September 5)
Design by Will Staehle” width=”670″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/815oQ6G6HDL._SL1500_-670×1024.jpg 670w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/815oQ6G6HDL._SL1500_-196×300.jpg 196w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/815oQ6G6HDL._SL1500_-768×1173.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/815oQ6G6HDL._SL1500_-39×60.jpg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/815oQ6G6HDL._SL1500_-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/815oQ6G6HDL._SL1500_.jpg 982w” sizes=”(max-width: 670px) 100vw, 670px”> Stephen King, Holly (Scribner, September 5)
Design by Will Staehle

Understated creepiness, with glow in the dark spot gloss. What’s not to love!

–James Iacobelli

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230787" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/813frb4hq7l-_sl1500_-2/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/813fRB4hq7L._SL1500_.jpg" data-orig-size="975,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Guy Gunaratne, Mister Mister (Pantheon, October 3)
Design by Jack Smyth” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Guy Gunaratne, Mister Mister (Pantheon, October 3)
Design by Jack Smyth

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/813fRB4hq7L._SL1500_-195×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/813fRB4hq7L._SL1500_-666×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230787″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/813fRB4hq7L._SL1500_-666×1024.jpg” alt=”Guy Gunaratne, Mister Mister (Pantheon, October 3)
Design by Jack Smyth” width=”666″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/813fRB4hq7L._SL1500_-666×1024.jpg 666w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/813fRB4hq7L._SL1500_-195×300.jpg 195w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/813fRB4hq7L._SL1500_-768×1182.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/813fRB4hq7L._SL1500_-39×60.jpg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/813fRB4hq7L._SL1500_-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/813fRB4hq7L._SL1500_.jpg 975w” sizes=”(max-width: 666px) 100vw, 666px”> Guy Gunaratne, Mister Mister (Pantheon, October 3)
Design by Jack Smyth

I love the energy and punk rock feel of the type and illustration.

–Jaya Miceli

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="212698" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/lit-hubs-most-anticipated-books-of-2023/91kmwh2lx6l-_sl1500_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/91Kmwh2LX6L._SL1500_.jpg" data-orig-size="994,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Delia Cai, Central Places" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Delia Cai, Central Places (Ballantine, January 31)
Design by Cassie Gonzales

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/91Kmwh2LX6L._SL1500_-199×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/91Kmwh2LX6L._SL1500_-679×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-212698″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/91Kmwh2LX6L._SL1500_-679×1024.jpg” alt=”Delia Cai, Central Places” width=”679″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/91Kmwh2LX6L._SL1500_-679×1024.jpg 679w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/91Kmwh2LX6L._SL1500_-199×300.jpg 199w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/91Kmwh2LX6L._SL1500_-768×1159.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/91Kmwh2LX6L._SL1500_-40×60.jpg 40w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/91Kmwh2LX6L._SL1500_-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/91Kmwh2LX6L._SL1500_.jpg 994w” sizes=”(max-width: 679px) 100vw, 679px”> Delia Cai, Central Places (Ballantine, January 31)
Design by Cassie Gonzales

So much warmth and spirit.

–Anna Kochman

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="216933" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/exclusive-see-the-cover-for-benjamin-labatuts-new-novel-the-maniac/maniac_9780593654477_jkf/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Maniac_9780593654477_jkf-scaled.jpg" data-orig-size="1696,2560" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="benjamin labatut the maniac" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Benjamín Labatut, The MANIAC (Penguin Press, October 3)
Design by Bennett Miller / DALL-E 2

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Maniac_9780593654477_jkf-199×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Maniac_9780593654477_jkf-678×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-216933″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Maniac_9780593654477_jkf-678×1024.jpg” alt=”benjamin labatut the maniac” width=”678″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Maniac_9780593654477_jkf-678×1024.jpg 678w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Maniac_9780593654477_jkf-199×300.jpg 199w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Maniac_9780593654477_jkf-768×1160.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Maniac_9780593654477_jkf-40×60.jpg 40w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Maniac_9780593654477_jkf-1017×1536.jpg 1017w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Maniac_9780593654477_jkf-1356×2048.jpg 1356w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Maniac_9780593654477_jkf-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Maniac_9780593654477_jkf-scaled.jpg 1696w” sizes=”(max-width: 678px) 100vw, 678px”> Benjamín Labatut, The MANIAC (Penguin Press, October 3)
Design by Bennett Miller / DALL-E 2

Haunting. Of note, from the back flap: “the image on this jacket was created by Bennett Miller, using OpenAl’s DALL-E 2 software. He arrived at the final product by making extensive edits on variations of an image generated using the following prompt: ‘a vintage photograph of huge plumes of smoke coming from an enormous UFO crashed in the desert.’”

–Mark Abrams

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="212745" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/lit-hubs-most-anticipated-books-of-2023/attachment/61053829/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/61053829.jpg" data-orig-size="1695,2560" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Rebecca Makkai, I Have Some Questions For You" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Rebecca Makkai, I Have Some Questions For You

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/61053829-199×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/61053829-678×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-212745″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/61053829-678×1024.jpg” alt=”Rebecca Makkai, I Have Some Questions For You” width=”678″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/61053829-678×1024.jpg 678w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/61053829-199×300.jpg 199w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/61053829-768×1160.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/61053829-40×60.jpg 40w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/61053829-1017×1536.jpg 1017w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/61053829-1356×2048.jpg 1356w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/61053829-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/61053829.jpg 1695w” sizes=”(max-width: 678px) 100vw, 678px”> Rebecca Makkai, I Have Some Questions For You (Viking, February 21)
Design by Elizabeth Yaffe

Creative way to turn type into imagery.

–Yeon Kim

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="219006" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/a-history-of-burning/a-history-of-burning_janika-oza/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/A-History-of-Burning_Janika-Oza-scaled.jpg" data-orig-size="1696,2560" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="A History of Burning_Janika Oza" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Janika Oza, A History of Burning (Grand Central Publishing, May 2)
Design by Albert Tang; illustration by Simone Noronha

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/A-History-of-Burning_Janika-Oza-199×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/A-History-of-Burning_Janika-Oza-678×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-219006″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/A-History-of-Burning_Janika-Oza-678×1024.jpg” alt=”a history of burning” width=”678″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/A-History-of-Burning_Janika-Oza-678×1024.jpg 678w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/A-History-of-Burning_Janika-Oza-199×300.jpg 199w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/A-History-of-Burning_Janika-Oza-768×1160.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/A-History-of-Burning_Janika-Oza-40×60.jpg 40w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/A-History-of-Burning_Janika-Oza-1017×1536.jpg 1017w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/A-History-of-Burning_Janika-Oza-1356×2048.jpg 1356w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/A-History-of-Burning_Janika-Oza-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/A-History-of-Burning_Janika-Oza-scaled.jpg 1696w” sizes=”(max-width: 678px) 100vw, 678px”> Janika Oza, A History of Burning (Grand Central Publishing, May 2)
Design by Albert Tang; illustration by Simone Noronha

There is something wonderfully magnetic and lush in this illustration. It feels both classic and contemporary. And I love the unconventional framing typography. Looks fantastic in person and on screen.

–Lauren Harms

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="220401" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-28-novels-you-need-to-read-this-summer/81kautqcrhl/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/81KaUTqCrHL.jpg" data-orig-size="1684,2560" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Silver Nitrate" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Silver Nitrate (Del Rey, July 18)
Design by Regina Flath

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/81KaUTqCrHL-197×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/81KaUTqCrHL-674×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-220401″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/81KaUTqCrHL-674×1024.jpg” alt=”Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Silver Nitrate” width=”674″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/81KaUTqCrHL-674×1024.jpg 674w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/81KaUTqCrHL-197×300.jpg 197w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/81KaUTqCrHL-768×1168.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/81KaUTqCrHL-39×60.jpg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/81KaUTqCrHL-1010×1536.jpg 1010w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/81KaUTqCrHL-1347×2048.jpg 1347w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/81KaUTqCrHL-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/81KaUTqCrHL.jpg 1684w” sizes=”(max-width: 674px) 100vw, 674px”> Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Silver Nitrate (Del Rey, July 18)
Design by Regina Flath

Super commercial and super good! I love the details like the sloping title and the screen on the image.

–Jamie Keenan

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230723" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/81tajyw2xil-_sl1500_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81TAjYW2XiL._SL1500_.jpg" data-orig-size="1007,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="81TAjYW2XiL._SL1500_" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Jayne Anne Phillips, Night Watch (Knopf, September 19)
Designed by Kelly Blair

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81TAjYW2XiL._SL1500_-201×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81TAjYW2XiL._SL1500_-687×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230723″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81TAjYW2XiL._SL1500_-687×1024.jpg” alt width=”687″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81TAjYW2XiL._SL1500_-687×1024.jpg 687w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81TAjYW2XiL._SL1500_-201×300.jpg 201w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81TAjYW2XiL._SL1500_-768×1144.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81TAjYW2XiL._SL1500_-40×60.jpg 40w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81TAjYW2XiL._SL1500_-34×50.jpg 34w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81TAjYW2XiL._SL1500_.jpg 1007w” sizes=”(max-width: 687px) 100vw, 687px”> Jayne Anne Phillips, Night Watch (Knopf, September 19)
Designed by Kelly Blair

I love the pairing of this historical illustration with modern hand lettering.

–Laywan Kwan

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230791" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/fear-design-tom-etherington-scaled/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/fear-design-tom-etherington-scaled-1.jpg" data-orig-size="1668,2560" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="fear-design-tom-etherington-scaled" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Robert Peckham, Fear</em (Profile Books [UK], September 7)
design by Tom Etherington

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/fear-design-tom-etherington-scaled-1-195×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/fear-design-tom-etherington-scaled-1-667×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230791″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/fear-design-tom-etherington-scaled-1-667×1024.jpg” alt=” ” width=”667″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/fear-design-tom-etherington-scaled-1-667×1024.jpg 667w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/fear-design-tom-etherington-scaled-1-195×300.jpg 195w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/fear-design-tom-etherington-scaled-1-768×1179.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/fear-design-tom-etherington-scaled-1-39×60.jpg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/fear-design-tom-etherington-scaled-1-1001×1536.jpg 1001w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/fear-design-tom-etherington-scaled-1-1334×2048.jpg 1334w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/fear-design-tom-etherington-scaled-1-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/fear-design-tom-etherington-scaled-1.jpg 1668w” sizes=”(max-width: 667px) 100vw, 667px”> Robert Peckham, Fear (Profile Books [UK], September 7)
design by Tom Etherington

This eerie, funny-creepy design gives me 2024 vibes right now.

