Bookmarks Subscribers discussion

Sera posted a note about a beautiful book cover (which I agree with!). My question is: how much does the cover of a book influence your reading choices? Do you tend to pick up a book more readily based on the cover? Or is it on the reviews, author, or title regardless of cover appearance?

I definitely am influenced by book covers, not only when shopping in a brick & mortar bookstore, but even browsing online.

Books on the Nightstand did a podcast discussing this topic that was interesting:
http://booksonthenightstand.com/2011/...

Victoria wrote: "I definitely am influenced by book covers, not only when shopping in a brick & mortar bookstore, but even browsing online.

Books on the Nightstand did a podcast discussing this topic that was inte..."

Thanks for the link! I know I can definitely be influenced (for good and bad) by a book cover, too. For some reason, I always expect a good cover to be a good book and bad cover to be a bad book. I know that's not true, but it does draw me that way.

I'm also influenced by the cover of a book. I think it's because if I'm carrying it around, it gives me a good feeling every time I look at it or pick it up to read. Not to be corny or cliche, but probably most people feel this way or we wouldn't have the saying "don't judge a book by it's cover".

The book cover -- even the font used for the title -- matters a lot to me. Unless it's a book that's been recommended by a reading friend I trust, if the cover and/or title don't catch my eye, I rarely even pick up a book to look at it, let alone read it.

Barb wrote: "The book cover -- even the font used for the title -- matters a lot to me. Unless it's a book that's been recommended by a reading friend I trust, if the cover and/or title don't catch my eye, I ra..."

I judge by the cover, too, but then later someone will recommend a book that looks unappealing and I find it really is a good book. I've been trying to slow down and look at the blurb on the inner cover more, but if I find several in a row that don't sound that good, I start judging by cover again.....

LynnB wrote: "I've been trying to slow down and look at the blurb on the inner cover more"

I try to avoid reading the blurb on the inside cover (or back of a paperback). I find that they sometimes give away too much of the story :-) I do read books with less appealing covers, though, if the reviews sound good, or if it comes highly recommended.

I am influenced by covers somewhat; but mostly go by reviews and recommendations. I agree with Barb that the blurbs often give too much away.

I know how much time & effort is put into deciding just what kind of cover will best give the prospective buyer a sense of the story within so I find it very influential in my choice. Of course as was previously noted, if someone with the similar reading tastes to mine suggests a book, then by all means the cover will become secondary.

PookyGurl wrote: "I know how much time & effort is put into deciding just what kind of cover will best give the prospective buyer a sense of the story within so I find it very influential in my choice. Of course as ..."

I've wondered about that. Sometimes I finish a book, look back at the cover, and wonder if the designer of the cover had any clue about the story.

LynnB wrote: "Sometimes I finish a book, look back at the cover, and wonder if the designer of the cover had any clue about the story"

I've wondered the same thing about the blurb inside the front cover sometimes!

As a librarian, I see thousands of book covers daily. While a great cover is always pleasing, I am regularly surprised at seeing some poorly designed covers. They can be downright plain, ugly, or simply not represent the book itself well. Always assume those books had a lower publishing budget.

I always wonder how they can possibly plan to sell any books when there is an unappealing/ugly cover, unless, of course, the author is already well-known. So often those books are just passed by and I am sure that occasionally some are actually pretty good books. It's too bad publishers do that.

Gloria wrote: "As a librarian, I see thousands of book covers daily. While a great cover is always pleasing, I am regularly surprised at seeing some poorly designed covers. They can be downright plain, ugly, or s..."

Another reason why ugly covers turn me off is because I view it as a sign of laziness. If the cover was made in a lazy way, then the writing inside the book is likely the same.

I spent 3 hours today "shelf reading" at my library. This means making sure the books are placed properly on the shelf. I was working the 560-590s in the juvenile section. This job for that long would make a monocular person (such as myself) cross-eyed, but...

I still was enticed by book covers. Some so beautiful I wanted to take them home and see what beauty lie between the covers.

YES! I love book covers, fonts, graphic design ... they all entice me into a book. I've even picked up some YA books because of an intriguing cover (Emerald Atlas,. When the book doesn't live up to its cover, those are the books that get low ratings from me. I was led astray and wasted precious reading time due to a glitzy cover! (OK ... I'll take some of the blame. Should have read some reviews first.)

How does this fit into ebooks? Hmmm.... maybe this is why I'm still buying physical books even though I love to read electronically (and save the weight in my suitcase when I travel)? Life is full of these little contradictions!

Book covers are a big draw for me as well as a quick way to dismiss a title, especially if I haven't heard much about the book. I will usually stay away from romantic looking covers, but at the same time, I like old-fashioned looking art on a cover (well, figures, since I like historical fiction). I really like simple, eye-catching designs too, but in the end, I am most affected by reading the first chapter or two. That really sells me!