#JudgeABook

We all do it.

Really, we do.

We all judge a book by it's cover. 

We just can't help ourselves. When you're browsing a bookshop, it's the jacket of a book that tempts you to pick something up. Sure, you may have read a review about this one, or been recommended that one, but outside of that, it's the cover that makes us think something might be an interesting read.

Now, I'm not saying that our final judgement of a book is purely based on the cover, but it's the initial impulses that I'm talking about here.

I thought I'd have a little fun with this whole judging books thing and set up a themed series of blog posts. From the beginning of 2012, I'll be doing at least one post a week playing the game I'm about to describe. You're more than welcome to join in on your own blog, or have a casual conversation on Twitter using #JudgeABook. But it's all in the name of fun.


THE WAY IT'S PLAYED:

In your book browsing, take note of a book jacket that catches your eye. This might be because it's very good, or is might be because it's awful and you find yourself thinking 'who approved that?' Either way, make a note then write a blog entry like this:

1) Post the Image of the Cover, so we're all on the same page.
2) Write one sentence about how the cover made you react when you first saw it.
3) Whilst trying to ignore everything you actually know about the book (it's better if you know nothing) write a synopsis for the book, no more than 150 words, based purely on what you can see on the front cover. This can include Title, tag line, quotes, and the all-important image.
4) Give the jacket a rating out of 5 stars just to round it all up.

And you're done! Short and sweet.

If you get around to reading a book you've "judged" in this way, it'd be fun to have a "revisited" post about how expectations were met or not.

In all honesty, It is what is inside a book that counts, which is why the illustrators and designers that need to capture that for us at a glance have such an important job. This whole post series and hash-tag conversation is designed to highlight those that get it right, and others that could could possibly have done it better.

If you do join in, please let me know, through my blog or through Twitter. It's all about enjoying all aspects of a book.

Happy Judging!

-Michael
littleelfman

JudgeABook POSTS HERE