–Mark Abrams

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230916" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/a1mceyiokkl-_sl1500_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/A1MCEYIoKkL._SL1500_.jpg" data-orig-size="977,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Classic Ghost Stories (Vintage Classics, March 1)
Design by Andrew Davis” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Classic Ghost Stories (Vintage Classics, March 1)
Design by Andrew Davis

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/A1MCEYIoKkL._SL1500_-195×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/A1MCEYIoKkL._SL1500_-667×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230916″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/A1MCEYIoKkL._SL1500_-667×1024.jpg” alt=”Classic Ghost Stories (Vintage Classics, March 1)
Design by Andrew Davis” width=”667″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/A1MCEYIoKkL._SL1500_-667×1024.jpg 667w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/A1MCEYIoKkL._SL1500_-195×300.jpg 195w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/A1MCEYIoKkL._SL1500_-768×1179.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/A1MCEYIoKkL._SL1500_-39×60.jpg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/A1MCEYIoKkL._SL1500_-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/A1MCEYIoKkL._SL1500_.jpg 977w” sizes=”(max-width: 667px) 100vw, 667px”> Classic Ghost Stories (Vintage Classics, March 1)
Design by Andrew Davis

The level of detail that Andrew puts into his covers, blows me away. The way the beautifully illustrated crow fills the cover and the red ribbon that flows through it all, is just perfect.

–Pete Garceau

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="222964" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/reading-the-market-5-books-that-capture-40-years-of-high-finance-culture/the-vegan/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/the-vegan.jpeg" data-orig-size="900,1381" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="the vegan" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Andrew Lipstein, The Vegan; cover design by Cecilia R. Zhang (FSG, July 11)

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/the-vegan-196×300.jpeg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/the-vegan-667×1024.jpeg” class=”size-large wp-image-222964″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/the-vegan-667×1024.jpeg” alt width=”667″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/the-vegan-667×1024.jpeg 667w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/the-vegan-196×300.jpeg 196w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/the-vegan-768×1178.jpeg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/the-vegan-39×60.jpeg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/the-vegan-33×50.jpeg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/the-vegan.jpeg 900w” sizes=”(max-width: 667px) 100vw, 667px”> Andrew Lipstein, The Vegan (FSG, July 11)
Design by Cecilia R. Zhang

I love the humor of the illustration contrasting the title and the simplicity of the composition. It looks vintage yet contemporary, and the neon green is so fun.

–Jaya Nicely

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230831" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/81dcup61l-_sl1500_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81dCuP61L._SL1500_.jpg" data-orig-size="935,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="81+dC+uP61L._SL1500_" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Jacqueline Crooks, Fire Rush (Viking, April 18)
Design by Jodi Hunt

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81dCuP61L._SL1500_-187×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81dCuP61L._SL1500_-638×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230831″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81dCuP61L._SL1500_-638×1024.jpg” alt width=”638″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81dCuP61L._SL1500_-638×1024.jpg 638w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81dCuP61L._SL1500_-187×300.jpg 187w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81dCuP61L._SL1500_-768×1232.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81dCuP61L._SL1500_-37×60.jpg 37w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81dCuP61L._SL1500_-31×50.jpg 31w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81dCuP61L._SL1500_.jpg 935w” sizes=”(max-width: 638px) 100vw, 638px”> Jacqueline Crooks, Fire Rush (Jonathan Cape [UK], March 2)
Design by Jodi Hunt
This cover is energetic and eye-catching. The integration of 80s inspired typography and image has been executed beautifully and I can’t help but to be drawn to this cover.

–Kishan Rajani

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230771" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/91mpzzmmutl-_sl1500_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/91MpZzmmUtL._SL1500_.jpg" data-orig-size="993,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Dolki Min, tr. Victoria Caudle, Walking Practice (HarperVia, March 14)
Cover art by Dolki Min._SL1500_” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Dolki Min, tr. Victoria Caudle, Walking Practice (HarperVia, March 14)
Cover art by Dolki Min

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/91MpZzmmUtL._SL1500_-199×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/91MpZzmmUtL._SL1500_-678×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230771″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/91MpZzmmUtL._SL1500_-678×1024.jpg” alt=”Dolki Min, tr. Victoria Caudle, Walking Practice (HarperVia, March 14)
Cover art by Dolki Min ” width=”678″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/91MpZzmmUtL._SL1500_-678×1024.jpg 678w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/91MpZzmmUtL._SL1500_-199×300.jpg 199w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/91MpZzmmUtL._SL1500_-768×1160.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/91MpZzmmUtL._SL1500_-40×60.jpg 40w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/91MpZzmmUtL._SL1500_-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/91MpZzmmUtL._SL1500_.jpg 993w” sizes=”(max-width: 678px) 100vw, 678px”> Dolki Min, tr. Victoria Caudle, Walking Practice (HarperVia, March 14)
Cover art by Dolki Min

There’s so many layers to this cover. I love that the art and text come together, making this a unique cover. No idea what’s going on, but I’m intrigued.

–Yeon Kim

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230720" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/81xsgvvmunl-_sl1500_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81xsgvvmUnL._SL1500_.jpg" data-orig-size="978,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Christine Grillo, Hestia Strikes a Match (FSG, April 18)
Design by Na Kim” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Christine Grillo, Hestia Strikes a Match (FSG, April 18)
Design by Na Kim

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81xsgvvmUnL._SL1500_-196×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81xsgvvmUnL._SL1500_-668×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230720″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81xsgvvmUnL._SL1500_-668×1024.jpg” alt=”Christine Grillo, Hestia Strikes a Match (FSG, April 18)
Design by Na Kim ” width=”668″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81xsgvvmUnL._SL1500_-668×1024.jpg 668w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81xsgvvmUnL._SL1500_-196×300.jpg 196w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81xsgvvmUnL._SL1500_-768×1178.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81xsgvvmUnL._SL1500_-39×60.jpg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81xsgvvmUnL._SL1500_-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81xsgvvmUnL._SL1500_.jpg 978w” sizes=”(max-width: 668px) 100vw, 668px”> Christine Grillo, Hestia Strikes a Match (FSG, April 18)
Design by Na Kim

I’ve been obsessed with this cover since the moment I saw it.

–Cassie Gonzales

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230766" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/9781566896757_1024x1024/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/9781566896757_1024x1024.jpg" data-orig-size="661,1024" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="9781566896757_1024x1024" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Isabel Zapata, tr. Robin Myers, In Vitro (Coffee House Press, May 9)
Design by

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/9781566896757_1024x1024-194×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/9781566896757_1024x1024.jpg” class=”size-full wp-image-230766″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/9781566896757_1024x1024.jpg” alt width=”661″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/9781566896757_1024x1024.jpg 661w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/9781566896757_1024x1024-194×300.jpg 194w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/9781566896757_1024x1024-39×60.jpg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/9781566896757_1024x1024-32×50.jpg 32w” sizes=”(max-width: 661px) 100vw, 661px”> Isabel Zapata, tr. Robin Myers, In Vitro (Coffee House Press, May 9)
Design by Zoe Norvell

I am struck by this cover every time I see it. The color palette and the image so perfectly capture the strangeness, interiority, and otherness of what happens within our own bodies.

–Beth Steidle

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230834" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/71-jnomyk0l-_sl1500_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71-JNOMYk0L._SL1500_.jpg" data-orig-size="1000,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Ismail Kadare, tr. John Hodgson, A Dictator Calls (Counterpoint, September 19)” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Ismail Kadare, tr. John Hodgson, A Dictator Calls (Counterpoint, September 19)

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71-JNOMYk0L._SL1500_-200×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71-JNOMYk0L._SL1500_-683×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230834″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71-JNOMYk0L._SL1500_-683×1024.jpg” alt=”Ismail Kadare, tr. John Hodgson, A Dictator Calls (Counterpoint, September 19) ” width=”683″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71-JNOMYk0L._SL1500_-683×1024.jpg 683w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71-JNOMYk0L._SL1500_-200×300.jpg 200w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71-JNOMYk0L._SL1500_-768×1152.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71-JNOMYk0L._SL1500_-40×60.jpg 40w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71-JNOMYk0L._SL1500_-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71-JNOMYk0L._SL1500_.jpg 1000w” sizes=”(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px”> Ismail Kadare, tr. John Hodgson, A Dictator Calls (Counterpoint, September 19)
Design by Farjana Yasmin

–Allison Saltzman

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230822" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/81uhcus9lal-_sl1500_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81UhCus9LAL._SL1500_.jpg" data-orig-size="994,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Andrea Dunlop, Women Are The Fiercest Creatures (Libby Books, March 7)
Design by Olga Grlic” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Andrea Dunlop, Women Are The Fiercest Creatures (Libby Books, March 7)
Design by Olga Grlic

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81UhCus9LAL._SL1500_-199×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81UhCus9LAL._SL1500_-679×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230822″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81UhCus9LAL._SL1500_-679×1024.jpg” alt=”Andrea Dunlop, Women Are The Fiercest Creatures (Libby Books, March 7)
Design by Olga Grlic” width=”679″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81UhCus9LAL._SL1500_-679×1024.jpg 679w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81UhCus9LAL._SL1500_-199×300.jpg 199w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81UhCus9LAL._SL1500_-768×1159.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81UhCus9LAL._SL1500_-40×60.jpg 40w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81UhCus9LAL._SL1500_-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81UhCus9LAL._SL1500_.jpg 994w” sizes=”(max-width: 679px) 100vw, 679px”> Andrea Dunlop, Women Are The Fiercest Creatures (Libby Books, March 7)
Design by Olga Grlic

Amazing combination of title and art.

–James Iacobelli

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="223874" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-17-best-book-covers-of-july/813zk8inhll-_ac_uf10001000_ql80_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/813zk8inhlL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg" data-orig-size="667,1000" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Hannah Michell, Excavations; cover design by TK TK (One World, July 11)” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Hannah Michell, Excavations; cover design by TK TK (One World, July 11)

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/813zk8inhlL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-200×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/813zk8inhlL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg” class=”size-full wp-image-223874″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/813zk8inhlL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg” alt=”Hannah Michell, Excavations; cover design by TK TK (One World, July 11)” width=”667″ height=”1000″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/813zk8inhlL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg 667w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/813zk8inhlL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-200×300.jpg 200w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/813zk8inhlL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-40×60.jpg 40w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/813zk8inhlL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-33×50.jpg 33w” sizes=”(max-width: 667px) 100vw, 667px”> Hannah Michell, Excavations (One World, July 11)
Design by Arsh Raziuddin

When I look at this my eyes just yoyo backwards and forwards between the title and young kids and It’s a great use of empty space.

–Jamie Keenan

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="214644" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/23-new-books-to-get-at-your-local-indie-today/what-napoleon-could-not-do/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/what-napoleon-could-not-do.jpg" data-orig-size="994,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="what napoleon could not do" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Design by Lauren Peters-Collaer; art by

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/what-napoleon-could-not-do-199×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/what-napoleon-could-not-do-679×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-214644″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/what-napoleon-could-not-do-679×1024.jpg” alt width=”679″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/what-napoleon-could-not-do-679×1024.jpg 679w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/what-napoleon-could-not-do-199×300.jpg 199w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/what-napoleon-could-not-do-768×1159.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/what-napoleon-could-not-do-40×60.jpg 40w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/what-napoleon-could-not-do-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/what-napoleon-could-not-do.jpg 994w” sizes=”(max-width: 679px) 100vw, 679px”> DK Nnuro, What Napoleon Could Not Do (Riverhead, February 7) Design by Lauren Peters-Collaer; art by Amoako Boafo

Lauren’s hand lettering pairs so beautifully with Amoako Boafo’s art.

