Cover Comparison - Great Expectations

Welcome back yet again for another installment of Cover Comparisons! If you haven't seen one of these before, Cover Comparisons is a (sort of) monthly post that my wonderful friend, Ebony of Daring Damsels and I do, in which we pick out a bunch of different covers of a certain book and then compare them. Today, we're looking at Great Expectations by Charles Dickens here and Melina Marchetta covers over on Ebony's blog. If you'd like to see the other ones we've done, then you click here to see Jane Eyre, The Diviners, John Green and Wuthering Heights. Now, onto those covers!

BARNES AND NOBLE

Ebony: I just love these editions! I really, really adore this one in particular. I think the colours work well together, and that they suit the story. However, it wasn’t until I saw it in real life that I fell in love with it - the internet just doesn’t give it justice.

Ely: I actually really like this one. I like the colours and just the design in general. I’m sure the pages are absolutely beautiful too.

BBC

Ebony: For a people cover, this isn’t too bad. However, it’s certainly not a cover I’d pick up in a bookstore...the lady looks quite awkward. As does the man, come to think of it.

Ely: I love this adaptation- it’s definitely my favourite out of the ones I’ve seen. This cover, however, is terrible. It just looks weird – I don’t even know where to begin.

CANTERBURY CLASSICS

Ebony: I usually like these editions, however this one I do not. I’m just not a fan of those two shades together. However, it may look better in the flesh… 

Ely: I don’t really like these editions at all. I know some people love them, but they just aren’t my thing. Plus, this is so bright for such a gloomy novel. 

CLOTHBOUND

Ebony: Oh - this is one of my favourites of these editions! The navy/dark blue with the white chandelier pattern - I just love it. It may even be my favourite edition that we’re comparing today… 

Ely: This is probably my favourite one out of all of them. I love the shade of blue – it’s a little bit reminiscent of the TARDIS, and I think the contrast of the white is amazing.  

COLLINS CLASSICS

Ebony: I quite like the simplicity of this cover. It just doesn’t look like a book cover though… 

Ely: Originally, I liked the simplicity of this cover but now that I’ve looked at it a couple of times I’ve decided that I just don’t like it. 

DROP CAPS

Ebony: I like the concept of these covers, but I can’t get behind the colours used for this one.   

Ely: What is with those colours? I swear sometimes they pick out the weirdest colours for classic books. 

ENGLISH LIBRARY

Ebony: This is nice, but I’d prefer more of the darker blue than the lighter blue. 

Ely: I do love this one too. What can I say? I like blue covers. Plus, it’s just so simple yet beautiful at the same time.

MODERN LIBRARY

Ebony: Ooh, I really like this one! I don’t feel as though it suits the story however.  

Ely: I don’t completely hate the design of this one- I like what they’re going for and it makes sense with the story. Not so fond of the text though.

MOVIE

Ebony: This is the edition I own, and I really don’t like it. Just no.  

Ely: Nope. Nope.

PENGUIN

Ebony: Um. Okay. I don’t like this cover. It looks as though it’s about Greek mythology or philosophy or something similar.  

Ely: I get that the drawing is probably supposed to be Miss Havisham, but it just looks weird.  

SPLINTER CLASSIC LINES

Ebony: I know lots of people love these editions - I think they’re okay. This is perhaps my most favourite though. I don’t know why, I just love it.  

Ely: Is there something about Great Expectations that just screams BLUE to cover designers? Okay, so I quite like this one personally. The illustration is kind of exactly how I picture Pip to look.

VINTAGE CLASSICS

Ebony: Just no.  

Ely: So I understand the thinking behind this cover, but it’s nothing great. It doesn’t draw me in at all.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Ebony: Overall, my favourite is definitely the clothbound. Followed closely by the Barnes and Noble edition and the English library edition.

Ely: I can’t really pick a top favourite, but I love the Clothbound, English Library and Splinter editions slightly more than the others…I think.

Thanks Ebony for being so patient with me even though it took me forever to get this post organised!

 

REVIEW: This Is Your Afterlife by Vanessa Barneveld

Title: This Is Your Afterlife
Author: Vanessa Barneveld
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance.
Publication Date: October 21st 2014
Publisher: Bloomsbury Spark
Format: E-book
Pages: 194
Rating: 4/5

When the one boy you crushed on in life can't seem to stay away in death, it's hard to be a normal teen when you're a teen paranormal.

