Monday, October 15, 2012

A Musing ~ Review System ~ 10/15/12



Each week Miz B at Should Be Reading asks a bookish question to muse over.

"Do you have a system as to which books to read from your “requested review pile?  What is it?  What about when there are too many to read in a certain time frame?"

When I receive a book to review I write on a sticky note who I received the book from and when the review is due.  I then put my review books in order of review due date.  This is usually the order I read them in.

The books that don't have a specific review date go in a pile and have the date received written on the note.  I fit these in between the books with specific review dates.

I also have an agenda that I use for all things:  appts, events, practices, book reviews, drawings, giveaway hops etc.  I highlight everything book related in pink so I can schedule reviews without getting super piled up.  I keep a running list in the notes section for the month and mark that book when I read it and then again when the review is written and scheduled for posting.

I also make sure to only request or accept books that I think look interesting and will enjoy reading.  I hate wasting precious reading time on a book I don't like or isn't in my "niche".  I also don't think it is fair to the author to review a book I know I probably won't like and therefore not give a very good rating.

I only just recently started requesting review books and accepting requests and I knew I'd need a system to keep it organized. So far I'm doing pretty well and am reading about 2 weeks ahead. I can enjoy the books better this way.
Musing along,

5 comments:

  1. Sounds like a good system! I also decline books that don't sound enjoyable to me; and also when my numbers start creeping up.

    One problem: sometimes I get unsolicited books, but since I didn't request them, and since the publisher/publicist obviously didn't read my review policy, I get to these when I can.

    Here's MY MUSING MONDAYS POST

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  2. Since I read for fun and entertainment, I am very selective of the books I choose for requested reading. I also don’t like the stress of having to have a book read by a certain time. That is one of the reasons I started my own personal library so I’m not under a deadline to get a book read. I also love my local library, but don’t check out many books because again I have to read it by a certain date, I am retired and don’t like stress. ; )

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  3. Yeah I would only pick books that I had an interest in to begin with so it wouldn't seem like such a chore to read them, but sometimes some books can surprise you not in a good way lol. Cathy @ Addicted to Books
    Stop by and check out my Giveaways if you have a moment. Thanks. Happy Monday!

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  4. I use a calendar and typically will accept 8 books for review a month, as I receive them I schedule them in (usually by release date)Once I have 8, I fill in other days with guest post, blog tours, my own tbr reads or occasionally an ARC I just have to have. I am generally booked 3 months out. I arranged my blog so that I have 3 weeks of daily blogs completed and scheduled. This gives me breathing room and allows for well life! I generally read 2 arc's a week and one or two of my own. I read them generally in the order they are scheduled. For example my current reads are for November, but sometimes I will read one early..LOL. I always write, post and schedule my review as soon as I am done reading. I also prep posts in advance. Once or twice a month, I will do about 5 of these. This is the top half of my posts(cover, title, pub info, buy links and synopsis)
    I am much more relaxed being super organized, still have flexibility to read what I want and have time to visit blogs I love.

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  5. I've only been asked a couple of times to review--one I accepted, one I didn't. So the pressure's off!

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