–Grace Han

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="212878" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/lit-hubs-most-anticipated-books-of-2023/attachment/9780374609870/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/9780374609870.jpg" data-orig-size="1506,2206" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Henry Hoke, Open Throat" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Henry Hoke, Open Throat

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/9780374609870-205×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/9780374609870-699×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-212878″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/9780374609870-699×1024.jpg” alt=”Henry Hoke, Open Throat” width=”699″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/9780374609870-699×1024.jpg 699w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/9780374609870-205×300.jpg 205w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/9780374609870-768×1125.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/9780374609870-41×60.jpg 41w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/9780374609870-1049×1536.jpg 1049w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/9780374609870-1398×2048.jpg 1398w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/9780374609870-34×50.jpg 34w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/9780374609870.jpg 1506w” sizes=”(max-width: 699px) 100vw, 699px”> Henry Hoke, Open Throat (MCD, June 6)
Design by Rodrigo Corral

Captivating Rorschach-esque art with hidden elements begs to be picked up.

–Yeon Kim

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="228055" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/what-is-it-really-like-inside-a-sensory-deprivation-tank/finalcover-lonelinessfiles-dixon9781959030126/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/finalcover.lonelinessfiles.dixon9781959030126.jpg" data-orig-size="1650,2550" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="finalcover.lonelinessfiles.dixon9781959030126" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Athena Dixon, The Loneliness Files; cover design by Beth Steidle (Tin House, October 3)

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/finalcover.lonelinessfiles.dixon9781959030126-194×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/finalcover.lonelinessfiles.dixon9781959030126-663×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-228055″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/finalcover.lonelinessfiles.dixon9781959030126-663×1024.jpg” alt=”Athena Dixon’s book of essays, The Loneliness Files” width=”663″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/finalcover.lonelinessfiles.dixon9781959030126-663×1024.jpg 663w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/finalcover.lonelinessfiles.dixon9781959030126-194×300.jpg 194w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/finalcover.lonelinessfiles.dixon9781959030126-768×1187.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/finalcover.lonelinessfiles.dixon9781959030126-39×60.jpg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/finalcover.lonelinessfiles.dixon9781959030126-994×1536.jpg 994w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/finalcover.lonelinessfiles.dixon9781959030126-1325×2048.jpg 1325w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/finalcover.lonelinessfiles.dixon9781959030126-32×50.jpg 32w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/finalcover.lonelinessfiles.dixon9781959030126.jpg 1650w” sizes=”(max-width: 663px) 100vw, 663px”> Athena Dixon, The Loneliness Files (Tin House, October 3)
Design by Beth Steidle

This cover perfectly captures the paradox of urban loneliness. Also, the attention to craft on this cover is remarkable—the imperfect rectangles and the slightly off-center circles all come together to give it that midcentury modern flavour…an homage to a time when the Align-Window didn’t exist.

–Cecilia Zhang

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230698" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/after-sappho/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/After-Sappho.jpeg" data-orig-size="1524,2339" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="After Sappho" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Holly Ovenden—After Sappho by Selby Wynn Schwartz

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/After-Sappho-195×300.jpeg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/After-Sappho-667×1024.jpeg” class=”size-large wp-image-230698″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/After-Sappho-667×1024.jpeg” alt width=”667″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/After-Sappho-667×1024.jpeg 667w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/After-Sappho-195×300.jpeg 195w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/After-Sappho-768×1179.jpeg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/After-Sappho-39×60.jpeg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/After-Sappho-1001×1536.jpeg 1001w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/After-Sappho-1334×2048.jpeg 1334w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/After-Sappho-33×50.jpeg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/After-Sappho.jpeg 1524w” sizes=”(max-width: 667px) 100vw, 667px”> Selby Wynn Schwartz, After Sappho (Galley Beggar Press [UK], July 13)
Design by Holly OvendenSuch a dexterous balance of movement, color, and type. The spilling hinted at is clever and sensuous. I’ve been transfixed by this cover since I first saw it.

–Alban Fischer

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="213002" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/lit-hubs-most-anticipated-books-of-2023/81h1wlyoyvl-_sl1500_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/81H1wLyoyvL._SL1500_.jpg" data-orig-size="967,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="lauren beukes bridge" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Lauren Beukes, Bridge

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/81H1wLyoyvL._SL1500_-193×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/81H1wLyoyvL._SL1500_-660×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-213002″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/81H1wLyoyvL._SL1500_-660×1024.jpg” alt=”lauren beukes bridge” width=”660″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/81H1wLyoyvL._SL1500_-660×1024.jpg 660w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/81H1wLyoyvL._SL1500_-193×300.jpg 193w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/81H1wLyoyvL._SL1500_-768×1191.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/81H1wLyoyvL._SL1500_-39×60.jpg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/81H1wLyoyvL._SL1500_-32×50.jpg 32w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/81H1wLyoyvL._SL1500_.jpg 967w” sizes=”(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px”> Lauren Beukes, Bridge (Mullholland, August 8)
Design by Kirin Diemont

This edition takes a conventional sci-fi-thriller look and throws it out the window. Love those colors!

–Zoe Norvell

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="191369" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-10-best-book-covers-of-february/pure-colour-2/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/pure-colour-1.jpeg" data-orig-size="900,1372" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="pure colour" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Sheila Heti, Pure Colour, design by Na Kim (FSG, February 13)

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/pure-colour-1-197×300.jpeg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/pure-colour-1-672×1024.jpeg” class=”size-large wp-image-191369″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/pure-colour-1-672×1024.jpeg” alt width=”672″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/pure-colour-1-672×1024.jpeg 672w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/pure-colour-1-197×300.jpeg 197w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/pure-colour-1-768×1171.jpeg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/pure-colour-1-39×60.jpeg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/pure-colour-1-33×50.jpeg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/pure-colour-1.jpeg 900w” sizes=”(max-width: 672px) 100vw, 672px”> Sheila Heti, Pure Colour (FSG, February 13)
Design by Na Kim

What Na Kim did with this cover was take one of the most direct cover designs possible while still leaving room for ambiguity with a giant Ellsworth Kelly blob.

–Erik Carter

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="212670" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/lit-hubs-most-anticipated-books-of-2023/hell-bent-cmyk/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/hell-bent-cmyk.jpg" data-orig-size="1143,1737" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="Leigh Bardugo, Hell Bent" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Leigh Bardugo, Hell Bent

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/hell-bent-cmyk-197×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/hell-bent-cmyk-674×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-212670″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/hell-bent-cmyk-674×1024.jpg” alt=”Leigh Bardugo, Hell Bent” width=”674″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/hell-bent-cmyk-674×1024.jpg 674w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/hell-bent-cmyk-197×300.jpg 197w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/hell-bent-cmyk-768×1167.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/hell-bent-cmyk-39×60.jpg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/hell-bent-cmyk-1011×1536.jpg 1011w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/hell-bent-cmyk-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/hell-bent-cmyk.jpg 1143w” sizes=”(max-width: 674px) 100vw, 674px”> Leigh Bardugo, Hell Bent (Flatiron, January 10)
Design by Keith Hayes; art by Sasha Vinogradova

Love how the art—unsettling and beautiful at the same time—gets to shine here. Seamless type integration, pearl finish, and sculpture emboss make this a really striking package.

–Jamie Stafford-Hill

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230732" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/81kxtijtnbl-_sl1500_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81KXTIJtnbL._SL1500_.jpg" data-orig-size="969,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="A.K. Blakemore, The Glutton (Granta Books [UK], September 21)
Design by Jo Walker” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

A.K. Blakemore, The Glutton (Granta Books [UK], September 21)
Design by Jo Walker

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81KXTIJtnbL._SL1500_-194×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81KXTIJtnbL._SL1500_-662×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230732″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81KXTIJtnbL._SL1500_-662×1024.jpg” alt=”A.K. Blakemore, The Glutton (Granta Books [UK], September 21)
Design by Jo Walker ” width=”662″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81KXTIJtnbL._SL1500_-662×1024.jpg 662w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81KXTIJtnbL._SL1500_-194×300.jpg 194w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81KXTIJtnbL._SL1500_-768×1189.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81KXTIJtnbL._SL1500_-39×60.jpg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81KXTIJtnbL._SL1500_-32×50.jpg 32w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81KXTIJtnbL._SL1500_.jpg 969w” sizes=”(max-width: 662px) 100vw, 662px”> A.K. Blakemore, The Glutton (Granta Books [UK], September 21)
Design by Jo WalkerLove Jo Walker’s design for The Glutton. It’s so fun.

–Anna Morrison

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230889" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/91d-zwp-pml-_sl1500_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/91d-zWP-PML._SL1500_.jpg" data-orig-size="966,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Yasunari Kawabata, The Rainbow (Vintage, November 7)
Design by John Gall” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Yasunari Kawabata, The Rainbow (Vintage, November 7)
Design by John Gall

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/91d-zWP-PML._SL1500_-193×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/91d-zWP-PML._SL1500_-659×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230889″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/91d-zWP-PML._SL1500_-659×1024.jpg” alt=”Yasunari Kawabata, The Rainbow (Vintage, November 7)
Design by John Gall” width=”659″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/91d-zWP-PML._SL1500_-659×1024.jpg 659w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/91d-zWP-PML._SL1500_-193×300.jpg 193w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/91d-zWP-PML._SL1500_-768×1193.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/91d-zWP-PML._SL1500_-39×60.jpg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/91d-zWP-PML._SL1500_-32×50.jpg 32w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/91d-zWP-PML._SL1500_.jpg 966w” sizes=”(max-width: 659px) 100vw, 659px”> Yasunari Kawabata, The Rainbow (Vintage, November 7)
Design by John Gall

Trippy. What was this guy smokin’ when he made this?

–Tyler Comrie

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="224496" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-belladonna-of-sadness-a-poem-by-sally-wen-mao/the-kingdom-of-surfaces/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/the-kingdom-of-surfaces.jpeg" data-orig-size="820,1054" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="the kingdom of surfaces" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Sally Wen Mao, The Kingdom of Surfaces (Graywolf Press, August 1)
Design by Kapo Ng; art by Ah Xian

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/the-kingdom-of-surfaces-233×300.jpeg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/the-kingdom-of-surfaces-797×1024.jpeg” class=”size-large wp-image-224496″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/the-kingdom-of-surfaces-797×1024.jpeg” alt width=”797″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/the-kingdom-of-surfaces-797×1024.jpeg 797w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/the-kingdom-of-surfaces-233×300.jpeg 233w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/the-kingdom-of-surfaces-768×987.jpeg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/the-kingdom-of-surfaces-47×60.jpeg 47w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/the-kingdom-of-surfaces-39×50.jpeg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/the-kingdom-of-surfaces.jpeg 820w” sizes=”(max-width: 797px) 100vw, 797px”> Sally Wen Mao, The Kingdom of Surfaces (Graywolf Press, August 1)
Design by Kapo Ng; art by Ah Xian

I first saw this cover on display in my local bookstore, and literally stopped mid-conversation to run across the room for a closer look. Something about the restraint in the design is just so exciting.

