Judge a Book by Its Cover

[Diane , Armchair Tour Guide]

Have you ever read or purchased a book just because you liked the cover?

[Sam]

I always pick books up based on the cover. We had a discussion on this at the reading group I run last month & through talking I worked out I am drawn to books with beach scenes or water and anything really colourful

[Kristina]

I have read plenty of books based on the cover. It has also been proven that patrons at libraries are more likely to read old books with new covers than they would of books that do not have covers or have bad ones.

[Pepita]

I have recently completed an online course for librarians based around how people choose what to read and the covers rate hugely as an initial attraction to the browser. I am sure publishers put a lot of research into targeting specific audiences with cover illustrations, glitzy/funky lettering of title and depending on how well known the author how much of the cover their name takes up!!!
I'd have to say I am swayed by covers as they can give a fair indication of seriousness or silliness so makes it easier to match the mood when browsing...

[Jane(Janelba)]

I have bought and read numerous books based on the cover. Found some really good reads too just because I found the cover appealing.

[Dee]

one of my favorite niche genre books has the worst cover in the world - - because of how the characters are drawn (there looks like there is a huge age gap between the 2, when its really only like 8 years) - but it is a great book

[Corinna]

I guess I have read a lot of books indirectly only because I liked the cover. If it is appealing I am more likely to give the book itself a closer look while browsing and if the story sounds good I'll buy it.

It actually has happened a couple of times, that I got interested in a book in the english books section, that I already saw in the german language section of the store, but skipped because the cover didn't peak my interest. (English book covers tend to be way more interesting, by the way)

[LindaD]

The Coldest Winter: America and the Korean War

I have yet to finish this, but the cover made me pick it up!

[Bonnie]

I'm not sure if I've ever read a book based on the cover! I started out be reading authors I liked from reading them in high school, then researching similar authors and now mostly go on friend's recommendations whom I trust.

However, I have wanted to check out Alastair Reynolds because of his shiny covers. :P

[Her Royal Orangeness]

I don't think I've ever bought a book based on the cover, but I will purposely look for a particular cover that I like when purchasing a book. I'm very very particular about my cover art. :)

[Diane , Armchair Tour Guide]

On the flip side, I think I have rejected books based on the cover.

A good cover definitely influences my interest in a book.

[Antje གརས པཅ]

When I'm looking for a book the first thing I notice is the spine so that has to grab my attention and the cover and description have to convince me to actually read it

[Tania]

Cover is the most important thing for me too. I wouldn't buy a book if its cover was not good enough. However sometimes covers are better than the content:(
PS: what do you think about my cover? Appreciate your feedback:) London by Tania Poli: Famous Stores, Hidden Places & Insider Secrets for your Fashion Adventures

[Kiki]

I think it's natural to judge a book based on the cover. It is the first impression after all. The books with the most striking covers sort of jump out at you first but there are some gems with more subtle covers too, of course.

[Ahmad]

I do it all the time, and for the most part, it hasn't let me down : )

[Elizabeth]

I've read delightful books that I picked up simply because I loved the cover. However, have noticed I don't do this as much with ebooks.

[Shriya]

I do it all the time, here on goodreads

[Debra]

Tania wrote: "Cover is the most important thing for me too. I wouldn't buy a book if its cover was not good enough. However sometimes covers are better than the content:(
PS: what do you think about my cover? Ap..."

I'm sorry I can't give you feedback, Tania. The link takes me to Unknown Book by Unknown Author.

[Matthew]

what do you think of this cover...

[Mony]

The cover is a huge factor when I'm buying a book. It has to look good, but also feel good when I pick it up and open the pages. But the content still needs to attract me... I'll open a page and read at random. If it doesn't grab me after a few tries, then I'll (regretfully) put it down and walk away....

[Debra]

Matthew wrote: "what do you think of this cover...


I like the color and overall design, Matthew. The picture in the center is a little eery which is appropriate to the subject matter, I think. But since the picture is dark without much contrast and has some detail which is hard to take in, it doesn't "pop" to me as much as it might--particularly online. Hope this helps.

