Comments on The Boston Bibliophile: Bloggers and Commercialism, Part Two

Found this posting in sort of a roundabout way, bu...

2009-08-07T22:11:48.489-04:00

Found this posting in sort of a roundabout way, but I'm glad I did! This is a really interesting topic, with lots of great comments. I posted my own thoughts on the subject on my blog, with a link back to this post.

Like a few others, I started my book blog with no idea that review copies were even an option. I do take advantage of ARC offers, but am learning to say no to books I don't think I'll like.

Don't know if I'll start including where I received the book in my reviews or not, as I tend to treat all of my books the same, but it's something I'll certainly think about now.

And I have to disagree with King Rat's theory that things that are free aren't valued as highly. The books I borrow from the library are free, and I value them just as much as the books I've purchased.

Thanks for starting such a great discussion Marie!

Tracie, I've various experiences with author i...

2009-08-03T18:24:30.717-04:00

Tracie, I've various experiences with author interviews. In one case I promised to do an interview but hated the book, so did the interview without reviewing the book and as nicely as I could, used the things I didn't like as the basis for polite questions. In another case, I had to reneg on an interview because I hated the book. Eventually I decided I would try to hold off on promising to do interviews until after I'd read the book and decided I liked it enough to do the extra promo work- because that's really what it amounts to. That policy has served me in good stead!

I've been thinking about this same thing...I&#...

2009-08-03T17:46:29.231-04:00

I've been thinking about this same thing...I've received some more offers for "free" books and the ones that I do not think are at all interesting, I have turned down. I don't think it's fair to give a review on a book that I know I'm probably not going to like.

Second, I have no desire to do author interviews. I don't want to not like a book from a really nice person whose feelings I have to worry about. I like to write myself and I know that my friends and family are much nicer to me then a teacher is. So, I made the personal decision to keep that separate. However, I am trying to think of ways to incorporate authors into my site without feeling like I need to give them a nice review.

All very complicated stuff...and here I thought I was just sharing my love of reading.

Oh, and I wanted to add that I have turned down fa...

2009-08-02T14:37:02.881-04:00

Oh, and I wanted to add that I have turned down far more free review copies than I have accepted. I was a little over eager when I first began getting offers, but have since learned that a) I only want to review books that I feel comfortable with the author/PR/Publishing company and b) that I have been wanting to read or are in a genre that I read a lot of. I will save my risks for the library.

When I started my blog in January, I did it to do ...

2009-08-02T14:33:57.142-04:00

When I started my blog in January, I did it to do reading challenges and share my love of books. It never even occurred to me that someone would offer me a free book to review! I learned about ARCs through Library Thing (which, ironically I have not received anything from, just from the member giveaways) and other bloggers as I came across their blogs. In fact, my reading challenges were filled with my own books in my TBR pile when I began. I have only altered the original challenge reading lists when a substitution for a DNF book has been needed. I also trade a lot of my books at Book Mooch.

If someone feels I only blog for free books, they don't know me, don't interact with me, and they don't read my blog.

Wow! What a topic! I am a brand new reviewer - I...

2009-08-02T04:14:21.964-04:00

Wow! What a topic!

I am a brand new reviewer - I have 3 book reviews on my blog so far (and it is NOT primarily a book review blog).

However, I am racking up the ARCs. I've got about 35 "free" books to read at the moment - about 1/2 from giveaways and 1/2 for review. 24 books in just the past 2 weeks.

And yes, I started requesting the ARCs because they were free. I don't see anything wrong with that. Quite frankly, the time I spend reading and reviewing is far more valuable at my hourly rate than the cost of the book.

I am still trying to connect with the sources that will provide the genre & books I WANT primarily to read. Now that I have a better idea of how things work, I'll be more selective.

If a book doesn't fit in the genre of my blog audience (family friendly), I don't review it on my blog; I'll review it on other sites such as Amazon, Goodreads, Library Thing...

As long as I'm honest in my reviews, I'm not ashamed to say I'm all over the ARCs because they are free.

Thanks for bringing up a great topic - it's something I need to think about as a new reviewer.

I started blogging in 2007, and I didn't even ...

2009-08-01T08:46:49.166-04:00

I started blogging in 2007, and I didn't even know there were other book bloggers out there. I certainly had no idea that publishers and authors were offering free copies to review. I enjoy receiving review copies because it opens me to new authors, new books, new genres, but I started blogging before receiving them and I would continue blogging without them. I have hundreds of non-review copies in my personal library, so there's no shortage of reading materials in my house.

