“Lisey’s Story” by Stephen King

Stephen King’s latest thriller has perhaps the most dreadfully dull cover ever conceived for a novel of his. The front is plain red with a shovel-shaped cutout on the front. Remove the dust jacket and you’ll find an overly colorful illustration of exotic, chaotically-growing flowers and weeds. According to the summary in the inner flap, the picture apparently depicts Boo’ya Moon, “a place that both terrified and healed him.” The “him” refers to the titular character’s late husband; the place may have had an impact on him, but the picture just bored me.


“The Innocent Man” by John Grisham

As far as clichés go in mysteries and thrillers, you can’t get much more generic than a red handprint on a black background as your cover. Unfortunately for John Grisham, the premise of his debut non-fiction work, which is “an exploration of small-town justice gone terribly awry,” looks about as interesting as his cover. Go back to fiction, John.


“Culture Warrior” by Bill O’Reilly

Many public figures have narcissistic personalities. Bill O’Reilly is the worst of the lot.

So, it should come as no surprise that he’s decided to put an awful picture of himself on the cover of “Culture Warrior,” his latest book in which he discusses the “fierce culture war between those who embrace traditional values and those who want to change America into a ‘secular-progressive’ country.” He’s sporting a blue windbreaker with an American flag conspicuously behind him. Oh Bill, stop trying so hard. We know you’re patriotic. Why can’t you just wear a suit like everyone else?