Hello fellow bookworms 📚 It’s time for another Top Five Wednesday, which is a weekly meme which was created by Lainey and is now hosted by Sam! This week’s topic is a Freebie so we can choose to do any previous topic that we missed, which is fine with me as I had a topic I really wanted to do! That would be 2017 Releases I didn’t get to and as I was feeling inspired I created different categories with reasons why I cannot get to all the new releases, as much as I want to!
Reason #1: Hardcovers are expensive
Not all new releases also have a paperback version coming out at release day or a few months later. I think by the rule of the thump, the paperback edition comes out 1 year after the initial release, if at all. Now I don’t buy a lot of hardcovers, as they cost more than paperbacks and I often don’t want to spent so much money when I could get it cheaper and therefore save money. In most cases I simply wait, but for some books e.g. Eliza and her Monsters, there is no indication that a paperback is ever going to come out, or at least not soon, so I’ll have to invest in the hardcover. With The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue, I simply wished for it for Christmas. (shh, yes I have it for about 8 months now, but I will read it soon). When it comes to Dear Martin I will actually wait until the paperback is releases now, as I have already waited so long to read it and the hardcover is really expensive, especially so given that the book is under 300 pages.
Reason #2: It’s a Sequel
I’m not always the best with keeping up with newly releases sequels. For some Series I will preorder the next book and immediately read it, but I cannot do that with all books and sometimes I simply don’t want to. The thing is that I’m sometimes very nervous about sequels, what if I don’t like them as much as the first book? What if they are a disappointment? That’s why both Fireblood and Wayfarer are still on my TBR. I hope I’m not the only one doing this, but I keep putting off reading them, because I’m so nervous about a potential disappointment, especially as I’ve obviously heard Reviews by now. Fireblood seems to introduce a new love interest (cue to panic), while Wayfarer is the conclusion and has the potential to pull off a rather disliked Trope. Then there is books like A Court of Wings and Ruin that I keep putting off, because I want to save them up for a bit.
Reason #3: Afraid of the Hype
You all now it: the hype and the expectations it builds. Often for new releases there are reviews who have received Arcs and are hyping up the book, so of course I get excited as well. However, sometimes the hype can also make me nervous, as it not always works and expectations can quickly become too high. Everyone was loving The Bear and the Nightingale and I still really want to read it, but I’m certainly afraid that I will go into it expecting something that it’s not going to be, especially as negative Reviews have also filed in. Same with Strange the Dreamer, it’s so hyped (also due to Laini Taylor being the author) and it’s hard to keep expectations low. I will likely read her other Trilogy firs, as I want to see if I even enjoy her writing style as much as everyone else. With Wintersong it’s a bit different, I didn’t see as much hype for it, but still quite a lot. Only that now so many negative/mixed Reviews have appeared that I’m very nervous that this isn’t as great as I was hoping. Still, out of all the books this one is highest on my TBR List, as I own a physical copy!
Reason #4: So Many Books, so Little Time (& Money)
There is only so much time that I have (obviously) and I try to divide it between new releases and backlist books, as I also want to show my appreciation for books published a few years ago. I’m still catching up on some popular Series. Then there’s the fact that I simply cannot buy all the new releases that I want. I think many bookworms can sympathize with me, we all anticipate so many books but cannot buy them all, some of us cannot buy any new releases at all. Again, there’s also the fact that we choose to buy backlist books, which I think is important as well, as I like to focus not only on what’s new. That’s why there are books like Want, American Street and A List of Cages that I still have not been able to buy, least of all read. I’m still excited for them, but as I also have a lot of other books that are on my priority list to buy, they’ll have to wait. I will get to them some time, it’s just going to take time.
What are some releases that you haven’t yet gotten to? Are they high up on your priority list? 📚
My biggest issue is always that hardbacks are SO expensive. I have so many new releases that I’m dying to get to but I usually have to wait until my library gets them either in physical or ebook so I can read it.
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Same! I don’t have the money to spend on expensive hardcovers, so I often have to wait for the paperback release a year afterwards or put it on my wishlist for my birthday/Christmas 😦 I wish we would get all paperbacks with the hardcover release!
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Hard same. I’m terrible with new releases. Mainly because I already have so many books to read but then even books I have and really want to read (strange the dreamer) I don’t get around to reading yet. I think I’m waiting to be completely in the mood for it because I don’t want to ruin what could be an awesome book (it’s so hyped!)
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I feel you, there are SO many books that I want to read, so it’s always hard to choose which ones to pick up. The Hype can also make me really nervous and not in the mood to pick up a book, because I fear that I will have too high expectations! I do like to wait a bit for the hype to ebb sometimes 😮
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I completely get this post Caro because there are so many books from 2017 I haven’t read, and probably some from before then as well! But these are some brilliant reads Caro, you featured a few of my favourites as well and The Gentleman’s Guide is one of them, but I get waiting for the paperback version because there are a few books I’m having to do the same for. Also I know this won’t really be helping with the hype but The Bear and the Nightingale and Strange the Dreamer are incredible! I’m sure you’ll really love them (I really hope you will at least!)
