This week’s topic: Cover-Up
While acknowledging that we can’t judge books by their covers, how much does the design of a book affect your reading enjoyment? Hardcover vs. softcover? Trade paperback vs. mass market paperback? Font? Illustrations? Etc.?
Well, that’s a good question! As far as it affecting my reading enjoyment, that’s probably close to a zero. How it affects what catches my eye at a store, or more importantly, a library sale, now that is more important! I definitely love cute covers and those with good colors and those that are eye-catching. But it really has to be the author or story or content that affects how I enjoy the book. I like to “collect” hardcovers of certain authors, like John Grisham. I prefer holding the trade paperback size the best, and probably like the regular mass-market paperback the least. But I have plenty of those, as I tend to pick them up at library sales for 50 cents each. I’m trying to get more of those, with the intention of one day joining paperbackswap.com. But back to design – certain books just catch my eye, and might make me look at the back cover or inside excerpt and read what it’s about, whereas I might not have picked it up if the cover or title didn’t catch my eye.
Case in point – the books I’m currently reading. Don’t they have the greatest covers?
Happy Reading!
I have to admit, while it wouldn’t keep me from reading or not reading a book, the cover is important. I like trade paperbacks the best, because they’re easy to carry around and yet a good type-size for reading. I have to REALLY want to read a book — and no other options are available — to read the mass-market paperbacks. They’re just too hard on my eyes! I just finished reading one, and the story made me forget that the type was so small. I like an interesting cover and a good cover will draw me to a book –at least to pick it up and look at it in the bookstore –every time. I would rather collect the trade paperback size, because they don’t take up as much room. But if I’ve read a book and loved it, I want to keep THAT copy. Which is why I prefer to buy books on amazon rather than check them out at the library. Because what if I really love it? (Are you still awake? I know, more than you wanted to know, but this was fun!)
I love the covers of the books you are reading, Stacey! I may have to check those out!! I played along today–nothing better to do when you are home sick–that is other than actually read a book! I have finished 3 so far this week.
*smiles*
Kim
http://pageafterpage-kim.blogspot.com/2008/03/book-chatter.html
(I posted on my book blog–not my general one)
I have to say that I really don’t like mass market paperbacks. They are difficult to hold! I do form opinions about books based on their covers, but I know that a book with a cover I dislike still may be a good book (or the other way around).
For me a cover says alot when i discover new authors.
Now if the story is just as good as the cover then i go back fo more and the cover no longer influence my decision.
You can see the books i have read and covers if you look on the right side of my blog,click on the logo that says shelafi and you’ll see books i’ve read within the last year or so.
Yep, I gotta agree…those are great covers!
This is interesting! Covers don’t mean all that much to me, but I definitely prefer paperback over hardcover for some reason. Like you, they are easier to hold. I think I prefer trade paperbacks, if those are the nice sized ones. Don’t love the pocket-sized ones on cheesy paper with hard to read font. Illustrations don’t matter so much to me.
As usual – interesting QOTD!
Those do look so fun. I always pick up the fun covered books first!! I prefer paper to hardback because they are usually cheaper. I do prefer checking out hardcover books from the library though. I think the cover does affect my purchase of books I haven’t heard reviews on, but of course titles and descriptions hold a little bit greater weight.
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