Caffeinated Confessions #4 Are You a Cover Whore?

April 26th, 2013 Kimberly Feature 67 Comments

26th Apr

Caffeinated Confessions

Welcome to Caffeinated Confessions !

 

I wanted a forum where we could talk about bookish subjects from swoon-worthy covers to the price of eBooks. I hope to share my thoughts on a different subject each month. So that we can all chat and share opinions. In the process, I hope we get to know each other a little better. I made a pot of french roast coffee and have some peppermint tea so grab a cup and let’s chat:

Are you a Cover Whore?

Cover Whore *giggles* It sounds so dirty, doesn’t it? But I must confess I have a cover whore living inside me. It was in my late teens that I first started hearing her and her insatiable desire to own those pretties. What is a cover whore you ask? It’s those book shoppers who love shiny, pretty, smexy, freaky, stunning, drool worth covers. Who runs to touch it and immediately want it without really caring what is on the inside!

My cover whore has a personality all of her own, and is quite childlike in her behavior, with her “must have, buy now, me, me, me” attitude. She is also a snob walking past plain Janes, unattractive, or ugly covers in search of the shiny books she wants. I have tried to override her *nods head* by picking up unattractive books and reading the synopsis all while she is screaming and tugging at me saying, “Eeew, not that one are you crazy?”.

Have I missed wonderful books because of this her? *nods head* Probably. Sometimes I am embarrassed by it or even annoyed to think I am that shallow, but honestly, I don’t think I will ever change. * “That’s because of all the shiny covers!” replies my inner cover whore, “Aren’t they pretty, must have, want!!!” *

Why am I such a cover who? Dunno, If I were a brilliant scholar I might talk about how my brain and eye work in conjunction and suggest a theory regarding Pavlov’s dog or symmetry and our desire for perfection, yadda, yadda, yadda but that’s not happening. Those covers get me to pick up a book and explore its synopsis. They literally speak to me! *Oh yeah, like a freakin’ siren they call me!* There have been times when I have bought a book simply for the cover. Seriously! Crazy right? These are usually in moments of weakness when my cover whore gets the upper hand. My blogger buddy Danielle@ The Book Whore does a post on Mondays called Book Blind Date. She showcases the synopsis of two books and asks you to choose which one you would read without showing you the cover. Clever right? I am often surprised once the cover is revealed because I wouldn’t have look twice at the book. *wrinkles nose in disgust*

When I am in control *ha* I let my cover whore find books for us, and then I read the synopsis and decide from there. Sadly, there aren’t too many books that make it past her, which means I probably miss out on some good reads. I override her completely if it’s an author I know but what about the ones I don’t? As a young teen, some of my favorite books had absolutely no covers. They were cloth bound with gold lettering which consisted of the title and author’s name. I coveted and loved such books as Gone with the Wind, Anne of Green Gables, Pride, and Prejudice. Then I discovered shiny books and well the rest is history.

So my question is..are you a cover whore? Does a cover draw you to or away from a book? Do you sometimes feel ashamed like me or do you let your inner cover whore rule? Ever buy a book just for the cover?

~ Confessions of a book addict

Copyright (c) 2011-2013 Caffeinated Book Reviewer
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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

67 Responses to “Caffeinated Confessions #4 Are You a Cover Whore?”

  2. candacerobinson

    Yep. I mostly definitely am! I will get a book JUST for the cover cause I HAVE to have it on my shelf! Sometimes I don’t even read the books (though I always intend to…). But yes, it’s definitely an affliction I have! It’s harder to pick up those books with less desirable covers, but I sure attempt to do so anyway!

  3. kimbacaffeinate

    ooh I agree and how about when they change covers going into the second or third book..grr but that is another subject to rant about..

  9. fishgirl182

    oh i am a total cover whore. i mean there’s a reason why they have whole departments dedicated to designing and making covers that they think will appeal to people. covers are important. that doesn’t mean that a book with a bad cover is bad or one with a good cover is good but, it is often people’s first impression of a book and you want it to catch people’s eyes. these days, if i don’t love a cover, i might just get an e-book copy instead.

  10. Christine

    I can totally be a cover whore! A lot of different covers appeal to me, not just shiny ones, but I will admit I really, really like a well done cover. I like to think that I would read anything that sounds intriguing, BUT an awesome cover almost always can tilt my decision to purchase a book from “maybe” to “definitely.” I’m so annoyed that I already have the hardcover for JK Rowling’s A Casual Vacancy because I like the new paperback cover so much better — I’m not so much of a cover whore that I will buy duplicates, but if someday down the line I find a copy at a used bookstore, I would definitely trade in my hardcover!

  14. kimbacaffeinate

    that is too funny, they sent me a pleasing light blue cover on my most recent ARC. So when you go to a book store or the library..the covers don’t speak to you at all???

