Top Ten Book Covers... With a Twist

Hello everybody!  You should never judge a book by its cover... but I'm am going to be doing today anyways. I initially wanted to do a post on my top ten favorite book covers, but then I thought of a more interesting idea. I love hardcover books even if they are more expensive I will almost always buy a hardcover over a soft cover. So I thought I could do a top ten list of my favourite book covers under the dust jacket. Just a disclaimer this list may be biased because I am going to base it off novels I own; so there could be prettier books out there. I just have yet to get my hands on them. Anyways without further ado lets get into the list!

10. Tigers Quest

 

Tiger's Quest by Colleen Houck is a perfect example of how simple designs can be the most elegant. The typography and use of black and gold are both bold yet refined. Also although you can't tell by the picture the top two corners of the book are embossed which really adds to the overall affect.

9. Siege and Storm

 

 

Next on my list is Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo. I love so much about this cover. I think the bright red cloth is beautiful and helps to reflect the passion found within the story. The typography on the spine is absolutely stunning and, the dragon design at the bottom of the spine makes it look cohesive and exciting. My only complaint about this cover is the fact that the front of the book is completely blank. The spine is marvelous and very well designed. In contrast the plain front of the book falls flat.

8. Plain Kate

 

In eighth place is Plain Kate by Erin Bow. Which is another book with amazing typography and letters with luster. I appreciate the unique colour scheme used on the cover. Typically book covers are black or grey so this one really stands out from the monotone colours. Also the bright turquoise and  buttery yellow really compliment each other. The only downfall is once again the boring front cover.

7. Fairest

 

In spot number seven on the list we have Fairest which is a novella by Marissa Meyer. Similarly to Siege and Storm this cover has a beautiful spine and a blank cover that looks plain in comparison. I love how the letters on the side are shimmery, and do we even need to talk about the typography? It is freaking incredible. I also really like the design on the bottom of the spine I'm not sure if its a castle or a crown but it looks very nice and both item relate well to the novel. The reason I placed this book higher on the list than other books with similar designs is due entirley to the art on the inside of the cover. 

 

I can't even describe how much I adore this! it painted such a brilliant image of Queen Levana's castle within my mind as I read the book. I mean wow this art is fantastically gorgeous. (I'm not certain that's grammatically correct, but I'm gonna go with it)

6. Four

 

Next book on the list is Four by Veronica Roth. When I took the dust jacket off this book to see if I wanted it on this list I actually gasped. The Ferris Wheel design on the front cover is sleek and cool just like Four's character and the mix of dark blue and gold is splendid. I also think the spine looks exceptional and although the typography isn't my favourite on this list it is simple and eye-catching. Overall this cover is very aesthetically pleasing and cohesive.

5. Perfect Ruin

 

Fifth on the list is Perfect Ruin by Lauren Destefano. The spine of the book is the most gorgeous I have ever seen and probably ever will see. Everything about it is flawless, the use of negative space, the design, the shimmer, the typography. The spine of this book is a work of art. It may have placed even higher on this list but, the overall cover isn't as wonderful as some due to the plain front. 

3. Unhinged

 

Unhinged by A.G Howard makes me want to cry tears of joy simply because it is so beautiful. (and also a really good book) Where do I even start with this cover? The colours look expectational together, and the typography is like something out of a book of Fairytales which is very fitting. I also love the inclusion of moths on the front cover design because it is foreshadowing to the contents of the novel. This cover is truly a thing of beauty.

2.  Wonder Struck

 

Do I even need to explain why I put Wonder Struck by Brian Selznick on this list? Look at it, it is unlike any cover I have ever seen because the cover itself is art. Its as if someone picked up their paintbrush and decided to paint a masterpiece on the cover of this book. The image and colours within it are striking and have so much depth to them. Also this book is filled with illustrations so it is not only wonderful for the mind, but for the eyes as well.

