I have to admit something.
Something very shallow about myself.
Sometimes…SOMETIMES…I will buy a book just because it has a great cover!
I know, I know….how could I do this?
I am a LOVER of books.
I love the written word.
I can't think of a better way to spend the afternoon than in a bookstore.
Why?
Why would I buy a book…a precious book based upon the cover?
In truth..you would think the worse the book the better the cover because they want to trick you into buying it.
I recently bought this one…
Seriously…does a cover get much better?
Love the dress, bare feet and of course the old pickup in the background.
HATED this book.
Waste of my time.
So.
You would think I had learned about the whole cover thing.
No.
I recently bought this.
I couldn't help it.
The cover cuteness was calling my name and I had no control
Oh girls.
I love movies and really love old movies.
This book is so beautifully written and I loved the characters.
I had to rent The Philadelphia Story just to watch it again after this book.
Katherine Hepburn..Cary Grant.
The author, Marisa De Los Santos, must be such a lover of old movies because she references them throughout the book.
I love that she wrote that sexy isn't what so many people imagine.
"Sexy is Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed talking into the same telephone receiver, their anger tipping reluctantly over into desire, the desire as much in the distance separating their two mouths as in their proximity to each other."
If you have seen It's A Wonderful Life how could you not agree!
She later uses words to paint such a clear picture of the tone of a man's voice.
"His voice was like music, love and warm. An oboe, maybe, or a French horn."
She later refers to a woman that the main character has loved. She describes her as "a living jewel box". I love that. It leaves no question in your mind how much she was cherished.
I stayed up (way too late) after everyone was in bed from celebrating the 4th.
With hair that smelled like a bonfire and fireworks and a tummy that ate WAY too much junk food…I cuddled up and finished a story that was truly beautiful and beautifully written.
It goes to show that my cover shallowness sometimes pays off.
I hope you have a chance to read this book because it is original, moving and the cover is pretty cute too!
i must say this to myself repeatedly when searching for books “never judge a book by its cover….never judge a book by its cover…never…” but i too would have fallen for the pretty girl in pretty dress book as well.
so glad you found a good one. it is a rarity to find a book that really speaks to your heart. i rarely read for myself because i won’t sleep until i’ve got it finished!
no self-control i tell ya.
have a wonderful day.
xoxo
chas
I’ll buy books based on the cover too.. and I have gotten some duds that way.. but it’s so hard not to when they look so interesting!
I’m a sucker for covers…..
i will have to get that book for my trip to Florida on Friday…..
wait…
forgot i’ll be traveling with kids…
nevermind.
I’m a sucker for covers too, but sometimes you do get lucky! I LOVED that book too – I read it last Fall (and I think there’s another one by that author). I also love old movies and found her writing charming and the story was so sweet! Sometimes you can judge a book by it’s cover!!
great! I have been looking to purchase a new book….and sometimes, the attractiveness is totally worth it, when it’s sitting there on your nightstand or end table looking great……..and beckoning…..
Thanks so much for the book review…I just put it on hold at the library. 🙂
I used to buy books for the covers too, but now, for the most part, I have stopped buying books (oh the horror!)…too much “stuff” around the house.
Oh, and “The Philidelphia Story” is my favorite movie OF ALL TIME. 🙂 It is magical.
AND, congrats on winning the Orla bag!!!!! Lucky duck!
Thanks for sharing…I’ll be sure and pack this one (the good one) for my trip later this week!
I bought Girls and Trucks because of the cover also! Not the best book ever, but okay. I’m probably on my seventh or eighth book of the summer and most of them have been bought because of an alluring cover. I’m reading The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society right now, after reading so much about it on various blogs. It’s really good!
You’re the second person to say that book was b.a.d. And to think I almost bought it three separate times at Target. Thanks for sparing me the $. I think I’ll buy some new sandals instead. lol.
Hope you had a Happy 4th! Smiles, H
“What is it you want, Mary? What do you want? You want the moon? Just say the word and I’ll throw a lasso around it and pull it down. Hey. That’s a pretty good idea. I’ll give you the moon, Mary”
🙂
I love old movies, too and I always crave a good book.
One day we’ll write a few, right?! 🙂
i’m so the same way, Jeanne, buying books just for the cover!
I’ve been out of the reading world for a while, but LOVE LOVE spending my afternoons in bookstores, my appetite for reading always bigger than the reality of actually doing it.
I will carve out some time this summer and read a book – that is my goal – and I’ll be thinking of YOU in your sweet window seat!
xo
it seems a lot of us judge a book by it’s cover…i have bought so many books that have pretty covers, only to find out that the pretty cover was the only good thing about them…i am always looking for a good read, so thanks for sharing Jeanne!!!
I have picked up, and put back down this same book several times in the store. I’m glad to know it’s good, I’ll go get it. My 12 year old recently told me, while looking at the cover of the book I was reading “Mommy, you pick such good books!” “How do you know?”, I asked her. Her response – “the covers are just so good!”
