unfortunately i do judge books by their cover

a list of books i skipped because of their ugly covers, and books i read because of their pretty ones

Apr 22, 2025

i’m sorry to all authors out there but there’s nothing uglier than a half-naked man on a book cover [covers eyes]. and listen—these are the exact books i love to read. cowboys, hockey players, emotionally unavailable men with traumatic pasts? say less. but unfortunately for you, i will be reading them on my kindle.

you best believe my husband’s grandparents are not coming over, snooping around my bookshelf and finding a shirtless man in a cowboy hat staring them down. not in this house.

not even his grandparents think about my future children!! gosh so embarrassing.

books i keep in public view because of the cover

there are certain authors that just understand the assignment, you know? the books may not always deliver on plot, but the cover screams “i read important things.” they belong on a nightstand next to a glass of water and an unfinished journal. they say i am emotionally complex and probably live in a city with good public transit.

magnolia parks (the OG UK covers) by jessa hastings
dear dickhead by virginie despentes
the ministry of time by kaliane bradley
play it as it lays by joan didion
intermezzo by sally rooney
my year of rest and relaxation by ottessa moshfegh

books I want to buy solely based on their covers

if you see me reading these in public, just know: yes, i absolutely feel smarter than you, even if i don’t understand a single thing happening on the page.