Thursday, July 24, 2008

Judging Book Covers

I ran across a new book cover image for Jacquelyn Mitchard's Still Summer. I suspect it is the image of the paperback or tradeback edition. And if so is more likely to be the cover of the book winners of the giveaway this week will receive. The hardback library copy I read has the sailboat on the cover and will probably always be the image I see in my mind when remembering this novel. Since I ordered it through the library catalog without seeing a cover image, I can't be sure whether I would have pick it up off the shelf at a bookstore before seeing Mitchard's name. I might have since I am attracted to seascape images. But I can be nearly certain that I'd have picked up the second one before knowing either title or author.

As much as I hate to admit to judging books by their covers, I know I do tend to when in a bookstore environment, stressed by unfamiliar territory, pressed for time and scanning the shelves quickly. This applies generally only to the rare impulse book buying. I've not bought a book in over a year and even then I went after one particular book to spend my Xmas gift card on. It has been over eight years since I was in a bookstore with funds to spend on a whim.

So I'm wondering how many of you are willing to fess up that you ever buy a book because of the cover?

If you are interested in a free copy of this book enter the four drawings in the Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday (this one) and Friday (tomorrow) posts. Just indicate you are interested in comments. I will be drawing the winners--one from each post's pool of commentors--after 3pm Saturday and then posting the winners.

See Sunday's post for the poem I wrote inspired by this book. (not part of the giveaway)
See Tuesday's post for my book review
See Wednesday's post for my TT featuring info from various bios of Jacquelyn Mitchard.

7 tell me a story:

Anonymous,  7/25/2008 5:17 AM  

The cover with the sailboat in the storm is WAY BETTER than the other. Rarely do I choose a book by cover but I do appreciate and admire the good ones.

Joanne ♦ The Book Zombie 7/25/2008 11:31 AM  

I agree the sailboat cover is much better.
Sometimes I will buy a book because I love the cover, but I don't turn away from horrible covers. There is too much chance of missing out on a good book.

Carol M 7/25/2008 11:48 AM  

I also like the cover with the sailboat. I often pick up books that have very nice scenes on them. Of course, the blurb on the back will decide if I buy it.

mittens0831 AT aol DOT com

-.- 7/25/2008 2:04 PM  

If I saw these two books at the book store, I'd definitely buy the sailboat one.

Have I ever bought a book, because of it's cover? No, but that's only because I want to make sure I buy a book I know I'll like. I have picked up a lot of library books, because of the cover though. I remember going to the library and picking up Oblivion by Peter Abrahams, because the cover looked like Hitman. Thankfully, it turned out to be a good book.

~ Popin

Icedream 7/25/2008 6:24 PM  

I have never bought a book because of its cover but I readily admit to picking up a book and reading the synopsis because of the cover. What I think is worse is I have been know to ignore a book with a bad cover :(

bookworm 7/26/2008 8:47 AM  

I do prefer the sailboat cover, very much. Mitchard is one of my favorites authors and I think the cover goes a long way to how well the book does.

Anonymous,  7/26/2008 3:02 PM  

Guilty as charged. The book cover is almost always what gets me to pick up the book in bookstores. It's not enough to get me to buy it but it is enough so that I'll turn it over and read the back. That's where the sale takes place.
I'd love to read this book; please enter me.
doot65{at}comcast[dot]net
Elizabeth

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