–Morgan Krehbiel

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230769" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/812g4ct56l-_sl1500_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/812G4CT56L._SL1500_.jpg" data-orig-size="972,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Jessica Johns, Bad Cree (Doubleday, January 10)
Design by Emily Mahon” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Jessica Johns, Bad Cree (Doubleday, January 10)
Design by Emily Mahon

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/812G4CT56L._SL1500_-194×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/812G4CT56L._SL1500_-664×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230769″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/812G4CT56L._SL1500_-664×1024.jpg” alt=”Jessica Johns, Bad Cree (Doubleday, January 10)
Design by Emily Mahon ” width=”664″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/812G4CT56L._SL1500_-664×1024.jpg 664w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/812G4CT56L._SL1500_-194×300.jpg 194w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/812G4CT56L._SL1500_-768×1185.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/812G4CT56L._SL1500_-39×60.jpg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/812G4CT56L._SL1500_-32×50.jpg 32w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/812G4CT56L._SL1500_.jpg 972w” sizes=”(max-width: 664px) 100vw, 664px”> Jessica Johns, Bad Cree (Doubleday, January 10)
Design by Emily Mahon

What a pairing of type and image! The typography is really fantastic and lends sophistication. Love the simplicity.

–Lauren Harms

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="212696" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/lit-hubs-most-anticipated-books-of-2023/guestlecturepk/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GuestLecturePK.jpg" data-orig-size="1671,2481" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="Martin Riker, The Guest Lecture" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Martin Riker, The Guest Lecture; cover design by Kelly Winton (Black Cat, January 24)

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GuestLecturePK-202×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GuestLecturePK-690×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-212696″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GuestLecturePK-690×1024.jpg” alt=”Martin Riker, The Guest Lecture” width=”690″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GuestLecturePK-690×1024.jpg 690w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GuestLecturePK-202×300.jpg 202w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GuestLecturePK-768×1140.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GuestLecturePK-40×60.jpg 40w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GuestLecturePK-1035×1536.jpg 1035w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GuestLecturePK-1379×2048.jpg 1379w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GuestLecturePK-34×50.jpg 34w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GuestLecturePK.jpg 1671w” sizes=”(max-width: 690px) 100vw, 690px”> Martin Riker, The Guest Lecture (Black Cat, January 24)
Design by Kelly Winton

The layered views offer a glimpse into a confused world, while the serene color palette and structured type balance out the chaos.

–Kimberly Glyder

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="228839" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-14-best-book-covers-of-october/attachment-reggie-watts-great-falls-mt/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/attachment-Reggie-Watts-Great-Falls-MT.jpg" data-orig-size="994,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Reggie Watts, Great Falls, MT: Fast Times, Post-Punk Weirdos, and a Tale of Coming Home Again; cover design by TK TK (Tiny Reparations Press, October 17)” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Reggie Watts, Great Falls, MT: Fast Times, Post-Punk Weirdos, and a Tale of Coming Home Again; cover design by TK TK (Tiny Reparations Press, October 17)

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/attachment-Reggie-Watts-Great-Falls-MT-199×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/attachment-Reggie-Watts-Great-Falls-MT-679×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-228839″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/attachment-Reggie-Watts-Great-Falls-MT-679×1024.jpg” alt=”Reggie Watts, Great Falls, MT: Fast Times, Post-Punk Weirdos, and a Tale of Coming Home Again; cover design by TK TK (Tiny Reparations Press, October 17)” width=”679″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/attachment-Reggie-Watts-Great-Falls-MT-679×1024.jpg 679w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/attachment-Reggie-Watts-Great-Falls-MT-199×300.jpg 199w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/attachment-Reggie-Watts-Great-Falls-MT-768×1159.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/attachment-Reggie-Watts-Great-Falls-MT-40×60.jpg 40w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/attachment-Reggie-Watts-Great-Falls-MT-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/attachment-Reggie-Watts-Great-Falls-MT.jpg 994w” sizes=”(max-width: 679px) 100vw, 679px”> Reggie Watts, Great Falls, MT: Fast Times, Post-Punk Weirdos, and a Tale of Coming Home Again (Tiny Reparations Press, October 17)
Design by Ben Denzer

This cover is bonkers and brilliant!

–Jenny Carrow

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230823" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/81faub2cwel-_sl1500_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81FaUB2cwEL._SL1500_.jpg" data-orig-size="1000,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Sara Gran, Come Closer (Soho Press, September 26)” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Sara Gran, Come Closer (Soho Press, September 26)

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81FaUB2cwEL._SL1500_-200×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81FaUB2cwEL._SL1500_-683×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230823″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81FaUB2cwEL._SL1500_-683×1024.jpg” alt=”Sara Gran, Come Closer (Soho Press, September 26) ” width=”683″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81FaUB2cwEL._SL1500_-683×1024.jpg 683w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81FaUB2cwEL._SL1500_-200×300.jpg 200w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81FaUB2cwEL._SL1500_-768×1152.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81FaUB2cwEL._SL1500_-40×60.jpg 40w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81FaUB2cwEL._SL1500_-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81FaUB2cwEL._SL1500_.jpg 1000w” sizes=”(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px”> Sara Gran, Come Closer (Soho Press, September 26)
Design by Caroline Johnson

LOVE LOVE LOVE everything about this cover!!

–James Iacobelli

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="222531" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/lit-hubs-most-anticipated-books-of-2023-part-two/51msbtw-pfl-_ac_uf10001000_ql80_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/51MsbtW-pfL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg" data-orig-size="664,1000" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Vauhini Vara, This is Salvaged: Stories" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Vauhini Vara, This is Salvaged; cover design by TK TK (W.W. Norton, September 26)

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/51MsbtW-pfL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-199×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/51MsbtW-pfL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg” class=”size-full wp-image-222531″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/51MsbtW-pfL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg” alt=”Vauhini Vara, This is Salvaged: Stories” width=”664″ height=”1000″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/51MsbtW-pfL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg 664w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/51MsbtW-pfL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-199×300.jpg 199w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/51MsbtW-pfL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-40×60.jpg 40w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/51MsbtW-pfL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-33×50.jpg 33w” sizes=”(max-width: 664px) 100vw, 664px”> Vauhini Vara, This is Salvaged (W.W. Norton, September 26)
Design by Keith Hayes

A clean and heartbreaking design. I like how the windswept flower appears to force the type further and further apart.

–Beth Steidle

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="220406" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-28-novels-you-need-to-read-this-summer/71oxw5wjh0l/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/71oXW5Wjh0L.jpg" data-orig-size="1650,2531" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Paul Murray, The Bee Sting" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Paul Murray, The Bee Sting (FSG, August 15)
Design by Na Kim

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/71oXW5Wjh0L-196×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/71oXW5Wjh0L-668×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-220406″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/71oXW5Wjh0L-668×1024.jpg” alt=”Paul Murray, The Bee Sting” width=”668″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/71oXW5Wjh0L-668×1024.jpg 668w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/71oXW5Wjh0L-196×300.jpg 196w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/71oXW5Wjh0L-768×1178.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/71oXW5Wjh0L-39×60.jpg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/71oXW5Wjh0L-1001×1536.jpg 1001w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/71oXW5Wjh0L-1335×2048.jpg 1335w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/71oXW5Wjh0L-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/71oXW5Wjh0L.jpg 1650w” sizes=”(max-width: 668px) 100vw, 668px”> Paul Murray, The Bee Sting (FSG, August 15)
Design by Na Kim

Perfect, as always.

–Lauren Peters-Collaer

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="228837" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-14-best-book-covers-of-october/a1tp98f7tol-_sl1500_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/A1TP98f7TOL._SL1500_.jpg" data-orig-size="1000,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Molly McGhee, Jonathan Abernathy You Are Kind; cover design by Alicia Tatone (Astra House, October 17)” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Molly McGhee, Jonathan Abernathy You Are Kind; cover design by Alicia Tatone (Astra House, October 17)

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/A1TP98f7TOL._SL1500_-200×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/A1TP98f7TOL._SL1500_-683×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-228837″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/A1TP98f7TOL._SL1500_-683×1024.jpg” alt=”Molly McGhee, Jonathan Abernathy You Are Kind; cover design by Alicia Tatone (Astra House, October 17)” width=”683″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/A1TP98f7TOL._SL1500_-683×1024.jpg 683w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/A1TP98f7TOL._SL1500_-200×300.jpg 200w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/A1TP98f7TOL._SL1500_-768×1152.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/A1TP98f7TOL._SL1500_-40×60.jpg 40w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/A1TP98f7TOL._SL1500_-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/A1TP98f7TOL._SL1500_.jpg 1000w” sizes=”(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px”> Molly McGhee, Jonathan Abernathy You Are Kind (Astra House, October 17)
Design by Alicia Tatone

I love how this one asks you to look closer.

–Anna Kochman

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230721" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/fever-house/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/fever-house.jpg" data-orig-size="1200,1824" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Keith Rosson, Fever House (Random House, August 15)
Design by Ella Laytham” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Keith Rosson, Fever House (Random House, August 15)
Design by Ella Laytham

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/fever-house-197×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/fever-house-674×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230721″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/fever-house-674×1024.jpg” alt=”Keith Rosson, Fever House (Random House, August 15)
Design by Ella Laytham ” width=”674″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/fever-house-674×1024.jpg 674w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/fever-house-197×300.jpg 197w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/fever-house-768×1167.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/fever-house-39×60.jpg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/fever-house-1011×1536.jpg 1011w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/fever-house-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/fever-house.jpg 1200w” sizes=”(max-width: 674px) 100vw, 674px”> Keith Rosson, Fever House (Random House, August 15)
Design by Ella Laytham

A perfectly balanced cover that only gets better the closer you look at the textures and details.

–Cassie Gonzales

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230733" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/pig-9781668019993_hr/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/pig-9781668019993_hr.jpg" data-orig-size="1394,2120" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="Sam Sax, Pig (Scribner, September 19)
Design by Matt Dorfman” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Sam Sax, Pig (Scribner, September 19)
Design by Matt Dorfman

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/pig-9781668019993_hr-197×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/pig-9781668019993_hr-673×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230733″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/pig-9781668019993_hr-673×1024.jpg” alt=”Sam Sax, Pig (Scribner, September 19)
Design by Matt Dorfman ” width=”673″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/pig-9781668019993_hr-673×1024.jpg 673w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/pig-9781668019993_hr-197×300.jpg 197w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/pig-9781668019993_hr-768×1168.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/pig-9781668019993_hr-39×60.jpg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/pig-9781668019993_hr-1010×1536.jpg 1010w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/pig-9781668019993_hr-1347×2048.jpg 1347w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/pig-9781668019993_hr-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/pig-9781668019993_hr.jpg 1394w” sizes=”(max-width: 673px) 100vw, 673px”> Sam Sax, Pig (Scribner, September 19)
Design by Matt Dorfman

The negative space, the colors, the Paul Rand-esque illustration—Matt can do no wrong.

