Last week I was updating the feedback for some of the ARCs I read on Netgalley and there’s always an option to say whether or not you’d purchase a copy, and I started to think about how I click ‘no’ more often than ‘yes’ and how that doesn’t always reflect my opinion on the book itself. Sometimes it reflects the status of my wallet or the lack of room on my bookshelves.
Typically, I only buy a finished physical copy of an ARC I already read if I really, really loved the book and plan to re-read it very soon in the future, but even this decision relies on the other aspects I mentioned before: money and space.
Sometimes, the release date of a book is so far away, that by the time a finished copy is available, I forget to buy it even though I may have planned to before.
Less often, sometimes I click ‘yes’ for a book I didn’t love because I plan to buy a copy for a friend or family member who I believe would enjoy the book, but again, it doesn’t reflect my opinion of the book.
I’m not sure if that’s even the point of having the the question there on Netgalley… I mean, it could just be there to gather information about how often reviewers do buy the books after reviewing them, and it could have nothing to do with opinions.
The last ARC I purchased a finished copy for was All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven because I absolutely fell in love with the book and I plan to re-read it very soon. Plus, it would fit nicely on my Favorites bookshelf (It’s completely rare for me to add a book to this already cramped shelf, so this is a big deal! Most books I give 5 stars don’t even end up here…)
How often do you purchase finished copies of the ARCs you read? What factors play into that decision? Is it purely based on your opinion of the book?
Ps. The finished copy of All the Bright Places is sooo pretty! I actually walked around my apartment telling everyone in my family how gorgeous it was and making them look at it.
I tend to not buy a book I’ve already read, unless it absolutely must be on my shelf. So I usually check no, but that’s because I want to move on to the next.
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That’s exactly how I am, too! Thanks for commenting!
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I always disliked that option on netgalley, money is pretty tight at the moments and the reality is that when I have gotten an e-ARC I probably won’t buy a hardcopy as I’ve already read the book and rather spend my money on books I haven’t read yet. I sometimes fill in yes, but more in a way like if I had enough money then i really would like a copy of this one. Or I own the rest of the books in this series and would like a finished copy of this one on my shelf as well. Like you said I don’t think whether I woudl buy a copy or not says anythign about my enjoyment of the book. I always feel a bit conflicted when answering those ntegally questions.
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I completely understand. It doesn’t make sense to pay for a book you’ve already read instead of one you haven’t, unless it’s for a good reason. Thanks for commenting!
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A very interesting question! I tend to buy finished copies of books that I’ve already read when I give it a 4 or 5 star. That means that I loved the book very much that that I want a copy to have on my shelves so I can pet it heheh. I don’t like the option on NG–but as long as I give the book a review rated 3.5 or above, I’ll click yes.
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Haha! If I love a book enough I guess I do the same!
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Never. Once I’ve read the book, I don’t need to read it again. I do sometimes check yes for the “would you buy this book?” because it asks if I would, not if I will. I’m saying I liked it enough to buy it — if I hadn’t already read it or if I was the type to reread.
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That makes sense. 🙂 Thanks for commenting!
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My account is a bookseller account so the questions on my feedback page are whether I would handsell the book and whether I would suggest my store to carry this book. I guess it’s more relevant to me.
As for your question as a reader, I think that question is a bit weird since you have read the ARC obtained from NetGalley, why would we want to buy a copy again? And I agree with you that unless you’re really really love that book and of course, the wallet allows you to do so.
I have another similar scenario happened to me recently. Last year I was given the printed ARC of Zodiac by Romina Russell. I ordered a copy of hardcover edition of the book from the publisher right after I finished reading it. I love the book so much that I think it’s worth the money paid for the hardcover as collection. And this is the second time happened to me. The first one was MARY: The Summoning by Hillary Monahan which I read the ARC from NetGalley and bought a hardcover after that.
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Oh, I didn’t even really consider that point of view! The option does make a lot more sense now! I haven’t heard of either of those books, but I’ll be sure to look them up! Thanks for commenting! 🙂
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I do purchase them depending on faves but also a meaning of a book. They might carry a great memory a place in time! BooksBooksnMore
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That’s a good point! I do the same. Some books can have a deeper meaning that would make me want to buy them for that reason alone. Thanks for commenting!
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It depends on HOW much I loved that book. Did I love it in a way that makes me feel I NEED to own it or was it good enough, but that’s it? I have bought a couple of finished copies from books I’ve read as ARC/eARCs in the past 🙂
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I have to buy books I borrow from the library. Arcs are no exception. I have too own the books I read. I guess you could say I’m spoiled. 😉
-Jordan
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I feel like if I had the money, would own every single book I’ve ever read, whether I like it or not. Oh boy, I’d probably even own the ones I didn’t read just cause they’re pretty. My bookshelf is currently overflowing and I have limited space, though, so that would probably end badly lol! 😀
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