What's with cover spoilers anyway? An author goes through a lot of effort to write a book. There's a plot that is revealed as you read through the chapters. The author takes care to create the underlying premise, follow a sequence, and lead the reader on the journey. Yet the back of the book or the inside of the jacket often contains something that you normally wouldn't discover until you were pretty far into the story.
For example, I recently read a novel about a man who is out of work in the post-9/11 world and has somewhat lost direction. I would have preferred to be surprised (along with his family) when he took a sudden turn and made a pretty significant life change. This happens around page 100. But somewhere around page 60, for some unknown reason, I decided to read the cover only to discover early that this was about to happen. I felt cheated. It was like a spoiler. This is not the first time this has happened. It irritates me no end.
Often I read those descriptions because they help me determine if I'm interested in the book. But can't they be a little more vague?
Okay, I've whined enough about it. I'm swearing off covers. You can't judge books by them anyway.
For example, I recently read a novel about a man who is out of work in the post-9/11 world and has somewhat lost direction. I would have preferred to be surprised (along with his family) when he took a sudden turn and made a pretty significant life change. This happens around page 100. But somewhere around page 60, for some unknown reason, I decided to read the cover only to discover early that this was about to happen. I felt cheated. It was like a spoiler. This is not the first time this has happened. It irritates me no end.
Often I read those descriptions because they help me determine if I'm interested in the book. But can't they be a little more vague?
Okay, I've whined enough about it. I'm swearing off covers. You can't judge books by them anyway.