I call myself a mood reader but in reality I usually know at least the next book or two I have coming. I don't plan too much farther ahead than that though since my mood may change, and I like to keep my options open. I don't generally request ARC's either, so I don't have that pressure to keep to release dates as much. All in all it works for me, but I was still fascinated by the fact that a cover could capture me so easily! And once I did read the synopsis I knew that The Window would probably be a book I would like (and I was right- it was a little different than I was expecting, but a solid 3 star). There have been times, of course, when a cover grabs me and then I am disappointed, but you can't win 'em all! By and large my track record has been good.
So... how about you? Do you have situations where a cover screams "read me?"
I will admit, the cover of a book does draw me more to picking up a book more than anything else - not necessarily in terms of purchasing a book, but once it is already on my shelves.
ReplyDeleteYes the cover is probably the biggest draw for me, at least initially!
DeleteI love covers! I want to look back at all the amazing covers of books I've read that year so I always look for nice covers first. After that I check Goodreads and if my friends have rated it highly, I'll read it. I'll hapily skip books that my friends have rated low, regardless of how nice the cover is or how popular.
ReplyDeleteVee @ Under The Mountain
I do too. Sometimes I just gaze at the shelves lol. But yes ratings do matter, the cover gets my attention but I usually look at reviews too- or a sample.
DeleteI am definitely a mood reader. I have a stack of ARC's and read for review books but I will pick my next read by what my last read was. If I recently finished a slow read I will pick a fast paced thriller or if my last read was a gory murder mystery I try to read something light like a romance or something funny. I do like pretty covers though.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good way, I totally hear on you that! After a real twisty thriller, say, sometimes I want the opposite! So yeah... and I'm a mood reader too although I do usually plan a book or two ahead.
DeleteA cover might attract me to look at the book blurb but it is the blurb that is more important to me. I won't read dull sounding books just because the cover is good. I do use Goodreads 1 and 2 star reviews to see what issues others had with it before a final decision to buy.
ReplyDeleteA good blurb (one that accurately reflects the story) is important. I think I'm the same way- the cover might get me but if the blurb doesn't work I'll put it back. It can't be the cover alone.
DeleteBut a good cover is a bonus if the blurb sounds good!
DeleteOh yes! The whole Selection series... I started that because of the covers. I know some people hate the pretty dresses covers, but they drew me in. I think it's a combination of cover, title, and recommendations that pull me into books by new-to-me authors. Authors I know, it's just there name. I spend very little time on the synopsis actually. Weird, huh?
ReplyDeleteHa ha did you? See I'm a sucker for a good cover. :) And no that's not weird- I do lok at synopsis but it's other factors also!
DeleteI read books for ALL of the reasons you stated which is why I think I have such an eclectic bookshelf. And this book cover is striking!
ReplyDeleteI love eclectic- before I started blogging I didn't read nearly as widely as I do now, and I think you're right- it's a variety of factors for me too, in the end.
DeleteI think my biggest influence is reading reviews by other bloggers and readers, as to which book I pick up next. If I have a bunch of review books all due to be read, I'll check out Goodreads first and see which one has the most love.
ReplyDeleteThat's a big one for me now too. Ever since I started w/ blogging other recs are HUGE now. And that's a good way to do it!
DeleteCovers totally get me. I love a good cover. The biggest factor for me picking a book though is the author. I tend to stick to the same ones or once I like one I will read all their books. Bloggers definetely influence me in terms of trying new authors though.
ReplyDeleteMe too- covers are huge. And authors, as you say. Like say Lisa Jewell, or even Lian Moriarty- which cracks me up since bfore blogging I NEVER read books like those- but those two are probably auto-buys for me, or close to it.
DeleteIt has been a long time since I read a book solely because of the cover-- I tend to be a lot more picky with my books nowadays because I don't have much time to devote to reading so I want to make sure I'm spending that time with a book I will enjoy.
ReplyDeleteThat's smart! And yeah I don't usually get a book JUST for the cover, but they will definitely get my attention and I think I've gotten pickier too- you only have so much reading time aftr all!
DeleteWhat makes me buy a book is different from what makes me read it. I usually buy because a book was recommended or the cover caught my eye, then the blurb was good and the overall review score was good. Then when it comes to actually reading, I go by mood. I'm either in the mood for sci-fi or not, mystery or not, etc. Since I don't review anything, this is the best possible route for me!
ReplyDeleteThat's a good point- different factors for buying vers reading. I think I do the same on buying- it's cover, blurb, recs etc, but yeah for reading mood plays a role.
