Thursday, September 07, 2017

Where Is Your Bookmark? (Miss Jane & Book Cover Art)

This week I began reading Brad Watson's Miss Jane for my Going Postal mail book group.

Goodreads Summary: 
Brings to life a forgotten woman and a lost world in a Southern pastoral.
Inspired by the true story of his own great-aunt, Watson explores the life of Miss Jane Chisolm, born in rural, early-twentieth-century Mississippi with a genital birth defect that would stand in the way of the central “uses” for a woman in that time and place—namely, sex and marriage.
From the country doctor who adopts Jane to the hard tactile labor of farm life, from the highly erotic world of nature around her to the boy who loved but was forced to leave her, the world of Miss Jane Chisolm is anything but barren. Free to satisfy only herself, she mesmerizes those around her, exerting an unearthly fascination that lives beyond her still.

A weekly meme where readers share the first sentence of the book they are reading and say what they think. Hosted by the wonderful Gillion Dumas of Rose City Reader.

You would not think someone so afflicted would or could be cheerful, not prone to melancholy or the miseries. 

From this first line of Miss Jane, I get the impression I will like the protagonist. She is not one to sit around and feel sorry for herself, at least not for very long, if at all. I also get the since I will enjoy Brad Watson's writing.


A weekly meme in which readers share a random sentence or two from page 56 or 56% of the book they are reading. Hosted by the wonderful Freda of Freda's Voice.


"I appreciate you all came," the doctor said, looking past her to where Grace sat in the bed of their buckboard. Like her mother she wore a black dress and a black bonnet that hid her face. "The Mrs. seems upset."
Chisolm said, looking over at her, jaw set, "She did consent to come along, but I'm afraid that death does not become her." [pg 56]


That last sentence is what really made me stand at attention in this excerpt.


Have you read this one? Does this sound like something you would like to read?


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Every Friday Coffee Addicted Writer from Coffee Addicted Writer poses a question which participants respond on their own blogs within the week (Friday through Thursday). They then share their links at the main site and visit other participants blogs.

Have you ever bought a book because you liked its cover art?
Not exactly, no. Not just for that reason. An attractive cover might stop me in its tracks and draw me to a book, make me pick it up and open it. An attractive cover might intrigue me enough to read the back cover or inside flap to see what the book is about. Ultimately, though, it's what it is about that will determine whether I will buy the book or not. First impressions can be important, but it is what is inside the cover that counts the most.

What about you?

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Everyone has a favorite and then we also have something we dislike. Like a coin, there are two sides to every question. Each week, Carrie at The Butterfly Reads and Laura from Blue Eye Books ask participants to list what they like and don't like about that week's topic.


This week's topic is Favorite/Least Favorite Cover Trend.

Book covers seem to be the theme for today! This was a tough topic for me. While I may not like one thing about one particular cover, I may find it well done in another, depending on the font, colors, etc. And it can depend on the type of book as well. I like the covers to match the book somewhat.

LEAST LIKED:

My husband doesn't like covers that cut off people's heads. And while I agree with him to some extent, there are some that are well done--at least in my opinion even if not his. I'm probably more likely to be put out by unattractive fonts. Plus, I don't like it when the author's name is bigger than the title. Then there's the scantily clad people that sometimes grace the cover of romance novels that tend to make me blush.


I really don't care for the font in the first cover or even the coloring. And while I understand the author's name sells books, I would prefer it to be smaller than the title.

But my least favorite covers? They tend to be movie/TV tie-in covers, especially when it has actors or actresses front and center. I will always go for the cover that has nothing to do with the television show or movie if given the choice. I don't care how attractive the movie tie-in cover might be.


Okay, so I don't really like either one of these. Bad font, author's name standing out more than title on the original cover and then the TV series tie-in--just no.

I definitely prefer the non-movie tie-in cover best. It draws the eye instantly. Pretty flower, drop of blood, even.  Besides, I'd rather go off my own vision of the characters than the actors who played them.


Another case of my preferring the non-movie tie-in cover. I like the mystery of the original cover, and the font of the title.