–Alicia Tatone

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230696" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/espyfpish9reogmo4nxo/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/espyfpish9reogmo4nxo.jpg" data-orig-size="800,1175" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Rick Rubin, The Creative Act (Penguin Press, January 17)
Design by Rick Rubin + Pentagram)” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Rick Rubin, The Creative Act (Penguin Press, January 17)
Design by Rick Rubin + Pentagram)

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/espyfpish9reogmo4nxo-204×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/espyfpish9reogmo4nxo-697×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230696″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/espyfpish9reogmo4nxo-697×1024.jpg” alt=”Rick Rubin, The Creative Act (Penguin Press, January 17)
Design by Rick Rubin + Pentagram)” width=”697″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/espyfpish9reogmo4nxo-697×1024.jpg 697w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/espyfpish9reogmo4nxo-204×300.jpg 204w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/espyfpish9reogmo4nxo-768×1128.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/espyfpish9reogmo4nxo-41×60.jpg 41w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/espyfpish9reogmo4nxo-34×50.jpg 34w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/espyfpish9reogmo4nxo.jpg 800w” sizes=”(max-width: 697px) 100vw, 697px”> Rick Rubin, The Creative Act (Penguin Press, January 17)
Design by Rick Rubin + Pentagram

Simple, daring, and brave enough to take risks (no quotes, sticker barcode) like Rubin himself.

–Stephen Brayda

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230971" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/ridker_hope_cover_r1_150/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Ridker_Hope_cover_r1_150.jpg" data-orig-size="919,1388" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Andrew Ridker, Hope (Viking, July 11)
Design by Tyler Comrie” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Andrew Ridker, Hope (Viking, July 11)
Design by Tyler Comrie

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Ridker_Hope_cover_r1_150-199×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Ridker_Hope_cover_r1_150-678×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230971″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Ridker_Hope_cover_r1_150-678×1024.jpg” alt=”Andrew Ridker, Hope (Viking, July 11)
Design by Tyler Comrie” width=”678″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Ridker_Hope_cover_r1_150-678×1024.jpg 678w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Ridker_Hope_cover_r1_150-199×300.jpg 199w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Ridker_Hope_cover_r1_150-768×1160.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Ridker_Hope_cover_r1_150-40×60.jpg 40w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Ridker_Hope_cover_r1_150-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Ridker_Hope_cover_r1_150.jpg 919w” sizes=”(max-width: 678px) 100vw, 678px”> Andrew Ridker, Hope (Viking, July 11)
Design by Tyler Comrie

An excellent photograph that pairs perfectly with the title. Humorous and sentimental.

–Kelly Winton

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230789" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/71gd0vyobql-_sl1500_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71Gd0vYobQL._SL1500_.jpg" data-orig-size="1000,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Djuna, tr. Anton Hur, Counterweight (Pantheon, July 11)
Design by Tal Goretsky” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Djuna, tr. Anton Hur, Counterweight (Pantheon, July 11)
Design by Tal Goretsky

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71Gd0vYobQL._SL1500_-200×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71Gd0vYobQL._SL1500_-683×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230789″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71Gd0vYobQL._SL1500_-683×1024.jpg” alt=”Djuna, tr. Anton Hur, Counterweight (Pantheon, July 11)
Design by Tal Goretsky ” width=”683″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71Gd0vYobQL._SL1500_-683×1024.jpg 683w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71Gd0vYobQL._SL1500_-200×300.jpg 200w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71Gd0vYobQL._SL1500_-768×1152.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71Gd0vYobQL._SL1500_-40×60.jpg 40w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71Gd0vYobQL._SL1500_-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71Gd0vYobQL._SL1500_.jpg 1000w” sizes=”(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px”> Djuna, tr. Anton Hur, Counterweight (Pantheon, July 11)
Design by Tal Goretsky

Love the colors and surreal quality of this cover. That eyeball!

–Jaya Miceli

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230777" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/61j59avdmwl-_sl1000_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61J59aVDMwL._SL1000_.jpg" data-orig-size="647,1000" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Mary Ziegler, Roe: The History of a National Obsession (Yale University Press, January 24)
Design by Alex Camlin” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Mary Ziegler, Roe: The History of a National Obsession (Yale University Press, January 24)
Design by Alex Camlin

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61J59aVDMwL._SL1000_-194×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61J59aVDMwL._SL1000_.jpg” class=”size-full wp-image-230777″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61J59aVDMwL._SL1000_.jpg” alt=”Mary Ziegler, Roe: The History of a National Obsession (Yale University Press, January 24)
Design by Alex Camlin” width=”647″ height=”1000″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61J59aVDMwL._SL1000_.jpg 647w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61J59aVDMwL._SL1000_-194×300.jpg 194w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61J59aVDMwL._SL1000_-39×60.jpg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/61J59aVDMwL._SL1000_-32×50.jpg 32w” sizes=”(max-width: 647px) 100vw, 647px”> Mary Ziegler, Roe: The History of a National Obsession (Yale University Press, January 24)
Design by Alex Camlin

It’s so incredibly hard to create something fresh and unexpected for books like these. I love how this captures the raw energy of one of the most important issues of our time. It feels urgent and unbridled.

–Alison Forner

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230699" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/indiom/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Indiom.jpg" data-orig-size="636,1000" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Indiom" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Kisan Rajani—Indiom by Daljit Nagra

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Indiom-191×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Indiom.jpg” class=”size-full wp-image-230699″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Indiom.jpg” alt width=”636″ height=”1000″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Indiom.jpg 636w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Indiom-191×300.jpg 191w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Indiom-38×60.jpg 38w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Indiom-32×50.jpg 32w” sizes=”(max-width: 636px) 100vw, 636px”> Daljit Nagra, Indiom (Faber & Faber [UK], September 7)
Design by Kishan Rajani
I’m always mesmerized by Rajani’s use of color. Here, everything just snaps with such precision and verve. And the texture lends a real warmth.

–Alban Fischer

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230709" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/screenshot-2023-12-05-at-11-55-21-am/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-05-at-11.55.21 AM.png" data-orig-size="906,1398" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Screenshot 2023-12-05 at 11.55.21 AM" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Herman Hesse, tr. Kurt Beals, The Steppenwolf (W.W. Norton, January 3)

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-05-at-11.55.21 AM-194×300.png” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-05-at-11.55.21 AM-664×1024.png” class=”size-large wp-image-230709″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-05-at-11.55.21 AM-664×1024.png” alt width=”664″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-05-at-11.55.21 AM-664×1024.png 664w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-05-at-11.55.21 AM-194×300.png 194w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-05-at-11.55.21 AM-768×1185.png 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-05-at-11.55.21 AM-39×60.png 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-05-at-11.55.21 AM-32×50.png 32w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-05-at-11.55.21 AM.png 906w” sizes=”(max-width: 664px) 100vw, 664px”> Herman Hesse, tr. Kurt Beals, The Steppenwolf (W.W. Norton, January 3)
Design by Jaya Miceli

Something about the unsettled energy of the illustration and type just grabs me. Plus, it’s a wolf in a suit.

–Jamie Stafford-Hill

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="224702" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/hangman/attachment/9780374610081/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/9780374610081.jpg" data-orig-size="900,1381" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="hangman" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Maya Binyam, Hangman (FSG, August 8)
Design by Alex Merto; art by Belkis Ayón

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/9780374610081-196×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/9780374610081-667×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-224702″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/9780374610081-667×1024.jpg” alt=”hangman” width=”667″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/9780374610081-667×1024.jpg 667w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/9780374610081-196×300.jpg 196w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/9780374610081-768×1178.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/9780374610081-39×60.jpg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/9780374610081-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/9780374610081.jpg 900w” sizes=”(max-width: 667px) 100vw, 667px”> Maya Binyam, Hangman (FSG, August 8)
Design by Alex Merto; art by Belkis Ayón

AMAZING art by Belkis Ayón.

–Anna Morrison

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230919" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/youbleeding_rgb_hr-scaled-1/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/YouBleeding_RGB_HR-scaled-1.jpg" data-orig-size="1668,2560" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="YouBleeding_RGB_HR-scaled-1" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Michele Mari, tr. Brian Robert Moore, You, Bleeding Childhood (And Other Stories, August 8)

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/YouBleeding_RGB_HR-scaled-1-195×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/YouBleeding_RGB_HR-scaled-1-667×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230919″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/YouBleeding_RGB_HR-scaled-1-667×1024.jpg” alt=”Michele Mari, tr. Brian Robert Moore, You, Bleeding Childhood (And Other Stories, August 8)” width=”667″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/YouBleeding_RGB_HR-scaled-1-667×1024.jpg 667w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/YouBleeding_RGB_HR-scaled-1-195×300.jpg 195w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/YouBleeding_RGB_HR-scaled-1-768×1179.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/YouBleeding_RGB_HR-scaled-1-39×60.jpg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/YouBleeding_RGB_HR-scaled-1-1001×1536.jpg 1001w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/YouBleeding_RGB_HR-scaled-1-1334×2048.jpg 1334w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/YouBleeding_RGB_HR-scaled-1-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/YouBleeding_RGB_HR-scaled-1.jpg 1668w” sizes=”(max-width: 667px) 100vw, 667px”> Michele Mari, tr. Brian Robert Moore, You, Bleeding Childhood (And Other Stories, August 8)
Design by Holly Ovenden

Such an imaginative take on a wunderkammer. I love how the illustrated elements are falling playfully against the structured type.

–Grace Han

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230521" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/51lp46wntl-_ac_uf10001000_ql80_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/51Lp46wNTL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg" data-orig-size="627,1000" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Tatsuhiko Ishii, tr. Hiroaki Sato, Bathhouse and Other Tanka (New Directions, November 7) Design by Oliver Munday” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Tatsuhiko Ishii, tr. Hiroaki Sato, Bathhouse and Other Tanka (New Directions, November 7)
Design by Oliver Munday

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/51Lp46wNTL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-188×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/51Lp46wNTL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg” class=”size-full wp-image-230521″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/51Lp46wNTL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg” alt=”Tatsuhiko Ishii, tr. Hiroaki Sato, Bathhouse and Other Tanka (New Directions, November 7) Design by Oliver Munday” width=”627″ height=”1000″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/51Lp46wNTL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg 627w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/51Lp46wNTL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-188×300.jpg 188w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/51Lp46wNTL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-38×60.jpg 38w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/51Lp46wNTL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-31×50.jpg 31w” sizes=”(max-width: 627px) 100vw, 627px”> Tatsuhiko Ishii, tr. Hiroaki Sato, Bathhouse and Other Tanka (New Directions, November 7)
Design by Oliver Munday

Love the contrast between the zoomed-in intimate photograph and small-scale digital type.

