Why do we judge a book by its cover? (And why that’s okay)
Image courtesy: Filipe Sabino
Have you ever stumbled upon a book so mesmerizing you felt like it was luring you in, whispering, “Pick me! Pick me”?
Now, it is not to say that the cover is the sole reason for a person to notice a book, or even…buy it. But a majority of the time, the unusual colors or the way the book flops in your lap make the feeling of necessity bloom. The world has made this an act of such shame that the fear of being criticised doesn’t let one be independent of their reading choices; we go by the norm and read what makes us look “intellectual”.
We’ve all heard the saying,” You’ll never get a second chance to make a great first impression.”, highlighting the crucialness of why the first three seconds on the shelf matter. A good cover isn’t solely for this purpose, though; it’s purposeful in the way that the color palette, typography, and images are laid out in such a manner that it was made to be judged.
So when you decide to give an attractive cover a chance, don’t forget that the publishers know this and use it to their full advantage. And let’s be real, beauty comes with its own set of pain, so you’re not being biased, just doing what is expected out of the targeted audience. Therefore, always remember that reading is a privilege and a way to feel things never felt before.
From the Editor's desk
Pari Jain