With ALA’s Midwinter Conference having just taken place, many bloggers hustled to the internets in order to showcase their heaping piles of ARCs – whether through a vlog or a blog haul post. Some would argue that this is great for the books in question, as they seek to profit from the attention the blog haul is giving them. Others argue that this is poor etiquette, and is just a way of showing off.
In response to behaviours she saw at the ALA conference, Katie from Katie’s Book Blog decided to create a Conference Etiquette Guide for Bloggers. Some of her advice – like no pushing – is common sense. Her section on posting a book haul, has stirred up mixed opinions.
I get that you want to share info about all the books with other bloggers and readers but in this case it doesn’t really reflect well upon you. (I know I’ve done this in the past but I learned my lesson!) If you want to share pictures with your close friends, email the pictures to them. If you want to share with all your blog readers, maybe pick your top ten or something like that. Conference hauls are a huge reason for jealousy in the blogging community and I know none of us want to add to that. You really don’t even need to post numbers. Never say something like “I got this many books!” It just doesn’t go over well with anyone.
Remember #ARCGate? Last year at the ALA’s Annual Conference, two bloggers at The Lost Lola posted a 22-minute video, since retracted, detailing a rather impressive book haul. From the video, the blogosphere gathered that these two ladies had managed to pick up two copies of virtually every book handed out at the conference, including books they admitted to having no personal interest in.
All of this is what was swimming around in my head when I saw this Tweet:
Which got me all in a ranty mood, so here finally is the actual point of this post:
Do book hauls cause jealousy?
Hell yes!
Does that mean people shouldn’t do them? Or that they should feel guilty about posting them?
Definitely not.
If YOU can’t be happy for another persons success/hard work/luck/whatever, then that’s YOUR problem. Not theirs. Sure, some bloggers go overboard and should probably have thought for a minute before posting their outrageous haul. And sure, it’s unfair that some bloggers get multiple copies of ARCs – but if they end up giving them away, allowing people who otherwise wouldn’t have gotten ANY ARCs, to get one – can we really fault them? And what does getting jealous and throwing around accusations accomplish, exactly?
I also feel like this is the beginning of a slippery slope. What’s the magical number, whereby a haul becomes too big? What if a blogger had a relatively busy week, and received many copies of many books from various publishers? Does that mean their IMM post should be split up into several posts, in order to avoid making people jealous?
When, exactly, does a blogger go from being modest to crossing the line?
And when did book blogging become a big enough competition that we need to hide our successes from our peers, in order not to stir up any unwanted jealousies? Why can’t we just be happy for each other, instead of lamenting over how unfair it is that they got what we wanted?
Am I the only one who feels like we’re being a little too sensitive on this “issue” or do you think people are right to get upset with bloggers who “show off” their big hauls?
I think it is all in how you handle it. Should you be afraid to show what you got? Nope. But why the need for two? That’s what kills me. When I go to conferences, I only take one. If I am thinking about a giveaway, fine, I just read my copy then give it away. It just makes sense.
I agree with you – there is no reason to take two of everything. I can see grabbing two of a select few, if you have a good friend who isn’t able to attend and would like a copy. But even that’s a stretch – they can always borrow your copy when you’re done with it.
I just don’t think there’s any point in making people who do grab one of everything feel bad, by saying they shouldn’t post their blog haul posts because it might make someone else jealous.
I’m a newbie blogger so I’m not really sure about this but I think that MOST of the books included in the hauls are BOUGHT by the blogger.The percentage of ARCs & Review copies that the blogger gets is comparatively small.So I kinda feel that we ARE being a little sensitive about it.
And as for the multiple copies of ARCs-it is unfair that some people get many copies while some do not get even one,but I think as long as they are using these ARCs for giveaways it’s okay I guess.
But picking up books that they have NO interest in is not a really great move-there could be other bloggers out there who are genuinely interested in it and do not end up getting them!
Personally when I see hauls I’m like “OMG Lucky You!” and everything but that’s it-I do NOT see the point in hating people for something as petty as that. After all there are SOOO many bigger issues that we need to focus on,right?
I think you are right! There are bigger issues we could be focusing on.
Like I said to Erin, I think we all need to remember to just be thankful for the ARCs that we do get.
I agree with you 1000% (yes, an extra zero for the win). I do think it’s a little obnoxious when people go to conferences and are like “I’m not sure I’m interested in this book but I got it anyway,” or “I got two copies because I could.” In cases like that, I think it’s better to just keep your mouth shut because it makes you look like a prat.
