# Godawful book covers **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 11, 2007, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/godawful-book-covers/399608 "2007-04-11T05:05:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![lovelybean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/94ad74/32.png) [@lovelybean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lovelybean)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2007, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/godawful-book-covers/399608/21 "2007-04-11T20:46:40Z")
[QUOTE=Terrifel] I humbly submit that the cover of [_The Little People_ by John Christopher.](http://groovyageofhorror.blogspot.com/2007/03/little-people-by-john-christopher-avon.html) occupies the precise point where ‘godawful’ intersects with ‘awesome.’ [/QUOTE] This is absolutely amazing. I am going to recommend it for my book club’s next read. Thanks for sharing!! ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2007, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/godawful-book-covers/399608/22 "2007-04-11T20:49:01Z")
[QUOTE=DustyButt] _GAG!_ _SWALLOW!_ [/QUOTE] Trust me, keep it in that order, and you’ll make a lot of friends! ---
**Author:** ![cher3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@cher3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cher3)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2007, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/godawful-book-covers/399608/23 "2007-04-11T20:51:28Z")
[QUOTE=Kythereia] I’m probably going to get bonked by the Scone of Stone for a heretic, but I’ve never really been crazy about Josh Kirby’s work–the style is just _too_ weird for me. Paul Kidby’s okay, though. [/QUOTE] I like Kidby’s stuff better, too, but they’re both light-years better than this: [![](http://trashotron.com/agony/images/2003/03-columns/11-08-03/pratchett-night_watch.jpg) ](http://trashotron.com/agony/images/2003/03-columns/11-08-03/pratchett-night_watch.jpg) Or this: [http://www.sffaudio.com/images/large/HAMonstrousRegiment500.jpg](http://www.sffaudio.com/images/large/HAMonstrousRegiment500.jpg) For some reason all the recent books for younger readers, like the Tiffany Aching series have been just fine. I guess they must be done by someone else. ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2007, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/godawful-book-covers/399608/24 "2007-04-11T21:25:28Z")
[QUOTE=Terrifel] I humbly submit that the cover of [_The Little People_ by John Christopher.](http://groovyageofhorror.blogspot.com/2007/03/little-people-by-john-christopher-avon.html) occupies the precise point where ‘godawful’ intersects with ‘awesome.’ [/QUOTE] Nazi Gnomes! Gnazis! ---
**Author:** ![betenoir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/258eb7/32.png) [@betenoir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betenoir)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2007, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/godawful-book-covers/399608/25 "2007-04-11T21:26:32Z")
This is a different direction but the ones I can’t stand are the the ones with the moive picture on the book. Particularly when it’s a true story. Jim Carroll now has \*\* Leonardo DiCaprio \*\* on the cover of **his own autobiography.** ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2007, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/godawful-book-covers/399608/26 "2007-04-11T21:26:57Z")
[QUOTE=GuanoLad] And here I thought the OP was going to be about [Darrell K Sweet](http://www.sweetartwork.com/DKSmainPage.html). [/QUOTE] Huh. So did I. :smack: -Joe ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2007, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/godawful-book-covers/399608/27 "2007-04-11T21:30:30Z")
When I said I wanted something to erase the [glurge “inspirational print”](http://www.watsonswildlife.com/images3/praying_for_peace_RDF.jpg) of Washington and Lincoln’s ghosts resting their hands on Dubya’s shoulders, I didn’t mean “replace it with something even worse”. ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2007, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/godawful-book-covers/399608/28 "2007-04-11T21:51:04Z")
[QUOTE=Steve MB] When I said I wanted something to erase the [glurge “inspirational print”](http://www.watsonswildlife.com/images3/praying_for_peace_RDF.jpg) of Washington and Lincoln’s ghosts resting their hands on Dubya’s shoulders, I didn’t mean “replace it with something even worse”. [/QUOTE] I assume they’re reaching up to strangle him? -Joe ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Plastic\_Ninja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f07891/32.png) [@Little\_Plastic\_Ninja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Plastic_Ninja)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2007, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/godawful-book-covers/399608/29 "2007-04-11T22:44:24Z")
“It’s okay, George. We’re ashamed of the Presidency, too. A fine notion you decided to step down at last, though perhaps a little belatedly…” A girl can dream. ---
**Author:** ![Lsura](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2007, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/godawful-book-covers/399608/30 "2007-04-11T22:49:20Z")
For bad covers, I’m a particular fan of the [cover snark](http://www.smartbitchestrashybooks.com/index.php/weblog/C12/) over at [Smart Bitches, Trashy Books](http://www.smartbitchestrashybooks.com), Comments like: > [@](#): > > Candy: Folks, I think we have our first case of somebody spontaneously farting himself into existence, startling and astounding all nearby wildlife. > > Sarah: Oooh, that smell. Can’t you smell that smell? The smell that’s around you? make my day sometimes. ---
**Author:** ![Hunter\_Hawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@Hunter\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunter_Hawk)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2007, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/godawful-book-covers/399608/31 "2007-04-11T23:38:39Z")
[QUOTE=RealityChuck] [http://www.iuniverse.com/bookstore/book\_detail.asp?isbn=0-595-27837-X](http://www.iuniverse.com/bookstore/book_detail.asp?isbn=0-595-27837-X) [/QUOTE] Oh, sure, Astro Kid hangs out with Space Dog Leroy (who admittedly is lookin’ sharp in his muslin vest and neck brace), but the dogs in _Unforgettable_ are psychic! _Psychic_, I tells ya! I mean, which would _you_ rather have at your side during a poker game? ---
