Do you judge a book by it's cover? Which is your favorite?

[Maryanne Grabo]

Ok, I'll be honest, of course I judge a book by it's cover.  When I go to Barnes & Noble I first scan the bargain priced table and then I scan the covers.  The majority of the books on my shelf are there because I was first attracted to them by the cover art.  I do read the jacket though, and if it is interesting it comes home with me.  My very first fiction book I purchased as an adult was Kate White's If Looks could Kill - A Bailey Weggins Mystery.  If I had not been first attracted to the cover I would not be the reader I am today.  I have all the books in the Bailey Weggins series.  From there I continued with Mary Higgins Clark and then my reading pallet broadened to include authors such as Robert James Waller (one of my all time favorites- I have all of his also), James Patterson, Helen Fielding, Steven Coonts, Beth Harbison, John Grisham, Mark Haddon, T.Jefferson Parker, Stephen Horn, Maggie Stievater, Jacquelyn Mitchard, Garth Stein.  Each one of these (with the exception of Stievater, Mitchard & Stein) were all picks I made based first on the cover.  I am happy to say that each of these authors have written some darn fine books.  I have a good collection of their works on my shelf.  Books I would read over and over again.  My most recent addition has an awesome book cover, and a great story.  I am proud to add it to my collection - and not just because it is my daughters, but because it is a really good book.  So ... you have my first "judge the book by it's cover"... and now my most recent favorite book & cover.  What is yours?

 

Journey into the Realm: The Elf Girl by Markelle Grabo

[Kelli Wheelwright]

Love Matched... its why I picked the book up and was NEVER disappointed

 

KW

http://www.ekfamilybooks.blogspot.com

 

[Kelli Wheelwright]

Just got back from your blog! Newest follower here! Love it and love your choices in books! Looking forward to your reviews on Wings and Linger!

 

KW

http://www.ekfamilybooks.blogspot.com

 

[Kathy Maxwell]

I am attracted to cover art first, "jacket flap" summary next.  I try to skim pages throughout the book to check for language, etc. 

[Iben]

I absolutely love the cover of Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson and book is good too!

 

I absolutely hate some covers. For example the horrible cartoony covers of the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris.

 

~iben

www.boroughofbooks.com

[Lucy Burke]

When I walk into a book shop I always scan the shelves and go to the the most attractive book first. I'm a sucker for a lovely cover! I discovered The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafron because I was attracted to the colour! It is one of my favourite books.

http://lily-bookhaven.blogspot.com/

[Bonnie]

I am absolutely a cover person but it is not my only criteria for picking a book. A while ago I saw The Bride of New France sitting in my LBS and I could not put it down. The cover is beautiful but an online picture doesn't do it justice. The actual FEEL of the cover and the pages of this book is amazing!

 

[Lucy Burke]

This is a beautiful cover. Did you do a review of the book? I'd love to read it

[Bonnie]

I haven't yet - but I plan to soon! I have a few other review books scheduled before I can get to this one.

 

www.handsandhome.ca

[Jerry Faust]

I haven't been paying much attention to covers as I do to the author or title of the book - but that is because I tend to stay within a relatively small niche of books, particularly sci-fi/fantasy.  It's usually only after I start reading the book to take more than a casual interest in the cover, and it's usually to the extent of either enjoying the cover art as it is (the art itself, instead of anything related to the book), or I find myself looking at the art and attempting to identify the scene the art depicts, or matching graphical representation to a character.  Granted, this is probably more from looking for a specific book as part of a series or by a specific author with the intent of looking to purchase the entire series (filling out the holes with books 3 and 6 because those were the ones I missing to complete the series, for instance). 

 

Interestingly enough, some of the books I've been reading (particularly the Honorvese series by David Weber) typically have cover art that isn't necessarily accurate with the story or the universe, but it's not the easiest to explain to people who don't know the work or aren't familiar with Weber or the Honorverse.

 

So, all in all, I tend to look more for work by a specific author because I know that author or because I am trying to get the whole series.  Usually I dont pay much attention to the cover until after I've read some of the book.  What are your thoughts?

[Jerry Faust]

You know, you bring up a very valid point.  And, again, I think my response is tailored more around the fact that of late when I'm looking for a book it is because I am looking for either a specific book or author.  I honestly don't recall the last time that I looked for a book without knowing who or what I wanted to read.  Admittedly, the cover is the first thing people look at, and from what I do remember I look at the cover but usually it wasn't very much, mostly because I have found that the cover doesnt' have as much to say about the book as the back side does (or the inner flap).  Again, I might be in a very low minority, and I'm perfectly fine with that.  Perhaps I've heard that old cliche about books and their covers a few hundred times too many while growing up :)

 

On the other hand, the visual aspects of a cover is something I will have to keep in mind when I get around publishing my books, whenever that might be because you are right - catching a person with a stunning (but not overly so!) cover and getting them to take a further look will go a long way towards getting the sale than having a well known name, which, of course, I won't for some time.

[Markelle Grabo]

I always judge books by their covers. When I scan the shelves, I'm looking for something interesting to pull me in, whether it be the cover art or even the title. But as much as I adore flashy, striking, and eye-catching covers, I have to admit I am a huge sucker for the simple, yet thought-provoking covers out there. Take Lament and Balled, for instance, two YA books by Maggie Stiefvater. The focus is evident and easily spotted, but holds your attention. You can just zero in on the centerpiece and know the mystery waiting inside for you to take part in.

[ManOfLaBook.com]

I don't judge a book by its cover, but I certainly pre-judge a book by it's cover.

The cover lets me know if I should even pick it up from the shelf.