Discussion Post: A Little Anticipation Never Hurt Anyone
When I first started this blog almost a year ago, I was already signed up with Netgalley and getting some e-ARCs based on my activity on Goodreads. After I started this blog, I signed up with Edelweiss as well. People would tell me, "Wait until you get your blog numbers up, then you can start requesting physical ARCs," like these were the holy grail of blogging. As my blog becomes more established, I can't help but wonder if getting physical ARCs is really that important to me, but that's not the topic of today's discussion.
Between NG and EW a good portion of the books I want are available to me. In fact, I have to stop myself from snagging too many books from these sites because I see all those pretty covers and just lose my mind. Especially when a few extremely nice publishers have white-listed me (for real, the first time it happened was one of my happiest days ever). Seeing those little green download buttons turns me into a grabby monster. (Although I have gotten much, much better as my reading schedule gets more and more hectic.)
So what about the books I'm dying to read that don't make it on to those sites? I'm not going to lie, sometimes when perusing Twitter or Stacking the Shelves memes I get a bit jealous when I see piles of pretty books that I cannot wait to read. It doesn't make me feel inferior or anything, I know my blog is pretty small, and it's not like I'm actively getting turned down from physical copies as I've never once requested one, but...you know, sometimes I can't help but feel a teensy bit envious.
BUT here's the thing: A little anticipation never hurt anyone. Frankly, the way my reading schedule is--and I know I'm not the only one here--I'm scrabbling to get to a book before its release date. I know I've preached about reading what I want when I want (and I'm trying to stick to that, I am), but the truth is that most of the books on my Kindle are books I'm dying to read...I just can't get to them all (see grabby monster), so in my desperate scramble to keep up, I'm not reading books THAT much earlier than those without the ARC.
Anyway, ahem, anticipation. Sometimes it's good for me not to get the book I'm waiting to read until it is actually released. It makes the act of breaking that spine even sweeter. As much as I love seeing an anticipated title go up on NG or EW--and believe me, it's one of my favorite things in this world--getting that finished bound copy of a book I've been dying to get is totally awesome in its own right.
So while the grabby monster is satiated by the total and complete awesomeness that is NG and EW, the need to wait for some highly awaited titles still gives me that sweet elation that can only come from some good old fashioned anticipation.
Anyway, ahem, anticipation. Sometimes it's good for me not to get the book I'm waiting to read until it is actually released. It makes the act of breaking that spine even sweeter. As much as I love seeing an anticipated title go up on NG or EW--and believe me, it's one of my favorite things in this world--getting that finished bound copy of a book I've been dying to get is totally awesome in its own right.
So while the grabby monster is satiated by the total and complete awesomeness that is NG and EW, the need to wait for some highly awaited titles still gives me that sweet elation that can only come from some good old fashioned anticipation.
As always, I'd love to hear from you. Do you like the anticipation of waiting for books to be released or do you want ALL the books NOW? Let's discuss!
I don't really pay much attention to release dates because I'm pretty laid back about when I'm able to get books. Unless it's an ongoing series that I REALLY REALLY love. So far, that's only really happened for one series, and I'm okay with it. I don't really anticipate releases because I know I don't run out right away and buy the book. Usually it's because of my reading schedule, or because new releases might take a while to get here, or because I'm saving money for other stuff.
ReplyDeleteI think the greater anticipation for me is when I order the book off TBD and then have to wait for it to come to me. I know it's coming, I already dropped money on it, and I get a nice surprise in my mailbox when it does! :D
I definitely know when the books I'm really excited for come out. I don't really run out and buy the book either, but I'll put myself on hold for a book at the library, and waiting for it to come in from there is pretty the only true anticipation I get. I just don't have the money for HB. I wish books came out in trade PB at the same time, the publishers would definitely get more money from me if they did. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteALL THE BOOKS NOW. *ahem* Er, yes, I'll just silence my grabby monster too. I don't actually request many books these days from NG. I find it easier to read psychical books, because otherwise I'm reading on my tiny iPod screen and it can be frustrating. My actual real reason for loving ARCs is more free books...I mean, that sounds horribly glutenous, but I like to read so much and I LOVE to review. For me it's not so much ahead of time, as I just get a chance to read/review all of these wonderful books. But I totally hear you! Great post. :)
ReplyDeleteI hear you, girl, free books are awesome and definitely the biggest perk of blogging. I like physical books, too, but for arcs, I just prefer e-books. I have a Kindle Fire and the screen is nice and big. Plus, I don't have to worry about shelf space, and I always have at least 100 books with me at all times, so if the one I'm reading isn't working for me I can just move on. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteWhen I first started blogging, I was like: ERMAGERD NG IS AMAZING GIMME ALL THE BOOKS. And yes, whilst NG is amazing, and provides an exciting and awesome service - I don't use it any more.
