February 7, 2011 | By: Tracy

I Like Pretty Things

Before I get into my shortcomings . . . .

If you haven't seen, Rachel Harrie over Rach Writes is hosting a Platform Building Crusade.  I love this idea!! It isn't about just following a bunch of people and hoping they follow you back. The crusade is about making a concerted effort to get to know a group of your fellow bloggers. Sometimes, we get so busy with this, we follow people without really getting a chance to know them. This is a great way to strengthen your online network. If you're interested, you should definitely go sign up.

Okay, now on to me:

It's no secret that I have a major weakness for pretty fictional men.

Well, apparently, I'm also easily swayed by beautiful covers too. And the YA crew is kicking it big time in that department.

Recently, I picked up  Dark Secrets 1 because I loved this cover.



As you can tell by the layout of my blog, I'm highly susceptible to the colors blue, purple and green when they get swirled together all pretty like.


Then, just today I came across The Iron Fey series that I decided I must have, because the covers are GORGEOUS!!!





And my personal favorite



Does anyone else buy books because they love the cover and hope the story lives up to it? Or am I the only one with this issue?

17 witty remarks:

Melissa said...

I definitely do the same thing. And I always pray that the stories are at least half as interesting. I'm such a sucker for pretty things....

S.A. Larsenッ said...

Yeah, a great cover does influence. In the end, it's the story that will sell me, but an intriguing cover--if the story is good--can add some spice.

Stina said...

I'm with Sheri. The cover will grab my attention, but the blurb has to live up to the great cover otherwise I won't buy the book.

Meredith said...

Yep, covers always draw me to certain books! There are so many amazing YA covers these days--I think that section is definitely the prettiest. :)

Krista Van Dolzer said...

Hi, Tracy! I'm a pretty careful book buyer, so I usually only buy books I've read before and loved. When I'm at the library, I do surf the shelves sometimes, but they don't turn many of the books out, so I usually make decisions based on the title. But those are some pretty pretty covers:)

PK HREZO said...

Stats show teens purchase books based off covers a majority of the time. It make a huge difference when there's a great cover. I'm drawn to them too.

W.B. said...

A book cover can say a lot about the book itself.

Julie Kagawa's novels are brilliantly written, and their covers are spectacular.

Kindros said...

Sometimes I do this. I usually walk through a book store, write down authors names, check them online and read reviews, then return if it sounds good. Or just word of mouth, lol.

Shannon said...

You're not alone. Covers sucker me in every time.

Rachael Harrie said...

Hey Tracy, I love the way you described the networking opportunities for the Crusade :)

And those covers are gorgeous. But I'm with Stina and Sheri, I only rarely buy a book because of the cover and nothing else ;) (Though I have done it once or twice *grins*).

Hugs,

Rach

Colene Murphy said...

GUILTY! I like it, because even if the story wasn't that great or something with the book, at least you have a beautiful cover on the shelf. It's never a complete fail with a pretty cover!

LTM said...

argh--YES!!! I do this all the time, and sometimes it doesn't work out. But I love pretty things, too... And pretty characters. :D <3

Shelley Sly said...

Those covers are gorgeous! I'm a blue, purple and green person, too. I can still enjoy a book without a pretty cover, but a nice cover does make the book that much better. :)

Chris Phillips said...

I buy books based on the covers.

Katie said...

I love, love, love Dark Secrets! Elizabeth Chandler is amazing! She has two other books, Kissed by an Angel and Dark Secrets 2. You should check them out! I think you'll really like them! The other ones look pretty too! I totally pick up books based on covers. They have to appeal to me.

Angela Scott said...

I love pretty things too. I'm always swayed by the cover--the prettier the better. Those above are quite pretty. I've been suckered though. Some covers are wonderful, the story not so much. I try to read the back blurb and then the first few pages of the book to make sure I'm makeing a good choice. Sometimes that doesn't even work out well for me either. (Someday when my novel is published, I wnt a pretty cover too).

Nice to meet you crusader :)

Adina West said...

Fellow Crusader saying hi, Tracy. And yes, a pretty cover does make a difference. I won't buy for cover alone, but it does make me take a second look!

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