What do you inspect in a book before buying it?

Well first off,the title and who wrote it. I've on occasion picked up a book just because the name is familiar. Next to that if the cover catches my eye, though not so much as all I usually see is the spine. Once I've picked a book up it's straight to the back of the book to read what it's about and then finally into the first few pages where most books have a paragraph or two from in the book. Well if it's a hardcover then usually just inside the first 'page' on the dust jacket.

I go on a bunch of different factors... Sometimes the cover. I know you aren't supposed to judge a book by it's cover but sometimes if the cover looks interesting I will read the book. Other things are author reputation, recommendation by a friend, much praise or contreversy, or just the description on the back of the book.

i would see the storyline first and then if i liked it, i would read the critics' comments on the back of the book. ^__^ but i don't really buy books at random. usually i buy books that have been recommended to me or those that are very popular at the moment that its like people all over the world are reading it. ^__^;;

First of I see the title of the book and If I like this I pick the book up. I inspect the front cover and might like the picture showing what the fiction or non-fiction book is about. Then I look at the back cover to see the basic story line of the book. Yes, it is good to look at the author's praises and see the names of any awards the book has won. If it is a travel book I check the date it was published. If it is a non-fiction book I flick through the pages quickly getting a good idea about the quality of the book. I might even read half a page to see if I like the style that it has been written in. I also look on the back of the book to see how it costs to buy.

go by author reputation