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This looks like me....
I get contacted, and contact publishers, (sometimes) - and in return, I have a growing list of books sent to me, for free, that I really want to read - HONEST I do, I would NEVER accept something, that does not appeal to me...
But now, my list of books that I need to read for author's and publishers is growing, and I am starting to feel the pressure, that so many book bloggers I have seen talk about before...sorry girls I thought you were NUTS!
Not pressure from authors or publishers, but from myself - I mean I want to read these books...
So what do you do? I do have something saying that I might not get to your book before publication, and that I might not review the book at all...but at the same time, I KNOW what goes into writing, and into even just emailing bloggers to get your book out there...
HELP, I need a bit of encouragement before I drowned in my TBR pile!
Oh and PS. this is not counting book's I buy! :)
And PSS. I am not saying I don't want review copies, I do...I just need to figure out a way that works for me, for getting to them in a timely manner!
You can do it! I was feeling the same way!! I was beginning to drown in books.
ReplyDeleteAnd this is what I did.
I took a HARD look at some of the books, and I put them in order. Order of either publication date, or my interest.
Also, I created myself a blog schedule. So, I know only have to have 3 reviews ready every week. I can DO that! If I have more - GREAT! And that's what I do. I work through my pile, by date. I am a little behind, so I might do a book that is a couple of months, a book that is this week, and a book that is releasing next week as my three. But I get those three done.
I feel a lot less pressure now.
*hugs*
oh hon *hugs* It's ok to feel overwhelmed! You will find a way to keep up sooner or later. After all you're only human!
ReplyDeleteYou're having a great blog and you're doing an amazing job on Book Lovers,Inc. We REALLY appreciate all the work you've done there =) It is time consuming and it doesn't make it easy to keep up with the huge TBR pile.
((hugs)) You can do it! Reading should stay fun! Too much pressure and it'll loose it's purpose. *hugs*
yes i don't have any solution but i'm sending you a hug lol
Caroline.
Don't worry - it happens to all of us!
ReplyDeleteI arrange my TBR Pile by sections: ARCs, which I order by release date, and Released Pile which I randomize. Then I have a huge pile of books that aren't for review that I want to read. Setting these up has really helped me! Every time a read a review book, the pile shrinks and it helps me see that I'm making progress. Before I was ocmpletely unorganized so it seemed endless. Also, try alternating books. Ex: 2 review books, 1 personal read. It really does take off some pressure.
Hope it helps!
Great idea's guys and Caroline thanks for the Hugs!
ReplyDeleteI have an "ARC" pile and just created a google list of all my books - since lots of books I am getting are eBooks now too, and I cant shelve them.
But well, I guess it's overwhelming, since I don't want to let people down and I feel like saying yes today, I should be able to review that book this week...but it might not happen, to much pressure on myself?
I dont know.
STOP doing ARC tours. :) I had to do it. Reading and blogging should be fun. Request books you want to read, and don't feel guilty.
ReplyDeleteCatalog your TBR pile by order of importance and just power through. :)
Emily - thats smart but really, that's where I get more of the bigger named books I dont get many of them on my own. :)
ReplyDeleteWow...that is a lot of pressure. I don't actively seek ARC's for this reason. I don't like the feeling of being pressured that I have to finish something on time. For me, I'd rather buy fewer books and read them at a comfortable pace. But, that doesn't really help you, does it? :P
ReplyDeleteLet's see...I guess just accept books that really appeal to you. I know it's hard to turn free books away, but maybe paring them down some would help? Also, perhaps alternate? For instance, read an ARC, then read something you bought. It might be a better balance? Hopefully I am being somewhat helpful. :P
In any case, I always look forward to your reviews! Good luck! :)
I stopped doing tours and also add a fun book.
ReplyDeleteI don't have to blog about or review and read for pleasure and I have to mix it up or I go crazy. My pile is better but stopping the tours was a big thing
Do you read ebooks? If so, have you checked out NetGalley?
