Poll

I do it all the time!

So do I and I've found some amazing reads like that. Of course I've also found some duds to. Luck of the draw, luck of the draw.

same here. Like this one book called Eleven, I found it in my closet my mom's friend is a teacher, so is my dad and step mom. My mo0m's friend must have given it to me, but it was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING and I am reading it AGAIN!

I gave Tales of Whisky a try because of its title and description. (It was also the only book laying around at our friend's apartment that we were staying at)

okay....

the cover is what i normally look at to decide if id like it, if i do or dont, i still read the back. then if it sounds good, i give it a try. but i normally i dont give a book, who's cover doesnt catch my eye, a second look, unless i hear that it is good.

same here.

Honestly, I never read book descriptions because they'll full of spoilers. I'll generally check the goodreads rating, but I've read plenty of books on cover alone.

I guess judging books by their cover is part of a new wave of fiction(al) readers.

Personally, I can't stand the idea of books becoming part of programmed consumerist attitudes:

If they are not changing your way of thinking for good, you are probably watching readable TV.

This seems like such a strange question to me but then again are they factoring in our knowledge of the author in this question or should I just assume we have zero knowledge of the author? Assuming the latter, yes, I would read a book based on its cover. I very rarely factor in things like reviews and what other people have to say. I prefer to decide for myself. Factors for me are author/genre/publisher/plot/cover art. If it's an author I like then it's an almost guaranteed sale. I typically only read in certain genres so those genres always get priority. There are certain publishers I favor simply based on who and what they have previously published. And for right or wrong artwork can make or break a book for me (if the other factors don't come into play). I will judge a book (and its author) if they have really bad artwork on the cover. I realize not everyone can afford top notch artists but there's a lot of options out there and I guess in my mind it goes to taste and shows pride. Or sometimes just the quality of the publisher. But plot is most important as is quality of writing so my last 'test' is always to flip through the book and read a few lines to see if it grabs me. So I guess after writing all this out the answer is no, I wouldn't read a book based just on the cover and description. I would need to read an excerpt at the very least as well.

I can't tell you how many times I've picked up a book based purely on the front cover. Then, if the blurb sounds like something I might like, absolutely I buy it and read it. Without this, there are so many fabulous books I may never have read. Then I get to be the lucky person to recommend the book to others, instead of waiting for others to tell me what to read.

Not a very well put together poll I would say, no enough good options to choose from.
Also it depends on a lot of factors.
Does one know the author or not?
Because I normally do. Or have already heard of the book.

I haven't bought a book in awhile, its been library books in the recent past for me But when I've bought books, I've found all sorts of authors that I probably wouldn't have picked up based on just a basic idea of what the book is from the cover and the blurb... though which section of the book shop its in plays an important role...

Yes, sometimes my library features books,authors I have never read and I'll give it a try because it looks good. I have been pleasantly surprised at times.

I can't only base my decision on a book that has been reviews, otherwise I'd always be waiting weeks to try a book and if I only read authors I already know, well, EVEYRONE was a new author to me at some point. Same old same old gets pretty boring. Sometimes it's a miss, but sometimes it's not.

yes! thats how ive always found really good books

Ok the cover draws me first then I check out who the author is and read the back.

I buy books based on only the description (the cover draws me in. I hate it when they don't spend time on the cover design). I love trying out new books and how in the world are you going to do that if you only read a book by other people's reccomendation? But like Ziburan said...not a very well put together poll. :(

Before I started using the internet to garner suggestions and recommendations, I used to choose books in the library based on their spine - the title, the font, etc. Then I'd read the back blurb and decide if it was something I'd want or not. I found quite a few gems that way.

That's how I read MOST of my books! Sometimes it's a mistake, and I end up not being able to finish. But I usually try to finish a book no matter what.

April wrote: "Before I started using the internet to garner suggestions and recommendations, I used to choose books in the library based on their spine - the title, the font, etc. Then I'd read the back blurb a..."

Same here, April. I still do that when I go to the library. I've found many good ones that way, but of course I also use Goodreads a lot now, too! :+)

When it comes to stumbling upon new reading opportunities (as opposed having them recommended to me), it's frequently the covers and/or the titles that first grab my attention and if the description sounds interesting I might take a chance, although I'm less likely to if I actually have to pay for the book.

