I know they say don’t judge a book by its cover, but I have no qualms about browsing bookstore shelves (or blog posts) to see what catches my eye. It’s helpful to remember that a book cover is a marketing tool, but that’s nothing to be cynical about. Good book cover art serves a real and important purpose: when done well, it gives readers a feel for the flavor, emotional tone, and content of the book within. The cover sets the mood, so to be done well, the cover must match the content! If you’ve ever felt “tricked” because, say, a book’s adorable cover misrepresented the angsty content within, it’s because the cover design broke this important rule.
The cover design invites the reader to pick it up and find out more about the book. And, in my opinion, the best covers not only faithfully represent the story within but are beautiful in their own right.
There are a number of beautiful covers gracing this season’s new releases right now, but my favorite, simply for its stop-you-in-your-tracks gorgeousness, belongs to Summer Reading Guide pick The Centre by debut author Ayesha Manazir Siddiqi. (I have looked and looked and can’t track down the cover artist, but what amazing work they did!) This stunning cover grabs your attention and hints at the story to follow, in which it’s revealed an elite language institute is carefully hiding the sinister secrets of its successful methods from its students.
The Centre’s striking cover inspired this post, and compelled us to gather more books featuring flowers and floral arrangements. These floral covers have become ever more prevalent over the past five years, with some industry folks saying bookstores are now crammed with “bouquet books.” Florals are widely loved because they’re beautiful and attention-getting both in person and on screen, easily able to stand out in a crowd of book covers.
I’m here for this trend, which is not confined to any one genre but evident across a wide variety. To give you a feel for that variety—and to show you some of our favorite covers of late—we’ve gathered ten of our favorite floral book covers from historical fiction, literary fiction, thriller, fantasy, and more.
I hope you enjoy perusing the beautiful collection of covers and variety of stories on offer here. When we could track the information down, we included the name of the cover artist to give proper credit to those responsible for these gorgeous designs.
We’d love to hear your favorite flowery books and your thoughts on this trend in comments.
A mixed bouquet of novels with floral covers
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It's easy to see how the publisher landed on this exuberant cover treatment! Bookseller Elizabeth Barhhill described this family saga as the “Texas version of Gone with the Wind” when we talked during WSIRN Episode 376: Bookstore confidential. An East Texas town is controlled by its founding families and the industries they rule over. The story follows the fallout of Mary Toliver and Percy Warwick’s decision not to marry, the consequences of which tumble down three generations as the lies, drama, passion, and tragedies unfold. More info →
I am in good company when I say Peter Dyer's William-Morris inspired cover is what first compelled me to pick up this novel in the bookstore—in fact, this was my book I picked for the cover in the 2017 MMD Reading Challenge. The sumptuous, intricate botanical drawing—with an easy-to-miss serpent wending its way through the flowering plants—is a fitting prelude to the similarly toned prose within. This Gothic Victorian novel explores love, science, and sea monsters, and features a strong epistolary element. (I've been meaning to watch the Apple+ miniseries; have you seen it?) More info →
If you picked this book up because of the cover, I wouldn't blame you a bit. Deemed one of the most beautiful—and controversial—of 2017, it features an instantly recognizable vintage anatomical heart drawing overlaid with gorgeous flowers. This medical drama features two female physicians, one of whom (as you may guess from the cover) is a cardiologist. Zadie and Emma have been best friends since med school; now they're practicing physicians in Charlotte. But when an old colleague comes to town, he stirs up long-buried secrets from the past. If you love Gray's Anatomy, this one's for you. This novel had special appeal for me because it's set alternately in Charlotte, where I’ve spent some time, and Louisville, where I've lived for years. More info →
It will be no surprise to hear that botany features prominently in the pages of Kingsolver's 2018 novel, judging by Milan Bozic's cover design. Kingsolver writes that she is explicitly addressing the events of her time, but does that in part by looking back: her double narrative follows the life-changing decisions and uncertain times experienced by two separate families, one hundred years apart, who both live in the same home in Vineland, New Jersey. She found one heck of a subject for the historical element with real-life American scientist Mary Treat. At 466 pages, this is a long book, but I inhaled it. I loved the clever linking of the chapter titles—pick up the book and you'll see what I mean. More info →
