Let's Talk Bookish: Bookish Etiquette

Let’s Talk Bookish is a weekly (Friday) meme originally created by Rukky @Eternity Books and co-hosted by Aria @ Book Nook Bits and Dini @dinipandareads! In this bookish discussion meme, bloggers get to discuss certain topics, share opinions, and spread love by visiting each other’s posts.

November 28: Bookish Etiquette (Laurie @ Laurie Is Reading)

Prompts: There’s always a lot of bookish discourse ongoing on social media. People talk about selling ARCs (Advanced Reader Copies), tagging authors and publishers in reviews, only posting positive reviews— we’ve seen it all! Do you think there’s something such as “bookish etiquette”? Why or why not? What do you think are some dos and don’ts as readers and/or reviewers? Do you agree with all the discourse, or do you stay far away from all the drama?

    This is such an interesting topic. I kind of toe the line on bookish etiquette and what I think is right and wrong. I also don't ever engage in the drama of it all, I just sit and watch it all unfold. That said - these are my opinions and I am not sharing them to debate them.  A lot of people won't agree with me, but I think people should be able to sell ARCs. Do I think that they should sell them for hundreds of dollars? No but I do think that if you own something and you no longer want it, you should be able to sell it. I think selling them is a way for collectors and fans to get their hands on ARCs when they find themselves unable to get physical ARCs the traditional way. I don't think that authors should be tagged in negative reviews. Tagging an author in a negative review is like showing up at someone's job and telling them that you don't like the way they worked yesterday. 1. You aren't their boss/publisher/editor aka someone with the actual credentials to tell them something is wrong. 2. They can't change a book that is already published so your negative review isn't being constructive, you're just putting someone down. I do think that if you loved a book and you only have good things to say about it, there is nothing wrong with tagging the author. I don't really think tagging the publisher in a negative or positive review is a right or a wrong thing - it may help them learn what people are responding to and could impact their decisions for future publishing decisions or it may not effect anything at all because they are going to do what makes them the most money. I think the idea of only posting positive reviews is wild - like I said, don't tag authors in negative reviews but other readers have the right to learn about books. Reviews - negative or positive - are for your fellow readers. From a review, I might learn that the reviewer hated a trope in the book but I know now that I should read the book because I love that trope.  I have rambled way too much on this but I guess that is what happens when you normally keep your opinion to yourself.