The Casual Optimist
@casualoptimist.bsky.social
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www.casualoptimist.com
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The Casual Optimist
Present & Correct
16 minutes ago
Guidelines for US Highway Graphics, over 900 pages with so many neat diagrams, signs etc.
mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/pdfs/2009r1r...
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The Casual Optimist
Sara Hinkley
about 4 hours ago
totally, fatally obsessed with this gorgeous cover design by Julia Lloyd at
@titanbooks.bsky.social
for my debut novel THE RED SACRAMENT! Ahhh!!!
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I am very late to this, but given the title I feel almost obligated to post it given the title! Cover art by Cristina Bencina...
2 days ago
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The Casual Optimist
Christchurch City Libraries NgÄ Kete WÄnanga o Ćtautahi
6 days ago
Kia ora! I've unleashed my fave NZ book covers of 2025. My top pick is Sick Power Trip by
@erikkennedy.com
Published by
@thwupbooks.bsky.social
Designed by
@toddatticus.bsky.social
Todd talks about the making of the cover:
my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/blogs/post/b...
^DR
#booksky
#pukapuka
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End of year lists are hard.
5 days ago
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More publishers should do this!
add a skeleton here at some point
6 days ago
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And here are Lit Hub's November cover picks:
lithub.com/the-15-best-...
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The 16 Best Book Covers of November
Another month of books, another month of book covers. This will be my last roundup of the year, as December will be occupied by our annual Big List of the best covers of the year as chosen by the dâŠ
https://lithub.com/the-15-best-book-covers-of-november-2/
7 days ago
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Here are SPINE's November book cover picks!
spinemagazine.co/book-covers-...
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SPINE-November Book Covers We Love!
Welcome to Novemberâs Book Covers We Love! The full list is comprised of a selection of covers reviewed by a panel including Co-Founder of Chapman & Wilder, Cherie Chapman ; Freelance Designer M...
https://spinemagazine.co/book-covers-we-love/26112025
7 days ago
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Monocle on 3 independent publishers with distinctive cover designs
monocle.com/culture/char...
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Three independent publishers getting book design just right - Monocle
These bookmakers have caught our eye with their distinctive designs and unique offerings hidden between covers.
https://monocle.com/culture/charco-press-wetlands-poursuite-editions/
15 days ago
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reposted by
The Casual Optimist
Sarah Archer
19 days ago
Get in losers we're ruining the workplace. Poster designed by Lois Ehlert for Manpower Temporary Services, 1979, in the collection of
@cooperhewitt.org.web.brid.gy
.
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Spine add to their university press coverage this year with 25 additional covers from 2025...
spinemagazine.co/articles/uni...
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SPINE-University Press Week 2025: Special Coverage
The Uni Press round-up is back! We welcome you to our ongoing feature, now penned by designer and photographer Giles Hoover , in which we periodically highlight a selection of recent university press...
https://spinemagazine.co/articles/university-press-week-2025-special-coverage
23 days ago
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The Casual Optimist
The New Yorker
29 days ago
A sneak peek at the cover of next weekâs issue, which celebrates Zohran Mamdaniâs historic win.
#NewYorkerCovers
https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/451hFM
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The Casual Optimist
Erik Carter
4 months ago
I wrote a book about graphic design
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Dick Cheney Shot Me in the Face and Other Tales of Men in Pain by Timothy OâLeary; design by David A. Gee (Unsolicited Press / February 2017)
29 days ago
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âI donât like things looking too sharp. I donât really know how to use Photoshopâ
www.itsnicethat.com/features/vas...
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Vasilis Marmatakis on the strangely traditional ways he creates Yorgos Lanthimosâ film posters
What goes into the poster and title design for films steeped in human anxieties and fever dreams? For the Greek graphic designer, itâs all worked out through water play, thousands of images mutilated ...
https://www.itsnicethat.com/features/vasilis-marmatakis-spotlight-graphic-design-201025
about 1 month ago
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Sheep...
lithub.com/whats-with-a...
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Whatâs With All the Sheep on Book Covers?
Think back to the last time you saw a sheep. Where were youâsome grassy rolling hills? A dusty petting zoo? Or was it, maybe, in a bookstore? Maybe in the new releases, on the cover of Midnight TimâŠ
https://lithub.com/whats-with-all-the-sheep-on-book-covers/
about 1 month ago
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reposted by
The Casual Optimist
Present & Correct
about 1 month ago
From 1973, Ed Emberleyâs Little Drawing Book of Weirdos.
www.presentandcorrect.com/blogs/blog/e...
