tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6637440206562155541.post6476489262423130366..comments2024-03-02T20:13:07.434+00:00Comments on Tiny Library: Why I'm No Longer Accepting Review CopiesSam (Tiny Library)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16375434438465319913noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6637440206562155541.post-50894736520612482542014-11-29T03:15:48.910+00:002014-11-29T03:15:48.910+00:00I haven't really sought out review copies much...I haven't really sought out review copies much. I do get them from one publisher, and I have accounts with Netgalley and Edelweiss but rarely use them. Mostly it's because I just want to read what I want to read, but to be honest I rarely want to invest time in reading books that I haven't heard much about. There are a few authors I'll always read, but for unknowns....there are too many books I want to read that I *know* I'll enjoy. I hesitate to spend the time on something uncertain.3goodratshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10352969901692029558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6637440206562155541.post-19962559401113732082014-11-28T11:24:42.470+00:002014-11-28T11:24:42.470+00:00I admire your strength at resisting free books fro...I admire your strength at resisting free books from the very beginning :)Sam (Tiny Library)https://www.blogger.com/profile/16375434438465319913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6637440206562155541.post-41552447087893954302014-11-28T11:23:18.099+00:002014-11-28T11:23:18.099+00:00They are definitely a blessing and a curse. Maybe...They are definitely a blessing and a curse. Maybe publishers send them out too early, giving our excitement too much time to die down! I hate the guilty feeling of not getting to an ARC, so I'm going to get rid of all of mine, both physical copies and from my kindle, and start fresh.<br /><br />And there's always the library for free books :)Sam (Tiny Library)https://www.blogger.com/profile/16375434438465319913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6637440206562155541.post-56260782247626187182014-11-28T11:21:50.134+00:002014-11-28T11:21:50.134+00:00You are right that review copies can expose us to ...You are right that review copies can expose us to some great new books. I just have such limited time now that I don't want to sacrifice one single bit of reading freedom.Sam (Tiny Library)https://www.blogger.com/profile/16375434438465319913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6637440206562155541.post-30272977288266032052014-11-28T07:16:04.878+00:002014-11-28T07:16:04.878+00:00I knew when I started blogging a few years ago tha...I knew when I started blogging a few years ago that I will not accept any review copies. It has seemed tempting now and then, but realistically I knew that there are so many books I want to read anyway, it would just end up as an obligation and I wouldn't enjoy it. I think it's great that you make decisions that make things work for you - changes are often needed.Rivhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04561804353287763337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6637440206562155541.post-32046507272024485452014-11-28T03:58:01.004+00:002014-11-28T03:58:01.004+00:00I completely understand where you are coming from!...I completely understand where you are coming from! I haven't officially changed my policy, but I really should soon. I have come to think of review copies as both a blessing and a curse of sorts. Like you, I would get really excited when a book arrived, but far too often, I would then not find time for it or my excitement would wane by the time it came around to actually reading and reviewing it. I have a shelf full of un-reviewed ARCSs I still feel bad about, but I figure there isn't a whole lot I can do about them now--if I get around to them eventually, I do, but if not, I have cut myself off to avoid this kind of thing in the future. I have unsubscribed from Shelf Awareness Pro which is where I entered a lot of giveaways/request forms for ARCs--I tried not cancelling my newsletter subscription and telling myself I'd just use it to find out about new books not request them, but the review copy offers were just too tempting! So many people say we shouldn't feel obligated, but when given these kind of opportunities, I can't help but see them as obligations and I think that is actually to the detriment of the book and my reading in general.<br /><br />Who knows what the heck will happen come the spring, but the past few months when I have moved away from review copies, I am so much happier with my reading choices and experience. There is a freedom in it I never even imagined I would need before I started blogging and didn't even know what an ARC was! "Free books" sounded so good, but they really are not all they are cracked up to be in the end.Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03215797870829907924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6637440206562155541.post-21991934258125517232014-11-27T21:52:13.003+00:002014-11-27T21:52:13.003+00:00I totally get where you are coming from. I know I ...I totally get where you are coming from. I know I have received some books that I didn't ask for or chose because it was offered, although if genuinely don't like a story, I won't review it whoever it is from. However the majority of books I receive are just up my street and actually book blogging has really opened my horizons and some books I would never picked for myself I have really enjoyed. I try and make a point of reading a mix of review copies and books that I like or have bough myself to keep things varied. :)Bookshelf Butterflyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08655473538122904094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6637440206562155541.post-16243485807943800332014-11-27T21:07:04.081+00:002014-11-27T21:07:04.081+00:00It depends on the publisher, but so far it hasn...It depends on the publisher, but so far it hasn't been a problem. When it comes down to it, bloggers aren't superhuman, and most of us have lives outside of reviewing books, and I think that a lot of publishers understand that.Grace @Bookswithoutanypictureshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14926992766158099078noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6637440206562155541.post-79347742994947170092014-11-27T21:05:33.847+00:002014-11-27T21:05:33.847+00:00I have way too many unread books on my shelves, it...I have way too many unread books on my shelves, it's nice to take the time to appreciate them and reduce their number a bit.Sam (Tiny Library)https://www.blogger.com/profile/16375434438465319913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6637440206562155541.post-37269414746350113322014-11-27T21:04:53.225+00:002014-11-27T21:04:53.225+00:00That experience would have put me off ARCs as well...That experience would have put me off ARCs as well! I have accepted books directly from the author before, but I found the whole thing uncomfortable to say the least, so I tended to stick to publishers.<br /><br />And you're right that reading surprises are the best part of reading. Enjoy your free range reading :)Sam (Tiny Library)https://www.blogger.com/profile/16375434438465319913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6637440206562155541.post-51277239408113284912014-11-27T21:00:31.106+00:002014-11-27T21:00:31.106+00:00I really like the sound of your model, Grace, and ...I really like the sound of your model, Grace, and it seems like it's working for you. Are publishers OK with there being no guarantee of you publishing a review?Sam (Tiny Library)https://www.blogger.com/profile/16375434438465319913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6637440206562155541.post-85585731144077655552014-11-27T20:59:51.209+00:002014-11-27T20:59:51.209+00:00That's the other thing about blogging - it mak...That's the other thing about blogging - it makes it hard to go into a book completely blind. But I'm having fun reading from my shelves at the moment, long may it continue.Sam (Tiny Library)https://www.blogger.com/profile/16375434438465319913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6637440206562155541.post-30139593078917954822014-11-27T20:59:02.236+00:002014-11-27T20:59:02.236+00:00It's so exciting to get review copies first of...It's so exciting to get review copies first of all, isn't it? Sometimes it's great to be exposed to books you wouldn't have picked up normally, but sometimes it doesn't work out.Sam (Tiny Library)https://www.blogger.com/profile/16375434438465319913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6637440206562155541.post-10145446230704836972014-11-27T20:57:19.388+00:002014-11-27T20:57:19.388+00:00I think you are right to be picky - I always meant...I think you are right to be picky - I always meant to be but could never manage it. Scheduling is important for book tours too, there's nothing worse than having to rush a book, it can ruin even a very good read.Sam (Tiny Library)https://www.blogger.com/profile/16375434438465319913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6637440206562155541.post-55242757917820483102014-11-27T20:56:28.705+00:002014-11-27T20:56:28.705+00:00Hmm - as a big library patron, I'm interested ...Hmm - as a big library patron, I'm interested in recommendations from librarians, but I don't care if they are big new releases or older titles. I think it's strange that you would be pressured to read galleys - you should be able to recommend classics to your heart's content!Sam (Tiny Library)https://www.blogger.com/profile/16375434438465319913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6637440206562155541.post-15734547861993003902014-11-27T20:55:20.473+00:002014-11-27T20:55:20.473+00:00I have been exposed to some great authors through ...I have been exposed to some great authors through ARCs and I am thankful for having them, but now my time is so limited I've got to prioritise.<br /><br />Your point about abandoning ARCs is interesting - I would always finish them regardless and then write a critical but not personal review of them.Sam (Tiny Library)https://www.blogger.com/profile/16375434438465319913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6637440206562155541.post-63866869430497815112014-11-27T20:53:53.293+00:002014-11-27T20:53:53.293+00:00Yes, there are so many types of bloggers. I don&#...Yes, there are so many types of bloggers. I don't have the time (or motivation) to push my blog & try to make money/a career out of it, so for me it's all about keeping it as fun as possible.Sam (Tiny Library)https://www.blogger.com/profile/16375434438465319913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6637440206562155541.post-89091510852255377312014-11-27T20:51:39.704+00:002014-11-27T20:51:39.704+00:00That's exactly it - I'm not a career blogg...That's exactly it - I'm not a career blogger, and nor would I want to be, so anything that