–Janet Hansen

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="212709" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/lit-hubs-most-anticipated-books-of-2023/81rejmmznkl-_sl1500_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/81REjMMZNkL._SL1500_.jpg" data-orig-size="994,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Mariana Enriquez, tr. Megan McDowell, Our Share of Night" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Mariana Enriquez, tr. Megan McDowell, Our Share of Night

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/81REjMMZNkL._SL1500_-199×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/81REjMMZNkL._SL1500_-679×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-212709″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/81REjMMZNkL._SL1500_-679×1024.jpg” alt=”Mariana Enriquez, tr. Megan McDowell, Our Share of Night” width=”679″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/81REjMMZNkL._SL1500_-679×1024.jpg 679w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/81REjMMZNkL._SL1500_-199×300.jpg 199w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/81REjMMZNkL._SL1500_-768×1159.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/81REjMMZNkL._SL1500_-40×60.jpg 40w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/81REjMMZNkL._SL1500_-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/81REjMMZNkL._SL1500_.jpg 994w” sizes=”(max-width: 679px) 100vw, 679px”> Mariana Enriquez, tr. Megan McDowell, Our Share of Night (Hogarth Press, September 12)
Design by Donna Cheng

The yellow of the nails and typography pops off this jacket in person.

–Zoe Norvell

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230792" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/beijing-sprawl-design-andrew-walters/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/beijing-sprawl-design-andrew-walters.jpg" data-orig-size="950,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Zechen Xu, tr. Eric Abrahamsen and Jeremy Tiang, Beijing Sprawl (Two Lines Press, June 13)
Design by Andrew Walters” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Zechen Xu, tr. Eric Abrahamsen and Jeremy Tiang, Beijing Sprawl (Two Lines Press, June 13)
Design by Andrew Walters

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/beijing-sprawl-design-andrew-walters-190×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/beijing-sprawl-design-andrew-walters-649×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230792″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/beijing-sprawl-design-andrew-walters-649×1024.jpg” alt=”Zechen Xu, tr. Eric Abrahamsen and Jeremy Tiang, Beijing Sprawl (Two Lines Press, June 13)
Design by Andrew Walters ” width=”649″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/beijing-sprawl-design-andrew-walters-649×1024.jpg 649w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/beijing-sprawl-design-andrew-walters-190×300.jpg 190w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/beijing-sprawl-design-andrew-walters-768×1213.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/beijing-sprawl-design-andrew-walters-38×60.jpg 38w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/beijing-sprawl-design-andrew-walters-32×50.jpg 32w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/beijing-sprawl-design-andrew-walters.jpg 950w” sizes=”(max-width: 649px) 100vw, 649px”> Zechen Xu, tr. Eric Abrahamsen and Jeremy Tiang, Beijing Sprawl (Two Lines Press, June 13)
Design by Andrew Walters

I mean, yeah.

–Mark Abrams

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230729" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/81f17lzr9ql-_ac_uf10001000_ql80_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81F17lzR9QL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg" data-orig-size="804,1000" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Saba Alemayoh, Tekebash & Saba (Interlink Books, April 4)” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Saba Alemayoh, Tekebash & Saba (Interlink Books, April 4)

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81F17lzR9QL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-241×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81F17lzR9QL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg” class=”size-full wp-image-230729″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81F17lzR9QL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg” alt=”Saba Alemayoh, Tekebash & Saba (Interlink Books, April 4) ” width=”804″ height=”1000″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81F17lzR9QL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg 804w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81F17lzR9QL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-241×300.jpg 241w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81F17lzR9QL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-768×955.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81F17lzR9QL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-48×60.jpg 48w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81F17lzR9QL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-40×50.jpg 40w” sizes=”(max-width: 804px) 100vw, 804px”> Saba Alemayoh, Tekebash & Saba (Interlink Books, April 4)

The textures and patterns lend such a rich and warm sense of place to this cookbook. Cookbook industry, please take notes.

–Morgan Krehbiel

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230824" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/91ahmtbu3sl-_sl1500_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/91aHmtBu3SL._SL1500_.jpg" data-orig-size="987,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Nora Roberts, Inheritance (St. Martin’s Press, November 21)
Design by Ervin Serrano” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Nora Roberts, Inheritance (St. Martin’s Press, November 21)
Design by Ervin Serrano

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/91aHmtBu3SL._SL1500_-197×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/91aHmtBu3SL._SL1500_-674×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230824″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/91aHmtBu3SL._SL1500_-674×1024.jpg” alt=”Nora Roberts, Inheritance (St. Martin’s Press, November 21)
Design by Ervin Serrano ” width=”674″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/91aHmtBu3SL._SL1500_-674×1024.jpg 674w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/91aHmtBu3SL._SL1500_-197×300.jpg 197w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/91aHmtBu3SL._SL1500_-768×1167.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/91aHmtBu3SL._SL1500_-39×60.jpg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/91aHmtBu3SL._SL1500_-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/91aHmtBu3SL._SL1500_.jpg 987w” sizes=”(max-width: 674px) 100vw, 674px”> Nora Roberts, Inheritance (St. Martin’s Press, November 21)
Design by Ervin Serrano

Shouting out a category normally not on people’s radar. Love the mood and composition here, not to mention the swash on the N!

–James Iacobelli

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="227355" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-17-best-book-covers-of-september/61tetoyqaol-_ac_uf10001000_ql80_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/61TetOyQAoL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg" data-orig-size="625,1000" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Soula Emmanuel, Wild Geese; cover design by Dana Li (Feminist Press, September 12)” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Soula Emmanuel, Wild Geese; cover design by Dana Li (Feminist Press, September 12)

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/61TetOyQAoL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-188×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/61TetOyQAoL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg” class=”size-full wp-image-227355″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/61TetOyQAoL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg” alt=”Soula Emmanuel, Wild Geese; cover design by Dana Li (Feminist Press, September 12)” width=”625″ height=”1000″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/61TetOyQAoL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg 625w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/61TetOyQAoL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-188×300.jpg 188w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/61TetOyQAoL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-38×60.jpg 38w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/61TetOyQAoL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-31×50.jpg 31w” sizes=”(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px”> Soula Emmanuel, Wild Geese (Feminist Press, September 12)
Design by Dana Li

The hole punches are such an efficient way of adding a sense of fleeting moments, memories and partially processed feelings to a cover that is essentially just a very simple typeface and an image.

–Vivian Lopez Rowe

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230722" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/81jrt1tgf7l-_ac_uf10001000_ql80_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81jRt1tGF7L._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg" data-orig-size="782,1000" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Daniel Nayeri, The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams (Levine Querido, March 7)
Design by Stephen Brayda; art by Daniel Miyares” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Daniel Nayeri, The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams (Levine Querido, March 7)
Design by Stephen Brayda; art by Daniel Miyares

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81jRt1tGF7L._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-235×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81jRt1tGF7L._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg” class=”size-full wp-image-230722″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81jRt1tGF7L._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg” alt=”Daniel Nayeri, The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams (Levine Querido, March 7)
Design by Stephen Brayda; art by Daniel Miyares ” width=”782″ height=”1000″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81jRt1tGF7L._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg 782w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81jRt1tGF7L._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-235×300.jpg 235w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81jRt1tGF7L._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-768×982.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81jRt1tGF7L._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-47×60.jpg 47w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81jRt1tGF7L._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-39×50.jpg 39w” sizes=”(max-width: 782px) 100vw, 782px”> Daniel Nayeri, The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams (Levine Querido, March 7)
Design by Stephen Brayda; art by Daniel Miyares

I love every bit of this cover—the brushstrokes in the type, the color palette, the little shadow characters, and the stars at the top.

–Cassie Gonzales

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230778" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/rap-capital-9781982107895_hr/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/rap-capital-9781982107895_hr.jpg" data-orig-size="1400,2132" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Joe Coscarelli, Rap Capital: an Atlanta Story (Simon & Schuster, October 10)” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Joe Coscarelli, Rap Capital: an Atlanta Story (Simon & Schuster, October 10)

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/rap-capital-9781982107895_hr-197×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/rap-capital-9781982107895_hr-672×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230778″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/rap-capital-9781982107895_hr-672×1024.jpg” alt=”Joe Coscarelli, Rap Capital: an Atlanta Story (Simon & Schuster, October 10) ” width=”672″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/rap-capital-9781982107895_hr-672×1024.jpg 672w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/rap-capital-9781982107895_hr-197×300.jpg 197w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/rap-capital-9781982107895_hr-768×1170.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/rap-capital-9781982107895_hr-39×60.jpg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/rap-capital-9781982107895_hr-1009×1536.jpg 1009w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/rap-capital-9781982107895_hr-1345×2048.jpg 1345w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/rap-capital-9781982107895_hr-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/rap-capital-9781982107895_hr.jpg 1400w” sizes=”(max-width: 672px) 100vw, 672px”> Joe Coscarelli, Rap Capital: an Atlanta Story (Simon & Schuster, October 10)
Design by Chips

mic drop

–June Park

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230701" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/71fwdciu1ml-_sl1500_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71fwDCiu1ML._SL1500_.jpg" data-orig-size="985,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Julian Humphries—Zero-Sum by Joyce Carol Oates" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Julian Humphries—Zero-Sum by Joyce Carol Oates

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71fwDCiu1ML._SL1500_-197×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71fwDCiu1ML._SL1500_-672×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230701″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71fwDCiu1ML._SL1500_-672×1024.jpg” alt=”Julian Humphries—Zero-Sum by Joyce Carol Oates ” width=”672″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71fwDCiu1ML._SL1500_-672×1024.jpg 672w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71fwDCiu1ML._SL1500_-197×300.jpg 197w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71fwDCiu1ML._SL1500_-768×1170.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71fwDCiu1ML._SL1500_-39×60.jpg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71fwDCiu1ML._SL1500_-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71fwDCiu1ML._SL1500_.jpg 985w” sizes=”(max-width: 672px) 100vw, 672px”> Joyce Carol Oates, Zero-Sum (Fourth Estate [UK], July 20)
Design by Julian HumphriesSo simple and yet so arresting. It infuses the familiarness and distance of the image with a degree of uncanniness and allure. I’m a little jealous, actually.

–Alban Fischer

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="220407" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-28-novels-you-need-to-read-this-summer/91bctwjy6ol/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/91BcTWjy6oL.jpg" data-orig-size="1651,2560" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Emma Donoghue, Learned by Heart" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Emma Donoghue, Learned by Heart; cover design by tk tk (Little, Brown, August 29)

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/91BcTWjy6oL-193×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/91BcTWjy6oL-660×1024.jpg” class=”wp-image-220407 size-large” src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/91BcTWjy6oL-660×1024.jpg” alt=”Emma Donoghue, Learned by Heart” width=”660″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/91BcTWjy6oL-660×1024.jpg 660w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/91BcTWjy6oL-193×300.jpg 193w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/91BcTWjy6oL-768×1191.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/91BcTWjy6oL-39×60.jpg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/91BcTWjy6oL-991×1536.jpg 991w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/91BcTWjy6oL-1321×2048.jpg 1321w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/91BcTWjy6oL-32×50.jpg 32w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/91BcTWjy6oL.jpg 1651w” sizes=”(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px”> Emma Donoghue, Learned by Heart (Little, Brown, August 29)
Design by Lucy Kim

There is so much texture in this cover! The concentric circles bring my eye right to the center. I also find it refreshing to see a historical fiction cover that doesn’t rely on setting or fashion.

