Last time on trend watch, I talked about recent trends in titles and subject matter in YA. This time, I decided to highlight some cover trends! I sifted through Goodreads, mostly, taking a look at a huuuuge number of titles slated for 2013. This is part one of the cover madness (and I say madness because you do NOT want to know how long this took). My cover compilations are by no means exhaustive, meaning I left out a whole lot of applicable covers, and while I tried to limit it to just 2013 releases, a couple 2012s may have sneaked in there.
Off with their heads!
It adds a bit of mystery to cut off the eyes, or their whole heads, or even their torsos. It's like... Who is that? What's their deal? I want to know more! Also it lessens the chance of putting a horribly awkward facial expression on the cover, which is one of the quickest ways to turn me off.
The Eyes Have It
Eye contact is one of the most arresting ways of snagging your attention. I mean, a couple of these reach out and seize you and peer right into your soul. Whether you like them aesthetically or not, just try walking past these in a bookstore. They'll follow you everywhere.
How Dare You Turn Your Back On Me
This was by far the most prevalent trend I came across. I don't know why. Is it because it implies mystery? Movement? So that you're looking at the same thing the figure's looking at? I'm not sure. But it sure does pop up all over the place.
Mini Trend: Just Walkin' Along
They're coming for you! Very slowly!
Mini Trend: Put Your Face Back Together Again
Quite a few fractured among this year's releases. It's a pretty arresting image, I must admit. Less so by the seventh cover, but still. I approve.
Stay tuned for Part Two! And possibly Part Three. I'm dealing with a lot of covers.
Have you noticed any cover trends lately? How about title trends?
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Great post! I love all the pictures... I imagine it didn't take you just a second to do that. lol I've noticed the trends, but seeing them next to one another really makes it known just how prevalent they are! ;) I'm not a huge fan of the face coming apart ones, but they are eye catching. I prefer faces intact, myself.
ReplyDeleteNo, it certainly did not! Haha. The sifting took a while, but honestly the trends just popped up of there own accord, because as you said they're SO prevalent.
DeleteOH! I hadn't even noticed all of these trends, but it's really interesting. I actually really like the ones where they're walking or when their heads are cut off.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for part two!!
I like those too! Part Two should be up next week :D
DeleteThis post was super fun to look at! I like the covers with the eyes on them, because I feel compelled to (at the very least) go and check out the book. The ones with the people with their backs to the reader are also intriguing, as I like imagining what the characters look like.
ReplyDeleteI love the eye covers, especially UNRAVEL ME. It's completely mesmerizing in person. I also like it when the faces are either obscured or turned away, so it doesn't mess with my imagining of the characters.
DeleteLove this post! I realize while scrolling through the pictures that I think with the "off with their head" trend, I have a particular style I like & one I don't. I like it if the whole head isn't visible and it's just their torso, but I really don't like it if it cuts off right below the eyes. Looks strange to me.
ReplyDeleteThank you! It can look pretty awkward. It's a pretty strange place to cut off a face!
DeleteLove, love, love any sort of cover post you do! Not only do I love looking at covers, but I also smirk at a lot of them. Popular trends! Gosh, I never realized half of these before. Great post, Gil :)
ReplyDeleteMy favorite covers are the ones with the eyes staring at you. I have a thing for them. They just always grab my attention, same with the fractured faces, but only if it is done right. I'm loving this topic and I can't wait to read your next post! :)
ReplyDeleteMost of the time I don;t like cover trends. But some of the ones you posted here I really liked! Especially "The eyes have it." Apparently I am a sucker for awesome looking eyes. (The Gates cover is super cool, with that bright, bright blue eye)!
ReplyDelete