Why I think it’s okay to judge a book by its cover #amreading
I’m fairly certain I’ve heard the words ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’ more than a few thousand times in my life. And I’m totally okay with this statement as a metaphor. For example, I think it’s correct – and actually a good idea – to apply this figure of speech to people. We totally shouldn’t judge people based on their looks, size, ethnicity, etc. Taking this figure of speech literally, however? As in not judging an actual book by its cover? Nah, I’m not okay with that and here’s why.
Careless covers. I totally just made that term up. What I mean by ‘careless covers’ are those book covers which look messy and unprofessional. If the cover doesn’t look professional, what’s the writing going to be like? Do I want to find out? Total disclosure here: I’ve made a few covers myself that don’t look entirely professional. Live and learn.
Cover model. I have no problem with a hot cover model. Okay, I really, really like them. The problem occurs when the same hot cover model is used again and again. And that’s it. The cover is just the hot guy from a stock photo and absolutely nothing has been changed to the original picture. I can’t help wondering if the story (usually a romance) will be as clichéd as the photo.
Unfitting for the genre. A cover should fit the genre of the book. As a reader, I think I’ve always known this on an intuitive basis. But now that I’m writing as well, I really pay attention to this aspect. I won’t ignore a book on this basis – as I will for the previous two categories – but I will hesitate before purchasing and spend more time reading through reviews before hitting the ‘buy’ button.
Wrong character. In other words, the person portrayed on the cover looks nothing like the character in the book. This is one of my pet peeves. It seems careless. Don’t you want your book cover to match your character? Or are you just in a hurry? Unfortunately, this is something that I often only discover after I’ve read the book. I’ve drawn this character in my head and then I shut the book in my kindle and see the cover and think “Who’s that?” I will be holding this against the author. What can I say? I like to hold grudges.
I’m also against covers that tell me I’m going to love the book because some top-selling author loved it. I understand an author’s desire to add these blurbs to their covers, though, and try not to be too judgmental. (I’m a work in progress.)
So yeah, I judge books by their covers. Go ahead and judge me.
A great cover enhances a book…or at least it should. But should it be the selling point? Nah. 😕
I pretty much could have written your post – HA! – no, wait. Stay with me. 😉
I got into trouble…because that’s what I do…with a group of devoted followers of a certain author when I didn’t gush and guffaw during a cover reveal party for an upcoming book. I pointed out that while it was a nice cover, it wasn’t a “new” cover, and most of us in attendance probably had it on our readers already…covering other reads.
Why did I say that? The masses became hysterical. So in the time span of twenty-four minutes, I found seventeen books on my Kindle with the same EXACT cover – no photoshopping. I’m pretty sure there were more. I also pointed out that the books I listed covered three different genres – so it was a stretch to consider the cover the be-all, end-all for this upcoming book. 😞
Whatever. I get it. Covers are definitely an important part of a book’s makeup, and they are not cheap. Stock photos will be used over and over…and over again, which is why although I appreciate a great cover, it has nothing to do with whether or not I purchase the book. 😕
I laughed out loud as I read your ‘wrong character’ paragraph! I read an ARC a few days ago that was extremely descriptive about the “raven-haired beauty with sparkling emerald eyes” – and a blue-eyed blonde graced the cover…in a head shot! LMAO!
Not a fan of the blurbs by other authors and reviewers on the cover either. It could go either way. What if I like the sound of the story, yet an author I’m not a fan of is hawking the book right below the title? HA! 😑
I think we’re in the minority on this one. I received an email earlier this week that told me I wanted and NEEDED those types of blurbs on my cover to sell my book – and for $29, I could by the book that would help me go after the “famous people.” 😒😒😒
Let me know if you’re interested…I saved the email! 😄
Great post! 👍
So for $29 we can buy a book to help us get blurbs from famous people? Man, I am so doing something wrong.
Of course! Don’t you base all your book purchases on what “the famous people” are reading? 😄😄😄
I’ve always judged books by their covers. An author has seconds to pull a reader in, the cover is the first stop. I love books but I struggled as a child because the books at school looked so dreary.