As the book industry tries to become more diverse, its finding the line between inclusivity and profits isnt easy to manage. Young people dont read enough classics, and no wonder when the book covers are so terrible. My thoughts on comparing the new goosebumps book covers with the originals. Somebody else could do their own list of 100 mustread modern classics that has absolutely no overlap with mine, and it would probably be a good list too.
Top us books blog, york avenue, features the new charming mr boddingtons penguin classics. W ith splendid packaging created by acclaimed designer coralie bickfordsmith, penguin classics presents beautiful hardcover editions of the worlds favorite books. Opening any one of these books is the closest to a time machine we will ever have, a gateway to the mores and hopes of the past. Vintage magazine and book covers and forgotten fiberglass. Thats why you see so many new, redesigned book covers on store shelves. The new vintage classics design for jane austens emma. So far weve found more than 50 vintage and modern cover appearances and the list continues to grow. Filled with stories of the series uk origin, author biographies, short book summaries. Weve rounded up some unique and breathtaking book covers that are sure to catch your eye and your heart. This modern classics book list is my best guess about the books that matter from a period of notquite 50 years in the second half of the twentieth century. He has brought to the list many new titles from around the worldfrom china, japan, france, italy, germany, spain, russia, sweden, turkey, argentina, colombia, mexico, brazil, kenya, and egyptas well as american classics such as twelve years a slave by solomon northup. Walmart has a huge selection of reading material, including classics, new releases and nonfiction.
My children pointed out that i might be missing a trick by not having cover art. These parody book covers of famous classics will make any true literary nerd laugh out loud. If you not only love having a great classic to read but also cherish the feel of a wonderful object, then these are the books for you. Both bibliophiles and design buffs will be enthralled by the book. Comparing new goosebumps book covers to the classics. Suarez, popmatters edited by penguin creative director paul buckley, classic penguin. Hardcover classics penguin classics because what you. Lurid new covers for the iliad, littlewomen, and other classics. Featuring gorgeous patterns stamped on linen cases, colored endpapers, and ribbon markers, these are rich and sumptuous volumes that continue what will be one of the most coveted sets of books ever produced.
When considering the book as a whole, i prefer that the interiors contain answers and the covers ask questions. From aristotle to austen, george orwell to james baldwin the greatest works of fiction, poetry, drama, history and philosophy from the last 5,000 years. Reading guides for penguin classics, including teachers guides and suggestions for starting reading groups. Titles by austen, shakespeare, and dickens that have crossed into the public domain are part of a neverending assembly line of cheap reprints saddled with bafflingly ugly covers.
The booksellers who championed this initiative did so convinced it would help drive engagement with these classic titles, according to the bookstore chain. Todays book covers are like billboard ads the title is usually in large, noticeable letters, and most of todays books will also prominently feature their most notable achievements, such. There is no shortage of terrible book covers for the classics, and scrolling through these abominations on the internet is always good for a laugh. These parody book covers of famous classics will make any. Recovering the classics is a crowdsourced collection of original covers for great works in the public domain where anyone can contribute as part of a new initiative announced by the white house, we are partnering with the new york public library and the digital public library of america to bring these amazing covers to libraries and schools nationwide. Moreover, book covers are actually, literally judged. Whether its a series of new editions from a single author, or an overhaul of an entire publishing line, publishers pretty.
You need to strike the right balance between respecting the heritage of stories loved by previous generations of children and parents, and making the books look modern and attractive to todays youngsters. If repackaged properly, an old book can become just as popular as a new one. Fiberglass sports car specials shined back in the 1950s they were often the rock stars of their day appearing on magazine and book covers. John siciliano is executive editor of penguin classics. The fundamental rule of all readers is to never judge a book by its cover, but ilhether we spot a gorgeous book in someones hands or displayed in a bookstore, the cover piques our curiosity. The book does an excellent job of laying out and explaining just how its managed to do so in such a short amount of time. I love that theyre reprinting classics with cute covers.
This new edition for a book with an already fantastic cover is less direct than its predecessor. Roald dahl classics get brand new covers for 100th. Penguin classics and others work to diversify offerings. The new book covers are a part of a yearlong celebration of dahl by penguin young readers and the roald dahl literary. The solidcolored spines and striking covers, designed by katy homans. See more ideas about book worms, classic books and cover.
Tim jacobus explains the two goosebumps books he didnt do the cover art for. See more ideas about classic books, books, book cover. To remember the good old days, and give a little nudge to the new, weve compiled a list of the 20 most iconic book covers ever in our. Barnes and noble scraps diverse editions after backlash. They are emailed back to you for downloading to computers, tablets, ebook readers, smartphones, etc. To see more covers and learn more about the project, visit plus, if youre in the us, you can arrange to host your own recovering the classics exhibit, featuring 50. Delightful designs for brilliant books via recovering the classics. Cover to cover delivers 288 pages of literary eye candy. A publishing initiative to celebrate black history month by putting cartoon black and brown protagonists on the covers of classics novels written by white people including the secret garden, moby dick and alice in wonderland has been scrapped after backlash that called it literary blackface dubbed diverse editions, the covers included mary shelleys frankenstein.
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