BUT, generally speaking, I think book hauls are totally fine. I mean, people are equally going to get jealous over a haul with a lot of ARCs vs. a haul with a ton of self-purchased books. Should we be ashamed that publishers send us ARCs? No. Should we be ashamed if we can afford to go buy 20 books in one week? No.
Yes sometimes I get jealous of other peoples’ hauls, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t share them. I still love looking at them and book hauls are one of the great ways to learn about new books. In my opinion, if you can’t handle it or if you get too jealous, then it’s YOUR responsibility to not look at them.
In cases like that, I think it’s better to just keep your mouth shut because it makes you look like a prat.
Hahaha yes!
I am constantly jealous of other people’s hauls, but it’s always the jealousy of, “Wow, they had an amazing week for books!” Not, “They got what I wanted and I didn’t and now I’m going to be cranky about it.”
And if I do get cranky, I just close my browser LOL
Great post! As with anything, there’s always someone out there who is going to take things personally and make a stink. And as book bloggers, it’s fair and fitting for you to get the books/arcs. However… and I say this as an outside observer looking in (as I don’t have a blog), some of the “book hauls” can appear to be a bit ridiculous. The massive amount of books that are taken seem unrealistic if they are taking them “for the blog”. How could they possible read and review that large a number of books, as well as the books that they have already committed to reviewing? And isn’t the purpose of an ARC is to be read and reviewed *before* the official release? So, when bloggers trot out these “hauls” and claim it’s all for the blog and then later, the review goes up after the book is released, I kinda have to be say a bit jadedly “yeah right”. Just be honest about wanting these books for your own library. As a fellow book hoarder, I understand, really I do! But as strictly a reader (with her own 500+ TBR pile), I’m not falling for that “it’s all for the blog” and/or giveaways excuse. Just be honest about your motives and yes, it may be necessary just to blog about those books you’re actually gonna write about. Otherwise I think it comes across as bragging and you’re setting yourself up for failure. And as a reader, in my eyes, you lose a little of your credibility.
Ok. I think I need to clarify about my opinions being mainly about the conferences. Like it’s already been mentioned, bloggers don’t have control over what is being sent to them by publishers and when I see those “hauls” I think, awesome for you! But when the blogger has a “choice” about what books to take/have and goes wild, then I wonder who else could have benefited from that book/arc that’s just gonna collect dust on a shelf. I purchase a very large amount of booksmyself, so I know I fall in the book hoarder category. So like I’ve said, I’ve got massive appreciation for people who buy/hoard like I do.
I definitely agree with you – the amount of books some bloggers walk away with from these conferences is ridiculous. How they expect to read even half of those books is beyond me.
BUT.
They paid to go to that conference. And if the conference isn’t going to limit how many books someone can take, then there will always be someone who will try to take as many as they can carry (if not more!)
Does that mean they should rub it in our faces? Probably not. But that’s their prerogative.
I just don’t think there’s any point in throwing around accusations – I know some bloggers who could get through each of those books before their release dates – and I buy books (or request ARCs) for books I’m not sure I’m truly interested in; maybe they were hyped up, or recommended…maybe they just had a pretty cover! Lol
I think we all just need to be grateful for the ARCs we do get – we can always buy a finished copy when it goes on sale if we do miss out.
OH definitely. And you have a great point that since they paid for the conference there is a feeling of entitlement. Not trying to throw around accusations. This is just how I personal feel and since we’ve opened the topic up, I just wanted to share as a “reader” and not as a blogger. There will always be people who take things to the extreme and for the most part, I’m all live and let live. But if you ask for my opinion, this is what I’d say. Not really pointing fingers at any in particular.
Gah, I’m sorry – I did NOT mean to insinuate you were throwing around accusations…that was supposed to be more of a general statement.
I definitely appreciate the side of a “reader” – I didn’t mean to imply otherwise
Oh, I know! I wasn’t taking it that way, just wanted to clarify just in case
Uhh… I’ve never thought of book hauls this way before! I don’t get many books, but I love posting weekly recap posts on my blog because I’m excited for what I got and from my readers’ comments, I can get recommendations and schedule my reading
That’s beside the point, but I do think getting multiple copies is… Quite a waste, especially if you’re getting books that you don’t plan on reading… It kind of defeats the whole purpose why we start book blogs, unless that blogger’s intention was to pile a Leaning Tower of Books or something :/ Either way, I love book haul posts because there’re so many great titles out there which I otherwise wouldn’t have known about! I don’t see any cause for jealousy, purely personal opinion ^-^
Great discussion post as always, Kelly!
