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
ReplyDeleteYou have taken interesting covers. Some of those do need to be redesigned! Some covers are So trashy! I have posted about that.
ReplyDeleteHere is my Top Ten post!
Fair 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/