Jess Phoenix's eye-catching florals on a bright yellow background stand out on the bookshelf, and subtly signify this is a tale of individual performers whose futures are bound together. It's the 1990s, and four promising musicians decide to forego the usual soloist path and bind their professional (and personal) lives to form a string quartet. Jana is driven, Henry a prodigy, Daniel a success through dogged determination, and Brit a bit of a wild card. With the feel of a dysfunctional family novel, the characters aren't always likable but always ring true. Gabel nails a wide range of human emotions—joy and pain, envy and fear, frustration and near-despair—as she portrays the group's turbulent eighteen years together. An utterly believable and emotionally compelling submersion into the competitive world of classical music. More info →
Once again, at first glance I nearly missed the serpent lurking under the pretty roses on Sasha Vinogradova's beautiful cover. This brilliantly imagined sapphic fairy tale draws inspiration from the Persian epic The Shahnameh, and features dangerous demons, poisonous girls, and a kingdom in peril. The cursed princess Soraya has been living inside her family’s palace walls—touching no one—for eighteen years. As her twin brother’s wedding day approaches, the palace guards capture a demon who may be able to tell her how to break the curse and gain her freedom. But the answers she seeks plunge her into personal crisis and political intrigue, and Soraya is soon forced to question everything she thought she knew about herself—while facing choices that may endanger not just her own fate, but that of the entire kingdom. An enthralling fantasy with broad appeal, with lyrical prose and incredible worldbuilding. More info →
The gold figure perched amongst the vivid flowers sets just the right tone for this lush story of magical realism that explores love, colonialism, complicity, and restitution. The Nomeolvides women haven't been able to leave La Pradera in more than a century: the estate gardens they tend enchant, but they also hide a tragic legacy. If the women fall in love, their lovers disappear. But then one day, a boy appears and upends everything they thought they knew. More info →
Just because a cover features flowers doesn't mean it can't convey seriously sinister vibes. This twisty thriller revolves around a seemingly perfect D.C. area couple who are keeping a closetful of secrets from each other and their "therapist," who can't truly claim that title anymore because she lost her professional license due to an ethics violation. She hasn't let that loss stop her—in fact, she believes she can better help her clients with the unorthodox methods she's fully embraced since she was censured. This was a fun and engrossing listen, with an over-the-top ending that scores low on believability but high on entertainment value. Jointly voiced by favorites Karissa Vacker and Marin Ireland, this is great on audio: it made me walk the literal extra mile so I could find out what would happen! More info →
This jaw-dropping cover, designed by Jonathan Bush and art directed by Evan Gaffney, inspired our post! This debut literary thriller (and 2023 Summer Reading Guide pick) from Gillian Flynn’s new imprint features an oh-so discussable premise, strong narrative voice, and lots of dark humor. Pakistani translator Anisa Ellahi dreams of translating “great literature” and gets a big break when her multilingual ex-boyfriend recommends her for a spot at an elite language institute. But every time Anisa returns for new language lessons, she becomes more uneasy with the program’s unique methods—and more involved with Shiba, its alluring manager. I have not stopped thinking about this novel since I read it. Siddiqi poses highly discussable questions around translation, cultural appropriation, and ambition, wrapped in a propulsive story. (Want to see something wild? Check out the decidedly non-floral U.K. cover here.) More info →
Emily Mahon's stunning cover is another that immediately caught my eye at the bookstore; it fittingly hints at one of the book's many important symbols. 1990s Colombia was at the mercy of drug lord Pablo Escobar. The Santiago family stays safe thanks to their gated community in Bogotá but the threat of political unrest and violence will only be kept at bay for so long. When the Santiagos hire Petrona, seven-year-old Chula determines to befriend the new maid. Their unlikely friendship forms the backdrop for two very different coming-of-age experiences, as they face impossible choices, sacrifices, and betrayals. More info →
Are there any floral covers you find especially striking? What other kinds of cover design are you drawn to? Please share in the comments!
Good Company by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney immediately came to mind. I actually bought it for $2.00 at our library used book sale shelf based solely on the cover! Haven’t had a chance to read it yet, but would love to know the community’s thoughts about this title.
