Book covers are supposed to grab attention, hint at the story inside, and give a taste of the author’s vision. Some succeed with flair, some intrigue, and some… well, some are so baffling you wonder how they even made it to print. In this countdown, we’re exploring five of the most spectacularly misguided designs in recent memory. From a Gatsby who looks more ready for a bench press than a ballroom, to a series of pandemic-era novels that somehow turned viruses into steamy adventures, these covers are guaranteed to make you laugh, cringe, and maybe question the very concept of “design.”
 

5. The Great Gatsby

Yes, you read that right. This 2013 edition of The Great Gatsby makes Jay Gatsby look less like a mysterious, romantic millionaire and more like a gym bro. Fitzgerald’s world of jazz, glamour, and intrigue? Gone. Instead, readers are left wondering if they accidentally picked up a gym manual. The poorly chosen illustration, awkward posture, and lack of elegance make it clear someone completely misunderstood the novel’s essence. Readers might expect a chapter on deadlifts rather than decadence.

4. Graphic Design Basics

A cover that doubles as a warning label. The chaotic typography and clashing colors illustrate exactly what happens when you ignore the fundamentals of design. Or maybe it’s a masterstroke, sneakily showing what happens if you skip “Graphic Design Basics.” The fonts scream confusion, the layout is a visual assault, and even color-blind readers would struggle to figure out what’s going on. It’s a cover that teaches the lesson it promises, whether intentionally or not.

3. Who Is Pope Francis?

Look at this cover for more than three seconds and you’ll only reach one logical conclusion: the designer is probably an atheist. The cartoonish illustration is awkward, the text placement is baffling, and somehow, the cover manages to make the pope look… uninspiring. Here, the design works against the subject rather than with it.

2. Kissing the Coronavirus

If you thought the pandemic was stressful, imagine seeing this cover. Pandemic-era creativity reaches new heights of absurdity here. Just when you think it can’t get worse, they release a second, then a third, and even a fourth volume, each with designs just as horrifying. CBR called the book “a master work of bad erotica.” Thanks to vaccines, we luckily avoided the continuation of this stimulated-virus franchise. From the over-the-top photos to the overly literal concept, the cover is a masterclass in “how not to visually market a serious topic.”

1. Ten Things Doctors Won’t Tell You About Your CPAP Machine

Finally, a reminder that practical books still need practical design. This cover is a lesson in why hiring a professional designer… let’s correct ourselves, why hiring “a” designer matters. There wasn’t a designer involved here at all, and it shows: the fonts, spacing, and imagery are all chaotic, leaving the reader questioning whether the content can be trusted. Even a basic design approach would have made this far more readable, and far less horrifying.