So, some of these are not necessarily my opinion, but more things I see around as a lurker on Bootok and Bookstagram.
1. Stepback covers
You know the covers I mean, they are like a centimetre shorter than the rest of the book, usually there’s some more artwork on the centimetre of the page below that shows through.
Why do this? What does it achieve? According to a very quick Google, it used be a feature on historical romances and serves no other purpose than for pretty artwork.
So yeah, no thank you, I’ve seen stunning books full of artwork and never did I think that this could do with A *SLIGHTLY* SHORTER cover to make the artwork easier to appreciate.
2. Movie covers
ESPECIALLY if the movie comes out while the series is still being released and then you can’t get the later books without the movie covers and they don’t match.
If you didn’t take the original covers out of print, would people actually buy these? I’m happy to be argued with in the comments.
3. Sprayed edges
So, this is one that I don’t personally mind, I really liked sprayed edges but I know there are some that don’t, especially the lower quality mass produced kind.
4. Permanent stickers
A ‘sticker’ but one printed on with the rest of the book artwork. Real stickers are annoying enough but slap on a ‘as seen on Netflix’ sticker etc that interrupts the artwork and the vibe?
Brother erghhh
5. One book in a series that different.
This goes for different sizes, different spines, different covers… I understand things may change between publication but… you have to know nobody wants this right? If you’re buying a whole series, you want them to match, I feel like that isn’t a crazy thing to want? No?
6. The Paperback taking more than a year to come out after the hardback
WHY
I DON’T HAVE ROOM
I BOUGHT THE REST IN PAPERBACK AND NOW THE LATEST BOOK IN THE SERIES IS OUT I DON’T GET TO READ IT YET BECAUSE THE PAPERBACK DOESN’T COME OUT FOR FUCKING AGES
*ahem* that one may be a personal pet peeve
7. Cartoon character art on the covers
I actually don’t mind this, I prefer this to the old style romance covers where it’s like a sensual picture of a couple or a half naked man – much more subtle in public.
BUT some people say this makes books meant for mature audiences look appealing to younger readers, making it confusing for both them and un-informed parents.
This has prompted calls for age ratings on books… which I actually think wouldn’t be the worst idea but I do worry it could lead to almost censorship like behaviour. I do think there should be some indication that the book contains mature content, which is why I think this practice of including content warnings on the inside cover – which includes notes like ‘open door’ intimate scenes – is a nice middle ground.
8. Plain covers under dust jackets
As someone who whips that fucker off the second they start to read a book because they are really annoying, it’s always disappointing to get a pretty book to find out they made almost no effort with the hard back cover.
9. No blurb on the back or inside cover
Oh I’m so glad that Nancy what’s-her-face said it’s a “Thrilling read” but WHAT IS THE BOOK ABOUT
10. Books that are either too stiff or too floppy
Both of these things add just a *little* smidgen of annoyance or inconvenience every time you read the book, which I will forever associate with it.
I feel these are fairly bog standard? Some are my complaints, some were common ones I found doing a little search around.
Do you have any to add?
Antonia Bernardin 