Book blogger hop: book covers?

imageAfter a few weeks off, I’m joining in with Billy at Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer‘s book blogger hop again this week, where they post a question which you and other bloggers answer, hopping from blog to blog to see people’s answers. This week, the question is…

Do you always put a book cover in your posts when you are mentioning books or just text?

My answer is yes, for the most part.  If I am mentioning a book as part of another post, referencing another book by the same author say as part of a review, I don’t but otherwise I do.

The main reason is that, even though I know you shouldn’t, I am a person who will judge a book by it’s cover – or at least pick it up to see if it’s something I want to read.  I think covers are a big part of a book, terrible as that might sound, adding to the feeling you get when you are about to read it.  I think they catch the eye and the imagination.

When I write a review I include the cover and a description at the start, then my thoughts.  It’s a habit I’ve gotten into and I know a lot of other bloggers follow the same format.  I can’t say I’ve deliberately copied this but I do know I clink on more post links where I can see the cover than not.  I think covers say a lot and say it quickly.

The second reason I use book covers is that, when I’m doing round-up posts etc., I find they break up the text.  I am a big one for white space and short paragraphs as otherwise I find I lose the point of what I’m reading.  This can still look a bit bland though so cover art makes it more interesting.  Or at least I think so.

I may be completely wrong in this.  What do you think? Do you use covers or other art/images in posts or stick to text alone?

Emma

19 comments

  1. My thoughts on this matter match yours exactly – I couldn’t have worded it better myself.

    Another reason I like covers included in posts is because often times books can titled the same but be by different authors, and I’m more of a visual person so often remember a book better by its cover than title AND author combined.

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    • I never thought of the differentiating when there are books of the same name as it’s a good point. I often see a book and know I want to read it by the cover though I can’t necessarily remember the reviews.

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    • I think it makes post more interesting. I love how much you put in your posts like the weekly round-up because it keeps me interested.

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  2. I totally agree with your thoughts, Emma. It’s only logical to include a book cover in a book review. If you ever participate in blog tours, like I do, these images are also necessary for such posts.

    I happen to be a very visual person, so book covers are VERY important to me! And you know, I don’t think you (or anyone else, for that matter) should feel bad about “judging a book by its cover”. Book covers are what first pull a potential reader/buyer/book borrower toward a book. Of course, the content of the book is the most important thing, but still, if it weren’t for the attractive cover, people might not stop to check out the content of a book they’ve never heard of before. At least, I wouldn’t.

    Your second reason is also important. Images — not just those of book covers — do break up text, and that’s very important, as otherwise, a post can become VERY boring to read!

    As you can see, I ADORE images, and not just of book covers! Lol.

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts! Hope you’re having an AWESOME weekend!! : )

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    • Sounds like it’s a case of great minds thinking alike 😄 plus some reasons, like book tours I wouldn’t have thought of as I tend not to do these but good to know if I do start.

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  3. Yes, exactly! I agree with everything you’ve said here, Emma. I tend to find myself drawn more to review posts that include cover photos too.

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