  15. Judith-Pamela Ayimma

    I am such a cover whore! I have a problem, I know judging a book by its cover and all, but often at times what the author chooses to put across the front of their book is usually a good indicator of the inside. Judging the cover works sometimes and not so much in other cases, I try to be fair in both by reading the blurb before coming to a conclusion though! Great post 🙂

  17. kimbacaffeinate

    hahahahahaha….thanks for the giggle, and I wish you luck with the program..probably works as good as the book buying ban group..pfft!

  20. kimbacaffeinate

    hahahaha, we should get them together for playdates..we can share our most precious covers with each other. I don’t recommend we take them shopping though *giggles*

  22. brandileigh2003

    Oh yes, def make some decisions based on pretty covers, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, Like you I really try to override if I like synopsis or if I have a rec from trusted friend.

  23. kimbacaffeinate

    Ooo Deb I so agree..if a cover is gorgeous and screams steampunk and then is all fantasy on the inside I literally want to scream!

  27. Heidi

    Yep, totally a cover whore. I hate it, but it is so true. I discussed how I get trapped in this on TMST this past week. I am trying not to pick up books based on covers but you can bet I will do it again.

  28. Lexxie

    I think I’m probably the opposite of a cover whore, actually. Sometimes, I have seen a great cover, read some reviews and then gotten a book, but then, the story was so far from what the cover had showed me. And I was really disappointed! So now, I hardly ever pay attention to covers anymore.

    What I do pay a lot of attention to, though, is my favorite authors (yes, I stalk Netgalley and Edelweiss several times per week to see if they have a title by any of them!) to get books I lust after because I want more of a story – or a completely new story I think I’ll like based on the fact that I loved that author’s other books.

    Of course, I do notice covers anyway, and just a little while ago, in a giveaway, the book I chose if I won (and YAY – I did!) was a book I chose mainly based on the cover. So maybe I have an extremely supressed cover-whore living inside my mind, and one day she’ll be able to break free!

  29. kimbacaffeinate

    you are a cover whore but you try to overrule it when you read the synopsis..which is what I do, but it doesn’t always work..hahaha.

  30. Lark

    Funny post, Kimba! Honestly, I’m not sure how much the cover drives my interest in a book. It’s true that a bad cover will turn me off, and a good one will get me to look at the synopsis or blurb. But my choices stem more from the synopsis and any reviews I’ve read. I don’t think I’ve ever bought a book based on the cover (title and cover art) alone. I’d say that a bad cover has more influence on me than a good one, because if the book doesn’t catch my eye enough to get me to look at the synopsis/blurb/reviews, it has already lost me. On the other hand, I’ve picked up plenty of books with great covers, only to put them down with a grimace on reading the synopsis. So the good cover can’t make me want the book if the book itself doesn’t sound appealing. From your description, I guess that makes me a CW, too!

  31. kimbacaffeinate

    the cover can draw me to or away from a book..its the truth right or wrong. You cannot fake liking something, so of course you won’t buy coffee if it taste bitter to you..why would you buy a book if the cover doesn’t appeal to you..right?

  32. Aman

    Totally a cover whore right here! I can’t help it. When I get review request, the first thing I look at is the cover and if it’s not good, then I delete the email. Am I ashamed? Sometimes but come on, if you’ve written a book then get a good cover. But it’s different on Goodreads, I add books based on their synopsis, but I sure as hell am not going to add or read a book with a horrible cover. That sounds mean but whatever, that’s how my mind works 😛

    Aman @ Enticed by Books

  33. kimbacaffeinate

    Too funny about the giveaway. I stalk both sites for my fav authors too Lexxie and the covers don’t matter to me. But new books…yep the cover grabs me first!

  35. Lexxie

    Heh – that’s why I had to admit that maybe I’m not completely immune to covers, you know 😉

  39. Libby

    I am a cover whore! I always look for books that are pretty and colorful. Now here is my delima, when it comes to steamy covers, I find myself shying away! I am afraid that if I do a review on a book with a cover like THAT, then my friends might not understand and may think poorly. That worries me. BUT I LOVE me some steamy romance books. Slap a HOT half dressed man on the cover and you have my full undivided attention. LOL. I could care less what the story is about, I will read it anyway! LOL LOL LOL

  40. kimbacaffeinate

    ooh I do like those yummy covers myself..but not sure my inner cover whore has anything to do with it..i think its my inner cougar..bwahahaha!

  41. Libby

    LOL. I hear ya! I am in the mood to read steamy covered books this week anyway! LOL

  44. Christy (Love of Books)

    Well, I wouldn’t say I’m a total cover whore. Sure certain covers grab my attention more than others, just like anything in life, but I wouldn’t read/buy a book just because of the cover. I will pass on certain books if the cover is truly terrible, because it makes me question the author taste.

