Never judge a book by it's cover...

[Amy]

Hi Everyone,

My name is Amy and I have finally joined the Paper and Glam family *big wave* I hope your all doing well.

I just wanted to hear your thoughts on judging books by their covers. We all know the old saying 'never judge a book by its cover' yet with increasing covers these days becoming aesthetically pleasing and very pretty - do it at all sway any of you to purchase them? I have also found, with particular in the writing and blogging community it seems that a book cover can be the perfect image to share via Instagram. I tend to share pictures of my books on Instagram as it is a book I am genuinely reading yet I feel sometimes a book cover is taken for granted just for an Instagram picture or as a back drop - yet I can see the advantage of that and I must be honest seeing a book in a Instagram image has spurred me on to purchase the book in the past - is it just me?

What are your thoughts?
One of my goals for 2015 is to read 50 books. I have read 6 so far :)

Amy X

[Brandi]

Welcome to the Paper & Glam family!!!

I totally judge books by their covers and I'm very picky about what books I add to my library based on their covers. For example, I've started collecting the Penguin clothbound classics because their covers are absolutely gorgeous and who doesn't like classics?! I also detest movie covers on books and try to avoid them! And I always prefer hardback to paperback. If I see a cover that's very pretty and could be used for decor, I'm definitely tempted to buy it for my library whether or not it's a book whose synopsis interests me. Like although I didn't love #Girlboss and will never re-read it, it will go front & center in my bookcase bc of the pretty shade of pink of the binding haha.
I do try to read all the books I own and even if I don't enjoy them, I respect the written word and the author for taking the time to put their thoughts & creativity on paper. I love all books even if I didn't like them! But yes I totally judge books by their covers ;).
My original goal was 40 books this year and I've read 4 so far (3 weeks with the flu & pneumonia completely stopped my reading) but thinking of bumping it up to 50! :)

[The Book Maven]

Hi Amy!

Regarding judging books by their cover...I don't do it habitually (and I certainly don't do it when I am selecting books for my library collection) but if I am choosing a book for ME to read, on my off-time...yes, on occasion, I do catch myself doing it.

But I also judge books by their titles! The more philosophical/wistful/melancholy they are, the more I like to read 'em.

Good luck with your reading goal! Here's what I think might help: the more you read, the faster you'll get at reading. :)

[Lisamarie]

Hi Amy!

Welcome the the Glam Fam!!

I'm so with Brandi. While a cover alone won't dictate a purchase, if I'm deciding between two books. the cover is absolutely a tie-breaker. Great discussion, thanks for starting it!!

[Papercut]

Hi everyone,

Just joined a couple of days ago - love the reading list here!

Amy, I think this is such a fun question!

As I have moved and travelled a lot over the last four years, I had to donate all my books, and I have tried to only use my Kindle-like gadget (a Swedish brand). This doesn't always work out - sometimes the book doesn't come in an e-book format, or (my biggest problem)- it is hard not to buy a book when you're on the go, or pass a bookstore! And at those times, the cover is definitely one of the items I choose from. Also, I agree with Brandi above - I prefer the original book cover over the movie cover. Now I'm back home and my bookshelves seem to be filling up again. Wonder who does that? ;) I cannot recommend a Kindle (or other brand) enough though, if you - like me - prefer to pack lightly when travelling! All the books you'd ever want, minus the weight, in one little gadget - travel heaven :)