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New York Times
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
The Book Cover Trend You're Seeing Everywhere
Like fashion trends, fads in book covers come and go. One year, the backs of women's heads might be all the rage; the next, soft focus photography. And who can forget the exploding flower craze? Or the proliferation of flames on jackets, from thrillers to science fiction to self-help? But the look that's commanding today's runways — a.k.a. bookshelves — is not so incendiary. It tends to lay blaringly bright type in a sans-serif font atop a painting, usually a few centuries old but not always. Facial expressions are baleful or dyspeptic; an aggressive burst of spray paint can change the tone entirely. These covers are the new signifiers of stylish literary fiction, telegraphing gravitas, wit and cool. They make a bid for a certain kind of reader — more city than suburb, more pét-nat than chardonnay. They wouldn't be caught dead alongside a volume decked out in pop art or, god forbid, metallic lettering. Thomas Haggerty, a senior account manager at Bridgeman Images, which licenses paintings for commercial projects, credits the trend to 'the power of juxtaposition.' Gregg Kulick, executive art director at Hachette Book Group, agrees: 'Poppy type' reads as fun, he says, while the paintings 'hint at the academic.' So how did this ripped-from-the galleries craze get off the ground? After all, paintings have graced the covers of novels since 'The Picture of Dorian Gray,' but it appears that 'My Year of Rest and Relaxation' (2019) might be the trailblazer for this century's spate. Here's the story behind that one, plus eight descendants out — or soon to be — this year. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former Biden press secretary says she's no longer a Democrat
WASHINGTON – Karine Jean-Pierre, former White House press secretary for President Joe Biden, has left the Democratic Party to become an independent, she writes in a new book that will be released this fall. In her upcoming book "Independent: A Look Inside a Broken White House, Outside the Party Lines," Jean-Pierre shares "why Americans must step beyond party lines to embrace life as Independents," publisher Hachette Book Group says in a summary of the book released June 4. "Jean-Pierre didn't come to her decision to be an Independent lightly," the teaser for the book adds. "She takes us through the three weeks that led to Biden's abandoning his bid for a second term and the betrayal by the Democratic Party that led to his decision." More: Joe Biden 'optimistic' about treatment plan for Stage 4 prostate cancer Jean-Pierre's "Independent" is set to be released Oct. 21. It will add to the growing list of books on the Biden presidency written by White House reporters, including the recently released "Original Sin" by Jake Tapper of CNN and Alex Thompson of Axios that explores Biden's decline and initial decision to run for president in 2024. Jean-Pierre, who replaced Jen Psaki as Biden's press secretary, held the position from May 2022 to the end of Biden's term in January 2025. She was the first Black woman and first openly LGBTQ+ person to hold the high-profile position. More: Bill Clinton defends Biden on health reports: 'I never saw him that way' As Biden's top spokesperson, Jean-Pierre played a leading role in defending the former president's fitness after Biden struggled to complete coherent thoughts during a disastrous debate against Donald Trump on June 27, 2024. Biden dropped out of the 2024 election one month later amid pressure from top Democrats. "He is as sharp as ever, as I have known him to be," Jean-Pierre said during a July 3, 2024 briefing with reporters. A veteran of Democratic politics, Jean-Pierre worked as chief public affairs officer for and as an NBC and MSNBC political analyst before joining the White House. She was regional political director for the White House Office of Political Affairs during the Obama-Biden administration and deputy battleground states director for President Barack Obama's 2012 reelection campaign. In her book, Jean-Pierre "urges all Americans to vote their values and maintain individuality within party lines," according to the publisher's description, and "defines what it means to be part of the growing percentage of our fractured electorate that is Independent. "As a history maker, veteran public servant, political analyst and independent thinker, she urges Americans to think outside of the blue-and-red box as we consider what's next to save our democracy, the book summary says. Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Karine Jean-Pierre leaves Democratic Party to become an independent
Sky News AU
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Ex-White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre claims she's no longer a Democrat while hyping memoir of ‘broken' Biden admin
Joe Biden's longtime White House press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, announced Wednesday she has left the Democratic Party and is writing a tell-all book about the 'broken' administration she served. Jean-Pierre, 50, worked as Biden's top spokeswoman for two years and eight months and stunned fellow White House alums by announcing her book 'Independent: A Look Inside a Broken White House, Outside the Party Lines,' due out on Oct. 21. 'Jean-Pierre didn't come to her decision to be an Independent lightly,' Hachette Book Group said in a promotional release, which hints that the former Biden spokesperson may focus her ire on figures aside from the 46th president in her account. 'She has served two American presidents, [Barack] Obama and Biden … She takes us through the three weeks that led to Biden's abandoning his bid for a second term and the betrayal by the Democratic Party that led to his decision,' the tease goes. 'In a hard-hitting yet hopeful critique, Jean-Pierre defines what it means to be part of the growing percentage of our fractured electorate that is Independent, why it can be worthwhile to carve a political space more loyal to personal beliefs than a party affiliation, and what questions you need to ask yourself to determine where you fit politically.' A prominent Democratic source fired back at The Post: 'What her publisher means to tell readers is that she is INCOMPETENT, not independent. Just incompetent. But we don't need to read about it— we watched it.' 'Put this 'bombshell' at the top of the Trump book-burn pile. Right next to Jake Tapper's own toothless tome,' the source added. Another top Democrat exclaimed, 'I can't look away' when asked for their reaction to the forthcoming work. One ex-official who worked with Jean-Pierre said that the press secretary's former colleagues had been 'cackling in chats all day' and that they believe the pivot can be explained by 'money.' 