  49. Lily B

    I love art, and if the book cover is awesome I will pick it up as well. Sometimes the book itself had been disappointing, but I got a nice eye candy out of it, right?

  50. A Voracious Reader

    I’m the opposite of a cover whore. I could read books without any cover at all. In fact, I get Uncorrected Proofs from Kensington that have no cover art and it doesn’t bother me a bit. Though I could do without the orange covers. Not a fan of orange. *thought strikes* Now I’m wondering if the blue, yellow, red, orange, grey, etc colors are some kind of color-code for a certain genre or imprint or is it just a random assignment? I might need to explore that.

  51. Nyx

    I think everyone has an inner cover whore, it’s just that some can control them more than others xD I have managed to read some pretty good books with horrible covers and some bad books with such amazing covers, so I try to not discriminate. But I have to be truthful, I still get swayed most of the time by the cover xD I do read the synopsis, always though, and it pains me when the synopsis doesn’t go with the book and I end up not reading it LOL.

  56. A Voracious Reader

    Well, some covers will catch my eye and I’ll pick it up to read the blurb, but if the blurb doesn’t reel me in, I’m not reading it, no matter how purty the cover.

    Yeah, the light blue covers are nice and the yellow aren’t bad. I should pull all mine out and see if there’s a pattern, but ain’t nobody got time for dat! I’ll just send an email to my contact and ask her. LOL

  58. Melissa

    Absolutely! LOL! I have different loves for covers, but I like that the cover relates to the book strongly. But yes, a cover can easily draw me in. lol

  59. Trish Hannon

    Funny post. I’m a cover whore and a cover snob! I love the pretty, the clever, the ones with great tag lines, the colour coordinated and the funny. I totally judge a book by its cover initially. If I see enough good reviews though, I will ignore my inner cover whore and buy anyway!

  60. Characterized

    Oh, gosh! Okay, I’m totally, and whole-heartedly a cover whore. Sometimes i’ll read both synopsis’, like one better, but still choose the latter, because of its cover. It’s actually quite ridiculous Like you, I’m pretty sure I’ve missed out on a ton of good books, because my cover whore. But, my bookshelf is really pretty! *Shallow voice* Okay, wow. Thanks for this post, and thanks for visiting mine! (:

  61. Aurian

    Lol could not agree with you more. If I really dislike a cover, I won’t buy or read the book because I just don’t want to pick it up.

  62. Tonyalee

    Yes, I am a cover whore too. haha (that was funny to type) I try, really really hard not to pick up books because of their covers, but it does happen. All the time. I’m sure I’ve missed out on awesome books because their covers… suck. And yes, I have purchased a lot of books for the cover. Most, never read. They sit pretty on my book shelf! HA Great post 🙂

  63. Sam

    Do I need to even answer the question? 😉 I think you know that I am nothing if not a complete cover whore. Honestly, I don’t like to think that I am that shallow (ppft!), but I doubt I’ll be changing my ways any time soon either. Though, if there is a cure, I’d love to have it. I’m probably read better books and spend less money. 😉

    Awesome post, darling!

  64. Barbara Walker

    I’m currently in my fifth rehab for Cover Whore addiction. This new program allows me to covet the covers, but only to buy them if the synopsis or author is seriously attractive, no cheating. To make things slightly easier, I’ve created two new shelves at Goodreads, 1-800 Cover Whore Call Me and Precious Wants To Pet The Cover. I can at least publicly admit that while I have the book to be read, it was the cover that led me there.

    Precioussssss wantsssss to pett the coversssssss 🙂

  65. Debbie Haupt

    Kim, what a GREAT blog post. I’m a bit of a cover detective, yes the bright shiny covers draw me in, but it’s the truth in the cover that wins me over. How many times have you read a novel in any genre and the cover art doesn’t mirror the inside, that’s a total turn off. It also reminds me of when I took over the on line forum at B&N.com for General Fiction and how many book snobs were there, how if they saw a bright shiny romance cover in passing they’d put their book snob noses in the air. Well you know what I think of book snobs and yeah they’re all reading Harlequins now, well Mira releases any way 🙂
    You Rock Kim!!!

  66. karina

    I’m a total sucker for a good book cover, Kimba! on the other hand if I know and love the author, the covers for her books don’t make any difference to me anymore. Even if they ares butt ugly I’ll still buy and read the book (I’ll just buy them in eformat). So shiny wonderful covers only hold appeal for the authors I don’t know. If I hate the book behind the cover I won’t touch anything else by this author no matter how beautiful is their next cover.

  67. Paperback Princess

    Kim I’m a self-confessed cover whore and yes I’m ashamed to admit that I do judge books by it’s cover. As you said if it’s an Author I do like then I don’t care what the cover is like and if it’s a tour invite then I do tend to read synopsis but generally yes I am a cover whore. Those of us that are CW’s are very spoilt for choices as there is so many wonderful covers nowadays 😀