I remember when I first started blogging, I’d read posts and comments made by other (larger) bloggers who complained about the unsolicited books they received. It’s something that, a year later, still baffles me. It’s not that I beg for books, but I do use NetGalley, and when an author/publisher tweets about available ARC’s to books that I’ve been wanting to read, I write them back. However, I can honestly say that I don’t really get random packages in the mail. The majority of the books I receive are e-galleys that are from either NetGalley or the author/publisher and on very rare occasions I may get a print copy for review. So imagine my surprise when the UPS guy delivered a package that I wasn’t expecting. When I opened it, it was from an author that I’d previously read but was a brand new series of theirs that I’d never heard of. I will admit that I was a bit confused and questioned my memory. “I don’t remember this title. Did I request this?” After looking the book up on goodreads, I realized that it was an unsolicited book. Not only was I unfamiliar with the title but I didn’t even have it marked as “to-read” on goodreads and I’m always clicking that button for any book that sounds remotely interesting.
*Now, queue the happy dance* My first unsolicited book!
To me I found it as an honor. Someone out there, publisher or author, saw my reviews/website and felt like I was worthy enough to read their book before it was released to the general public. Even though getting the book threw a monkey wrench in my reviewing schedule, I just tried to fit it in where I could so that I could review it around it’s release date. Since that first book, I’ve received another unsolicited book. This one however was a second in a series that I’d never read. So I had to track down the first book and read it so that I knew what was going on in the book that I received. But I still did a happy dance. I guess I’ve been lucky that the senders took notice that I enjoy reading romance before sending the books. The first one was an Urban Fantasy with a potential love interest and the second was a Romantic Suspense. Both books were not on my radar but after reading them, I will be looking for the next books in their series. I still don’t understand the upset over getting unsolicited books. Worst case scenario, the book isn’t for you and you pass it along to someone else. Best case scenario, you enjoy the book and find a new series/author to follow.
Have you ever received an unsolicited book? What was your first reaction? Where do you stand with receiving them, love em or hate em?
