Thursday, March 27, 2008

Cover - Up




Booking Through Thursday

This week’s question comes from Julie, who asks:

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.?

Honestly, most of the books does not a affect my reading enjoyment. However, most books that I own are auto buy authors. So I normally don't worry about the covers and I buy books. I admit that most hardcover have a interesting and beautiful covers (example: Outlander series cover, Nora Roberts stand alone covers..etc.)so I'm more attracted to books cover that show eye catching, strong and bold details. Some paperbacks have some pretty cover too, like Lora Leigh's Killer Secrets for example.

I don't pay attention to design, front or illustrations unless it part of series that had them done exactly alike. Anne Stuart's ICE books for example have some likeness covers together. I just dislike it, when the themes design are matched similar in cover and than suddenly changed for something different. I may not like it for awhile, but may like it later.

Saying all this, usually I don't let the design, illustration of front bother me. I just usually auto buy my books from favorite authors most of the times.

How about you?

Don’t forget to leave a link to your actual response (so people don’t have to go searching for it) in the comments—or if you prefer, leave your answers in the comments themselves!

9 comments:

Melody said...

Yes, I only buy hardcovers when they're written by my favourite authors because they're just too expensive!

I'm quite particular with fonts though, because if they're too small they'll affect my reading pleasure and I hate that. And yes, I like the covers of Anne Stuart's ICE series! Speaking of this, I can't wait for her next installment to be released in May!!

BooksPlease said...

I don't like some things about some designs and formats but if I like the content then I'll still enjoy the book.

Jane said...

It's tough on the cover art because some is so good and others pretty inane. I haven't checked out the Ice books and am curious about them.

Jeane said...

If a book is part of a series, I always want the cover style to match, especially if I'm adding them to my collection.

gautami tripathy said...

For me the font is more important. Above all, authors rule the roost!

Booking through cover

pussreboots said...

I like to look at the different cover illustrations. I like cover art so much I've been using them for my Thursday Thirteens for a number of weeks. Happy BTT.

Literary Feline said...

I have my automatic buys too, but I do like to browse sometimes and just see what catches my eye. It's always interesting to see what covers draw me in for a closer look. I don't usually let that determine whether I actually buy a book though. I have to be interested in the subject matter as well.

Alice said...

I'm a sucker for covers although I still buy irregardless if they're by authors I like. Hehehe.

I do a lot of online shopping so the exterior doesn't really matter to me, actually. The content and subject matter do.

Julia said...

Melody - If the next ICE installment coming out in May, then it not that far behind. I can't wait! Well, I admit that the small fonts can be problem in reading, but I just never let that bother me.

Bookplease - Yes sometime the content help us to enjoy the book even though the design or something else is not great

Jaimie - You should try the ICE series, they worth the reading imo! Sometime I wish some authors have say on the cover art

Jeane - I would want the series books to match each other covers too. The books look nice sitting side by side on the bookshelves

gautami - You right, the authors rule the roost! ;)

Pussreboots - I love how you use the different cover art for your TTs....very neat!

Literary Feline - I find it interesting to see what books cover draw me for closer look too. But even some eye catching covers doesn't make me pick up the book, atlease not right away until few days later hehe.

Alice - I do most of my books buying online too. But I also buy lot of books from my local Walmart the most. More than I do B&N bookstore, local....

Sorry gang, this been a late response to your comments. I thinks you for stopping by and hope you visit me again :)