Why, Publishers, why?! (Episode 3) ~ Natflix&Books

So a couple of weeks ago, I did a discussion post about horrible cover changes. I loved putting it together, so I've decided to just go ahead and make it a regular feature.

My biggest pet peeve is when beautiful HBs turn into lackluster PBs. I completely understand that publishers may choose to change the cover due to various reasons, low sales especially, but the thing for me is: I don't buy new hardcover books. Ever. I can't afford them and I just simply prefer soft covers. Trade PB has always, and will always, been my preferred format. So when I'm salivating over a HB cover only to have it change before it comes out into PB it makes me CRAZY. Publishers would probably make MORE money on PB sales if they kept the amazing HB covers!

So I stand by my title for this post:

Why, publishers, why?!

Today's pick:

All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill

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I'm so upset about this one. I've seriously been waiting for this to come out in PB so I could buy it. Like, I for real looked up the PB release date so I could mark my calender to go buy a brand new book which I so very rarely do. Look at that beautiful HB cover! The bleak grey landscape, and the way the yellows and oranges of the clock pop. I just. What IS this new cover?! It's so horrible it makes me want to cry. I'd started to believe that Disney-Hyperion could do no wrong when it came to covers. Seriously, all their covers are gorgeous. But I hate this redesign. HATE IT! Grrr...

Which one do you prefer? Do you like both or not like either? Sound off below!

20 comments:

kimberlybuggieJuly 17, 2014 at 12:29 AM
I agree! I love the original cover. It says so much about the book and is unique. The new cover is mediocre, and isn't as gripping. I get so sad when they do that... especially if things don't match!
I'm having a fit right now because of the Poison Princess series. The third comes out in January, book three is a totally different cover!!! And now they're releasing book two in paperback to match book three, but book one is still the original cover... AHH! My head hurts!
CG @ Paper FuryJuly 17, 2014 at 7:49 AM
What what what. Why would they change that beautiful one to the generic grey-and-shadowy-smokey one?? That's so sad. :( I ADORE the original cover!
Christina / Book AddictJuly 17, 2014 at 7:53 AM
Oh, wow. Yes, I am in complete agreement. The paperback cover isn't eye-catching at all and very bland. I wonder who makes these decisions? This seems like a job we'd be good at! *sigh*
AnnieJuly 17, 2014 at 9:43 AM
I never really liked the original one but ew, I don't like the paperback even more! It's just not visually appealing to me at all.
JenJuly 17, 2014 at 10:38 AM
I could talk covers all day!
The first cover has some features of a typical dystopian/sci-fi covers -- the Glowing Circle, but I liked the clock element since this is about time travel.

That said, I agree that the second cover is a bit weird. It doesn't really say sci-fi or time travel to me at all -- it looks a bit like a spy novel.
yaescapefromrealityJuly 17, 2014 at 11:31 AM
Yeah, the paperback cover is not good. I have no idea why sometimes they change covers. What's worse is when they change the covers in the middle of the series for the same format. I like buying hardbacks and they keep changing the hardback covers mid-series! Throne of Glass, Poison Princess, Anna and the French Kiss (Isla is matching the paperbacks). Enough to drive a person crazy!!!! ~Pam
UnknownJuly 17, 2014 at 12:19 PM
I don't really like the hardcover version of All Our Yesterdays so I actually prefer the paperback version. Neither are all that great if you ask me though.
starryeyedjenJuly 17, 2014 at 1:59 PM
ARG! I HATE that new cover. As a huge, HUGE fan of this novel, I am so disappointed with that new cover. If you'd never seen the original cover and didn't really know what the book was about, you'd never know based on the redesign. Like, I see the features of a clock, but if I knew nothing of the book, I might just dismiss that. Why?!? The original cover was so awesome and spoke to what was behind the cover. All I've realized about most cover redesigns is that most make the books look generic instead of eye-catching, so what's the freaking point?
BystanderJuly 17, 2014 at 4:05 PM
WTH?! That original cover is delightful to look at and the new one looks cheap. Does that make sense? It kind of looks like they just didn't care about how the book looks anymore. This is sad...
JillynJuly 17, 2014 at 4:33 PM
That new cover is awful. It doesn't tell me anything about the book, and it wouldn't stand out on a shelf at all.
SabrinaJuly 17, 2014 at 6:59 PM
I feel like there is a department devoted to making covers less interesting and they are taking over the world. It's an evil, dystopic department that adores visually saddening readers. Bunch of jerks...
Amy ShawJuly 17, 2014 at 8:12 PM
I don't love the original cover, but I like it well enough, and I really DON'T like the new one. Like you, I was planning to get it in PB (unless the e-book went on sale first). Disappointing!
AnonymousJuly 17, 2014 at 11:25 PM
Oh my god...that cover change is DISGUSTING. Why would they DO that?!
UnknownJuly 18, 2014 at 11:48 AM
Ugh, that ones painful. I know it's all about the book itself and we shouldn't judge the books by the covers, but come one, we all do. The covers catch your eye, you're not going to pick it up otherwise. I loved All Our Yesterdays (and I seriously want the HB, but could only afford the UK PB at the time) and I almost prefer that cover to the US paperback, it's just horrible. :(
Maggie @ Just a Couple More PagesJuly 18, 2014 at 5:59 PM
I love this book and I really like the contrast of colors in the original cover and the cityscape in the background, BUT in terms of which one would make ME more likely to pick up a book I have to say it's the PB cover. There's something about people on a cover, especially like that where you can't see their faces, that I really like. And I also like how they still incorporated the clock. I could do without the pink font though.
UnknownJuly 18, 2014 at 8:35 PM
NO. That was my first reaction when I saw the new cover just now. I love the HB cover and I can't imagine having the paperback one on my bookshelf instead. I really don't like the look of it.
UnknownJuly 19, 2014 at 9:24 AM
WHAT! NOOO. I hate that new cover. It's so dull. Bleh. I'm pretty surprised because that first cover was so lovely and as you said, bleak. Why Disney? Does this mean that the sequel will have an ugly cover too *sobs*
BerlsJuly 20, 2014 at 9:25 AM
I so agree - why must they ruin books in paperback format? They also do that with audiobooks a lot and I'm like WHY? This has to be one of the worst cover changes I've seen in a while though. It just doesn't make any sense :(
Cyn @ BookmunchiesJuly 23, 2014 at 8:09 PM
Boo, definitely not a fan of the paperback. Guess I'm shelling out extra money for the hardcover )':

Hello, there! Thanks for taking the time to comment. I read each and every one and will do my best to respond--usually on your blog instead of on mine. I will, however, always answer direct questions. Due to serious time restraints, this blog is now an award free zone, but I appreciate the thought!