1. The Cure for Dreaming

 

I always picture The Cure For Dreaming by Cat Winters on a shelf in Victorian London. It just fits so well there because it has an vintage charm to it and the typography on the front and spine reminds me of beautiful calligraphy. Honestly I don't have the words to describe how much I love every aspect of the appearance of this cover. The shining, iridescent letters add a whole magical element to it and the use of negative space on the spine is incredible. It would be a real challenge for any book to come close to bumping this one of the top of my book. The overall aesthetic of it is mind-blowing. 

I hope you enjoyed me getting waaaaaaay to excited about book covers. I hope to post again soon so keep coming back!

The Book Scenarios Tag

Hello! After disappearing for so long I figured I should write another post. I love watching booktube videos on you tube and when I saw this tag I thought " I have to do that!" So here it is my book scenarios tag. I tag Danika and Brianna at https://abookishescape.wordpress.com  .Without further ado lets get into the post!

1. You have to get rid of all your books and you can only keep one from each of these three genres- contemporary, fantasy, non-fiction and one other genre of your choosing. What books do you keep?

Contemporary: Ok I'm gonna be honest here I have never really loved contemporary books but there are always some exceptions. I love John Green books but I don't see myself re-reading any of them and time soon so I don't think I would keep one of those. If I have to choose a contemporary that I love and would re-read over and over again I would have to choose Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell. I love this book and relate to it so much because like Cath I am an introvert, I love writing fan fiction and I have a twin. It is overall the perfect book for me. 

Fantasy: This is very difficult because I love fantasy. However I have to choose a Harry Potter book. I love Harry Potter and it is what jumps into my mind the moment I hear the word "fantasy." I loved all the Harry Potter book but The Deathly Hallows is definitely my favourite. It was the perfect mixture of laughter, tears and magic. It was a bittersweet ending to the series and will always be close to my heart.

Non-fiction: I don't have a large collection of non-fiction books to choose from in the first place, but the moment I read this question I knew exactly what book I would pick. For christmas I received a book called Doctor Who the Vault, which is all about the filming process of Doctor Who which is one of my favourite shows. I love drama and learning about the filming of shows fascinates me. The book contains beautiful photography and overall I just love it.

Other genre: The final genre I would choose from is mystery. I love mystery and detective novel and if you've read my past posts I feel like you know where this is going. I would save my copy of the complete Sherlock Holmes. I have a copy of all the stories in one book so it counts for the question but I would still technically get nine books in one. Sherlock Holmes is one of my favourite series and my favourite characters so this is a clear choice for me.

http://www.penguin.com.au/products/9780141040288/penguin-complete-sherlock-holmes

2. You're at the bookstore and you hear a teenager telling their mom they don't like to read, but their mom insists they pick something. You walk over and recommend a book you think is great for people who aren't big on reading- what book is it?

Ok this is a tough question I am used to recommending books to my friends who like me all love reading with a fiery passion. I also feel like the kind of books someone likes depends a lot on the person. However I feel inclined to answer this question with a John Green book because his books are fairly short and incredibly well written. More specifically I think I would recommend An Abundance of Katherines because it is awesome, super funny and the lightest read of all his books in my opinion.

http://worderella.com/2014/09/reading-abundance-katherines/

3. You're not feeling yourself and need a pick me up. Which book do you read to put yourself in a great mood?

If I'm going to be perfectly honest I would love to answer this question using a novel but, the book I always go to for a pick me up is actually a graphic novel by the stupendous blogger Allie Brosh. Her blog and the book in question are both called Hyperbole and a Half. The book is ridiculously funny but also very thoughtfully written with a lot of consideration for reasons why people can feel down. Overall it is perfect and funny and I've already read it a million times.

4. You go back in time for a day to your teenage years. What book would you have most likely caught yourself reading?

Ok I am a teenager as of right now and the books I have been reading the most are the Sherlock Holmes books (surprise, surprise). So that would be my answer.

5. Your friend surprises you with a four day trip which you have an hour to pack for. What book do you take to read along the way?

If I have to choose one book to read on such a long trip I'm naturally going to pick a long book (no matter how heavy it is). The longest book in my to be read pile as of right now is In the Afterlight clocking in at 533 pages. If I was rushing to pack I would grab it and hope it would last me the whole trip.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/photo/16150831-in-the-afterlight

6. Your house has been robbed! Don't worry- everyone is safe, but your bookshelf has been raided. What's the book you hope is safe?

