Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Bookish Discussion #1 // Judging a Book...


Note: I realize I’m quite behind on commenting on blogs and answering comments on mine. I'm so sorry about that. Rest assured, I haven’t forgotten any of you, and I will try to catch up over the next few weeks. In the meantime, please bear with me. 


For the next few days I figured I would tackle some topics I’ve been meaning to discuss for a while but haven’t felt entirely confident addressing. If you’ve been reading my blog over the past month or so, you’ll know that I started following a bunch of BookTubers because I figured it was about time I got a feel for that sort of culture. But a little while ago, I encountered a corner of BookTube that had been “calling out” vloggers who are concerned with the aesthetics of the books they buy (these videos would have been filmed about a year ago). One vlogger, especially, argued that buying books based on cover love—as well as avoiding ugly editions and used books—is shallow. She also expressed confusion about why vloggers don’t feature many library books in their videos, and why buying books is such a huge fixation in that culture. 

Please don’t get me wrong. It’s perfectly okay if you just don’t understand people like me who like buying nice books and keeping them in good condition. But it does genuinely bug me when people imply my bookish habits make me shallow, so I figured I would speak up about my own point of view. (If you've read my blog long enough, you may have noticed that I love inserting unsolicited opinions into the mix.) 

Today we’re tackling cover love. (And, in case you’re interested in my plan for the next few posts, I’lll be talking a bit more about bookish aesthetics on Friday, analyzing some book covers on Monday, and broaching the subject of libraries vs. ownership next Wednesday, if all goes well.) 

Traditionally published authors rarely get much say in what their book covers look like. Of course, there are exceptions to the rule. Some writers—like Stephenie Meyer and Michelle Hodkin—get to offer varying degrees of input on their cover designs. Usually, though, the piece of art that represents a story to the world at large has nothing to do with the author’s vision or desires. 

Because authors don’t often get to pick their cover art and all that fun stuff, it doesn’t seem fair that my decision whether or not to read a book should hinge on something so superficial and seemingly irrelevant. “A story is a story,” people argue. “The book is the words and the thoughts conveyed, not the pages and the pretty picture. It’s so shallow to avoid ugly or second-hand books just because they don’t look good. You silly person.” 

Hold your horses. I shall explain myself. 

One reason why ugly covers can be a big turn-off is that cover artists are supposed to convey the feel of the book. If I don’t like the emotions or thoughts conveyed by the cover, that could be a good indication I won’t like the emotions or thoughts conveyed in the book. Of course that’s not always the case, but it is possible, so it’s something I take into consideration. Additionally, if a cover is tacky or shoddily done, I do have to wonder how much faith the publisher (and the artists by extension) had in the book, and how much time and money they were willing to invest in making quality cover art. If they don’t seem to have put that much stock in their own book, I’m naturally going to be a little leery. 

Perhaps you don’t find that reason sufficiently satisfying. “That’s based on guesswork and subjectivity,” you argue. To which I say, “Fair enough. Let’s try something more personal.”

I have synesthesia, which means something that triggers a single sensory response in a normal brain triggers multiple sensory responses in mine. (I’ve mentioned before that I see letters, numbers, and words as having color. That is just one manifestation of synesthesia.) Many people don’t hugely care about their book covers because those are completely separate from their reading experiences. They may not find a cover particularly attractive, but they don’t consider it detrimental to their enjoyment. This is, by far, not the case for me. While reading, my mind automatically equates the color, design, and texture of the physical book with the story itself. This means that, when you mention INSURGENT, you think INSURGENT, but I think INSURGENT. (Putting it that way is overly simplistic, but I'm not sure how else to convey the thought—sorry.) For me, the aesthetics of the physical book are a strong part of the story itself, and I cannot separate the two in my head. The cover is the book and the book is the cover. Both the superficial and the tangible matter equally to me. This isn’t an indication of how shallow or deep a person I am—it’s simply how my brain is wired. 

If a book is absolutely fabulous, an ugly cover can still mar my reading experience, as hard as I try to keep the insides and the outsides separate in my mind. In the same vein, cover redesigns bother me because, once the color and texture of the story have been set in my head, no other edition feels like the right fit. This is the main reason why I spend more money and more time buying books selectively to make sure I get attractive editions, and this is why I am more likely to be forgiving of lesser books if they have great covers. This is also why I’m a little leery of libraries, but I’ll go into that more next Wednesday. 

