Welcome back, Armchair BEA readers, Angelya here! Today is Friday and we’ve been given a free pass to write about our own topic.
I thought I’d share with you the Phases of the Book Reviewer, with the help of the Tenth Doctor, because basically, I’m a big nerd.
This topic was originally discussed by Philippa and myself on Tea in the Treetops podcast episode 5. Check it out to listen to us chatting about it in more detail.
It was originally inspired by a post from Anya at our kindred spirit blog On Starships and Dragonwings about finding diamonds in the rough. She discussed becoming dissatisfied with the quality of some review books and she has decided to attempt to find those books that aren’t so hyped and well known, to find great sci-fi and fantasy that no-one else is reviewing.
Which phase are you in right now?
Phase 1: Proliferation
Netgalley! Edelweiss!
Request all the books!
Cultivate envy of bloggers who receive books from publishers in the mail!
Phase 2: Inundation
“Omg, so many books to read and they are all releasing this week! ”
Whatever you do, don’t go near a library.
Ban yourself from Netgalley.
Drown under your review pile.
Despair.
Phase 3: Procrastination
“It’s all too much! I’m just going to leave these review books and read whatever I like.”
Let the review book deadlines pass by and read other shiny ones instead.
Realise you have a shelf full of books that you haven’t had a chance to read.
Catch up on books released last year that you never got to.
Phase 4: Resignation
“Let it go, let it gooooo…”
Finally feeling mostly on top of things.
Only request books that you’re genuinely excited about.
Try not to feel pressured into finishing books that you’re not enjoying.
Consider checking out Netgalley again.
Should I keep reading this book?
Warning: You may find yourself back at phase 2 again at any time.
The Armchair BEA logo in this post was designed by Amber from Shelfnotes.com.
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Anni
Anni lives in Brisbane, Australia with her young family. She loves everything fantasy and science fiction and believes sleep is really very underrated.
Ely @ A Book So Fathomless
This a very vicious cycle. I’m halfway between phase two and phase three at the moment. Sometimes I still envy reviewers who get heaps of books in the mail from publishers and then I remember that feeling of drowning under review copies, then I don’t envy them nearly as much. One day, I hope to actual reach phase four…but we’ll see how that goes!
x Ely
Ely @ A Book So Fathomless recently posted…A Book So Fathomless + Reviews
Angelya
It seems most people do hover around two and three, yeah 🙂 I had a brief four earlier in the year but i’m back at two now, yikes!
chrisbookarama
This is all so true!
chrisbookarama recently posted…10 Things Book Blogging Has In Common With Orphan Black
Emma @ Words And Peace
so funny. well, I’m in phase 4!
Emma @ Words And Peace recently posted…Armchair BEA 2014: Topic of Choice and Young Adult
Angelya
Ooh, well done! I kind of dip in and out of 4 🙂
Wesley at Library Educated
Oh Im solidly in 2, racing towards 3!
Kallen (@ GeekyLibrary)
I’m so freakin happy you used gifs and the 10th doctor that I had to read it twice cause I realized I was grinning and skimming the first time.
On that note, well said.
I sometimes feel stage 2 creeping in, but I’ve got other reviewers to help share the TBR load.
Kallen (@ GeekyLibrary) recently posted…Get rid of the YA label: My Young Adult Manifesto
Angelya
10th doctor forever!
I have other reviewers too but it doesn’t really help, we’re all as bad as each other xD
Heather
Love 10.
Heather recently posted…Armchair BEA – Bookish Pet Peeves
Angelya
<3
Vikk @ Down the Writer's Path
Love the cycle. It’s probably way more true than we want to admit.
Carrie @wvredreads
I love this beyond reason. And that is not only because of all of the DT gifs. 😀
Carrie @wvredreads recently posted…Armchair BEA – Middle Grade/Young Adult
Megan
LOL, great post, and so true! I’m usually hanging out at #3, but I almost never make it to #4 – much more likely that I bounce back to #1 and repeat the vicious cycle. 😉
Megan recently posted…Armchair BEA: YA and I
Rebecca
So very very true!! I’m trying to contain myself and not get too swamped with Netgalley books.
Rebecca recently posted…Reading VS Audiobook
Angelya
It’s so hard though! I am such a magpie on NG… all the shinies!
Jennifer @ The Relentless Reader
Ha ha ha ha!! This is the best post. It’s so TRUE. I’m waffling between 3 and 4 right now…but I remember 1 and 2 VERY well.
Fantastic post 😀
Jennifer @ The Relentless Reader recently posted…Armchair BEA 2014 GIVEAWAY DAY!
Stephanie
I am in phase 4 and thankful that I have arrived! Your description is dead accurate. I am going to drag my co-blogger, Danielle, over here. I was explaining to her that this can happen and does happen more than not.
Stephanie recently posted…Armchair BEA: The Importance of Blog Design
Anya
Haha, oh yes, the phases of book reviewing are so evil and cyclical 😉 But the Doctor makes me feel better about anything!
Anya recently posted…Ten SF/F Books For Your BEAch Bag
Angelya
Oh god Anya.. I hadn’t realised you actually had a post like this too… great minds, eh? xD Gifs and all! I have to admit, I like your choice of cat gifs, but I couldn’t go past the doctor.