ReplyDeleteI like reading books when I want them. And if a new book is released that ISN'T on NG, and I still have 10 NG books to read (because if I let them slide too much I am overcome with stress and guilt and more guilt), then I'll get sad. I want to read that new book, and yes whilst I do want to read the NG books, as well, I don't want to feel OBLIGATED to read them. I just want to read them at my pace.
So I think that waiting until books are released is perfect for me. Sure, I might have to be in a library hold waiting queue and wait a few weeks before it's in my hot hands, but there's 0 stress and guilt associated with it and in the end, I'm still reading the books I want to read :D
That's something I struggle with, too. No matter how much I want to read something, I do sometimes hate the feeling of HAVING to read it. I've been trying to be more selective of the books I get these days, too. I also went ermagerd when I first started blogging and got ALL the books.
DeleteI get almost all of my new releases from the library, too, so there is usually a little bit of an extra wait involved, but I just simply can't afford to buy every book that catches my eye.
I agree with you! I don't have much to say about it but sometimes I actually prefer waiting for the book. ARCs are awesome, don't get me wrong, but the wait makes the book that much better! :D
ReplyDeleteI just think waiting can be good for me sometimes. I don't want to ever start taking what arcs I do get for granted, so not having every book I want available to me in that fashion keeps reading fun. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteYup, anticipation can be a good thing, but it can also be a bad thing, high hopes can be downfalls. I actually love sometimes if a book isn't up on NG or EW, depending on the release date and my reading schedule, because I do not have the willpower to not download it. But like you said, most of the time the ones you really want to read now, you can't because of said damn schedule.
ReplyDeleteLately I've learned to not request any if it's a sequel because I don't have the time to read the first, so really no point. Even if it's the follow on to one I've already read, I might not request it, because if I'm going to be buying it anyway, I'd rather read the physical book.
Then there's the others of "do you really want to read it?", I'm making sure, especially with Netgalley now, that the ones I request are ones I do actually want to read, and avoid the 'not sure' ones, because of my feedback ratio. Edelweiss is a whole different story and I was going to say I haven't downloaded many in the last two weeks, but that would be a lie, because well, Egmont. Yeah. I'm not proud of it.
I'm with you. I used to request sequels to books I hadn't read yet all the time, and I don't think I ever once got around to reading the first book on time. It was just added pressure. I'm also trying to be way more selective about the books I request AND download. I was so proud of myself the other week because about 5 or 6 pretty looking titles showed up with their pretty green buttons, and I didn't download any of them. I'm still feeling good about it. (I did get a couple of those Egmont books, though. lol.) Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI do not have enough self-control to use sites like Edelweiss and Netgalley. I do have an NG account, and so far I've been good. I only request one at a time, and I have to read/review it before I can request another one. But the temptation is just too sweet sometimes!
ReplyDeleteThat being said, the anticipation of going to the book store on release day? Nothing beats it! Not even finding that book early on NG/EW. Physically possessing the final copy in my hands, and teasing myself by fully admiring the cover before I start reading are things I just can't get from ARCs.
But if someone were to throw me an ARC of Dreams of Gods and Monsters, consider my principles about enjoying the anticipation thrown out the window! ;)
Wow. I seriously bow to you and your self control. The amount of books I have waiting for me this year already is completely out-of-control. Lol. I love getting the physical book in my hands, too. It really is the best.
DeleteI still need to read the first two books of the series, but I've heard great things. I definitely have a couple of books that I would LOVE to get in my hands right now. Thanks for stopping by!
I don't mind anticipation or the hype either, makes finally getting my hands on the treasured book way more exciting!
