Some bloggers have posted their book sources this week as the discussion about ARC disclosure has grown. I was curious to see what my source breakdown would be so far this year. Counting all of January through July for 67 books, here were my sources:
- 37 library acquisitions for 55% of the total
- 16 were obtained from PBS/Bookmooch/Library Sales for 24%
- 9 were purchased new for 13%
- 6 ARCs for 9% (though I did receive more, I only read 6:)
The Housekeeper and the Professor
The Little Giant of Aberdeen County
The Wednesday Sisters (a holdover from last year)
The Angel’s Game
The Tricking of Freya
Shanghai Girls
I’m not surprised at these percentages at all. I am backlogged on ARCs but I find myself really wanting to complete my challenges and read some older books. Of the ARCS I did read, none of them rated below a 4. They were all great, and I believe I am severely honest in my reviews.
ARCs don’t hold the magic for me that they once did, though I don’t fault any blogger for wanting to receive them. It’s just that for me, I don’t like feeling pressured in my reading. Then it becomes work. So, I still plan on reading (or at least give them the 50 page test) all the ARCs I’ve received, I just found there was no possible way for me to keep up anyway, so I might as well get to the books whenever I get to them. I really get enormous satisfaction in completing my reading challenges. That’s not to say that I don’t like new books — I do!! I’m just more careful about requesting ARCs and I do try to obtain many new titles at the library. I really, really love the library. Really. I also love pbs, bookmooch, and library sales because I can get even more books for a reasonable price! I don’t feel guilty at all about it because I do purchase about 1.5 new books per month.
Have you done a book source breakdown yet? I’d love to see your numbers!