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I missed
@gray318.bsky.social
's cover design (photo by Inez & Vinoodh) for Dead and Alive by Zadie Smith in October's round-up, and it's a reminder that I miss a lot of covers every month. If I've overlooked some of the work you're proud of this year, drop me a note!
about 1 month ago
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And here are Lit Hub's cover picks for October...
lithub.com/the-11-best-...
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The 11 Best Book Covers of October
Another month of books, another month of book covers: October was big, bold, and weird as all get out. I also threw in a couple of covers that I forgot in September but just couldnât let go oâŠ
https://lithub.com/the-11-best-book-covers-of-october-2/
about 1 month ago
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There are some nice selections in Spine's Book Covers We Love post this month..
spinemagazine.co/book-covers-...
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SPINE-October Book Covers We Love!
Welcome to Octoberâs Book Covers We Love! The full list is comprised of a selection of covers reviewed by a panel including Co-Founder of Chapman & Wilder, Cherie Chapman ; Author of the novels ...
https://spinemagazine.co/book-covers-we-love/29102025
about 1 month ago
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Here are this month's book covers of note...
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Book Covers of Note, October 2025
Hey, I hope you're keeping safe and well wherever you are. Here are my latest book covers of note... Big Kiss, Bye-Bye by Claire-Louise Bennett; design by Stephanie Ross; cover art by Maria GuimarĂŁes The Bridegroom Was a Dog by Yoko Tawada; cover illustration by David Plunkert (New Directions / November 2025) Casanova 20 by Davey Davis; design by…
https://www.casualoptimist.com/blog/2025/10/28/book-covers-of-note-october-2025/
about 1 month ago
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reposted by
The Casual Optimist
gray318
about 1 month ago
Opens tomorrow!
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reposted by
The Casual Optimist
Daniel Benneworth-Gray
about 1 month ago
Recent bits and bobs
danielgray.com
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The Casual Optimist
The New Yorker
about 1 month ago
The cover of this weekâs Money Issue, âMarket Shift,â by Christoph Niemann. Start exploring:
https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/9pBcAS
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The Casual Optimist
Steve Leard
about 2 months ago
NEWS! Plymouth Design Forum has launched a YouTube channel featuring interviews with its guest speakers. I got to sit in on one of these when the brilliant David Pearson visited back in 2023. You can watch it here:
youtu.be/06ssiY5z9bY?...
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David Pearson On His Journey In Book Cover Design
YouTube video by The Green Room
https://youtu.be/06ssiY5z9bY?si=mZyOXIWYMqqggLYm
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There were some good book covers in 2020 (a tough year though reading this post back)
www.casualoptimist.com/blog/2020/12...
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Notable Book Covers of 2020
I didnât blog much this year. It felt strange to be posting about something as trivial as book covers during a deadly pandemic. 2020 has been a tough year. I feel lucky that my family are safâŠ
https://www.casualoptimist.com/blog/2020/12/18/notable-book-covers-of-2020/
about 2 months ago
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reposted by
The Casual Optimist
Tom Gauld
about 2 months ago
It's PHYSICS FOR CATS publication day!! Luna has her copy: do you?
www.tomgauld.com/comic-books-v2
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LĂĄszlĂł Krasznahorkai covers by the Office of Paul Sahre for
@ndbooks.bsky.social
about 2 months ago
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Physics for Cats: Science Cartoons by Tom Gauld Tom Gauld has a new collection of his science-based cartoons for the New Scientist, Physics for Cats, out this week. Tom talked to the New York Times about the previous collection, Department of Mind-Blowing Theories, in 2020.
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Physics for Cats: Science Cartoons by Tom Gauld
Tom Gauld has a new collection of his science-based cartoons for the New Scientist, Physics for Cats, out this week. Tom talked to the New York Times about the previous collection, Department of Mind-Blowing Theories, in 2020.
https://www.casualoptimist.com/blog/2025/10/08/physics-for-cats-science-cartoons-by-tom-gauld/
about 2 months ago
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A new picture book for spooky season
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Slightly Spooky Tale of Fox and Mole by Cecilia HeikkilÀ
I don't post a lot of picture books here, but seeing how it's spooky season, I thought I would mention The Slightly Spooky Tale of Fox and Mole by Swedish illustrator Cecilia HeikkilÀ, published by Floris Books, which just landed on my desk at work. It's an appropriately autumnal and windswept story about a dark and scuffling monster that emerges from the moor after Mole takes his friendship with his neighbour Fox for granted.
