Judge A Book... by its Cover

I love books. I love the smell of 'em, the feel of 'em, and I love the look of 'em. In fact, I even like to read them, but that's another story. The main preoccupation of this site is the covers of books. Mainly books I've picked up in charity shops, or at carboot sales or jumble sales, even some that I've found on the ground. Here you will find hard-boiled detectives, scantily-clad floozies, unlikely space-ships, grotesque aliens, bizarre religious images, beatnik shockers, hell's angels, skinheads, barbarian heroes, and horrifying monsters... among others. Each book cover will be put alongside its backcover blurb, plot synopsis or whatever, as well as details about the books publication and publisher. If you have any comments on any of these books then I'd like to hear them. If you've read any of these books, if you want to ask me anything about them, if you know anything about the authors or artists (especially the obscure ones), then you should e-mail me and tell me what you know. This is intended to be as much of an education for me as I hope it is for you.

Small disclaimer: I have included the addresses of the publishers of these books in many cases. This should not be seen as any kind of indication on my part that those people are still at that address, or that they are even still in business. I include them just as a part of the picture, a detail of the time those books were printed. Use your heads, folks.

Also, when it comes to copyright, I hope I'm not treading on any toes. Most of these books are out of print, or have been reprinted in different covers. This is a labour of love. There's no money to be made by me here, ok?

My alter-ego, Avery Strangeview also has his own site here. It's mainly mail art stuff, wacky scans, stupid art and general chicanery of a dubious nature. Enjoy.

Friends... Jennifer Aniston, Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer... well, I don't know them. But I do know these people... Now up to six big pages of chums (with some photographic silliness thrown in)... 1 2 3 4 5 6

Another thing I like is movies. I've scanned a few fine movie posters/ads here. See TERROR! VIOLENCIA! ARROJO INCREIBLE! Now... held over for a third page! and even a 4th!

Postcards! I like them too! Here are a few (8 in fact) Why not take a look? Go on, you're not that busy. I've just added a page of Pulp Babes!

Jim, Aged 41, getting married to his lovely lady,
Kerry Barker (neé Smith)
2006
(Photo by Beryl Smith)