It is no secret that most of us bookish people like lists. And we really like lists. We make lists of books we own. We make lists of books we want. But most importantly… We make lists of books we need to read.
Some of those lists are for books we genuinely just want to read. Some of them are for books that have been lounging on our bedside tables for far too long. Some of them are for personal growth – like reading more diverse or #ownvoices books, or just reading that self-help chapter every evening.
But as reviewers, we actually have ANOTHER list type that is specific to us and only us! I’m talking about ARCs.
It’s also no secret that quite a lot of us, I am thinking from somewhere around a third to more than half, struggle with our ARC reading. It’s not that we don’t like it or aren’t hyped about it! We like it so much that we simply end up with too many ARCs. We even have a meme for it. And most of us don’t even notice how soon ARC reading takes over our own personal reading. That sooner or later we are not reading anything else BUT ARCs.
So I was thinking… isn’t that so much like summer reading you used to do for school?
You kind of really need to read them. But you also realize that it’s not realistic, considering how long the list is.
I don’t know how your school book lists used to be – it tends to vary from place to place. For some, all the books are mandatory. For others, like me, they were more like strong recommendations of books that would be covered next year in extracts, so you’d do better if you actually read them during the summer. So I can’t say my lists were compulsory – you wouldn’t be failed for skipping them. But then again… If you wanted to do well, you had to read them anyway. And reading ARCs is so much like that, isn’t it? They’re not compulsory. But you also know that if you won’t be reading it, you will fall out of the good graces of the publishers! (And I mean, it’s just not nice, right?)
And then you have to make some difficult decisions.
If you’re like me, you probably can’t read them all. You tend to think you’ll be able to. But then real life happens.
And you then have to take your pick. I wonder, how you guys pick your reads in situations like these? I tend to shove all the logical arguments under the rug and just go with what glittered more on the top of my stack at the given moment (metaphorically speaking – my ARCs are almost all, with few exceptions, e-copies), if I know I won’t be able to perform as I was planning. I’ve let go some of the ARCs I was really excited about this way! It’s stupid, and it’s annoying, and I feel bad about it – especially because I still want to read them a year later, but the bad feeling keeps me away from them. Who ever said bookworms were supposed to be logical creatures??
Anyway, my point is, that it’s the same way we used to pick our school reads out of the huge list. It must be!
If it takes over our lives, why do we do it then?
And that’s a good question. I don’t know. I actually am not sure, but I am thinking that there might be several reasons! For me, of course, it’s that wild rush of WHAT IF I MISS A WONDERFUL BOOK (despite knowing there’s no way I’ll ever be able to read them all! I can try though… right?) And then again… We wouldn’t be bookworms if we didn’t enjoy our summer reading lists when we were in school, right? I mean, assigned reading lists can be really boring and not cater to your personal tastes, but even then, isn’t there just something magical about walking out of class with an an entire list of summer reading? You know the feeling I’m talking about! I am thinking, maybe even if ARCs stress us out, we just want to come back to that feeling every now and then.
And god knows, there are few things better than crossing out an item on a list like that.
So what do you think? Is ARC reading at least a little bit as school reading was for you? And did you enjoy those reading lists?
I’m Evelina and I blog about books that made an impression on me. I love middle grade, women’s, scifi and some literary too.
Uh, i had to be really careful on netgalley… haven’t requested q new book since May, just so i can keep up…
I think it’s still better than school reading. They always picked books for us i did not want to read at all.
