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I think I have found the BIGGEST cover fail there has ever been. When a book series is released, it stands to reason that the books should look sort of the same. At least have the same features. It’s been that way for Kate Harrison’s fabulous Secret Shopper series so far, but for the paperback of the third novel, Orion have taken it upon themselves to give it a HIDEOUS change. Not only does it not match the other books in the series, but it looks like some cheap 1990′s cover, and somewhat like Sophie Kinsella’s Shopaholic American covers. It’s just awful and I wonder what on earth possessed the publishers to make such an awful change. I mean, look at the gorgeous original on the right, and compared that to the disaster on the left. Why?!

Something a bit different this week for Cover Wars! After seeing the split decision on the UK/US covers for Vanessa Diffenbaugh’s debut novel The Language of Flowers, I was intrigued to look into a bit more and find out what other covers are out there. It seems like every country has a really different take on the book, and even though I think that the UK one is still my favourite, some of the others are really gorgeous, such as Israel cover. I have to say the Australian and German ones are my least favourites, they don’t capture the book for me at all. The Portugese cover also looks too much like some sort of gardening manual/dictionary for me as well. So tell me… which do you prefer?

(Australia) (Holland) (French)

(Germany) (Israel) (Italy)

(Poland) (Portugal)

Last week Chloe highlighted the gorgeous cover of The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh which comes out August 23rd here in the US and on August 19 in the UK. After reading the synopsis for it I couldn’t help but look it up to see when it might be coming to the US and also see what the cover will look like. Well, it’s certainly different. Completely. If they were sitting side by side on the bookshelf I’m not sure I’d think they were the same book at all and I’m also not sure I’d think the US version(on the right) was a potential women’s fiction novel outside of the font used. That being said, I still think both covers are gorgeous and quite striking in their own right.

So, you tell me, which do you prefer and why?

I adored Sheila O’Flanagan’s 2010 Christmas short story collection A Season to Remember but I especially loved the festive looking cover in shades of pink, red and purple. As usual, the publishers have given it a new look with the release of the paperback this autumn (13th October) but I don’t think its an improvement on the original! I see what they have tried to do with the white and christmas ornament, but the mint green coupled with the pink and purple text just don’t scream Christmas to me, and if I didn’t know the title, I wouldn’t even say it’s a festive book! I for one would only buy the old cover, to me its far more suited to the title and theme of the book. Which do you prefer?

Earlier this week Leah shared a brilliant review of the fabulous new book by J.J. Salem, The Strip. Unfortunately for US readers the book won’t be published here until November 8th, because I certainly think this could be the perfect beach read. Until then, those of us eager to read it here in the US can choose whether we might like the upcoming cover for the US version (on the left) or decide if we might want to pick up the UK version (on the right). Personally, I think I may be begging Leah to send me her copy because I love the UK cover so much, but US cover definitely depicts the setting quite well it’s just a bit too 80′s for me I think.

What about you? Which cover would you prefer on your shelves?

It’s only been just over a month since Ann Brashares latest in the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series was released in hardback, but Sisterhood Everlasting has already been given a cover make-over and a paperback release date this last week. My question for our readers is, if you’ve read it which cover fits the story more appropriately? For those of us who haven’t had a chance to read it…well, lets just pick a favorite! Which do you prefer, the hardback on the left or the new paperback release on the right? I’m absolutely torn because I think they are both very nice in their own way, but neither really jumps right out and says “buy me!” So, what do you think?

Tibby, Lena, Carmen, and Bridget have grown up, starting their lives on their own. And though the jeans they shared are long gone, the sisterhood is everlasting.

Despite having jobs and men that they love, each knows that something is missing: the closeness that once sustained them. Carmen is a successful actress in New York, engaged to be married, but misses her friends. Lena finds solace in her art, teaching in Rhode Island, but still thinks of Kostos and the road she didn’t take. Bridget lives with her longtime boyfriend, Eric, in San Francisco, and though a part of her wants to settle down, a bigger part can’t seem to shed her old restlessness.

Then Tibby reaches out to bridge the distance, sending the others plane tickets for a reunion that they all breathlessly await. And indeed, it will change their lives forever—but in ways that none of them could ever have expected.

As moving and life-changing as an encounter with long-lost best friends, Sisterhood Everlasting is a powerful story about growing up, losing your way, and finding the courage to create a new one.
Summary for Sisterhood Everlasting by Ann Brashares

Nicole Richie’s debut novel Priceless was a book I didn’t expect to enjou bit really loved, but I wasn’t initially keen on the original cover (right). For its paperback release, its been given a brand new look (left) and perhaps suits the theme of the book - rock star daughter, brash and bold - quite well, although I wish the title of the book was a little more prominent! Which of the two covers do you prefer?

I read and loved Michelle Jackson’s third novel with Poolbeg, One Kiss in Havana, this summer and thought it was the perfect summer read. Set in Cuba, the book takes you over there with it’s vivid descriptions and a superb story that will keep you gripped. Now, the paperback cover has been released (left) , and while I really love it and think it shows off the summer theme of the book well, I think the original release cover (right) captures the essence of Cuba and the book more for me! I love the colours, and it is one of my favourite book covers this year! Which do you prefer?