--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric

Thanks for a great post and for facilitating such ...

2009-07-31T22:37:50.896-04:00

Thanks for a great post and for facilitating such a great discussion. I've posted about this linking back to you. It really helped me clarify my own review policies. I look forward to more great input from everyone.

You make some great points. I've just posted m...

2009-07-31T06:22:21.570-04:00

You make some great points. I've just posted my thoughts on it under the heading "Is the only reason we blog to receive free books?". I read what Kitting Books and Trish from Hey Lady! Whatcha Readin’? had to say and they referred to you. My two cents worth about my last 20 reviews is here if it interests anyone:

http://freshinkbooks.blogspot.com/2009/07/is-only-reason-we-blog-to-receive-free.html

Marie, I found your first post very thought provok...

2009-07-29T12:59:25.279-04:00

Marie, I found your first post very thought provoking and this one has made me think even more about my blogging and goals. I agree whole heartedly about blogging with integrity. I don't agree that accepting review books is blogging without integrity..it is all about how you handle reviewing those free books that is what is important. For me, I had gotten overzealous initially in my acceptance of ARC's or author requests. I got very overwhelmed with the pressure of "having" to read and review a book at a certain time. I don't mind a deadline or two but for me blogging is about writing and sharing my love of books, book clubs, finding new books,authors etc. I am working on finding a balance between accepting review copies and reading and reviewing my own books that I have piles of on my bookshelves. I have mixed feelings about disclosing the source of our review books. I tend to share where my books come from if they are a review copy, from a publisher, author etc. I am not consistent in sharing that a book was from the library or off of my own shelves as a purchase or swap/trade. I hadn't thought of posting about the value of the book vs price cost as I hadn't purchased the book if it was a review copy. This discussion has certainly given me a lot to think about and it is very timely as I have been pondering the future goals of my blog.

I'm not as organized as most bloggers and to t...

2009-07-29T11:13:05.389-04:00

I'm not as organized as most bloggers and to tell you the truth I guess that's ok with me because I often forget where books came from originally and simply read them because I want to--I think that helps my reviews remain honest.

I usually do participate in blog tours, but I think this is not because I want the book per se, but because I love doing interviews--selfishly, I want to pick their brains about writing and how they became published because I too am working on a number of projects I want published someday.

As for only reviewing books that I buy, borrow, or trade, I could do that, but I think I would blog less and talk about them less because I don't have contact information for the authors and a majority of reviews I really love are poetry books I receive from publishers and authors. I love promoting poets...I want to see their readership increase...and if I am a small part in that process, fantastic! If not, I'm still trying.

Sorry for the long comment, but I think it comes down to your own ethics. If you are ethical, you are less likely to skew reviews regardless of where the book came from.

As an addition to my comments, I seen nothing wron...

2009-07-28T17:48:48.906-04:00

As an addition to my comments, I seen nothing wrong with review copies. I am a collector of books on the Holocaust, WWII, and Judaism, and therefore, will purchase them to add to my collection. My book collection is a legacy of sorts to my children and grandchildren.

Some of the best books I have read were review copies. I treasure all books, purchased or review copies.

If there is a book I want to read, but don't want to buy, I will check it out of the library. Some times I will sit in a book store cafe and read a book. If I like it well enough and it will be a good addition to my Jewish-related book collection, I will buy it. Otherwise I will just read it there, without guilt. I spend enough money in book stores, buying books, so guilt doesn't enter my mind. All the clerks at the book stores know me, anyway.

Amy- yeah I felt pretty dirty after the whole Book...

2009-07-28T12:31:48.402-04:00

Amy- yeah I felt pretty dirty after the whole Book Buddy experience. Even though I really do love it. But that was the last product "review" I'll do.

I have to disagree too KingRat. :-) "Things t...

2009-07-28T11:47:53.531-04:00

I have to disagree too KingRat. :-)
"Things that have no cost to people aren't valued as much."
If a book is free, if I bought it, if I borrowed it, I treasure them all.

When I write a review, primary in my mind is if I can honestly tell a reader this is a book worth spending their money and time on. I take that trust, that someone may make a decision based on what I say, very seriously.
How I came by the book ultimately makes no difference.

Excellent and well-articulated post, Marie! I don...

2009-07-28T11:27:27.886-04:00

Excellent and well-articulated post, Marie!

