When you buy a book from an author that you've never read before, do you choose the book based on the picture of the front cover or what is written on the back cover?  A lot of time the front cover is what catches my eye!!

Front covers used to be the big eye catcher for me & then I'd decide from the synopsis if I wanted to try it out or not.  These days I don't read anything without some good reviews or recommendations though, so I have to say neither - although my eyes are still drawn to certain covers:P

I go by the back cover.  I don't pay much attention to reviews. In fact I try to avoid a lot of them because I have had whole series spoiled for me because someone gives away key info to the story.  A great cover will catch my eye by I always look at the description first.  If it's a book I'm looking at online then I go to Amazon to see if they have an excerpt available.  If it's in my hands then I read the first page or two.

I agree with Mrslefty: A great cover will always catch my eye but i have learned to always read the description too.

Front cover for sure.

The front cover catches my eye, but if I don't like the synopsis the book can just stay at the store.

front cover catches my eye but I go more by the back cover to see what it's about and if I want to read it or not.

Front cover or title  catches my attention but the back is my deciding factor since what is inside is most important anyway.

Front covers can be catchy... although I seriously dislike the "fake people" covers on many of the Ellora's Cave books!  I think they are really really tacky!! 

Anyone ever see the cover for "Sebastian" by Anne Bishop?  That was a really beautiful cover.  I will link it here.  (Book...not so good). Sebastian (Ephemera, #1)

Both.  Front cover catches my eye and back cover makes me want it.  I also don't read many amazon or bn reviews because we all have different tastes.

It is not only the front cover that gets my attention but the title of the book. If the title looks interesting, clever or amusing etc I am more like to pick it up. Then I read the back. If that has piqued my interest, I will read the short "teaser" in the inside( if there is one) and then first paragraph or two to see if I want to read it.