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Original poster

Favourite book covers of all time.

34 replies

FeliciaFancybottom · 02/08/2026 15:28

I thought it might be fun to share our most favourite book covers of all time.
My first one is The Salt Grows Heavy by Cassandra Khaw. It's absolutely stunning in real life, though possibly not to everyone's taste.

Favourite book covers of all time.
OP posts:
Thread gallery
18
JaneJeffer · 02/08/2026 15:47

That’s a bit creepy @FeliciaFancybottom

I love this one that I’ve just read.

Favourite book covers of all time.
Original poster
FeliciaFancybottom · 02/08/2026 16:02

It's a very creepy book!

OP posts:
BarrelofBeer · 02/08/2026 16:12

Can't tell you how much I hate that picture OP. It has a trypophobia thing going on.

Here's my favourite. Riders by Jilly Cooper.

Favourite book covers of all time.
SerendipityCat · 02/08/2026 16:19

We had a copy of this paperback edition of "Gaudy Night" in the bookcase when I was a kid. It rather frightened me, but led to a lifelong love of Dorothy L Sayers when I finally read it as a teenager -

Favourite book covers of all time.
Yourinmyspot · 02/08/2026 21:25

This one along with the rest in the series with similar covers.

Favourite book covers of all time.
Charlottian · 02/08/2026 21:31

This one

Favourite book covers of all time.
DeanElderberry · 03/08/2026 09:20

I love the Tom Adams covers for Agatha Christie novels from the 1960s and 70s.

One eg for Cat Among the pigeons, but there were so many classics. The painting, the font, the balance - no wonder people collect them.

https://www.collectingchristie.com/post/tom-adams-archives-uncovered-part-1

Favourite book covers of all time.
tobee · 03/08/2026 23:53

I agree @DeanElderberry. Although I quite like some of the non Tom Adams vintage covers as well. Some are fabulously kitsch

Favourite book covers of all time.
DeanElderberry · 04/08/2026 09:13

Another one that fascinated me as a pre-teen looking at my mother's copy, though I didn't read it until a few years later. Reminded of it by some twit on another thread accusing women of not being feminists. An iconic image that has not been bettered. A classic book.

utahsainthood · 04/08/2026 09:22

Great thread! Will think of some to add!

utahsainthood · 04/08/2026 09:29

Adding the famous five - think this is one of the original covers by Eileen Soper?

Favourite book covers of all time.
DeanElderberry · 04/08/2026 10:42

DeanElderberry · 04/08/2026 09:13

Another one that fascinated me as a pre-teen looking at my mother's copy, though I didn't read it until a few years later. Reminded of it by some twit on another thread accusing women of not being feminists. An iconic image that has not been bettered. A classic book.

What? Why has the cover of one of the foundational feminist texts been censored? Sold openly in bookshops since 1970. An image that has been adapted for new editions.

Are iconic and influential feminist images unacceptable? If so why? Who is afraid of them?

Favourite book covers of all time.
DeanElderberry · 04/08/2026 10:50

So - someone in Mumsnet is genuinely offended by and/or scared of the original cover. I suggest you google it - it's much stronger than the green version.

SaraCrewe06 · 04/08/2026 11:16

Agreed. OP’s cover is making me feel genuinely ill 😂

Original poster
FeliciaFancybottom · 04/08/2026 15:16

SaraCrewe06 · 04/08/2026 11:16

Agreed. OP’s cover is making me feel genuinely ill 😂

Genuinely ill in what way?

OP posts:
friggingnora · 04/08/2026 15:29

This Ladybird classic.

Favourite book covers of all time.
JaneJeffer · 04/08/2026 16:47

friggingnora · 04/08/2026 15:29

This Ladybird classic.

I loved all the illustrations in that one. The blue dress is imprinted in my brain 😆

MyyearwithBarbara · 04/08/2026 16:57

I loved the book posted by @friggingnora

And this

Favourite book covers of all time.
MyyearwithBarbara · 04/08/2026 17:01

On her thread - My year with Stella - @Waawo has posted lots of gorgeous covers.

tobee · 04/08/2026 19:15

JaneJeffer · 04/08/2026 16:47

I loved all the illustrations in that one. The blue dress is imprinted in my brain 😆

Show quote history

IIRC when Roxy ill fatedly married Alfie in Eastenders (many Moons ago, geddit?) the costume department gave her a wedding dress very much of a similar flavour to that dress.

JaneJeffer · 04/08/2026 20:45

tobee · 04/08/2026 19:15

IIRC when Roxy ill fatedly married Alfie in Eastenders (many Moons ago, geddit?) the costume department gave her a wedding dress very much of a similar flavour to that dress.

Show quote history

I enjoyed your pun @tobee but I googled the dress and it’s grey 😱 not blue. Ronnie’s floating wedding dress of doom was more memorable for me. I stopped watching after they killed Ronnie and Roxy off. Unforgivable!

Favourite book covers of all time.
Favourite book covers of all time.
SaraCrewe06 · 05/08/2026 07:48

@FeliciaFancybottomMy comment was tongue in cheek. It’s a very icky image….for me.

Original poster
FeliciaFancybottom · 05/08/2026 12:45

SaraCrewe06 · 05/08/2026 07:48

@FeliciaFancybottomMy comment was tongue in cheek. It’s a very icky image….for me.

I knew it wouldn't be to everyone's taste, but I didn't want to make anyone ill, though 😂

I do love the Ladybird Cinderella cover; I read that book over and over as a child. The illustrations are stunning.

OP posts:
Original poster
FeliciaFancybottom · 05/08/2026 12:46

tobee · 04/08/2026 19:15

IIRC when Roxy ill fatedly married Alfie in Eastenders (many Moons ago, geddit?) the costume department gave her a wedding dress very much of a similar flavour to that dress.

Show quote history

I'm not seeing any resemblance to Cinderella's dress.

OP posts:
tobee · 05/08/2026 23:53

Hmm, now I wonder what I’m remembering? I’ve got a book about Ladybird Books somewhere!

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