Rants (2)

Every now and then, I complain or "rant" about something. I'm sure I rant loads of times during the day. "Rants" is a meme which is pretty simple to get: you rant. Book related or not, it's to get something off your chest, to let you express yourself.
Today's rant is on NetGalley.

Hello, my name is Rabiah, and I am a request-a-ton-of-books-on-NetGalley-aholic.
Yeah, I think I have an addiction.


The problem starts when I first go onto NetGalley. Obviously, NetGalley is not the problem, and for y'all out there who have no clue as to what NetGalley is, here's a little info:

NetGalley is a website which publishing companies can send out eBook ARCs (eGalley), usually to those bloggers overseas, or from companies which don't print ARCs, but want a whole ton of hype for the book.

http://www.netgalley.com

So now that you're up to speed, whenever I go onto NetGalley, a lot of the time, there'll be some book which I really want to read and review. So I click the little 'Request' button and then most of the time, or when I'm lucky, an email will come a few days later saying, "You can now access this eGalley" and stuff and then I'm like, YAY! and doing all sorts of happy dances. But lately, that's kinda become

AN OVERLOAD.

The thing is, and the whole point of today's rant, is that BECAUSE I've gotten so many eGalleys through NetGalley, I've been behind on reading, and then sadly, and more frequently recently, I can't even read the book. a) Because my reading pile is so big that I can't even get to it which TOTALLY stresses me out, and b) the expiry date. The eGalleys only come for a certain time and then, BAM expires. Like milk.
I know what you're thinking, 'Why don't you just go back to NetGalley and re-download it'. Um, okay, I know you can do that. I get it. But the thing is, that's it's really only on NetGalley for a limited time before the title is archived by the author. THEN, I have a problem. No more downloading! :(
This has happened for several amazing books, not only through NetGalley, but also Simon & Shusters Galley Grab as well. Countless amazing books, all gone with one expiration date, all because a girl can't get through the massive reading pile.

I know, I guess I AM the one to blame, for being the requesting-aholic, but yeah, I need time to read, so lesson learned people. If you did want me to review your book, you should totally send it through as a PDF from YOU not NetGalley and then BAM! No expiry date, or send my a physical book, even better. LOL, but anyway, still blaming myself. Anywhoo, enough letting off steam. Need to go read (and it's a book which expires tomorrow...).


I bet I'm not the only person who faces this problem, am I?

Rants (1)

Every once in a while, I rant about something. In fact, I think I complain about at least one or two things per day. "Rants" is a meme which is pretty straight forward: You rant. It can be completely book related or not. It's just to get something off your chest, for you to scream your words out to the world. 
So my rant of today is Book Signings in Singapore (or other parts of Asia for that matter).

Okay, I'll admit it. I'm jealous of all you people in the US, Canada, UK and other amazing places which authors ACTUALLY visit. I keep hearing about my friends back in Toronto going for several amazing book signings and stuff, and I'm like, "where was THAT when I lived there?!" I only went to one book signing in Toronto, and it was one heck of an experience. Loved it, even though it took around 3-4 hours to get my book signed. But that's besides the point.


The problem with Singapore that authors of popular books almost NEVER come here. The only major signing I've heard of, and attended, was the Lauren Kate Signing in Singapore (read about it here). That's actually the only one I've ever heard of occurring in Asia recently. It's pretty sad, 'cause Singapore is so diverse, you get a whole bunch of people from different people from different places coming to the signings here (if they do come). The lines aren't huge as the book signings in the US etc., and it goes so much quicker, but that way everyone does get the chance to have a (short) one-on-one with the author.
I'm pretty sure that flying to Europe is as expensive (or even more) for a book signing there, so why not come here? Where so many people, locals, foreigners and expats are all wanting you to sign and talk about your book? It just doesn't really make any sense.


I'm pretty sure there have been authors visiting Singapore in probably the past decade, but seriously, loads of YA readers are here. Give Singapore a chance! And of course, [authors] if you do come, I'll definitely come to your signing :D.

Well, thanks for "listening" to me ramble on, but I do hope this changes some people perspectives on this topic. I don't wanna be left out on all of the fun! What did you complain about today? Leave a link/comment!