Thanks Alicia! I love haul posts for the same reasons you mentioned – I always find great new titles because of them!
This is probably my all time favorite blog post. I love reading and watching my fellow book bloggers get all excited about their book hauls, and I think it is seriously petty and ridiculous that people even have the nerve to get jealous over a book they don’t currently have. I think it’s even worse that this is the only thing a lot of book bloggers are concerned about. Even though I’m new to blogging I know we didn’t get into this as a way to get free books, we are doing this because we love books and we would burst at the seams if it wasn’t for the outlet that blogging provides for us. I buy most of my books (even when I do receive a ARC) to show support for my fave authors, and even if I don’t have the ARC I know it’s only a matter of time for the book to be released and I just have to suck it up and wait it out. It’s not as if the ARC is the only copy that will ever be available, and it annoys me that so many people forget that.
Even though I’m new to blogging I know we didn’t get into this as a way to get free books, we are doing this because we love books and we would burst at the seams if it wasn’t for the outlet that blogging provides for us.
I think a lot of people who get caught up in the ARC-race forget this simple fact! And like you said, the book will be available for sale in the future, if you need a copy that badly!
I actually like to see hauls. Sure, I’m not going to lie: sometimes I get a bit jealous, but not in a wrong way. I’m happy for them that they got all those amazing books. And yes, I would love to get so many ARC’s (or at least one :p), but it’s not that I think they don’t deserve it.
What I mean is, some people will be jealous all the time. That’s no reason to stop showing your haul. I don’t feel guilty about showing all the books I got, just because I’m so happy with them. If someone can’t handle that, they are free to click on the X button in the right corner. If someone chooses to be jealous, they can pick everything: they can be jealous on the amount of followers you have or on your blog design.
Yes! This kind of goes along with my slippery slope comment – if we ask people to stop posting large book hauls, what’s next? Displaying follower counts/stats?
There’s always something to be jealous of if we go looking for it. Like Octavia said, we need to remember why we started blogging in the first place.
To be frank, I don’t care. I completely ignore the book haul threads. It doesn’t tell me anything more about the book than what Amazon or the publisher’s website would.
I do like reading posts about meeting authors however.
I usually avoid the book haul threads as well, but every once in a while one will catch my eye and leads me to a new book – so I can appreciate them.
Thanks for your honesty Lizzy!
I am generally completely okay with book hauls of any size; I’m happy for people who have been approved for ARCs, or who have finally purchased books they’ve been wanting. However, even if an attendee to a conference has paid, I completely disapprove of the huge amount of ARCs taken by some bloggers. Lest we forget, the “L” in ALA stands for Librarian; as bloggers I sort of feel like we are guests there. They allow us to attend something that at its core is supposed to be a learning and support experience for people who work in libraries. When bloggers, who have no commitments to all the other things going on at ALA, take huge quantities of ARCs as soon as they are put out it, leaves very few for the actual Librarians when they can eek out their few minutes. So, yeah, those book hauls tick me off in a big way, but not because I am jealous of what they have — more I’m pissed at them for selfishly taken what, at the root of it, wasn’t really intended for them. Even really successful bloggers have a much more limited access to readers than your average Librarian. So I guess what I’m saying is, go on with your bad self and publish your book hauls, just don’t be a jerk at conferences.
go on with your bad self and publish your book hauls, just don’t be a jerk at conferences
Hahaha! I love this!
I totally agree. It is a two way street. I know that I have stopped requesting or saying yes to review books from publishers if a) i don’t really like the idea of the book in question or b) if i know i won’t have much time to read it. It’s great that bloggers are invited to those conferences, but if they do take anything, they should only take what they want to take and not just take everything because it is free.
It’s great that bloggers are invited to those conferences, but if they do take anything, they should only take what they want to take and not just take everything because it is free.
