Well, I'm keeping my promise about keeping up with the blogging! But I really have to say thanks to my other blogging friends that are making it SO easy!
Today is "Booking Through Thursday" over on Hey Lady! Whatcha Readin’?, which is Trish's blog. Ok, the question this week is:
While acknowledging that we can’t judge books by their covers, how much does the design of a book affect your reading enjoyment? Hardcover vs. softcover? Trade paperback vs. mass market paperback? Font? Illustrations? Etc.?
I have to say that I definitely LOVE cover art. Honestly, it does influence what I buy when I'm out looking for new books or authors at a bookstore. I'll pick up covers that "speak" to me more than not. That is, unless the book was highly recommended by a friend. Then I'll read it regardless. I honestly believe that the cover should summarize what the book is about. I can't wait to get a new book home and start reading, I read it from cover to cover and the first and last thing I do is look at the covers. I analyze what about the story made them choose or decide on a certain cover.
When it comes to hardcover or soft? My personal favorite is hardcover, there's nothing like opening a crisp brand-new hardcover book. The way the paper feels, the way it smells, it's just an all-around good feeling.
Trade vs. Mass paperbacks is a pretty easy decision for me as well. I would prefer trade ... only because they are a little bigger, easier to hold, nicer art work, not usually as many produced as the mass and the paper is usually better. So, if it's a softcover that I want for keeps and not just a quick book I'm going to pass around or read on the plane, it's going to be trade.
I always love nice paper in books. It feels nice and it smells nice. Also, it usually makes for a better bound book. I hate when they are too tightly bound.
Font doesn't matter to me and neither does size. Illustrations may add beauty to a book, but they are definitely not needed, unless it's one of my art, shoe or fashion books. Those I just treasure. lol.
So that's just me. What about you?
Thanks for stoppin' by!
XXX- The Princess
Today is "Booking Through Thursday" over on Hey Lady! Whatcha Readin’?, which is Trish's blog. Ok, the question this week is:
While acknowledging that we can’t judge books by their covers, how much does the design of a book affect your reading enjoyment? Hardcover vs. softcover? Trade paperback vs. mass market paperback? Font? Illustrations? Etc.?
I have to say that I definitely LOVE cover art. Honestly, it does influence what I buy when I'm out looking for new books or authors at a bookstore. I'll pick up covers that "speak" to me more than not. That is, unless the book was highly recommended by a friend. Then I'll read it regardless. I honestly believe that the cover should summarize what the book is about. I can't wait to get a new book home and start reading, I read it from cover to cover and the first and last thing I do is look at the covers. I analyze what about the story made them choose or decide on a certain cover.
When it comes to hardcover or soft? My personal favorite is hardcover, there's nothing like opening a crisp brand-new hardcover book. The way the paper feels, the way it smells, it's just an all-around good feeling.
Trade vs. Mass paperbacks is a pretty easy decision for me as well. I would prefer trade ... only because they are a little bigger, easier to hold, nicer art work, not usually as many produced as the mass and the paper is usually better. So, if it's a softcover that I want for keeps and not just a quick book I'm going to pass around or read on the plane, it's going to be trade.
I always love nice paper in books. It feels nice and it smells nice. Also, it usually makes for a better bound book. I hate when they are too tightly bound.
Font doesn't matter to me and neither does size. Illustrations may add beauty to a book, but they are definitely not needed, unless it's one of my art, shoe or fashion books. Those I just treasure. lol.
So that's just me. What about you?
Thanks for stoppin' by!
XXX- The Princess
I'm afraid I'm a cynic because I believe publishers choose certain covers because it's going to sell, either in general or to a specific target audience. Whether or not it has anything to do with the story is really up to the cover artist who probably hasn't read the novel let alone a summary of it. The author almost never has input on the cover.
ReplyDeleteYa know, I didn't even think about books that are too tightly bound. Those are annoying because they take so much more effort to read. KWIM?
ReplyDeleteThanks for playing this week! This is a weekly meme, so be sure to play next week, too! :-)
HI sya,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for visiting my VERY new blog and actually reading what I had to say. : ) I love meeting new people.
OK..I've read and know that most authors get to submit ideas for their cover (usually regarding what it's about) to the art department...maybe I'm misinformed and it is just to certain publishers.
Hmmm...I'm going to have to think about that now when I'm all hyped up about a really "cool new cover" or one that I really love. Point taken : )
Again, thanks for stopping by, I'd really like to come by and visit you as well!
Friends,
Amy
Hi Trish! Thank you so much for this weekly meme! I'll definitely keep playing : )
ReplyDeleteI do hate when a book is too tightly bound. It makes the words too hard to read, they curve in at the spine, then you have to ruin a really (usually) good book by bending it back and forth...It's just really not my thing and I definitely KWYM. ;)
Hugs
Amy