Judging A Book By It's Cover?

[disneyfav4ever]

There's one author I read a lot of, and love the books they write. Two people I know have said that their books are all "trash." Ironic thing is, neither of them have ever read any of their books, so my question is this;

Why would anyone judge a book before reading it? Let alone many books, just by who wrote them, when they haven't read any books written by that person.

 

[wvjules]

Well if its one of those harlequin romance type looking covers then yes, I would judge a book by its cover and not even bother reading the back of the book to see what it was about.

 

[merryweather20]

Thats how you're supposed to judge a book. How else are they going to get me to read it, if the cover doesn't look appetizing?

 

[2girlsmom]

WVJules, I would agree, except that I do read a couple of those "harlequin" authors, specifically Debbie Macomber and Marie Ferrarella, and have found that most if not all their books were well written and very funny/moving. Also, Nora Roberts had some that might been classified as "harlequin" types, but to discount all her books based on that would be rather extreme, as she has and does write several different genres.

OP, it doesn't really make sense to me either. I can see that there are genres that I personally am not crazy about, but can't imagine just deciding that a specific author's work is trash without having read any of it just strikes me as silly. What are they basing that on?

 

[CharityLynn]

I think that most authors need to rethink their cover art for this very reason. They need to open up to a broader audience and so many are too embrassed to buy a book with a great 6 pack on the cover in fear of what others say about it lol

I almost always read the back of the book. ANother thing is a catchy title that also pulls a reader in.

 

[daisax]

Publishers spend millions of dollars paying marketing people to design covers that attract readers. If it didn't work, they wouldn't bother.

Sometimes the marketing decision backfires -- if they go too far in a certain direction (the whole bosomy female, guy with tight pants, hair flowing in the wind type art) they are just as likely to drive away some readers as attract the ones they want.

In Costco a couple of months ago I saw that somebody has released Pride and Prejudice and Jane Eyre with Twilight-like cover art. It kind of makes sense for Jane Eyre, I suppose... but not for Pride and Prejudice!

 

[Magic Mom]

Well if its one of those harlequin romance type looking covers then yes, I would judge a book by its cover and not even bother reading the back of the book to see what it was about.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

OP, it doesn't really make sense to me either. I can see that there are genres that I personally am not crazy about, but can't imagine just deciding that a specific author's work is trash without having read any of it just strikes me as silly. What are they basing that on?

I'm not sure what they're basing it on. I know a lot of people who have read, and enjoyed the books, and the only people I know who have said they're trash are the two who refuse to read any.

And I probably shouldn't have lead with "don't judge a book by it's cover," since looking at some of the covers, they don't look trashy at all.

 

[C.Ann]

If I know that a particular author tends to fill their books with what I consider "trash" - lots of foul language and very graphic details that the "story" could "stand alone" without - then I would be one of those people you may be referring to..

I love to read - love, love, love it - but I refuse to read books that are filled with garbage just for the sake of making the "word count" longer..

Is that the kind of thing you mean?

 

[disneyfav4ever]

If I know that a particular author tends to fill their books with what I consider "trash" - lots of foul language and very graphic details that the "story" could "stand alone" without - then I would be one of those people you may be referring to..

I love to read - love, love, love it - but I refuse to read books that are filled with garbage just for the sake of making the "word count" longer..

Is that the kind of thing you mean?

The books I read are mainly suspense romances, and have a love story and some kind or mystery going on at the same time.

There are occasional curse words in the books, but they are few and far between. I also can't think of any scenes in any of the books that didn't help the story in some way.

 

[Christine]

The books I read are mainly suspense romances, and have a love story and some kind or mystery going on at the same time.

There are occasional curse words in the books, but they are few and far between. I also can't think of any scenes in any of the books that didn't help the story in some way.

Sounds like Nora Roberts to me...

I was a Nora Roberts basher. I thought all of her books were useless fluff and I refused to read them. Then I got desperate one day and my cousin forced one of the trilogies on me. I actually enjoyed it and I went on to read a few more. Overall, though, I only end up liking about 25% of what she has written. She has a few standout books and the rest are terribly formulaic. I honestly feel like I'm reading the SAME book over and over again. The only changes are the main heroine's name, the location, the hot guy's name, and whatever "intrigue" is going on (supernatural or criminal).

