Can you judge a book by its cover?

Here's a really interesting article: http://www.avclub.com/content/blog/judging_books_by_their_covers

I think I am guilty of judging books by their covers. If I haven't heard of the book and know nothing about the author, I tend to be drawn to books that look sort of intellectual, quirky and, while not necessarily deep, definitely not shallow. I also like expensive looking books - a matte cover always attracts me more than a shiny one.

What about you?

Hi, my name is Balmerhon and I am a design sucker.

Yep, I've bought books because of the cover. Wine, too (well, the label that is!).

Wine, too (well, the label that is!).

Me too! Sometimes with disastrous results!

The look of the book always draws me in.  Funny how I have liked covers here on books I passed on in the US, and usually have bought them as a result.

I'm with you Chary. I avoid the ones with the big gold lettering.

Absolutely.  And I am not ashamed of it, either.  A book's cover is (usually) a very deliberate choice by the publisher, and I think that it definitely is meant to be used as a means of swaying readers.

His chick lit example is perfect.  I'm not a big fan of that genre, so if I see a cover with all the usual trappings I'll give it a miss without even a glance at the description.

I also tend to judge by size.  I'm not a fan of mysteries or romance, so I usually give mass markets a miss.

The look of the book always draws me in.

A cover can also turn me completely off. I can't stand a book with a screen shot from the movie version on the cover. In fact, I'd actually go out of my way to buy a different edition just so I don't have some toothy actress or actor on the front of my book.

I think my favourite covers are the old Penguin ones. Like this one:

To me, that's how a book should look.

His chick lit example is perfect.  I'm not a big fan of that genre, so if I see a cover with all the usual trappings I'll give it a miss without even a glance at the description.

I've notice a trend lately to reprint classics with "chick-lit-y" cover art. It's horrendous!

A cover can also turn me completely off. I can't stand a book with a screen shot from the movie version on the cover. In fact, I'd actually go out of my way to buy a different edition just so I don't have some toothy actress or actor on the front of my book.

I do the same thing, I hate that.

I also hate any book cover (Cheesy romance) with that Fabio on it, or a Fabio look alike!

A cover can also turn me completely off. I can't stand a book with a screen shot from the movie version on the cover. In fact, I'd actually go out of my way to buy a different edition just so I don't have some toothy actress or actor on the front of my book.

Me three. 

Thanks Stacey. Now I have Fabio saying "I caahhn't beleeve it's nawt buttah" in my head. 

Me three. 

Thanks Stacey. Now I have Fabio saying "I caahhn't beleeve it's nawt buttah" in my head. 

Mwahaha

I've notice a trend lately to reprint classics with "chick-lit-y" cover art. It's horrendous!

Noooooo!

I also hate any book cover (Cheesy romance) with that Fabio on it, or a Fabio look alike!

This is a bit of an aside....

I have to admit that I actually kind of like Fabio (not to look at... ick).  He was a regular guest on a morning radio show in LA awhile ago, and he's got a great sense of humor about himself.

This is a bit of an aside....

I have to admit that I actually kind of like Fabio (not to look at... ick).  He was a regular guest on a morning radio show in LA awhile ago, and he's got a great sense of humor about himself.

That is cool!  I like people who can do that!

I think my favourite covers are the old Penguin ones. Like this one:

To me, that's how a book should look.

http://www.objects-of-design.com/subcategory/2/catlev/penguin-licenced-book-cover-products.htm

I am in serious need of a Jeeves tea towel...
 

http://www.objects-of-design.com/subcategory/2/catlev/penguin-licenced-book-cover-products.htm

I am in serious need of a Jeeves tea towel...
 

Ohh, I love that!

I am in serious need of a Jeeves tea towel...
 

Amazon has them!