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How do you pick a book?
June 21, 2007

Time to hit the road for another scientific survey.  How important are covers?  Is the author the only way to go?  How about the summary on the back?  The blurbs by other authors/reviewers?  The title?

Everyone has their own way to pick the perfect book for themselves.  Let's see what they're looking for.

Sheila, 33:  I want the cover to tell a story that will make me want to know what happens next.

Hailey, 16:  By reading the back cover.  (She was buying Laurell K. Hamilton's Seduced by Moonlight, which I personally thought she was too young to read.  Although she did look about 22)

Sharon, 62:  Anything by Nicolas Sparks.  I'm in the mood for a love story.

Patty, 43:  Usually by the author, although I really like covers with people in them.  No scenery...boring.  (She was buying Why Do Men Have Nipples? because she liked the title)

Mark, 23:  I liked the movie, so I'm buying the book.  The Bourne Supremacy by Robert Ludlum.

Pam, 35:  The cover catches my eye.  I like them bright and pretty.

Jeff, 25:  Anything that's newer.

Amanda, 19:  I always read the back and if it sounds dark and edgy, I want it.

Suzy, 56:  I really like people on the cover who look like they have secrets...mysterious.  I hate it when they don't look like the characters described in the book.  Long, blond curly hair instead of short, red straight hair.  Don't the authors and covermakers talk?

Deborah, 44:  If I notice that an author I like endorses a book by someone I've never heard of, I'm more apt to pick it and try it.

Christine, 49:  I'm in an online book group at Catherine Anderson's website and they always have lots of great suggestions.  But if I'm in a book store, I kind of walk around and watch what other people pick up.  Sometimes we'll start talking and they're always willing to share their favorites.  I've discovered a lot of good authors that way.

Stephanie, 18:  I'd say the cover first.  If it has just scenery, it seems like it would be boring.  I like people on the cover and usually night scenes.  They seem mysterious.

Rita, 77:  The titles, then read the back.  Since I read large print books at the library, a lot of times there are no pictures on the cover.

Rhonda, 33:  Definitely the cover.  The hotter the guy, the better and I'm partial to highlanders. (laughs)  (She was buying Surrender by Pamela Clare.  Which, btw, I read and loved)

So, once again, the opinions are all over the place, although people covers seem to have a slight edge.

Bottom line:  Now tell me true...how do you pick a book?



           

   
                   



Posted by Barbara Vey on June 21, 2007 | Comments (19)


June 21, 2007
In response to: How do you pick a book?
Adrien commented:

The book title sometimes draws my attention. Lewis Thomas: Late Night Thoughts on Listening to Mahler's Ninth Symphony,for example is one book I had not heard of when I was looking for a new book , bought it, and it has become a book I turn to often.




June 21, 2007
In response to: How do you pick a book?
COLLETTE HENDLER commented:

I'm initially drawn in by the cover. Then the back cover copy seals the deal for me.




June 21, 2007
In response to: How do you pick a book?
Rika commented:

I live in South Africa so I am most likely to hear about books by surfing the internet or through rec's from friends. When I go into store, I buy a book if the synopsis catches me. Titles and covers catch my eye, though! And that's why I pick the book up. I love hunting for books! Rika - www.bookadesign.com




June 21, 2007
In response to: How do you pick a book?
Clea Simon commented:

Clea, 45, sometimes it is the cover or the title. But I will always at least browse through a book when it's a new work by an author I've liked before. And sometimes (gasp!) reviews help: I looked at (and ended up loving) "The Janissary Tree" because of all the great press. (very interested in this in part because I've got TWO versions of my next cover up on my own blog now) www.cleasimon.com




June 21, 2007
In response to: How do you pick a book?
Christine commented:

So on picking a book: If I'm testing the waters with a new author, I try to read a review, excerpt, or readers' comments first, although if the subject interests me enough I'll just take a chance. (I keep a list of potential reads.) If the cover is garish I cringe but still buy the book and hide it inside a protective jacket.




June 21, 2007
In response to: How do you pick a book?
E. Akright commented:

Initially I am drawn to titles, author recs on the cover, and seemingly inane topics. I discovered Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next series by the covers, and Mark Gatiss by Fforde's blurb on his cover. Both are extremely witty and literate, I would recommend them to anyone, and I generally don't go for a mystery plot at all!




June 21, 2007
In response to: How do you pick a book?
Fred Knowlton commented:

Depends on my mood and the book. Sometimes I pick a book based on the author(Stephen King, Salman Rushdie, Stephen Lawhead, Brian McLaren, Anne Lamott...), sometimes it's by the cover(haven't picked a bad one yet), sometimes it's by recommendation from a friend or colleague, and yes, sometimes...it's just the way the book smells!!! www.toriasbooksandmusic.com




June 21, 2007
In response to: How do you pick a book?
dolphinover commented:

If I am not looking for an author I read the back cover or the book jacket. Sometimes a picture on the cover will catch my eye, but the snyopsis will do the trick.




June 21, 2007
In response to: How do you pick a book?
Christy commented:

I can't tell you how many books I have chosen based on the covers alone, and so far I've not regretted the first purchase! Since my tbr shelf is overflowing, I will sometimes read the last paragraph of the book to see which book fits my mood at the time!




June 21, 2007
In response to: How do you pick a book?
Andi commented:

The covers are the first thing that grabs me. I love the dark, brooding type and am drawn to those covers. The stories have been all the covers promised. I'm sold.




June 21, 2007
In response to: How do you pick a book?
Barbara Vey commented:

Christy, say it ain't so. You really don't read the last paragraph first. You all know how anal I am about books and they must be read from front to back. Otherwise, it's cheating. (According to the Official Way of Reading) :)




June 21, 2007
In response to: How do you pick a book?
Ashley commented:

I think the cover first, but then I read the back just to make sure it's something I like. I also have some friends I trust to steer me to good books.




June 22, 2007
In response to: How do you pick a book?
Elizabeth Jote commented:

Depending on how it's displayed. First the title, then the cover either attracts or repells me depending on the cheese factor, then the back cover, then I read a random page to gage the writer's cheese factor. The bigger the bookstore though, the more I depend on the intelligensia (friends, media, hype) to influence my decision.




June 22, 2007
In response to: How do you pick a book?
Katy commented:

Definitely the cover! Soft colors especially, but if the synopsis doesn't sound good, back it goes on the shelf.




June 22, 2007
In response to: How do you pick a book?
Margaret commented:

I love the covers. I'm a visual person, so this catches my eye first thing. Next the back cover. A good summary will sway me every time.




June 25, 2007
In response to: How do you pick a book?
Shari Anton commented:

I was at a workshop recently, given by Donald Maass (big time literary agent), and he asked us to think of the last book we bought new in the bookstore. Then he asked us to raise our hands if we'd bought the book on 1) a friend's recommendation, 2) familiarity with the author, 3) the cover or backblub, 4) some type of advertising or a review. By an overwhelming majority, 1 & 2 won. So I'm really delighted that many of you actively look for new authors! Gives hope to those of us who aren't yet NYT Bestsellers. Cool! :) Shari www.sharianton.com




June 28, 2007
In response to: How do you pick a book?
Colleen Cook commented:

Title/cover piques my interest, but the back copy closes the sale. I also will read the flap copy if I'm not wholly sold by the back copy. My favorite authors I buy regardless of title or cover.




June 28, 2007
In response to: How do you pick a book?
Bunny commented:

I go for the pink covers-- usually indicates chick lit.




June 28, 2007
In response to: How do you pick a book?
S S commented:

Reviews. I know, I'm a freak.





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