The cover of the book

DanHab · Post by **DanHab** » 04 Feb 2014, 17:33

Covers grab my attention (books in my genre tend to have a common theme to the covers) but the blurb is what seals it for me. I can spend hours in a good book store reading through blurbs to decide if its won me over yet.

Aithne · Post by **Aithne** » 04 Feb 2014, 17:36

Fran wrote:I have on occasion but not usually .... but the cover plus the back blurb would be my usual route.
Mind you as I've pointed out here previously going by the covers of the Jasper Fforde books I definitely would never have picked them up without the brilliant reviews here first. At least this side of the Atlantic the covers look like they are misfiled from the children's section of the bookshop. Just show how wrong you can be.

This sums up most of how I feel on this matter.
Although, I sometimes gravitate towards books purely on cover - rather than cover+blurb - when I'm feeling really lazy or in a rush or not so bothered about the genre I'm reading. Can always find some gems that way.

Henley18 · Post by **Henley18** » 06 Feb 2014, 20:17

I hate to admit it but I almost always judge a book by its cover. I've probably missed out on some great ones because of it.

SammyLou37 · Post by **SammyLou37** » 10 Feb 2014, 13:07

The cover draws you in, then the writing has to take over. A drab cover would stop me picking it up, and yes, I have also probably missed out on some good books that way. If a book was recommended though, then the cover wouldn't matter. But I agree the cover has to be enticing, or how is it going to stand out from the crowd?

TheBookMaven · Post by **TheBookMaven** » 10 Feb 2014, 13:34

A cover may draw my attention, but I don't read it unless the information on the back cover intrigues me. However, that is why the cover art can be so important in a book. There are many books that I may not have read if my attention hadn't been caught by the book cover.

GabrielleAlcime · Post by **GabrielleAlcime** » 10 Feb 2014, 15:15

The cover captures my attention but it doesn't determine whether or not I will actually read the book. If a book has a horrible cover I probably would not even give it the time of day.

Reading lady · Post by **Reading lady** » 24 Feb 2014, 23:02

RuqeeD wrote:When I'm at the library, most often it'll be the cover and the title that will catch my eye and then I would read the blurb to see if the story would appeal to me. I know I might be missing some great books out there purely on this method but I don't see how else a book would grab my attention if I am simply browsing. Other times I know there is a specific book I want either because I am familiar with the author or it's been recommended to me - in that case the cover doesn't matter and nor does the blurb.

p.

Exactly!! I agree completely with this comment. Couldn't have said it better.

Scorsee · Post by **Scorsee** » 27 Feb 2014, 06:16

I get drawn in by the covers...but usually read the back or the inside before choosing to read it.

KLyons1 · Post by **KLyons1** » 27 Feb 2014, 10:22

The cover matters not only to draw my attention but also to indicate what sort of story the book tells (or what the publisher thinks the story is like, which is not always the same thing at all). And that does impact my decision to pick up the book and investigate further, if it's a new author to me.

The only time the cover really matters? When there's an image that I don't want to touch - usually spiders or other insects. If I don't want to touch it, then I won't want to hold it while reading. I haven't yet gotten an e-book instead of physical book for this reason, but I could see that happening.

JASON_READS150 · Post by **JASON_READS150** » 27 Feb 2014, 17:30

I like a colorful book cover

Aussie-reader · Post by **Aussie-reader** » 27 Feb 2014, 17:42

I agree with posters that an appealing cover draws me to look at that book if browsing in a shop, the library or on istore - but then depending on the blurb whether I get that book or not.

that applies more to browsing with nothing specific in mind - if I am looking for books by a known author or a specific book recommended to me or that I read about somewhere - then the cover is irelevant.

I must say certain covers sometimes have opposite effect and put me off a book - say, a woman with low cleavage in a romantic embrace with a man - I assume the book is fluffy romance which isn't my thing.
But it might be a detailed historical version of, say, Mary Queen of Scots, which would really interest me.

So I guess it is important for the cover to correctly depict the book - misleading covers could put off readers who would actually like the book.

Anita Olsen · Post by **Anita Olsen** » 27 Feb 2014, 17:53

I do tend to discriminate and choose the book with the most appealing cover but I know that while doing this, I risk missing out on some really interesting books out there so I try not to do so. I like to investigate about a book before I buy it, it also depends on my day. Sometimes I buy books on impulse but it depends on different things. Maybe I happen to be in the mood or I happen to have some money to spare at the moment. If I really feel like getting new books, then I buy one no matter how the covers looks like because then I have probably red the back of it, figured I will take the chance and try read something new.

alanatucker · Post by **alanatucker** » 28 Feb 2014, 00:30

When looking for books the covers do stand out to me and catch my attention, but that doesn't mean that I enjoyed the contents. Now I will read reviews, look through NYT best sellers, or use goodreads to find my next read. Looks can be deceiving.

W-Harbinger · Post by **W-Harbinger** » 16 Mar 2014, 10:14

When I'm in an actual bookstore, I tend to pick up and look at whatever book cover looks interesting. If I'm online, I usually browse by genre and actually read the summaries first. Go figure!