ReplyDeleteI am feeling that way myself! I have been crazy busy and reading/blogging has had to take a backseat. Unfortunately my tbr review pile has grown and I haven't been reading quick enough! I like the advice you were given and I plan to try putting some of those suggestion to use! Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteNatasha - yep I do Net Galley I love it, but there-in adds more books to my TBR LOL..
ReplyDeleteLily, I do only take in books I want to read - REALLY read...some are already out so its not even just ARCS LOL :)
Thanks guys!
and Extreme - I am glad I am not alone :D
I went to BEA this year and came home with over 80 books - most ARC's, plus I had my enormous exsisting TBR pile. I freaked and tried plowing through the books and ended up stressing whenever I went in the room w/the books. I felt pressure to review EVERYTHING! People were dying to read what I have just laying around on my shelves. I started to hate every book I read and hate reading in general.
ReplyDeleteSo I sent my ARC's out on a mini tour to bloggers I trust (3-4) to read and review. I feel like at least they are being read as intended and the pile looks smaller. This doesn't really help in your case where pub's are sending them to you but just wanted to let you know you aren't the only one who feels pressured by something that used to bring such joy :-)
I get alot of books that I don't sign up for. I don't feel bad if I can't read those before the date of release.
ReplyDeleteThe ones that are requested and are requested of me I make sure I calendar 3 days for each book to read on my comp's calendar. If I feel it's a larger book then I add an extra day. If there is no room on my calendar for an extra book I don't accept it. Or I let them know I wont be able to get to it to a certain date.
This is also a way for me to get in reading of my own choice, if needed I can switch my reading out for a required reading.
I HTH's I know it gets tough. I do swear by the calendar though :)
Keep Your head up.. Have you thought about holding guests posts for those books you can't get to in time? Maybe someone has a review they can spare :)
Karen -
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU - I still feel joy, thank goodness - just overwhelmed it's nice to know i am NOT alone!
I think this happens to everyone at some point- I just remind myself that this is my hobby and not my job and that I will do as much as I can and no more. I also feel like most of the pressure is self-inflicted, as even when it's taken me (in my opinion) too long to review a book the person who sent it to me has been really thankful and gracious and usually approaches me for another review. I think folks out there understand that we are only bloggers some of the time and that we have a lot of stuff going on, just like anyone else.
ReplyDeleteI've found that using Google Calendar to schedule reviews, events, interviews, and memes has helped tremendously too. Then I know what dates are available!
OHH good idea, the calendar!!! I have a list going but a calendar might work better to organize! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI'm in the same boat as u! I have some of my TBR pile under my bed lol...so i won't have 2 see them.
ReplyDeleteI try to review in a timely manner. Mainly the ones that R sent to me that i agreed to review. if i have time i'll read the surprise books sent(b/c their awesome too!)
Hang in their Jenn! u can totally slay that monster TBR pile just read one pile at a time ;-D
Faye - thank you! LOL LOVE that!!!
ReplyDeleteUgh, I know what you mean! I probably have more review books than I can realistically finish for a long long time but I'm starting to stress under the pressure. And I reallly want to read some non-review books that are on my TBR but then I feel guilty. I am thinking about cutting down on review books, but I love networking with the publishing people and I do like the review books!
ReplyDeleteI'm in the same boat as you. I have so many books to read (for review and for "pleasure"). I haven't been able to get to any of the books that I personally bought.
ReplyDeleteReading was beginning to feel like "work" and I needed to change that. So I did. I put up a note on my Review Request form that I am currently not accepting reviews. If the book is on my wishlist, I will take it into consideration.
I am still getting requests for books (monstly for ones that are on my wishlist) and I let the person submitting the request know when I will be able to get to the book, even if it's going to be months from now. I think it's best to be honest and upfront about it and I'm sure they'll work with you.
I am starting to feel like this as well. I have recently been acquiring books from publishing companies that have come to me without my asking. I think I've only requested like 3 ARCs in total etc. While it's beyond amazing, it can get overwhelming I agree especially since so many of the books sent to me are from series. Not only do I have to read the ARC by a certain date but I also have to track down the first two or three in the series and read those first. BLAH. It gets frustrating because I want to make sure that I do review everything given to me.
