Top Ten Tuesday- Redesign

The Broke and the Bookish are asking us this week to list ten books that need their covers revamped.

1. Any movie cover- I abhor movie covers. They cheapen the story by making the novel a marketing tool.

2. The Song is You by Arthur Phillips- The cover makes the story seem melodramatic and YA-ish.

3. The covers of most classics- They do absolutely nothing for the books besides making them appear more boring than the general public already thinks they are.

4. In One Person by John Irving- Are you kidding me with the bra? This isn't some trashy romance novel, it's John-freaking-Irving! 

5. American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld- Again, another story trivialized an overly sentimental cover.

6. Away by Amy Bloom- I actually wasn't a huge fan of the book itself, but the still-life cover was just icing on the cake. So boring and muted.

7. Bossypants by Tina Fey- I hate the arms, I really do.

8. Any cover where the author's name is bigger than the title: Stop relying on your reputation to sell your books, you egomaniac. 

9. Maya's Notebook by Isabel Allende- Something about the tattoo and the soft colors are way to melodramatic for me.

10. The Casual Vacancy by JK Rowling- I'm not a fan of the book, but I thought the cover was very lackluster as well (perhaps appropriate, though).

Books for Non-Readers

Obligatory reminder about the giveaway. You should enter. Free things are good (and yes, I will ship internationally; Cory did so to me, so I'll pass along the favors. Plus, it will make me feel special at the post office).

So, apparently, some idiots people aren't readers. I don't claim to understand such nonsense, but there are still books you can buy for these stupid special people during this holiday season. 

Title: How to Speak Wookie 
Author: Wu Kae Smith
Good for: People who are frustrated there's no Rosetta Stone for Wookie.

Title: Melt 100 Amazing Adventures in Grilled Cheese 
Author: Shane Kearns

Good for: People who like grilled cheese. Duh.

Title: Understand Rap
Author: William Buckholz

Good for: White people

Title: 36 Hours: 150 Weekends in USA and Canada
Author: Barbara Ireland
Good for: People who need to get out more.

Title: How Smart is Your Dog? Test Your Pet IQ
Author: Parragon Books
Good for: People with an unnatural obsession with their dogs (yeah, so, I have it on my wish list now).

Title: The Best Shots You've Never Tried
Author: Andrew Bohrer

Good for: Alcoholics. College kids. 29 year old teachers who don't cope well with their problems.

Title: Great in Bed
Author: Debby Herbenick and Grant Stoddard
Good For: People that like the sex (a legitimate substitute for reading, I suppose).

Title: F NISH TH S B   K
Author: Keri Smith
Good for: People who think "anyone can write a book."

Title: Suri's Burn Book
Author: Allie Hagan
Good for: Fashionistas. Celebrity gossip fans. Pedophiles.

Title: Raising Unicorns
Author: Jessica S. Maques
Good for: People who think child rearing is a big fat waste of time.

Cabin Fever

[there will be no killing, I promise]

Before I start I have to give the obligatory disclaimer: I love my husband, my dogs, my house, and my friends. I am thankful for my job, my health, and my lifestyle. 

And now that that's out of the way, I can say, without guilt or regret, that I have the strongest case of cabin fever that I have ever had in my entire life. It almost hurts.

I just spent thirty minutes planning a trip to Paris over spring break. A pretend trip, anyway (for now).

[places I want to go. like now.]

I've traveled more than some and less than others; I've been to Hawaii, New York, Italy, Chicago, Cabo, all the states between here and Minnesota, and up and down California. I've had a taste of what's out there, and I want more- it's like reading the first chapter of a book and being told you can't finish (like that would happen). There are so many places I've never been and I know that I'm at a place in my life where picking up and leaving is almost easy. I have a good job with ample time off, some money saved up, and nothing that can't be left behind for a week or two. Easier says than does. 

An overwhelming sense of boredom and frustration for the area in which I live is also a factor- I need a break from the landscape, the people, my routine. I need to hear different languages and to feel like an outsider. There's something freeing in being a tourist- no on knows you or cares what you do. Here I can't even go to Target for fear of running into someone I know and worrying that they'll judge me for wearing yoga pants out in public. 

Plus, I think we're more likely to take risks when we're traveling- being home so often means being safe. When you travel you want to do everything the area has to offer- try to the food, see the art, absorb the culture. Staying put allows you to get stuck in a rut, never really experiencing things that are new or different (unless you make an effort, of course). And on some level being out of your comfort zone allows you to act more authentically- traveling to unfamiliar places poses challenges and decisions that force you to pull from your true self. Being free from burdens, responsibilities, and the expectations of others doesn't hurt either.

Of course, travel isn't for everyone. Some people are content in their homes and geographical bubble, and I do understand that. Travel can be hard. There are itineraries to create, directions to navigate, and obstacles to overcome. Whether it's worth it is up to the individual, I suppose. I think some people have the wanderlust gene, and some don't. 

But I do. It's sort of like male-patterned baldness- once it starts you can't stop it.

 

Top Ten Tuesday- Coverage

While I'm pretty sure The Broke and the Bookish have done a cover-related topic before, I'm here to participate because I'm all for awesome cover art. Typically, I prefer simplicity and a clean look, and also that the author's name appears smaller than the title. I haven't read all of these particular books, but that's not what we're about this week.

The Secret Garden by Francis Hodgson Burnett- I love that the cover of the newest Penguin edition was originally embroidered (I think, for the price, that all you get is the print; I'd LOVE the real one).

The Lost Art of Reading: Why Books Matter in a Distracted Time by David Ulin- I like the fact that it's sort of an off size, matte, and has a simple, but demanding typeface.

Girlchild by Hassman- I just noticed the author only has one name. Interesting- is he crazy like Cher and Madonna? I love the old school feel of the library card flap.

The Call by Yannick Murphy- I just finished this and loved the vibrancy of the orange cover (again, matte), and the shiny black cow in the front. I'm not even a fan of the color orange! It just worked, though.

The Strange Case of the Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger- I don't really feel like an explanation is necessary...

The Selected Works of TS Spivet by Reif Larsen- You know, because I haven't sung his praises enough... Great square shape with map making instruments.

Solo by Rana Dasgupta- Great color, love the imagery.

By Nightfall by Michael Cummingham- Decent book, but I really just love the dark tulip.

Runner's World- the Runner's Body by Ross Tucker- I love images showing what parts of the body are being engaged.

A Fraction of the Whole by Steven Tolz- I love the contrast of the sepia tones with the bright blue accents.

Photocredits- All covers were taken from Amazon