Odd ramblings of an obsessed reader

Book Reviews

Misleading Book Covers #2

Misleading covers

Misleading Book Covers #2

 

Another fun round of misleading book covers. At least 90% of what I choose to read is based on the cover of the book and sometimes I wonder just what the author/publisher was thinking…

 

Optimists Die First by Susin Nielsen

Misleading Book Covers

 

What I thought it was going to be about

I was pretty sure this was going to be a thriller or at least a murder mystery. I was looking forward to a bunch of hapless, naïve fools (maybe from a knitting club?) charging off to their death… like the supposed ending of the poor Dodo.

 

What it’s actually about

A rather more sedate YA contemporary about a girl too afraid to take chances and the boy who inspired changes in her life.

Goodreads   Amazon.com   Amazon.co.uk   Book Depository   Worderly   Loot.co.za(SA)

 

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

Misleading Book Covers

 

What I thought it was going to be about

I was hoping for a retelling of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory with exploding candy, but I guess I should have realised from the title that was one of the big lies.

 

What it’s actually about

It’s a suburban ‘behind the scenes’ story with explosive secrets *suddenly realising why the lollipop is exploding*, and evil undertakings.

PS: to those who have watched the miniseries without reading the book – go back and read it, it’s really worth it!

 

Goodreads   Amazon.com   Amazon.co.uk   Audible(Audio)  Book Depository   Worderly   Loot.co.za(SA)

 

Ketchup Clouds by Annabel Pitcher

Misleading Book Covers

 

What I thought it was going to be about

A massacre where a murder of crows descends on the pile of blood-splattered corpses… or maybe a red cloud at night as in a shepherd’s delight…?

 

What it’s actually about

A sad, but with unexpected humour, the story is about a lonely, insecure girl who corresponds via letters with a stranger on death row. He just happens to be an older man (yes I thought it was creepy too).

My review

Goodreads   Amazon.com   Amazon.co.uk   Audible(Audio)  Book Depository    Worderly   Loot.co.za

 

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

Misleading Book Covers

 

What I thought it was going to be about

Drowned girls under the ice on a frozen lake – maybe a mass suicide? Or very cold and somewhat creepy mermaids…

 

What it’s actually about

A YA contemporary about two girls with anorexia competing with each other to be the thinnest.

It’s relatable, emotional, horrifying and I loved it.

 

Goodreads   Amazon.com   Amazon.co.uk   Audible(Audio)   Book Depository   Worderly    Loot.co.za(SA)

 

Dying to Know You by Aidan Chambers

Misleading Book Covers

 

 

What I thought it was going to be about

This cover really threw me totally off! I was expecting a friendship/romance, possibly a fatal one like Romeo and Juliet, and surely somehow the goldfish were involved? Maybe they are poisonous…

 

What it’s actually about

A YA contemporary featuring a dyslexic boy who persuades an author to write his love letters.

I really liked the way dyslexia was handled positively with sensitivity and respect.

My review

Goodreads   Amazon.com   Amazon.co.uk   Book Depository   Worderly    Loot.co.za(SA)

 

Little Monsters by Kara Thomas

Misleading Book Covers

 

What I thought it was going to be about

Really badly behaved children whose babysitter tried out staring them before wiping them out one by one… *suddenly realising that murder is on my mind – should I be worried?*

What it’s actually about

Toxic high school friendships, jealousy, disappearances and a whole bunch of lies.

 

Goodreads   Amazon.com   Amazon.co.uk   Audible(Audio)   Book Depository   Worderly   Loot.co.za(SA)

 

 

How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr

Misleading Book Covers

 

 

What I thought it was going to be about

A lonely girl left behind by the winter girls and is about to throw herself into the water to join them.

 

What it’s actually about

Complex family relationships and adoption.

Goodreads   Amazon.com   Amazon.co.uk   Book Depository   Worderly    Loot.co.za(SA)

 

 

Midnight at the Electric

Misleading Book Covers

 

 

What I thought it was going to be about

I was so wrong about this one! I was expecting a carnival or night circus, possibly magical or haunted…

What it’s actually about

This was a really odd book that combined sci-fi and historical fiction and seriously lacked the carnival atmosphere.

My Review

Goodreads   Amazon.com   Amazon.co.uk   Book Depository   Worderly   Loot.co.za(SA)

 

 

Zebra Forest by Adina Rishe Gewirtz

Misleading Book Covers

 

 

What I thought it was going to be about

A cottage on the edge of a dark scary wood where predators are stumped by the characters camouflaging ability – you know like zebras stripes… Perhaps a Hansel and Gretel retelling?

 

What it’s actually about

This children’s book stars adventure, escaped fugitives and family secrets.

 

Goodreads   Amazon.com   Amazon.co.uk   Audible(Audio)   Book Depository   Worderly   Loot.co.za(SA)

 

The Secret History of Us by Jessi Kirby

Misleading Book Covers

 

What I thought it was going to be about

Again with the drowning. A girl who drowned her friend and is just having a relaxing moment with their memories while waiting to make sure the body stays down.

 

What it’s actually about

A girl with amnesia following a car accident.

 

Goodreads   Amazon.com   Amazon.co.uk   Audible(Audio)  Book Depository   Worderly    Loot.co.za(SA)

 

6 Comments

  1. Olivia @ The Candid Cover

    You are the best! I have such a beef with covers that do nothing for the plot. Optimists Die First is definitely one that gives off a completely wrong vibe, for sure. Maybe I will give some of these others another chance now that I know what they are really about. 🙂

  2. Grace Louise

    Ooooh I have Ketchup Clouds on my shelf but haven’t got around to reading it yet – definitely one to pick up soon! Lovely post Hun 🙂

    Grace Louise || http://www.gracelouiseofficial.blogspot.co.uk/

  3. Tasya @ The Literary Huntress

    When I first saw Wintergirls, I thought it was a horror novel too about a girl drowned in an icy lake and came back killing other girls… it’s just perfect for a horror cover!

  4. Lindsey van Heerden

    Loved your comments! Some intriguing books …

  5. Kimberly Sabatini

    I love these posts!!!! And Midnight at the Electric messed me up. Twice. I just started to get into the futuristic story and then bam! I was in the past. While I liked the book, I struggled with the mixed messages and how things jumped around. Still glad I read it though. <3

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