How much do you rely on a book's cover to predict what it will be like?

[Jeff]

As a general rule, I find myself compelled to take a second look at any book with a surrealist painting on the cover. Any attractive design is likely to sway my interest in a title, even though I actively try not to allow the cover art to be an influence. As someone who puts a lot of effort into trying to find good books, relying on the cover seems like a flaw in my strategy, but I can't seem to shake it. Then again, I think the reason I can't shake it is that I consistently get good information out of the analysis. What do you think?

[Lynn]

I don't usually like books with a lot of pastels on the cover, especially pink.

[kayla]

honestly, if i don't like the cover i sort of resent the book for it, if that makes any sense. i will hold a bad cover against the book and i think it makes me not like it as im reading it. there are times when if the cover is bad but someone recommends the book to me, i will try and force myself through it. (i sound like such a horrible person but i promise it only pertains to books lol)

[Michael]

If the author's name is bigger than the title, or if the author name is easier to read than the book title, then I'm reluctant to pick it up. My logic is that the title should be the main focus, and if the author's name is bigger/ easier to read, then that means they know the book isn't that good and that they're depending on name recognition to sell.

Other than that, I try hard not to let the cover influence me. Depending on the publisher, authors sometimes have little to no say over the cover art.

[Ivana]

books should absolutely be judged by their covers

certain types of books will generally have certain types of covers (eg I've noticed that trashy ya romances have similar covers, ya fantasy books are mostly of the same 'template' and istg there are some books titles I constantly confuse because of their similar titles etc)
that can usually give you an idea of whether the book is for you or not

then ofc there are preferences abt book covers, I personally don't like when there are real people on them or when the background is white because, in most cases, it makes the cover look unfinished

I know trad published authors don't always have a say in their covers and self-pub authors might have more difficulty finding a good designer and what not but the purpose of the cover is to be eye-catching and to stand out; it's what's essentially selling your book unless you or your book have a prior reputation

there are exceptions to all of this, of course, but like 80% of my tbr is there because I liked the cover and was curious enough to read the synopsis because of it
and if I'm buying a book, I don't care if it changed my life forever, I'm not spending my money on an ugly cover

[Dee]

Not at all. You all know the phrase, right?? It's true!

[Lexy]

I judge a book by its cover HEAVY. I just kinda know what I’m looking for in a book genre-wise and I can almost immediately tell when a book and I won’t jive just by the cover. Getting books as a gift is hard for me for this reason (and considering I have so many TBR that I fear getting a duplicate, I’ve literally bought myself duplicates…) because I’ll look at the cover and sometimes be turned off completely. I’ll eventually read them all but they are on the bottom of the pile. Lastly, my taste does change every now and again. A book that I bought months ago after being intrigued might now look boring to me. Am I horrible for judging a book based on the cover? Maybe.

[ivyy˖⁺]

okay… it depends on the color. I just can’t read any book with a bright yellow cover, I don’t know why but I just can’t!

[kate]

If the covers ugly I wont read it.

[Tanja]

I'm so guilty in this matter. But an interesting cover attracts my eye and I'm curious about the story

[sarah]

Yea I do know the saying CAN'T JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER but yes I do look at the cover and its about 3 out of 10 points that I will read it just by the cover. Sorry guys and I've probably missed out on some awesome books by doing this.

[Diane]

The cover does sometimes draw me to a book...as I enjoy reading extreme horror a good cover shot is sometimes important...but I never rely on it as I always go by the quote " Never judge a book by it's cover" 😳 never a truer word spoken!!!

[karissa m]

A lot like an unhealthy amount. I know that your kind of not supposed to but I always pick my books based on how pretty the covers are then I do more research on the book

[Susanne]

I'm more attracted to a book's title than it's cover. An interesting cover might make me look further into what the book's about but it's not something I always do. But if I'm buying a series in print, I always try to get same covers. I have, however, noticed a big trend over the last year or so for lots of books especially romance, to use cartoon or line drawing type covers which irritates me! Just a personal taste, but it means I'll sometimes not bother looking further into the book unless the title catches my eye.

[Elythrim]

I'd say a lil too much. I love art and well designed covers (I also like to look into the artists that made them). What's bad is that I want the book to give me the same vibes as the cover so I have high expectations and if they don't live up to them I get a little disappointed haha. I'm trying not to do it as much so I read the synopsis before to see if it'll be my cup of tea.

[Yomejo]

If the cover is ugly I won’t buy the physical copy, and I’ll just read the ebook.

[Nicole]

Probably more than I should.

[William]

After I read the book, I can look back at the cover and decide if it makes me think of anything in the book. If the picture is supposed to be of the main character/s then I will look at it to see if that is how I imaged them as I read the book, but up front there are too many authors that chose the covers from stock images so it doesn't matter that much.
This is probably weird by I actually started reading a series by an author because his last name is the same as my home town. I saw the author name, John Conroe, I am originally from Conroe, Texas and started reading his Demon Accords series and then proceeded to read everything he has written and up till the last few books had never seen a cover

[Lucy]

way more than i should 😭
if i realllyyyy hate a cover i am absolutely never going to read it.

[Donna]

Probably more than I should, I’ll definitely buy a book if it has a beautiful cover.

However, there are some elements of the cover that will help me predict whether the book is my jam. Low quality covers that look like they were made in Microsoft word are an easy “no” for me. Also books that follow almost the exact same cover theme/ title as an already popular book - I usually assume it will be the same plot with different names of characters & ergo, won’t get me as excited as the best seller did. I know some people purposefully go for this (all the contemporary romance covers with cartoon people or the fantasy “a court of __ & ____”) as a comfort read, but I like to be diverse with my reading. I love the element of surprise too much!

[Athena]

The cover draws me in to see the author and read the synopsis for the book. Even a weird cover will draw me in!

[amelia]

cute cartoon covers really gets me. I feel like im not going to like those books with real people and very sexist positions in the cover or something similar.

[Katie]

The cover is usually what catches my attention or makes it an automatic yes on reading it.

[Sophie]

The cover is everything to me. I mean I’ll still read it, but the cover makes up my decision

[Sam]

If it’s a book/author that I don’t know about the cover definitely does a huge part on drawing me to the book, I have to get good vibes from it to want to actually buy it or read it!! Even if it’s a very popular book when I don’t like the cover it makes it hard for me to pick it up hahaa

[Chris]

None