Favourite Book Covers of 2020

A picture tells a thousand words and can sell a story

Despite the disaster which reigned over us all in 2020, there were many, many fantastic books which were published and sent out into the world. Despite the trying and tiring era we all went through, publishing rose to the challenge in many more ways than one. To celebrate a triumphant year for publishing, I thought it would be nice to celebrate some of my favourite book covers of 2020.

This newsletter is inspired by the Bookseller’s Annual ‘Got it covered’ Book Jacket Competition where the quiz revolved around trying to guess covers of books which came out last year with only a single small square of the book provided. While I was doing the quiz, it made me appreciate the importance and power of having a strong book cover and the amazing talent of illustrators and book designers in putting them together. Book covers are the first thing the reader sees, along with the book’s title. They draw us in, they pique our interest and remain crucial to capturing the reader’s imagination.

So in no particular order, my favourite book covers of 2020 are:

1) Pine by Francine Toon (Publisher: Transworld)

(Cover design by Beci Kelly)

Silent but eerie: the two words that spring on me immediately when looking at this cover. Its simplicity is its most powerful feature along with the literal pine forest growing from the back of the stag. The care given to the image alongside the delicate typography captures the rural setting and the unnerving tension.

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2) Luster by Raven Leilani (Publisher: Picador)

(Cover design by Melissa Four and photography by Alex Sarginson)

A little bit of a cheat because this technically comes out this year, but the eBook came out last year—for that reason, I’ve given it a pass. I loved this book cover: provoking, immediate and seductive. Lips have always been viewed in a seductive and alluring manner, but it harks strongly to the book’s plot, themes and the character’s sexual journey.

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3) Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo (Publisher: Hot Key Books)

(Cover art by Erick Davila)

The cover beautifully mirrors the story which follows two half-sisters who didn’t know each other existed. The book takes on a dual narrative in verse and the spilt cover devotes half of its space to each protagonist; all of which come together in an eye-catching manner. It’s always wonderful to see women of colour, gorgeously illustrated and taking centre stage.

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4) Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (Publisher: Jo Fletcher Books)

(Cover design and illustration by Tim Green of Faceout Studios)

An irresistible welcome provided by the cover to this gothic horror story. We see our stylish and fashionable protagonist in her full glory and surrounded by a lush green colour but the purposeful exclusion of her face, her stance and the flowers in her hand reinforce a sinister aura.

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5) The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones (Publisher: Titan Books)

There is something uniquely beautiful and yet disturbing about how the elk is staring at the reader, almost like it knows you did something you shouldn’t have. There is a huge focus on its head and its massive antlers. Creepy, bewitching and compelling; there is something unsettling about the cover but it draws one in.

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6) To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolini (Publisher: Tor)

(Cover design by Lindy Martin of Faceout Studio)

The typography and the background work in perfect conjunction with the subject of the cover literally falling through the stars. The luminous blue background seemingly acts as a portal to another world, capturing the genre of science fiction in full force.

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7) The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin (Publisher: Orbit)

(Cover Design by Lauren Panepinto and photography by Arcangel)

Bold, neon colours are used to bounce off and radiate the top of New York City but it is carefully constrained to the top part of the cover; this contrasts starkly with the shadows and the underbelly of the bridge in the lower half of the book. Some of the proportions of the buildings are deliberately off, and it gives off the vibe something is very off-kilter with this world with something mysterious happening right out of sight.

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8) Feathertide by Beth Cartwright (Publisher: Del Rey)

(Cover art by Joanna Lisowiec and art direction by Clare Stacey at Head Design)

The book cover perfectly encapsulates the title of the book: feathers captured in the birds and the tides shown in the sea. The clear view of a mermaid fins swimming through the seas captures the novel’s elements of fairy-tales and magical realism with a fantastical twist.

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9) Trial of Koli by M. R. Carey (Publisher: Orbit)

(Cover design by Lisa Marie Pompilio and photography by Blake Morrow)

There is something foreboding about the way the plants have taken over the front cover. It provides subtle hints at the state of the post-apocalyptic Britain; something that the readers will be thrust into. The plants take more than centre stage on the cover, as their vines, leaves and shroud fill most of the cover with the title typography placed on top. Overall, the presentation creates an unnerving and creepy vibe as nature shows its fangs to the reader.

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10) The Betrayals by Bridget Collins (Publisher: The Borough Press)

(Cover design and illustration by Micaela Alcaino)

A rich allure of black, gold and red makes up the colour scheme for this book with a heightened sense of ornateness that feels lavish and seductive. The use of the clock which commands a large portion of the cover carefully intertwined with the flowers leaves the readers in awe.

What were your favourite book covers of 2020? Please share in the comments section.

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Thank you for reading Writersphere and I hope you enjoyed the newsletter. Please do share this newsletter with those you think will enjoy.

— Davina Tijani (@dee_tijani)