Do You Judge a Book By It's Cover?
By MARILYN
@Marilynda1225 (82798)
United States
October 30, 2017 11:34am CST
I mean literally...when you are looking at books, do you judge a book by it's cover?
Whenever I'm looking for a book I tend to be drawn to those that have enticing covers. However, I recently read a book called The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls and it normally would have been a book I'd bypass as the cover was very plain. I got this book because it was talked about so much by so many people and everyone said the same thing..."what a great book".
So, I would have missed out on a great book simply by judging it by its cover.
29 people like this
32 responses
@andriaperry (116936)
• Anniston, Alabama
30 Oct 17
Nope. I read the back or nowadays the inside cover for what its about.
9 people like this
@cmoneyspinner (9219)
• Austin, Texas
31 Oct 17
The cover attracts me first. Then I read the back and the inside cover. Just in case the it was just a pretty picture. 
@Marilynda1225 (82798)
• United States
30 Oct 17
Generally I have a book in mind when I'm looking to read something so the cover doesn't really matter. But, if I'm just browsing I tend to start with those that have attractive covers. Of course the content is what is important and not necessarily what the cover looks like
3 people like this
@pixiequeer (87)
• Cincinnati, Ohio
30 Oct 17
What typically draws you in to want to read the inside or the back cover?
2 people like this
@pixiequeer (87)
• Cincinnati, Ohio
30 Oct 17
I take it that means you used to? What change your mind?
3 people like this
@TheInvisibleMan (17597)
•
30 Oct 17
@pixiequeer I changed my mind as I began to read more.
3 people like this
@snowy22315 (180715)
• United States
30 Oct 17
No, but I do judge it by reading the book jacket or online synposis. I can usually get a pretty good idea of whether I will like the book or not. What did you think of the Glass Castle? Weren't her parents insane??
3 people like this
@snowy22315 (180715)
• United States
30 Oct 17
@Marilynda1225 Thanks! I was going to say more about the book, but I decided they might be spoilers..
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (82798)
• United States
30 Oct 17
Yes I loved that book and couldn't believe the life she led. I just finished reading Half Broke Horses by the same author and it's a sequel and all about her grandmother. Another great read and if you're looking for a good book I highly recommend it
2 people like this
@pixiequeer (87)
• Cincinnati, Ohio
30 Oct 17
I'm gonna ask you the same thing I just asked someone else. What draws you in to initially want to pick up a book?
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (51197)
• Canada
31 Oct 17
I usually will gravitate to a particular author and to particular subject before the cover, because like you said, you can miss out on a good read if you only go by the cover. That was what we did when we were young and choosing our story books, we can't do that as adults.
4 people like this
@sueznewz2 (10409)
• Alicante, Spain
31 Oct 17
yes ... I do ..all the time... the cover first.. then the title and then I read the back cover to check the story...
3 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (82798)
• United States
31 Oct 17
Even if the cover doesn't make me want to read the book then of course the story is most important
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340019)
• Rockingham, Australia
31 Oct 17
Althoug judging a book by its cover is a common saying and now applies to meeting new people as well, until you know more about the book or the person, the 'cover' is all you have to go on so it's a bit hard not to be a bit judgemental about covers. I guess we need to keep an open mind re people especially, until we get to know them a little.
3 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (82798)
• United States
31 Oct 17
Very true and I always get to know a person first before making a decision. As for books, a cover is only a cover and it's the story that's important
2 people like this
@Hannihar (130218)
• Israel
1 Nov 17
@Marilynda1225
Why I like to look at the back is to see if the story attracts my attention or not or to see if I read it once before.
1 person likes this
@LovingMyBabies (85288)
• Valdosta, Georgia
30 Oct 17
I tend to judge by the title and the cover at first, then I read what the book is about on the back of the book. If it sounds good I will get it.
2 people like this
@LeaPea2417 (37353)
• Toccoa, Georgia
30 Oct 17
No, if a book looks good, I will read it.
2 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (82798)
• United States
31 Oct 17
I've gotten many good books with not very enticing covers
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (41427)
• United States
31 Oct 17
The colors of the book can make me take a second look, but it's usually the author that draws mre.
2 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (82798)
• United States
31 Oct 17
I have favorite authors (probably too many ) but lately I've gotten some very good book suggestions from authors I've never read. So far I haven't been disappointed when reading a book that was recommended.
) but lately I've gotten some very good book suggestions from authors I've never read. So far I haven't been disappointed when reading a book that was recommended.1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (82798)
• United States
31 Oct 17
Me too and tend to read authors I'm familiar with
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (82798)
• United States
30 Oct 17
You make a good point. An attractive cover isn't necessarily a guarantee that the story is good
2 people like this
@kavinitu (5535)
• India
30 Oct 17
@Marilynda1225 Of course I will not judge the book from the cover. Most often I get an impression by reading the cover or reading the title. I think this is a very obvious.
3 people like this
@pixiequeer (87)
• Cincinnati, Ohio
30 Oct 17
Typically, I judge a book by the title and read the back of it to see if I'm interested. Now, granted, a nice cover CAN draw my attention, as that's what book covers are meant to do, but I almost always read the back before I make a decision. I just have to initially be drawn in by either the title or the cover.
@Marilynda1225 (82798)
• United States
30 Oct 17
I always read the cover to see what the book is about even if the cover is appealing. Mostly I look for books others have read and am usually not disappointed. On the rare occasion I'm browsing for a book I will look at the covers first and then read the jacket to see what it's about.
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (58582)
• Philippines
31 Oct 17
I've picked up books on a whim based on the cover. More positives than negatives. If I don't like the book, I just donate it.
2 people like this
@much2say (55607)
• Los Angeles, California
30 Oct 17
As I often get children's books (not only because of my kids, but honestly I do love children's books for ME ), I will say often I will be swayed (or not swayed) by the cover. But there are times when I ended up reading great children's books and loved them despite my opinions about the illustration . . . with very short stories there is time to give them a chance 
.
), I will say often I will be swayed (or not swayed) by the cover. But there are times when I ended up reading great children's books and loved them despite my opinions about the illustration . . . with very short stories there is time to give them a chance .2 people like this
@Hosihmommy (11)
•
31 Oct 17
Of course most definitely but more time we assume wrong..I mean first impression last long..# if it looks like a duck quack like a duck then it's a duck simple so we think because the cover look unappealing we just go with our instinct assuming the book is boring even thou 96% of the time it is lol
2 people like this