I don't rely on review copies. I am constantly buying books, as you well know. The majority of my reviewing is pertinent to the books I purchase. I accept review copies, and read them, review them, but they are a small statistic of the books I review...approximately 10% if that high.

I started my blog to read and review Jewish authors and Jewish-related books, whether fiction or non-fiction...books that I personally have bought and own. I collect Survivor memoirs, and books relating to the Holocaust, so for me, free books was never an issue, an intention of mine, or reason to blog. My blog's purpose was primarily for personal reasons, and to write reviews, in order to try to foster awareness and cultural understanding to any person who happened to stop by to visit my blog.

Most of my review copies come from authors who have visited my site, and have asked me if I will review their book...or from a marketing individual affiliated with a publisher. If I don't like the sound of the book or am not interested in it, I will not accept a review copy. I don't want books just for the sake of getting them for free.

Once in a while I will email a publisher and request a specific title of an upcoming book, so I can review it. Recently, I have received three books from Library Thing, books I have requested. They are not Jewish-related in any aspect, so I will not be reviewing them in my Jew Wishes blog.

My blog has brought me a great deal of satisfaction, and it is rewarding in many aspects. I have met several wonderful individuals, and have been rewarded with finding a community of Jewish individuals who share the same ideals and thoughts as I do. I have common ground with those who are not Jewish, also...many of us read the same Literature, or are trying to understand each other's cultural aspects, no matter our religious affiliation.

I will continue to write on the issues that I initially started my blog for, continue to be selective in any books that I get for review, and continue to incorporate my thoughts and feelings into my writings. I will continue to purchase the books I want to read, and not hold my breath for a review copy. I get great pleasure in my purchases, and they are like treasures to me. Nothing will change...my Jew Wishes blog will wander ever forward.

Thanks for the great post!

~~Lorri

This is a really good post. I happen to have no pr...

2009-07-28T10:29:18.475-04:00

This is a really good post. I happen to have no problem with people reviewing free copies. I always say where I got a book but I also give an honest review. I have real issues with bloggers who have a certain type of blog such a a book blog suddenly posting about the wonders of a Swiffer just because they got free swag from the company or are getting paid to do so. I think honestly reviewing a free book is a much different thing.

-Amy
(Life by Candlelight)

Well I'm one of those who started my blog with...

2009-07-28T01:20:26.170-04:00

Well I'm one of those who started my blog without any idea that I could get free books at all. I started blogging as a journal for myself. It was only later that I discovered other book blogs and saw that a lot of them had giveaways and was amazed that I could get free books. Being unemployed as a stay-at-home mom of three little ones, I have a very limited budget for purchasing books and free books are a big help.

After a few months of blogging I started receiving offers from publishers to review their books. I rejected most of the offers because I refuse to read a book I'm not at all interested in. However, I began to find a few books being offered for review that I would actually love to read. So why not?

Most of the books I read, though, are still purchased from my own (or, actually, my husband's) pockets, or from the library, and the books I receive for free are a teeny tiny percentage of the lot I read, so not receiving free books wouldn't change my blog, but why would I want that? A few free books a year is a lot of savings for me, and I get to read and discover more amazing books.

I don't do blog tours or author interviews, however, because I can't stick to a schedule with my reads.

I understand what King Rat is saying and since I&#...

2009-07-27T20:49:05.532-04:00

I understand what King Rat is saying and since I'm a frugal reader I do think about the cost of a book to readers. For example, when I reviewed Martha Stewart's Cooking Encyclopedia I knew that a $50 Cdn price tag is a lot for a book. I recommended it because I believed it was good value (I take it out weekly). I thought about it a lot before I made my review.

The ARCs I receive are the ones I am interested in but they are also ones I might never have picked up. I still buy books and go to the library. I just wish I could read more.

Interesting post and great blog!

Fantastic post - I really like how you looked at b...

2009-07-27T20:24:19.606-04:00

Fantastic post - I really like how you looked at both sides of the coin, didn't simply defend where you are now.

I started blogging to improve my rusting writing skills, and, perhaps more pressing, to improve my rusty memory! It was about a year after we moved out of state, away from my girlfriends/support/book group I had known for 7 years. I read and read ... then couldn't remember why I liked (or didn't) a particular book when I'd get the chance to talk to my friends :) Sad, but true ... old age strikes!

I discovered LibraryThing and Early Reviewers, and connections have grown from there. I don't accept every book that's offered, and I don't feel obligated to review books that are sent unsolicited.

I review every book I read - purchased, borrowed, swapped, ARCs, etc. The good, the bad, the ugly.

