Back in the day, circa the 1980's, I thought the the most shocking of book covers were this:
Now we ventured into this:
I don't know about you, but the Goddess of Legend cover makes me uncomfortable. And if most choose a book by it's cover, this is one I wouldn't pick up based on the cover.
But then I went to P.C. Cast's website and saw her Goddess Summoning Series is a "magical book series retells ancient myths giving them a sexy, modern twist and introducing heroines to some of the most fantastic heroes the world has ever known." I guess it's perfectly okay then to have sexed up covers like this one:
Again, strategically place hands covering her bountiful bosoms. So, not to shock. Right?
This isn't the first time a book cover made me squirm. How can I not mention Elizabeth Amber's book covers for her Lords of Satyr series?
Leaves nothing to the imagination I would say.
But I also find some book titles offensive such as:
Is it just me? Am I a prude? Are book covers, especially ones for romance titles, becoming too graphic?
Because if this is the future of book covers:
I think I'll stick with flowers, trees and fluffy cloud settings instead.
Perhaps if publishers only used LOLcats for their covers, there would be no issue.
41 comments:
Eek I don't think that's being a prude. Some of those are just in seriously bad taste! Yuck!
I don't like the PC Cast covers at all. I wouldn't pick those ones up and I was interested by the blurbs and the old covers (although Cast doesn't really work for me, so I never did actually read them).
I like the ones with the naked men marginally more because I think the lighting works better. It makes them kind of subtly blatant, if that makes sense. But they're definitely not my kind of covers.
I think you're totally right and LOLCats are the answer. That one is adorable.
I have to admit that I'm not exactly a prude in terms of book covers, but honestly some of those do take it a bit too far. And the book titles! Holy Jebus! If I found my daughter reading one of those (when she's old enough to read, obviously), I'd have a fit!
I bet if there were LOLcat covers, people would buy them. I would!
I don't think it's being a prude.
I agree with you... now the covers of the Cast books don't bother me as much...they are tastefully done, but I don't know if I'd buy them...the covers are definitely a little more than I'd want my kids, particularly my son seeing, so I don't know. If I was interested, I'd be more inclined to look at the e version, but it's entirely possible I may decide not to buy, because of the cover.
I do know I had this discussion about Big Spankable Asses and it's not a book I'd buy in print while I've got young kids in my house. Or the others you posted for the titles-I'm not having a discussion with my kids about what a big, spankable ass is, nor am I hiding my book choices.
Since I don't feel inclined to do any of these, and since I'm not putting something in front of my kids that is completely inappropriate for young eyes, that means no matter much I may want to read it? I'm not buying it.
I think sometimes titles and covers are chosen just for shock value and when that's the case, they lose my buying dollars anyway.
When it comes to erotica or erotic romance - sexed up covers don't bother me so much. For me it's a simple matter of sexed-up cover = sexed-up story inside. And I think a lot of readers do this - even if it's subconsciously.
I'm less comfortable with sexed-up covers appearing on tamer fare - romance novels that might have a sizzle factor of PG-13 or so. Frankly it smacks of false advertising, and it flat-out alienates those readers who WANT to read a less-explicit story. They'll avoid the tame book with the sexed-up cover because they'll assume it's an X-rated story.
I am by no means a prude. I read everything from G-rated kisses only, to NC-17 XXX-rated erotica. But those Cast covers are just...wrong. Seriously. Who the heck are they marketing the books too? 13-year-old boys?
I can't believe I'm saying this - but I'm missing the Old School clinch more and more....
The big question is, would you be caught reading these books in public? I wouldn't. I can just see the looks if I read C*cksucker.
I love my Johanna Lindsey. Don't you put down my Johanna!
She was a good woman who loved her cheesetastic mantitty you leave her alone.
TP: I would never! I wanted to be kidnapped by Fabio when I was 13 because he was the only male cover model on the romances I read.
Never got to see his naked tush though.
LONG LIVE THE LOLCAT!
Hmmm... I don't think you're being prude-ish KB but the first Cast cover doesn't offend me.
I think the first one isn't bothersome because of the pose. The others shown have suggestive natures to how the nude models are standing (Dane in particular makes me blush). I remember the year I lived in EU and went to a beach... men were walking around nude and women were topless and there were children around. I think maybe our American attitudes toward nudity might influence how prude-ish we are about nudity and sexuality being the same thing.
Those other covers are just plain raunchy. They all sound like porn titles. I wouldn't buy a book with a title like that (and honestly all that sover art is crappy IMHO). Now maybe if they were skin flicks I might think differently but I like to think I'm a little classier than that. lol
Interesting topic! :)
See, KB, if Fabio was still doing covers, you might have the chance to see his tush. ;)
Now to just play the other side here. What you might be talking about is not so much about nudity on covers as much as taste of artwork.
My evidence...
http://www.amazon.com/James-Lear/e/B001JS0DBS/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
Those James Lear covers are just as nude as anything but I argue they are tastefully done. I could be wrong though.
