The Casual Optimist

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[casualoptimist]

Cover Designs for a Series of Highbrow Literary Novels

I’m sure Tom Gauld‘s latest cartoon for The Guardian will resonate with a few folks around here… I liked Tom’s recent New Yorker cover too…

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[casualoptimist]

Sergio García Sánchez and Lola Moral’s “The Secret Life of Books” for The New Yorker

Sergio García Sánchez and Lola Moral’s “The Secret Life of Books”

[casualoptimist]

Here are this month's book covers of note!

Book Covers of Note, May 2026

[casualoptimist]

The Librarians by Tom Gauld

It’s Friday so I’m posting comics… Tom Gauld for The Guardian.

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[casualoptimist]

Distracted

Jean Jullien.

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[casualoptimist]

New Books

Peanuts, originally published on November 3, 1998.⁠ (via the Schulz Museum)

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[casualoptimist]

Here's this month cover round-up to peruse at your leisure...

Book Covers of Note, April 2026

[casualoptimist]

Here are some new and recent book covers that caught my eye this month!

Book Covers of Note, March 2026

[casualoptimist]

Here are this month's book covers of note!

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[casualoptimist]

Here are this month's book covers of note!

Book Covers of Note, January 2026

[casualoptimist]

A little later than planned, but here's my look back at some of the young adult book covers from last year...

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[casualoptimist]

Luci Gutiérrez's “Inside Story”

The cover of the New Yorker ‘s recent Cartoons & Puzzles issue by Luci Gutiérrez feels like an appropriate post to end the year on as I’ve basically been doing anything but work for the last couple of weeks. Hopefully I will have a YA covers post for you in the next couple of weeks, but until then, Happy New Year!

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[casualoptimist]

Here it is! My list of the notable book covers (and trends) of 2025...

Notable Book Covers of 2025

[casualoptimist]

Here are this month's book covers of note...

Book Covers of Note, October 2025

[casualoptimist]

Physics for Cats: Science Cartoons by Tom Gauld

Tom Gauld has a new collection of his science-based cartoons for the New Scientist, Physics for Cats, out this week. Tom talked to the New York Times about the previous collection, Department of Mind-Blowing Theories, in 2020.

Physics for Cats: Science Cartoons by Tom Gauld

[casualoptimist]

A new picture book for spooky season

Slightly Spooky Tale of Fox and Mole by Cecilia Heikkilä

[casualoptimist]

Here are this month's book cover of note

Book Covers of Note, September 2025