Judging a Book By Its Cover
My Obsession With Aesthetically Pleasing Reads
I spend an inordinate amount of time around books in bookstores. They are my happy spot, my honey nectar place of existence. As a result, untold numbers of books are continually in my line of sight. And I have to say that……
………most have terrible covers.
It’s no secret that a book cover needs to be visually appealing in order to attract new buyers. That’s why publishers hire artists and graphic designers to work up a cover or dust jacket that attracts reader attention and piques interest.
Since the beginning of time, humans have been draws to visual elements that are aesthetically attractive, that captivate us and draw us in. That being said, the operative question is “what truly resonates here, particularly as it relates to a book?”
It’s a question I wrestled with way back in nineteen hundred and ninety seven when I wrote my first book “Catch Your Balance and Run.” Eventually, I decided to dress to the nines and flash a toothy smile, all with an eye-catching graphic of me adorning the front. I am proud to say that I ended up selling 5,000 copies of it over the course of 3 years (it’s now out of print so don’t go searching for it online).
When assessing the aesthetic makeup of a book cover, there are lots of factors to consider — balance, color, patterns, shapes, and balance. A great designer considers these factors and more to curate a functional design that pulls people in.
So when we walk into a bookstore or even view titles online, we are immediately drawn to those books that evoke an emotional response. Even before we look at the bio and description of the book, our brain instantly forms a visceral response and opinion based on how the book looks. In other words your first impressions of what could be your next read is often formed without any rational thought.
So a book cover should ideally do two things: tell you what kind of book you’re going to be reading, and look attractive. While the main principles of cover design generally remain somewhat static from year-to-year, the design nuances that draw a book lover's attention and compel them to pick up and read a piece of work evolves over time.
Why? Because new trends are constantly emerging, altering our aesthetic feelings and desires.
The Design A Book Cover That Sells In 2022: Publishing Guide by Independent Book Review offers a fascinating look at some of today’s trends that are fundamental to book cover design.
In writing this article, the thought crossed my mind as to whether there were any books that I’d been drawn to and eventually purchased because I was, in part, sucked in by the cover image and/or graphics. Here’s are the ones that stood out for me.
Urban Tantra: Sacred Sex For The 21St Century by Barbara Carrellas
Ahh, duh. Yep, I got pretty turned on by this book. Enough said.
How Creativity Rules The World: The Art and Business of Turning Your Ideas Into Gold By Maria Brito
I actually reached out to Maria to inquire about her book cover. Here’s what she had to say:
“The cover was designed by Allison Zuckerman and all credit should go to her. She’s a very accomplished contemporary artist who represents all the beliefs I have around creativity. She’s also mentioned in the book in one of the chapters. The cover definitely catches people’s attention and that’s a good thing! People either love it or hate it. In my opinion it’s great to have a reaction regardless of what that reaction is!”
Weird Girl Adventures From A to Z: It’s Not An Adventure, It’s A Lifestyle by Shelly Brown
Shelly is my kind of person, edgy, creative, and someone who lets her thoughts rip. These themes are all beautifully captured in her book cover.
The Defender: How The Legendary Black Newspaper Changed America by Ethan Michaeli
As a fan of Black History, this book cover moved me to want to read it the moment I saw it. Just recently picked up a copy at the infamous Half Priced Books in Dallas, Texas.
Play On: The New Science of Elite Performance At Any Age by Jeff Vercovici
The visual imagery of the swimmer really struck me. I thought, “there’s hope for me at 59.”
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