makes this feel like a job is unwelcome. I've also accepted that I am going to have breaks from my blog every now and again.Sam (Tiny Library)https://www.blogger.com/profile/16375434438465319913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6637440206562155541.post-60450644760625775032014-11-27T20:50:53.701+00:002014-11-27T20:50:53.701+00:00I totally understand where you're coming from....I totally understand where you're coming from. I'm having a bit of the same problem. I've just decided to pick and choose. If it doesn't move me then I won't accept to read it. I have plenty of great books to read too on my shelves. Enjoy mood reading! :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6637440206562155541.post-69633460043086137232014-11-27T20:50:01.076+00:002014-11-27T20:50:01.076+00:00Free range reading is the perfect term for it, Aud...Free range reading is the perfect term for it, Audra. And I was always reluctant to accept review copies directly from the author, as I didn't want to get into any drama if I didn't like their book.<br /><br />Hope you are getting through the early baby days OK. It's all a bit of a haze to me now, I just remember feeling like a zombie and not having the energy to do anything apart from play candy crush/watching TV. Don't worry though, your reading mojo will return :)Sam (Tiny Library)https://www.blogger.com/profile/16375434438465319913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6637440206562155541.post-81327126943510189902014-11-27T20:46:40.666+00:002014-11-27T20:46:40.666+00:00Yes, I know lots of bloggers who enjoy Amazon Vine...Yes, I know lots of bloggers who enjoy Amazon Vine as they still get to choose. I think I would probably make the wrong selections though!Sam (Tiny Library)https://www.blogger.com/profile/16375434438465319913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6637440206562155541.post-47829954848498659172014-11-27T20:40:12.103+00:002014-11-27T20:40:12.103+00:00+JMJ+
I received a book for review long before A...+JMJ+ <br /><br />I received a book for review long before ARCs became a huge thing, and the experience was so awful that I decided never to request anything again. It started when I suggested to a self-published author, whom I liked as a blogger, that he could promote his book by hosting a contest and asking the winner to review the book. He said he'd rather send it to <i>me</i> for review--and of course, I was honoured. But when I finally read the book . . . well . . . IT WAS AWFUL. =( Since he and I were blog friends, I didn't want to tell him why I couldn't honestly review his book without panning it, so I just kept hemming and hawing about when the review would be up until he finally stopped asking and I lost a friend anyway. =( That experience has convinced me that I don't want to read a book with a professional obligation hanging over my head. <br /><br />Or well, with <i>any</i> obligations hanging over my head. Even school doesn't really require that you read a book, as long as you fudge well enough. ;-P Sometimes I struggle to finish my own readalongs or short-term series with themes that I picked out myself. Your term "mood reading" and Audra's term "free range reading" are perfect descriptions of what I like to do. While I appreciate structure once in a while, my favourite reading experiences have more in common with surprises than schedules. Enbrethilielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03414765854670926854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6637440206562155541.post-1671375327432743252014-11-27T18:17:22.551+00:002014-11-27T18:17:22.551+00:00I do accept review copies, but I've recently m...I do accept review copies, but I've recently moved to a "review consideration" model instead of letting myself feel obligated by them. Some of my favorite books were ones that I discovered as review copies, but like you, I used to be more of a mood reader, and I was getting bogged down and stressing out about getting reviews out on time. I'm trying to strike a balance between reading what I want to read when I want to read it and allowing myself to discover new books on NetGalley or through review requests that I receive. So far it seems to be working.Grace @Bookswithoutanypictureshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14926992766158099078noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6637440206562155541.post-77809242344427747762014-11-27T13:46:40.469+00:002014-11-27T13:46:40.469+00:00I haven't been accepting any review copies lat...I haven't been accepting any review copies lately and haven't been reading the ones I have at home either. I suffer from the same problems as you mentioned in your post - I get too excited about books when they are pitched but then once I receive them, they no longer look as enticing. I much prefer picking an unknown book from a stack and exploring it.Athirahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03366654538383603004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6637440206562155541.post-21005428053165373392014-11-27T12:34:38.449+00:002014-11-27T12:34:38.449+00:00Hey, you are right. It has happened to me too. I u...Hey, you are right. It has happened to me too. I used to love when I get books to review. But it changed as I have to read review books which I would not have read otherwise. Reading becomes a mere exercise and all the fun is lost...Shalet Jimmyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12550350381109665805noreply@blogger.com