It’s a Battle: German vs. American Book Covers

Did you know that book covers are different country to country? Here I’ll be comparing 5 American covers with their German counterparts.

I got this idea from another book blogger – A Court of Books -, who actually got the idea from Marty at The Cursed Books. Check out their comparisons!

– A Court of Books – (French) and The Cursed Books (Romanian)I LOVE bookstores – really, who doesn’t?- so whenever I can, I wander into one. Barnes and Noble isn’t a thing in Germany so my exposure to books in English is severely limited on a day-to-day basis. (yes, I speak German fluently, but it’s just not as much fun/relaxing for me to read in German) Of course, that doesn’t stop me from going in. However, in a German bookstore, you can really only count on the bestsellers or books, which have been made into movies, to be available in English. So what do I do with my remaining time? I peruse and loiter, checking out my favorite books and their German cousins. Here are some of my favorites.

Note: American Covers will appear on the left followed by the German on the right. 

1. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

(English translation of German title: The Tribute of Panem-Deadly Games)

These two covers are obviously completely different and, apart from the title change, I don’t really see a reason for it. I always liked the Mockingjay pin being right on the cover, because it was one of my favorite parts of the book, but even I’ll admit the American cover is a bit boring. I also tend to lean towards covers, which don’t have characters on them so that I can picture them myself. That being said, I like the green and how eye-catching it is, but I do think it looks like she is going to make a salad out of those leaves. The Hunger Games will forever be one of my favorite series and if you haven’t read them, you should! 

2. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

(English translation of German title: A Whole Half Year)

I actually read this book at the recommendation of a German, so I saw the German cover first. In this case, I like the German cover better. I find the plain red background of the American cover to be eye-catching, but boring. Plus, I think the German cover fits the themes in the book nicely without giving anything away and still letting my mind make decisions. This is a lovely book, but you definitely need tissues on-hand! 

3. The City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

(English translation of German title: Chronicles of the Underworld-City of Bones)

I’ll say it again, I don’t want your cover models, make them go away! These two have some of the same elements, for example, the New York skyline, oddly enough, the same sort of sunset-like time setting, and they even both have a greenness to them. This series is one I’m currently reading in German and honestly, I think that fact is possibly the reason why I just don’t care about them that much, but I digress. Seriously though, take away that shirtless man on the front, and I might like the American cover better, but I don’t call the shots. 

4. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

Verblendung von Stieg Larsson

(English translation of German title: Blindness)

Hands down, it’s not even a fair fight, the American cover is the best. It’s eye-catching, bright, and doesn’t look like an ugly tribal tattoo trying to be cool. I remember when I was reading this book, taking breaks when it got too scary, – I was living alone at the time – and carefully inspecting the dragon on the cover. I love dragons so I’m sold. Sidenote: I don’t recommend reading this book at night, especially if you live alone, and I most definitely did not check 10 times to make sure all my doors/windows were locked after not taking my own advice. 

5. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

(English translation of German title: The Realm of Seven Courts-Thorns and Roses)

What is up with Germany and the birds? Also, why is the main character hunting in a dress? Just no. Purely based on aesthetic, the German cover is equally pretty and has more action going on, but I’ve read this book and I love it and this cover just doesn’t fit. Look at the girl on the American cover, she’s a badass you don’t want to mess with. For some reason, it doesn’t bother me that there is a character on it – maybe because it’s drawn? Whatever it is I definitely would vote for the American cover, but I could see people, who haven’t read it, being attracted to the German cover. Do you want to read this book? Check out my Review Here. Let’s chat! — Which were your favorites? Do they look different where you live? How do you feel about cover models? Have you read all the books on my list? Let me know in the comments and be sure to let me know if you enjoyed my post by liking it! 

Thanks for reading! -xo Amber

 

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