It’s official: you really can judge a book by its cover
May 30, 2008
According to a Zogby poll of 8,000 adults, 52 percent said they have picked up a book based solely on its cover. Personally, I think that’s low. I’ll admit it. I’ve noticed most new books (the ones I’ve never heard of) based on a neat looking cover. Then I check out the back cover copy, maybe skim the first page and decide right then to buy it or leave it behind at the store.
Makes me wonder – are you seduced by a pretty cover? A catchy title? Or something else entirely?
And I’ll tell you who will get a brand spanking new copy of The Accidental Demon Slayer, with the words Advanced Reading Copy stamped on the front of it – Marjorie Banes. Yay Marjorie.
Stay tuned. Michelle Rowen, the fabulously talented author of Lady & The Vamp is stopping by for a visit. She’s written three books in the Immortality Bites series, along with a very fun and creative stand-alone book, Angel With Attitude. And she has some new projects to tell us about. Off to go straighten up my headlines, dust off the comments section and get everything into tip top shape for our guest.
Thanks for stopping by! If you like paranormals as much as I do, then this is the place to be.
Angie Fox 
May 30, 2008 at 3:35 pm
I absolutely get attracted to books by their covers. It’s one of the things that’s stopping me from spending obscene amounts of money on online bookstores – you can’t browse through quickly, scanning book covers and leafing through the pages…
I don’t actually read first pages. I get attracted by the cover and maybe a catchy title (but cover first, always, unless it’s the type of cover that has such a prominent title that that’s SUPPOSED to catch your attention first), then read the back cover, and tend to make my decision based on that. Recommendations also help a good deal.
May 30, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Hi. (Delurking.) I admit a cover sometimes helps in my decision on whether to pick up a book or not. BUT, if the back of the book doesn’t grab me, I’ll try one more time with the blurb. If that doesn’t do it…I walk away.
May 30, 2008 at 4:51 pm
You know, I never thought about it that way, Cory. But you’re right – I’ll go online if I know what I want. But to have fun and browse, I’ll head straight to a bookstore. And I’m trying to think of a way to say this without it coming out strange, but oh well – I love the way bookstores smell.
Interesting that you’re a blurb reader, Brandy. I read those too, especially if they’re from authors on my auto-buy list.
May 31, 2008 at 2:54 am
Nothing beats the feeling of an actual bookstore. I can’t remember the last time I actually bought anything in one (it’s just cheaper online these days, what can I say), but I still love to go inside and just browse. It doesn’t just smell nice, it feels nice. In a good store, the whole atmosphere is just… yum. (For a wannabe writer, I sure am eloquent, aren’t I?)
One of my best friends as a kid was the lady in the bookstore around the corner. I spent half my childhood in there, to the point where I would always point out, “Oh, this book is new, isn’t it?” when there was a title I didn’t recognise on the shelves in the kiddy section. I actually wasn’t allowed to buy anymore books at one point because I bought way too damned many and my parents thought it was just a phase I’d grow out of. *g* I’d take money from my piggy bank, go to the store, buy a book and hide it under my sweater until I made it to my room.
As far as juvenile delinquents go, I was pretty tame. 😉
Aah, memories. I’m rambling, I know, but that should convey how much I love the feel of an actual, Real Life Bookstore, no matter how internet-oriented I am as a rule.
May 31, 2008 at 9:16 am
What a great story. You’re going to have to dedicate a novel to that lady from the bookstore for helping foster your love of reading, along with your inner rebel.