The Bag of Gold
Someone asked if I would post a photo of the bag I bought in the Zurich Airport. Here it is, in all its splendor..
And here, unrelated to the bag, is a photo I've just received of a new paperback jacket for MESSENGER. Many of you know that each of the books of the trilogy, in paperback, has two very different covers: the first, as I recall, green, then blue, and now this one in red/orange..and each showing a pair of hands. The reason is that these "other" versions are intended to be sold in the "adult" sections of bookstores. The text, of course, is exactly the same.
I like the bag!
It's crazy to me to think that all it takes is a change of a cover photo to get an adult to read books. But, ya know, whatever it takes.
The Messenger cover reminds me a lot of the other cover of The Giver- the one with the hands. Was that intentional?
Posted by: sandi | January 27, 2008 at 09:27 AM
Yes, I think I didn't describe the cover situation very well in my post. THE GIVER has its original cover, with the old man; it also has a green cover with hands holding a snowflake. GATHERING BLUE has a similiar cover, with hands, and a blue background,. Now this is the alternative (with hands) cover for MESSENGER.
Posted by: Lois Lowry | January 27, 2008 at 01:26 PM
Hi Lois,
I'm a student at Pacific Lutheran University in Washington, and read both "Gathering Blue" and "Messenger" for the first time last night. I just wanted to tell you that both books moved and inspired me greatly, and I look forward to reading more of your books.
As for the cover, I really like the new orange/red cover for "Messenger". Any chance of a 4th book to follow "Messenger"?
Posted by: Belinda Ho | January 27, 2008 at 04:00 PM
Oh, if it makes you feel any better, that bag is much nicer than the one I pictured when you first wrote about it. But seeing as I hate to spend more than about $20 on anything it still seems a little steep! Maybe it will last for years and years.
I also like the new cover. I know your books don't lend themselves to this, but at least they didn't give them pink and flowery make-overs as they seem to be doing with many reissues these days. "Put pink flowers on them and the women will read!" Ugh. I wonder how the authors feel?
Posted by: Kelsey | January 28, 2008 at 07:39 AM
Hey LL,
That looks like a Tumi bag to me! Those retail for around $175+ on ebags: http://www.ebags.com/products/index.cfm?modelid=41681&sourceID=NXTAG00001&.
Maybe that will make you feel a little bit better ;)
Posted by: Kate | January 28, 2008 at 01:59 PM