Don’t judge a book by its cover. Let’s face it: we all do. Don’t you? I know I can’t help from being swayed. The font, the design, the colors, the art, the pictures, the symbolism… Book covers stand for the words they hold inside. If they do their job right, covers help to sell those words, to get the books in our hands.
My husband and I love darting into a bookstore any chance we get. We look through covers, reading book jackets. Several book covers have caught my eye, compelling me to buy and read.
So, what works and what doesn’t? Let’s focus on what does work for you. I’d love to know. Perhaps there isn’t one type of book cover that beats the rest. But if you had to choose, which book covers are your favorite?
Please VOTE on the left-hand side of my blog (beneath the Quote of the Day). The poll will close on February 8th. I will post results. Choose from the following options (CLICK ON EACH OPTION FOR EXAMPLES):
1) Abstract
2) Pictures of People's Faces (close-up of faces)
3) Pictures of Real People
4) Real Pictures of Scenery or Other
5) Paintings/Art (people, objects, scenery, etc…)
Walk down the aisles of your local bookstore. Pretend you have no prior knowledge of what the book contains inside. What jumps out at you? Here are a few covers that made me pause recently, either at the bookstore or while surfing online:
Also, check out a couple of Goodreads’ lists I found of Best Book Covers in 2010, and 2011.
Also, some articles I found on book covers while surfing the web here, here, and here.
Photo Credit :http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=1526
Image: Paul / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
I voted! What a fun thing to participate in! Fabulous blog by the way!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jen! Right back at ya: love your blog!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lo. I've been debating this same subject. Do you think it's true that people's faces sell best? I've heard this but it seems like a lot of the NYT's authors books don't focus on faces. Great blog. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cami! I hadn't heard that people's faces sell best. I personally like book covers with real pictures, not necessarily close-ups of people's faces, but real pictures. Love your blog, btw. :)
DeleteHi There! I love your blog. Great content, beautiful to look at and interesting topics. Glad to have found you.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Covers are important but in general I don't judge by the cover - I judge by the first page. Habit from childhood (my grandparents had a huge collection of old books of the kind in the image in your post, without a "real" cover).
ReplyDeleteYes, E.D., I love reading 1st pages of books. And first lines. I hope the author has me hooked from line 1, even if it is a simple hook. Great comment! Thanks.
DeleteYeah, marketing plays a key role in book sales and nothing so much as the cover. I figure, the cover hooks readers, but the story has to move them:)
ReplyDeleteYes, MARKETING! I totally agree! And I love it when a book cover tells a story of its own. Thanks for the comment, Mark!
DeleteI'll admit. A great book cover totally sells me. And I love the ones you have in your graphic!
ReplyDeleteI write MG, so the one that really caught my eye the most lately was an MG. It's Shannon Messenger's book that isn't out yet. (KEEPER OF THE LOST CITIES) Oh, my gosh. The pretty! I keep going back to stare at the pretty!
lol. Yes, I love "the pretty." You are awesome, Peggy. Thanks for the comment. I agree, KEEPER OF THE LOST CITIES has a very attractive cover.
DeleteYes, I'm happy to follow! Thanks for the visit, Nelson Souzza!
ReplyDelete