MOST LIKED:

Now that I have gone on and on about what I like least in cover trends, let's talk about cover trends I do like. Another hard question for me to answer because I am not really up on the terminology for cover art. And I like so many different ones! From bold colors to a softer look, landscapes to people and animals.

For the sake of today's topic, I'll highlight a few that especially appeal to me in terms of trends:


Silhouettes - It's just a fluke that so many of these are blue, but I admit, blue is a color I am drawn to.


Period Covers - There is just something about a cover in which you are instantly transported into the past, whether by costume, the scenery, or what have you. It draws me in immediately, and makes me want to take a closer look.


Flowers/Softened Colors - These covers I just find so pretty. They make me sigh in contentment. I love the contrast in colors, the pinks or purple. And don't you just love that hummingbird? 

I could got on. Cozy mystery covers are often a lot of fun, especially when they have animals in them. I like covers with an item of clothing front and center, no person. 


Are there any cover trends you don't like? What are your favorites?

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Every Friday Ellen from 15andmeowing.com and Ann from McGuffy’s Reader get together to host the Friendly Fill-Ins. You can be serious or funny--the idea is just to have fun.


1. September bucket list: 1. Avoid early Halloween candy 2. Read all the books (Not ALL of them, actually. Just the ones I want to read in September. Well, maybe just most of them).

2. If I came with a warning label, it would say: Approach With Caution When Book/Kindle in Hand.

3. Truth be told, I wish I was still on vacation.

4. I would rather spend a quiet evening at home with my family and my book than go out for cocktails after work.


I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Be sure and tell me where your bookmark is today!


 © 2017, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

56 comments:

  1. I don't think I've bought a book based solely on the cover either, although I will admit if a blurb is not totally selling me, the cover art might tip me over the edge if it's really good. And then I have to hope it turns out good!

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    1. Greg - You make a good point. That might be a deciding factor for me too if I was undecided. Thanks for stopping by, Greg!

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  2. I have found that almost 100% of the time, when there are different covers for the U.S. and for overseas, I have found the latter more attractive. It strikes me as odd, or maybe I should move abroad? :--)

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    1. Jill - I tend to prefer U.K. covers too, with a few exceptions. So you definitely aren't alone. Thanks for sharing!

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  3. Wendy,

    I'm visiting from Friendly Fill-ins. It's nice meeting you!

    I like candy but not Halloween. I'm happy to live in an area where we do not get Trick or Treaters or it may have to do with us keeping the porch light off to keep 'em away. Who wants to go to the door these days with someone wearing a mask? It's hard to know who trust someone without a disguise. Just call me paranoid. I own my short comings dignity. Oh, I'd definitely rather be at home with DH! He's my best friend and I enjoy doing everything with him!

    Have a good weekend!

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    1. Cathy - It's nice meeting you too!

      We get a lot of trick-or-treaters at our house, although the numbers have dwindled over the years. At the height, we got over 100 and now we get about 70 children at our door. I don't really mind. Our neighborhood really gets into Halloween with the decorations. There's even one house that puts on a big lights and music production each year. It draws quite a crowd. I or my husband take my daughter out and she has a blast.

      I hope you have a great weekend too!

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    2. WOW, y'all get the Trick or Treaters! I remember as a kid growing up in southern WV our small community filled with kids going door-to-door but we didn't have worry with someone running over kids or slipping poison, razor blades or stuff into the candy. I know most folks in your immediate neighborhood probably wouldn't harm your kids but all it takes is one person to do it to spoil the fun. I like that many churches and other organizations offer an alternative to Halloween fun to keep kids off dark streets and possibly away from bad people. It was nice meeting you to and I hope you have a good week. If you like mewsic then go by to dance with me this morning!

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    3. I remember my parents checking my Halloween candy for poison and razor blades, and that was over thirty years ago. Some fears never go away, no matter how rare they happen, I guess.

      The trunk or treat events are a great idea, and I know a lot of people who go that route and have fun. We'd probably do the Girl Scout event if it was held at a time when working parents could take their kids.