Oh! Also The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan. I did read this one and thought it was a delightful story that explores belonging and community through things found.
Love this list! How about Elizabeth and Her German Garden by Elizabeth von Arnim; and The Signature of All Things, by Elizabeth Gilbert. At least some editions have flower covers. And this isn’t fiction but I recently discovered and loved Penelope Lively’s Life in the Garden. It has a beautiful flower cover.
As for floral designs, I love the cover of Eleanor Brown’s Any Other Family and Rebecca Kauffman’s Chorus. A blacklist floral title is Gin Phillips’s Family Law.
As for covers I am drawn to, I love anything with a nature landscape, so I usually love Jane Harper’s covers, and I love the cover of Catriona Ward’s upcoming release, Looking Glass Sound. I also love book covers that look almost like a painting I’d see in a museum. The Listening House by Mabel Seeley comes to mind (it is a mystery originally from the 1930s that has been reprinted with a new cover; love the cover and the book inside; loved the protagonist) along with another book of hers, The Chuckling Fingers (I wish they would re-release more of her books with these types of covers!)
“It All Comes Back to You” has a beautiful cover. I found a perfect copy for 50cents at my library. I haven’t read it yet but love pulling it out and looking at the cover!🌸
The UK cover of The Center is quite jarring, especially when you’ve been looking at beautiful flowers. I think it would be fun to read a novel about a book cover artist.
The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot has such a gorgeous floral cover (but I’m admittedly biased in its favor, as its a cherished favorite read for me!)
Not fiction, but a book by essayist Margaret Renkl (New York Times opinion writer )
Late Migrations. Illustrations by her brother. Beautiful illustrations though out
The Island Of Missing Trees has a beautiful cover with a stunning ocean blue background. It’s a fig tree (which is a main character) and golden yellow bird. I loved this book so much and gift it for the beautiful cover as much as the story!
For a beautiful floral/botanical cover you have to include Weyward by Emilia Hart. It’s the cover that made me pick up this magical book and I love the strong female characters within the story.
Any chance of finding out the cover designer of Weyward? I came across your great article while searching and searching to try to find out who the artist was. Thank you.
I am also drawn to beautiful flower covers. I have to admit to a phobia about snakes( I almost can’t type the word) so I cannot touch a book that has one on its cover much less read it . I have added several of the books mentioned to my never ending TBR
I agree w/ your phobia. It is mine also. I can’t touch anything with one of those on it. I can’t say the word, see the word, hear the word. It’s really bad. I have fainted.
I read about “The Centre” in your fabulous Summer Reading Guide, but I thought it sounded like a copy cat theme and tone to “Babel.” I thought “Babel” was brilliant, and am somewhat disappointed that “The Centre” author so closely borrowed that idea. I haven’t read “The Centre” yet, so I shouldn’t pre-judge, but we will see. 😉
It’s funny you should say that: I read and enjoyed both books (and went into both knowing almost nothing, perhaps that’s important?) and the similarity never occurred to me! Whether or not The Centre is to your taste, I expect you’ll find it’s very much its own thing.
A Fall of Marigolds by Susan Meissner and Tapestry of Fortunes by Liz Berg
are some of my favorite floral-covered titles. I also enjoy others that have already been mentioned:
The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow
The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert
Leila Meacham (Roses) was my High School English teacher and sponsor when I was the editor of the school newspaper. We kept in touch through the years and she sent me the first chapter of Roses before she submitted it. She was such a lovely, classy, West Texas lady. ‘Poppycock’ and ‘Fiddlesticks’ were two words she often used and for some reason they stuck with me and our chiddlers laugh when I use them. Thank you for always adding to my TBR mountain!
I’m not crazy about florals, although I do kind of like the one on Liane Moriarty’s The Husband’s Secret. I DO like dramatic scenics, like the one on Adam White’s The Midcoast! Dark blue sky, sun shining on a red house–Wow! It’s great! I also loved Elizabeth Wetmore’s Valentine, with the stormy sky and tornado look. And cozier, was Ann Leary’s The Good House.
