Top Ten Tuesday: Judging Covers

 This week's topic is all about that old saying Never judge a book by it's cover.

Which is ask me, is hogwash. And impossible to do. Plus the covers are a work of art for a reason.

Here are 10 books that I'm excited to read because I love the covers.

 

 

 

 

 

Any of these covers strike your fancy?

Top Ten Tuesday: Unique Titles

This week's topic is unique titles. Sometimes I title pulls me towards the story and hooks me before I even know what it's about. Here's a few upcoming titles that I love and make me want to know more about the book.

- meme from The Broke and the Bookish 

Bookish Boyfriends: Could there be a better title? I'm hooked

Honor Among Thieves: Here for the thieves!

Death Below Stairs: Sound very Downton Abbey

Listen to your Heart: always good advice

Other Side of Lost: Finding yourself?

A Very Merry Princess: two of my favorite things: Christmas and Royalty

Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe: Christmas with Darcy and Lizzie. Heck yes!

Payback on Popular Lane: Revenge!

No Covers:

Queen of Sorrow: Why is she so sad?

My So-Called-Bollywood Life: Bollywood! I need to learn more.

Thoughts?

Judging A Book By It's Cover

I've always heard the saying: Don't Judge A Book By It's Cover." I've never been able to follow this advice and I'm not really sure it's good advice. I use the cover as a major decision maker both in purchasing books and for personal reading choices. If I'm reading about a book and it sounds interesting, but I've never heard of the author or if I'm not sure it will circulate well at the library, I check the cover. If I like the cover, I add it to my list. If the cover is terrible and I don't think anyone will pick it up, no matter how great it sounds, I don't buy it. There are times when I've come across a book more than once. But when I see the cover, I cringe and remember why I didn't want it. There are differences with the paperback covers and sometimes they're changed for the better and then I'll take another look at a book I've passed over.

In a library where there's not a lot of room for growth (although I think that I just figured out something amazing for the YA section today on saving space) and not a lot of money; there's no way I'm going to second guess my patrons. I really need to purchase books I KNOW they will enjoy. I also know that people judge "well-circulated" books differently. It's possible that the circulation numbers that make me happy (5 times in 3-6 months makes me smile, 9 times in the same amount of time makes me giddy) might not be the numbers to make you smile. I'm happy when I see teens leaving the library with an armful of books.

What I look for in a book cover: something eye-catching, colorful, something that makes sense to me, catchy title (I know this is a whole other topic), or something that makes me curious


This cover intrigues me. I'm not sure what I really love about it, but once I saw the cover, I knew I had to ready it. I does scream fantasy. I'm curious about what the dragon's holding. Is it something magical?


I really like the hardcover (cow) cover best. I know it doesn't say anything about football (a major issue in the book) but at least it gives you a little info. The paperback cover however, could be almost any teen novel about romance or friendship. Plus the tiara wearing cow = priceless and very funny.






I adore this book and I confess that the Hardcover (blue one) does little for me. I thought the title was great. But I think that the paperback cover really hit the mark. It's fun and modern. I love how the flames are wrapping around Maggie's arm. And it clearly shows the prom theme.








I'm not saying that this is the best formula. There are great covers disguising books that I hated. But, as a general rule, it works for me personally. I do take notice when I buy a book with a bad cover that sounds promising. It rarely goes out. Some might argue that's just my taste, but I would say not really given the books that circulate nine times in six months.

What about you...do you judge a book by it's cover?

For more on book covers, check out the blog Jacket Whys