This is so true. But I remember when I first started blogging, I accepted EVERYTHING. I can imagine my first conference being very similar, just out of pure excitement! Lol
I totally get that. I have to admit, when i first got a kindle i probably went a bit crazy with the free book downloads (the legal ones on amazon) because hell yeah! they were free. And, i can understand people who are new to blogging, or that never went to a conference going absolutely spastic and grabbing one of everything when they go to a conference. It’s new and exciting. But it worries me that this isn’t just a one time case and that some people are going overboard everytime, because hell yeah its free. I don’t actually have an issue with people taking books from conferences, but when it gets to the point that they need a shopping basket to hold them (especially if it;s a conference for librarians…) then there are definitely going to be a few people missing out…
I’m also a new blogger, but I love to see IMM and book hauls. Not only does it do the job they are supposed to-showing us new books that we may not know are coming out-but the excitement of the blogger is contagious. On that same note, the bragging of the blogger is just as easily noticeable. It’s in the way they show the books and talk about them, focusing on the quantity rather than what each book is about. THAT is what makes me angry because you can tell they are in it just for the fame, if you will. But big bloggers that get all those books because they work hard for them, they have nothing to apologize about. It gives me something to aspire to! Bloggers should also do this, instead of just sitting back and being envious. Great topic!
I think you’re right Alise – there are definitely ways of doing a book haul that promote the book and ways that just brag about the number of books. They’re also super contagious; they just give off so much energy!
I think people just need to stop with the jealousy nonsense. Yeah sure, I see a hall with the third book in one of my fave series and I feel a tidbit of envy, but if i comment about it, I will say “Jealous! can’t wait to hear your thoughts on “….” I hope I can get myself a copy soon. “..” looks good also” but, it doesn’t go beyond that. And, the thing is, It doesn’t stop at bookhauls. One each review of mine I write a little thing about where i got the book, and I’m sure most reviewers do to. I had a close friend in real life, who claimed she was a poor struggling uni student (who didn’t have time for ARCS) and was always looking for new reading materials. She would get annoyed with me (jealous) because she thought that I “didn’t really appreciate books because you (i) have so many). But, what she didn’t realise was that i worked. I got paid. And, i used that money to buy just as many novels (possibly more) than what i received in the mail. But when I write in my book haul that i bought them online or at a department store does she read that? no. There is nothing you can do to stop jealousy. If we stop at book hauls it will be something else. And, frankyly, i like looking at book hauls of upcoming releases, cos I want to find out about all the new and interesting reads… Sorry about the dodgy sentence structure
That’s my fear – that the joining of the book blogosphere against book hauls will just be the first step. Once we’ve eradicated that aspect of jealousy, then they’ll set their sights on something else! And it’s just foolish.
I really love this post, Kelly. I think it needed to be said very badly.
Speaking for myself, I’d probably be lying if I said I didn’t experience jealousy toward other bloggers occasionally. But I think that I’ve always held up those big book hauls as stepping stones to arrive at. Like, I could say “Oh, she got all those ARCs from such and such publisher, one day I want to be able to post about that too” or whatever. I’m a very goal oriented person, so more than anything, seeing those huge book hauls has given me a goal to strive for (even though the ginormous hauls will never happen because, honestly, I don’t have time for all those books anyway!)
I feel the same way Renae! Obviously, I get jealous – but I would never ask that a blogger stop posting about their hauls to avoid my jealousy. If it gets bad enough, I just avoid those posts for a while.
And it does give me something to strive for – as much as I love blogging, it can be an expensive hobby. Who wouldn’t like to receive free books every once in a while – especially if it’s for a coveted title that’s not out for a few months?! Being confident about reaching out to publishers is something I’m working on, but like you said, I’d also feel a little bad about it because I don’t always have the time for all of those books!
honestly? I found it ridiculous that people hide their book hauls just so the watchers or readers don’t feel jealous. I find that to be *excuse my language* stupid because we can’t always appease everyone in this world, at any given situation SOMEONE isn’t going to be happy. You made a good point in that yes it is their right to post hauls but some people DO take it overboard. I also believe that sometimes people grab any book they can, even ones they know they will NEVER read and I think that reflects badly on them as bloggers as well as actual human beings. Because what if a person who is dying to get that copy ends up not getting one because they ran out? and if said person didn’t just randomly pick up that copy then that person could have gotten one? I just think people need to think LOGICALLY and to not think about blogging as a COMPETITION. yes I do get jealous that some people get so many awesome books, but i don’t BLAME them for it, that is just weird
I agree – this mentality that blogging has become a competition definitely needs to change; and quick! I know I didn’t start blogging to compete – I started blogging to share my passion for books with other book lovers. Letting jealousy ruin that is just silly.