      Enjoy your week!

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  4. Miss Jane sounds like a really interesting book! Looking forward to your review!

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    1. Eustacia - I really like the author's writing style so far. Thanks for stopping by!

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  5. Hey. Just wanted to let you know I've tagged you in the Mystery Blogger Award. Check out my post for the rules and questions: https://scorpiobookdreams.co.uk/mystery-blogger-award

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  6. I feel the same way as you in regards to #4. Thankfully, that choice is not something I am ever faced with. :)

    I hope that you're able to avoid the candy. I think the best way to avoid it is to go ahead and get it and eat it, then it isn't there to be bothering you. haha

    Have a blessed weekend. :)

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    1. Suzanne - I haven't been either, but that's all I came up with on the spur of the moment as I answered. I don't drink alcohol at all, so if I did go, I'd really have to like the people.

      I like your idea for avoiding the candy. :-)

      Thanks for stopping by!

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  7. A beautiful or clever cover will get my interest, but I've never chosen a book based on cover alone. On the flip side, a cover I really dislike may prevent me from ever reading the book.

    It bothers me to see the exact same cover on different titles, and I think it is sad when a cover trend is imitated over and over so that the creativity of the original loses its impact.

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    1. Jenclair - Yes, I feel bad for any good books I passed up because I didn't like the covers. I know what you mean about covers that are used over again. That bothers me too. Thanks for stopping by!

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  8. That sentence perked me up too! I take a chance now and then and grab a book because of its cover. A couple you shared are on my kindle because of that. LOL

    My Friday 56 from Between A Ghost And A Spooky Place

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    1. Laura - It's hard to resist a pretty cover. :-) Thanks for stopping by!

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  9. I really like your answers. I agree with you about books and reading. I need to review more, like I used to. I'm working on it. Hugs!

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    1. Annie - Thank you! I have trouble keeping up with my reviews, sometimes. Thanks for visiting, Annie!

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  10. I like the cover of Miss Jane. It's pretty, but not enough to draw me to the book. I would love for you and your readers to check out mine . . . http://tinyurl.com/LisaKsBookReviewsPATPD

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    1. Lisa - I like the cover as well. The synopsis of Miss Jane doesn't really draw me in, but since it's a group read, I'm open to giving it a try. Thanks for stopping by!

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  11. I'm the same way - a cover will draw me to a book but it won't make me buy it. I avoid TV/movie tie-in covers.

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    1. Kathy - If I'm going to spend money on a book, I at least want to make sure I'm interested in what it's about. Seems sensible, doesn't it? Thanks for visiting, Kathy!

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  12. I'll definitely pick up a book with a gorgeous or eye-catching cover, but I'll not buy it just because (though I was tempted a few times). What makes a book worth buying is besides a great cover, its content and good writing is essential in my opinion. And yes, I definitely go for the original cover than movies tie-in cover.

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    1. Melody - It can be tempting can't it? I love a pretty cover. :-) I hope you are enjoying your weekend, Melody! Thanks for visiting, Melody.

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  13. I read mostly on my Kindle so I seldom buy a book for its cover. The Others series by Anne Bishop might be the only exception. I'm reading All the Secret Places by Anna Carlyle this week. Happy reading!

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    1. Kathy - I tend to read more on my Kindle these days as well. Even so, a pretty cover still catches my eye. I hope you have a great weekend. Thank you for visiting!

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  14. Miss Jane sounds like a captivating read.

    I love covers, too, and you shared some lovely ones here. I thoroughly enjoyed Saving CeeCee Honeycutt, and I especially love that cover.

    Thanks for sharing, and here is my Friday pick: “I’LL HAVE WHAT SHE’S HAVING”

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    1. Laurel-Rain - I am liking it so far. :-) Saving CeeCee Honeycutt was such a good book. I am glad to hear you liked it too! Thanks for visiting!

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  15. Same here! Book covers will draw me in but I don't buy them solely for their covers (anymore). However a beautiful cover will help me decide if I want to buy the book in physical form or on my kindle!

