As far as ecstatic experiences go, I’ve more profoundly been effected by books. Admittedly, Ad Reinhardt’s black paintings have gotten me pretty close. Some Duchamp too. But there’s nothing more moving than a very well-composed prosaic sentence, a riveting narrative, right? That’s the stuff that can change lives. So why shouldn’t a really great book be covered with art that is similarly great? 

The Book Cover Archive was conceived of by Ben Pieratt and Eric Jacobsen, a project that hopes to archive and document awesome cover work, featuring a number of big-name designers like Milan Bozic and Barbara deWilde. Plus, if you want to get really nerdy, the site offers design specifics such as typeface (even though I know you’re an old pro at spotting it) and publication date. Buhhhh, plus you can randomize it just to chill.

Ughhhh, book porn. 

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…Jessica Carroll is the Toronto Standard’s “Best Thing on the Internet Today” columnist. Follow her on Twitter at @jssckr.

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