Book-lovers among us know to cherish a riveting storyline but new research has indicated that first impressions have the biggest impact - as 52% of Brits admit to choosing a book by its cover.
The survey of 2,000 adults by Little, Brown Book Group found that a third of us are drawn by a dark and mysterious sleeve, while jackets featuring men or animals have the least allure for an audience of avid readers.
The questionnaire also revealed that we're hasty to cast judgement after we've opened a novel.
Over half (52%) of those questioned said they would be tempted to put a book down if they didn’t like the first chapter and one in five (18%) said it has just a couple of pages to grab their attention.
The most popular genres for summer reading, meanwhile, include crime (16%) and psychological thrillers (12%), with preferred plot tactics featuring murder mystery (37%) and family secrets (16%).
The poll was commissioned to mark the paperback launch of The Obsession by Nora Roberts.
In honour of one our favourite past-times - and the fact that we bookworms apparently place so much emphasis on a beautiful cover - take a look at our top 10 most picturesque picks for beach reading this summer, below.
The Obsession, featuring number one bestselling author Nora Roberts’ unique combination of suspense and passion, is now available at all good book stores nationwide
1. A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron
2. Cartes Postales from Greece by Victoria Hislop
3. I'd Die For You: And Other Lost Stories by F Scott Fitzgerald
4. Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
5. Paper Hearts and Summer Kisses by Carole Matthews
6. Soldier Spy by Tom Marcus
7. The Girls by Emma Cline
8. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
9. The Obsession by Nora Roberts
10. The Sun is also a Star by Nicola Yoon
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