What book feature turns you away from choosing a book?

dudeandduchess · Post by **dudeandduchess** » 03 Dec 2013, 04:04

I really don't like it when the book has a really tacky novel especially if it's a romance novel. Bright covers also irk me to no end, and I end up ignoring the book and settling for something with a more subdued cover.

hasmartz · Post by **hasmartz** » 03 Dec 2013, 13:14

I guess I'm not the only one around here judging books by their covers. I have kids who love to know what I'm reading, so I'm pretty careful about what I bring home. One book that had a cover I was always trying to well, cover, was still worth the read, though: F**k It: The Ultimate Spiritual Way by John C. Parkin. Embarrassing cover, but enjoyable read. I'm still not inclined to get it back off the shelf, though, so I guess the cover is a bit of a deterrent.

BookKnut · Post by **BookKnut** » 03 Dec 2013, 13:44

The cover is definitely a big factor for me. I’ve found it a surprisingly good indicator of whether the contents are likely to suit my taste (which are, nevertheless, very wide). If it looks wrong I’m unlikely to get to the next stage, which is to read the first page or so and which is usually enough to decide whether or not to give it a go. I steadfastly ignore the blurb on the back or on the inside cover as I don’t want anybody else between me and the text before I’ve read it, and only then read the blurb to if I agree with it.

Estella Magwitch · Post by **Estella Magwitch** » 04 Dec 2013, 11:10

Any full length book written in present tense. If I open it and see present tense I shove it back on the shelf. It makes me feel claustrophobic, like everything is happening at once, like a TV show instead of a book. So many books with good potential have been ruined for me in that way.

Ema · Post by **Ema** » 04 Dec 2013, 15:03

There are some interesting comments here. I too see the cover as important as well in the inside (or back cover) blurb about the book. Lengthy descriptions about places or the physical appearance and habits of characters (especially minor characters that appear once in the book) that aren't relevant to the story also put me off. Such descriptions look like 'padding' to me and do not add interest.

I haven't bought many books in a while, and when I do I tend to use my Kindle. I often use libraries, however, and so the smell of books matters. Some library books, even relatively newly bought, can end up with a nasty, musty smell inside the covers. I've noticed this more with hard cover books. If I'm really interested in reading the book or if I just can't find anything else, I'll put up with the smell. Otherwise, I put it back.

whero · Post by **whero** » 05 Dec 2013, 02:51

I will potentially read anything, but I do find I am much more likely to pick up a book if it has an interesting cover. I think the only thing that would really turn me off is if there was obviously some kind of racist/sexist agenda/point.

krisihome · Post by **krisihome** » 05 Dec 2013, 05:24

This is a really good thought provoking question, because most of the time when we choose a book, we are probably consciously unaware of why we are attracted to it or not so at the time of choosing! After much thought on this subject, I realise that it is the author of the book that I look at first. I do have quite a few favourites and therefore tend to be firstly attracted to books that display their names! Authors that are unknown to me or brand new authors don't get my attention as quickly! I am very fond of detective thrillers and therefore anything with a romantic theme to the cover tends to be passed over, unless of course it's about vampires!

jellymonty · Post by **jellymonty** » 06 Dec 2013, 12:30

Whilst a terrible cover contributes to me not reading the book, but for me it has to be the back description of the book that will make or break my decision to read the book. Some books may have attractive covers but they tend to be rubbish stories.

FNAWrite · Post by **FNAWrite** » 06 Dec 2013, 13:10

Just a quick thought: They wouldn't put slip-covers on books, if they didn't believe that people do judge books by their covers. Once you take that outside cover off a hard-back, almost all have simple solid color covers.

obiebookworm · Post by **obiebookworm** » 06 Dec 2013, 19:00

To FNAWrite:

Just a quick thought: They wouldn't put slip-covers on books, if they didn't believe that people do judge books by their covers. Once you take that outside cover off a hard-back, almost all have simple solid color covers.

Truly, a psychological thought!!!

Fiona R · Post by **Fiona R** » 06 Dec 2013, 19:15

I find if the writing is bad and I can't get drawn into the story in the first paragraph I'm done.

Maud Fitch · Post by **Maud Fitch** » 06 Dec 2013, 20:13

tracy19 wrote:If the cover does not appeal to me it turns me completely off the book.

I agree. But what annoys me is the fact that some faceless man (and no doubt woman) has the power to put an inappropriate cover on a book. Certainly the author has some say but why, for example, if a book is deemed 'chick lit' does it have to feature a pastel-coloured girlie girl cover? I've read two books by Irish author Marian Keyes which involve some weighty topics. However, the book covers lead the reader to believe there's only mild froth-and-bubble on the pages. Hence for a couple of years I had overlooked a clever, witty author.

ajpjanette · Post by **ajpjanette** » 07 Dec 2013, 14:01

I have been exclusively reading ebooks for about 8 years now so I'm not usually influenced by book covers. As a result its the genre and content that affects me. These days I primarily read books that were recommended via friends, reading lists or what websites recommend based on my previous buying history or favorite authors.
For the most part what automatically turns me away is anything western, overly religious and for some strange reason space ships. I am really not sure why. I have read several books with these themes and have enjoyed them but, for some reason I will usually avoid them.
AJ

klickaal · Post by **klickaal** » 07 Dec 2013, 16:30

I tend to stay away from books that use another well known author in the title or description when the more well known author has nothing to do with that book. The other day I saw a book proclaiming to give insights to the writings of Deepak Chopra and in small print it said that Chopra was not affiliated with the book.

Ja5mne · Post by **Ja5mne** » 07 Dec 2013, 19:53

Non descriptive or poorly written book descriptions send me running the other way from books online. I also must admit I love a beautiful cover! If a book store was divided into beautiful book covers and average ones I'd only shop on the beautiful side! Is that fair?....no not really but after a long day at work and school when searching for a book to unwind with I'm going to go for what catches my eye.