The happy days of free books on Mumsnet!

[Clawdy]

I noticed a competition today to win a free copy of a book on the competition page. Anyone else really missing the days when there were chances to win free books every month? I often seemed to get lucky. And despite trying to subscribe a few times, I hear nothing from the Book Club either.

I haven't had a newsletter in ahes either, Clawdy. I checked to see if I was still signed up to get them and, yes, I am. I just don't think the bookclub is much of a thing here any more.

I have drifted over to Booktube and Goodreads and Twitter for book talk more these days. But no freebies - really miss those days too. Maybe the publishing industry is less keen to give stuff away now?

*ages ...

I think you can still get free e-books via netgalley but have to demonstrate that your review will be widely seen.

Yes I got some fab reads through the mumsnet competitions, got me stated on tana French and a couple of other authors. Why've they stopped?

Yes, Crampton I wondered that about the publishers. It was so quick and easy to apply for a free book, then wait hopefully! Really miss it.

Dottie - I've seen quite a lot of reviews on Goodreads from people thanking Netgalley for their free copy and wondered whether they were just available to the reviewers who get wider readership. Or maybe for book bloggers or booktubers who do get lots of followers and, so have the ability to influence sales. Might have a look at Netgalley and see what they say.

I'm not really that bothered about getting loads of likes for reviews on Goodreads. I just tend to write reviews for my own records/amusement really. But I always loved getting the opportunity to apply for a free review copy - something really thrilling about getting a book direct from the publishers for review

CramptonHodnet Let me know if you find anything else out, I too have a yen for proofs, hate waiting for publication sometimes.

I don't worry about likes on Goodreads either but takes a while to find likeminded readers to chat with. Also agree about records, I find it helpful to look back and see what I was reading and what my thoughts were.

Dottie - I've had a look at Netgalley and I think it would be ok, as a member of Goodreads, although they do seem to talk more about bloggers. I'm tempted to register with them and see what happens! There are also giveaways on Goodreads, although they are often very oversubscribed. I've been picked twice for books to review on there.

Most of the books that were given away didn't get many posts/reviews, iirc. I think some publishers don't feel it's worth their time and admin costs to deal with MN when they don't get much publicity back for their efforts.

It's all about the book bloggers now
I've given up on mumsnet book club, it's a marketing scheme and nothing at all to do with the quality of writing
I really loved the live chats with authors and I had lots of my questions answered
Sadly it's all to do with money now.....

Southeastdweller not surprised if the ones that come up on promotions are anything to go by, very restricted view of what women read, rarely anything I would bother with. Speaking of which your eagerness about Sally Rooney has made me think I should try her again, think I was in a bad mood when I tried Conversations with Friends and it transferred itself to what I was reading.