Having someone send you a book to review

[Mary Janik]

I've been contacted about reviewing a book and they want to send me a .pdf file.  Is that the norm?  My laptop is out of commission and I have to use a desktop to read.  That would be great if I didn't have to pay attention to my four boys!

 

Do they send out paper anymore?  Are .pdf and ebook the usual versions?

 

Thanks for your help

[Lindsay]

Yes, that is becoming more and more common with ereaders being available.  The last five books I have received have all been pdf files.  I can't read them on my computer, but I have a Nook.  If you aren't comfortable reading on the computer then I would tell them you can't accept pdf files.  No sense in accepting something that you can't read! 

 

I would ask for a paperback, and see what happens?

[Mary Janik]

Thanks.  I've asked for a paperback and we'll see what happens.

[Evangeline Han]

Yes, that is perfectly the norm. eBooks are cheaper, you know. :)

[Mary Janik]

Yes, I know.  I just need to suck it up and get an ereader.  I know as soon as I get one, a newer and better one will be out!

[K. C. Blake]

I don't get free paperbacks from the publisher, so I always send pdf files or give coupon codes for Smashwords if the reviewer has an ereader.  A few have told me they can't read it unless I send them a physical copy, so I just have to tell them I'm sorry and forget about that review.  A copy would cost me ten dollars once I bought it and shipped it to them.  I just can't afford it.

[Mary Janik]

Thanks for telling me about that.  That's good to know.  I am looking at getting a device to read ebooks, but am waffling.  I know the bigger ones would be easier to read, but I hate carrying a purse and try to cram as much as possible into my small purse.

I keep thinking if I hold out, something better will come along that will work for me.  I don't even have a smart phone yet.  I'm not bucking the system, just trying to justify the cost.

[Grace]

Just remember too that you don't have to review new books necessarily.  In fact, I generally won't accept a book from a publisher/author unless it looks like something that I would buy if I came across it in a bookstore, because I don't want to feel pressured into giving a book a good review simply because I got it for free.

I'm also the sort of person who doesn't buy a purse unless it's big enough to fit at least one sizeable book.  :P

I'm waiting a few more years to get an e-reader, until the formatting of e-books becomes more standard and universal.  Until then, I don't want to spend a lot of money on a piece of equipment that necessitates loyalty to a specific company that might fail.  I like Nooks better than Kindles, but I want to make sure that B&N is going to remain in business.

 

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Books Without Any Pictures

[Mary Janik]

I think the same way as you.  I won't review it unless it is something I would normally read.

 

My library checks out ebooks, but they don't work on a Kindle.  They have no idea when they will be compatible, so I don't want a Kindle and I'm also hesitant to get a Nook considering the status of the brick and mortar book stores.

 

Of course it's not easy figuring this stuff out!

 

[Joss Arden]

While I think there are other negitive things to be said about the Kindle, I just wanted to point out that it will be possible to borrow ebooks from the library and read them on the Kindle somtime in the near future (at least for folks in the US). Assuming you're in the US, I don't think the whole library thing is a reason to not buy the Kindle if you were otherwise leaning towards buying one.

[Mary Janik]

Thanks for your thoughts.  The most recent Consumer Reports has a great write up about ereaders and tablets.  They go through the features and pros and cons of each.

 

When I do venture into that world, I probably will be getting a tablet.