Don't judge a book by its cover .... or do you?

MikeOxlittle · 07-27-2012, 11:04 PM

Do you ever pick up a book or ignore a book based on its cover?

If you're at a bookstore, library or just browsing the internet does the cover art attract your attention first or does the title/author?

I'd consider myself right brain (visual) dominant over left brained (verbal) so a well designed cover is pretty important to what I decide to look up and blurb-read.

With the influx of self-published authors lately, I wonder how much more attention their books would gain if they put more emphasis on a well designed cover over just a well written story.

An example would be Toby Ball's - The Vaults novel.

The first cover looks very simple, standard ... and boring.

The second is eye-appealing and stands out and attracts my attention.

If I just saw that first cover, I'd probably just pass it over. The second stood out and I picked up a copy. Just started it and it's pretty good so far ...

Catlady · 07-27-2012, 11:21 PM

I would be much more inclined to take a look at the first cover. The second has too much symmetry, I don't like the way the title is set, and it looks like it might be science fiction, which I don't care for.

MikeOxlittle · 07-27-2012, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catlady

I would be much more inclined to take a look at the first cover. The second has too much symmetry, I don't like the way the title is set, and it looks like it might be science fiction, which I don't care for.

Interesting.

Are you left or right handed?

My guess is right ..

caleb72 · 07-28-2012, 01:29 AM

Personally I like both covers. Although, I'm getting a bit put-off by authors constantly using "A Novel" appended to titles.

Skibble · 07-28-2012, 02:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catlady

I would be much more inclined to take a look at the first cover. The second has too much symmetry, I don't like the way the title is set, and it looks like it might be science fiction, which I don't care for.

I agree with this. The first looks like the kind of book I would be interested in; the second looks like sci-fi to me. Which, to be fair, I do read on occasion, but usually only on recommendation or previous experience with the author. I guess I'm "boring" in my interests!

For the record, I am left-handed.

xg4bx · 07-28-2012, 03:52 AM

The one on the right appeals to me more. I'm left handed

I always check out books from Angry Robot because I think they have some of the most appealing art design in the business.

example-

petermillard · 07-28-2012, 04:08 AM

Don't think either of them work especially well, but at thumbnail sizes the one on the right gets particularly lost:-

If I was scrolling through an Amazon page I don't think it's even register with me.

spindlegirl · 07-28-2012, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caleb72

Personally I like both covers. Although, I'm getting a bit put-off by authors constantly using "A Novel" appended to titles.

I agree. I don't need to be told a work of fiction I am about to buy is "A Novel".

Whichever I would choose, I'd buy the $10 dollar Hardcover book instead of the $14 (it's not a product it's a 'license') kindle edition.... wow, I have never before seen an e-book be that much more in cost than a hardcover!

HarryT · 07-28-2012, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spindlegirl

Whichever I would choose, I'd buy the $10 dollar Hardcover book instead of the $14 (it's not a product it's a 'license') kindle edition.... wow, I have never before seen an e-book be that much more in cost than a hardcover!

It generally indicates that the hardback is overstocked and is being heavily discounted to try and shift surplus stock. $10 is a ridiculously cheap price for a hardback - you'll note that the list price is $24.99.

Catlady · 07-28-2012, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petermillard

Don't think either of them work especially well, but at thumbnail sizes the one on the right gets particularly lost:-

If I was scrolling through an Amazon page I don't think it's even register with me.

Now that I've read the description, the first one doesn't seem to fit at all. I think the second one better represents the story, but I still don't like it. I'd eliminate the upside-down skyline at the top, and I'd change the layout for the text--the shelves are drawing the eye to the center, but then the sideways text is jarring; it's like you are speeding down the aisle and then your brain suddenly has to do a 90-degree turn to read the title.

I don't mind being told it's "A Novel." This particular title doesn't seem like something I'd associate with nonfiction, but some titles do, and such a label can be helpful. Or the label can be helpful if the author also writes nonfiction.

Blossom · 07-28-2012, 04:27 PM

I do judge a book by it's cover. All those amazon freebies you have to learn how to identify by cover which ones are worth grabbing. The first thing about a book that grabs me is the cover then the blurb. If I'm at a B&M store it may be the title or author if I can't see the cover but online it's the cover.

I like the one of the right. It looks more professional done. The first one looks too self published. The second one is better but there is no need to mirror the buildings. It just looks odd but it is much better than the first one.

A professional done cover is everything in the world of self publishing.

BWinmill · 07-28-2012, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blossom

I like the one of the right. It looks more professional done. The first one looks too self published. The second one is better but there is no need to mirror the buildings. It just looks odd but it is much better than the first one.

I would be more inclined to say that the first cover looks professionally done. The second cover is too busy and has that, 'because it looks cool,' air to it.

That being said, I would be more inclined to look at the blurb for the second book.

Pomtroll · 07-28-2012, 05:43 PM

Some covers do attract my attention. Generally when I'm in a browsing mood I look at covers. Most often I shop by genre & authors though. When I'm looking through Amazon's or even other online bookstores I do seem to go more by title.....So I guess I'm unpredictable. By the way the book on the right looked more appealing to me. And I did see it at B&N last night.

theducks · 07-28-2012, 05:45 PM

I dislike "A Novel" on any cover. Gee I am in the FFiction area of the store

Except for the Inverted Sky, IMHO this has more of a Vault feel.
The placement of the title letters gets my eye (the Not square bit).
I am right handed (but hold my book in my left

)

The Left one is just OK. It would not cause me to pass it up.