**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2007, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/godawful-book-covers/399608/32 "2007-04-11T23:58:15Z")
[This](http://punkrockpenguin.net/waste/amuse/badcovers/) is one of my favorite websites for bad book covers. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2007, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/godawful-book-covers/399608/33 "2007-04-12T00:05:28Z")
Oh, don’t get me started on that one – it’s a self-serving “history” of PublishAmerica and how the big publishers are afraid of them. But if they’re so revolutionary, why are they the only ones using their model? Could it possibly be because the average sales of a PA book is 75 copies? ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2007, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/godawful-book-covers/399608/34 "2007-04-12T00:23:00Z")
Gotta feel the love for the [Steele Savage Heinlein covers!](http://images.google.com/images?q=steele%20savage&hl=en&newwindow=1&safe=off&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&um=1&sa=N&tab=wi) They’re so bad I had to collect all of them… ---
**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2007, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/godawful-book-covers/399608/35 "2007-04-12T01:44:19Z")
[QUOTE=cher3] I like Kidby’s stuff better, too, but they’re both light-years better than this: [/QUOTE] Oh, Great A’Tuin, those are awful. _blech_ I like the cover art on [these](http://www.amazon.ca/Light-Fantastic-Discworld-2/dp/0552152595/ref=sr_1_6/701-8005853-2229151?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1176342163&sr=8-6) [editions](http://www.amazon.ca/Equal-Rites-Discworld-Terry-Pratchett/dp/0552152609/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b/701-8005853-2229151?ie=UTF8&qid=1176342163&sr=8-6)… ---
**Author:** ![JR\_Brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d6d6ee/32.png) [@JR\_Brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JR_Brown)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2007, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/godawful-book-covers/399608/36 "2007-04-12T01:53:31Z")
[QUOTE=cher3] I like Kidby’s stuff better, too, but they’re both light-years better than this: [![](http://trashotron.com/agony/images/2003/03-columns/11-08-03/pratchett-night_watch.jpg) ](http://trashotron.com/agony/images/2003/03-columns/11-08-03/pratchett-night_watch.jpg) Or this: [http://www.sffaudio.com/images/large/HAMonstrousRegiment500.jpg](http://www.sffaudio.com/images/large/HAMonstrousRegiment500.jpg) For some reason all the recent books for younger readers, like the Tiffany Aching series have been just fine. I guess they must be done by someone else. [/QUOTE] I kinda like those covers. They’re not great, but they’re inoffensive and suit the storylines. When I was 12 (and loved trashy SF&F) I was a big fan of the “Sword and Sorceress” anthologies, but I had to carefully remove the covers and replace them with plain cardboard because even when I was 12 I wouldn’t be seen dead reading a book with a cover like [this.](http://pictures.abebooks.com/YARROW/88615719.jpg) JRB ---
**Author:** ![Terrifel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@Terrifel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terrifel)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2007, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/godawful-book-covers/399608/37 "2007-04-12T02:41:39Z")
[QUOTE=Lissa] [This](http://punkrockpenguin.net/waste/amuse/badcovers/) is one of my favorite websites for bad book covers. [/QUOTE] I don’t know that I’d consider most of those “bad;” at worst, they’re inert (which, I suppose, may be considered worse than bad in the publishing industry). Honestly, they seem like a pretty average collection of paperback covers to me. I mean, there’s a collection of Brian Lumley stories, and it has a monster on the cover. There’s a vampire book, and it has a vampire on the cover. There’s a werewolf book, and it’s got a werewolf on the cover. There’s a book about a vampire and a werewolf, and it has both a vampire and a werewolf on the cover. What more do you want, really? And, no, before you ask, I’m not defensive because I happen to own any of those books. Because I’ve never seen a single one of them before! Stop looking at me. I don’t see no Nazi elves in there, anyway. That person just wasn’t looking very hard if you ask me. Mild hijack: I was glancing over my bookshelf for ugly covers, and I ran across [Tolkien: A Look Behind the Lord of the Rings](http://books.regehr.org/reviews/tolkien.html) by Lin Carter. It’s got a fairly unremarkable front cover, but the back cover blurb gives a brief summary of the contents. One of the chapters is listed: “The Trilogy: Satire or Allergy?” And while searching for the above cover image, I found this fascinating image of [The Fox Woman](http://www.warr.org/bookimages/Merritt_Fox.jpg) by A. Merritt, featuring what looks to be a depiction of one of Walt Disney’s innermost fantasies. Whatever that wolf (fox?)-creature is in the foreground, I see it’s as disturbed by the guy’s pants as I am. ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2007, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/godawful-book-covers/399608/38 "2007-04-12T03:51:23Z")
[QUOTE=Steve MB] When I said I wanted something to erase the [glurge “inspirational print”](http://www.watsonswildlife.com/images3/praying_for_peace_RDF.jpg) of Washington and Lincoln’s ghosts resting their hands on Dubya’s shoulders, I didn’t mean “replace it with something even worse”. [/QUOTE] Wow. All that’s missing are Jesus, Elvis with a halo, and a pickup truck. (I’m assuming that this fine piece of art is on velvet, of course.) ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2007, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/godawful-book-covers/399608/39 "2007-04-12T15:10:53Z")
For an actual published book, I always felt the original cover for **[The Dispossessed](http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/ce/d3/a3ea124128a083dabc145010._AA240_.L.jpg)** by Ursula K. LeGuin was spectacularly ugly. Ugly red planet, crude art, and the diagonal text is offputting. Great book, however. ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2007, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/godawful-book-covers/399608/40 "2007-04-12T15:26:22Z")
[QUOTE=Jeep’s Phoenix] Wow. All that’s missing are Jesus, Elvis with a halo, and a pickup truck. (I’m assuming that this fine piece of art is on velvet, of course.) [/QUOTE] I really don’t think you should be insulting Elvis like that. -Joe [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/godawful-book-covers/399608.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/godawful-book-covers/399608.md?page=3)