Longtime blog reader, WSIRN listener and all around fan of what you do! I wanted to share an idea/request…. For book lists like this one, it would be amazing to have a “goodreads” button accompanying the various links to purchase. I can’t recall where I was reading reviews that had one of these, but brilliant! Especially with so many great recommendations I’m not always ready to buy but I don’t want to forget. Being able to go right to Goodreads would be a game changer!
These covers are beautiful! The first book I thought of was Queen of Hearts. I always found it so striking – and I enjoyed the book. Grey’s Anatomy is such a good comparison.
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68 comments
I’m surprised Ghost in the Throat didn’t make the list!
It’s beautiful, but it’s nonfiction!
Oh of course! I missed that bit somehow!
Katherine Center’s books prior to the two most recent came to mind – a couple of my favorites are Things You Save in a Fire and How to Walk Away.
I was also thinking of Katherine Center!
Those are great ones!
The Fair Botanists by Sara Sheridan – one of my favorites from 2022
Reef Road by Deborah Goodrich Royce
The Fair Botanists is gorgeous!
I was also captivated by the cover and had to do my own digging and came up with this mention of the cover art.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CnUj8Dqr_9D/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet
Love all things botanical.
Applause for your sleuthing skills! Thanks for this info; I’ll update the post to credit the artists for their gorgeous work.
Good Company by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney immediately came to mind. I actually bought it for $2.00 at our library used book sale shelf based solely on the cover! Haven’t had a chance to read it yet, but would love to know the community’s thoughts about this title.
Oh! Also The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan. I did read this one and thought it was a delightful story that explores belonging and community through things found.
Currently reading! The bits & bobs interspersed with flowers on the cover lured me in and I am glad they did.
Agreed! This one came to mind for me too.
One of my all time favorites 🥰
These are great ones!
Shark Heart: A Love Story by Emily Habeck releasing on 8/8/23. Gorgeous cover!
Gorgeous cover and gorgeous story! Can’t stop recommending it to everyone 😊
After my book club read The Nest I went on to read Good Company. I liked it even better.
Love this list! How about Elizabeth and Her German Garden by Elizabeth von Arnim; and The Signature of All Things, by Elizabeth Gilbert. At least some editions have flower covers. And this isn’t fiction but I recently discovered and loved Penelope Lively’s Life in the Garden. It has a beautiful flower cover.
As for floral designs, I love the cover of Eleanor Brown’s Any Other Family and Rebecca Kauffman’s Chorus. A blacklist floral title is Gin Phillips’s Family Law.
As for covers I am drawn to, I love anything with a nature landscape, so I usually love Jane Harper’s covers, and I love the cover of Catriona Ward’s upcoming release, Looking Glass Sound. I also love book covers that look almost like a painting I’d see in a museum. The Listening House by Mabel Seeley comes to mind (it is a mystery originally from the 1930s that has been reprinted with a new cover; love the cover and the book inside; loved the protagonist) along with another book of hers, The Chuckling Fingers (I wish they would re-release more of her books with these types of covers!)
Shark Heart, my favorite read of the Summer so far 💙
GORGEOUS.
“It All Comes Back to You” has a beautiful cover. I found a perfect copy for 50cents at my library. I haven’t read it yet but love pulling it out and looking at the cover!🌸
Also, “The Last Garden in England”!
These are wonderful additions!
Tom Lake??? That’s the floral cover that is calling my name!
Yes!
The UK cover of The Center is quite jarring, especially when you’ve been looking at beautiful flowers. I think it would be fun to read a novel about a book cover artist.
The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow – that cover drew me in, and I was surprised to find how much I enjoyed the read!
The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot has such a gorgeous floral cover (but I’m admittedly biased in its favor, as its a cherished favorite read for me!)
Not fiction, but a book by essayist Margaret Renkl (New York Times opinion writer )
Late Migrations. Illustrations by her brother. Beautiful illustrations though out
The Island Of Missing Trees has a beautiful cover with a stunning ocean blue background. It’s a fig tree (which is a main character) and golden yellow bird. I loved this book so much and gift it for the beautiful cover as much as the story!
I loved this book! Beautiful story and a gorgeous cover!
It sure does!