Agreed 😀 I stilll can’t keep up two years later, lol. Maybe you should join our meme State of the ARC? It really does motivate you to stay on course 🙂 I don’t think I remember you doing the meme, but sorry if I’m misremembering it 🙂
But yeah, you’re right. At least you pick your ‘school’ list this way 😀
I definitely have been in a reading hell of my own making because I requested way too many July/August releases and I feel like all I am reading are ARCs. Don’t get me wrong, I love them and the opportunity I have been afforded to read & review titles early; however, I do feel an intense sense of obligation which does sap some of the fun from it for me. I am limiting the # of requests per release month now to 4 so that I can balance my TBR Tower reading with ARCs and am looking forward to that… Read more »
Limiting it to 4 sounds like a really good idea 🙂 I have been requesting even less lately, but it’s the old ones that keep biting me on the behind xD
For me, I think ARCs are requested because I have a fear of missing out on something good and see authors/books I’m excited to read and I get all excited. I have fallen into a blackhole with some of my ARCs so I seriously need to get to reading because they are that old but I’ve stopped requesting ARCs. I think as you get into blogging you get sucked into the hype and fun of getting the latest releases until it all catches up with you. I fell behind and didn’t realise until I had 20 ARCs due and didn’t… Read more »
Oh yes! I agree, that’s my number one drive as well. I hate that feeling of missing out – because you know you can never read all the books in the world. And you’re right, it does get old with time. But it still comes back to me from time to time. The feeling of missing out, I mean xD
Great post! But I am happy to say that this is not the case for me thankfully I try very hard to be selective in my requests and keep them limited. I realize that all ARCs cost pubs money and me time, so I really watch how many I seek out. But the obligation is definitely there! So I can see how it might feel like this for some. With the rare occasion of a DNF (in which I still need to send feedback) if I accepted it or requested it, I am obligated to read it. So I get… Read more »
It’s very admirable that you limit your requests! Although I request much less than I used to before, it’s still something that isn’t easy for me. I think, it’s in part that I only ever request ebooks, and they don’t feel like they ‘cost money’, since one copy is basically the same as 50 – which is very different in the case of print books. It would feel very different with print books, probably. But I’ve been better at my ARC progress lately, and that includes not requesting so much. So now I just need to make up for “summer… Read more »
That is such a great point about ebooks! I had not thought of that. I also find it easier to limit myself at times because I am learning my symptoms won’t allow more and taking on too much stresses me sooo bad haha
Limiting yourself is a tough business, haha xD maybe I’ll learn one day too.
Well…I never had summer reading at school. Only at primary school were we actively encouraged to read over summer, as soon as it came to secondary school for me. We weren’t encouraged to read outside of class in the same way, in fact we were usually reading the set books we’d be using for exams and stuff in class as a class. Drove me nuts, cause I read ahead then had no idea where everyone else was cause they read so SLOW. Which is fine, but it bugged me that I couldn’t just finish the book at my own pace.… Read more »
Hahah I can relate to that, I’d always read the stuff in class and draw comics while they were all still reading or doing their exercises xD
I think you’d be able to do fairly well with print ARCs, it’s a lot easier to get them in Britain!
I hardly receive ARCs until recently.. I do agree with you, it can be overwhelming and it does take over my time in reading the books I bought on my shelf but I can’t lie to myself, I do love myself those gorgeous ARCs
Yes, agreed 😀 it’s a self-inflicted punishment, but I also always get excited when I get some ARCs approved.
I was thinking about this the other day, and I completely agree with you. It feels a bit like school, except that we choose to accept the assignments. Kind of like extra credit. I also have a hard time not requesting too many ARCs, because I don’t want to miss out on a good book.
Yeah 🙂 yeah, that’s a good comparison! And yes, the feeling of missing out is really a thing. I get that a lot too.
I don’t feel the same with Arcs, but right I feel that they’re going to drown me. I’m not in the mood for reading and I’ve a lot to catch up.
Anyway, Arcs can become some kind of required reading , because they’re still some kind of “blogger job” if we got them. But can also be dropped. Usually I feel that I’ve to read them but I’m also glad to read those, because I actually request them.
