We all know not to judge books by their covers, don’t we? After all, just look what happened to poor old The Bell Jar a few years back (although I love these dumbed-down classics , especially The Brothers Karamazov with its “three boys, one girl, one BIG choice!” tagline).

Here, then, for those who persist, is the ultimate solution: the cover that judges you back. Thijs Biersteker of digital entrepreneurs Moore has created a book jacket that will open only when a reader shows no judgment. An integrated camera and facial recognition system scans the reader’s face, only unlocking the book – in the prototype, filled with creative work for the Art Directors Club Netherlands annual – when their expression is neutral.

Neutral expression provides access.

“My aim was to create a book cover that is human and approachable hi-tech. If you approach the book, if you’re overexcited or your face shows a sceptical expression, the book will stay locked,” explains Biersteker on his website. “But if your expression is neutral (no judgment) the system will send an audio pulse and the book will unlock itself. I often worry about my scepticism and judgement getting in the way of my amazement. Judgment should never hinder the relentless enthusiasm of seeing things for the first time.”

If you get overexcited, you don’t get to read the book.

You can see it all happening here – it’s rather brilliant (although I’m not sure quite what’s in it for authors, who surely want to get as many readers as they can, regardless of their initial reaction?). I love it, though - even more than the book that burns upon reading, although perhaps not quite as much as the “wearable” book designed at MIT, which allows a reader to go through the same sensory experiences as the characters.