I have seen a lot of comments on twitter and on certain blogs, including my own (my first negative comment, but it had to come, right?) from people suggesting that book bloggers are freeloaders, hogging all the ARC's and never giving back by buying books. If this was true then my wallet would be a lot fatter and my house a lot neater! I don't usually post about this kind of thing, but I feel really ticked off by this!
I buy so many books each week that I don't know what to do with them. I also know that they will take a back seat while I get through the books that have been sent for review, but I buy them anyway. I love books and I love reading, full stop. If I never received an ARC or a book to review again, I would still be able to write as many reviews as I do now. It may seem ludicrous to some people that I spend so much money on books that I wont be able to read for months, even years and having 600+ books on my shelves unread, I sort of agree. It does seem ludicrous, but if you love books then you will completely understand, because you are doing it too! If you don't then you wont understand at all.
Books call to me, whether brand new or old. I love the covers, the way they feel, the way they smell. There is just something about buying books that just makes me happy inside, like truly happy. I know it sounds sappy but ever since I was young they have been my friends. They have helped me through some really bad times by allowing me to escape my life and live someone else's, even for just a little while. But when my life has been good then they just make it better.
I will admit, I do get a lot of books for review but I buy twice as many books as I get sent from publishers. Getting books doesn't stop my love for books, it has actually increased it, if that's possible. Because of the books I've received for review I have found new series that I've had to rush out and buy or a new author that I am now eagerly awaiting to release a new book. If you are a true book lover then you wont go around slagging people off. You will join in the celebration for books and the art of reading. It's beautiful and totally addictive.
So far this week I have received five books to review, but I bought thirteen. Am I nuts? Probably, but books are my passion and my hobby and this is what I choose to spend my money on. Some people immerse themselves in stamp collections, build models, knit. I immerse myself in books. I always have and I always will.
So before you post a crappy comment, think about why you are doing it. What's the point? If you really don't like the book blogging community then stop visiting book blogs, because leaving negative comments won't make us stop reviewing books and it certainly wont stop us buying them!
London Time
56 comments:
I wish more people had an abundance mentality hon. There are plenty of books to go around for everyone except those who don't want them LOL
Sascha Illyvich
http://www.saschaillyvich.com
Nice post!
I hope you feel better now. I sure do. :)
What books did you buy? DISH! I borrowed some fabulous Tamora Pierce books this week and I feel peaceful now, knowing I'll get to read them soon. xD
Jealousy over ARCs has always struck me as ludicrous. And I say this as a review blogger who receives hardly any ARCs. Why would anyone bother getting into a fight over a book which is usually worth a few dollars at most? Seriously?
Books are my passion. I love everything about them. I love owning them, even if I know I already have far too many unread ones sitting on my shelves. Some people splurge on shoes and handbags. My weakness is books.
You are not alone!
Sascha - I know! So many books out there!
Shellie - yes, I do feel better now, lol. I don't usually post a rant, but I was just getting fed up about it so had to get it off my chest :D
Liyana - I will be posting all books in my IMM, but just for you I bought: Circle of Fire & Circle of Death by Keri Arthur, Succubus in Heat by Nina Harper, The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong, Afraid by Jack Kilborn, Fragile Eternity by Melissa Marr, Tantalize by Cynthia Leitich Smith, Kissed by An Angel by Elizabeth Chandler, Dewey by Vicki Myron, The Gift by Cecelia Ahern, Beautiful Dead 2 by Eden Maguire, Queen Victoria: Demon Hunter by A.E. Moorat and Every Demon Has His Day by Cara Lockwood. :)
SarahT - exactly! although I am partial to buying shoes and handbags too :D
I am always amazed at what some people post in comments. We are providing a service to publishers, free press. I am with you, even if I did receive tons of review books, I would still buy as many as I do. Which is currently 2-3 a week.
I just don't understand some people. If we didn't read and constantly buy books, why would book bloggers ever get started in the first place?
I've seen that sentiment floating around lately, too. I'm still a greenhorn to the whole blogging thing, but it seems more than cynical to dismiss the entire notion of book blogging as a gaggle of freeloaders.
I'm not swimming in dough, but I still buy the books that truly grab my interest when I can afford to.
