Before I start this is no reflection on the quality of the books mentioned below of writing because I haven't read most of them (although I was recommended all of them as worthwhile reads)
This week I noticed something for the first time and it has actually made me quite cross.
Last week on twitter I asked for some adult book recommendations from some of my blogger friends as I fancied something different and didn't fancy trying to work out for myself what books to read when I had people whose taste is similar to mine to guide me. I reckon every single book they recommended me would be one I'd happily read and enjoy but something stopped me adding a few of them to my wishlist and that was the covers. Some of them were so awful that I would steer completely clear of the title ....
Let me explain ....
Now I do expect books like the ones I was being recommend to have a cover that is slightly girly because they are aimed at women, could be considered to be Chick-Lit (although I hate that term with a passion) and I can live with that and it wouldn't put me off reading a book as such especially if it complimented the story. An example is the following: The cover from Sarra Manning's Unsticky. In keeping with the story, girly but inoffensive nd not off putting in anyway shape or form
However I found as I was searching there were a high volume of covers aimed at the same market at the book above which were done in pastel colours (usually featuring pink at least somewhere) often featuring cartoony pictures and quite honestly there is no way on this earth I would part money for a book with that sort of cover. I would actually be embarrassed to do so as they look so patronising and demeaning. I am a graduate with two degrees, working in a profession working with a whole host of awesome other female professionals and the main wage earner in my household. Why on earth would I want to even consider reading a book where it looks like the only thing a woman is going for is finding a husband and without it she isn't complete (and yes I am married before someone says I'm just bitter spinster)? What is even worse is I am told reliably that often these titles aren't like that at all and often feature strong women. However all I know is I wouldn't be seen dead reading or purchasing one of the following titles purely because of the cover because they look childish and patronising. I'm pretty certain the authors didn't want people to feel about their books.
Now yes I know you are screaming at me "don't judge a book by it's cover" but it doesn't need to be like that as the following will show you.
No pink but I still wouldn't even go there but I would buy it with the alternative cover
In fact this is currently on my wishlist
also
why why is the sky pink? Yuck!
whereas this I would buy (although I'm possibly being lured in by the cutest of the dogs .... is that me contradicting myself??)
Is it just me? Anyone else feeling patronised?
This week I noticed something for the first time and it has actually made me quite cross.
Last week on twitter I asked for some adult book recommendations from some of my blogger friends as I fancied something different and didn't fancy trying to work out for myself what books to read when I had people whose taste is similar to mine to guide me. I reckon every single book they recommended me would be one I'd happily read and enjoy but something stopped me adding a few of them to my wishlist and that was the covers. Some of them were so awful that I would steer completely clear of the title ....
Let me explain ....
Now I do expect books like the ones I was being recommend to have a cover that is slightly girly because they are aimed at women, could be considered to be Chick-Lit (although I hate that term with a passion) and I can live with that and it wouldn't put me off reading a book as such especially if it complimented the story. An example is the following: The cover from Sarra Manning's Unsticky. In keeping with the story, girly but inoffensive nd not off putting in anyway shape or form
However I found as I was searching there were a high volume of covers aimed at the same market at the book above which were done in pastel colours (usually featuring pink at least somewhere) often featuring cartoony pictures and quite honestly there is no way on this earth I would part money for a book with that sort of cover. I would actually be embarrassed to do so as they look so patronising and demeaning. I am a graduate with two degrees, working in a profession working with a whole host of awesome other female professionals and the main wage earner in my household. Why on earth would I want to even consider reading a book where it looks like the only thing a woman is going for is finding a husband and without it she isn't complete (and yes I am married before someone says I'm just bitter spinster)? What is even worse is I am told reliably that often these titles aren't like that at all and often feature strong women. However all I know is I wouldn't be seen dead reading or purchasing one of the following titles purely because of the cover because they look childish and patronising. I'm pretty certain the authors didn't want people to feel about their books.
Now yes I know you are screaming at me "don't judge a book by it's cover" but it doesn't need to be like that as the following will show you.
No pink but I still wouldn't even go there but I would buy it with the alternative cover
In fact this is currently on my wishlist
also
why why is the sky pink? Yuck!
whereas this I would buy (although I'm possibly being lured in by the cutest of the dogs .... is that me contradicting myself??)
Is it just me? Anyone else feeling patronised?
Comments
beijinhos
Thank goodness for Kindles ;)