Sunday Salon | Never Judge a Book by its Cover
By Mrs S • Jun 22nd, 2008 • Category: Sunday SalonYesterday I posted a review of Steve N. Lee’s What if…? and Steve was extrememly gracious when I commented that the cover of the book was perhaps the worst I’d ever seen. Potentially a harsh comment you might think but I went on to say that I really enjoyed the book - and I would hate for people to pass it over on the store shelf as it was a great read.
This got me thinking about book covers… I admit that when I’m browsing for books I tend to see what catches my eye on the shelf - and then I read the blurb on the back to see if I think I’d enjoy it. Call me fickle - but that’s what covers are for right? They’re there to advertise the book and make it look attractive to potential readers.
Here’s an example - I first discovered Rowan Coleman thanks to a book magazine I used to receive - the cover of River Deep caught my eye - I really loved the book and ended up buying two more of hers to read. Then last year I saw The Accidental Mother on the shelf at the store - didn’t even notice the author’s name but passed it over as it appeared to me to be cheesy girly chick lit. Then the same thing happened with The Accidental Wife - this time however I thought… Rowan Coleman… hey I know that name - her other books were great! Yet still it stayed on the shelf…
What do you think? I wonder why Coleman went from photography to illustrations - and doesn’t the photography cover really stand out?
Many authors use different covers for US and UK audiences. Take for example Kazuo Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go. I didn’t judge this book by its cover as it was recommended by a friend but I think I would have avoided the US version (right) completely based on that sinister looking cover!
My final example is Elizabeth Noble’s Things I Want my Daughters to Know. I’ve read some great reviews of this book and have it on my amazon wish list. The US cover (left) that I’ve seen looks like quite a serious novel - yet when I stumbled upon the UK version I very nearly passed it by as cheesy girly chick lit. Not that I have anything against the latter of course - there’s a time and place for cheesy chick lit - it’s just that from what I’ve heard about the book itself the US version is more suitable.
What are your thoughts Saloners? Do you judge a book by its cover? Have you picked up a book with an awful cover and loved it - or a great cover and hated it? Do you have an all time favourite cover you could share? Post your thoughs in the comments below 
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Mrs S is is a lover of books! These are my thoughts on the books I've read. Have a different view? Leave me a comment below :)
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You are so right about covers! Thay can make or break a book, that’s for sure! I especially like a cover with embossing so I can rub my hand over it.
This is expecially true of the perma-bound novels we get for school. They have the worst covers! Most of these kids hate to read and the boring covers don’t do anything to help at all.
Linda Jacobss last blog post..In The Florida Sunshine
I think a real issue today is how little say some writers have in what the covers of their books are like. I’ve heard two authors recently talk about the ‘fight’ they had with their publishers when a cover they felt was inappropriate was chosen. These two both won, but they are household names. I suspect there is too much attention paid to whatever the cover of the last big seller looked like and attempts made to emulate it.
Ann (Table Talk)s last blog post..Another Sunday Salon
I am guilty of choosing one book over another becaues of it’s cover when I have been rushed in bookstores. Over the last few years I have done most of my book shopping on-line and do a bit more reserach about a book so I know that I really want to read it. I will however buy an edition of a book that maybe a ltitle pricier than another because of the cover and I would rather have that version on my shelf.
Karen @ Planet Bookss last blog post..Sunday Salon ~ June 22, 2008
Guilty! Have you seen the cover of Billie Letts’ new book, Made in the U.S.A.? Gorgeous. It simply reached out and grabbed me.
I’ve had that feeling about book covers forever. As a teen, I wouldn’t read Mary Stolz’ books because I couldn’t stand the covers.
I know a librarian ought to do better, but I still seldom read a book with an awful cover. And, two of us, librarians for years, know exactly which books we won’t even be able to handsell because the covers are so bad.
Lesa Holstines last blog post..Sunday Salon - After Rubicon
I am guilty of judging a book by it’s cover as well. One book that I recently received with a beautiful cover is The Aviary Gate. Just beautiful! I recently read The Dangerous Joys of Dr. Sex and Other True Stories and would have passed that up on the shelf. Fortunately, I was sent a copy and really enjoyed it. Have a good week!
Erins last blog post..Sunday Salon
*raises hand* I’m guilty. I have been known to buy books ONLY by their cover art. Of the above books, I prefer all the covers on the left (and I have to admit, books one and two would end up quickly in my buy list based on those attractive covers!). I have likewise deferred buying a book because I disliked the cover art! *laughs*
Wendys last blog post..Home of the Gentry - Book Review
Covers will sometimes influence whether I pick up a book in a bookstore to take a closer look, but they are never the deciding factor of whether I read something or not. I tend to only read books that interest me, bad cover or one I find utterly attractive.
Literary Felines last blog post..Sunday Salon: Book Imitates Life
Definitely guily. I just can’t help it, if a book has a cover that appeals to me I’ll pick it up and see what it’s about. That doesn’t mean that I don’t check out other books but of course an attractive-to-me cover will get noticed first.
ilianas last blog post..Sunday Salon
You need a dissenting view… I absolutely do not even notice the cover of books — weird! I think this is due to two reasons: 99% of the books I read come from the library, so I have no chance to judge a book by its cover. (I request them online, run them through the automated scanner checkout, and start reading…). Second, most books I read w/in one to two sittings, so I don’t really “live” with the actual book very long. I certainly will start noticing now, though!
Hey guys - thanks for stopping by and visiting awhile. I’m so glad to hear that I’m not the only one who is attracted by good looking covers (BTW that Made in the USA cover is very attractive!)
Ann that’s an excellent point you make about authors not being able to pick their own covers - which is a real shame as they put their heart and soul into writing what goes inside of it (well you’d hope so anyway!)
Kristen - good to have an opposing view - and you’re right if you’re a library reader you probably request the book because you’ve heard its good rather than for the cover. I know that is more the case for me now that I read so many reviews that make me want to buy a book. Although I admit the nicer the cover the quicker it makes its way to the top of the TBR pile!
Covers influence me more than I’d like to admit. This is the case more if I’m just browsing than if I’ve been told about a book.
I do like photograph-style book covers, if done correctly. However, I’m not a real big fan of the disturbing trend to put a photograph of the character(s) on the front of the cover, especially if it’s basically just a photo of the main character and nothing else. They almost never look like what I imagine them to.
Misas last blog post..If you’re participating in a numbers reading challenge