No, I didn't
really tear covers off. But I have been known to throw away a dust-cover or three.
I've seriously never overly-connected artwork with books/stories (even fantasy). I can look at--and appreciate--artistic talent, but I never really "got" the intimate relationship readers seemed to develop with that artwork as it pertained to the book/story. Always thought it was all a bit silly, actually. The meat and potatoes were in the words (and my mind). The covers are usually just pretty "lies" anyway.