    Have a great weekend :)

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    1. Heather - I agree, there are some books that you need to have in physical form because of the covers and not just on an e-reader. I hope you are enjoying your weekend too! Thank you for visiting.

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  16. Loving the cover of Miss Jane which I find simple and yet so intricate all at the same time.

    I love comparing the covers of the hard back to the sometimes very different soft back, the UK cover to the American cover, of spotting the designs that are used for more than one book.

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    1. Tracy - It is a pretty cover. Oh, yes! It's interesting to see how different hardcovers and soft covers can be, and even just the differences between countries.

      Thanks for visiting, Tracy!

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  17. At book sales I have bought books because they have cats on the cover, but those books are usually 50 cents-$1, I wouldn't buy a new book based on the cover art. Thank you for participating in the fill-ins, great answers. I like your warning label. Have a nice weekend!

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    1. Ellen - It's hard to resist books with cats on the covers. :-) Thanks for visiting today, Ellen!

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  18. I hate move tie-in covers as well. I get it, but at the same time... ugh. When I used to buy physical copies, I would go out of my way to find non-movie versions. I did eventually give up for some if there was a price difference.

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    1. Shannon - I will get them when I don't have another option, but I really don't like movie tie-in covers. Price can make a difference, especially if it's considerable. Thanks for visiting!

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  19. Sounds like a very interesting read! Happy weekend!

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  20. We have never done the after work cocktails kind of thing. Back where we come from, cocktails would have meant fighting our way out of a redneck bar. That is no fun.

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    1. David - I've never gone out for cocktails after work either. Thanks for stopping by!

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  21. Excellent answer.

    And if I may say so...you have quite a few books with GORGEOUS covers featured here. :)

    I love covers. They entice me to look and buy as long as the inside sounds good too.

    Elizabeth

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    1. Elizabeth - Thank you! It was fun putting the post together and looking at all those covers. :-) Thanks for visiting!

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  22. Loved seeing the styles of some of your favourite covers.

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  23. I love the cover of A Curious Beginning... it's so gorgeous! I also agree with you on most movie/show book covers.... though there have been a few that I haven't minded. I think something that's really annoying with movie/show tie-in covers is when they cast actors who look totally different from the written characters, yet put their image on the book cover anyway! Ugh.

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    1. Wren - I really like that cover too. Yeah, there are exceptions to even my dislikes about covers, including movie tie-ins. I know what you mean about when the cast do not look like they are as described in the book. That can be annoying.

      Thanks for stopping by!

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  24. I am not a fan of movie tie-in covers. When given a choice, I will always pick the original. I do like the silhouettes on the covers you picked. They are all so pretty.

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    1. Carole - Same here. If there is a choice, I go for the non-movie tie-in cover. Thank you for visiting, Carole!

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  25. This sounds interesting and I love the old fashioned feel of the cover and title. I'm like you that while a cover will make me stop and take a 2nd look I won't pick up a book solely because of that. I hate covers with mostly naked people or the romance clench covers. And movie tie-ins are the worst. I will pay extra to not have a movie-tie in cover!

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    1. Katherine - I like the cover too. Hopefully the book will be just as good. :-) I am not a fan of scantily clad people on the covers--or, as you said, the romance clench covers. I don't let them completely turn me away from a book, but it certainly doesn't help.

      Thanks for stopping by!

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  26. I do agree with your movie tie-in cover comment. Especially with the Sookie Stackhouse books. I love the original covers. There's something so unique about them. And when a new cover comes out with just a snapshot of a movie, it seems so boring and unoriginal to me. Like absolutely no thought when into the creation of that new cover and why couldn't you just leave it alone?

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    1. Megan - You make a good point about the lack of originality in movie tie-in covers. I wish they wouldn't change them up like that either. I get that they are hoping to create more sales, but I don't have to like it.

      Thanks for visiting, Megan!

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  27. Period Covers! How on Earth could I have forgotten to mention those?! They are great! I love them too! Thanks for linking up <3

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