When I recently won a competition where I could grab as many books as I could in 1 minute, the first thing I wanted to do is share my haul with my book blogger friends. Why? Because they understand my level of excitement and love for books. Why should we not share our good fortunes? If a book blogger I know gets lots of books by whichever means I go and congratulate them, because it is awesome that they got books. We all want books and we need to be happy for each other! I get excited by the fact that other people get books, I like looking at their hauls and the pics they take.
What an AMAZING competition!! That must have been so exciting – I’m not going to lie, that has always been a dream of mine! “You’ve got one minute to fill this grocery cart with as many books as you can manage!”
And you’re so right – we do need to just be happy for each other
This is very much a heated topic right now and I can see why. For one, I think people just get upset if a certain blogger receives maybe 10 books a week and it seems weird that they would be able to read all of these in time. In another aspect, I think a lot of the bloggers who are jealous are the new bloggers only in it for the free books. Which will obviously lead to jealousy.
I just read a post by another blogger, Yara of Once Upon a Twilight (http://www.onceuponatwilight.com/2013/02/ouats-advice-for-day.html) where a PUBLISHER told them to not tell about the book because of jealously. Which makes me think: what if publishers stop sending out ARCs to bloggers all together because book blogging is no longer about sharing our love for books but rather a race and competition to see who gets the most ACRS?
Bloggers who get ARCs get them for a reason. The read and review the books and the publishers can trust that they don’t do it only for the idea of GETTING an ARC.
Wow, I’m definitely going to have to read Yara’s post – that’s so interesting!
I really hope that blogging doesn’t (hasn’t already) become about the competition to read/review the most books, over the actual love of reading. When that happens, I can’t imagine I’ll stick around for it.
I don’t mind when people post their book hauls. Especially if their motivations are in the right place. Usually, the bloggers have worked hard to get their books. They’ve provided worthwhile content, racked up the readers, and worked closely with authors and publishers. Why should their work go unrecognized? A 22 minute video of loot though would rub me the wrong way. It just comes across as “na-na-na-na boo-boo, look what we got and you didn’t!”
That being said, I rarely every click on book haul posts in my feed reader. They’re not usually engaging.
It just comes across as “na-na-na-na boo-boo, look what we got and you didn’t!”
I think that’s exactly why so many people were so upset by that video, because that’s exactly how most people took it. And they had so many books they acknowledged they were probably never going to read!
But a few people who take things too far shouldn’t spoil the fun that so many other people get out of book haul posts.
(But I’m like you; I don’t generally read those posts).
I couldn’t agree more with all the points that you listed. When I first started blogging, I was automatically jealous of all the people who got these books and they would send massive boxes to one person, but even though I’ve learned not to be jealous anymore, I feel like I’m on the other side now. I’m not saying I’m that huge popular blogger that everyone goes to, I just do my own thing, and I think in a way you can see how passionate a blogger is about books.
“And sure, it’s unfair that some bloggers get multiple copies of ARCs – but if they end up giving them away, allowing people who otherwise wouldn’t have gotten ANY ARCs, to get one – can we really fault them?”
I sometimes get multiple copies of one book or one ARC and what I tend to do is give them away to fellow bloggers or just do a giveaway which in return I’m spending MONEY to give them away. People don’t realize that and sometimes it pisses me off they don’t know.
“What if a blogger had a relatively busy week, and received many copies of many books from various publishers?”
*raises hand* this honestly happens to me. They all come at once and people don’t realize it’s because I requested them at the same time you know?
Thank you for posting about this topic. People need to be educated as to what really happend within the blogging side.. *sighs*
Thanks for sharing the side of someone who does get a lot of ARCs! I like to assume the best of people, and I really don’t think that the majority of bloggers posting about large hauls – whether from conferences, through purchases, or through publishers – are doing it to brag. Which is why I don’t see the need for us to respond with hostility and jealousy (in most situations).
I completely agree with this. Why should people have to hide the books they’ve received? What is wrong with some people that they get so jealous they’d actually think it was okay to say “you’re posting too many books in your book haul!”?
I’ve never personally posted a book haul, but I post pictures of the books I receive on Instagram. I don’t usually request ARC’s from publishers except on Netgalley so I’m not receiving that many. I see some people’s book hauls and think “I would drown in that pile of books!” It astonishes me how many books people can read sometimes. I just don’t have that much time, honestly. And, of course, when I see someone received an ARC I want desperately I get jealous, but not of the person who got the book. Just because I’m dying to read the book, if that makes any sense.
