A fun weekly event when book bloggers share what book-loot arrived by mail the previous week. I didn't participate last Monday, so this is my loot for (2) weeks.
I also treated myself to (2) Kindle Books:
My review requests have pretty much stopped with the exception of Amazon Vine's monthly selections. Beginning in 2011, I'll only be reading books that I really want to read. To me it makes no sense hoarding review copies unless you intend to read them.
Hope last week was a great week in books for you.
; Carlos Eire (sent by Simon and Schuster). This must be a re-release as I read this NF title a few year's ago, and really liked it.
; Leslie Jamison (this was a win from Natalie @ Coffee and Book Chick. Thanks again!
; Lily King (paperback swap member)
; James Scudamore (Europa Edition)
; Howard Jacobson
; Sarah Waters.
Good for you for deciding to read only what you want to read! Sometimes I'm overwhelmed by review copies that I'm not excited about and I think "Why do I do this to myself? Reading should be fun! An adventure!". I hope to be more selective in 2011 as well, asking myself "Would I buy this?". If I wouldn't, then why should I request it for review?
ReplyDeleteI just added Waiting for Snow in Havana to my tbr list last week! I think the author has a new book coming out?
ReplyDeleteGreat loot- I hope you enjoy The Little Stranger. I love Sarah Waters' writing.
ReplyDeleteGreat mailbox!
ReplyDeleteI'm doing the same thing - In 2011 I'm only going to read books that I want to read. The reviews have become overwhelming and have taken over my whole reading time. I'm going to change things in 2011 (I hope).
Waiting for snow in Havana and The Gin Closet are both new books for me. Waiting to see what you think of them.
ReplyDeleteGreat mailbox! I have also become more selective about my review requests, but still have a pile because there seem to be so many books that I would enjoy reading! :) Right now, though, I'm mixing up my reading - pretty much one review copy, then one personal copy. I think I'm finally getting a decent handle on balancing it out. You're exactly right; it's supposed to be FUN to read!
ReplyDeleteJulie @ Knitting and Sundries
I really liked The Gin Closet and Father of the Rain...enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI've slowed down the pace of books coming into my house as well. Waiting for Snow in Havana sounds so good to me.
ReplyDeleteI read Natalie's review of The Gin Closet, and thought it sounded great, so I am glad to see that you won it! Also, I am glad to hear that you will be doing more self- directed reading in the upcoming year, and am hoping to do more of that myself! Good luck with it!
ReplyDeleteGreat job slowing down the ARC requests. I am as well and I am really looking forward to December when I'll only have one review book and will be able to start reading books I own.
ReplyDeleteI hope you like The Gin Closet! I really enjoyed it. And I've heard good things about Sarah Waters' books. Happy reading!
Hey, I think I could always be a Little Stranger that what I am now!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your reads. Last year I was on accepted review copies on books I wanted to and knew I would read and it has been great. No pressure, no guilt and I've been able to read what I've wanted to read. So good for you!
ReplyDeleteI'm almost done with The Litter Stranger and have been enjoying it well enough so far. I hope you like it, too!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read Little Stranger! This is the first time I've noticed the black cats on your mailbox widget...have they always been there?? I love them!
ReplyDeleteYay!! I can't wait to see what you think of The Gin Closet!
ReplyDeleteI am getting books mailed to me for review (that I didn't ask for). Most of them are cat related (as they should be) but I do have one dog one that was mailed to me.
ReplyDeleteI will review everything sent to me because at this point it hasn't quite hit overwhelming yet.
Do any of you receive payment for your reviews?
What I'm reading now:
ReplyDeletehttp://theindiaroad.com/
:-)
I love getting review copies but then there really is a bit of pressure about getting them read first isn't there? I really try to get only the ones that I think I'll really enjoy.
ReplyDeleteHaving said that I got an unrequested one of Heliopolis too and I'm excited. I love Europa Editions. They have some great stuff. Enjoy your new books!
I'm blogging that way next year for sure. It's very freeing to say no!!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your loot!
Diane, enjoy your new books. I have been slowing down my new acquisitions. Waiting for Snow sounds great!
ReplyDeleteJoAnn...Eire's new book is out tomorrow - Learning to Die in Miami.
ReplyDeleteCharley, Glad to hear that Little Stranger is a good read for you.
Peppermint PHD - Yes, the black cats with the mailbox have always been there :)
Caren - no I do not get paid to review (just the free books).
I'm so glad to hear that so many of you have enjoyed the Gin Closet.
Thanks for all of your comments.
How neat that you are giving yourself permission to only read books you really want to read.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm dying to get invited into Amazon Vine but nothing! URGH!
I saw so many good things about Little Stranger this autumn that I treated myself to a copy for my Nook. I began it tonight in fact, and I think it looks as promising as it did before I bought it. Always a nice surprise. :) We'll talk when we finish, eh?
ReplyDeleteYou are so right about review copies. I find myself stressed getting through them, which is just not good. I'm learning to say no more and more :)
ReplyDeleteGreat sounding books this week!
Some wonderful books there... hadn't heard of Winter Bloom before, but it sounds lovely - enjoy!
ReplyDeleteNice list. I had the same idea about reviewing this weekend after I cleaned out my TBR shelves. I got rid of 10 books that will never be read. What really pushed me over the edge was finding books I bought that I completely forgot about! It is time to read what I have and not try to accumulate more.
ReplyDeleteGreat selection of books - I'll be interested to see what you think of the Gin Closet. I'll be posting my review soon. It left a mark on me...
ReplyDeleteI've been feeling the same way about review copies and have cut way back over the course of the year. The only problem is that I've been receiving so many unsolicited review copies. I do still want to receive a copy or two now or then, but my shelves are definitely going to be more of a priority next year.
ReplyDeleteWaiting for Snow in Havana sounds like a memoir I would enjoy -- guess I missed it the first time around.
ReplyDeleteHappy reading!
I loved Father of the Rain - it was a hard read for me because my father was an alcoholic but the book is very true to the experiences and the author is a wonderful writer.
ReplyDeletePB
Hope you enjoy your books! Have a good week ahead. And I am sure you have made a wise decision for 2011
ReplyDeleteLove your mailbox. Enjoy~
ReplyDeleteI absolutely loved The Gin Closet! Hope you do, too. ;)
ReplyDeleteI've got LITTLE STRANGER in book form and wants to read that soon, as soon as I finish my reading challenges for this year. You have a great pile there. Happy reading! I'm looking forward to read some of the books in my Kindle too.
ReplyDeleteYes, I have a paperback of WAITING FOR SNOW IN HAVANA from a book group at least 6 yrs ago -- what a fantastic memoir.
ReplyDeleteTHE FINKLER QUESTION is on my wish list!
Like many of the commenters, I, too, have adopted more of a "no, thank you" response to review pitches.