But right now? I think that I need a bubble of time XD
Yes, I also feel like ARCs are sort of like a gift – so I still love them – but at the same time, I know I get too eager and request too many xD
Ahhhh this is such a good and important discussion! I tend to request too many ARCs and then really push myself to read them all on time….which can lead to burning out. And that’s never a good thing. I think it’s good to talk about this, and I definitely feel less alone on the matter now (as I’m sure other readers will to). So, thank you for posting this discussion! 😀
Hahaha saaaaaame. I have seriously been going off ARCs lately (and doing well with it), but then you just sort of need ONE night when you’re feeling sulky or something, and if you go to NetGalley and happen to have some publishers auto approved… NNNOOOOOO. And back to square one xD I’m glad it made you feel less alone! You know I have a meme for this stuff, right? xD people link up, it’s totally not just you! You should join 🙂 it’s good motivation. (Now I’m wondering, maybe you did one sometime. I AM SO BAD WITH REMEMBERING. I… Read more »
First I had no reading lists in school (shocking I know)! Second I really try to keep my ARCs requests under control. As in 1 ARC for 2 mood reads or so. Then why do I request them? Because I want to! Because the blurb is appealing. Because I can read for free. Because I’ll read it before the others. Because that’s just one author I one click….take your pick 😉
I respect it so much that you manage to keep track of your ARCs! For me, it’s like my emotions on requesting always get the better of me. I normally handle my ARCs now, but I still have a pile of old ones lying around.
Yes, those reasons you state are very true 🙂 I agree! It’s mostly because I don’t want to miss out, haha 😀
this was a great read.
i dont think i cancompare it to school readingbci honestly dont recall reading much for school?!
but i deifnitely know what you mean. imdoing well atm and ignoring netgalley and stopping requesting anything.
I guess everyone’s schools were a little different 🙂 yes, I also haven’t really been requesting, and I’m quite happy about that 🙂 although I do look forward to the time when I’ll have a “clean NetGalley bill” and can start requesting what I actually want xD
You come up with such great post ideas. I can relate to lists upon lists upon lists. I have sticky notes everywhere. My son even founf one in the freezer. LOL I do love ARCs and got carried away when I first started getting them. I’m still way behind but not letting them rule me anymore. I now have “a list” of books to read each week that includes one ARC. LOL I can’t believe I just said list again!
Laura I went way overboard in 2015 when I first found NG I’ve since calmed down and have still been going back to review books that are years old just to get my % back up so I can totally relate.
Yup I’ve been doing the same xD
OMG I love the list in the freezer!!! Lol, what was it a list for? And we can never have too many lists xD lists are awesome. Yep, I also make lists for my ARCs, but they’re mostly monthly rather than weekly 🙂
When I feel a sense of obligation for it, it usually comes with trying to read and review it by the week it’s published. I know that is the timeline, but that can get very excessive if your schedule is full. I can’t speak to the summer reading list, since I only ever had one summer where that happened in high school. I did the library’s summer program, which let me read nearly anything I was interested in. It does feel like an obligation to finish it and do all of the other stuff required, and that can be made… Read more »
Yeah, it wasn’t such a stressful experience for me either cause we got to mostly choose to read whatever we wanted as long as we read stuff at all. But yeah… ARCs with imposed deadlines are just too hard to deal with sometimes. The best is when you get them way early 🙂
This is the one area of my reading/listening that I am seriously anal about. I limit myself to x amount each month for review. For example, when arcs for September become available I add up to eight and once I’ve done it, I won’t accept more. I typically read/listen to 15 to 25 books a month. Ah, ok sometimes if its one I have to have K may accept more than my limit, but I make sure to review on time. I like to divy up my reading between my own and arcs. I also try to accept arcs I… Read more »
I can respect your resolve here! Lately I have barely been looking at ARCs and just concentrating on my old ones, but sometimes there are so many good ones, I just can’t help it. Like, I definitely don’t have a set amount in mind, like you do. That’s a very smart outlook. I am actually a mood reader too, just like you, and I sometimes read ARCs early. Although it sucks when I do, because then I’m lazy about reviewing when it’s so far away into the future, and then if I put it off for a long time, it’s… Read more »
Wow I think you’re kinda right. Except the fact we never get a list but just one of the most boring books to read every year -_-
But I love this post! I’ve only recently started being granted ARCs but I’m panicking already so I might join your State of the ARC meme in a month or two
Hahaha agreed, school books are rarely ones you actually want to read 😀
Thanks, I’m glad you liked my post 🙂 haha, I didn’t know you just started receiving them, but we would be very happy to see you in State of the ARC 😀
I tend to go for too many ARCs because I don’t have a good local library or a big book-buying-budge aaand I’m terrified of missing out on good books.So I just go I HAVE TO READ IT ALL WHILE I CAN. And then drown. Lovely. Haha. Also sometimes with Netgalley or Edelweiss, I either get approved for nothing, so I request a ton…or then I get approved for all of them and drown.But yes, I do sometimes feel the drain of ARCs, like especially non-solicited ones. I just want to read whatever I want!! I have books I bought like… Read more »
I can’t believe you get denied in NG! That’s appalling!