DeleteI try to be an "organize and professional" book reviewer but nuh-huh lol
ReplyDeleteI agree I mostly pick a book because of combination of all of the above :) and then I put it on my TBR which I regularly "purge"and try to bring it down to a shorter list to which I stick to about 20% only LOL
I would have picked The Window just because of the cover!
Love this post Greg!
Me neither!! But yeah same here. Ha ha about TBR. And yes this cover totally got my attention!
DeleteUsually it's the synopsis, although I've been drawn in purely by covers before! General hype/pre-release opinion didn't matter at all until I started blogging and honestly I'm trying to consciously cut down on how much I let it influence me. A *great* side effect of blogging is that I've got new friends to give me recommendations though, hyped or not :)
ReplyDeleteI think the synopsis and cover are the biggest factors for me. Blogger recs are important and so is Goodreads score, although to be honest I often don't even look at the score, I peruse maybe 2-3 reviews and then decide on that. And you'r right, blogging is super hlpeful due to all the recommendations and blogger insights!
DeleteFor me I usually look at a book's cover and if it's interesting I read the synopsis. If the books make it through those two rounds I put it on my TBR list. I usually read my books in the order of the time I added them on my list :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post again!
That's a good way! I think I do that too- most of the time. If the cover grabs me then it's the synopsis, and if THAT grabs me- it's in!!
DeleteGood question. I'm suckered in with beautiful covers and good reviews my trusted reader friends but sometimes I just randomly grab a book from the physical tbr pile without looking. It doesn't always work out for me because I am a mood reader as well. Ahhh, this is all so complicated!
ReplyDeleteA beautiful cover will DEFINITELY get my attention, and the synopsis- sometimes a trusted reviewer- will seal the deal. But yeah it can be complicated!
Deleteoh yes covers do a lot!
ReplyDeleteCovers are my first thing!!
DeleteI agree, Greg, it's a combo of several things that entice me to read a book. Sometimes it's just the cover that screams "read me"! Bummer that this one didn't completely wow you. :)
ReplyDeleteYes, there are definitely covers like that! And yeah this one was pretty good, it wasn't QUITE what I was expecting but it wasn't bad!
DeleteYes, so many factors come into play for me on why I choose to read a book!!
ReplyDeleteSometimes, I hear a lot of buzz about a particular author or a particular novel/book I haven't read before, so I will try the new to me author or book out.
Sometimes I am in the mood for a particular genre.
Sometimes it is due to the cover art and/or blurb about the book that peaks my interest.
It may be a book club selection, ARC, etc. that I read next.
I also chose books based on my hobby of knitting or about a current event, etc.
And sometimes, I pick books for light, easy reading when I don't want to read anything real deep. There are so many factors on why one chooses a book.
Exactly. It can vary from book to book! Buzz definitely gets my attention, cover art/ blurb- those are all big.
DeleteUsually it's the blurb. I like specific types of PNR and if the blurb sounds good, I'll give it a shot. Blogger reviews are what usually get me to read outside my usual genre and the reviews really do make a difference.
ReplyDeleteYeah I think cover art and blurb are the biggies for me. You have a good point though- if I'm reading outside my genre I do tend to rely on trusted blogger reviews.
DeleteI am usually intrigued by the general pitch or concept when a book is first announced on Publisher's Weekly, am further convinced by a full synopsis, and am totally sold by a gorgeous cover haha.
ReplyDeleteBrittany @ Brittany's Book Rambles
I never seem to hear of books that early, but Publishers Weekly I should really be checking out!
DeleteI'm definitely a mood reader in most cases but if I'm looking for something new that I'd never heard of before- a cover is definitely what will make me pick it up but the synopsis sells it. So I guess a little bit of everything :)
ReplyDeleteYeah a cover will sometimes sell me on a different genre, and then I usually check the synopsis or reviews to see if it sounds good. I've discovered some awesome books that way!
DeleteI would say 99% of my choices are based on the synopsis but sometimes I fall under peer pressure and read a book because everyone else is. And occasionally I pick up a book based on its cover. One of my favorite series of all time was discovered because of the cover.
ReplyDeleteI do that too, although ya it's usually synopsis plus cover and sometimes author. But yes I love it when I discover an excellent book just from the cover!
DeleteI definitely have book covers stand out to me, but I don't know that I've read a book just because the cover was awesome. I still have to like the sound of the book. However, in general, I tend to get most of my book ideas from other bloggers. :)
ReplyDelete-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
I will occasionally fall for a book by cover alone, but I still check the synopsis and usually if I see reviews by bloggers I know I glom on those to see what's what!