Sticky End? http://www.amazon.com/Sticky-End-Mitch-Mitchell-Mystery/dp/1573443956/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpi_6
They do look like pieces of art though.
They are tastefully done, but since they are print books, I confess to having purchased a book cover specifically for my James Lear reading, so I don't have to deal with pesky people engaging me in cover discussions while I'm in the coffee shop...
I'm all for the LOL Cats covers!!
I don't like 'sexy' covers anyway, but the ones that are really out there (like the last few you listed) offend me on a moral and spiritual level.
But that's just me.
Hi KB,
Nope not a prude, some covers really push those boundaries. I will say this though, I love the Goddess series by P.C.Cast. The Goddess of Spring is an awesome read, Goddess of the Sea is a pretty one I bought for a friend over the holidays. Guess one reason Sherrilyn Kenyon's books sell, you can read her books anywhere; without fear of getting nasty looks by others. The other reason being, well...the lady can write that's for sure. I'll tell you what I wouldn't buy Lionsbane by Karland, but Opposites Attract and Wolf look tame enough to read in a doctor's waiting room.
I'm with you! Don't like the P.C. Cast covers at all. And those naked Lords of Satyr covers made me totally uncomfortable whenever I chanced across them. I like sexy man pictures, but I guess I'd rather have something left to the imagination.
Are the PC Cast books erotic? I thought that was a mother/daughter writing team. Awkward!
That said, I prefer sexy lady covers over naked man covers. The oiled-up Nicholas makes me think "stripper" not "hero." It's a double standard, perhaps, but the nude female body is less vulgar to my eyes.
The worst part about the Cast covers are that they say "author of best selling House of the Night series." Um, seriously? Way to get the YOUNG ADULT crowd to pick this up. Geez.
The mostly naked man covers are awful blah.
Oh, sorry. Cast does a YA series with her daughter--this is obviously not YA. Maybe the publisher is looking for a male/crossover audience, not necessarily teen boys?
About sexy covers and kids: I don't hide books. I'm really not worried about my daughters seeing a naked chest or skimpy lingerie or even bare breasts on covers.
I wouldn't be caught dead buying the above books in a book store. Why? Because last time I was in B&N the frigging cashiers not only gawked but READ OUT LOUD THE EXCERPT. And this is why I buy my erotia in ebook format.
Kinda surprised at PC Cast's latest Cover. It reminds me of that Briana Loves Jenna Porno..what were the pubs thinking?
I've read some of those books, and I'd consider them porn more than romance. In which case, the porny covers are probably relatively mild.
OTOH I've seen Mills & Boon covers where the models are arranged like a porn photo shoot. That felt a bit icky, too. (And didn't reflect the content - it wasn't a Blaze.)
Those covers are completely tasteless and tacky, and so are the one's that you posted for the titles. I agree with Mollie, seriously bad taste! I don't really like sexed up covers at all. I prefer something more subtle, i mean the Cast covers and that one about big butts are just ick. And those three would be far more appropriate for the cover of Playboy. The first time i saw an Elizabeth Dane cover, my eyes about popped out of my head. I prefer something left up to the imagination, i have no problems with shirtless and sweaty for example. But covers like the EA covers. No. As for kids seeing them, seeing as how i'm still a kid myself (17) that's not something i would want to see, i can tell you that much. And if i where a parent, i certainly would not want my kids seeing covers like those. That Lionsbane though is the worst of all in my opinion. I agree if that's the future of romance novel covers, i'll stick with flowers, trees and fluffy cloud settings. Or i'll stick with Harlequins, i know they get a pretty bad rap from some people unfortunately, but at least you know you'll never get a gag inducing cover and you don't have to be embarresed if you have kids and they see it. You're not a prude Katie. Those are simply in terrible taste.
Well I wouldn't say your a prude...because I certainly agree with you!
Personally, I like to read at work, and I already get made fun of for covers of books from J.R. Ward and Yasmine Galenorn...and those aren't really all that bad. I can only imagine what the people I work with would say about me bringing a book with a cover like that!
I seriously would have to read those at home...and even then I would have to hide the covers, because my fiance would think I was reading porn and want to jump in with me! Sorry hunny, reading is a solo thing for me...lol.
Great post Katie!
Definitely an interesting post.
I don't think you're being a prude. Personally, none of them offend me, but not of them offend me either. I guess I could see myself picking up the Cast or Amber (based on the cover) if I was looking for some new erotica. I don't think any of those ones are particularly distasteful. The other ones- not so much. And they're just weird too!
...just slightly off topic..
I assume the laying down person on the cover of Lionsbane is a girl? Does she have some bits missing? Alternatively if the "clothing" she's wearing is a top, what happened to the rest of her torso?
enquiring minds (well, this one anyway) want to know!
