uk vs usa book covers: who does it better? (w/ steph bohrer)
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books are often published with different covers in the UK and USA, so i drafted in a real life american to help me decide who does book cover design better
links:
🎥 watch part 2 on steph's channel: / @stephbohrer
📚 second channel: • i did a literature pub...
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FAQs:
😭 what happened to your intro? it got copyrighted ://///
🤠 how old are you? 23!
📆 when is your birthday? 18th october 1998 (libra)
🎓 where did you go to university? i studied english at durham!
🔎 where do you live? paris, france
💼 what is your job? research assistant in the publishing industry
🎥 what do you film with? lumix gh5 + canon g7x
👾 what do you use to edit? final cut pro
📫 how do I contact you? jackedwards@sixteenth.co or social media!
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It's me.. the real life American
Hey bestie! we love u, thanks 4 making my life less depressing 🥺💝
Stephhhh
😭😭
Hey real life American. You really going to let the real British guy give 3 points to the UK for Night Circus? 😂
STEPHHH
This is a book tube dream
Literally
so what i'm hearing is that next time we're doing a three-way booktube collab....?
@@jack_edwards YES
@@jack_edwards make it five-way. Get Leony and Carley in it too!
@@jack_edwards please
the way steph just ignores or does not hear some of jacks puns and keep a straight face makes me laugh so hard
Right?? Every time he quotes a tiktok audios she’s like 😐 😭😭
Tbf if you are not a Tik toker you won’t get it but it was hilarious how she didn’t get some of the puns
@@Cinia18 i´m not a tiktoker and got it though :D
literally😹😹😹
So, if Steph is the Queen of booktube, does that make Jack the Joker?
LMAO why is this kinda accurate
The Joker and the Queen!
The Joker and The Queen (Steph and Jack’s Version)
Love how this whole community is effortlessly makin Taylor swift references
@@krishnakrupaur3727 yes please nobody stop its beautiful
i really didn't expect the "today i'm joined by - a real american!"😭😭 jack's really funny
I love how Jack is looking over to Steph every time he's made a joke. Like he's thinking: 'Please laugh. A little chuckle c'mon.'
Lmaoo that's cute tho
no cuz that's me as well 😭😭
The us cover of a little life is actually a famous photo names "The orgasmic man" it was taken in the 1960's. Basically it's supposed to be a mystery between whether this man is in pain or pleasure. This heavily relates to the books the more u think about it D:
that's so interesting!
Wow I always thought he was in pain didn’t know it could be interpreted otherwise. Thanks for sharing!
That's fascinating! That just makes me want to read the book even more 💜💜
It feels...icky to use that in a book almost entirely about abuse
I don't think the wrinkles between the eyebrows are a sign of pleasure... but I admit I thought about this theory too. This cover absolutely beats the UK version.
The US version of They Both Die At The End is so much better than the UK. That hourglass situation is too on the nose and has no emotion. The US cover really gives you the vibe of the book. The scythe shadow and the nighttime romantic walk? *chef’s kiss*
In my opinion, the uk version looks more like a middle school book. The us looks more like a high school book or young adult. Also I’m a little bias because I don’t like orange very much lol
EXACTLY my thoughts pls i really don’t get how they prefer the UK one, when the color palette, the shadow and the sky reflect the book perfectly!!
@@alxndra1772😊
There's no way the UK cover beats that shade of blue on the US cover of They Both Die at the End. It looks good in the picture, but holding it in your hand it feels like it shouldn't even exist, it's beautiful.
and the shadow being the grim? the sky being a skull? iconic
I was about to agree and say that the skull in the clouds/grim reaper shadow give it the win but then I remembered the US one has a step back cover (not sure if that's the term???) and it undoes everything good about it
@@sophiep7184 I don't mind step back covers, but the fact that the clocks are partially covered on my copy bothers me.