Thanks for the review!
i do the same thing all the time. i too bought girls in trucks. it is the best cover, not the best book. oh well. i am putting the other book on my list. thanks.
I always enjoy a good book review.. and appreciate the “bad” ones… I think I would have picked up the “Girls in Trucks” for the cover and the “national best seller”… so… don’t feel bad! Think I’ll pick up the “Love Walked In” for a nice summer beach read!
I enjoyed your book reviews. It’s endearing that you love written words. You’re pretty good with them too:) And I smiled at all the sweet comments admitting their joy of words, stories and book covers too. Thanks!
If the cover isn’t terribly cheesy, I always read a few pages to see if I’ll like the writing voice. And if any authors I admire recommended it in the first place! Love that you reviewed a book and bloggers actually commented though. I think you’ve been the only person to ever comment on a book review of mine, actually! ha! 🙂 I’ll have to check this one out. Thanks for sharing it. 🙂
This book was given to me last year by a Dr. when I was in the hospital with my son. I started to read it but wasn’t in the right mindset. I think I will try again..
Hee that’s funny Jeanne, love the dress though at least you can use it for show now, thanks for the review about love walked in I will deffinetly get that one, it sounds a lovely read, I suppose I will have to purchase a packet of tissues for the tears too, I am such a softy I cried when I read the half blooded prince, when dumbledore met his end. Elaine 🙂
the last time i went to the book store i bought nothing because i couldn’t decide on one! i love to get a latte and wander around, one of my favorite things to do, especially alone 🙂
I am SO glad you posted this!! I just got “Love Walked In” (because of the cover!). I am so excited to read it. I almost bought “Girls in Trucks” too, but didn’t. Is it not even a good quickie read for summer?? It’s cover just shouts at me 🙂
THat is so funny about the covers. That first cover is awesome….too funny you hated the book. I am gonna check out that second book!
This just made my day. My week. I have read both books, for the exact same reason. Marisa de Los Santos is the most gifted writer I’ve ever read. Did you know there’s a sequel?? RUN! and get it! Girls in Trucks I did not hate it. I really liked the first half and it went downhill from there. Please tell me you’ve read an early Elizabeth Berg book. I recommend True to Form as a starter. 🙂 In summary (since I’m well on my way here to my own novel) I’ve always had luck with covers that feature a farmhouse, a dirt road, or a girl in a sundress.
ps- Is that Missy Higgins I hear??
-Shannan
Can’t help myself. I just remembered that I blogged about this book nearly 3 years ago! I dug it out from under the cobwebs in the archives, just for you. 🙂
http://shannanmartin.xanga.com/536911908/gone-so-long/
i was sooooooooooooo disappointed in that one…UGH…and i bought it too!!
the other author, i just checked out her newest book “belong to me”….have you read that one?
i almost bought the “love walked in” because of the cover.
we’re not shallow my dear
just inspired by beauty
wow…such deep thinking!
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this made me happy 🙂 I, too, am a lover of beautiful covers and labels – and admittedly many bottles of bad wine and cds and books have been had. But, when you do come across something such as this charm of a book it erases all those not-so-good purchases 🙂 I will check this gem out!
I am finally getting back to reading. For a while it was just easier not to b/c of everything else going on and also it’s a little harder when you don’t have as much FREE time:). Thank you for the book recommendation I am putting it on my list.
Have a great day,
Jen
i totally bought this book because of the cover, too…it was irresistible…& now it’s one of my favorite books, too…i recommend ‘belong to me’, too. really beautiful also…
ps your writing is so great, too…i love ‘hair that smelled like a bonfire and fireworks’
wowie, that’s a lot of ‘too’s in my comment…
🙂
I am so like you…the cover is what always sells me…but the last book i read i hated the cover but it was a great book….i kept thinking of all the possible cute images they could of had on the cover as i was reading it…i have seen your book in the store..love walked in and so it will be next on my list…thanks!
I thought it was perfectly normal to buy a book by it’s cover ~ isn’t that what first intrigues you to even pick it up? I will jot down “Love Walked In” ~ I am always looking for a good read.
Love your blog!
I read “love walked in” and adored it. I’m so glad that you enjoyed it as well!
Oh my goodness … I had the same experience with the book “Girls in Trucks”. I also have a habit of choosing my books based on the covers 🙂 This was really my first disaster with this selecting technique. In this instance, it was my turn to choose the book for my book club. I was sooo disappointed, as were the other members of the book club :{ But, I can’t say “lesson learned” because I still find myself being drawn to the fun book covers!
i love your blog so much the beauty ,the sentiment, keep it coming..I cherish you.
Hi Friend – I knew I liked you for a reason! (ok, many reasons)
I totally buy books based on the cover. And yes, I bought Girls in Trucks because of the cover.. so beautiful. However, I barely made it through the first 30 pages. I will have to try your recommendation – I need a new book right now.