–Laywan Kwan

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="212866" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/lit-hubs-most-anticipated-books-of-2023/71-ioxvgel/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/71-iOxvgEL.jpg" data-orig-size="1684,2560" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Emma Cline, The Guest" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Design by Oliver Munday

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/71-iOxvgEL-197×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/71-iOxvgEL-674×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-212866″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/71-iOxvgEL-674×1024.jpg” alt=”Emma Cline, The Guest” width=”674″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/71-iOxvgEL-674×1024.jpg 674w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/71-iOxvgEL-197×300.jpg 197w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/71-iOxvgEL-768×1168.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/71-iOxvgEL-39×60.jpg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/71-iOxvgEL-1010×1536.jpg 1010w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/71-iOxvgEL-1347×2048.jpg 1347w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/71-iOxvgEL-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/71-iOxvgEL.jpg 1684w” sizes=”(max-width: 674px) 100vw, 674px”> Emma Cline, The Guest (Random House, May 16)
Design by Oliver Munday

Feels both vintage and entirely modern. Always appreciate Oliver Munday’s designs.

–Kelly Winton

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230693" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/71xj4m2tqul-_sl1500_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71xj4M2tqUL._SL1500_.jpg" data-orig-size="932,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="71xj4M2tqUL._SL1500_" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Anna Metcalfe, Chrysalis (Granta Books [UK], May 4)
Design by Jack Smyth

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71xj4M2tqUL._SL1500_-186×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71xj4M2tqUL._SL1500_-636×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230693″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71xj4M2tqUL._SL1500_-636×1024.jpg” alt=”Anna Metcalfe, Chrysalis (Granta Books [UK], May 4)
Design by Jack Smyth ” width=”636″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71xj4M2tqUL._SL1500_-636×1024.jpg 636w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71xj4M2tqUL._SL1500_-186×300.jpg 186w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71xj4M2tqUL._SL1500_-768×1236.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71xj4M2tqUL._SL1500_-37×60.jpg 37w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71xj4M2tqUL._SL1500_-31×50.jpg 31w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71xj4M2tqUL._SL1500_.jpg 932w” sizes=”(max-width: 636px) 100vw, 636px”> Anna Metcalfe, Chrysalis (Granta Books [UK], May 4)
Design by Jack Smyth
There is something so loose and appealing about the lines in the illustration.

–Tom Etherington

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230710" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/71xqijvywdl-_sl1500_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71xqijvYWDL._SL1500_.jpg" data-orig-size="977,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Percival Everett, Dr. No (Influx Press [UK], March 16)
Design by Jamie Keenan” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Percival Everett, Dr. No (Influx Press [UK], March 16)
Design by Jamie Keenan

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71xqijvYWDL._SL1500_-195×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71xqijvYWDL._SL1500_-667×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230710″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71xqijvYWDL._SL1500_-667×1024.jpg” alt=”Percival Everett, Dr. No (Influx Press [UK], March 16)
Design by Jamie Keenan ” width=”667″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71xqijvYWDL._SL1500_-667×1024.jpg 667w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71xqijvYWDL._SL1500_-195×300.jpg 195w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71xqijvYWDL._SL1500_-768×1179.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71xqijvYWDL._SL1500_-39×60.jpg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71xqijvYWDL._SL1500_-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71xqijvYWDL._SL1500_.jpg 977w” sizes=”(max-width: 667px) 100vw, 667px”> Percival Everett, Dr. No (Influx Press [UK], March 16)
Design by Jamie Keenan
It’s just so strange and fun and intriguing, definitely makes me want to know more about the book.

–Jamie Stafford-Hill

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="212912" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/lit-hubs-most-anticipated-books-of-2023/71gxbvq9gyl/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/71GXbVq9gYL.jpg" data-orig-size="1399,2115" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Safiya Sinclair, How to Say Babylon" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Safiya Sinclair, How to Say Babylon

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/71GXbVq9gYL-198×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/71GXbVq9gYL-677×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-212912″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/71GXbVq9gYL-677×1024.jpg” alt=”Safiya Sinclair, How to Say Babylon” width=”677″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/71GXbVq9gYL-677×1024.jpg 677w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/71GXbVq9gYL-198×300.jpg 198w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/71GXbVq9gYL-768×1161.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/71GXbVq9gYL-40×60.jpg 40w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/71GXbVq9gYL-1016×1536.jpg 1016w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/71GXbVq9gYL-1355×2048.jpg 1355w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/71GXbVq9gYL-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/71GXbVq9gYL.jpg 1399w” sizes=”(max-width: 677px) 100vw, 677px”> Safiya Sinclair, How to Say Babylon (37 Ink, October 3)
Design by Rex Bonomelli

The lettering and graphic illustration create the perfect tension for this memoir about the author’s strict Rastafarian upbringing.

–Kimberly Glyder

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="212766" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/lit-hubs-most-anticipated-books-of-2023/attachment/9780374605537/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/9780374605537-scaled.jpg" data-orig-size="1669,2560" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Mia Couto, tr. David Brookshaw, The Drinker of Horizons" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Mia Couto, tr. David Brookshaw, The Drinker of Horizons

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/9780374605537-196×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/9780374605537-667×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-212766″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/9780374605537-667×1024.jpg” alt=”Mia Couto, tr. David Brookshaw, The Drinker of Horizons” width=”667″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/9780374605537-667×1024.jpg 667w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/9780374605537-196×300.jpg 196w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/9780374605537-768×1178.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/9780374605537-39×60.jpg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/9780374605537-1001×1536.jpg 1001w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/9780374605537-1335×2048.jpg 1335w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/9780374605537-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/9780374605537-scaled.jpg 1669w” sizes=”(max-width: 667px) 100vw, 667px”> Mia Couto, tr. David Brookshaw, The Drinker of Horizons (FSG, March 14)
Design by June Park

It’s amazing how the ship in the far distance pulls you right in.

–Zoe Norvell

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="229363" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/meet-the-2023-national-book-award-finalists/final_nf_we_could_have_been_friends_my_father_and_i/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/final_nf_we_could_have_been_friends_my_father_and_i.jpg" data-orig-size="1273,2000" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="final_nf_we_could_have_been_friends_my_father_and_i" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Raja Shehadeh, We Could Have Been Friends, My Father and I (Other Press, March 28)

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/final_nf_we_could_have_been_friends_my_father_and_i-191×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/final_nf_we_could_have_been_friends_my_father_and_i-652×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-229363″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/final_nf_we_could_have_been_friends_my_father_and_i-652×1024.jpg” alt width=”652″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/final_nf_we_could_have_been_friends_my_father_and_i-652×1024.jpg 652w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/final_nf_we_could_have_been_friends_my_father_and_i-191×300.jpg 191w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/final_nf_we_could_have_been_friends_my_father_and_i-768×1207.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/final_nf_we_could_have_been_friends_my_father_and_i-38×60.jpg 38w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/final_nf_we_could_have_been_friends_my_father_and_i-978×1536.jpg 978w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/final_nf_we_could_have_been_friends_my_father_and_i-32×50.jpg 32w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/final_nf_we_could_have_been_friends_my_father_and_i.jpg 1273w” sizes=”(max-width: 652px) 100vw, 652px”> Raja Shehadeh, We Could Have Been Friends, My Father and I (Other Press, March 28)
Main image courtesy of the author; background image Private Collection (credit symbol) Look and Learn/Bridgeman Images

The layering of elements is so beautifully executed here. The push-and-pull between foreground and background ask some questions while drawing me in—to me, the ultimate bar for a memoir cover.

–Morgan Krehbiel

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230712" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/913s5amxgil-_sl1500__custom-a79f6c879d1ea40a8ad20691fd2598f370403c4d-s1100-c50/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/913s5amxgil._sl1500__custom-a79f6c879d1ea40a8ad20691fd2598f370403c4d-s1100-c50.jpg" data-orig-size="975,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="913s5amxgil._sl1500__custom-a79f6c879d1ea40a8ad20691fd2598f370403c4d-s1100-c50" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Alice McDermott, Absolution (FSG, October 31)
Design by Alex Merto

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/913s5amxgil._sl1500__custom-a79f6c879d1ea40a8ad20691fd2598f370403c4d-s1100-c50-195×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/913s5amxgil._sl1500__custom-a79f6c879d1ea40a8ad20691fd2598f370403c4d-s1100-c50-666×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230712″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/913s5amxgil._sl1500__custom-a79f6c879d1ea40a8ad20691fd2598f370403c4d-s1100-c50-666×1024.jpg” alt width=”666″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/913s5amxgil._sl1500__custom-a79f6c879d1ea40a8ad20691fd2598f370403c4d-s1100-c50-666×1024.jpg 666w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/913s5amxgil._sl1500__custom-a79f6c879d1ea40a8ad20691fd2598f370403c4d-s1100-c50-195×300.jpg 195w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/913s5amxgil._sl1500__custom-a79f6c879d1ea40a8ad20691fd2598f370403c4d-s1100-c50-768×1182.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/913s5amxgil._sl1500__custom-a79f6c879d1ea40a8ad20691fd2598f370403c4d-s1100-c50-39×60.jpg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/913s5amxgil._sl1500__custom-a79f6c879d1ea40a8ad20691fd2598f370403c4d-s1100-c50-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/913s5amxgil._sl1500__custom-a79f6c879d1ea40a8ad20691fd2598f370403c4d-s1100-c50.jpg 975w” sizes=”(max-width: 666px) 100vw, 666px”> Alice McDermott, Absolution (FSG, October 31)
Design by Alex Merto

This one must be seen in person. The special effects are stunning.

–Jenny Carrow

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230695" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/71dnrsttil-_sl1500_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71DnrStTIL._SL1500_.jpg" data-orig-size="1115,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="71DnrStT+IL._SL1500_" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Miranda West, ed., The Book of Do (Do Book Co, August 8) Design by Tom Etherington

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71DnrStTIL._SL1500_-223×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71DnrStTIL._SL1500_-761×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230695″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71DnrStTIL._SL1500_-761×1024.jpg” alt width=”761″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71DnrStTIL._SL1500_-761×1024.jpg 761w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71DnrStTIL._SL1500_-223×300.jpg 223w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71DnrStTIL._SL1500_-768×1033.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71DnrStTIL._SL1500_-45×60.jpg 45w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71DnrStTIL._SL1500_-37×50.jpg 37w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71DnrStTIL._SL1500_.jpg 1115w” sizes=”(max-width: 761px) 100vw, 761px”> Miranda West, ed., The Book of Do (Do Book Co, August 8)
Design by Tom Etherington; illustrations by James Victore

So elegant and also playful. Such a sweet and tender design.