I think jack, and i also, are just to much of a fan of orange? Altough I was kinda bummed that the spine was this metallic blue i thought it would be orange like the cover (I hate when publishers do that I have been frantic google searching spine reveals for books before ordering them lmao) so if i knew that i would probably gone for the blue one they are both so gorgerous!
the colours on the UK one gives me pre-teen book vibes. I don't think the colour combo is nice at all :( US for the win.
Jack: “Rule Britannia.” Me, an Indian: (nervous laughter)
Yes, when he said, "Everyone hates us." I said out loud, "Yeah, wonder why?"
@@sarahrosen4985 HAHAHAHA NICE ONE 😂
@@sarahrosen4985 LMAO DUDE SAME
Me a Caribbean native: I thought we were over this, Britain? Stick with your own island and leave ours alone. 😭
As a pakistani, same 😅
Okay I get that the UK cover of ‘They both die at the end’ seems more unique BUT did you notice on the US cover their shadow is a grim reaper??
And I just noticed the sky is actually a skull?! Like the darker spots are the eyes and nose holes!!
@@jakolienvanderhulst4205 omg wow i just noticed
omg that's such a great detail!
Omg I had no idea!!!!!
EXACTLY MY THOUGHTS AH
How do you not acknowledge the genius of the US cover of They Both Die At The End? The clouds forming a skull? The shadows of the boys forming a grim reaper? The clocks on the side? Are you joking me? How is the UK one more reflective?! aaaargh hahahaha :D sry you didn't want us to get upset, but I just did :D
He meant reflective as in its shiny 😂
@@modiebffm oh oops haha, doesn't really affect my point tho
Omg I just noticed that
Frrrr us one is so much better
I did not know about any of the things you've just pointed out and I've seen the cover a million times and you've just sold me and I've bought it. Best cover I've ever seen
“Our real life American” 😂😂this is how I feel when I meet someone from the UK. Love your UK vs. US series. Always a treat ☺️💜
imagine them with uncarley, literally holly trinity of booktube
Legit my three faves
literally not tho lowkey. they're all newbies, can't be missing the OGs.
idk this lady here, but i love uncarley & she'd be great with Jack's humour and personality
@@user-dh1yq5cz9v ya I think they would be the new gen cHaOtIc trio
STEPH AND JACK BEING TWO SWIFTIES AND BOOKTOK/TUBE ROYALTY IS EVERYTHING I NEEDED IN LIFE
Yeah but guys, the shadow on the sidewalk in the U.S. version of “They Both Die at the End” is THE GRIM REAPER!! Also, you both need to read Eleanor Oliphant. It’s amazing. Also you guys are great 🎉
i just came to say this! its so much more iconic than the hourglass, i love some subtle imagery
The way she just went like yeah, autumn vibes.. Leaves falling down like pieces into place I DIED
I WAS LOOKIN FOR THIS COMMENT
I was searching so hard for this lol
I CAN'T WITH THE EUROVISION PART--- as a European, I loved it because, srry, its true (but same with my country lmao)
Hello Germany! Am i right? :))
Being pissed because of the NDR
@@irine_elle hahaha no, Spain
Loved it to and actually I heard that soon there's gonna be an American song contest with a similar consept!
The UK could easily win it if they cared :)))
"The flat share" has a really.... unique starting point. They DO share a bed (& flat) despite not meeting each other for like half the book. Both are real, breathing humans in the same timeline :D It was super simple, but in a cozy blanket kind of way
I LOVED this book! Light read, but really cute and funny.
I thought it was such a fun spin on the one bed trope, but the story from each character drew me in the most 🤞🏽
@@jessv797 Yes! I thought it was really clever and unique and even with some depth for a chick-lit type book. Ive since read more of Beth O’Leary and enjoyed everything. x
Oh my, I so definitely agree. I loved the book when I listened to it as an audiobook. Went and got the hard back when it was on sale and I've re read it 2 since... not sure what it says about me but I love the story and characters within the book. Glad someone else has enjoyed it as well
@@martapawlicka5532 LOVE IT!
