A review by maycho
The Clothing of Books by Jhumpa Lahiri

3.0

What in Italian is called a sovraccoperta (literally, “overcover”) is also called, in English, a jacket. A jacket made to measure, conceived and created specifically to cover and package a hardcover book. It should fit like a glove. And yet, in my opinion, most of my book jackets don’t fit me, which is why I sometimes think, as a writer too, that a uniform would be the answer.

Loved this think-piece about the purpose and function of book jackets. Personally have no strong opinions about book covers & book jackets — for the sole fact that my consumption of books has been 80% digital over the last (many) years, a point Lahiri considers in this essay — but it's fascinating to ponder about it from the perspective of an author.

(Also, this was a great reminder to myself that writing is such a meditative way to work out those pervasive questions and answers!! May pick up more essays this year!)