It’s been a long time since we’ve just sat down and talked! I’ve missed it so much and I’m officially bringing Stop & Chat back! (every other week?) Anywho, I have a GREAT topic for our conversation today and as always feel free to chime in via the comments below. Today’s topic is:

ARC Shaming!

This could be a “just me” scenario but how many times have you been really excited about an ARC, tweeted/instagramed about it and then all of a sudden everyone and their mama is throwing shade your way? Here you were all excited about this ARC you’ve been gifted and someone (intentional or not) has decided to rain on your parade by saying you’re showing off/stop bragging/whatever the hell. I actually saw a tweet the other day that said “I don’t think people who get books for free just because they’re bloggers have a right to complain about anything”.

This isn’t the first time I’ve seen something like this (and I know it won’t be the last) but it really bugs me! Do you know how much time, money and work we put into being bloggers? How many hours we dedicate to providing helpful, truthful and funny reviews to other bookish people? How long it takes us to even approach a publisher for an ARC?

Don’t get me wrong I understand seeing a book you’re impatiently waiting on being (what feels like) flaunted across your face but we didn’t get these ARC’s because we put on a pretty blogger hat, kicked up our feet and held our hand out. Maybe I’m being overly sensitive. Maybe I’m sick of people underestimating the work we put in? Or maybe I really just need to vent! Whatever the case may be how do you feel about this? Have you ever been made to feel ashamed for receiving an ARC? Let me know below in the comments!