None of these covers are explicit medical diagrams or anatomical closeups. They’re all works of art, either in the form of outlining the shape of the reproductive system in flowers or hand gestures, or in subtle allusions using shapes like buttonholes or flowers. They’re nuanced reimaginings of those medical diagrams. Turning vulvas into art is nothing new — hello, Georgia O’Keeffe and her giant, in-dept flower portraits — but it’s always a delight to let your eyes relax to see a hidden meaning, or to focus in on details that are like blaring neon signs saying, “Yep, it’s a vagina!” It’s no surprise that books with vulvas on the cover tend to be in a similar tone. Medical memoirs about female health, microhistories, feminist calls to action for menstrual justice, and novels about shameful or shameless sex are the norm here. Basically, if I see a vulva on a book cover, I’m going to pick it up. Here are eight of the best ones I’ve come across. Want more subversive cover designs? Don’t miss this list of sexy fruits on book covers, sorted in rainbow order for your viewing pleasure. Design by Pete Garceau Design by Simon Avery Design by Krista Vossen, illustration by Rebecca Elfast Design and illustration by Lauren Harms Design by Laywan Kwan But you have to admit that’s a clever and enticing cover. Design by Jon Gray Cover design and illustration by Jonathan Bush Design and illustration by Kelsey Dake