Great post, and happy reading as well. 🙂 ❤️
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Oh yes, don’t get me started on the 2016 Releases that I haven’t gotten too, or all the important popular backlist titles 😂 I really look forward to reading The Gentleman’s Guide! I have been saving it for a special occasion, but I gotta read the book now and not wait any longer 😀 I’m glad to hear that! Both sound good as well, so I’m hoping for the best 😀
Thank you! ❤️
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Well the sequel is being released soon isn’t it? Maybe that can be the special occasion! 😀
That’s all right. 🙂 ❤️
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ALL OF THESE REASONS ARE 100% RELATABLE!!! I think the fear that hype creates and the worry that I might be the only lonely bean on the planet who doesn’t like the book is among what hinders me the most, but ALL of these are totally valid and have happened to me on several occasions.
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Thank you, I’m glad to hear that you can relate! 😀 It has definitely happened to me before that I was super excited for a book, everyone was loving it, but then I ended up being pretty disappointed 😅 I’m glad that lately this hasn’t happened though!
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My biggest reason is definitely because the time constraint. It seems like there are so many new releases at once, it’s crazy! I can’t even keep up with them anymore xD
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That’s what happens to me too, there are SO many releases that I anticipate, it’s impossible to get to them all 😂
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I don’t have really big reasons why I put off some releases. But mostly are sequels and I just end up buying the firt book, then letting a lot of time to pass and suddenly… here the sequel and the other sequel and I’ve other series that I’ve to finish. Result: tbr is dead.
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I feel you, this happens to me all the time. I don’t keep an eye on a Series for one second and suddenly there are 3 more books out and I’m hopelessly behind 😅 I’m still trying to catch up on a lot of backlist titles, but then there are new releases … the dilemma!
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So relatable Caro! I’m always doing a balancing act between my huge TBR and a new book coming out. ♥️ Thanks for your honest opinions!
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It’s really hard juggling between the new releases and all the backlist books I want to read, too many books, so little time 😱
💕 💕
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Exactly! ❤️
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This post is so relatable! I definitley put books off because of the hype too sometimes and I’m the worst at keeping up with sequels! Sometimes I’m scared I won’t like them as much, but mostly it’s just that by the time the sequel finally comes out I’ve either forgotten 80% of the plot or my excitement’s just not there anymore 😂
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I’m glad to hear that 🙂 Oh yes, sequels are hard to keep up with if you don’t immediately read them xD I have it so many times that I put them off because I’m scared they won’t be as good! I can usually remember the first book pretty well, but sometimes it has been a while since I read book 1 … and then I know nothing 😅
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This is such a great post, Caro! I have to admit that I have the same issue when it comes to hardcovers and paperbacks. I prefer reading my books in paperbacks, unless it’s a book I am certain I will love and just can’t wait to read haha ( that was the case for Emergency Contact). I’m also waiting on the paperback of Dear, Martin to read it, I can’t wait. This book sounds amazing 😀
I also tend to put off reading hyped books and sequels, the anticipation and expectations are waaaaaaaaaay too important sometimes hahaha 🙂
Lovely post! ❤ ❤
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Thank you, Marie! 🙂 I’m basically the same, I only buy hardcovers for books I’m certain I will like and of course in the rare case that I want to collect a favorite Series in hardcover + it has a new book coming out 🙂 I really need to get to it!!
Oh yeees, it’s especially bad with sequels for me 😅
Thank you 💕💕💕
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I have the same problem with expense 😦 Which makes it sadder if you’re waiting for the next book in a series! I haven’t yet read any of Laini Taylor’s works and while I have Strange the Dreamer, I’m kinda putting it off because I feel I’m going to love it but can’t afford book two just yet!
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Oh no, that’s actually the worst, especially when it’s about a beloved Series 😱 I really have to prioritize what sequels I absolutely want to read, because there’s simply not enough money to get to them all : (
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Ahhh I feel all of these reasons except the first one. I’m always so surprised to hear that it takes so long for paperbacks to get published in other countries, because here I often see them in the first week of their release? A lot of the times I even see the paperbacks instead of the hardback, and then I see people on the internet saying the paperback isn’t out yet? It’s very confusing haha. But I do get why that’s a factor for you! Hardbacks are really expensive and it’s an investment. I sometimes ended up buying the hardback and then not liking the book at all and I get so sad haha
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Sometimes I see both hardcover and paperback coming out at the same time, but for some books that somehow isn’t the case … it’s strange indeed 😮
Oh yes, that’s the worst thing that could happen 😱 so let’s hope that doesn’t happen with the few hardcovers I have on my TBR 😅
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Oh I definitely get it! I like hardcovers but they are so expensive. My friend loves paperbacks so she waits until the book becomes a paperback to buy it. And also the hype is scary but sometimes I fall into it. I read Strange the Dreamer and I really liked it but it can be slow in the first half. I still have yet to read Passenger, American Street, and The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue (one day I will get to it). There is just so many books and so little time. #strugglesofabookworm
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I often also wait for the paperback comes out, but the waiting itself is very hard 😱 I hope to enjoy Strange the Dreamer, but I really want to read her other Series first, as I already own it 🙂 The struggle is real, sooo many good books 😀
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