–Kelly Winton

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230702" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/upstairs-delicatessen/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Upstairs-Delicatessen.jpg" data-orig-size="1650,2531" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Upstairs Delicatessen" data-image-description data-image-caption="

June Park—The Upstairs Delicatessen by Dwight Garner

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Upstairs-Delicatessen-196×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Upstairs-Delicatessen-668×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230702″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Upstairs-Delicatessen-668×1024.jpg” alt width=”668″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Upstairs-Delicatessen-668×1024.jpg 668w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Upstairs-Delicatessen-196×300.jpg 196w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Upstairs-Delicatessen-768×1178.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Upstairs-Delicatessen-39×60.jpg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Upstairs-Delicatessen-1001×1536.jpg 1001w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Upstairs-Delicatessen-1335×2048.jpg 1335w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Upstairs-Delicatessen-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Upstairs-Delicatessen.jpg 1650w” sizes=”(max-width: 668px) 100vw, 668px”> Dwight Garner, The Upstairs Delicatessen (FSG, October 24)
Design by June Park

Park’s type work is always so cozy and considered. And that big field of oversaturated red! The muchness this cover achieves with such economy is nothing short of wizardry.

–Alban Fischer

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="212650" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/lit-hubs-most-anticipated-books-of-2023/age/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/age.jpg" data-orig-size="790,1200" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Deepti Kapoor, Age of Vice" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Deepti Kapoor, Age of Vice

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/age-198×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/age-674×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-212650″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/age-674×1024.jpg” alt=”Deepti Kapoor, Age of Vice” width=”674″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/age-674×1024.jpg 674w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/age-198×300.jpg 198w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/age-768×1167.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/age-40×60.jpg 40w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/age-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/age.jpg 790w” sizes=”(max-width: 674px) 100vw, 674px”> Deepti Kapoor, Age of Vice (Riverhead Books, January 3)
Design by Gregg Kulick

A jolt of energy.

–Kimberly Glyder

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="216160" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/flux/91hatxk4xul-_sl1500_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/91haTXk4XuL._SL1500_.jpg" data-orig-size="993,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="flux" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Jinwoo Chong, Flux; cover design by Beste Miray Doğan (Melville House, March 21)

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/91haTXk4XuL._SL1500_-199×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/91haTXk4XuL._SL1500_-678×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-216160″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/91haTXk4XuL._SL1500_-678×1024.jpg” alt=”flux” width=”678″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/91haTXk4XuL._SL1500_-678×1024.jpg 678w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/91haTXk4XuL._SL1500_-199×300.jpg 199w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/91haTXk4XuL._SL1500_-768×1160.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/91haTXk4XuL._SL1500_-40×60.jpg 40w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/91haTXk4XuL._SL1500_-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/91haTXk4XuL._SL1500_.jpg 993w” sizes=”(max-width: 678px) 100vw, 678px”> Jinwoo Chong, Flux (Melville House, March 21)
Design by Beste Miray Doğan

Love this. Excellent contrasts with that bright yellow, huge sharp black type, organic/digital liquid splash. Still fresh and eye catching every time I see it. (Also, gotta appreciate a four letter word on two lines.)

–Jamie Stafford-Hill

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230774" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/tar-hollow-trans-2/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/tar-hollow-trans.jpg" data-orig-size="1500,2250" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Stacy Jane Grover, Tar Hollow Trans (University Press of Kentucky, June 20) Design by Jaya Miceli" data-image-description data-image-caption="

Stacy Jane Grover, Tar Hollow Trans (University Press of Kentucky, June 20)
Design by Jaya Miceli

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/tar-hollow-trans-200×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/tar-hollow-trans-683×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230774″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/tar-hollow-trans-683×1024.jpg” alt=”Stacy Jane Grover, Tar Hollow Trans (University Press of Kentucky, June 20) Design by Jaya Miceli” width=”683″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/tar-hollow-trans-683×1024.jpg 683w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/tar-hollow-trans-200×300.jpg 200w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/tar-hollow-trans-768×1152.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/tar-hollow-trans-40×60.jpg 40w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/tar-hollow-trans-1024×1536.jpg 1024w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/tar-hollow-trans-1365×2048.jpg 1365w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/tar-hollow-trans-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/tar-hollow-trans.jpg 1500w” sizes=”(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px”> Stacy Jane Grover, Tar Hollow Trans (University Press of Kentucky, June 20)
Design by Jaya Miceli

So impactful. I love how emotive the painterliness is here.

–Lauren Peters-Collaer

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230793" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/vengeance-is-mine-design-jack-smyth-1/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/vengeance-is-mine-design-jack-smyth-1.jpg" data-orig-size="1600,2485" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Marie Ndiaye, Vengeance is Mine (Quercus Publishing [UK], October 26)
Design by Jack Smyth” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Marie Ndiaye, Vengeance is Mine (Quercus Publishing [UK], October 26)
Design by Jack Smyth

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/vengeance-is-mine-design-jack-smyth-1-193×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/vengeance-is-mine-design-jack-smyth-1-659×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230793″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/vengeance-is-mine-design-jack-smyth-1-659×1024.jpg” alt=”Marie Ndiaye, Vengeance is Mine (Quercus Publishing [UK], October 26)
Design by Jack Smyth ” width=”659″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/vengeance-is-mine-design-jack-smyth-1-659×1024.jpg 659w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/vengeance-is-mine-design-jack-smyth-1-193×300.jpg 193w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/vengeance-is-mine-design-jack-smyth-1-768×1193.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/vengeance-is-mine-design-jack-smyth-1-39×60.jpg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/vengeance-is-mine-design-jack-smyth-1-989×1536.jpg 989w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/vengeance-is-mine-design-jack-smyth-1-1319×2048.jpg 1319w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/vengeance-is-mine-design-jack-smyth-1-32×50.jpg 32w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/vengeance-is-mine-design-jack-smyth-1.jpg 1600w” sizes=”(max-width: 659px) 100vw, 659px”> Marie Ndiaye, Vengeance is Mine (Quercus Publishing [UK], October 26)
Design by Jack Smyth
The interplay of weird shadowy shapes and the type got me.

–Mark Abrams

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230958" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/91fa-ax9ljl-_sl1500_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/91Fa-ax9LjL._SL1500_.jpg" data-orig-size="993,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Tariq Trotter, The Upcycled Self (One World, November 14)
Design by Greg Mollica; collage by Najeebah Al-Ghadban” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Tariq Trotter, The Upcycled Self (One World, November 14)
Design by Greg Mollica; collage by Najeebah Al-Ghadban

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/91Fa-ax9LjL._SL1500_-199×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/91Fa-ax9LjL._SL1500_-678×1024.jpg” class=”wp-image-230958 size-large” src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/91Fa-ax9LjL._SL1500_-678×1024.jpg” alt=”Tariq Trotter, The Upcycled Self (One World, November 14)
Design by Greg Mollica; collage by Najeebah Al-Ghadban” width=”678″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/91Fa-ax9LjL._SL1500_-678×1024.jpg 678w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/91Fa-ax9LjL._SL1500_-199×300.jpg 199w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/91Fa-ax9LjL._SL1500_-768×1160.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/91Fa-ax9LjL._SL1500_-40×60.jpg 40w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/91Fa-ax9LjL._SL1500_-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/91Fa-ax9LjL._SL1500_.jpg 993w” sizes=”(max-width: 678px) 100vw, 678px”> Tariq Trotter, The Upcycled Self (One World, November 14)
Design by Greg Mollica; collage by Najeebah Al-Ghadban

This cover speaks to how prolific Black Thought is, and the depth of his music and his story. The modern and fresh collage is spot-on.

–Emily Mahon

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="230770" data-permalink="https://lithub.com/the-138-best-book-covers-of-2023/91ggv9b63tl-_sl1500_/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/91ggV9b63TL._SL1500_.jpg" data-orig-size="973,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="David James Duncan, Sun House (Little, Brown, August 8)
Design by Lucy Kim” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

David James Duncan, Sun House (Little, Brown, August 8)
Design by Lucy Kim

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/91ggV9b63TL._SL1500_-195×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/91ggV9b63TL._SL1500_-664×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-230770″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/91ggV9b63TL._SL1500_-664×1024.jpg” alt=”David James Duncan, Sun House (Little, Brown, August 8)
Design by Lucy Kim” width=”664″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/91ggV9b63TL._SL1500_-664×1024.jpg 664w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/91ggV9b63TL._SL1500_-195×300.jpg 195w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/91ggV9b63TL._SL1500_-768×1184.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/91ggV9b63TL._SL1500_-39×60.jpg 39w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/91ggV9b63TL._SL1500_-32×50.jpg 32w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/91ggV9b63TL._SL1500_.jpg 973w” sizes=”(max-width: 664px) 100vw, 664px”> David James Duncan, Sun House (Little, Brown, August 8)
Design by Lucy Kim

A big deal book with a big look cover. What sets this jacket apart for me is that while there are big graphic elements, there are also really fine details. Simple and striking.

–Lauren Harms

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="217521" data-permalink="https://s26162.pcdn.co/the-11-best-book-covers-of-march/https___dev-lareviewofbooks-org_wp-content_uploads_2023_03_the-nature-book/" data-orig-file="https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/https___dev.lareviewofbooks.org_wp-content_uploads_2023_03_The-Nature-Book.jpg" data-orig-size="1280,1921" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Tom Comitta, The Nature Book; cover design by Tree Abraham (Coffee House Press, March 14)” data-image-description data-image-caption=”

Tom Comitta, The Nature Book; cover design by Tree Abraham (Coffee House Press, March 14)

” data-medium-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/https___dev.lareviewofbooks.org_wp-content_uploads_2023_03_The-Nature-Book-200×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/https___dev.lareviewofbooks.org_wp-content_uploads_2023_03_The-Nature-Book-682×1024.jpg” class=”size-large wp-image-217521″ src=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/https___dev.lareviewofbooks.org_wp-content_uploads_2023_03_The-Nature-Book-682×1024.jpg” alt=”Tom Comitta, The Nature Book; cover design by Tree Abraham (Coffee House Press, March 14)” width=”682″ height=”1024″ srcset=”https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/https___dev.lareviewofbooks.org_wp-content_uploads_2023_03_The-Nature-Book-682×1024.jpg 682w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/https___dev.lareviewofbooks.org_wp-content_uploads_2023_03_The-Nature-Book-200×300.jpg 200w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/https___dev.lareviewofbooks.org_wp-content_uploads_2023_03_The-Nature-Book-768×1153.jpg 768w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/https___dev.lareviewofbooks.org_wp-content_uploads_2023_03_The-Nature-Book-40×60.jpg 40w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/https___dev.lareviewofbooks.org_wp-content_uploads_2023_03_The-Nature-Book-1023×1536.jpg 1023w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/https___dev.lareviewofbooks.org_wp-content_uploads_2023_03_The-Nature-Book-33×50.jpg 33w, https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/https___dev.lareviewofbooks.org_wp-content_uploads_2023_03_The-Nature-Book.jpg 1280w” sizes=”(max-width: 682px) 100vw, 682px”> Tom Comitta, The Nature Book (Coffee House Press, March 14)
Design by Tree Abraham

One thing about me? I simply love a collage. And the weirder the better.

–Morgan Krehbiel