I think when I first started blogging I was so jealous of hauls and Wow post. Now after having done it for a while I’m not jealous because while I’m happy they have all those books, it also just adds to thier ever towering TBR pile.
I like it when people showcase books they are excited about and not just the entire Haul.
I also won’t pretned like I was afraid to post my BEA books last year becuase I didn’t want people to judge me.
A part of me feels like if I did book haul posts, I would be more likely to get through my TBR…like maybe people would hold me accountable if I showed a book they were excited about and I didn’t review it.
I also won’t pretned like I was afraid to post my BEA books last year becuase I didn’t want people to judge me.
This is exactly why I think everyone needs to get over this jealousy issue that’s risen up lately. No one should feel like they’re going to be judged about posting something they were excited about.
I absolutely love this post, and I think you’re completely right. Of course I envy people who are able to get their hands on ARCs of books I want yesterday, but that doesn’t mean I get all crazy jealous about it. I think that receiving ARCs is an honor, and that people who receive lots of them usually have done something to deserve that. (Whether it’s that they’ve been around for a very long time or have contacted authors and publishers a lot.) But I think it’s insane when people get all crazy about this.
Besides this, I actually LOVE watching book haul videos or reading IMM posts. I can get very excited when I see that people have received a book that I LOVED or want to read most desperately, and I see this as a connection to that person. This is why I can be very excited in my comments on those posts/videos haha.
I don’t think book hauls can ever be too big. My book hauls are, sometimes too, and even though this has nothing to do with me receiving ARCs (which I don’t) and everything to do with me spending ALL MY MONEY on books, I don’t stop writing these. I like sharing books that I receive, and if there’s anywhere you should be able to do that, it’s the book blogging community.
Judith (paperiot.com)
I like sharing books that I receive, and if there’s anywhere you should be able to do that, it’s the book blogging community.
YES! I think this is why I’m so flabbergasted over people who say that after a certain amount, book hauls shouldn’t be shared. If we can’t share them with fellow book lovers, who do we share our books with??
Even though I don’t personally do book hauls (mostly because I’m too lazy to set up a camera and some weeks I don’t get any books), I love watching others’ videos. I think it’s a great way to showcase titles I might not have ever known about. Every once in a while, I get a feeling of, “Ohhh! I want that book!” but it doesn’t really feel like jealousy. Realistically, I can just buy it later or blow the dust off my library card. I think as bloggers we sometimes forget that these ARCs and galleys are a privilege and it’s okay if you don’t get one. It doesn’t make you any lesser of a blogger.
Love the gif!
I’ve been doing a lot of thinking on this topic, and I commented on Katie’s post on exactly this subject. And, yay, I’m so glad we agree so I don’t need to actually respond to your post with the gif in the post. :-p
I’m often jealous of blogger’s book hauls, but I also love getting to find new books to add on GR. Basically, I’ve learned that the best thing to do is to avoid certain people’s book hauls. If they post one review a week but get 20 ARCs a week, I’m going to be upset, so I just shouldn’t look. I don’t HAVE to look at a book haul post if I don’t want to. The duplicate copies thing is definitely sketchy, but it’s not the bloggers fault and most people give them away. I’ve gotten duplicate copies a couple of times and I always give them away, usually on the blog but occasionally to friends/family who I think would enjoy them. I doubt anyone actually keeps duplicates, because why would you?
No, you’re not alone at all. I think that people can choose whether to see hauls as bragging or as engaging with the community and getting word out about the books. I know I can’t always get to everything I’m sent, so at least if I’ve done a haul, someone might discover the book that wouldn’t have otherwise.
If individuals can’t handle the jealousy, that’s more of a reflection on them than on the rest of us, I think. I say this without malice, because I had a phase where I was seriously jealous. If that’s where your head is at, just don’t look at the book hauls until you can handle it. That would be my advice.
That is so interesting I never thought of it that way. I love looking at book hauls and admiring all the pretty books.
I enjoy looking through people’s book hauls myself. The STS/IMM posts on blogs are some of my absolute favorites. I wish I had the courage to do that sort of thing myself. But, mine would be more like once a month with things I bought or won.
I don’t think it ought to make people jealous. I think it’s a great way to see all the new “lovelies” (books) available.
What bothers me about the girls in the article is you said they grabbed things they blantantly stated they’re NOT even interested in. I think they should have left those for people who are interested, as those people would help get the word out to others who also are as well.
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