November 16, 2023 | By Ram Khatri

Ten of My Favorite Book Covers

An image of Franz Kafka on the cover, this captivating and intriguing cover is an ironic illustration of one of Kafka’s best-known works—The Metamorphosis.

1. Why You Should Read Kafka Before You Waste Your Life

The cover art of this book depicts a bug lying cross-legged reading a miniature version of James Hawes’ book “Why You Should Read Kafka Before You Waste Your Life” with an image of Franz Kafka on the cover. This captivating and intriguing cover is an ironic illustration of one of Kafka’s best-known works—The Metamorphosis—which tells the story of a fictional character Gregor Samsa who wakes up as a giant insect. Gregor eventually dies due to a variety of unpleasant circumstances surrounding his new appearance. Nonetheless, the content of Hawes’ book for which the cover art represents breaks down the myths (K-myth) surrounding Kafka’s life and works. The book describes the real events surrounding Kafka’s sexuality, writing career, and relationship with his father.

2. Motherhood: A Novel

All the elements of this cover from the warm color palette to the plain background come together in a unique fashion to create a compelling image. This book by Sheila Heti questions the gain and loss of motherhood. The main character wrestles on an important decision whether to breed or not and the struggle to make the best decision forms the basis of this story. She notes that it is the responsibility of being a mother that seems tough, not just having a child. It is a personal battle that goes forth and back even as the main character struggles to make a moral and wise choice. She decides to seek guidance from a variety of different sources including her body and chance to which she discovers her answer.

3. Love in the Time of Cholera

Since its first publication, there have been more than a dozen covers for different editions of this book, each one with a different concept. The cover for this edition is beautiful, as it features different pigments, patterns, and forms. Above is a colorful pet parrot upside down and below is an eye gazing out into the open, partly covered by an object. Love in the Time of Cholera is an exciting romantic novel written by Nobel Prize-winning author Gabriel García Márquez. Set in Northern Colombia (1875 – 1924) it tells the story of Florentino Ariza and Fermina Daza who fall deeply in love with each other in their youth. Unfortunately, the secret relationship that starts between them is not meant to last due to a variety of different circumstances.

4. Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me

The cover art of this book has a unique color scheme & an eye-catching illustration of two individuals locked in a warm embrace. Written by Mariko Tamaki and illustrated by Rosemary Valero-O’Connell this romantic novel accurately tells a story about high school romances, friendships, heartaches, and toxic relationships.

5. Pretend I’m Dead: A Novel

A captivating cover that tells a powerful story even before you begin. The centerpiece of it all other than the clear blue sky is a hand clad in a yellow latex cleaning glove with a cigarette delicately held in between two fingers. A befitting cover for a remarkable story by Award-winning writer Jen Beagin. Pretend I’m Dead is a book that captures the confessions of a house cleaner named Mona on her pursuit for self-acceptance and belonging after her relationship with a heroin addict, she met at a needle exchange program goes wrong.

6. Phurlung

In this playful yet powerful cover, a masculine figure whose face is hidden has a fishing basket tied around his waist as he stands close to a body of water with fishes in it. The hidden face of the masculine figure on the cover indicates a rapid disappearance of the fishermen along with their culture and profession. The literal meaning of the Nepali language word ‘Phurlung’ is a fishing basket in English.

7. Nyayako Aabasan

In this intriguing cover, the illustrated image of a woman (with a title overhead which means ‘death of justice’) overlays newspaper cuttings, which symbolizes the media coverage she receives during her fight for justice for her Son. The entire story of this autobiographical work sets during and after the Maoist-government war in Nepal.

8. Jeevan Kaada Ki Phool

The translation of the title literally means ‘Is Life Flower or Thorn?’ and it is an inspirational autobiography about a disabled author whose sketch graces the cover with beautiful flowers at the lower edge. Written by Jhamak Ghimire, a successful columnist who is often compared with American author, political activist, and lecturer Helen Keller, this award-winning book tells a story about courage, hope, and perseverance.

9. Tell the Wolves I’m home

The cover of this book features a large teapot, with steam within its vessel and the silhouette of a lady on its top. This award-winning national bestseller is a touching story of love, loss, and unlikely friendships.

10. Stay

The cover of this book gives readers a glimpse of what the book’s content is about without giving away the whole story. The beauty of this cover is the entire setting. It depicts the silhouette of a large bare tree, a man and two dogs with an afterglow cloud.

Ram Khatri