I Judge Books by Their Covers

And I’ll defend your right to do it too

May 26, 2024

I was wandering through Barnes and Noble with my sister last week, covertly snapping pictures of the books I wanted to borrow from the library, as one does, because why buy when you can borrow? (I actually love buying books but making that kind of commitment to a new book without reading it first is wild.)

“I really want to read this,” I said, pulling a blush-bound book from the shelf.

“Why?” she asked. “Did you hear that it’s good?”

“Nope,” I replied, first noticing its title (The Idiot by Elif Batuman). “I just like the cover.”

Cue the collective gasp. Judge a book by its cover? It flies in the face of everything we’ve been taught since kindergarten! I’ll admit it unabashedly: I judge books by their covers. Not only do I judge them, but I’m a staunch defender of this practice. Because, let’s face it, judging books by their covers makes a lot of sense.

Covers are meticulously crafted. According to Penguin Books:

The art of conveying an entire manuscript into a single image, and making sure it's targeting the right audience, is a task taken on not just by designers, but by editors and the marketing, sales and production teams.

A staggering amount of research goes into understanding what visual elements will attract a reader to a particular book. Most genres boast distinctive cover styles, signaling to the savvy reader what lies within. Romance novels often feature flowing script and pictures of passionate couples. Thrillers tend to sport dark, foreboding imagery and bold fonts. Science fiction books offer futuristic landscapes and sleek, metallic lettering. The savvy reader can discern the genre with just a glance at the spine.

Mystery/Thrillers

Cute Romance

Science Fiction

The title too—front and center on the cover or spine—can offer a wealth of insight. A clever title can hint at the book’s tone, genre, and even its plot. Titles like "How to Win Friends and Influence People" or "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" are packed with implications, setting expectations before you even crack the spine.

But you say: “The cover is just the cover. I’ve picked up loads of books that had great looking covers, and they turned out to be terrible. Awful. Unreadable.”

I say: “I believe you. It’s happened to me too. That’s why I don’t recommend judging a book solely by its cover. Further research is always beneficial. Read the blurb, scan a few pages, check reviews if you must. But let’s not kid ourselves—the initial attraction or aversion sparked by a cover is a legitimate and often accurate first filter. In a bookstore (or library) brimming with thousands of titles, the cover is how we separate the maybes from the definitely-nots.”

The choices publishers make about cover design are like a first handshake—they set the tone, provide context, and create expectations. The cover, in many ways, is a book’s first impression. And as we all know, first impressions matter.

So, next time you see someone in a bookstore gazing intently at (or discreetly photographing) a cover, don’t scoff. They’re not being shallow; they’re being efficient.

Now tell me: Do you judge books (or people, or presents, or bands) by their covers? Why or why not?

Have a great week, and keep reading,

Arty