Sixteen-year-old Keira Nolan has finally got what she wanted—the captain of the football team in her bedroom. Problem is he’s not in the flesh. He’s a ghost and she’s the only one who can see him.

Keira's determined to do anything to find Jimmy's killer. Even it if means teaming up with his prickly-yet-dangerously-attractive brother, Dan, also Keira's ex-best-friend. Keira finds that her childish crush is fading, but her feelings for Dan are just starting to heat up, and as the story of Jimmy’s murder unfolds, anyone could be a suspect.

This thrilling debut from Vanessa Barneveld crosses over from our world to the next, and brings a whole delightful new meaning to "teen spirit".

This book was sent to me for review by the publisher but this in no way alters my opinions of the book.

This Is Your Afterlife is a really fun, quick YA paranormal read. It’s one of those books that is just so easy to read that it seems like you’ve only just started the book and then suddenly it’s over.

Keira Nolan is the main character and she’s just an easy character to read about. She was incredibly relatable as she’s dealing with the grief of losing her grandmother. This couldn’t have come at a better time in my life as it really helped me come to terms with a similar situation, so I liked that part of the book. However, the main part of this book actually focuses on Jimmy- the star of the football team who’s just turned up as a ghost in Keira’s bedroom. I loved Jimmy – he was incredibly funny so he really lightened up the whole book, but I was also really desperate to know how he became a ghost. Of course, there’s also Dan – Jimmy’s super hot younger brother that Keira has some unresolved history with. Not only was he super hot, he was just a really nice addition to the story.

I think parts of the book were a little bit predictable, but as a whole, the story was just a great light, fun read. I would definitely suggest it if you’re looking for something nice and quick, especially if you’re looking to bump up those Goodreads Reading Challenges.

Thank you to the lovely people at Bloomsbury for providing me with a copy of this book. Don't forget to check out this wonderful guest post that Vanessa did for us last week.

TAG: Get To Know Us

We were tagged by the absolutely lovely, Chiara of Books for a Delicate Eternity to do the 'Get to Know Me' tag so that's what we're doing today. And by 'we', I mean I'm answering the questions for both us while Chami is off studying...or something. Without further ado, let's go.

How tall are you?
We're both pretty short, though Chami is practically a dwarf. (She wears heels to distract me from this sometimes).

Do you have a hidden talent? If so, what?
Chami can actually sing and draw really well (though she will try and tell you otherwise). I, on the other hand, don't really have a 'hidden' talent though I will say, I'm quite a beast at making Stir-frys.

What's your biggest blog related pet peeve? 
I have no idea about Chami (probably nothing), but I get annoyed at people who write really horrible reviews. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but some people can take it too far.

What's your biggest non blog related pet peeve?
Oh God, I'm so bad at answering these for Chami. The only thing I can think of is bitches- Chami does not like bitches. It's the same for me, but I also hate people who walk really, really slowly.

What's your favourite song?
Chami lives for Florence and the Machine and Daughter. I think mine is Daniel in the Den by Bastille, at the present time.

What's your favourite Etsy shop that isn't yours?
Neither of us have a shop, so that's not a problem but we also don't buy things off Etsy. It's kind of expensive to have things shipped out here usually and we don't have money for that.

What's your favourite way to spend your free time when you're alone?
Skyping each other, or sending each other pictures of goats. Oh, and you know, this little thing called READING.

What's your favourite junk food?
ALL THE FOOD. Literally, all the food.

Do you have a pet or pets? If so, what kind and what are their names?
I think Chami had fish at some point but I'm pretty sure she killed them (by accident, possibly). I have a budgie named Tweety and a dog (a Spoodle, a cross between a poodle and a cocker spaniel) named Tara (or Mara, as Chami calls her).

(Isn't she just gorgeous?)

What are your number one favourite nonfiction and fiction books?

Neither of us read nonfiction, but fiction-wise. Chami is, of course, the Shatter Me trilogy (Didn't see that one coming, did you?) and mine is the Throne of Glass series.

What's your favourite beauty product?

Chami loves her red lipstick, and I...don't ever wear make up.

When were you last embarrassed? What happened?

Since Chami is this super gorgeous, confident, glorious human being, I don't think she ever gets embarrassed ever. I'm sure mine was at something my dad said - he likes to embarrass me.

