Week 2: Dream Scheme

Hey Bracketeer,

We Have a Winner

Week 2 is complete, and Little Bosses Everywhere by Bridget Read (Crown, 5/6/25) has risen to top associate—overseeing it with a clipboard, a contract, and the promise of a free vacay to Tahiti if you sell just ten more Tupperwares.

A scheme of many, a victory for one.

Congrats!

Thank you to everyone who voted. We’re building something weird and beautiful together.

Bracket update

The Week 2 champion has joined the bracket’s growing pantheon. And speaking of progress—BookJacketBracket.com is here!

If anything ever looks off on your device—or if voting feels glitchy—please let me know. It’s tough to test every screen, but with your help, we can get close to perfection (or a pleasing illusion of it).

Week 3: Uncompromising Positions

This week’s contenders include:

• The Woman Dies by Aoko Matsuda (Europa Editions, 9/2/25): A collection of feminist tales from Japan that blend humor, surrealism, and sharp societal critique. Matsuda's stories tackle subjects like sexism and the normalization of violence against women with inventiveness and quirky humor, keeping readers on the thrilling cusp between seriousness and levity.
• Juliet the Maniac by Juliet Escoria (Melville House, 4/9/24): A darkly funny and unromantic look at the underbelly of coming-of-age and its brutal trials. Escoria's novel offers a raw, heartfelt portrayal of a teenager's clash with mental illness and her battle toward understanding and recovery.
• My Clavicle: And Other Massive Misalignments by Marta Sanz (Unnamed Press, 7/29/25): A masterpiece of autofiction from one of Spain's most celebrated contemporary voices. This work narrates episodes that fracture like the author's body into a deeply moving series of vignettes—imperfect, obsessive, and often hilarious.
• The Coin by Yasmin Zaher (Catapult, 7/9/24): A bold and unabashed novel about a young Palestinian woman's unraveling as she teaches at a New York City middle school, gets caught up in a scheme reselling Birkin bags, and strives to gain control over her body and mind. Zaher's debut explores themes of statelessness, trauma, fashion, and morality.

Voting is open until Sunday night. Tell yr Uncle Lars!

Please share your covers

Have you seen a stunning book cover recently?

Tap the contact button in the footer and whisper its title. Or tap follow to find me on Bluesky. I’m especially keen on new and upcoming covers from small presses. You never know what might make the bracket.

Thanks again

You’re helping shine a spotlight on unique, strange, and underappreciated book design. I’m grateful. And I hope it’s fun.

Onward to Week 3,

Will Pass
Keeper of the Bracket Flame