ReplyDeleteMissie @ A Flurry of Ponderings
It is a great feeling. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI pretty much want the books now, especially if I see everyone else getting them and reviewing them. With the last book in a series, sometimes you see them not releasing them early and there is something to that anticipation, having a countdown widget on your blog, getting excited as the day gets closer and closer and then when it magically appears on your Kindle (checking as soon as it's midnight) reading it right away. ~Pam
ReplyDeleteThe envy can be overwhelming sometimes, especially for books that publishers are giving out a few physical copies, but not putting them up on GR/EW. The later books in a series are rarely up on those sites, but it does make waiting for them more fun. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteSince I don't request ARCs, and never have, I have no choice but to wait. I admit, sometimes it's hard to see everyone else reading a book before me and I feel a bit jealous and reconsider my decision to not request ARCs. But at the end of the day I know that it's not what I want to do because I don't want reading to feel like a job, and that's what I think would happen if I decided to get ARCs. Not to mention the jealously would get worse when people are getting the "bigger and better" ARCs than I am. I think it's great other people do it though, but it's just not for me. Like you said, anticipation never hurt anyone. :)
ReplyDeleteI've definitely gone through periods where reading does feel like a bit like a job which is a bummer since it has always been one of my favorite things in this world, but I also just love getting a book I'm dying to read in my hands months early...even if I can't start it right away. lol. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteDefinitely agree with you! A little anticipation never hurt, it can be hard at times if you keep seeing everyone get it but you. But the book is going to come out anyways so it's just a little waiting :)
ReplyDeleteExactly. Eventually I am going to get it...and until then I have literally over 100 books to read at any given time to occupy my time. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI do have a tendency to go a bit crazy when I see all those books I can read (almost) instantly but I feel one major downside to reading early is that there aren't as many people you can chat about the book with! Sometimes I read a book and I just HAVE to have someone to talk to and if it's a galley, then I can't really do that. And I definitely agree, anticipation makes the final product even sweeter. It's like you've been waiting for so long and now it's finally here! I definitely think that makes the reading of the book a bigger treat.
ReplyDeleteIt is nice to be able to talk to people about a book which can be harder when said book doesn't come out for months. Because of my reading schedule though, I'm rarely ahead by more than a week or two when it comes to arcs, so there is usually someone out there who can talk about it. Lol. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI like the anticipation. It sounds weird but I don't even request the books I MOST want to read on NetGalley or Edelweiss. I probably wouldn't get approved anyway because a lot of them are super popular books, but I don't even try because I like the anticipation that leads up to that release date. I still get a little envious when I see others have them though.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard when you see others with the books you cannot wait to have. I wish I had your willpower. If a book I'm excited for pops up on those sites, I can't hit the request button fast enough. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI agree, Natalie. Besides, for a reader such as myself, I've never been really good reading under pressure. I can't read a book at a scheduled time just so I can review it before its release. I just can't. And I know I don't have to but I feel like I'm failing the publishers and the authors who sent me their books.
ReplyDeleteAnticipation is a good thing. I can be a part of a group that are flailing on the sidelines in anxious anticipation. :)
I'm trying to get better about getting to my arcs on time. It can be a bit stressful, though. I think I have as many arcs for April as there are days in the month. Just thinking about it makes me want to break out in hives. Lately, I've been really wanting to read though which is awesome. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI like the anticipation before I read a book and if it's one I've been stalking the anticipation is just as high when it's a galley as it is for a book on it's release date. I rarely buy books on a release date anyway. But looking at my shelves (virtual and real) and seeing all those books that I can't wait to get to, that is what makes my heart go pitter patter!
ReplyDeleteI do love the feeling I get when a book I'm excited for pops up on one of the sites. It's pretty awesome. I just like not always getting everything I want right away, too. I don't buy books on their release date either, but I've got my library ordering down to a science so I'm usually first in line when a book comes out. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI totally agree! Sometimes I get so excited for a book, and then when I get an ARC it's awesome! But yeah, due to scheduling and all the other ARCs, etc. I end reading it around the same time when the book would have been released anyway.
ReplyDeleteSometimes it's nice to have the feeling of anticipation of a book I really want to read (vs. a book a need to read, aka ARCs). Great discussion!
Cyn @ Book Munchies
Thanks, Cyn! I'm glad I'm not the only one who doesn't get to their arcs until it's almost released anyway. It's almost always the case with me. PLUS then I have the added stress of having to read something I couldn't wait to read. It's silly, but I just love arcs too much to give them up. I'm just trying to be more selective about the ones I request. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteGreat topic! It is hard to say no when you see books avail. but when your books start piling up and the guilt of not reading them starts to build, then it's easier to say no!
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Over the past couple of months, I've been getting much, much better about being more selective with the books I request/DL. My ratio % is dismal, and I hate that feeling. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteYour post has capture so many of my thought perfectly on request and anticipation, Natalie! It's hard to control that Grabby Monster for sure. Then the pressure is on to read and review all those books in a timely manner, and sometimes other books that were highly anticipated never get read or put off. Wonderful and thoughtful post!
ReplyDeleteThat is the sad fact, isn't it? There are so many books out there that I was just dying to have and I still haven't gotten to them simply because I have too many arcs that I have to read first. It's a never ending cycle. I actually have a couple of books checked out from the library that I WILL read. I don't even care. Thanks for stopping by!
Delete