If my reasoning makes me seem even more shallow and superficial than I did before you read this, oh well. I tried. Have fun judging me. In the meantime, I’ll just be sitting here, stroking my gorgeous bookish darlings. Enjoy your jealousy, and don’t forget to come back on Friday for further discussion on bookish aesthetics. 


Well, that’s it for today, little coffee beans. What are your thoughts on cover love? Do you prefer attractive books? If your answer is yes, what are some of your reasons? Do you not care what your books look like? If so, why? What are some attitudes in the blogosphere or the BookTubesphere (I don’t think that’s the right word, but I don’t know what else to call it) that bother you?

16 comments:

  1. I do have to say, the buying culture of the bookish community does make me mad sometimes. I don't put a lot of value in buying books simply because I only get so much money every year and I prefer to spend it on experiences rather than clutter. I do get most of my stuff from the library and buy lots of books used, and I have been very disappointed in the past because some books put more work into the cover than the actual quality of the writing. When the community you're in puts so much value into aesthetic materialism where you don't have that value, it mostly just serves to make you feel self-conscious about the stuff you have and your inability to measure up.

    I actually almost wrote a post about that on Monday. But then I said mean things and I didn't want to be mean in public. But I would say that there are so many great literary works for which no cover design is given, and I don't always know why, but it is a thing. The same can happen with used books.

    Ultimately I can expect why you like, and even need, really great covers for you to enjoy a book because of your synesthesia, but I'm still on the "Get Over It" team. You have reasons that are meaningful to you, and they are great reasons, and they're good for you. But also, you are just you. After spending a few months hanging around book bloggers, I'm getting the sense that the majority are enveloped in a consumeristic-aesthetic culture, and it can easily make books about being a source of pride or a source of shame rather than a source of knowledge, fascination, love, and emotion, as I think they are primarily meant to be.

    So... yeah. You keep buying those awesome covers. :) I shall silently rebel in my own ways. XD

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    1. And that's totally valid too. My sister is the same way--she buys the books that are particularly special, but doesn't feel the need to collect or hold onto the ones that aren't. There have been a few instances where I was quite disappointed with the contents of a really pretty book too. :P And that's totally fair--it can be quite hard to have different values than the majority, and I'm sure not everyone who is into bookish aesthetics is understanding and accepting of those who aren't. But hey, while they are enjoying collecting their books, you will have the one-up on them in collecting wonderful, non-bookish collecting experiences. :)

      :P I've stopped myself from publishing a couple posts before for similar reasons. :P I do wonder why not every book gets a cover design, or if they get them, why they sometimes look like rush jobs. I still read books without cover designs, if that's the only copy available, but it is disappointing.

      Yeah, I think it's important to find a balance in the bookish community, because I do think there are valid points on both sides of the arguments. I do wish some of the shame culture would go away, because if you feel joy in good-looking books, great, but not everyone does, and not everyone should. And vice versa.

      I will do so. :P

      Thanks for commenting! :)

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  2. I think you should buy whatever you like. I don't buy many books anymore because there are always too many books to read them twice. I do think covers are important, especially for readers trying out a new author. But once I like an author I'm not going to stop reading their books because their artist doesn't do a good job.

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    1. Yeah, that is a big struggle. So many books, so little time. And I would have to say the same--while good covers are very important to me, I also would not want to miss out if the cover was awful. It would just make me sad. :P

      Thanks for commenting! :)

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  3. I have to admit: I think it's HORRIBLE when a blogger or booktuber will sit there and say someone else's habits or preferences are "shallow" or "wrong". That is wrong. And how are they not being shallow?!? That's just the bookish equivalent of shaming someone for liking pretty clothes or make up. It. is. wrong. And plus it shouldn't even be a big deal if someone likes pretty things! PrETTY THINGS ARE OKAY TO BE LIKED AND WE SHOULDN'T BE SHAMED ON IT. *stamps foot* Okay, so obviously I'm very passionate about this topic. ;D

    I also believe it's 100% perfectly fine to like very pretty books because we spend more time with them on our shelves than reading right? So why would I want an ugly book on my shelf?