0:49- The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo 2:07- Night. Seep. Death. The stars 4:01- A little life 5:08- People we meet on vacation/ You and me on vacation 6:17- Transcendent Kingdom 7:34- Ariadne 8:04- They both die at the end 8:47- Luster 9:26- Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine 10:11- Crying in H Mart 11:06- On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous 11:57- The Hate You Give 12:23- Circe 12:46- The Night Circus 13:20- Little Fires Everywhere 14:05- The flat share
thnkuuuuu
I’m happy that Jack utilises beautiful wordplay and comedic craft mixed with Historical Humour 😂
How does nobody notice the outlines of a skull in the sky on the US cover of „they both die at the end“? Along with the grim reaper shadow… so much detail and thought put into this cover.
I don't know if this sounds stupid but one thing i really love about Jack's videos is that not all of his books are hardcovers , most of them as we can see are paperbacks . Almost every booktuber possesses an insane amount of hardcovers , limited editions . Most of them don't even BUY paperbacks. It always made me feel kind of bad because most of MY books are paperbacks , i only have 4-5 hardcovers , so it's always refreshing to see more people who have paperbacks ( not saying buying hardcovers is bad though) Thanks for listening to my rant!!
I feel u, as a pleb myself, hardbacks are like 10-15€ more expensive than the paperback version (in my country) for that mark up, I might as well get another paperback u know? I have a few hardbacks and even 1 limited edition that my aunt gifted me, but thats about it, I’m always so jelly of all this youtubers getting arcs, special editions and pretty hardcovers
I'm so sorry if you've felt bad about this. Personally, I resort to what is more convenient and fits the aesthetic of my shelf. I also often buy books second hand. Wob has pretty good offers for hardcover copies. In the case where I dislike the cover in any edition, I go digital so it's out of sight. Do what makes you happy and what makes sense to you. Conforming to ideals that make you feel bad, as a person, shouldn't take too much of your headspace.
Hardcovers are overrated I’ve always preferred paperbacks bc they are more convenient and hold more character. Hardbacks are unnecessarily bulky, take up so much space on the shelf, also it’s tiresome to hold. Just don’t get the appeal lol
THE DUO NO ONE KNEW THEY NEEDED, UNTIL THIS MOMENT……..now I can’t keep on living without the confirmation of a reunion between u too🥺
Oh I knew I needed it…
the way i felt like i transferred to a different universe seeing these two sitting together
The Crying in H-mart noodle cover is easily so eye captivating and it makes you imagine the 2 characters are seating across each other while they're talking and holding their chopsticks, it has a reminiscing vibe to it like the UK version which is so heartfelt but the US was less in the face. 💙
that is so well said!! also it looks like the noodles form the letter M as in ”mum”
I thought the noodles were forming an H for H mart.
Also, this book is AMAZING. Highly recommend.
‘Eleanore Oliphant is Completely Fine’ is an amazing debut novel! Highly, highly recommend. And the cover makes sense, after reading it, in a .. satisfying way.
I loved that jack added 1 extra point to the uk in 13:05-13:20 (the combined points at the end have to be an even number because it's the two of them) just for us to have watch the second video at her channel 😂, loved the energy of the two of them!♥️♥️
😂
What I learned: • My country, in terms of choosing book covers, is a mixture of UK and US • Readers always judge a book by its cover • Brits and Americans get along with each other very nicely • The prophecy that said two legends would unite came true • Steph doesn’t like *_people in general_* • Just because someone’s a reader doesn’t mean they’ve read all the famous books • *whispers* _reflective_
To the second to last point: no because that would be boring and there are too many books out there 😁
untrue Americans and brits don't get along... last time an americano came to our biritish school they got constantly called a wanker.
