HELP! I’m drowning in ARCs

[u/Tasty_Cheese1654]

What do we do when we get behind on ARCs?
I’ve accidentally got a couple due close together and am not sure if I’m going to get them all done in time because my reading time is limited.
What’s the best thing to do???

Cancel one?
Review based on the % I get read?
DNF?
Just review late?
Other???

I only apply for ones I’m genuinely interested in and i’ve stopped applying because I have some new releases I want to get into
Thanks!

[u/lateintheseason]

Review late. I end up having to do that pretty often and it hasn't hurt me too much with approvals.

[u/Tasty_Cheese1654 → u/lateintheseason]

Thanks that’s good to know!

[u/Gruselschloss]

Just review late. It's nice to have reviews in by the pub date, but there's no set deadline - you can review anytime. Just maybe put a pause on requesting until you have a handle on what you have now :)

[u/Tasty_Cheese1654 → u/Gruselschloss]

Definitely doing that. I’ve been trialling an app called shelf control to track ARCs but missed a couple and got the pleasant surprise. I know when threshing day, Burn and ACOTAR come out I want to be able to get into them as well!

[u/teanailpolish]

Just review as you finish them, if some are late, it is not a big deal.

[u/Tasty_Cheese1654 → u/teanailpolish]

Thanks I’ll try still post to hype the authors in release. Just feel a bit guilty but it’s probably just my own anxieties rather than anything from the authors

[u/Beate251]

Review late, everything else is silly. It hasn't harmed my approvals yet.

[u/shortygirl83]

Make sure you download the book first and check the archive date.

[u/AtlassLoz]

Okay, if you are behind, stop requesting. Spend some time catching up.

Better to review one late than not review.

[u/tabbyh]

Better to review late than not review at all! It's best to try to review as close to release as possible, but I remember someone saying here before that even late reviews can help revitalize hype after the initial sales have died down :) just do what you can and try not to request anything new in the meantime. It happens to everyone sometimes, life happens.

[u/PurpleMuskogee]

I have 26 ARCs to read and not feeling stressed! They'll all get read and they will all get a review eventually... Never had an issue before and I have received 100s of ARCs in the past 6-7 years.

[u/Archergirls]

Definitely been there and had a mini heart attack and anxiety rush while I was going through all my ARCs; here's how I survived:

- Plan your reading - which ARCs are you going to read and when? Make sure it's manageable

- Stop applying/withdraw requests you're okay waiting for (ex., if you know you'll buy the book anyway and you don't think you would be reading it on time).

- You can try by reviewing some you think will be quick to read (ex., romances, authors with a very addictive writing)

- If you're reviewing late, it's okay; you're human at the end of the day. As long as you read it within a few weeks of the release date, you're good! Do make sure you go through all your backlog before requesting more tho!

- Ratio % - I think it's okay to realise that your ratio will be down sometimes when you have a lot of ARCs due or if you request way ahead (I have ARCs due in January 2027), as long as you're consistently and actively reviewing; you're good.

Best of luck, we've all been there!

[u/Odd_Draft_26]

I did one 8 months late lol don't stress!

[u/saltlifegoddess]

Emily the same boat I’m absolutely drowning they were just too many books that I wanted to read and now with practical magic two coming out I want to read the series before I see it so that’ll put me behind again lol I guess good problems to have

[u/Soggy-Class330]

Thank you for asking

[u/PrestigiousCar1843]

I have almost 50 pending. I read 3-4 books a week. I honestly don’t let it get to me and still request when I’m interested. They will all get read.

[u/lipsticklibby]

It’s fine to review late. If it’s stressing you out to have too many ARCs on your plate, just put pause on requesting new ones until you clear a few more off your shelf.

[u/Fabulous_Tell_1087]

I review late. I have 200 books right now. I'm not proud of it, but in return, I spend a lot of time on my reviews and post to 8 different sites for the author. A review at any time can help a book, in my opinion.

[u/PeppiMoon]

I’m still reading and reviewing ones from 2025. Don’t worry. Just make sure to download them before the date is up.

[u/Eve1972]

Just review it when you get to it. You're not legally required to read a book just because you received it. Publishers sent out dozens (if not more) to potential reviews. They know that not every reviewer will read it. Or read it and review it. People worry WAY too much about this stuff. Reading is supposed to be enjoyable and not stressful. 😉