On Judging A Book By Its Cover

From the time we’re children, we’re told not to judge a book by its cover.

We know it’s good advice. We’re aware that what appears on the outside of a book really has nothing to do with what appears inside, or how enjoyable that book will be.

Still, there’s always the temptation to pluck the glossiest, most attractive spine from the shelf, instead of the worn, torn, forlorn spine.

We’re visual creatures, and marketing departments at publishing houses know it.

Personally, I can’t go past a shiny paperback cover with crisp images and alluring fonts.  I want to hold them, to feel their weight in my hands, to smell that distinctive scent of new paper.

Dare I say I want to own those books without even knowing what they contain?

There’s a sort of shame in it, knowing what I’m doing is wrong. Knowing that I might very well get that book home and realize it’s nothing I would ever read. Yet, the temptation is there, to have those books as a sort of art.

Of course, I would be broke if I bought every book I thought looked good, and so I use the library most of the time. I often end up returning volumes without reading them, all because I’ve been so rash as to judge those books by their covers.

And what of those books with unattractive dust jackets? The ones with dated cover art or cheesy graphics? How often do those copies get passed over, even if the stories they contain are wonderful?

What about the following covers would make you want to read them (or not)?

What visual attributes make you want to pick up a book?

What are your all-time favourite book covers?

(Photos courtesy of Karen Horton, Gauravonomics, A Journey Round My Skull, navparker, city of round rock)