Ok, so you've come here looking for a top ten. And normally, I'd be happy to oblige. I LOVE LISTS. This blog started with about 3 lists in a row, and I willingly and lovingly compile my top ten tuesday lists every week (feel free to search through my blog to find them if you have a total itch for some listing action- my personal favourites are this, this one, and oh yeah, this one right here).
Here's the thing about this week's top ten though. I know it's a cliche, but I really and truly believe that you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover. I have often found that doing so leads to disappointment, when a beautiful cover yields an unworthy book, or when a really boring cover has put me off a wonderful book, that I have only turned to when all my other reading options have been exhausted. I do, of course, have some favourite book covers (I prefer the nel edition book covers of Stephen King books, for example, and I adore the penguin classics with silver covers that I don't think they do anymore), but on the whole, what I'm really looking at is what's in-between the covers. Just like with people, it's what's on the inside that counts, even though that doesn't mean that you can't appreciate the cover, I really don't think it matters that much.
You are the exception, I think. It is almost impossible for most people to look past the cover.
ReplyDeleteHere's my post: www.readerbuzz.blogspot.com
I try not to judge a book by it's cover but I also think it's important. If I see a book with a truly beautiful cover, I'll probably buy it, even if I have no idea what the story is about. Whereas a book with a cover that isn't as nice (Clarity, for example) just doesn't appeal to me and I'll probably put off buying it for a while.
ReplyDeleteMy TTT
I agree not you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover, but I think covers can still be attractive or unattractive to you. I personally don't have any artistic qualities so I think the people who design covers are amazing, even though I may not like their work.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with you - a book certainly ought not to be judged by its cover.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I adore good design, and in loving aesthetics I believe that a beautiful book and a beautiful design can be great bedfellows.
I agree, I couldn't come up with 10 either--so I adapted my list to a book whose cover has been redesigned more than 10 times. Kaye—the road goes ever ever on
ReplyDeleteFair enough. I am usually willing to suspend judgment, but I do admit that I am sometimes drawn to books because of the covers...therefore, I've changed my version of Top Ten this week to the top covers I love.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I think that the covers tell us something about the readers. I don't like it when the marketing cheapens the book. I'm not sure if that makes sense.
ReplyDeleteHere is my post: http://hawthornescarlet.blogspot.com/2011/04/top-ten-tuesday-stop-embarassing-me.html
Now now, if it weren't for book covers I'd have less job options available :-P
ReplyDeleteI agree that novels should not be judged entirely by what's on the outside, but I'd say that book covers can be an art in itself. I think my favourite book covers are the ones designed by Coralie Bickford-Smith, many of which are of beloved classics: http://www.cb-smith.com/