https://www.casualoptimist.com/blog/2025/10/07/slightly-spooky-tale-of-fox-and-mole-by-cecilia-heikkila/
about 2 months ago
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reposted by
The Casual Optimist
Henry Sene Yee
2 months ago
THE TRAGEDY OF TRUE CRIME: Four Guilty Men and the Stories that Define Us by John J. Lennon / @CeladonBooks -
#coverDesign
by
#HenrySeneYee
; AD: Anne Twomey - â
#outtakes
#killedconcepts
#rejectedcovers
-
#TragedyofTrueCrime
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reposted by
The Casual Optimist
Wendy O'Rourke
2 months ago
When Book Jackets Were Bad, Hawkinsâs Were Good by Steven Heller
www.printmag.com/daily-heller...
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When Book Jackets Were Bad, Hawkins's Were Good â PRINT Magazine
Arthur Hawkins, Jr. (1903-1985) was the longtime toastmaster of New York Art Directors Club galas (he was also the Clubâs president from 1945 to 1946). I saw him in that role for the first time at an ...
https://www.printmag.com/daily-heller/when-book-jackets-were-bad-hawkins-s-were-good/
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The Casual Optimist
Wendy O'Rourke
2 months ago
The Wave by Evelyn Scott (1929) Cover by Arthur Hawkins
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The Casual Optimist
Dan Wagstaff
2 months ago
Here is my late look at some of September's more interesting book covers:
www.casualoptimist.com/blog/2025/09...
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Book Covers of Note, September 2025
Hey. I hope youâre keeping safe and well. Iâm posting this late on the last day of the month, but hopefully it was worth waiting for. I will let you get to the covers posthaste, but befâŠ
https://www.casualoptimist.com/blog/2025/09/30/book-covers-of-note-september-2025/
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Here are this month's book cover of note
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Book Covers of Note, September 2025
Hey. I hope you're keeping safe and well. I'm posting this late on the last day of the month, but hopefully it was worth waiting for. I will let you get to the covers posthaste, but before I go, today (September 30th) is also Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada, so I would like take a moment to acknowledge and remember the survivors of residential schools, their families and the kids who didn't come home.
https://www.casualoptimist.com/blog/2025/09/30/book-covers-of-note-september-2025/
2 months ago
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Here are LitHub's best book covers of September
lithub.com/the-14-best-...
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The 14 Best Book Covers of September
Another month of books, another month of book covers. This month, I noticed a lot of play with both text and texture, fresh collage forms, and two very different ways to use a record as inspirationâŠ
https://lithub.com/the-14-best-book-covers-of-september/
2 months ago
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While you're all patiently waiting for me to finish up this month's post, here's SPINE's September Book Covers We Love
spinemagazine.co/book-covers-...
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SPINE-September Book Covers We Love!
Welcome to Septemberâs Book Covers We Love! The full list is comprised of a selection of covers reviewed by a panel including Co-Founder of Chapman & Wilder, Cherie Chapman ; Freelance Designer ...
https://spinemagazine.co/book-covers-we-love/29092025
2 months ago
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Vintage Classics Julio CortĂĄzar covers by Neasden Control Centre
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Vintage Classics Julio Cortåzar
I like these bright and bold covers by Stephen Smith, AKA Neasden Control Centre, for the new Vintage Classics editions of Julio CortĂĄzar a lot. It feels like an inspired match of illustrator to author. The art direction is by Suzanne Dean of course. You will have to wait for the hardcover of Divertimento (translated into English for the first time by Harry Morales) because it doesn't go on sale until May 2026, but the paperback reissues came out last month in the UK.
https://www.casualoptimist.com/blog/2025/09/24/vintage-classics-julio-cortazar/
2 months ago
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reposted by
The Casual Optimist
Gaijin Rando
3 months ago
Polish poster for SOLARIS (1972), directed by Andrei Tarkovsky and based on the 1961 novel of the same name by Stanislaw Lem - BOTD in 1921
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reposted by
The Casual Optimist
Pablo Delcan
3 months ago
It's almost here. The Prompt-Brush 1.0 book ships next week. After more than 1700 drawings, it's finally about to land in readers' hands. If you'd like to be among the first, pre-orders are open now â and they make a huge ditterence. Prompt-brush.com
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ICYMI last week, here's the most recent book covers of note post:
www.casualoptimist.com/blog/2025/08...