'It's just very confusing for the person who was the face of an entire Democratic administration to then leave the Democrats as a whole,' the source said. 'The book by its cover looks to be negative about Biden. We all assumed they were on good terms. I am frustrated with the Dems but I'm not going to leave them when they're down. That's weak.' Jean-Pierre teased her tome in an Instagram video post Wednesday, saying: 'I think we need to stop thinking in boxes and think outside of our boxes, and not be so partisan … this book 'Independent', it's about looking outside of boxes, not just always being in a partisan stance.' The press secretary's tenure was marked by unflinching defenses of Biden's mental acuity and performance. At one 2022 briefing, she claimed — to the incredulity of the press corps — that the president called out the name of the late Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) during an event because the deceased lawmaker was 'top of mind.' In July, she insisted the president was 'sharp as ever,' despite repeated evidence to the contrary. Biden, in turn, stood by Jean-Pierre — the first non-white and openly gay White House press secretary — amid sustained criticism from West Wing detractors and rivals who viewed her as ineloquent and often unprepared to brief reporters. In late 2023, Jean-Pierre survived a push to coax her to leave by then-White House communications chief Antia Dunn, who claimed she had the support of Chief of Staff Jeff Zients to nudge Jean-Pierre out the door. Although Jean-Pierre was known for her friendly demeanor with reporters, fellow Biden aides said she offered a less-than-compelling defense of the aging president by haltingly reading directly from a binder during Q&As. 'She doesn't have a grasp of the issues and doesn't spend the time to learn,' an insider explained at the time of Dunn's attempted coup. Dunn, previously viewed as a strategic genius among Democrats, ended up leaving the White House before Jean-Pierre in the aftermath of Biden's dismal June 27 debate against President Trump, as Democrats mutinied and forced the commander in chief to relinquish the party's nomination for another term. Jean-Pierre ended her tenure as press secretary in January with an emotional farewell briefing that outraged fellow White House aides because she refused to allow National Security Council spokesman John Kirby to share the stage to discuss a just-announced hostage release deal with Hamas. 'She basically said it was her goodbye party,' one source said of the final briefing. 'She kinda marketed it as a celebration of her and her tenure, and unfortunately, that took precedence over huge breaking news — and we haven't had this kind of news in this administration for a long time.' Originally published as Ex-White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre claims she's no longer a Democrat while hyping memoir of 'broken' Biden admin
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre leaves Democratic Party, claims ‘betrayal' in new book
Former White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre is leaving the Democratic Party and promoting a new book expected to offer insight into her time serving under President Joe Biden. 'Independent,' Jean-Pierre's upcoming tome, vows to deliver a hard-hitting analysis of 'America's broken two-party system,' while urging readers to 'embrace life as Independents,' the Hachette Book Group announced Wednesday. A description of 'Independent' indicates Jean-Pierre elected to leave the Democratic Party — a decision she didn't take 'lightly' — after Biden dropped out of the presidential election and Trump returned to office. 'She takes us through the three weeks that led to Biden's abandoning his bid for a second term and the betrayal by the Democratic Party that led to his decision,' according to the publisher. Jean-Pierre is one of many associates who was close to the former president when whispers of his cognitive decline came to a head during a June 2024 debate in which the Democrat struggled to make sense. Biden left the race in July, with supporters and critics wondering if his inner circle had experienced similar lapses. Jean-Pierre posted a video on Instagram on Wednesday promoting her book. 'This book, 'Independent,' is about looking outside of boxes, not just always being in a partisan stance,' said the 50-year-old from Queens. Jean-Pierre was the first Black woman and openly LGBTQ person to serve as White House press secretary. She assumed the position after Jen Psaki left the Biden administration in 2022 for a high-profile gig with MSNBC. Prior to working with Biden, Jean-Pierre worked on both of President Barack Obama's winning campaigns and served as chief of staff for Kamala Harris during her vice presidential run. Her book will be released Oct. 21. _____
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre leaves Democratic Party, claims ‘betrayal' in new book
Former White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre is leaving the Democratic Party and promoting a new book expected to offer insight into her time serving under President Joe Biden. 'Independent,' Jean-Pierre's upcoming tome, vows to deliver a hard-hitting analysis of 'America's broken two-party system,' while urging readers to 'embrace life as Independents,' the Hachette Book Group announced Wednesday. A description of 'Independent' indicates Jean-Pierre elected to leave the Democratic Party — a decision she didn't take 'lightly' — after Biden dropped out of the presidential election and Trump returned to office. 'She takes us through the three weeks that led to Biden's abandoning his bid for a second term and the betrayal by the Democratic Party that led to his decision,' according to the publisher. Jean-Pierre is one of many associates who was close to the former president when whispers of his cognitive decline came to a head during a June 2024 debate in which the Democrat struggled to make sense. Biden left the race in July, with supporters and critics wondering if his inner circle had experienced similar lapses. Jean-Pierre posted a video on Instagram on Wednesday promoting her book. 'This book, 'Independent,' is about looking outside of boxes, not just always being in a partisan stance,' said the 50-year-old from Queens. Jean-Pierre was the first Black woman and openly LGBTQ person to serve as White House press secretary. She assumed the position after Jen Psaki left the Biden administration in 2022 for a high-profile gig with MSNBC. Prior to working with Biden, Jean-Pierre worked on both of President Barack Obama's winning campaigns and served as chief of staff for Kamala Harris during her vice presidential run. Her book will be released Oct. 21.