Cindy wrote: "I do it all the time!"
Me too! :)

That's how I choose the majority of the books I read. I've only started reading reviews because of Good Reads

I'm surprised by this polls results. That's how I choose most books: the cover catches my eye then if the descriptions sounds interesting, I read it.

Frankly I get hooked by the title - and author - more than the cover art. Sometimes the descriptions are nothing like the actual content of the book. That is why I like ebooks and Kindle more and more - and Goodreads reviews are awesome!

How else do you find the rare gems?

As I am an author myself, I was looking around and seeing what is happening in the fresh field right now. John Locke is popping up a lot, so I decided to read one of his, to see why he was able to sell over 2 million ebooks and have such a polarizing effect on the readership, either thought he was great or he was an abominable bore and a hack. I thought it was interesting. I have been reading Lalonde, who I found on smashwords.com, where I am posted as well, great sci-fi writer, you do feel for the characters, very long story arc but if you can stick with it, quite enjoyable, more Star Trek than Star Trek, if that makes any sense. Him, I would recommend and his ebook pricing is very reasonable.

A cover has to catch my eye then I'll read the description. If it sounds interesting, I'll read it. I also read recs (if they sound up my alley) from friends even if the cover turns me off.

I tend to do this when I'm browsing. if it has a bright or intriguing cover art, I'll quickly flip it over and read the description. If I like it I'll get it...or put it on my TBR list ;)

me too!

I seldom (until now!) bother with reviews and use my own judgement on what sounds like it might be something that will appeal. I know I am influenced by a cover to some extent and try not to be because some great books have very unappealing covers. Since joining here, though, I have added books to my to read list based on what members have posted and am looking forward to expanding my horizons as a result.

ok then.

I do it so often

I pick books based on the description all the time, but I very rarely look at the front cover. I find it to be the least useful thing in determining whether I will enjoy a book or not. I've read wonderful novels with horrible or boring covers, and the nicest covers have often been on books I've found tedious or unreadable. Recommendations are nice, but I actually enjoy hunting through large piles of books and finding the hidden treasures.

I NEVER choose a book for its cover or title. I first read the blurb, and then if I like it I look at the ratings, but I never read the reviews before reading the book.

i sometimes get fooled by the cover :P but i do find some lovely treasures too:D

D wrote: "How else do you find the rare gems?"

i totally agree

I look at the cover and blurb. Then, if they're interesting, I open the book at glance through a few passages (or, if looking online, I search for quoted passages.) Then I look at ratings here on Goodreads and compare people who loved it and people who hated its tastes with mine (without reading the reviews.) So... I wouldn't really buy a book simply based on the cover and blurb; I'd always look inside as well, but there wasn't really an option for that!

I really don't look up reviews for a book generally until after I've brought it home. I pick it because, judging mostly by description, it looks interesting. That's what the back of books are for, right? So you can read the summary, see if it perks your interests, and make a decision for yourself. I don't want other people's biased personal views on the book to get in my way.

Constantly!

Add me to the "I do it all the time" group! I have found that it is just as reliable as recommendations from friends! And I don't have to explain to anyone if I don't like the book when I am finished.

I think it's the only way to base my decision (the description of the book). I do not trust blurbs or reviews as I haven't a clue what that person's tastes are.

That's how I read one of my favorite books "Easy Money" by Jens Lapidus. had an interesting charcter, cover was good, so was topic, I took it even tho it was very expensive and Loved each line of it. but you also had to feel it. I was actaully looking for a book for my dad an dI ended buying that one for me. I went thru all the bookstore holding it.

No - I tend to try and read the first few paragraphs and see if I get on with them first. It's not an infallible method ...

This is how I make most of my book purchasing decisions, lol. :D I've found some really good stuff this way, too!

Based on cover and discription is the way i decide on most of the books i read. If the cover doesnt catch my eye I wont pick it up. If the discription dosent sound good i wont read it.

Exactly

I do all the time.

I've taken that chance many time and been greatly disappointed but I have also had the reverse