I know right… if Paper Fury gets denied then we basically don’t even stand a chance xD
I know, same reasons 😀 and just… they’re JUST SO SHINY!!! Aren’t they!!! I always get fooled 😀 but, to be honest, a great amount of them are unbelievable books, and I’m not even sorry. And YES! It’s so true about the platforms. They either completely shun you, or approve you for literally EVERYTHING xD thankfully, I don’t really get unsolicited ARCs, so that’s good. I’m curious what those two books you bought are 😀
Right now I am trying to catch up on ARC reading, and the chore is not the actual reading, it’s the reviewing. I normally like to do a mix of review and non-review books just so I can get a break from writing reviews.
I actually still review all the books, whether on the blog or just on Goodreads. I feel bad not reviewing, especially if I liked it – even if it’s not an ARC!
Actually this year I’ve refused to allow myself more than 4 ARCs due each month. If I hit that mark for a month then I can’t request those books in the same month. That’s really helped me because I can still request but I also have to limit. It means I read 48 ARCs of my 125 books a year. It’s a good number but not overwhelming. I get in trouble when I get an ARC that is for a book that is already published. I have no drive to read those. 🙁
That is a very smart system you’ve got there 🙂 I request less than I used to, but the problem is that the ARCs tend me stick to the same month and then have huge gaps xD everything’s being released at the same time. It’s ridiculous xD I find it no different though whether it’s a book already released or only coming out 🙂 the content is still the same, after all.
This is a really interesting discussion. Arcs can be stressful and overwhelming but I think you just have to be careful to not request too many at a time and be honest with yourself if you’re actually going to read it.
Lucy ~ lucyturnspages.co.uk
Oh yeah, that is definitely the hardest part, at least for me 🙂
[…] Avalinah’s Books: Is ARC Reading Kind Of Like School Reading? […]
For me, just the feeling of pressure to read a book — the sense of obligation — sometimes makes me resist it. If someone pushes a book at me too hard, I have the same reaction. And yet, all my ARCs are books I requested; I don’t accept unsolicited review requests. So I’m often torn between “I want to read this and yay, I have it” and “I have to read this by next Tuesday, but I don’t want to right now.” As for the ARCs taking over your reading list, that is a real problem for me. It’s hard… Read more »
Yeah, thankfully I don’t get unsolicited books either! I wouldn’t know what to do about them. I want to choose what I read for sure! The problem is sometimes you can be a little too click happy with the request button. Doesn’t happen a lot to me anymore, but sometimes you will request a book and they’ll tale over a month to grant it – and then you’re not so eager to read it anymore! And I absolutely know what you mean with it being hard not to request. I always have that thought of “but what if I’ll regret… Read more »
Good post! I still have ARCs from years ago that I haven’t gotten to. I’m anal, too, and refuse to give up on them and will finish all of them eventually. That’s why I join the Blogger Shame Reading Challenge, which is to review older ARCs. Now, I only accept audiobooks for review and really try to limit myself with my requests but still find that I fall behind. I feel guilty that I own so many books and haven’t read them! Then I go and request 50 books from the library, LOL! I guess books are just an addiction,… Read more »
I know right, I absolutely know what you mean. I also refuse to give up on them! I’ve actually only removed like three or four – several of them will definitely trigger me, and one is a sequel to a book I don’t have. But it was hard agreeing with myself that I won’t be reviewing them xD
It’s smart only taking audiobooks. It somehow is easier to listen for me as well. That’s why I do a lot of text to speech with my ARCs.
