Since I feel bad for making fun of the ugly covers, here are all the best book covers from the year! A lot of them are graphic novels this time around, and a bunch showed up on my The Good list(*)!
The Inevitable Victorian Thing by E.K. Johnston
This cover really captures the dichotomy in the book between prim Victorian sensibilities and invasive gennome-mapping technology.
The Stone Heart by Faith Erin Hicks
*I really like the art style, which I guess is how most graphic novels end up on here.
Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu
*This is my aesthetic, basically.
Piper by Jay Asher
*Of course gorgeous graphic novels have gorgeous covers.
Pride and Prometheus by John Kessel
When a woman writes an AU crossover fic, it’s trashy, but when a dude does it, it’s Serious Literature(TM).
The Merry Spinster: Tales of Everyday Horror by Mallory Ortberg
This book’s rating probably suffered BECAUSE its cover was so good. It would be hard to live up to this.
No Matter the Wreckage by Sarah Kay
This is a book of poetry, which made no impression on me.
Judgement Day: The Science of Discworld IV by Terry Pratchett, Ian Stewart, and Jack Cohen
Gimme more Kidby Discworld art yes please
My Lady’s Choosing by Kitty Curan
*I cannot recommend this book enough. It is completely ridiculous.
Delilah Dirk and the Turkish Lieutenant by Tony Cliff
*Tony Cliff’s art is amazing!
Delilah Dirk and the King’s Shilling by Tony Cliff
*More Tony Cliff art
My Diary from the Edge of the World by Jodi Lynn Anderson
This captures the magical realist weirdness of this book.
Nimona by Noelle Stevenson
*Why is this list mostly graphic novels? Other books need to step up their game.
Step Aside, Pops: A Hark! A Vagrant Collection by Kate Beaton
*What did you expect
Delilah Dirk and the Pillars of Hercules by Tony Cliff
*lol Did you think I forgot about the last Delilah Dirk? These are in the order I read them.
Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol
Russian summer camp graphic novel!
Raymie Nighingale by Kate DiCamillo
This one takes place in Florida, and it does a good job at that.
Paperback Crush: The Totally Radical History of 80s and 90s Teen Fiction by Gabrielle Moss
*This book and I are BFFs.
Check, Please!: #Hockey, Vol. 1 by Ngozi Ukazu
*The last graphic novel on the list, I swear
The Maze at Windermere by Gregory Blake Smith
Another book that couldn’t live up to the coolness of its cover.
Previously: 2018: The Ugly
2017: The Pretty