First of all I hope this never ever happens, I would cry. My answer to this question would be my third edition copy of The Sign of Four (the second Sherlock book). It was printed in London in 1893 and is in wonderful condition. Also those of you who love reading as much as me probably love the smell of books, and I gotta say if you ever have the pleasure of smelling a book printed in 1893 you will understand why I am so attached to this book.

7. Your friend borrows a book and returns it in awful condition. Do you a) just pretend you hadn't noticed b) ask them to repurchase it or c) secretly do the same to something of theirs?

I would not do c because knowing my friends any damage to my books would be a complete mistake. I also feel like they would offer to repurchase the book, but if they didn't offer I would feel way to shy to ask so a seems like the most likely answer even though I would be upset.

I hope you enjoyed reading my answers to this tag and I hope to be back soon with another post!

The Hound of the Baskervilles review

Hello again! Sorry for the absolutely astronomical amount of time I've taken to post. I've been very busy with school and writing my own stories so I haven't had much time to read or write reviews. Anyways enough with excuses, I have finally written a post about The Hound of the Baskervilles which is the most famous Sherlock Holmes story. This review is a bit more formal than what I normally write but it should still be interesting. So without any further ado lets get into the review!

The Hound of the Baskervilles Review

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hound_of_the_Baskervilles

Title: The Hound of the Baskervilles

Genre: Mystery/ Detective

Author: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Star Rating: ***** (five stars)

Synopsis of the text:

A visit from the eccentric Dr. Mortimer brings forth one of the strangest and inexplicable mysteries that the great detective Sherlock Holmes has to solve. The doctor brought with him a manuscript, which told of the legend of The Hound of the Baskervilles, a fearsome hound rumored to target and kill every heir within the Baskerville linage as a result of a curse placed on Hugo Baskerville. Dr. Mortimer’s good friend sir Charles Baskerville died of a heart attack surrounded by the paw prints of a gigantic hound. Sherlock questions the existence of a supernatural beast but insists he must stay in London to take care of other business. Leaving Dr. Watson to travel to the moors of Devonshire with Dr. Mortimer and the last remaining Baskerville, Sir Henry. Watson’s adventures on the moor are told in a series of letters addressed to Holmes. He describes his encounters with the peculiar naturalist Stapleton, his beautiful sister and the mysterious Laura Lyons. As Watson struggles to piece together the mystery he begins to notice a mysterious stranger wandering the moors. Dr. Watson sets out to discover the identity of this curious man and determines that it is Sherlock who has been secretly following the events and has discovered the identity of the killer. Stapleton’s true identity as a Baskerville heir is exposed and a plan is set in motion, using Sir Henry to lure the fearsome hound out onto the moor. In a showdown with the dog, the killer escapes only to sink into the marshes where he kept the dog and meet his own death. Upon returning to Baker Street Holmes and Watson reflect on the curious events of the case, and regard it as one of the most exceptional mysteries they have ever encountered.

List of Characters:

Sherlock Holmes

Round: Sherlock is well-developed character with a unique personality. A round character is multi-dimensional and Sherlock Holmes definitely fits that description. You know about his strengths, weaknesses and aspirations. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, describes every element of Sherlock from his tall lanky appearance to his methods of deduction. He is one of the most widely portrayed characters in fiction and for good reason. He is so well developed a reader can picture him in their minds as if he was a real person. Static: Sherlock is a static character within his very nature, he is a logical man with an aversion to change. He believes he has figured out the correct way to live his life and refuses to change himself or the world around him. He never moves away and he never marries. Sherlock in his very nature is static and this rings true throughout The Hound of the Baskervilles. Sherlock does little within the book other than employ his usual brilliant skills of deduction and solve the case. He is constant and predictable, but this allows the reader to truly connect with and understand him as a character.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Dr. John Watson

Protagonist: Even though Sherlock Holmes is usually the protagonist of the books in this mystery Watson is the narrator of the stories and Sherlock Holmes “stays” in London. In actuality he secretly travels to the moor to investigate the mystery but does not show up within the book until the last few chapters. Leaving Watson on his own struggling to solve the mystery while racing with a ticking clock.

