When I was younger, I liked reading. The thing is I don’t think I ever truly loved it—at least not in the way passionate readers describe it. Looking back, I realize my relationship with books was tied to school and necessity. It was rare for me to pick up a book just for fun. On the rare occasions that I did, I enjoyed it, but I never made a habit of it. Between work and life’s distractions, reading always took a backseat.
Lately, though, I’ve felt the need to unplug. Maybe it’s the decline in quality television, or maybe I’ve just grown tired of constantly staring at a screen. The only problem? Turning off the TV leaves you with a peaceful silence… that quickly turns into boredom.
To be fair, I never stopped reading entirely. I dabbled in short stories, Webtoons, and the occasional memoir or popular book. But nothing really stuck—until one day, a coworker invited me to join their book club.
Rediscovering the Joy of Reading
The book club already started by the time I joined, so I jumped in with their second pick: River Sing Me Home by Eleanor Shearer. I couldn’t put it down. I’d finish a chapter and immediately want to get into the next one. From then on, we chose books across different genres, and that’s when I realized something important—I loved the feeling that reading gave me and I loved discussing books with others and hearing different perspectives. It was fascinating how the same book could resonate so differently or the same with others.
When it was finally my turn to pick a book, a friend and I decided on a Romantasy (romance + fantasy). Well… let’s just say it’s been a wrap ever since! The series wasn’t what I’d call well-written, but it was fun, and I loved diving into discussions about it. That’s when it hit me: I hadn’t been uninterested in reading—I just hadn’t found my genre. I discovered that Romantasy was my sweet spot, and I also enjoyed both Romance and Fantasy on their own.
Discovering ARCs (Advanced Reader Copies)
During a book club meetup, someone casually mentioned ARCs (Advanced Reader Copies). If you’ve never heard of them, ARCs are pre-release versions of books that publishers send to reviewers, bloggers, booksellers, librarians, and influencers to generate buzz and gather early feedback.
I’m currently reviewing books on Goodreads, StoryGraph, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and BookBub. Soon, I’ll be posting more thoughtful versions of my reviews on this blog too! Some reviewers also share their thoughts on social media—something I hope to do once I get over my nerves. You may hear people refer to Bookstagram, BookTok, or BookTube, which are communities where book lovers discuss and promote books online.
Why Do Authors & Publishers Give Out ARCs?
ARCs play a crucial role in the book industry:
- Early reviews help build hype, influencing pre-orders and sales.
- Constructive feedback can help authors make last-minute tweaks before publication.
- Social media exposure introduces books to wider audiences, which is especially helpful for new or indie authors.
After learning about ARCs from my book club, I dove into research. I searched Google, YouTube, and TikTok to learn more. I started with NetGalley, then received an ARC through an author’s email list, and then found another through a different platform. Before I knew it, I was reviewing ARCs consistently!
How to Start ARC Reviewing
If you’re interested in ARC reviewing, NetGalley is the best place to start. At least that’s what I think based on my experience. They make the process simple and offer guides to help new reviewers. Here’s how to get started:
- Create an account and fully complete your profile.
- Read NetGalley’s guides in the “Titles” section. These count as books you can review, helping improve your feedback ratio.
- Maintain a strong feedback ratio (aim for 80% or higher) by submitting reviews on time. This improves your chances of getting approved for ARCs.
- Use “Read Now” and “Listen Now” books to build your profile if you struggle to get approvals at first.
Once you’re comfortable, you can explore other ARC platforms like Booksprout and BookSirens. I’m also working on joining publisher and author ARC teams or following their social media to keep an eye out for signups. Facebook has some great book community groups, and I recently joined my first ARC team there!
The Joy of Sharing & the Bookish Community
Since my book club ended, I’ve been searching for ways to share my thoughts on books, and the online bookish community has been the perfect outlet. It feels like I’ve joined a giant virtual book club, and honestly, book lovers are some of the nicest people out there!
Getting back into reading has made me more social, more engaged, and more in tune with what I truly enjoy. ARC reviewing has been an exciting addition to my reading journey—it allows me to discover new books, share my thoughts, and contribute to the book world in a meaningful way.
Want to Get Back into Reading? Here Are Some Free Resources!
If you want to read more but budget is a concern, don’t worry—there are plenty of free options:
📚 Your local library – You can borrow physical books or use Libby and Hoopla for digital options.
📱 Kindle freebies & Stuff Your Kindle events – These offer free e-books you can download and enjoy anytime.
📖 ARC reviewing – If you become an active reviewer, you can read books for free in exchange for honest reviews!
If you’re a book lover—or a potential one—I encourage you to explore reading in whatever way excites you. And if you ever find yourself in a reading slump, just remember that the right book or genre can change your mood and get you back on track!
Please let me know if you would like more information on free resources or ARC reading in the comments. I’ll be happy to help!
Happy reading! 📖✨
Lauren AKA Lolo
Lolo Blogs 
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