The moment we've all been waiting for. HOLY HELL. ICONIC DUO.
wow jack really unlocked a whole new level of having the ability to seep into my TBR list: making me want both the US and UK covers. I WANT THEM ALL!!!! if my account balance suffers any more damage, I'm blaming you sir
They are the only two booktubers I watch because i have really similar tastes in books as Steph's and Jack brings the diversity that I need in my TBR, so happy you guys decided to collaborate.
I feel like i have waited for this collaboration for so long, this is iconic
I litterally just bought "The seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo" and had to have the UK cover and I didn´t even know that they were different because of UK and US. But I loved this video. Judging bookcovers is just fun
I have the UK cover apparently…….but I live in the US and bought it in the US. I’m confused
I'M SO HAPPY THIS VIDEO IS FINALLY HERE THANK YOU JACK AND STEPH FOR MAKING THIS VIDEO
emily henry actually answered my question about the title change and its basically bc the uk publishers wanted a more personal/initmate title so 'you and me' as it makes it more focused on poppy and alex
Fun fact: the cover for the American version of 'A Little Life' is actually is a photograph by Peter Hujar taken mid-climax lol. It's titled 'Orgasmic Man'.
omg i for sure thought he was just crying 😭
Jack you have singlehandedly inspired me to start reading again and i came here to say thank you for doing what you do
this makes me so happy, you guys are my favorite booktuberss❤️❤️
The artwork for the US cover of A Little Life is called something like ”Orgasmic man” and it’s impossible to unsee.
Yes! I just commented about this also! 😎
You should take the 16 personalities test and with your type, do a research of the famous writers with the same type as yours. Btw, Hi from Argentina 🇦🇷
That's a really cool idea for a video
Siii, eso sería genial!
Me encanta la idea! ❤
HE NEEDs to SEE THIS COMMENT!
16 personalities isn't that accurate. sakinorva and keys2cognition are better mbti tests as they use cognitive functions. great idea though!
I think both UK and US covers for A Little life are beautiful in their own regard. I personally own both the copies because I first bought the UK version as I didn't want my family to think I'm reading something sketchy and i loved the spine but after finishing the US made so much sense especially after learning about the picture on the cover.
LITERALLY MY TWO FAVORITE BOOKTUBERS DOING A COLLAB I HAVE WAITED FOR THIS DAY MY ENTIRE LIFE!! jack and steph >>>> everyone else
I think both Eleanor Oliphant covers are just so powerful. The US cover reflects the uptightness and naiveté of the main character while the UK cover is a great play on the plot... and both are instantly recognizable.
We call the US cover of A Little Life, “Constipated Johnny Cash.” I get it’s a famous photograph, but I still ordered the UK version.
who is we?
To me it looks like Jim Carrey 😂
It’s also the EU cover, i prefer it.
I see Michael J Fox
The chemistry is palpable. 😊 I was smiling the whole time watching this!
‘The Shining’ in Jack and Steph’s case is a collection of books whose spines are shiny 😂
Just got back from a walk during which I finished the book I was reading (the love hypothesis) and come back to see this video! The best
I do prefer the US cover of a little life but I've thought a lot about the UK edition and it's definitely grown on me for a bunch of reasons slight spoilers for a little life below! . . . . . . . . . . . . . I really like how it's kind of like this "keyhole" effect where only part of the building peeks through the white, almost as if it's hiding the life behind it and only showing what it wants others to see (just like jude doesn't tell people about his past). And when you open the book on the insides of the coverpages it shows the whole building, so you need to open the book to see more of it/learn more about the building (and jude). And also, I like to imagine it's Judes apartment or the Lispenard Street apartment and so the fact that you don't see inside (only the outside of the building) shows how it's a safe space where he is hidden from the prying eyes of anyone who looks at the book. I do appreciate the US cover a lot - it represents the themes of the book better in my opinion (how you can't tell whether the man is in pain or pleasure) - but thinking about the UK cover like this felt really cathartic. Also, just generally I am not a fan of real people's faces on covers and I don't particularly love how the picture captures a specific moment in his life (at least we can approximate what age the man on the cover is), when the book spans so much more time. Also the man looks white to me, whereas I always thought Jude was hinted at being somewhat ethnically ambiguous, so I like that the UK cover doesn't specify - we're left in the dark about Jude's looks, just like he is left in the dark about his (ethnic/bio family) background.
