Don’t Judge a Book by the Cover
May 25th, 2008 | 
Author: So we’ve all heard the saying “Don’t judge a book by the cover.” How often do we follow that? I sometimes tend to choose a book based on its cover photo and/or design as well as the copy on the back cover.
Mike at Novel Journey has an interesting post on “10 Standout Christian Fiction Book Covers.” I think I like about half of his choices and might pick up two or three to read based on the cover.
After looking at Mike’s top 10 choices, I recognized a pattern but couldn’t quite put my finger on it. Then I realized that the selector was a guy!
His choices tended to be male-oriented – dark, seafaring, mysterious, masculine, and lots of red. Not sure what I mean? Compare the covers to two mentioned in the “notable” category – Deeanne Gist’s and Tracey Bateman’s.
Personally my top 10 choices probably would’ve reflected the fact that I’m a female. Gist’s and Bateman’s would more than likely make my top 10 list. If they didn’t, I’m sure my choices would be reflective of those styles.
So all of this has made me wonder what it is about a cover that makes us like it.
You see, I design book covers as part of my “real life” job. (I actually design a lot of things – inside book pages, business cards, advertisements, newsletters, brochures and tons more.) Book covers are perhaps one of my favorite things to design simply because the words inside the book come to life on the cover.
Naturally, I’m curious about what is that makes us like or dislike a cover. Do you have a cover preference? What are things you like or dislike about covers? Do certain colors, art styles (illustration vs photograph), fonts and other elements draw you to a cover or turn you off?
As a bonus question, does anything about the Morrisey cover (In High Places) bother anyone? Hint: Think perspective.
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Kara,
I had no idea you were blogging on your site again. I check everyday but the “bits and pieces” post shows up at top and I just thought you hadn’t added to the blog. My apologies. Now I know better! When you told me a few days ago you were blogging I just thought you meant your new blog. Oops! My bad. Glad to see you’re back, though!
No problem, Cyndi! I moved the ‘bits and pieces’ post to the sidebar – probably something I should’ve done awhile ago. =) It isn’t particularly attractive over there but it still works! =)
I have to admit that the covers he picked would not be my choices. The paint one with the hands I might pick up, but the others I would probably pass over.
If I knew the author I would read the back. I did read Bride Most Begrudging by Gist.
I only like the cozy mysteries, not too scary ones. LOL. I enjoy Christian fiction the most. Throw some comedy in and I will like it even better.
That’s so interesting that you design covers! Can you share some that you designed?