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The 103 Best Book Covers of 2022

For the seventh year in a row, we’re pleased to present the best book covers of the year—as chosen by some of the industry’s best book cover designers. We asked 31 designers to share their favorite covers of 2022, and they came back with a grand total of 103 covers, representing work by 61 designers for 54 imprints. Behold!

Elias Canetti, I Want to Keep Smashing Myself Until I Am Whole

Design by Alex Merto, illustration by Ian Woods (Picador, September 27)

Alex has somehow woven together two images with a shape that isn’t exactly conventional and set the type playfully without making the whole thing look like a messy plate of spaghetti. He is in complete control of his craft. –Linda Huang

How? What? It’s insane. I love it. –Lucy Kim

Tess Gunty, The Rabbit Hutch

Design by Linda Huang 
(Knopf, August 2)

I was blown away by Linda’s use of color, texture, negative space, and the delicately balanced typography and illustration. The jacket is printed on a lithofoil stock that gives it that extra special sheen. Not only did the author win the NBA for fiction, but she was also given one of the most beautiful covers of the year. –Emily Mahon

“Shot through the heart and you’re to blame” taken literally. –Erik Carter

Fernando A. Flores, Valleyesque

Design and illustration by Na Kim 

(MCD x FSG Originals, May 3)

Valleyesque received a well deserved gasp from me. With a palette and style that connects you to some of the paintings of Hieronymus Bosch and in a similar fashion, it begs you to look closer at the tiny details and intrigues you to want to learn more. –Nicole Caputo

If I could dictate the visual language of my dreams, this is what I would choose every single time (complete with banner-wielding poodles).
–Alison Forner

Charles Simic, No Land in Sight

Design by John Gall 
(Knopf, August 9)

Such wonderful simplicity. Each time I look at it I can sense my brain processing it all—everything clicking into place with delight. As an aside, I highly recommend everyone watch a hot air balloon inflate at least once in their life. They are like dinosaurs roaming the sky. –Lauren Harms

Great design, though I spotted a printer error; the photo is upside down. Awkward. –Mark Abrams

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