Not a prude as far as I can see. We all have our, uh, lines in the sand when it comes to imagery.
Like that weird, crude Lionsbane cover? Sheesh, what can I say? It's just gross. And those tasteless titles? No thanks. I just can't see these books in my hands. Just can't.
EC Sheedy
Yes. It's because I want to read a book without putting a book cover on it.!
I would never buy any of these books just because of the covers. I can't imagine reading these in public with people looking at me like I'm some sicko. And I am far from being a prude.
I admit it, I'm one of those really shallow readers who generally picks up a book because the cover drew me first, for whatever reason, but in this case, no way. Not one of them interests me enough to want to find out what the story is about so...
No, not a prude. And I'm all for sex in the books I read (provided it's done really well ;o) ) but leave a bit for me to imagine, would you?
On a side note...you do realize they make (at least here in Michigan) any store regardless of it's nature, who sells Playboy and the likes, put a solid cover in front of them so only the title is exposed, thereby shielding little eyes from the covers. I don't think I'd want to be dragging my kids through the romance section at B&N and have them seeing those covers. Oddly enough though, bookstores don't have the same requirements the rest of the stores do.
Double standard anyone?
I agree, these book covers are out of hand. I know that sex sells, but really...do we need to be that blatant about it? Can't we just assume that its a bodice ripper by the title or the synopsis...do the covers have to have naked people too?!
I have to say, I'm disappointed with the new Goddess Summoning covers. I started reading them in the first editions which had nice bland covers. (Although Goddess of the Sea had GLITTER!) I'll keep reading the books because I love the covers, but I'll probably look for them in e-book. I should admit, most of my books come from my local library, where I'm very friendly with all the librarians. While I'm constantly checking out romances of varying degrees of "spiciness" it still embarrasses me to had one with a raunchy cover over to the sweet little librarian while we talk about my kids and the preschool storytime. ;)
The Lionsbane cover I suspect is to show distance as in her head is bigger because we are up close and that bra doo hickey is covering her boobs which she has a very small waist and hips because they hang near her hoo haa the guy with the large arms seems to enjoy.
I do like her hair though.
I guess I'm in the minority in liking the Cast covers. I don't think the blonde hair works on the first cover, but that would be my only complaint.
The Lords of Satyr covers always struck me as cheesy, rather than offensive.
The rest, well, yeah, terrible titles/covers.
Nope, you are not a prude. Some of those covers are ick. The Cast ones aren’t horrible but if I brought them home my hubby would have a field day. He gives me crap about the covers of the books I read all the time. I doubt I’d have the balls to walk into a bookstore and buy any of these. I bought Demon’s Not Included by Cheyenne Mcray and received bizarre looks from the lady standing behind me. Our kids are in pre-k together. I should’t have been embarrassed but I was. The cover is tame compared to these. I’m loving my e-reader. I can keep all my naughty covers hidden from prying eyes LOL
I am a little annoyed because I planned to name my memoir Big Spankable Asses ;) I guess I’ll have to work on a new title ;)
Whenever I see those Elizabeth Amber covers, I think of Mho Fho....
thx KB. I still think she looks deformed though!!
Can I just say that as cheesy at the Dane covers are they are WAY better than the what's under them!! The sentient appendage? OMGWFTBBQ?!!
The covers of the Goddess books are gorgeous just...not as book covers. I think they've gone just that bit too far. Ditto the Satyr covers. I'm not going to touch the others :)
And I second (or how ever many number we're up too) the LOLCats as book covers!
i know im late to this post but i just saw my most FAVORITE BOOK EVAR at the top and had to comment on Gentle Rogue. I die when I read that book. Just die. Adore it. Your jpeg of the original cover makes me want to buy one on ebay, i only have the un-bodice-ripper reprint one.
in other news (as i said in our emails) super lusty ebook are fine, but if i saw that PC Cast book on an endcap of a big box bookstore id be tempted to turn the book over and hid the cover.
Yay, LoLCats!! They make for a happy world.
Let's see, how to describe my thoughts on covers. I like the P.C. Cast ones, I'm a little more uncomfortable with the Satyr ones. Why? Because barely clothed female bodies are everywhere. Victoria's Secret ads, Cosmopolitan Ads, heck, even some deodorant and razor ads. We see them everyday so they don't really bother me. Guys bodies we don't see everyday.
Then again, maybe it's because I have a daughter and not a son. I don't want her seeing the naked men, but the women? She's going to have the same parts someday so I don't mind.
Would I always feel comfortable reading the book in every situation? Probably not. I wouldn't take it into a school and flash it around. Would I read it on the bus? It'd be no different than the women reading Cosmo on the bus.
Now, as far as the titles and that graphic cover on the bottom go? No thanks. I guess I'm very image oriented because those don't tend to offend me but words do. Curse words or just language designed to be shocking solely for that reason are annoying. No thanks. And that cover at the bottom? I don't see how anyone could justify that as art.
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