Rabid Fox - exactly, it isn't about how much money you have but that you still buy books, the notion that book bloggers are freeloaders is just misplaced. Thanks for stopping by :)
Well said girl. Just ignore the bad comments, I totally understand your love for buying books. I as well get some ARC's here and there but I still buy at least 4-5 books a week, wow writing that down makes me feel like I've got an addiction haha,hm that's where all my money went lol. Anywho, I'm glad you got that off your chest, haters will still hate, just keep doing your thing and everything will be fine! I mean look how far your blog went, I remember when you first started and look at you now..I'm proud of ya :)
You know, there will always be grump people. And sometimes we need to rant...I'm right there with you. Luckily there is a handy feature in blogger where you can delete comments hee hee. Got my first negative from an author who didn't like my review. :) I am floored though that someone would be so jealous as to actually comment...I'm also floored that you have 600+ books to read. I think if I had that many my hubby would take away my spending rights...LOL. I thought I was bad because I have 5 on my kindle and 20 on my shelf. Oh make that 24 hubby said my amazon order came in today.
Excellent points, well made!
I'm just starting to get offered ARCs for review, but even if I never got one I would still be buying, reading and reviewing a ton of books because I love them.
Very well said.
~Lindsay
JABA
You know I just don't understand why people have to comment like that..if they feel that we are taking all te ARC's then why don't they create their own blog and get some of the ARC's...I am like you I buy books as well as get them from authors to review. I also get some from the library. Some people just don't have anything better to do that to be mean with comments. I haven't got one yet but I am sure some day I will..lol
Stormi
http://writesthoughts.blogspot.com
People can be such rear ends.
Pay no attention to them.
Honestly, they are just jealous and don't get it.
The whole point of giving out ARCs is to help the book get publicity.
So of course strong successful blogs (like yours) will get ARCs.
Ignore them and keep on trucking.
You rock.
Your blog rocks.
And if they want some ARCs they should work for it instead of griping.
I just started book blogging about a month or so ago and I am like you I buy far more than I get for review and because I have got a couple of review books that I did has made me go in search of other books by that author and so on.
Don't let the negative bother you hon just turn the cheek and go on doing what we all love; reading books and escaping real life if only for a little while.
{{Big Hugs}}
Great Post! There will always be whiners, the negatives folks who have to find something to complain about. I think about 5% of the books I get are from publishers. The rest I buy. I have stacks of books climbing my walls. I used to spend about $50 a week on average on books. They are my passion as well. I'm trying to behave myself currently, which means I still end up buying 2 or 3 a week anyway.
Those who leave the negative comments, ignore, delete, and go buy yourself another book. :)
Eh, I wouldn't worry too much about those people, they're either jealous or completely clueless.
I'm just like most of you booklovers too, I buy several times more books than I actually get for review (very few) and yes, even though I'll probably never read most of those, I keep buying buying buying new books every week. It's an addiction and I don't feel guilty at all to accept free books every now - we all deserve them, plus it's not like it's hurting the publishers, they get publicity too.
What I'm saying is ignore jealous people and their silly little remarks. :)
I am 100% with you on this! :)
Negative comments really hurt! I've had 2..and they didn't feel too good.
Some people just need someone or something to complain about. It is sad. You DEFINITELY buy more books than you get for free.
I have started donated the books I get for free to the library when I'm done with them for others to enjoy since I didn't pay for them. Or I give them away in a contest.
Book bloggers totally share!
Keep up the good work, your blog has grown so much in these past few months and I am an avid reader. Your blog is very fun and a great place to come to after a long day at work. Great work!
I was just thinking about this yesterday after I spent $70 at the book store. I don't know anyone who would ever spend that much in a trip to the book store, but it's not uncommon for me. That's on top of review books! And in reality, the majority of free books I receive are not ones I would necessarily have bought because they tend to be more unknown authors.
I feel like people who insist on arguing about ARC-hoarding are missing the point of ARCs altogether.
I have to say, this is exactly why I have comment moderation turned on over at my little internet hacienda. I feel like my blog is my project and my passion and I'll decide what enters that space. Blogger is free so hey, if someone doesn't like that then that person can go get a blog and flog me to death as much as they please over there.
Keep up the good work, I always enjoy reading your posts. :D
Awesomely written! I am a new book blogger - I have never received ONE ARC and frankly if I never do, that's ok - that's not why I do this, and I know it's not why 90% of the book bloggers out there do.
I loved the way you talked about how buying a book just makes you feel amazingly happy inside - I like you choose to buy books, though I dont have nearly as many as you do in my TBR file (LOL I am new to being "back to book love), I feel the EXACT same way...
My friends even my daughter think I am NUTS, when I am buying 14+ books a week, but the smell, the touch - everything - hell my fav. place besides with my kids, is a book store followed by my room with all my shelves of books LOL - I never hit the libary, maybe I should but the idea of not OWNING what I am reading...I dont like that :(
Kudo's to you! You rock!
All this complaining about getting free books is ridiculous. I say no to more requests from authors or publishers than yes, which should tell you that there are plenty of authors looking for readers out there.
