This annoys me

[Yozzer87]

Lighthearted, but this really annoys me.Is it just me or do you find yourself buying books that you've already read because the covers are almost identical? I read a lot of fast paced page-turner type novels by the likes of Lisa Jewell and Claire Douglas, probably 1 or 3 a week, and I'm never sure if I've already read them or not because they all look the same. 🤨

You literally buy books because of their covers.

If the covers are identical surely it's easy to see they are ones you've already read? The challenge would be if they were totally different?

Not literally identical but really similar. I normally pick a book because I like the author.

Don't you read the back cover? I can't imagine buying a book without reading the back to see what it's about.

Yes of course but I don't remember every book I've ever read, especially if it was several years ago. Sometimes with this type of book the storylines are similar. I suppose there's no harm in rereading a book if I've forgotten the storyline but there's so many new books out there I'd rather read.

If you know you have this problem, why don’t you keep a list of what ones you’ve read?

Get them out the library instead. It keeps a log of what you’ve checked out so you can see what you’ve already read (plus save money).

I should really but I never think of it at the time. It's not a massive problem that I'm worried about, it's a minor inconvenience lol, just wondered if anyone else had experienced the same.

It's partly why I like a kindle, as Amazon reminds you that you have already bought it. I've almost bought the same book twice many times.

Yes, I have the same problem. All the modern thrillers have really similar looking covers and I'm often not sure which ones I've read... I get 3 pages in and then realise!

I'm glad to hear it's not just me. I think it's partly that I like this particular genre that is addictive and so quick to read, but forgettable in the grand scheme of things because there's so many out there.

Jill Mansell - all similar covers all similar blurbs on the back

Jenny/ Penny/ Sammy wants a new life in Cornwall/ The Cotswolds/ Scottish Highlands. There she meets the plumber/builder/ carpenter who may or may not be the love of her life. Due to the secret he is hiding

Book cover design is a bit of a marketing thing. Publishers favour book covers that show readers instantly that it's just like something they already know and like. I guess they don't care if we keep buying/reading the same book without realising it!

What is really fucking annoying is when the same book is re-released with a different title a couple of years later. True, it says in small print inside 'first published as .... in 2021' but should we have to check the small print of every book we buy?