For a beautiful floral/botanical cover you have to include Weyward by Emilia Hart. It’s the cover that made me pick up this magical book and I love the strong female characters within the story.
Everyone I’ve recommended this book to has loved it! Wonderful story!
That’s a great one!
Any chance of finding out the cover designer of Weyward? I came across your great article while searching and searching to try to find out who the artist was. Thank you.
The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh…a moving story where the Victorian meaning of flowers is interwoven throughout the storyline.
Wayward by Emilia Hart, it sits on my end table. I love the cover that much!
The Ten Thousand Doors of January has a gorgeous floral cover design, as well.
Not fiction, but poetry. The covers for Kate Baer’s What Kind of Woman and And Yet are floral. lovely, and compelling. Especially And Yet.
The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali is gorgeous.
I am also drawn to beautiful flower covers. I have to admit to a phobia about snakes( I almost can’t type the word) so I cannot touch a book that has one on its cover much less read it . I have added several of the books mentioned to my never ending TBR
I agree w/ your phobia. It is mine also. I can’t touch anything with one of those on it. I can’t say the word, see the word, hear the word. It’s really bad. I have fainted.
I read about “The Centre” in your fabulous Summer Reading Guide, but I thought it sounded like a copy cat theme and tone to “Babel.” I thought “Babel” was brilliant, and am somewhat disappointed that “The Centre” author so closely borrowed that idea. I haven’t read “The Centre” yet, so I shouldn’t pre-judge, but we will see. 😉
It’s funny you should say that: I read and enjoyed both books (and went into both knowing almost nothing, perhaps that’s important?) and the similarity never occurred to me! Whether or not The Centre is to your taste, I expect you’ll find it’s very much its own thing.
A Fall of Marigolds by Susan Meissner and Tapestry of Fortunes by Liz Berg
are some of my favorite floral-covered titles. I also enjoy others that have already been mentioned:
The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow
The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert
Leila Meacham (Roses) was my High School English teacher and sponsor when I was the editor of the school newspaper. We kept in touch through the years and she sent me the first chapter of Roses before she submitted it. She was such a lovely, classy, West Texas lady. ‘Poppycock’ and ‘Fiddlesticks’ were two words she often used and for some reason they stuck with me and our chiddlers laugh when I use them. Thank you for always adding to my TBR mountain!
How cool!
The floral cover of Hester drew me in.
I loved that cover, too.
One of my favorite favorites: Fresh Water for Flowers by Valerie Perrin.
Yes!!! Beautiful cover!
The old cover of Rosamunde Pilcher’s The Shell Seekers!
The Tenanat of Wildfell Hall published by Chiltern Publishing.
The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart by Holly Ringland. But the original cover art, not the re-release for the TV series – https://www.harpercollins.com.au/9781460754474/the-lost-flowers-of-alice-hart/
Beautiful!
I’m not crazy about florals, although I do kind of like the one on Liane Moriarty’s The Husband’s Secret. I DO like dramatic scenics, like the one on Adam White’s The Midcoast! Dark blue sky, sun shining on a red house–Wow! It’s great! I also loved Elizabeth Wetmore’s Valentine, with the stormy sky and tornado look. And cozier, was Ann Leary’s The Good House.
Longtime blog reader, WSIRN listener and all around fan of what you do! I wanted to share an idea/request…. For book lists like this one, it would be amazing to have a “goodreads” button accompanying the various links to purchase. I can’t recall where I was reading reviews that had one of these, but brilliant! Especially with so many great recommendations I’m not always ready to buy but I don’t want to forget. Being able to go right to Goodreads would be a game changer!
I just picked up “How to Love the World: Poems of Gratitude and Hope”, a poetry compilation by James Crews. It has a beautiful floral cover.
The Latecomer! I loved the striking design of the four single bud vases 🌹
If You Leave Me by Crystal Hana Kim … the cover made me want to read the book!
This was a great article as I love Floral bookcovers! Wrote down many to read. Thanks Ann!
The Seed Keeper by Diane Wilson
The Connellys of County Down by Tracey Lange
These covers are beautiful! The first book I thought of was Queen of Hearts. I always found it so striking – and I enjoyed the book. Grey’s Anatomy is such a good comparison.