Day 247: Never judge a Julia Green by its cover

So, I want to share a lesson I have learnt this week. It's one we've all been told about a millions times, but I just never listen. I'm going to put it down to the fact that I'm a visual person!

I have just finished Julia Green's Breathing Underwater. My friend, Celia gave it to me and told me to read it, but I've had it for ages. It's been sitting in my room getting dusty and I'm pretty sure it's because I don't like the cover. I don't like the colours, or the image. I think it looks kinda dull and I know full well that if I picked it up in a shop I would not buy it based on that alone.

BUT, it's one of the best books I've read in a long time. Julia Green has a real knack of making the reader care for the characters. As I read I wanted to share Freya's story and see what happened, what she found out, how she changed. For me, that's what makes a good story. Freya has a really believable voice and she felt real to me. Her little tale will stay with me for a good while longer. That's what you want as a writer, I guess.

Have you ever read a book where you think about the characters long after finishing? Do you judge books by their covers? The book that's sitting in the corner with an unappealing cover, give it a go...you never know what will inspire you next!