Judging Books By Their Covers

So, I spend a lot of time in books stores, mostly the Borders around the corner from where I work, but also The Strand, Barnes & Noble and Shakespeare & Co. Walking down Washington Square Park I tend to check otu the latest titles that the guys on the street have available.
Usually when I decide on a book there is a pretty good reason; I know the author; It’s been recommended by a friend; I’ve read a good review about it. But some times I just like to choose a book or two based on cover design. For the most part I haven’t been let down.
Now some people may laugh at me for this, citing the old adage “You can’t judge a book by its cover,” but I don’t believe that, and I bet there are a bunch of cover designers out there who would agree with me as well.
Think about it, from the moment you walk into a book store companies are going to hope that you buy their book rather then another companies book. And what better way to target their book to you then with a snazzy cover design.
For some books this may mean putting a celebrity authors name or face right there on the front, but for most books, especially the ones I read it is more about appealing to a demographic.
The cover is the draw, when I pick up a book I never heard by someone I have never heard of there has got to be a good reason. Once I have that book in my hand the cover has almost accomplished its job, the second part is the back cover, tell me enough, make the book sound interesting enough in 10 sentences or less and I am sold. This was how I discovered books like Post Office by Charles Bukowski (I am now on the third book I have read by him), this past week I read African Psycho by Alain Mabanckou, turned out to be a pretty good book. Every now and then when I am looking for a quick “beach read” I’ll look for a brightly colored cover with a fun graphic on it that I like. Yes, some times I am led astray, but for the most part I am spot on. Those folks out there designing covers for books definitely know their job, and for the most part do it well.
So, next time you are stuck looking for a book to read, why not pick up that one you’ve never heard of, but keep glancing at because of its nice cover. Give it a try, who knows what you will find under that cover.
I’ll tell you another time about how most of the time I spend in book stores I am reading books I have no intention of buying, but that is for a different holiday weekend.
Enjoy your three days off, I’ll get caught up with some more posts come Tuesday.