Round: John Watson is a round character because like Sherlock he is complex and well developed. We know about his caring and bold personality. As a reader we know about his past as a vetran and we know about the unfortunate death of his wife. As the narrator Watson serves to bring Sherlock’s genius to the understanding of the reader and with his empathetic and courageous nature he does so quite well.

Dynamic: Throughout the extent of the novel Dr. Watson develops as a character because he learns how to function without Sherlock and learns that he is capable on his own.

Stapleton

Antagonist: Stapleton is responsible for the murder of the characters within the novel and his cruel treatment of the hound and even his own sister paints him as a horrible man and a clear antagonist within the story.

Static: Stapleton is a static character because he does not develop or change throughout the novel. He is a terrible man from beginning to end and never indicates learning any moral lesson due to his death.

Round: Stapleton is a round character because we learn all about him and his past as the pieces of the mystery are put together. He has a developed backstory, which included him owning a school that he eventually had to close. He is manipulative, cunning and cruel. All these traits are clearly communicated to the reader making him round.

Three conflicts:

Man vs. Nature

One of the main sources of conflict within the book is the ferocious hound kept and trained by Stapleton to attack members of the Baskerville family. The hound is eventually shot to death by Sherlock Holmes but not before it claimed the lives of both Sir Charles Baskerville and an unfortunate convict who was hiding on the moor.

Man vs. Man

Stapleton is the main antagonist of the story and in turn is the main source of conflict within the novel. He is secretly an heir to the Baskerville household and is using a ferocious hound to kill anyone who stands in his way. Sherlock and Doctor Watson are conflicting with him to try and ensure the safety of Sir Henry Baskerville, however the killer is the source of his own demise when he falls into the marsh he was keeping his hound and perishes.

Man vs. Himself

Dr. John Watson is sent to the Devonshire moors on his own and he must learn to cope without Sherlock throughout the novel. Watson is challenged to use what he’s learned from working with Holmes to solve the mystery and must face the pressured of his job. Luckily Dr. Watson finds Sherlock just in time to reveal the true identity of the killer and save the life of Sir Henry Baskerville.

Three elements of fiction:

Metaphor: “We looked back on it now, the slanting rays of a low sun turning the streams to threads of gold…”

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle used metaphors throughout The Hound of the Baskerville to greatly enhance the text. The metaphors created brilliant imagery and painted a picture of the melancholy surroundings the novel took place in.

Symbolism: “ We have him, Watson, we have him, and I dare swear that before tomorrow night he will be fluttering in our net as helpless as one of his own butterflies.”

Due to Stapleton’s profession as a naturalist and, his fascination with catching butterflies a net is often used as symbolism with The Hound of the Baskervilles. Sherlock often mentions his plan to form a net around Stapleton as a means of capturing the killer and ensuring he won’t escape. Stapleton is associated with butterflies because like him the hobby seems harmless at first but when Dr. Watson discovers his room full of dead insects pinned to the wall a deeper element of his nature is revealed.

Suspense: “There was a thin, crisp, continuous patter from somewhere in the heart of the crawling bank. The cloud was within fifty yards of where we lay, and we glared at it, all three, uncertain with horror was about to break from the heart of it.

Suspense is a very important literary device within the novel and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle uses it often to help enhance the readers’ experience and get them to emphasize with the thrill of emotions the characters feel as they try and unravel the mystery. The use of suspense creates interest within the story and leaves the reader desperate to know how the plot will unravel.

Review:

Overall I loved this book! The mystery was engaging and suspenseful and Stapleton is my second favourite Holmes villain. He was wonderfully eccentric and interesting, and although I found the fact that he was the murderer predictable lots of plot twists kept it interesting. The use of metaphors and suspense was wonderful within the novel and I always had a vivid mental image of what was going on. I can definitely understand why this book is so famous and I highly recommend it.