AAA YES YES A MILLION TIMES YES TO THIS!!!!
ive always loved the us cover and its the one i have, but i agree fully, once i started reading it the man on the cover being white seemed so odd to me. the photo is still so powerful but it sorta negates judes identity with it
I find it interesting the way you grew into the UK edition. In my country, the book was predominantly available as the US version during its initial release. Now, years later, you will usually see the UK version. It leads to the assumption that at this point, so many people have heard or read sections of the book already, so this new edition will be enticing to those who know, what to look for.
Best Circe cover : the French one! And it's also shiny! They managed to get a cover shiny, with antic vibes AND minimalist!
The collab I've been waiting for!😇😍
You two together in one video!!! What a great combo!!
i would REALLY recommend Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. it’s one of my favorite books of the year so far! :)
was just going to comment that such a great book
A NEW VIDEO YESSSSS Thank you for making my day Never stop shining because it enlights us Sorry for my bad english ✌
this duo is what ive been waiting for.!!! luv u two😭😭
the collab i’ve been waiting for MY ENTIRE LIFE
THIS DUO IS INSANE, i need a minute to process
MY FAV BOOKTUBERS IN ONE FRAME THIS IS A BLESSING
This collab! Is. Everything. You don't know how excited I got when I saw this.
I am so glad this duo happened!! ❤❤
The irony: "This is so bad I wanna give you a zero" - proceeds to give 3 points to the UK cover 😂
the night circus actually has another UK edition with stunning illustrations, i prefer that one more than the other UK cover
What does it look like? Because I can only find these two covers and they do kind of disappoint.
The spine of the US version looks so good tho
ive been waiting for this collab !!!
Been waiting for this FOREVER! Can't believe it's finally here!!!
I love UK covers 85-90% of the time!! Maybe cause I see the US covers way more! I love the UK covers of books 💗
You know what's weird? I thought I would know which cover I'd like more when we compare it because it kind of becomes obvious doesn't it? But instead my mind would immediately lean towards the cover I've seen around more before giving the other one a try. I literally had to pause and think to decide because my instincts were throwing me off into simply liking the one I've seen more of and have associated with the book more either by owning/reading that cover version or having or seeing more people post about it on booksta.
Most iconic collab ever ! 😭❤❤
I never knew how much i needed this collab 😩
I always get attached to the first cover I see! I saw the six crimson cranes US cover first on goodreads and got so attached I ordered it to the UK. Which is weird because most people prefer the UK cover apparently, but honestly they’re both gorgeous maybe I just needed both lol
Laughed so hard at the Eurovision reference!!!! 12 points to you from my Italian heart
OMG THIS DUO IS EVERYTHING
LOVE THIS COLLAB!!! DO MORE PLEASE
we all knew we needed this
It wasn't in the video but I recently talked to my friend about the Detransition, Baby cover differences and then a day later came across a post announcing the release of the German translation and it looks completely different to both the US and UK cover and I thought that was so interesting! I always find it super intriguing when a countries cover differs a lot from the original/another edition (e.g. the Swedish cover for The Fault in Our Stars if you haven't seen it, google it, it's wild)
I can't find the Swedish the fault in our stars. What is it called?
@@redwineandagingerale It’s called, Förr eller senare exploderar jag
@@ella-wh9kg thank you! I must say that truly is wild and was very unexpected 😂
@@redwineandagingerale Right! It’s quite crazy!
Nationally different book covers are fun until you see the German ones for the Harry Potter series, which look atrocious tbh
the duo i didnt know i needed! my two comfort people 😭😭
More videos like this please!! This is amazing!