I get my books from everywhere bookstores (new or used), library, flea market, etc. Getting books from authors hasn't stopped me from buying. I just bought a book yesterday that I had from the library because I didn't like the translation (and it was filthy- yuck!). Plus I'm buying lots of books for Christmas.
Just ignore it.
Not sure who would make such an idiotic comment. Anyone that spends any time in the book blogger neighborhood would know that we all have serious issues with book purchases. Yes, we all occasionally force ourselves into mandatory book buying bans, but then quickly fall off the wagon. We are hopeless. Sounds like somebody is jealous they aren't getting enough ARCs.
Nice to know some pepople have no life than to worry about silly stuff like that...
Continue as you are my dear... I do.
E.H>
Your blog is new to me. However, I do write book reviews but don't consider my blog to be a purely book blog. I do have a writing gig writing book reviews for a local gazette. I do get quite a few ARCS. I also spend more per month on books that some people spend on their car payment. I drive a 1999 Honda CRV and I love her. I just love books and reading far more than a new car could make me happy.
I am a member of amazon's vine program and those people are some greeeeeedy people if ever I saw some. Each month when the list of products you can choose from comes out someone will start a thread complaining they did not get the treadmill. Even though they'd never buy one in their lives and probably wouldn't use it if they did get one for free.
The notion that ARC's are free...is a farse. If you are a serious reader that stack of ARC's will make you feel guilty because you want to read them and properly review them and do those publishers justice. If you think someone's getting something for nothing...that is not the case whatsoever...that's what I say to anyone who thinks this.
Lastly...I think before you accept ARC's you should at least TRY to do them justice by reading them. Some people don't seem to ever read anything..they're just on a quest to get things for free.
p.s. I'm at www.shishnit.org not trying to hide. :-)
Who's saying these things? Let me at 'em, let me at 'em...hee hee!
I know what you mean Carolyn. I SO enjoy buying books...The evidence is in my library of 1500+ books and I guarantee that a minute fraction are ARCs! People are just bored. I guess they need SOMETHING to snipe about!
BTW, I will be getting you my interview tonight! Sorry...I started a new job this week and I had a field trip with my son today so have been ultra busy!
Hang in there girl! You have allies!!!
Hon you have an award on my blog below
http://jensbooktalk.blogspot.com/2009/11/award-kreativ-blogger.html
Great post! I also have alot of books (close to 1000)! Book buying makes me happy, also. That's where I spend every spare cent I get. I guess it's a good thing I don't live close to big bookstore!! I just flat out love books!!Don't worry about the negative comments, some people are never satisfied..
mlawson17 at hotmail dot com
Very well said!
The fact that book bloggers receive books for review is only a plus to our addiction. It doesn't mean that we won't stop buying books. There's just something that draws a person in a bookstore. Although I may not often buy books whenever I'm in a bookstore, I always, always end up getting one for myself in special occassions on whenever i'm feeling down.
The fact that there's book bloggers out there means so much more genres, authors and books to discover. In my case, I wouldn't have touched some of the other paranormal and young adult series if I haven't discovered it out in blogs.
Okay, that's my two cents worth :)Thanks for posting your article
Word! Very well written post. I think the idea of book bloggers being freeloaders is crazy, and I understand your book craving well - I just bought two books this evening that I know I won't get around to reading for months due to all the other unread books sitting on my shelves. I am physically incapable of leaving a bookstore without at least one book!
I agree! I LOVE buying books! I think it's great that you get free books for review! It just speaks highly of your reviews! Don't feel too bad. You are a great reviewer! I love your blog! Those negative people are just lazy and jealous! :P
Very well said! I'm another one who buys books knowing full well I won't be able to read them for several months, but I simply can't resist! Even when I try to cut back, I come across a title I saw reviewed on another blog or a new book by an author I reviewed and loved, so I just have to bring it home with me!
Everyone has their vices and mine just happens to be books. Love reading them! Love decorating with them! Love giving them a good home!
Remember that old TV commercial for potato chips that said you can't eat just one? Well, I think that when it comes to books, bloggers can't read just one! Review copies and ARCs will only whet our appetite for more, so bloggers are NOT freeloaders!
Great post! :)
I'm late..but I agree with you 100%. I buy a book close to everyday...It is an addiction ;)
AMEN!!!
I will never stop buying books. The review books I get could never feed my addiction. Some people need to get a life and find something worthy to worry about.
They're just jealous! They don't seem to get that getting ARCS means having to REVIEW THEM. For me, being a book blogger is a job and it should be taken seriously. If they're complaining about not getting free books, then they're not serious about blogging at all!
You just focus on your blog; these people aren't worth wasting your thoughts on.
I've been book blogging for a month. 1 month. And I just received my 5th ARC yesterday from an author or publisher. If people want the ARCs so bad, it's not difficult to get them.
