A Cover Spotlight: Celebrating Black Voices

By Tessa Thejas Thomas and Megan Coote

With October marking the beginning of Black History Month, we are excited to spotlight our favourite book covers from 2024 that amplify and celebrate Black voices. 

God Bless You, Otis Spunkmeyer by Joseph Earl Thomas (2024)

God Bless You, Otis Spunkmeyer by Joseph Earl Thomas tells the story of Joseph Thomas as he navigates being a doctoral student and hospital worker in North Philadelphia. During this time, he encounters individuals from his past such as his estranged father serving time in prison. The novel explores complex topics of race, politics, responsibility and fatherhood. 

The cover design of God Bless You, Otis Spunkmeyer utilises colour to the utmost. The bright yellow background compliments the pinks, blues, greens and purples of Joseph’s face. The illustration is painterly and pleasing to the eye. The city buildings merge and morph into his face, creating a sense of connection and suggesting the environment will be an important aspect of the novel. The text is in all black to stand out and make a statement against the colourful background. It is also placed abstractly, adding to the cover design’s uniqueness. God Bless You, Otis Spunkmeyer has an eye-catching and creative cover design, but more importantly, contains a masterful insight into the Black experience in Philadelphia. 

Blessings by Chukwuebuka Ibeh (2024)

Chukwuebuka Ibeh’s debut novel Blessings is a poignant coming-of-age story set in post-military Nigeria. The novel delves into themes of identity, family dynamics, societal expectations and resilience. The narrative begins when Obiefuna’s father witnesses an intimate moment between his teenage son and the family’s apprentice, newly arrived from a nearby village. In response, Obiefuna is banished to a Christian boarding school characterised by strict hierarchy, routine and devastating violence. Alienated from his loved ones, Obiefuna embarks on a journey of self-discovery, while his mother, Uzoamaka, struggles to hold onto her son.

The cover art, created by Nigerian artist Olusegun Tosin Kalejaye, is both impactful and evocative. In a recent interview with The Republic, Kalejaye mentioned that he uses art as “a powerful instrument to articulate his perspectives on contemporary society and the lived experiences of Black individuals.” The cover prominently features a young Black man, representing the protagonist Obiefuna, whose expression is a mix of contemplation and melancholy. This visual suggests a deep, introspective journey, aligning perfectly with the novel’s themes of self-discovery. The seascape in the background which is painted using softer pastel colours creates a serene and contemplative mood, symbolising the inner peace and acceptance that Obiefuna seeks throughout. Overall, Blessings is a beautifully crafted novel that not only tells a compelling story but also provides important representation to the queer Nigerian community. The cover design beautifully complements the narrative, making this debut truly unforgettable.

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams (2024)

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams, the author of instant New York Times bestseller Seven Days In June, is a captivating romance set against the vibrant backdrop of modern Harlem and the Harlem Renaissance, which was a period marked by the celebration of Black art, literature and music. Williams’ novel follows Ricki Wilde, an impulsive and artistic woman from a powerful Atlanta family, who moves to Harlem to pursue her dream of opening a flower shop. In Harlem, Ricki meets jazz musician Ezra Walker, and their lives become intertwined in unexpected ways. 

The novel blends contemporary romance with historical fiction and fantasy, celebrating the rich cultural history of Harlem. The cover design is soft and romantic, featuring two individuals, representing Ricki and Ezra, lying close together with their eyes closed, suggesting an intimate romantic connection and feeling of trust between them. The design places the characters at the centre, making it feel like a snapshot of a shared moment between the main protagonists. The gradient of blue and purple, combined with the soft, intimate imagery, gives it a nostalgic, almost vintage feel, reminiscent of old film photography. This effect evokes a sense of timelessness, fitting for a novel that spans different eras.

River Sing Me Home by Eleanor Shearer

Eleanor Shearer’s River Sing Me Home is a powerful novel inspired by true events. The moving story follows a mother as she embarks on a journey across lands and rivers to find her five children. The children were sold to plantations and now that her people are free, Rachel can only rest once she is reunited with them.

The cover design stays true to the novel's themes: journey, freedom and home. The cover illustration shows a river surrounded by forest. From above, you can spot a small boat that Rachel is travelling in. The different river streams represent the possibilities that a journey such as this can take you on. The birds soar above Rachel, representing the freedom to take any path. These birds appear to be Scarlet Ibises which are found across the Caribbean, where her journey is taking place. The script-like title font adds a personal touch, indicative of the type of story this novel is telling. In Shearer’s words, the book is not about slavery but what comes after it.