I am a fan of a cover depicting an element in/of the book.

I hate Covers that depict the characters doing something that they would NOT do (per the text inside).

6charlong · 07-28-2012, 06:09 PM

I have to admit I'm attracted to books or repelled by the covers. With eBooks I still get the sample before I buy unless I have another reason to chose it.

Neither of the two covers in the OP appeals to me though. I do read Science Fiction but they just seem kind of boring. The best cover I've seen is the one from Boneshaker by Cherie Priest. The cover makes it obvious the novel is steampunk but the prospective reader needs to know that from the start. That cover peeked my curiosity.

The book turned out to be okay but not as good as its cover.

07-27-2012, 11:04 PM	#1
MikeOxlittle Say my name very fast ... Posts: 131 Karma: 1387009 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: The High Seas Device: Kindle	Don't judge a book by its cover .... or do you? Do you ever pick up a book or ignore a book based on its cover? If you're at a bookstore, library or just browsing the internet does the cover art attract your attention first or does the title/author? I'd consider myself right brain (visual) dominant over left brained (verbal) so a well designed cover is pretty important to what I decide to look up and blurb-read. With the influx of self-published authors lately, I wonder how much more attention their books would gain if they put more emphasis on a well designed cover over just a well written story. An example would be Toby Ball's - The Vaults novel. The first cover looks very simple, standard ... and boring. The second is eye-appealing and stands out and attracts my attention. If I just saw that first cover, I'd probably just pass it over. The second stood out and I picked up a copy. Just started it and it's pretty good so far ...

07-28-2012, 06:09 PM	#15
6charlong friendly lurker Posts: 896 Karma: 2436026 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: US Device: Kindle, nook, Apple and Kobo	I have to admit I'm attracted to books or repelled by the covers. With eBooks I still get the sample before I buy unless I have another reason to chose it. Neither of the two covers in the OP appeals to me though. I do read Science Fiction but they just seem kind of boring. The best cover I've seen is the one from Boneshaker by Cherie Priest. The cover makes it obvious the novel is steampunk but the prospective reader needs to know that from the start. That cover peeked my curiosity. The book turned out to be okay but not as good as its cover. Attached Thumbnails

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07-27-2012, 11:21 PM	#2
Catlady Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,407 Karma: 52613881 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: Kindle Fire, Kindle Paperwhite, AGPTek Bluetooth Clip	I would be much more inclined to take a look at the first cover. The second has too much symmetry, I don't like the way the title is set, and it looks like it might be science fiction, which I don't care for.

07-28-2012, 01:29 AM	#4
caleb72 Indie Advocate Posts: 2,863 Karma: 18794463 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Melbourne, Australia Device: Kindle	Personally I like both covers. Although, I'm getting a bit put-off by authors constantly using "A Novel" appended to titles.

07-28-2012, 03:52 AM	#6
xg4bx Are you gonna eat that? Posts: 1,633 Karma: 23215128 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Phillipsburg, NJ Device: Kindle 3, Nook STG	The one on the right appeals to me more. I'm left handed I always check out books from Angry Robot because I think they have some of the most appealing art design in the business. example-

07-28-2012, 04:08 AM	#7
petermillard Evangelist Posts: 496 Karma: 2384998 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: London, UK Device: iPad, iPhone, K3 & Amazon - between them they cover my needs.	Don't think either of them work especially well, but at thumbnail sizes the one on the right gets particularly lost:- If I was scrolling through an Amazon page I don't think it's even register with me.

07-28-2012, 04:27 PM	#11
Blossom Treasure Seeker Posts: 18,708 Karma: 26026435 Join Date: Mar 2010 Device: Kobo HD Glo, Kindles, Kindle Fires, Andriod Devices	I do judge a book by it's cover. All those amazon freebies you have to learn how to identify by cover which ones are worth grabbing. The first thing about a book that grabs me is the cover then the blurb. If I'm at a B&M store it may be the title or author if I can't see the cover but online it's the cover. I like the one of the right. It looks more professional done. The first one looks too self published. The second one is better but there is no need to mirror the buildings. It just looks odd but it is much better than the first one. A professional done cover is everything in the world of self publishing.

07-28-2012, 05:43 PM	#13
Pomtroll Guru Posts: 822 Karma: 1341819 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Minnesota USA Device: Sony 350, Sony T1, Kindle Touch, Kindle PW1	Some covers do attract my attention. Generally when I'm in a browsing mood I look at covers. Most often I shop by genre & authors though. When I'm looking through Amazon's or even other online bookstores I do seem to go more by title.....So I guess I'm unpredictable. By the way the book on the right looked more appealing to me. And I did see it at B&N last night.

07-28-2012, 05:45 PM	#14
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 30,909 Karma: 60358908 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	I dislike "A Novel" on any cover. Gee I am in the FFiction area of the store Except for the Inverted Sky, IMHO this has more of a Vault feel. The placement of the title letters gets my eye (the Not square bit). I am right handed (but hold my book in my left ) The Left one is just OK. It would not cause me to pass it up. I am a fan of a cover depicting an element in/of the book. I hate Covers that depict the characters doing something that they would NOT do (per the text inside).

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