I was greatly amused by these recreations of vintage Mills & Boon book covers (who doesn’t like to nearly kiss by some horses?), and it got me thinking about romance book covers in general.
Boy, oh boy, are there some awful covers out there. (I’d give some examples, but that would likely get me in trouble!) Does a bad cover put you off trying a book? For me it doesn’t, since I know that what I consider a bad cover might be beautiful in someone else’s eyes. There are some covers out that that I just boggle at because I think they’re hideous, but I know others would certainly disagree. I also know that authors only have partial control over their covers, and the publisher has the final say.
Whether or not I buy a book depends on if the plot rings my bell, and the quality of the excerpt. I won’t let an ugly cover stop me from buying if the book sounds good and/or I like the author.
For my own covers, I prefer no faces. I have such clear pictures in my mind of what my characters look like, and there’s no way a cover artist can ever replicate them. But I don’t mind them as much on other people’s books. I tend to prefer photography over illustration (unless the illustration is very realistic and life-like). Simple over complex and fancy. Of my own covers, I have a soft spot for my first (by April Martinez):
So, what draws you to a cover? What turns you off? And how much does the cover matter? Does it matter more for a print book than an e-book?
I’ve never decided not to buy a book because of what the cover looked like, but back in the olden days when I used to do most of my book shopping in brick and mortar book stores, there were plenty of times when a cover was what attracted my attention to pick up the book in the first place. I still wouldn’t buy it because of the picture on the front cover — the copy on back cover was still the deciding factor as to whether or not I’d spend my money on it — but I’m sure there have been many, many books over the years that I might have loved but that just never got my attention because the cover didn’t grab me.
Covers aren’t as much of an issue these days, because I buy most of my books on-line, and they’re usually either by authors I already know I like, or based on a recommendations from people I trust, or because I did a search for a particular topic. Although when I’m searching by topic, I guess I’m still more likely to click on the books with the “right” pictures than on books with pictures I find less visually appealing. (I’m not sure how I’d define “right” other than just that I know it when I see it, but that picture you have above for Love Match is definitely one that would compel me to click the link!)
I still wouldn’t say that I’d ever refuse to buy a book because of the picture on the cover, but I do think the picture still plays a part in whether the book even captures my attention in the first place.
I’m sure there have been many, many books over the years that I might have loved but that just never got my attention because the cover didn’t grab me.
Yep, me too.
I’m not sure how I’d define “right” other than just that I know it when I see it, but that picture you have above for Love Match is definitely one that would compel me to click the link!
Thank you! That’s nice to hear.
It’s such a subjective thing. I have preferences, but it’s something you really just know when you see it. Two covers could have very similar elements, but one will just ping your interest more than the other for some reason. Meanwhile, another person won’t like them at all!
I do tend to buy books these days based on recs or authors I already know. The cover definitely won’t stop me — but I agree that it can certainly still draw me in. On Amazon I often look at the recs they put up (the “people who bought this book also bought” banner thingy) and the covers are a bigger factor there as to whether or not I click.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Peggin!
While this isn’t a book cover, I just wanted to share some terrible album art:
I’ve never wanted to buy an album so much in my life.
!!!
Wow. I’m speechless.
I am old enough to remember being so embarrassed by bodice ripping covers on romance novels that I had to make little book covers for them so feel comfortable reading them out of the house. I also remember being tricked by covers when old books especially in the romance and mystery genres were reissued with new covers. Now I read a lot of urban fantasy novels and I have notice the covers have gone from being serious and with an emphasis on horror and violence to a new focus on putting the heroines in tiny sexy outfits and high heels which makes me wonder what happened to girl power. In any case I never purchased a book by the cover, but I made many a bad purchase based on the summary on the dust jacket and the blurbs on the back which often made the story seem much more interesting or exciting that it turned out to be.
Of course whenever I see someone on the subway with a book cover over their book, I’m like, THEY’RE TOTALLY READING PORN. ;D
also remember being tricked by covers when old books especially in the romance and mystery genres were reissued with new covers.
That drives me crazy! I almost bought the same book twice!
And yes, blurbs can be very misleading! Of course they did their job by selling you — it’s just a shame the books didn’t measure up. :/
Thanks so much for commenting!