Week 3: The Coin Tosses the Rest

Hey Bracketeer,

Sometimes the Coin Wins the Flip

Week 3 has wrapped, and The Coin by Yasmin Zaher (Catapult, 7/9/24) has emerged victorious. This audacious debut follows a wealthy Palestinian woman navigating life in New York City, grappling with identity, obsession, and a scheme reselling Birkin bags. Zaher's narrative delves into themes of statelessness, trauma, and consumerism, offering a bold and poetic exploration of modern existence.

Thank you to everyone who voted. You're keeping this strange dream alive.

Bracket update

The Week 3 winner has advanced along the increasingly colorful bracket growing upon the digital petri dish here at BookJacketBracket.com. It's interactive. It's fun. I may put it on a mug to commemorate the year I lost my mind.

In fact, I've decided to go all-in on this silly internet escapade. The Book Jacket Bracket will have 124 entrants, and will culminate in a pulse-pounding championship that coincides with March Madness 2026, possibly displacing the sport of basketball forever. Or...like...fifteen people will vote. Either way, onward! If you are looking for a man to tilt at windmills, I am your Will.

Week 4: You Can't Fire The Book Jacket Bracket For Showcasing Diversity

(theme title could be shortened [but will not be])

This week’s contenders include:

• The Battle for the Black Mind by Karida L. Brown (Legacy Lit, 5/13/25): A compelling examination of the historical and ongoing struggle for Black intellectual autonomy in America.
• Old School Indian by Aaron John Curtis (Zando - Hillman Grad Books, 5/6/25): A powerful narrative exploring Indigenous identity and the complexities of cultural heritage.
• Restaurant Kid by Rachel Phan (Pegasus Books, 4/1/25): A heartfelt memoir delving into family, belonging, and the immigrant experience through the lens of a childhood spent in a family-run restaurant.
• Whites by Mark Doten (Graywolf Press, 8/19/25): A provocative collection of stories that confronts themes of race, privilege, and societal norms with dark humor and incisive commentary.

Voting is open until Sunday night. Tell yr Aunt Glenda!

Please share your covers

Have you seen a solid book cover recently?

Tap the contact button in the footer and holler its title. I’m especially interested in 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 under-the-radar book design. I’m grateful. And I hope it’s fun.

Onward to Week 4,

Will Pass
Book Jacket Bracket Guy