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Book Covers of Note, August 2025
Hey. Here are this monthâs book covers of note. Archipelago by Natalie Bakopoulos; design by Beth Steidle (Tin House Books / August 2025) I really had to wrack my brain to think of what this âŠ
https://www.casualoptimist.com/blog/2025/08/28/book-covers-of-note-august-2025/
3 months ago
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And and and, you can find my picks here if you missed them yesterday...
www.casualoptimist.com/blog/2025/08...
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Book Covers of Note, August 2025
Hey. Here are this monthâs book covers of note. Archipelago by Natalie Bakopoulos; design by Beth Steidle (Tin House Books / August 2025) I really had to wrack my brain to think of what this âŠ
https://www.casualoptimist.com/blog/2025/08/28/book-covers-of-note-august-2025/
3 months ago
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And and, Zach Petit's picks for PRINT:
www.printmag.com/book-covers/...
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23 of the Best Book Covers of August 2025 â PRINT Magazine
Designer Eli Mock details his work on âOpen Wideââand the rest of our favorite book cover finds from August.
https://www.printmag.com/book-covers/23-of-the-best-book-covers-of-august-2025/
3 months ago
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And Lit Hub's...
lithub.com/the-14-best-...
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The 14 Best Book Covers of August
Another month of books, another month of book covers. Augustâs covers were all about paintings, paintings, paintings. And attendant text treatments! Plus some other fun stuff. Here are my favâŠ
https://lithub.com/the-14-best-book-covers-of-august/
3 months ago
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Here are SPINE's August picks...
spinemagazine.co/book-covers-...
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SPINE-August Book Covers We Love!
Welcome to Augustâs Book Covers We Love! The full list is comprised of a selection of covers reviewed by a panel including Co-Founder of Chapman & Wilder, Cherie Chapman ; Freelance Designer Lui...
https://spinemagazine.co/book-covers-we-love/29082025
3 months ago
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Here are this month's book cover selections!
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Book Covers of Note, August 2025
Hey. Here are this month's book covers of note. Archipelago by Natalie Bakopoulos; design by Beth Steidle (Tin House Books / August 2025) I really had to wrack my brain to think of what this reminded me of. It was this Jaya Miceli cover for Archetype by M.D. Waters from June 2014!
https://www.casualoptimist.com/blog/2025/08/28/book-covers-of-note-august-2025/
3 months ago
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Still looking at old posts, these Cynan Jones covers designed by Jenny Grigg for Granta are great...
www.casualoptimist.com/blog/2016/09...
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Cynan Jones Covers by Jenny Grigg
Iâm a little late to work of Welsh novelist Cynan Jones, but I recently finished reading his award-winning 2014 novel The Dig, and itâs not hard to see what all the fuss is about. The wâŠ
https://www.casualoptimist.com/blog/2016/09/23/cynan-jones-covers-by-jenny-grigg/
3 months ago
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April 2017 was also a good month for book covers!
www.casualoptimist.com/blog/2017/04...
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Book Covers of Note April 2017
This edition of âbook covers of noteâ is brought to you entirely by Gray318 who designed the covers of all the books published this month. OK, thatâs an exaggeration, but JonâŠ
https://www.casualoptimist.com/blog/2017/04/12/book-covers-of-note-april-2017/
3 months ago
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Apropos nothing, I was just looking at some old posts and there were some fantastic book covers back in November 2018!
www.casualoptimist.com/blog/2018/11...
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Book Covers of Note November 2018
This is my last monthly round-up for 2018. Next month Iâll post my round-up for the year. I have to confess that I have not given the blog 100% of my attention of late, so if you think that tâŠ
https://www.casualoptimist.com/blog/2018/11/04/book-covers-of-note-november-2018/
3 months ago
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reposted by
The Casual Optimist
kottke.org
3 months ago
Artist Amy Sherald: Censorship Has Taken Hold at the Smithsonian. I Refused to Play Along. âHistory shows us what happens when governments demand that museums perform loyalty. Nazi Germany weaponized them. So did the Soviet Union.â
[msnbc.com]
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Opinion | Why I refused to let the Smithsonian show my work
History shows us what happens when governments demand that museums perform loyalty.
https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/amy-sherald-american-sublime-smithsonian-trump-rcna225362
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