Books I judged by the cover

(and my honest opinions)

all pics from pinterest

Lie to yourself as much as you want, but books are as much a status symbol as they are a source of pleasure. Vowing not to judge a book by its cover as you scan the tables of Waterstones is as false as insisting you go for ‘personality’ over looks. Sure, personality—or plot—is what we value in the end, but let’s be real: we wouldn’t get that far without a pretty cover to catch our eye. The kind that elevates your coffee shop pics or lends to the facade of intellect on your commute.

I’ve definitely paid the penalty for buying into aesthetic covers before, but I’ve also been pleasantly surprised by others. So, here are my honest opinions of some of the most attractive books I own.

Normal People by Sally Rooney

The cover: There’s an unspoken snobbery when it comes to reading Sally Rooney in public. In fact, owning a book by the author is a status symbol in itself, emitting an aura of culture and good taste. As I sped through the primary-coloured paperback of Normal People last summer, the ‘Sally Rooney effect’ became impossible to ignore. Without meaning to, I drew attention from book-loving acquaintances in person and my dms, who enthusiastically struck up conversation about the bestseller. Not only was I sad to finish the book, but I was sad to end my love affair with the tasteful paperback, which almost acted as a trophy for the emotional turmoil that the plot had put me through.

The plot: This book truly felt like a modern classic. Its raw, complex, and realistic themes immediately pulled me into the tumultuous yet magnetic relationship between Marianne and Connell. The shifting timelines kept the plot engaging and well-paced, and I can’t wait to revisit it with a biro in hand next time.

Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors

The cover: There’s something undeniably addictive about the covers of Coco Mellors’ books, and I suspect London painter Gill Button has something to do with it. Both Cleopatra and Frankenstein and Blue Sisters (which is still on my TBR) feature her original artwork, giving them a distinctive style and aesthetic quality. For Mellors’ debut novel Cleopatra and Frankenstein, every detail is pleasing—from the navy and pink colour palette to the crisp font and clean white background. There’s just something effortlessly cool about having this paperback on your bookshelf.

The plot: In retrospect, I enjoyed this book. I found the beginning and ending engaging and appreciated the attention to detail in the stories of side characters. I also felt it had a good level of complexity and the overall writing style was stylish and vulnerable. However, at points I had to force myself to pick this up and ended up reading it across nearly three months. If I’m being brutally honest, this would have ended up on my Vinted immediately if not for the cover, as I probably wouldn’t read it again.

Magnolia Parks by Jessa Hastings

The cover: Before reading this book, I made a point of sourcing the original paperback cover for the full experience. (In hindsight I regret this as I ended up spilling oil on my friend’s gorgeous copy that I borrowed). However, reading this pretty book on the tube made me feel like an elite member of the Parks family. The intricately detailed collage is full of symbolism and London references, from Holland Park signage to the deer that Magnolia is said to resemble. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series and unpick the cover details as I go along.

The plot: I knew I’d love this book and it definitely lived up to my expectations. There are so many aspects and unique details that you can fully immerse yourself into, from Googling the detailed couture outfits to visiting the hangout hotspots of the friendship group. Even the predictability of Parks and BJ’s relationship feels like a tactical double bluff, which keeps things engaging and well paced from start to finish.

Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton

The cover: Anything butter yellow is an immediate yes for me, and when combined with the lowercase font and notebook-style scribbles, this book effortlessly nails the perfectly imperfect aesthetic.

The plot: This memoir is a must-read for anyone in their twenties and navigating adulthood, love, life, and friendships for the first time. It’s hilariously witty, effortlessly relatable, and unexpectedly touching. Alderton’s dry humor and addictive writing style give so much personality to her wild anecdotes, making you want to soak up every word—and inspiring you to romanticise your own chaos.

All Books by Emily Henry

The covers: Emily Henry’s book covers always understand the assignment. With their sun-drenched hues, signature Em-Hen typography, and rom-com poster aesthetic, they’re practically made for a summer picnic or poolside spread.

The plot: It took me a while to click with Henry’s books, which surprised me as a self-proclaimed rom-com fanatic. But her 2024 release, Funny Story, ended up being one of my top reads of the year. It was upbeat, romantic, and packed with addictive tropes. Daphne and Miles were the perfect mix of likeable and flawed, and I loved how they brought out new sides of each other’s personalities.

More pretty covers on my TBR:

• Violet Syrup by Sophia Molen

• Intermezzo by Sally Rooney

• The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

• Good Material by Dolly Alderton

• Funny You Should Ask by Elissa Sussman