 

[C.Ann]

The books I read are mainly suspense romances, and have a love story and some kind or mystery going on at the same time.

There are occasional curse words in the books, but they are few and far between. I also can't think of any scenes in any of the books that didn't help the story in some way.

In that case, I would probably give them a try..

Unless the story took place somewhere other than the United States.. Crazy - I know - but I just can't get interested in a book when the story takes place somewhere in another country.. Guess I'm a "U.S." snob - LOL..

 

[my3sonsagn]

I'm sometimes guilty of this though in a different way; I read to "escape," so if a book is clearly about real-life problems or if it looks like I'm really going to have to think my way through it then I tend to pass it by. As for "trashy" looking covers, they don't really bother me since I'm one who believes that ANY reading is a plus for literacy, and if other people can't get beyond the cover of what I'm reading to get that, then it's their problem, not mine.

I used to be anti Harlequin/Silhouette books, too; I'm so glad that I gave them a try because I would have missed out on some awesome books and authors like Nora Roberts, Jennifer Crusie, and Anne Stuart. Some of those suckers are worth big bucks now, too.

Jennifer

 

[wdwfan16]

There's one author I read a lot of, and love the books they write. Two people I know have said that their books are all "trash." Ironic thing is, neither of them have ever read any of their books, so my question is this;

Why would anyone judge a book before reading it? Let alone many books, just by who wrote them, when they haven't read any books written by that person.

So who is the author and what is the book?

 

[gina2000]

People have preferences. I personally don't care for romance novels though I enjoy novels that have romance in them. Maybe it's a bit strong to call them trash but that's the reputation that is associated with them and judging from covers and the brief foray I had into them, it's justified. When inferior writing quality is obscured by the potboiling juiciness of a novel, I put the novel down and mentally file the author under unreadable.

I'm sure you'll find an author that will prove my comments wrong but the genre for the most part doesn't inspire me.

 

[Pakey]

I'm one of those people who is not interested in reading romance novels. Generally, my rule is that if it's a book sold at a grocery store, I'm not buying it. I have read a few, I don't like what I call "light" reading.

I do read the back cover so I guess I do judge a book by it's cover because those gothic/suspense/romance novels all have enough in the recap on the back to tell me I'm not interested.

I don't think I'd call it trash, especially not to someone who enjoys these types of books; it's just not what I find interesting to read.

 

[Judy from Boise]

I am a huge romance reader, reading is my escape. I can certainly understand making an assumption about what genre a book belongs to ,based on the cover, and subsequently avoid investigating any further.
But to pass a quality judgement on something you haven't read, is just ignorant.

 

[phorsenuf]

Sounds like Nora Roberts to me...

I was a Nora Roberts basher. I thought all of her books were useless fluff and I refused to read them. Then I got desperate one day and my cousin forced one of the trilogies on me. I actually enjoyed it and I went on to read a few more. Overall, though, I only end up liking about 25% of what she has written. She has a few standout books and the rest are terribly formulaic. I honestly feel like I'm reading the SAME book over and over again. The only changes are the main heroine's name, the location, the hot guy's name, and whatever "intrigue" is going on (supernatural or criminal).

There was an author I used to read, Barbara Delisnsky, that was the same way. I quit reading her books.


Maybe you should get one of these and then nobody would see what you were reading.

http://gifts.barnesandnoble.com/sea...ey-Symphony-in-Hue-Fabric-Paperback-Bookcover

 

[fluffycow333]

I am guilty of judging a book by it's cover. However I am a very picky reader, if that is possible. I don't like romance or fantasy. I really like just plain fiction, but it has to be funny or have an interesting twist. I have noticed that I hardly ever read books that have people on the cover. I mean, pictures of a whole person. Ones that are at an angle and you can't see the person's head is fine. I know, I'm weird.

 

[wdwfan16]

I have read Nora Roberts and they are just blech. I am living a romance so no need to read about it. I love mysteries but keep the romance out of it.