I’m a total book nerd, story nerd, and film geek—I just love getting completely lost in a great narrative. There’s nothing better than that feeling of being hooked, not knowing what’s coming next. A good story is like a rollercoaster—full of twists, turns, and surprises that keep you holding on for dear life. Strong character and plot development? That’s the stuff that makes me giddy.
While I don’t mind whether a story comes through a book or a film, I do have a soft spot for book design. I LOVE a real, printed, hold-it-in-your-hands book. But it’s not just the storytelling that gets me—it’s the design that brings the book to life. I never realized how much I cared about the inner pages until I bought a few terribly laid-out books. Publishers cutting corners, printing to the edge of the page, tight leading—just yuck.
And don’t even get me started on covers. That whole “don’t judge a book by its cover” thing? Let’s be real—we all do it. A beautifully designed cover can make the reading experience even more immersive. One series that absolutely nails both storytelling and design is Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas. The covers are bold, striking, and just as fierce as the characters inside. Now that’s how you do book design right.
If you really look at a book cover, it’s often a teaser for the story within—a glimpse into the journey you’re about to take. Take Throne of Glass, for example. The cover of Book 1 introduces us to Celaena Sardothien, a lethal assassin forced to compete in a deadly series of challenges to win her freedom. The design isn’t just striking—it’s layered with meaning. The steps she must climb and the castle’s interior hint at the physical and emotional depths she must navigate to truly win.
Then there’s Crown of Midnight (Book 2), where Celaena’s story gets even more intricate. This cover reveals her evolving relationships and the growing complexity of her role. The imagery—multiple kingdoms in the distance, a flowing river beneath her—suggests she’s not just a warrior following orders. She’s a strategist, a behind-the-scenes force weaving her own path.
As a designer, I hope to have the opportunity to design a book cover at least once in my career-- hint, hint, if you are a badass author and need a designer.. cough, cough. Shameless plug. But, seriously though, designing a book cover should be a strategic, in depth process to understand the inner workings of a story, sit with a scary awesome complex mood board, and illustrate a cover that will hint at the story within but not fully give it away.
It’s this kind of thoughtful design that makes a book even more immersive. The story doesn’t just live in the words—it starts the moment you lay eyes on the cover.
What about you? Are there any books or films where the design made the story even better? Let’s nerd out together!