DeleteIt varies from book to book for me. There are times when I read a blurb and immediately KNOW that I want to read that book. But most of the time, it's a combo of everything, including the cover, the blurb, what other reviewers have said (i.e. whether it sounds like my kind of book or not), maybe even the author. Depends on my mood and whatever my tastes are at that time too since I've come across books in the past that I had no interest in but now I do want to read them. I never read books based solely on the cover---I'm too picky for that!---but the cover can definitely factor into the decision!
ReplyDeleteSame here. I love it when a synopsis gets me like that! But yes a combo- nice cover, blurb that sounds good, sometimes the author. reviews too. I don't know if I read a book SOLELY by the cover, but lots of times the cover gets me to look closer and them bam I'm hooked!
DeleteI'm a mood reader but can be swayed by a great cover. The ARCs I need to review have gotten in my way of mood reading on occasion but sometimes that is a good thing. I especially love it when you aren't in the mood to read a book and it totally surprises you. Always gets a great rating from me when that happens.
ReplyDeleteSame. Mood dictates a lot of what I'm in the mood for but so does a great cover really. Luckily I don't get ARC's or I'd really be in trouble!
DeleteI am indecisive so I have no idea what makes me read a book. Generally some sort of external pressure, I suppose. ARCs actually help me decide what to read, so I kind of like it- though I also probably complain when I feel boxed in by them?
ReplyDeleteBut what makes me interested in the first place... well, that's a different story altogether. Usually I will read a blurb like, 3 years before the book comes out. Put it on my TBR. Then, remember zero things about the book, obtain it anyway, and wonder why I thought it was a mermaid fantasy when it's clearly a contemporary about cancer or something. I have been sucked in by a cover I suppose, but it's generally more like the cover either extra motivates me or lessens the chance? I don't know that I've ever read a book solely based on the cover honestly!
Yeah ARC's seem like such a mixed blessing, although let's be honest- they're more good than bad. I often regret not getting them and then start feeling tempted by Netgalley!
DeleteGood point too- what gets me interested in a book can be WAY different from what makes me want to read something next. I hadn't thought of that. And yeah a cover will definitely get my attention. But it's other factors ultimately that make my decision.
Same here. Sometimes it's the cover that makes me read the book too. I'm a mood reader, so mostly it's whatever I'm in the mood for. Synopsis get me and so too the name of an author I really like. Reviews make me curious and willing to try new things, usually long gushy positive reviews and long ranty negative ones, lol!
ReplyDeleteI request ARCS but release dates don't bother me, though I think I should start paying attention to those dates now.
I used to get so stressed out by ARC release dates but now I just read what takes my mood and I eventually get through them.
DeleteCovers definitely get my attention! Mood is big for me and the synopsis probs the biggest thing. Seeing reviews from bloggers I know can make or break a book too.
DeleteI have never requested an ARC, although I may start!
I will read a book just because of the cover. It doesn't always work out great for me but I just can't seem to stop. I decide what to read largely based on my ARC pile. I didn't have a lot of review copies that I had to read in April so I made a list...and haven't followed it at all.
ReplyDeleteCovers are awesome! I don't know if I read solely based on a cover, but a cover will definitely make me WANT to read it, and then I may trey to talk myself into it even if the synopsis or reviews don't seem quite legit!
DeleteI can't resist a really eye-catching cover, but thinking about books I've read solely because the cover grabbed my attention, I haven't had all that much luck with them, lol. A good synopsis will also reel me in, as will having loved a previous book by an author. So I guess I'm all over the place with what makes me decide to pick up a book, lol.
ReplyDeleteSynopsis is big for me, along w/ the cover and who the author is. And trusted blogger reviews. But I go by feel too- does it SEEM like a book I'd like? Usually I'm pretty lucky.
DeleteI'm a fickle book shopper. I'm very random and rarely uses Goodreads to help me make a decision.
ReplyDeleteThe only time I use Goodreads per se is seeing trusted blogger reviews, but I will always read a synopsis to get a feel.
DeleteI am definitely influenced by a beautiful cover. I have been trying to add in backlist books and there is the occasional book that squeezes its way into my schedule unexpectedly. The schedule really does dictate, though. I really look forward to the summer where I block off time to read what I want. The Window sounds really intriguing! :)
ReplyDeleteYes. Covers get me all the time, then I need to read the blurb and/ or talk myself into it some other way! Ha it is nice too to block off time for backlist or just books you wanna read on your own.
