Have You Ever...

[captkjaneway]

Nope - but I have NOT bought a book because of the crappy cover.....

[wvcherrybomb]

I would really like to say that I've never done this. However, once I start thinking about it, I realize that I often judge books by their covers ... at least first. I always keep the most appealing covers in my Calibre metadata.

I downloaded the same freebie today for the same reason. I did eventually read the description, but the cover art had me on sight.

It seems embarrassingly shallow, but I wouldn't usually buy a book with a crappy cover.

[Nyssa]

Originally Posted by wvcherrybomb

I would really like to say that I've never done this. However, once I start thinking about it, I realize that I often judge books by their covers ... at least first. I always keep the most appealing covers in my Calibre metadata.

I downloaded the same freebie today for the same reason. I did eventually read the description, but the cover art had me on sight.

It seems embarrassingly shallow, but I wouldn't usually buy a book with a crappy cover.

I'm the same, unless I heard about the book before seeing it. In fact, I've even skipped over freebies becuase of a crappy cover. It makes me feel like the author/illustrator isn't even trying.

[DustyDisks]

I first scan the titles and authors. If it is an unknown author, the cover may catch my eye, then I will look at the description and reviews if any.

[mayoi]

Another vote for NOT buying a book with a bad cover, and it's amazing how bad some of them can be!

[kennyc]

Have you ever bought a book just because of the smell? or the feel of the paper?

[Nyssa]

Originally Posted by kennyc

Have you ever bought a book just because of the smell? or the feel of the paper?

No but I have admired a book because of the feel of the paper.

Oh, one thing I didn't add to my OP is that, although I have never purchased a book becuase of a beautiful cover, I have downloaded many free books becuase of beautiful covers.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by Nyssa

No but I have admired a book because of the feel of the paper.

Oh, one thing I didn't add to my OP is that, although I have never purchased a book becuase of a beautiful cover, I have downloaded many free books becuase of beautiful covers.

Sorry for the slight off-topic.

I've discussed this elsewhere, good topic. I definitely feel the artwork/cover should be an integral part of a book or story -- very important in marketing to grab attention and convey an immediate sense of what the book/story might be about. Of course it can be misused as well.

I'd never buy a book just because of the cover (though I probably have once or twice in my half-century) but I do think it definitely adds something.

I actually hate it when the public domain books have generic covers with just the title and author. Or Calibre conversions etc. I've been know to go find the proper cover and slap it into Calibre.

[Nyssa]

Originally Posted by kennyc

Sorry for the slight off-topic.

I've discussed this elsewhere, good topic. I definitely feel the artwork/cover should be an integral part of a book or story -- very important in marketing to grab attention and convey an immediate sense of what the book/story might be about. Of course it can be misused as well.

I'd never buy a book just because of the cover (though I probably have once or twice in my half-century) but I do think it definitely adds something.

I actually hate it when the public domain books have generic covers with just the title and author. Or Calibre conversions etc. I've been know to go find the proper cover and slap it into Calibre.

I do that ALL the time! I'll also look for alternative covers of any book if I'm not happy with the one included.

[mr ploppy]

Originally Posted by kennyc

Have you ever bought a book just because of the smell? or the feel of the paper?

I once didn't buy a book because it had too many squashed flies on the back cover.

[mr ploppy]

The cover is there to attract people's attention so that they read the blurb. The blurb is there to entice people to read the sample. The sample is there to entice people to buy the book.

So there's probably thousands of books I haven't bought because the cover didn't attract my attention.

[Pinecone]

A nice looking or interesting cover had prompted me to LOOK at a book. But whether I get it or not is dependent on the content.

[ekster]

Covers make me look at the book, but I always look at the description and reviews before buying. And a bad cover might make me hesitate to consider the book, but again, my real opinion is always based on description and reviews.

[Freeshadow]

I admit I'd do it if the book in question would be a volume with act photography

[ScalyFreak]

Originally Posted by captkjaneway

Nope - but I have NOT bought a book because of the crappy cover.....

This. The cover is what first gets my attention, but the description/summary/blurb is far more important.

I should probably clarify though, that what I consider a "bad" cover, is not necessarily an ugly or tasteless one, but one that looks cheap and rushes. As if it was hacked together in MS Paint in less than a minute, by someone who has no idea of basic design principles or color combinations. The cover is the first impression. If an author or publisher can't be bothered to put the slightest bit of thought or effort into making a good first impression, what else have they skimped on? Proof reading? Spell checking? Any other thing that I actually care about?

I am a lot less picky about free eBooks. If I don't like a free book, I just delete it and move on.