That being said, from what I've noticed, the people complain are the people who aren't book bloggers. Those people are not going to review the books. They aren't going to draw any attention to the book. Why would an author or publisher want to send someone a book if they aren't getting any publicity in return?
I may have gotten 5 free books this month, but I bought 13 others. I now have over 900 books that I have paid money for that I haven't even read yet. If I never received any ARCs I would exactly be out of books to read. Do they think they'd get them instead? I don't get it.
{shakes head}some people like to complain, dissapointing to get a negative comment. This reminds of my myspace "incident", where someone commented and said something bitchy. To this day I can remember every word, she even used quotes to make her point. Harsh.
*hug*
I am new to book blogging myself and I've only recieved one book from an author so far
(which I still haven't gotten my review done for) but I think that if someone has nothing better to do than to leave negative comments about someone else's passion that's pretty sad.
I too spend entirely way to much money buying books...I have over 300 on my to be read list so far. A lot of the books that I've bought recently are books that I probably would never have even given a chance had I not read a review for it on a book blog.
So to those who feel the need to leave negative comments about our (book bloggers) passion...I have 3 words for you: NUTS TO YOU!
Oh p.s. Love your blog!
To be perfectly honest, I prefer buying my own books than receiving them for review, because then I get to choose what I read and when its read and not feel guilty about it waiting to be read. I've been blogging for less than 2 months now and I've received 4 ARC's in total, when in one hour this week, I managed to buy 9 books and spend over £70. These silly nasty people need to get a grip.
Yes I have got a lot of free books this year, but I have also bought more books than I have ever done per year on all my life.
Getting books makes me want to buy books.
Great post!
i'm new to the book blogging world and i never even thought about reviewers being "cheap". For a blogger to set as much time as it takes to keep up a regular blog, they are obviously totally devoted to reading and of course would not be just doing the blogging purposely for free books.
As a blogger myself, I know that it is convenient at all to rely on receiving books for free from publishers. There may be 10 sent this week but none for another four months. Whether a reader gets their books from the library, from the bookstore or for review they are still reading and hopefully enjoying the books and thats all that was intended by the author.
Oh, thise people are just jealous haters! Misery certain loves company, huh?
I totally agree, "If you really don't like the book blogging community then stop visiting book blogs"! Sing it, girl ;)!
Do share about the ones you bought... add to my toppling mountains!
It's envy, that's all it is. And as envy usually goes, it's baseless and unconfirmed by facts. I stopped paying attention to all those ignoramuses and go one with my life. Book blogging community contributes more and more to the whole book enterprise and it will soon be obvious if it isn't yet.
It seems we're kindred spirits!
I buy waaaaay more than I get from publishers/pr and I'm a-ok with that. In fact, for ARC's I read that I truly adore I go out and buy a copy even though I have already gotten it at no cost.
I, like you, love to see those books and feel them and I get this really bizarre feeling of accomplishment as my book case gets more full. Could I possibly read all the books in my case over the course of a year....probably not. Do I care? Nope, not a bit because I know I'll get to them all eventually!
Goodness, I wish someone WOULD send me books to read and review, but I don't consider book reviewer to be freeloaders. I just think you all ar ethe lucky ones because someone out there values your opinion.
You go girl!
I echo your words 100%. I get maybe 1 or 2 review books per week, but then I spend about 30$ a week on books at the bookstore, if not more. I don't understand why anyone would want to piss and moan about somebody getting an ARC when all it takes to get the ARC is a simple email to the publisher with why you want the ARC, your URL, and follower/blog information. Wow, what a challenge. <----sarcasm
Even if one does not accept ARCs on principle, don't hate on those who do, as reviewing is actually an invaluable service which is not even closely paid for by the value of the ARC. I mean an ARC is worth what, a couple of dollars, and when an author sends that ARC to you, those few dollars get them exposure to at least 200 people.
Anyways, just wanted to pledge my support and utmost love for your blog! Keep on rocking in the free world :-D
Well said! Also glad to see I'm not the only one with a book buying addiction. I have a pile of books to review but that still doesn't stop me from buying books. I have about 200 books I need to read that I bought on my own sitting on my shelves.
Alas, these people will always be around. Nevermind buying books, how many of us also support our local library by borrowing books???
I think that the ARCS are seen more because they have deadlines, and its a matter of finding a blog balance. If you don't want a balance and just want to read ARCs, so what?!
I buy books all the time, and I buy books for my readers when there are no giveaway copies offered.
AMEN!! My friend and I were just discussing this morning, wondering if there will be enough people buying books to keep them being published. You're doing your part! Thanks. I LOVE buying books -- and reading them too :)
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