So lately I’m sure you’ve seen some of the discourse that’s been going on with the illustrated covers of adult romance books. The way they seem to make every book they’re on seem like it’s going to be a cutesy, rom com or even the way a lot of them seem to have no faces lol And how they may take the place of actual models of color getting the job. I definitely understand these things, but I would hope that publishers are doing the work and finding people of color to be the inspiration for the illustrated covers AND PAYING THEM, or to choose illustrators or cover creators that are people of color. But man, these covers are still irresistible to me! I’m OBSESSED. (I will say that I love them so much because for the most part they are rom coms and they’re my favorite.)
Like I’m obsessed with them. And the ones with BIPOC characters on them are even better. I find that a lot of times I don’t even read the synopsis, I just look at the covers and those determine if I want to read it or not lol Here’s some of my favorites! (Both covers and books):
And here’s some that I can’t wait for!:
They’re all so pretty and bright and colorful. There are so many other books that I’m excited for, but these are the ones that most easily come to mind. I need these in my life!
So what about you? Have you read any of these? Will you read any of these? Do you love the illustrated covers like I do? Let me know in the comments!
At first, i wasn’t terribly into illustrated covers. I find recently that I’m drawn to them. I expect this shift happened because several of my recent favorites are illustrated covers.
I agree that I hope illustrators/designers of color are getting the work for the illustrations! I trust the indie authors that I enjoy to find and hire illustrators/designers of color if they’re not doing their own work so that’s the good news to me.