My reading has become more diversified for the opportunities I've responded to, I've stretched outside my reading comfort zone. In doing so, I've explored some genres I hadn't read before; some were hits that I'll explore further, some were misses and I know to stay away from them.

If my access to some ARCs dried up, I'd still blog about every book I read ... my wish list is very long, and I enjoy it!

I'll have to go back and read that first post,...

2009-07-27T20:06:23.554-04:00

I'll have to go back and read that first post, how did I miss it?

I am definitely SOMEHOW going to start toning down my requests for Freebies. Not that I want to lay credence to the comment that Bloggers have integrity only if the review bought books. That's hogwash.

Like your list, with many Bought Books, I am similar. Today I came home to 8 books, and only one was from the Author. The rest I paid for or ordered from Paperbackswap. Like you, I get them used.

The only reason I wish to tone down the ARC arrivals is for the mere fact I am tired of the schedule issues with reviews, and I have 200 books here at home I would truly like to read already.

And those 200 reviews that i do get to someday will not in any way change the fact if I have integrity today or tomorrow. For most bloggers, we blog about what we read, for FUN. And I certainly don't think anyone would take time out of their day to read and review a book just in order to get a book. Thanks for the post!!

I've enjoyed reading your posts and the commen...

2009-07-27T18:09:59.460-04:00

I've enjoyed reading your posts and the comments. I started blogging to keep track of the books I read, something I had been doing for years in longhand. I didn't realize there was a community of book bloggers out there and was elated when my blog started receiving comments.

Two years into blogging I was asked to review a book. Totally amazing that a normal, pedestrian person in small town, USA would be asked to review a book. Of course, I accepted. Then more and more requests came in and I found myself toppling under the weight of the books as well as the responsibility to read and review them all.

I found I didn't have time to read all the wonderful books other bloggers were discussing and I became frustrated. Now I rarely accept ARCs.

I don't have a problem in the least with other reviewers accepting and reviewing ARCs. To each his own.

Marie, this is a good post to make you think why y...

2009-07-27T17:37:58.978-04:00

Marie, this is a good post to make you think why you blog in the first place. I do get many ARC's too many to count. I pick the books I want from the publisher and authors. But, still it makes you think who are you writing for and why. I started blogging because I wanted to spread the word about my passion of the written word. But also to share with the book community. The problem like you say the publishers are taking advantage as well as the bloggers for free books. I don't write reviews as much as other bloggers do. It will make me think what I write about for now on. The blogging should be for truthful blogging for our readers. Not to impress the publishers to get new books. And for bloggers to see who is on top. It appears to me that bloggers are in competition with each other to see who gets more ARC's too. Very Political in the book blogging world.

I don't agree that you value things more if yo...

2009-07-27T16:36:38.563-04:00

I don't agree that you value things more if you pay for them, or I would be at the gym right now!

I started out accepting any and all free books, but there was so much I did not want to read, I stopped doing that. I figured there were more deserving recipients out there. I'm much more selective now.

I also prefer to win a book rather than get a book for review. Then there is no pressure (not even internal) either to read or review, or to say something positive or not.

I do agree that I read a lot less "quality" books now. But like you Marie, I also value being in on contemporary cultural commentary.

King Rat, I know confirmation bias well and I thin...

2009-07-27T15:40:51.161-04:00

King Rat, I know confirmation bias well and I think that's the very nature of the debate, regardless of which books one is giving preferential treatment. Some find that they give positive light to ARCs, some to bought books. I don't do it often and certainly catch myself if i start to; I simply meant that as we discuss foregoing the practice of receiving books from publishers, lest it impair our reviewing glasses, I am swayed more so by what I have bought than by what I have been given.

I do understand the question of the change in reading and I find that I only take books, bought or given, that I would read, regardless.
regarding the economics of it, most bloggers I know do buy the books they receive ARCs of. I love the writing industry and i wouldn't want my lack of buying books to upset the balance. Of course, I know my sole consumption really wouldn't tip the scales...although, my book shelves might beg to differ...

Your last paragraph really brings it home. Check i...

2009-07-27T13:58:35.037-04:00

Your last paragraph really brings it home. Check in with your own integrity and make sure you are neither using nor being used.

I've been watching the Revenge of the Mommy Bloggers (as I like to call it) show recently, and it comes to me as a warning - not a direct correlation of how book bloggers handle things. It's not accepting review copies that is the problem, so much as where that it can take us.