ReplyDeleteSo thank you for this post because I am in the same boat and was beginning to worry as well! So far, I've cataloged every ARC I've received with the Pub date so I know when I must read it by.
Good luck Jenn! I hope you find some relief. :)
Michelle, I think I feel so much better - just seeing that other's are in the same boat...
ReplyDeleteAt least I am not alone, and I love some of the advice...
I think all in all, I am going to TRY to remember why I do this, and start relaxing! :) I will read when I can....
Wow Jenn, you got some great advice here! I hope some of these suggestions help! :)
ReplyDeleteAwww, I understand, it does get frustrating b/c we want to read all the books we can and it's so hard to say no, especially if we want to read the book!! Good luck staying on top of everything, you have some great advice posted here!!
ReplyDeleteI too just suffered an episode of this issue too. What I did was clean my shelves.
ReplyDeleteI receive a lot of unrequested unsolicted books from publishers all the time. Some I really have no interest in but others I do. Before I was keeping them all and adding them to my list but I said enough. I clearly have it on my site to PLEASE email me before shipping me any books. If a publisher doesn't want to request my wishes and send me books anyway that's their marketing funds set to waste. I donate those books to friends, family, co-workers and even the library if they'll take ARCs.
But it sounds like you have a lot of books you are really looking forward to reading. I agree with the spreadsheet and I too have one of those but I don't follow it to the mark. I like to switch up my reading to my mood so I can't promise I'm going to read a book I receive 2 months ago instead of the hot read I just received in the mail. :(
I'd probably recommend boxing up your books according to publishing month/season work your way through them then start the next box or something. Having them out of site would help with your anxiety. :)
Good luck! You're doing a great job.
I was starting to feel the same way. I’ve taken a step back from ARC tours for the moment. The last two weeks I had so many come in the mail that I was reading almost all day. I felt like I was neglecting my family for my reading. Once I’m caught up I plan to participate again but I’m going to limit myself. The kids being out of school also has me behind. I think next summer i’m going to not accept review copies and only read what I want and when I can find time. I also have books piling up from publishers. I really thought summer would equal more reading time. I was so wrong.
ReplyDelete((Hugs)) for you. I hope you can figure out a solution.
P.S I also need to work on organizing my review books. I set up a Google Doc but have been so busy reading my ARC tour books I haven’t used it :)
ReplyDeletePretty Full on huh? It can be overwhelming. I know my TBR pile is starting to get up there in size. I'm trying my best to get through my books too but the thing is, if I try to get ahead in my reading, I get behind in my reviews lol. I guess it's just a matter of organizing time and balancing everything out.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get everything sorted. The only other thing would be, divide the books that need to have reviews written up and have someone who enjoys them to read and review them for you and then when you get a chance to catch up read them. Then it takes the load off you a little. The books get read and reviewed and posted on your site.. just a thought. It could be an idea or a Meme Guest Review of..... by ...
OHH now there's an idea!!! LOVE that...off to think on that some more! :D
ReplyDeleteI was recently going through this experience too (and I don't even get THAT many books in comparison to others!) My advice (which I think I saw above somewhere, lol) is to STOP DOING ARC TOURS. They are addicting, I know, and I used to get most of my books from the tours too but it was very draining to have to read constantly and then rush to the post office to send them off-it's physically exhausting AND your wallet takes a punch. Also, as hard as it is, I'd say to not buy any books for a while... try getting through your review pile until it's non-existant (or at least at a smaller size). It's hard to say no at first but you'll be much more relieved in the long run.
ReplyDeleteDrowning in books? What a way to go though! LOL. Just kidding. I hear ya. I'm sure it can be overwhelming. Try and figure out a schedule for yourself and hopefully that will help! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteJenn,
ReplyDeleteI am in the EXACT same spot as you right now. Like you, I do the ARC tours to get my hands on high-demand books that I can't get otherwise.
I don't really have advice. I just wanted to tell you that you are NOT alone. If you ever just wanna chat, feel free to send me an e-mail.
ham1299(at)gmail(dot)com