BTT: I’m a Cover Not a Fighter.
CAN you judge a book by its cover?
These days, I think that marketing groups and publishing houses do a fine job of really “getting” the target audience and desired readership through cover design. Because of the focus groups and attention to cover design, yes, you probably can judge a book by it’s cover, these days.
For the most part, I think that each genre has come up with rather formulaic selling points for their visual representation. While this all may be true, I still won’t actually judge a book by its cover! There are a few that have thrown me off, mostly books that looked like fluff or chick lit, but ended up being pretty heavy. I have rarely been disappointed by a misrepresented cover; though, again, I have been pleasantly surprised by a great story behind a lackluster cover.
Iwriteinbooks's Blog 
I like your answer. I tend to avoid chick lit looking books too. I have been surprised a few times when I discover that one of those authors isn’t chick lit at all. A pleasant surprise mind you.
I agree, covers can be misleading. My BTT: http://beyondstrangenewwords.blogspot.com/2011/04/booking-through-thursday-cover.html#comments
I try not to buy books for their lovely or inviting covers, but I still do it. Guess I’ll never learn!
I like your answer. Some great points.
http://www.lisasworldofbooks.com/2011/04/booking-through-thursday_21.html
Great answer – I wish I had the willpower you do, but I find a lot of the books I pick up to read are due to the cover art.
Happy Thursday!
I have read so many books lately that have had misleading covers, that I have to believe that I cannot, in fact, judge a book by it’s cover. I used to think that I could, but I have been completely disabused of that notion by this point.
Very good answer. I agree these days publishing companies do a much better job with creating covers, but I still have been tricked every now and again.
Very good answer, covers can be mis-leading at times.
Yes, covers can be misleading. When they are good, they are really good, though. There are 2 different art forms and it would be great if authors had more input into the design, to help convey the book’s theme. 🙂
I do think that chick lit looking book covers probably do the most harm to books that aren’t chick lit. And fantasy covers can be awful too by making the books look so cheesy!
I hate that a lot of cover are so similar lately. I like covers that are a bit more original but when it comes down to it I don’t judge a book by it’s cover so it doesn’t really matter.
Sally.
http://theelifylop.blogspot.com/2011/04/booking-through-thursday-14.html
Agreed! The story is always more important than the cover!
I agree, you can’t really judge a book by its cover.