Nathifa’s Corner: MY THOUGHTS ON JULIE GARWOOD’S BOOK COVERS

If you are like me, you would pick up a book based on the cover.  I know the old saying “Don’t judge a book by its cover” but I can’t help it.  I’m a graphic designer (well I’m training to be one) and designs always catches my eyes.  Since I love books so much, I always pick up a book that is pleasing to my eyes and then read the description on the back and when that fails, pick up a random book and do the same.


One of my favorite authors is +Julie Garwood and from my mom’s old collection of books I’ve seen some beautiful book covers from her even though I lost one of them (I will find whoever lost it and they will pay).


Now, I only choose Julie Garwood’s books based on the author alone. Seriously, I would not have looked twice at the reprinted version of her books if she was not already established in my mind.  I know it’s a little harsh but in my opinion, an amateur designer designed these new book covers and did a poor job of it.  

Here are examples of what I am talking about:

                 BEFORE                                                                                                   AFTER

                                         

                                                      





                 BEFORE                                                                                                   AFTER

                                        

                                                    




                 BEFORE                                                                                                   AFTER

                                           

                                                     



                 BEFORE                                                                                                   AFTER

                                          

                                                   



                 BEFORE                                                                                                   AFTER

                                         

                                                     



                 BEFORE                                                                                                   AFTER

                                     

                                                     



                 BEFORE                                                                                                   AFTER

                                     

                                        


This is the one that really gets on my nerves every time I see it.  This is the absolute worse and most obvious Photoshop I have ever seen


                 BEFORE                                                                                                   AFTER

                                           

                                                   



Now you tell me, if you were to see these books side by side on a bookshelf, which one would you choose to go home with you? Exactly, I have made my point (at least I hope I did).


Bad re-printing of books aside, +Julie Garwood‘s brilliance was still able to shine through in her work.  Maybe that was the point, maybe she wanted her work to speak for itself and not by the cover, if that was the point than bravo, if not, eh!


I love Julie Garwood and would love for her books to go back to the beautiful covers they once were.  My copy of Gentle Warrior is missing and I would like to get a copy of the original cover and not the one they have now on the shelves.


Are you like me, do you choose a book by it’s cover first and then read the information in the back?   Or is there some other way that you choose out books when you go in to a bookstore? Tell me in the comments below.

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4 Comments

  1. Irma Jurejevčič

    I totally agree with you… What do you think of the covers of her books translated into Slovenian language?
    Here’s the link: http://www.klubromantic.com/klubromantic/category/knjige/julie-garwood/

    Reply
  2. swanangel15

    I like that they were more focused on the women, but nothing can beat the originals
    .

    Reply
  3. Sharlene Wegner

    I am most definitely drawn to books by the covers. If I don’t like a cover (particularly if a male model does not appeal to me) I may not even get as far as the book description. I agree with your assessment of the books above!

    Reply
  4. Angi Morgan

    I’m not certain that the BEFORE versions are the ORIGINAL versions. I’d have to dig through my boxed up books…but I’m pretty certain they all had couples on the original releases.

    Reply

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