The Book Blogger Hop was originally created by Jennifer @ Crazy-For-Books in March 2010 and ended on December 31, 2012. With Jennifer’s permission, Coffee Addicted Writer relaunched the hop on February 15, 2013. Each week the hop will start on a Friday and end the following Thursday. There will be a weekly prompt featuring a book related question. The hop’s purpose is to give bloggers a chance to follow other blogs, learn about new books, befriend other bloggers, and receive new followers to your own blog.
The Book Blogger Hop post image was created by Coffee Addicted Writer.
This Week’s Question
Do you finish reading every book that you have slotted for a review? (Elizabeth @ Silver’s Reviews)
My short answer is “yes.” I’m a firm believer in seeing something through if I decided to commit to it. Maybe some will call that an antiquated way of approaching life. There are definitely instances where it’s appropriate to not follow through. But in general I think if you agree to review a book, then you should read and review that book. For example, if you request a title on NetGalley, and then receive an approval, review it. At the very least give it a shot. If it’s not for you, then there’s always the “I will not be giving feedback” button on NetGalley.
Finishing each book you have slotted for review conveys to publishers that you’re reliable. This increases the likelihood that you’ll continue to receive approval for ARCs (if reviewing ARCs is your thing); or that a blog tour will continue to approve you as a stop. It also proves to yourself that you can fulfill your goals. I personally fully read even a book I’m not enjoying if I received it from NetGalley for several reasons: 1) it increases my feedback percentage, which in turn increases my approval prospects; 2) it shows the publisher I’m committed to providing feedback; and 3) in the end it’ll still provide content for my blog since I do post all reactions, positive or negative.
But, this is what I feel is right for me and others may have a different philosophy. Let me know below in the comments if you agree or disagree.
I agree, at the very least you should inform the ARC site that you won’t be finishing. Not all books are for everyone and life happens, but at least you should try to finish if you can. Only a limited number of ARCs can be distributed so if someone takes an ARC they have no intention of finishing and that’s the last copy available, it takes the opportunity away from others who wanted the book.
Absolutely agree that life happens…I consider that an exception to sticking to one’s commitments. 🙂 That’s a good point about the limited number of ARCs. A couple weeks ago I saw someone tweet about how a reviewer owes an author nothing if the author sends the reviewer one of their books. That kind of rubbed me the wrong way. If an author gives me a book for free, I’ll do my best to review it; I”m not saying I’ll be able to be super quick about it, but it will get done. Otherwise, my morals whisper to me that I shouldn’t accept the free book!
Hi Celeste,
I do understand your opinion, especially when it comes to ARCs.
I hardly request ARCs, because my SUB (Stack of Unread Books) is way too high. 🙂
Therefore, 99% of my read books are bought or borrowed books. And if I feel I can’t finish the book for whatever reasons (terrible characters, boring plot, senseless dialogs, etc.) I will at least try to read 50% of the book. But if it can’t carry me away, I will just stop reading it. This doesn’t mean I will get rid of it. No, it will wander back on my shelf, because I will give every book a second try.
My motto: Sometimes it takes the right time for a certain book.
But I will wait at least a year before I’ll pick it up again. If the second read is similar to the first, in my review, I will just write why I stopped reading. But the review won’t be just negative details, also those little positive points which made me read until at least half of the book.
Cheerio
RoXXie
Thanks for your comment, RoXXie! I’ve definitely cut back on the number of ARCs I request because I’m in a similar situation. I’ve made progress on my NetGalley ARC stack, but I’m not a fast reader so it takes me what feels like forever to check one off the list. I went 5+ months or so without requesting anything, but just put in a couple of new ones last weekend.
But yes, point taken about non-ARC books. My response was definitely geared towards ARC requests and books gifted by authors/publishers. I think giving any book a fair shot is a good idea, ARC or not. But, personally, I don’t worry about finishing a book if it’s from my own personal stack or the library because I didn’t sign up for a commitment (like on NetGalley, for example). I don’t DNF books often, but I feel less guilt about it if it’s not an ARC. I also agree with you about sometimes it’s not the right time for a certain book. I think I feel this most when it comes to nonfiction these days. But good for you on persevering and waiting for the right time, if you know you want to finish it. 🙂