    I am a proud cover love and cover judger. A cover won't ruin my enjoyment of a book and I WILL read books without nice covers, but for my collection I'm 100% okay to be collecting nice things. I don't have synesthesia. I just like to have a nice collection.

    But whether someone doesn't care about covers or cares a LOT...I believe it shouldn't even be a worry!! JUST READ BOOKS AND ENJOY IT AND BE YOURSELF. XD

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    1. It would be so much nicer if both sides could respect each other and coexist in peace I think sometimes it escalates because one side bashes the other, so the other feels the need to come on stronger and assert itself. But, like, there's no right side and no wrong side on this issue, just the side you prefer, and that should be up to you, not up to someone else's opinions. And I think it's a bad idea for shaming people for liking pretty things--sometimes pretty things are some of the only ways those people can fight depression, for example. You never know what's in another person's head. Don't shame them for what brings them happiness. :P As you can see, I too am passionate about this topic. :P

      That's my reasoning too. When I'm not reading them, they're essentially wall art. I want my art to look good, please and thank you, so my room has a better ambiance.

      Same. I will still enjoy a book with a bad cover, but I won't enjoy owning it. So I will be less likely to reread it, which would be sad. I don't mind going out of my way to buy an attractive cover instead of an ugly one, because if collecting attractive books is a hobby that gives me joy, then it's what I'll do. :P You do indeed have a lovely collection. *nods* *steals it*

      PREACH IT SISTER. *calms self*

      Thanks for commenting! :)

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  4. I actually don't know what my official opinion is on this. Like yes, it's always nice when there's a nice cover that compliments the book well and makes you want to pick it up because that's what the cover's job is. No one should ever be put down or feel bad because they like looking at the cover and how nice it looks on their shelf or the matching colours or whatever because pretty things are nice. The end. It's like when people say a woman is "anti-feminist" because they like wearing makeup and dresses and buying shoes. A person can still be deep and interesting and whole while liking pretty things.

    On the other hand, though, (for me at least) the cover should have very little impact on the story. I'm personally not a huge fan of any of the covers for Artemis Fowl but they're my favourite book series, and the fact that I don't love the covers doesn't change that for me. I also loved the cover of Scott Westerfeld's Afterworlds but wasn't a huge fan of the book, and the cover didn't change my opinion on the story. It drives me crazy when someone won't read a really good book because the cover is lame. DUDE IT'S ONLY A COVER READ THE SQUIGGLES INSIDE CALLED WORDS.

    So now after writing out this extremely long comment, I have come to a conclusion. A story is a story. You can only judge a book on the quality of its story. A good cover is just a cherry on the top and it shouldn't impact the way you read something (unless you're really cool and have synesthesia or something). If you found the cover ripped off of Illuminae in the gutter somewhere, the pages falling apart and dog-eared, the ink running down the page and the corners shredded, you would still like it the same as if you bought it brand-new from the bookstore (assuming you could read the first example with relative ease). It's just a bonus that there's a beautiful cover, but you should never feel bad for loving/hating covers.

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    1. Very true. And it's not even a big deal if you don't have a decided opinion on either front, or if you're opinion on the issue changes from day to day.

      Also, I am glad ugly covers don't bother you. I do wish they weren't such a turn off for me, because it's frustrating when I'm enjoying a book, but I have trouble picking it up to finish it because the cover doesn't call to me. Sometimes, when that happens, I'll get it on my Kindle so I don't have to look at the cover, and that does make it easier to focus on the squiggles instead of the images. :P

      I do agree with you--a cover shouldn't determine the merit of the story, and it shouldn't necessarily be the final deciding factor either. But it can still be one of the factors in the decision, which is why I don't think it's of no consequence. But yeah, no shame either way, because everyone has a different sort of mind that works in a different sort of way, and one person's perceptions will not be the same as another's.

      Thanks for commenting! :)

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  5. This is such an interesting topic! I've recently begun watching BookTubers as well, and the first thing I noticed was that all the books were bought or were ACRs. It didn't really bother me though? I like buying nice book too?