But yes, you’re right, there ARE worse addictions 😀
So I don’t get ARCs (not a committed enough blogger), but I have often thought this must be a problem. I think I would struggle if there was a huge pile of books I felt I *had* to get through – I am a mood reader through and through and trying to force myself to read something I’m not feeling plunges me into slump territory very quickly.
That said I also have all kinds of reading lists. I haven’t got completed any of them but I just love to make them.
Yeah, in so many ways, not getting ARCs is a better choice if you want to be more stress-free.
But lists where you don’t have to read the book up till some date are actually so awesome! Lists are life 🙂 it’s the deadline that makes it hard 😀
It’s a conundrum. I do try to be very careful not to get too much on Netgalley or from publishers. There are just so many I want. So I don’t think it is like school since I get to pick and in school the teacher picked. Great Post! Anne – Books of My Heart
Ah, that’s true! Very good point, I didn’t even think of that. But for us, we also got to pick what we read from the school list (it was not compulsory), so for me it feels a lot like it 😀
I love this discussion! My gut reaction was, “no way!”, but when I thought about it and read your post, I agree! There’s been times when I’ve gotten request-happy on NetGalley, and then when I get approved for an ARC, regret it later. The thrill of asking for a book sometimes clouds my judgment on whether or not I actually want to read the book. I’m better at being pickier now, but when I first started NetGalley, I essentially requested anything that piqued my interest in the slightest and that I thought I would be approved for. Now that I’ve… Read more »
Thanks, I’m glad you liked the discussion 🙂 I am actually just like you! I also was a little too request happy back in 2016 xD I’m still working my way up from that. Maybe you should join State of the ARC? I made this meme for people like you and me who sometimes get carried away with requesting, even after months of actually holding it in 😀 it really motivates you to get it done. I have got rid of most of my old ARCs this way 🙂
I would agree that ARCs are like summer reading lists, but you have the power to be your own teacher. In my opinion, that makes all of the difference because (if you ignore unsolicited ARCs) you are requested and asking for all of the books on your ARC list. There might be a couple of exceptions, like a hyped book that you feel like you HAVE to read, however I get to pick which ARCs to request. I do understand how even having a list at all, especially such a long list of ARCs that have publication dates and deadlines,… Read more »
Haha, yes, you’re right, you at least take your own pick 😀 it really does make a huge difference! And I’m glad I don’t get a lot of unsolicited ones, haha.
The reviews bit can definitely suck!
ARCs are overwhelming me already. There are some books I took on on a whim but since I’ve stopped going on NetGalley sprees they’re a bit more manageable. And while I do love reading on the Kindle, I want an actual book from time to time!
I know what you mean. NetGalley sprees are just too easy to go on :/
[…] Evelina @ Avalinahs Books discusses if ARC reading is like school reading […]
That’s actually a very interesting question! For me personally? Not really 😀 I would definitely say that reading ARC’s requires a lot of planning, you can often get lost in what releases when and how many copies you have yet to read. But the main difference for me is that I’m SO excited to read my ARC’s that it feels great when I get around to reading them 🙂
LOL that’s the difference between you and me currently – I am not really excited to read my ARCs anymore! But that makes sense, because in my case, it’s old ARCs that I requested years ago before I knew how this worked xD I used to be excited about summer book lists though 😀
Oh, it totally can be! I try not to request TOO many ARCs, but it can be so tempting and sometimes I just get carried away! It’s not fun anymore if you’re overwhelmed and it feels like homework. Great discussion!
