A Pretty Piece Of Reading...

They say it's bad to judge a book by it's cover, but in this case I encourage you to do so!

I recently came across a collection of classic novels which Penguin has breathed new life into with a stunning set of freshly and contemporary covers. Acclaimed designer Coralie Bickford-Smith has created a range of book jackets which are sure to make even those with limited reading enthusiasm heading down to their nearest Borders.

"The challenge is to entice a new audience to the literature and also to not alienate die-hard fans," says Bickford-Smith.

The London-based designer chose Victorian-style cloth bindings that feature stamped patterns pointed to each book's content. "I want these books to be cherished like the literature inside." she says.

Whether you're looking for a gift for the person who has everything or simply a beautiful addition to your bookshelf, these collections are hard to beat and I for one have added them to my 'must have' list.