DeleteThe Window was pretty good!
The cover is the first thing to draw me in, but I have to like the synopsis or else I won't read the book. There are plenty of pretty covers out there, but lots of books that just don't interest me. I don't think I've ever read a book just based off the cover, unless it was an author I had previously read and was just picking up something off their backlist.
ReplyDeleteSame. The cover grabs my attention, and the synopsis will often seal the deal. Or a combo of synopsis, maybe the author, what trusted bloggers think. Although sometimes I will want to read a book just fro the cover and take a chance, but it's rarely JUST that.
DeleteRight now - if it's on my shelf, I'm reading it. That's my only criteria so I can whittle down my TBR pile.
ReplyDeleteI had also been under a heavy cloud of review books so I haven't been able to *choose* a book in so long but I'm getting back to that and it's been fun.
I mostly go by rec's. A cover may grab my attention but I need to hear what other people are saying before I dive in.
Karen @ For What It's Worth
Ha. Love it. I love being able to choose so it's good for me that I don't ARC, but I do miss getting the early pretties. :) And yes, recs are big for me too. If I'm waffling, good or bad reviews from trusted bloggy friends can make the difference!
DeleteIf I have read an other before, and enjoyed their work, I usually want to read their next book. If I am unfamiliar with an author, the cover is the the #1 thing I look at. Then I read the synopsis. I like contemporaries, romances, coming of age and grief stories. If I see any or all of those elements incorporated in the synopsis, I will probably read the book.
ReplyDeleteThat's true. That's how it was for me with Liane Moriarty and Lisa Jewell, for example. And yes cover and synopsis are probably the biggest factors for me.
DeleteI rely heavily on blogger reviews and recommendations but am also drawn to a book if the synopsis entices me. I won't necessarily buy a book just because of its cover but a great cover could make me pick up a book I might have otherwise overlooked and at least read the synopsis to see what it's about.
ReplyDeleteI do too, but yes- the synopsis (plus the cover) are big for me, probs the main factors. And that's so true- so many times a book cover got me to look at the synopsis and that was it!
DeleteCovers will make me go look at a book's synopsis, but I never read a book because of its cover. I depend a lot on what I see other bloggers with similar taste in books saying they liked. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm not much of a mood reader but sometimes the blurb or the general feel of a book that I got from another reviewer really clicks with me and I must read it right away. I'm not exactly sure why that happens but when it does it has never failed me! Otherwise I mostly rely on blurbs for selecting review books or blogger reviews for current releases or older books. Great topic!
ReplyDeleteSince I started my book blog I have gained two favorite authors. Usually it is the book's blurb (synopsis) that attracts my attention. There have been a few times that the name of the book's main male character has factored in my desire to read it.
ReplyDeleteI remember seeing the bookcover of the Princess Bride for the first time. It was in paperback at a hippie kind of place near UT in Austin. I just had to look inside..and that first paragraph made me want to know more. And I loved all the characters too. But this doesn't always happen. I can find some great bookcovers, but after a couple of chapters I start to think..where I would want this story to go..and of course, that doesn't happen. Truly I think it's the characters. Many of Anne Tyler's characters have caught me off guard and are a bit quirky and then when you figure out why they are this way it's like the icing on the cake. Most get carried away with the descriptions, but I dunno I don't want to read about the wallpaper forever (at least it felt that way in Lestate). I like some grit. A slice of life. Of course, I have been told most my characters are too earthy..oh well. At least I got to read some Guys named Bob today. I hope to finish that book someday. It's just I've been told not to read to much on my phone. It's better to stick with something on paper at night.
ReplyDeleteI'm a bit of a title snob...if they go like "a thing of this and that" or echo any other trend too much, I tend to avoid the book (also because those usually are fantasy). But if they hint at ghosts or time travel or multiple universes or are very clever, I look into the blurb, and I decide based on that. Covers are never a factor LOL.
ReplyDeleteI have picked up books just because of the cover, too, Greg, but a lot of times it's blogger recommendations or publisher lists. The synopsis for sure. Also, if it's by an author I love I'll usually read it. Moods can dictate too. I've been a very moody reader lately. I seem to only want mystery/thrillers with a bit of romance, but doesn't have to have it either. I was reading (or trying to) a romance the other day and had to set it aside because I'm just not in the mood just romance. Great discussion post, Greg!
ReplyDeleteI know the next book or two of what I am going to read next. Other then that I don't plan any further. Its the synopsis that makes me want to pick up a book.
ReplyDelete