Project A: Research Best Book/Magazine Cover [Hessa.m]

Book Name: Beautiful Boy

Author: David Sheff

1. What is the story? 

From as early as grade school, the world seemed to be on Nic Sheff’s string. Bright and athletic, he excelled in any setting and appeared destined for greatness. Yet as childhood exuberance faded into teenage angst, the precocious boy found himself going down a much different path. Seduced by the illicit world of drugs and alcohol, he quickly found himself caught in the clutches of addiction. Beautiful Boy is Nic’s story, but from the perspective of his father, David. Achingly honest, it chronicles the betrayal, pain, and terrifying question marks that haunt the loved ones of an addict. Many respond to addiction with a painful oath of silence, but David Sheff opens up personal wounds to reinforce that it is a disease, and must be treated as such. Most importantly, his journey provides those in similar situations with a commodity that they can never lose: hope

2. What are the strength? 

The white empty space and a small part of a young boy running or hopping showing at the right side describes the story and the writers vision. The title is well placed and well chosen effect used for the main title. I think the typography was well placed also the colors and the size. Also what catches the eye is the image first them from the boys hand you read the comment then the title and so on.. There is movement in the design.

3. What are the weakness? What can be improved?

 I don’t see any weakness in this design I think this is well-designed book cover that represents the story.

Book Name: The Host Author: Stephenie Meyer

1. What is the story? 

A novel….a gripping story of love and betrayal in a future with the fate of humanity at stake. Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. The earth has been invaded by a species that take over the minds of their human hosts while leaving their bodies intact, and most of humanity has succumbed. Wanderer, the invading “soul” who has been given Melanie’s body, knew about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the too vivid memories. But there was one difficulty Wanderer didn’t expect: the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish possession of her mind. Melanie fills Wanderer’s thoughts with visions of the man Melanie loves-Jared, a human who still lives in hiding. Unable to separate herself from her body’s desires, Wanderer yearns for a man she’s never met. As outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off to search for the man they both love. Featuring what may be the first love triangle involving only two bodies, THE HOST is a riveting and unforgettable novel that will bring a vast new readership to one of the most compelling writers of our time.

2. What are the strength? 

What I like about this cover is that the image alone is very powerful and eye-catching. Only the eye part is clear and the rest of the face is blurred. Also the typography use is very little which also I loved about this book. 2 fonts are used, the title also go with the blurry image, which blends in with it. Also I like the colors used.

3. What are the weakness? What can be improved? 

I don’t find any weaknesses in this cover design.

Book Name: The Revolution: A Manifesto Author: Ron Paul

1. What is the story? 

This much is true: you have been lied to, robbed and used by your own government-the people you elected into office and the people you should be able to trust…

In a nation thirsty for change, THE REVOLUTION is Ron Paul’s call to arms. Moving from topic to topic at a quick pace, whittling everything down to its bare essentials, Paul tackles everything facing us today: the false choices in American politics, foreign policy as it was laid out by the founding fathers, how we can achieve economic freedom, how we should view abortion, civil liberties and personal responsibility, and what role the government is supposed to play in our lives. As Barry Goldwater defined conservatism in the 60s, Ron Paul redefines it for the 21st century with THE REVOLUTION.

2. What are the strength? 

I don’t find any strengths in this cover design.

3. What are the weakness? What can be improved? 

I find this cover is very boring. The authors name is more emphasized than the title, which I can’t understand..