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Great cover, isn't it? Go on, admit
it. Can't just be me, surely? Great title, too. If anything perhaps
title and author should switch positions.
Can't remember the last time
I had lemon meringue pie but it was a staple in my youth, so I
just had to have the book. It should arrive in time for me to
enjoy after my Christmas Pud. Hope it isn't too sweet.*
Can't say I buy many novels based on covers, but I have avoided
many.
Now I am a huge fan of John le Carre, and own all his books. But
what would I assume from his covers? I would probably assume little
more than: Jeeze this guy must be famous to have his name in such
huge script! Check out the covers quiz to get my drift.
I like white - must be the
cleanliness innate in me. Or is it the journo?
I also like red and black, two more standard colours for the printed
Press. Blue's pleasant, too, as long as it isn't that light.
Colour's fine when used sparingly and in key instances. Brown
is for shoes. But that's enough of my limited wardrobe….
Does a cover sell a book? Graphic artists will naturally insist
of course it does.
Is the front more important than the rear? I must admit I am often
more sold on the rear blurb than on the front image - maybe that
is because fronts seem to be paid scant respect in recent years.
No cheating: think of a few recent purchases and try to recall
the covers. Tricky, isn't it?
As I said, I like white; and two Anne Perry books I picked
up recently have a pleasing use of it.
Here are two which would make me wish to peruse the book for more
than the ten seconds a survey claimed most bookstore browsers
spend assessing a purchase.
Covers change - hardback, paperback and from country to country.
Is that because publishers can't make up their minds? The contrast
here is quite stark. On the left is the American version, on the
right the UK version. Can't say I am attracted by either. Covers,
I mean.
Similarly with Michael Jecks - medieval mystery writer.
The covers are just a turn-off and I would have avoided like the
plague had not a thoroughly reliable source recommended. Great
tales, so….don't always judge a book by its cover.
*Lemon Meringue Pie - verdict. Lots of sugar but worth a shot. Recipes sandwiched in between chapters is a trifle (ahem) off-putting. |
