Above is my collection of books by the author Lisa Genova, as you can see, the first two books are one cover design and the lower two a different cover variety. It was actually only recently that I completed my Lisa Genova collection up to date, and it was upon receiving the last book in the collection that I got to thinking about the difference in covers, and how overtime I have changed as a book reader and collector.
Once upon a time I would have HAD to replace two of these covers so that they would all match - it would have bothered me to the extent that I would have paid extra money in order to replace books I already owned so that the collection matched... To me now that seems absurd, but a year or so ago, it made perfect sense.
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for matching covers - had I purchased all the books in the one go, I assure you they would definitely all be the same cover design, but I don't NEED them to be matching anymore... Unless it's a series, of course.
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT MATCHING BOOK COVERS?
I have given up worrying about it because they change them halfway through series and I would rather buy books I don't own than repurchase ones that I do. But, I used to do that... lol I have even got over my owning a series in the same format issues. I recently read The Fifth Season as an e-book for example, and resisted buying it in paperback when I bought the sequel in paperback. That being said, if I find books at the second hand store that match my current covers, then I will buy a book I all ready own. :)
ReplyDeleteIt feels great when you're able to let go of bookish hang ups like that, doesn't it?! Although, I don't think I could deal with the different formats in a series! Thanks for sharing your thoughts :-)
DeleteI never thought about those that collected books and the difficult decision you would have. I don't mind different covers for stand alone's but I really don't like when they do it in a series. The Amanda Stevens Graveyard series is a great example, the first 3 are gorgeous Gothic looks. The last 2-3 are nice but nothing like the original.
ReplyDeleteI took a look at the series you referenced and I totally see what you mean - I don't like when they switch series artwork up like that either! Also, I've seen quite a few book covers for Still Alice too.
DeleteBTW I have never seen that version of Still Alice cover, that must have 3-4 covers I believe.
ReplyDeleteI have both kinds in my collection. I have some series that are all the same and I have a lot that are varied, like my Ann Patchett and Madeleine L'Engle books. Some are hardcover and some are paperback; I'm just trying to collect all of their books in whichever versions I find.
ReplyDeleteThat totally makes sense - GET ALL THE BOOKS :-P
DeleteI only need my covers to match if they are a series. I can't stand when they don't match unless the books were released many, many years apart.
ReplyDeleteWhen a series doesn't match, it is quite frustrating. I like mine to match in those circumstances. Thanks for sharing your thoughts :-)
DeleteIf it's not a series, it doesn't bother me all that much. Not enough to buy another copy of the book, unless I was getting it super cheap.
ReplyDeleteThat totally makes sense - I'm glad I'm not wasting money like that anymore!
DeleteThis is maybe slightly different, but one of my favorite authors, Emily Giffin, had a definite signature style for her covers for her first few books - the same cute font, written small, with just a tiny image related to the book. Her last couple books have deviated from that - the size of the title has gotten a lot bigger and the font has changed dramatically. I'm not sure if I like it! But - it's Emily Giffin, so I will buy anything she writes.
ReplyDeleteI totally get what you mean! I don't like it when they change the overall format / theme of an author's cover designs either. Thanks for sharing :-)
DeleteHaha, I had to chuckle at your last sentence! The not matching cover thing never really bothered me as much as other readers, other than to grumble a bit if I liked the first design better and wondering why the publisher messed with a good thing -- if it ain't broke, don't fix it, right?
ReplyDeleteIt's never bothered me to have mixed hardcover and paperbacks for a series either which I know bugs some people.
My one book design indulgence lately though has been replacing some classics with different editions, particularly illustrated editions. I keep thinking the beautiful artwork will make me more likely to read them - and to interest my son in reading them one day! I'm probably being silly, but I do think it will add to the reading experience. I've also gotten some Audible editions of books I have in print, but those don't take up any room! I really enjoyed doing both print and audio for the Beatrix Potter stories and hope to try that approach for more classics in the future :)
'If it ain't broke, don't fix it' - I'm with you on that!
DeleteThe hardcover and paperback thing used to bother me, as well as the matching covers, but I have overcome that also. I think the older I get I realise those kind of things really don't matter.
Ah, I don't think that's silly at all, and illustrations definitely add to a reading experience - whether young or old! I know a lot of people mix reading audio and print books of the same title, but I just don't think I could do that. In fact I'm terrible with even listening to audios at the moment. I hope that method helps you to read more classics in the future, like you hope!