I love that I'm watching booktube instead of actually reading
As soon as I discovered the UK covers for _A Series of Unfortunate Events,_ I immediately began collecting them from used book websites. I find them so much more dark and appropriate compared to the US versions!
the collab we all needed!
There is fire in the US Cover of Little Fires Everywhere! But it’s still inside the house, which I loved
for people we meet on vacation i'm pretty sure it means the people they (alex and poppy) would meet in their vacations and would help them. she later mentions towards the end of the book that what made those trips important and more enjoyable than her job trips were the connections she made with people all around the world. she couldn't do this in her job cause everything was planned and ready to go with no gaps for personal connections. that's just my take
H is for Hawk, Hamnet and Crying in H Mart all use “giant H on the cover”as a design feature, and I can’t think of any other letter commonly used as a cover feature like that…
YES OML IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS FOR AGES YALL ARE ICONS
i’m living for this duo!!!
In America there have been a lot of controversies over certain books and schools boards are banning books across the country. It would be cool if you made a video reading some of these books and giving your thoughts on them!
I agree that movie tie-ins usually lack personality and fail to convey the feel of the book. I would never willingly pick a movie tie-in cover over the pre-adaptation cover if both were offered - the only exception being The English Patient 👌
the only two book tubers I enjoy watching in one video
Love your energy together 🥰🥰
I'm so up for banishing movie tie in covers from book covers hahaha. It always makes me cringe, especially when Netflix decides to slap their dang logo on the book cover. I'm always explaining to the label that it's a book not a movie, so it can remove itself from the book as the book is always better. There is also another cover for The Night Circus, which I have. It actually combines the two covers from the UK and US versions. The cover is the UK version mainly, but the people are further apart and in the middle of them is a circular cut out to the first page of the book which has the US cover picture on it. So when you have the book closed the face of the "doll" peers through the hole in the front cover between the man and woman.
Watching this and the US cover of Circe looks too much like my ancient greek textbook for me to think of it as a gorgeous cover
this collab made my day 🥰💖
THIS DUO IS EVERYTHING
I'm literally watching this on the train 😂 should be revising but this is definitely more important 😂😂😂 also UK covers are often better because we don't put as many faces or real people on I don't think which I like... I love the patterned ones the most like the Ariadne cover and the Circe cover
Thank you for this collaboration guys!! I love both of your channels. You're such cool people 💕 My favourite book covers: 1. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo - US 🇺🇸 2. Night. Sleep. Death. The Stars - US 🇺🇸 3. A Little Life - US 🇺🇸 4. People We Meet on Vacation - US 🇺🇸 5. Transcendent Kingdom - UK 🇬🇧 6. Ariadne - UK 🇬🇧 7. They Both Die At The End - US 🇺🇸 8. Luster - UK 🇬🇧 9. Eleanor Oliphant - UK 🇬🇧 10. Crying in H Mart - US 🇺🇸 11. On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous - UK 🇬🇧 12. The Hate U Give - US 🇺🇸 13. Circe - UK 🇬🇧 14. Night Circus - UK 🇬🇧 15. Little Fires Everywhere - US 🇺🇸 16. The Flat Share - US 🇺🇸
Exactly my choices
I prefer the US cover of TSHOEH too. It looks more old Hollywood-the font, the subject’s pose, and color scheme.
YAY!! When I saw Steph's ig post I was surprised, now the collab!!!
I have waitin' for this for like , so long- Loved it!
Okay but someone needs to do this but compare actual book differences. My friend read the UK version of Beach Read and the ending is NOT the same as the US version 😅
what??? how????
@@isastar940 if you Google "Beach Read different endings" there's a Reddit post explaining it!! I don't want to explain here and spoil for someone by accident 😆
I loved the uk cover of little life I mean that spine was soo beautiful But i was intrigued by the US cover as well But i wdnt give up that spine It looks so good on the bookshelf and makes me think about the apartment jude and willem lived in 🥺
i love this duo so much
The exception for "A Little Life" with a face on the cover is so true! This cover is iconic!