If you could only drink one beverage (besides water) for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Mine would be tea, no question about it. As for a specific type, either Earl Grey or Pomegranate. Chami has informed me that hers would be Lemon, Lime and Bitters or Chocolate Mountain Malt Milkshake from the Pancake Parlour...which I never would have guessed. #besties

What’s your favourite movie?

This changes all the time for me, but currently it's the first three Terminator films. My dad and I rewatch them every two months or so and they never get old. Also, we just watched the second one last night so it's still fresh in my brain. Chami's is Transformers and she warns you all not to judge her. We both picked action movies so you can tell we're badasses, right?

What were you in high school: Prom queen, nerd, cheerleader, jock, valedictorian, band geek, loner, artist?

We were both cheerleaders, obviously. I'm kidding, we don't exercise. I suppose we're both nerds.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?

London, for both of us. We're going to live in a house there together filled with books.    

PC or Mac?

A few months ago I would have said PC but my laptop is shit so Mac now, and Mac for Chami. She says Mac 4everbaby...Yeah, I don't know either.

Last romantic gesture from a boyfriend?

LOL.

Favourite celebrity?

SO MANY. If I just have to choose one, then I'm going to have to go with Benedict Cumberbatch - I'm sure I don't have to explain myself here. Chami's is Nick Bateman. I mean, who's the hotter one there really? Spoiler alert, it's Benedict.

What blogger do you secretly want to be best friends with?  

I always wanted to be friends with Ebony, Chiara and Cait and now I think I am...so yay! Chami's answer for this was me. Isn't she sweet?

We are tagging... (sorry if you've already done this!)

Val @ The Innocent Smiley

Kate @ Fictional Thoughts

Inge and Karolina @ Bookshelf Reflections

GUEST POST: Vanessa Barneveld

Today we have the very lovely Vanessa Barneveld visiting us. Vanessa is the author of a brand new paranormal YA called This Is Your Afterlife which is released October 21st from Bloomsbury Spark (you can check back next week for our review). Thanks to the lovely people at Bloomsbury for organising this and to Vanessa for stopping by!

How to Write by Vanessa Barneveld

Ely and Chami, thank you so much for inviting me to your fabulous blog. Ely, I was really impressed by your recent bookshelf rearrangement, and I was wondering if you do house calls. I need help! 

My debut paranormal YA, This Is Your Afterlife (Bloomsbury Spark), is out just in time for Halloween. Here’s the book trailer:

This Is Your Afterlife book trailer from Vanessa Barneveld on Vimeo.

One thing people always ask me about writing is, “How do you do it?” It’s a jumbo-sized question. Here are my top three answers.

1. I always, always, have chocolate within easy reach. I am particularly inspired by anything that’s filled with caramel, blended with peanut butter, or easy to shovel into my mouth while typing. Other snack varieties are helpful too. I have a writer friend who eats Cheetos (Twistie-like chips in the U.S.) with chopsticks so she doesn’t get her fingers and keyboard dirty. It goes without saying that you must exercise at least half an hour a day and eat more real food than junk food. I actually love snacking on celery, but don’t tell anyone I said that. I’ve a reputation as a chocolate connoisseur to uphold.

2. Coming up with a plot isn’t easy, so that’s why I’m a lifetime member of totallyoriginalplots.com, a top-secret site for authors. For just $19.99, you will get a unique plot that no-one has ever thought of before, a catchy book title, a heroine and a hero. Additional characters and subplots can be purchased for $5 each. Okay, I made all of that up. Wouldn’t it be great if there were such a site? Truth is novel ideas can be found everywhere in plain sight. Another part of writing is not actual writing. It’s observing what’s around you, listening strangers on a train (but trying not to be creepy about it!), tuning in to current events, even movies and music. Take threads from any of these things and ask, “What if...?” then let your imagination weave those threads into the fabric of a book. 

3. Stay unconnected. From the internet. While you’re writing anyway. I need to be physically restrained from emailing, googling and pinning when #Iamwriting. This can only be achieved with the help of an internet-blocking app called Freedom. It allows me to write with absolutely no possibility of connecting for up to eight hours. Scary, but it works. I don’t know how to block everything but abooksofathomless.blogspot.com.au, though. When I find out, I’ll share it with you.

So those are my jumbo-sized answers to that question of how I write. Once again, thanks very much for having me here today, Chami and Ely! It’s been a real pleasure. 

http://www.vanessabarneveld.com
http://www.twitter.com/vanessab73 
http://www.bloomsbury.com/us/this-is-your-afterlife-9781619637771/