Don’t judge a book by its cover. How accurate is that really? 90% of the time, I buy books based on recommendations. My friend Shakib has recommended some of the best books I have ever read. The Discworld series, for example. Identity Crisis, one of the best yet heart wrenching comics I have ever read. A masterpiece by Brad Meltzer.
Then there’s the booktubers, and Mike’s Book Reviews in particular. Hasn’t let me down yet. But the remaining 10% of the time? When I’m in a bookstore, there are certain books I’ve picked up and purchased, just based on the cover itself. The cover may not even have anything to do with the storyline. But it’s just too alluring, too fascinating to resist. Works the other way as well. For years, I have avoided Jim Butcher’s Dresden series based on the covers. Now, having read the first few books, I actually kind of like the covers, to be honest. But at first sight, didn’t do anything for me.
Certain books (and I’m specifically going to quote examples from the fantasy genre here) have absolutely beautiful covers, and while they are on my TBR, I’m buying them now more for my collection. But don’t be mistaken, all these series have been slowly sneaking up my TBR, and while the fantastic reviews have also played a big part, it’s the covers that intrigued me in the first place. I read books almost entirely on Kindle these days, but am gradually building up my collection of physical books as well.
The Greatcoats series is a good example. While this is a series that I’ve started reading already, as part of a read along on Mike’s channel, the covers did influence me somewhat to start in the first place. Think of the series as Three Musketeers, but written by a modern-day author. Then read the series itself, and enjoy the world of Greatcoats, with a great cast of characters, Falcio, the leader of the Greatcoats (the entire series, or at least the two books I’ve read so far, are written in his POV), and his two companions, Kest (silent but badass), and Brasti (outspoken yet loveable). Not a spoiler really, but the premise is that the King has been assassinated by the Dukes, and the King’s Greatcoats (magistrates and protector of his laws) are now living as personal bodyguards, outlaws, or worse. There is an element of mystery, a bit of magic, and the most amazing swordfights you will possibly ever read. The author, Sebastien de Castell, is a real life fight choreographer, so makes sense that he writes action sequences so well.
The other series I’ll be mentioning here are ones I haven’t read, but wish to read asap, depending on how much time I have left each month after reading Wheel of Time, The Dark Tower, and the First Law Trilogy.
Books of Babel have covers that can’t fail to get you interested in the series. The author Josiah Bancroft describes the first book as ““Creepy Disneyland, where you immediately lose your spouse, and no one will help you.” Watch this video to get some more insight into the author and his works – Why You Should Read Senlin Ascends.
S.A. Chakraborty’s Daevabad Trilogy books are also irresistible, and I believe the stories will be just as brilliant. Here’s a couple of pictures I collected from the Discord channel, posted by one of the readers.
Finally, Brian McClellan’s flintlock fantasy series Powder Mage Trilogy also has me intrigued, and the covers are just part of it. When I finally get a chance to add these books to my collection, and read them, is anybody’s guess.
If you’re wondering, this is what my TBR looks like:
The next 149 (odd number yes) books I plan to read, and when. Fantasy only, of course. I will be reading other genres, but that’s a much more flexible schedule. This entire TBR is subject to change. As mentioned earlier, some books will definitely sneak up.
Finally, two series where the covers might seem extremely cheesy, but I absolutely love them, and make it a point to own books with these older covers. Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time MMPB covers, exhibit A and B:
And Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series, Exhibit C and D
While the newer (HC) Discworld covers are pretty good too:
Wheel of Time new covers are just too bland, and hardly encourage one to pick up for a second look, browsing in a bookstore.
And I dread the new covers that’ll come out once the series is out on Amazon Prime, with those NOW A MAJOR TV SHOW stickers. Please stop with those stickers. Please. Stop.
Finally, feel free to go through my Excel screenshots as it’s a pretty comprehensive list of fantasy books that are very highly rated in the community (You may have noticed no Discworld there, I’ve read and reread the series multiple times, and will continue to do so. Don’t need reminders on Excel). Also, if you feel as though I’ve missed any major series, do let me know. Notable absentees may be the recently departed Terry Goodkind’s Wizard’s First Rule, which I am actually planning to read some time this year. If I like the first book, that’ll really mess up my TBR. Other notable absentees are most glaringly, A Song of Ice and Fire, a series which I started reading and then decided to wait for George R.R. Martin to finish writing (no pressure, take your time, you’re a lovely man with a lovely laugh, enjoy your hobbies, and I’m serious about his laugh, watch some of his interviews, one with Stephen King in particular). Memory, Sorrow and Thorn, the series that actually inspired George R.R. Martin, is also absent, but will be added to the list. So while it’s missing from my Excel list, do not hesitate to read this series if you loved Game of Thrones.