diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/library/views.py b/src/calibre/gui2/library/views.py
index cf028d3f12..7552257919 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/library/views.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/library/views.py
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ class BooksView(QTableView):  # {{{
 
     def __init__(self, parent, modelcls=BooksModel, use_edit_metadata_dialog=True):
         QTableView.__init__(self, parent)
-        self.setProperty('highlight_current_item', 140)
+        self.setProperty('highlight_current_item', 150)
         self.row_sizing_done = False
 
         if not tweaks['horizontal_scrolling_per_column']:
diff --git a/src/qtcurve/style/qtcurve.cpp b/src/qtcurve/style/qtcurve.cpp
index ca88a4c054..276e339e62 100644
--- a/src/qtcurve/style/qtcurve.cpp
+++ b/src/qtcurve/style/qtcurve.cpp
@@ -5250,8 +5250,13 @@ void Style::drawPrimitive(PrimitiveElement element, const QStyleOption *option,
                 QColor color(hasCustomBackground && hasSolidBackground
                                 ? v4Opt->backgroundBrush.color()
                                 : palette.color(cg, QPalette::Highlight));
-                if (state & State_HasFocus && widget && widget->property("highlight_current_item").toBool())
-                    color = color.darker(widget->property("highlight_current_item").toInt()); // Added by Kovid to highlight the current cell in the book list
+                if (state & State_HasFocus && widget && widget->property("highlight_current_item").toBool()) {
+                    // Added by Kovid to highlight the current cell in the book list
+                    if (color.lightness() > 128)
+                        color = color.darker(widget->property("highlight_current_item").toInt());
+                    else
+                        color = color.lighter();
+                }
                 
                 bool   square((opts.square&SQUARE_LISTVIEW_SELECTION) &&
                               (/*(!widget && r.height()<=40 && r.width()>=48) || */