    That saying, I don't have lot of money to buy said books. So I do tend to pick up second hand books, or only buy a few new books and borrow the rest from the library.

    There is nothing wrong with liking great covers. I nearly always choose my next read based on the cover or what I've heard about it :) Can't wait to read your other posts over the week :)

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    1. That does seem to be a really common trend. And my thinking is, if you're making Youtube videos, it can be nice to have a more attractive set (i.e. the bookshelf behind you), and ARCs and new books are all part of the culture. Which is great, because it encourages direct support of the book industry. It always makes me smile when I see that someone has a book collection they enjoy and are proud of, even if mine is not as impressive or whatever.

      I don't have a lot of money for books either, so a sizable portion of my library consists of used books. And I do borrow a lot of books, but I think that makes buying new books even more exciting for me.

      Same. I'm sometimes just not in the mood to read a blue book, or a book with red flowers. I had trouble finishing the first four books in the Selection series because covers with dresses make my brain bored, so my brain assumes the contents will be boring. :P Thank you! :)

      Thanks for commenting! :)

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  6. I'm torn on this, but I don't really think that I WANT to make a decision. For the condition of books, of course I love pretty books - who doesn't like pretty things? - but I don't really mind getting a more beat-up copy, especially if it's cheaper at a used bookstore. (As long as the dustjacket is in fairly good condition. For some reason, I care about that.) If someone prefers one or the other, I just don't care enough one way or the other to say that it's right or wrong.

    As for covers, I sometimes feel like I'm the only person who doesn't really react strongly to covers. There are some covers that I really love (like the Firebird trilogy) and some that I REALLY dislike (like the Bloodlines series), but overall, I don't really care too much. If a cover doesn't fall into one of those two categories, then I probably have some idea of whether I like it or not, but it's not too important to me. Maybe that's just me?

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    1. And there's totally no pressure to make a decision. :) Honestly, whatever you're in the mood for whenever is cool, because there's no right and wrong in this issue. :P (I too care a lot about the dust jacket, and will be more willing to forgive a damaged book if the dust jacket is fine.)

      And that is fine. :) I'm sure, in the long run, it does make your bookish life easier for you.

      Thanks for commenting! :)

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  7. I don't think you're shallow at all. The cover often tells a lot about the quality of the words of a book. A cheap cover can mean cheap writing. Sad, but true. Also buying books helps support the authors. Checking out books from a library doesn't give them a paycheck, which is why I try to buy books when I can, especially ones from authors I like. Good discussion!

    storitorigrace.blogspot.com

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    1. Aww, well thank you! :) I firmly believe that (although I'm sure there are exceptions, since not everyone has the same set of aesthetic preferences). Libraries are useful for determining whether I will like a book without the commitment, but if I love a book, I make sure to buy it eventually because the author should benefit from my enjoyment. :)

      Thanks for commenting! :)

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  8. Oh, this is a good topic. I agree with you.

    When you walk into an office building the first person you'll see is the receptionist. That receptionist is your first impression of the establishment. If the receptionist isn't up on his or her game greeting people, giving directions, answering questions, helping fill out applications, and being generally friendly and warm, that establishment can very well lose customers. The book cover is our receptionist. It tells us with the book is for us. If this is a place we'd like to explore (you know, a place we'd let brutally tear our emotions apart, no big). If the publishers and artists didn't invest much time and money into it, then are they expecting us not to also?

    It's kind of the same concept of the pressure that writers feel to have a winning first page, first chapter, etc. If the artists slack on their job, that author's first page not even get it's chance. Society says that judging by appearances is pointless and first impressions are fickle. But guess who doesn't pay attention to their own advice?

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    1. That is a great analogy. *applauds you* And a huge factor is that we have to determine what books we are going to buy somehow, because there are so many, both good and bad. Sometimes it's just easier to go for the one that seems more attractive all around, the one that seems to have gotten more publisher attention.

      I know, right? It's basically teamwork. If the author is going to be required to make a good first page and first chapter and so on (as they should, because quality control is important), then the same should go for the cover designer because it is their job to make sure people want to read the book.

      Thanks for commenting! :)

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