Thank you 🙂 yeah, it’s incredibly easy to get carried away!
Haha– the post I have scheduled for Sunday is something fairly similar to this post. Only… Only I don’t know if you’ll agree with where I end up. XD To be determined! I never felt like reading for school was a chore. I didn’t always enjoy what I was reading, but I also never struggled to complete my assigned reading on time. At least, not when it came to fiction. I love your idea that we just need some stress in our lives, hence the reason we keep going back. Glutton for punishment, perhaps? Who knows! With each passing month,… Read more »
Well now I’m curious 😀 I never read struggled with school lists either cause they were optional. Some of the times I wouldn’t read from the list and read my own stuff xD
I also forget NetGalley though, more easily now. But that’s also because it’s not for people like me anymore. Their blatant muting of internationals kind of makes me sick, I can’t request barely any books anymore. If I want something, I look for a contact and write someone an email instead.
We never had a school reading list. But then… our school wasn’t exactly high-standard, tbh!
I find that I put *so* much energy into reviewing, that it’s best if I only have a handful of ARCs at a time (I currently have 3 to review, which for me is like 30,) because it’s gonna be (on average) *months* before I finish my review anyhow! (This is why I don’t sign up to blog tours. No deadlines here!) 😉
We also almost never had one, because our teacher believed in reading when you want to. But most people did, so that’s why I thought most people would be able to relate to this concept 🙂
I also almost don’t sign up for book tours. Exhausting. At least with ARCs you can mostly pick when you’re going to review. With book tours, there’s also this media (pictures, info) that only comes your way at a certain time, it’s much too stressful.
I’ve been much better about requesting lately, but I STILL have tons of ARCs I’m behind on. It’s impossible to get your head above water sometimes!
Same!! I am glad I’m almost not requesting anymore, but the old ones… Ah. It’s going to be some time still before I can be free of them.
[…] The 150+ Books Stephen King Recommends Reading (Alex and Books) • Iis ARC Reading Kind of Like School Reading (Avalinah’s […]
Thank you!
I actually avoid ARCs completely because they sound way too stressful. As someone who has epic mood swings, I can’t really predict when/if I can read anything within a certain timeframe. Heck, I can’t even guarantee that I can read books without any pressure. But, I always liked the idea of getting free books (who wouldn’t?), and I understand what it’s like to go through lists and check things off. It’s a nice feeling. I do think it’s a lot like required reading because once approved, you’re kind of stuck with this responsibility (ugh, it’s not the word I want… Read more »
And I think you’re right in doing that. I can’t avoid them completely because they just lure me in with the promise of BEING AWESOME xD but you’re right. They are hard to read if you’re a mood reader, and the deadlines are what they sound like: deadlines. Why, even the way that word is made is so negative xD I can’t give away my ARCs though, because I’m international and well, I only get e-ARCs. Almost no print books. For the same reason, I never purchase books that I had as ARCs! It’s hard enough getting books here. I… Read more »
Well, our education system is quite different than the west. We weren’t given any reading list or such during summers, probably that’s because I am so behind on reading? Maybe 😛
But yes, the ARC situation certainly gets overwhelming and you know how we both are drowned in it. You have recovered much but I am still there 😛 It’s been a month since I requested anything from NetGalley and I hope to continue in the same way 😀
Yeah, we usually weren’t given lists either, except for a few times (I think it depends on the teacher here?) But I thought a lot of people would be able to relate to this 😀
Yes, I have mostly stopped requesting! I’m so happy about that xD I try not to think about all the good books I might be missing, lol. A month without NetGalley sounds like a good sign 🙂 keep going!