I’m getting better at it, but one of my struggles as a blogger is saying no when someone offers something up for review. I think I finally hit my breaking point this year when I discovered a bunch of authors I loved, but no time to read their back lists. My accepting and requesting has decreased significantly in recent months, and my main focus for 2019 is going to be on books I already own and/or authors I have read and loved and want to read more of. But it’s also going to include getting caught up on ARCs. One of my personal challenges for the year ahead is to read 24 ARCs that have fallen by the wayside. I think this is doable, especially when I break it down and see that I only have to read two books a month to meet this challenge. So I’m calling this ‘From the ARC-ives’ and the criteria is (obviously) the book has to be an ARC, and it has to be at least one month past publication date.
I’ll make my list here and add to it throughout the year as I read my older ARCs. Note that I have already added two books, as I read them recently and just need to review them. I will add books as I finish them and then link up the reviews when they go live.
Be on the lookout for more of my personal challenges, as I have decided to stagger them throughout the year instead of having them all come due at once in the hope that I will be more successful in meeting my reading goals.
1. Hunted by Meagan Spooner (Review)
2. Every Dog Has His Day by Jenn McKinlay (Review)
3. Geekerella (Review)
4. Let Me Lie by Clare Mackintosh ( Review to come)
5. Daisy Jones & the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid (Review to come)
6. The Marriage Bargain by Stephanie Dees (Review to come)
7. Lucky in Love by Kasie West (Review to come)
8. The Hunt by Chloe Neill (Review to come)
9. Fake It Till You Break It by Jenn P. Nguyen (Review to come)
10. Blind Kiss by Renee Carlino (Review to come)
11. The Girl He Used to Know by Tracey Garvis-Graves (Review to come)
12. The Quarterback by Mackenzie Blair (Review to come)
13. More Than We Can Tell by Brigid Kemmerer (Review to come)
14. Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney (Review to come)
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
This is a challenge I have given myself, but if you would like to adopt it, please feel free to use the graphic I made. I would just ask that you would note the challenge originated on Books & Beauty Are My Bag and to link back to this post.
This is a fabulous idea, Angie. I had that big aha moment about two years ago when I had over a hundred arcs and was taking on everything that flew past me. It took me two years of saying no and focusing on the past due pile, but I got it under control earlier this year. It is so freeing to have time for older releases.
Cheering you on to your twenty-four mark and beyond. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a heck of a commitment. I couldn’t stop getting books
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is a great idea. I also came to the same conclusion and I am requesting less ARCs to give room for TBR and moody reads. Good luck!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have really slowed down on taking on new review books but I haven’t completely put the brakes on. I really want to get caught up and have fit in some of my older ARCs this year but I still have quite the backlog. I think I might join in your challenge at the beginning of the year since I know it would be easier for me to keep track of start and end dates that way. Great idea!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the idea! I’ve taken on less new books, and focused on my shelf and series on my backlist.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve been trying to do something similar. It’s so easy to get overrun with ARCs. I’m making it a point to go through my Kindle and read books off it. You’re doing great so far with your challenge!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Totally agree with you! I found I was missing reading my own books (and author backlists) so much. I finally quit requesting ARCs almost completely and now I only request the rare new release from a favorite author. I’m reading my last ARC for 2018 right now (yay!) and then I have one for January. After that I am DONE! It’s a great feeling. Good luck getting through yours! I’ll be cheering you on. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good luck! I’ve been trying to do this for a few years now. Every time I feel like I have it under control, I look at my shelves and realize I have more to read. LoL
LikeLiked by 1 person