[mussolet]

I pick a lot of books because of their cover.
I mostly do it with fantasy novels, but sometimes with other books too. My reasoning is that if the cover is really ugly or doesn't fit the book, the publisher didn't care enough, so I don't need to bother either.
I still read a few pages before I buy a pretty book, but I probably won't pick up an ugly one.

[Annina]

I choose all my unknown books because of their cover. Usually the cover needs to be colorful and stick out from the shelf in a library.

[Diane , Armchair Tour Guide]

SilverRaindrops wrote: "My reasoning is that if the cover is really ugly or doesn't fit the book, the publisher didn't care enough, so I don't need to bother either."

I never really thought of it that way, but it makes perfect sense.

[Tessa]

Well, I know I DIDN'T buy books because of the cover. I don't like photographed people. I hate it. When I read a book, I want to draw my own picture and not have to imagine some model, whom I've seen on the cover. For some reason, drawn people are alright. Just no photograped.

And I hate to much pink and to garish colors.

[[deleted user]]

Yes! Sometimes I do read a book because of its cover sometimes. It makes me interested in it.Especially if I am getting it from the library and such.

[[deleted user]]

I'm much more drawn in by an interesting title than the cover, especially since I read a lot of old science fiction novels - some of which don't have cover pictures at all! Generally, I can get past a garish or uninteresting cover if the description is good enough. However, a eye-catching photo or bright colors never hurts either and they've snatched my attention more than a few times as I browsed.

[Natalie]

I picked by cover also although I've been disappointed by this method quite a few times. This is usually the case when I'm reading the sequel which is not as good as the first book.

[Stacia]

Definitely! Sometimes I go by cover alone, not even reading a summary of what the book is about. It's wonderful to fall into a book that way! :-)

[Adria]

If I like the cover, I'll definitely read the synopsis. The cover is so important because it's the reader's first point of contact with the book. As an author, I put a lot of effort into the cover design for my literary fiction novel... I hired an artist friend to do an original drawing. I'm pleased with it and have had positive feedback. But I guess only time will tell.
Here it is:

[Emily]

I am the worst, I always base a book on its cover. And I'll buy a new book if the cover is better, even though I already own it. I did buy "The Book of Summers" by Emylia Hall because of the cover and because of the name. It was so close to my own name, how could I not? Also it's set in Hungary, so if anyone is looking for a Hungarian book...

[Lynn G.]

The cover is what attracts me to look at a book in the first place. I don't like plain covers, i.e, no cover art and/or just the title, and I am not crazy about the author's name taking precedence over the title in terms of font size. I like to look for books at bookstores rather than the library because bookstores have more shelf space to display books with the covers facing out, not simply the uninteresting spines facing out.

[Alistair]

Bill Brysons book covers intrigue me. They look like something he created himself after a few beers!. But they don't seem to affect his massive popularity, as I guess everyone knows that the words inside are what he will be judged upon.

[Diane , Armchair Tour Guide]

Alistair wrote: "Bill Brysons book covers intrigue me. They look like something he created himself after a few beers!...."

lol, you might be right about that!

[Diane , Armchair Tour Guide]

I find that I am less likely to enjoy books where the author's name is larger than the title.

[Efrat]

I desighned my book cover by myself and if you're intersted in the paining you can find the explanation here:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Her-Pr...

[Efrat]

And here is the cover...

[Ann]

What mystery cover characteristics would appeal to women in their 20s and 30s? Thoughts?

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*]

Diane wrote: "Have you ever read or purchased a book just because you liked the cover?"

Yes, if it was a good deal. I almost always read the back blurb at least, but they definitely draw me in.

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*]

Ann wrote: "What mystery cover characteristics would appeal to women in their 20s and 30s? Thoughts?"

Cutesy charm or retro/vintage seem popular (and for good reason.) I personally love those covers.