One of my favorite times of year!! The time when I look back at all the books I read and judge them shamelessly by their covers!! Some of these will be familiar from The Good and The Bad lists, because ugliness isn’t an indicator of quality.
Reluctantly Alice by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
I read this whole series this year, and a lot of them were published in the 80s and 90s, which were like the golden years for terrible children’s book covers like this where they went for illustrating a scene in the book. Just so we’re clear, that’s the middle school bully trying to beat her up, not a cross-country trucker.
Alice on the Outside by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Even when Alice is in a sexy situation instead of a scary one, it’s just as awk and ugly.
Flamingo Rising by Larry Baker
This book was on my Good list, but I really think they could have designed a better cover. The book is full of really cool visuals! He lives at a drive-in movie theater with a neon sign the size of a building, come on.
Virgin Vegan Valentine by Carolyn Mackler
I feel awkward staring at this girls chest in her boring tank top.
Things I’ve Learned From Girls Who Dumped Me
This cover is okay, but the book was pretty funny, so I wish it was better.
Outrageously Alice by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Alice is invited to a lingerie-themed bridal shower. I know, I was disappointed too
Never Sit Down In a Hoop Skirt and Other Things I Learned in Southern Belle Hell by Crickett Rumley
I’ve fallen down in a hoop skirt before, and that is not what it looks like.
Love*Com Volume 3 by Aya Nakahara
AH GOBLINS!
The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler
I actually really like this concept: two 90s kids get magical access to their future facebook profiles and then try to change their lives to “fix” what they see.
The Agony of Alice by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
That is bad-acting mopey, AT BEST. I was promised agony.
Heavenly Hijinks by Ashley Ladd
I almost didn’t put this on here, because it does get you perfectly prepared for what you are about to read. But, come on, he’s a sexy lion man.