Honestly, what made me pick it up, was the fact that I somehow knew nothing about it. If you know me, you'll know how rare it is for me to not know at least 3-5 facts about every single book on the YA shelf--if not more.
HOWEVER, I read the back copy, and got kind of interested and then discovered the blurb from Lauren Oliver. Now I was half-sold on this book until I realized that Lauren Oliver, writer-goddess-of-my-dreams (I mean HELLO have you read Before I Fall and Delirium?!?!?) loved it, I was completely sold.
And then I realized, I've just decided on a book purely based on a blurb. I think I've done this in the past--but this was the most extreme case and I realized that blurbs from certain authors will totally make me pick up a book, even if I don't think I want to read the book.
So, has this ever happened to you? Are there certain writers who if you saw they wrote a blurb you'd definitely pick the book up? Do you even read the blurbs? Tell me everything!
Totally, Frankie. When I've seen endorsements by other writers I love, it makes me believe in that book. It sounds silly, but everyone has their reputation to protect and I assume authors are careful about selecting who they blurb for. Plus, Lauren Oliver! Love her!
ReplyDeleteYou should check out the other books coming out this week. We're giving four away on our site, which will save you some cash :)
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Thanks for the thought-provoking post, Frankie!
Well, first the cover is usually my lure. I know not a good thing but I like to see something interesting. I'm a visual person so I blame it on that.
ReplyDeleteI do read the blurbs. It helps me see what someone else thought of the book. Maybe boost up the writer for me. I don't always do it but sometimes I do.
I have Lauren Oliver on my list. I'm a slow reader so forgive me.
Great post!
Author endorsements work for me...like you, if I know and love the author. Usually though, the cover has grabbed me first. Then I read the synopsis, and then the first sentence. If I'm not hooked by then...see ya later.
ReplyDeleteI don't always pay attention to the blurb, especially since authors are paid to write them and most of the time they're so abstract, you wonder if the author even read the book. There are a few books I'll buy because of the blurb, but I have to truly admire the work of the author who wrote it.
ReplyDeleteFor the most part, it's the cover, book blurb (not the one written by an author), and first page that determines if I will buy the book. ;)
I definitely look at the blurbs about a book. When I was taking a publishing class and we talked about press releases (which also include blurbs), we were always instructed to find GOOD blurbs for ESTABLISHED writers. For example, I got to write a mock press release on THE HUNGER GAMES, and I used a blurb by Stephen King. People will pay more attention to a book with his stamp of approval on it.
ReplyDeleteAt one point in my life, I might have bought a book if Stephenie Meyer reviewed it (not necessarily because I loved TWILIGHT but because I noticed she and I had similar tastes), but I've since felt let-down by her reviews. She seems to think everything's good...so...I'm not sure if there is any one author who I would listen to no matter what.
I've definitely picked up books based on the blurb, although usually it has to be a combination of me liking the cover and the few few lines and the blurb to get me really interested.
ReplyDelete;)
Although I think I would have wanted it too, if I found out the blurb was by Lauren Oliver. Before I Fall was amazing!
Frankie, you're a marketer's dream. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking a lot about blurbs as I've just had to put a list of hopeful blurbers together. They don't sell me personally, but they definitely impress me.
I don't know! I always read the back covers of book, but it's usually whatever the book is about that makes me want it more than the blurbs. But I think if I ever read a blurb by a fave author, it'd probably sell me on the book!
ReplyDeleteA blurb will resonate more with me if the blurb-giver isn't a blurb-whore. Meaning, if this author has also blurbed 15 other covers on the YA shelf, then I question the author's sincerity -- he/she likely did it for publicity/authority/an inability to say no. But for an author I respect whose tastes I like who chooses blurbs carefully... heck yes!
ReplyDeleteIf Neil Gaiman, Ursula LeGuin, or Stephen King says as book should be read, I get right down to it.
ReplyDeleteThis just happened with The Passage- I bought it on impulse after King saying I wouldn't be able to stop reading it after 30 pages. (He was right!)
And I read Hunger Games because of you Frankie- and now I am reading it to my students!
OK, this is a fascinating discussion particularly because we're working on getting blurbs for THE LIAR SOCIETY. I think if an author has a big enough name/reputation blurbs work. Otherwise...probably not so much. HOWEVER, getting your book into the hands of authors who are active in the YA community can only be a good thing even if their blurbs don't mean much to readers. Whether they tweet about it or recommend it to booksellers while they're on tour, it's ALWAYS a good thing to have people talking up your books.
ReplyDeleteI do read the blurbs, and it does influence my decision on which book to buy. But. Sometimes the blurbs are wrong. (At least in my opinion.) So now I make sure I'm choosing that particular book for more reasons than just the good blurb!
ReplyDeleteJessica
Yes! I never thought much about it, but now that you mention it, I know you're right. If I saw a blurb from my beloved James Dashner, I would totally buy that book (of course, if he told me I'd look good with purple hair I'd do that, too!). LOL. *sigh* Same thing with Brandon Mull.
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely guilty of buying books because of a burb of some select authors.
ReplyDeleteThe way I see it, if I love their books, and they loved/liked this book, then it would be highly probable that I'd like it as well... :)
Blurbs save many books. :) Readers don't have the patience to pick up and read every book with an interestin title on it, they read blurbs after they see neat looking titles and covers.
ReplyDeleteAnd knowing slightly what to expect helps a lot when I'm trying to pick a book to read during my spare time. I want to know that I'll be able to relate to it. :)
~TRA
http://xtheredangelx.blogspot.com
There are a couple of authors who could blurb and cause me to buy the book (apparently 'to blurb' just became a verb). There are a reasonable number more who'd cause me to pick it up, check out the back cover, read the first page and make a decision. If I unreservedly love a writer's work, the blurb definitely influences me, as it leads me to think this might be some more of what I love!
ReplyDeleteI like the blurbs too. They intice me if I am having trouble choosing between books. I also use them when purchasing books for my teenager. I know who she likes to read (and she can be very picky), so if that author blurbs a book that I picked up thinking she might be interested then it solidifies it for me. Also, when I am with friends just having a day of fun at the bookstore browing we are totally pulled in by author blurbs. We even say OMG did you see what such and such author said this must be awesome! LOL
ReplyDeleteGood question!