The Innocent Smiley: To Preorder A Book, Or to Not

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

To Preorder A Book, Or to Not

Hello, hello! It's been awhile since I've come up with a discussion post, but with all of these new releases coming out this Fall, and the weirdly, but welcomed, discounted price of Queen of Shadows on Amazon, doesn't it seem fitting to talk about pre-ordering books?

(Update: The price of Queen of Shadows has risen, from $9 something to $11 something. Who was the poor intern that decreased that price in the first place?)

So there's a new shiny book. And you want it. But it doesn't come out, say, January 2016. The question is, will you preorder it? Or just wait until the release date before actually buying it?

Let's be honest, I get VERY distracted by new books. So much so that I will pre-order one here and there. In the last few months, I have pre-ordered one or two, but then I never read them. In that case, is it worth pre-ordering a book if you're not going to read it in the next two days that you get it? Or does it not matter? Would you pre-order a book just to say you have the book physically? Just to LOOK AT ITS SHINYNESS? (I would).

What Do You Think? Thoughts?

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The Nerdgirl Review · 507 weeks ago

I never pre order books because I want to make sure I really want to read it by looking at reviews near the release time and seeing if I'm still interested in it at the release date. I usually buy books a couple weeks after they have been released.

1 reply · active 506 weeks ago

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karenfma 4p · 507 weeks ago

For what it's worth, pre-ordering really helps support authors as all of the pre-orders count towards their first week sales, so if they have a lot of pre-orders, they could debut at #1! That's a reason why I would consider pre-ordering, but to be honest I usually just wait to purchase it on release date if I cared that much.
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1 reply · active 506 weeks ago

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Tiffany · 507 weeks ago

Honestly I never preordered books because I didn't like waiting that long and the price isn't really different (but if I live in the US, I'd probably preorder a lot of books because Amazon's price!). Also, I'm afraid that I lost interest when the book did come and end up didn't read it. I like collecting books, but I didn't like to left a book unread.
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1 reply · active 506 weeks ago

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bluekaren 41p · 507 weeks ago

I am so guilty of buying new releases and then not reading them. I don't pre-order much. I am sad I missed the $9 deal for Queen of Shadows, I definitely would have pre-ordered that. (probably just so that it could sit on my shelf while I inundate my schedule with arcs.)
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venosag 72p · 507 weeks ago

I only pre-order for my favorite authors really. I often wait until they are at the library or go on sale though.
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aperfectioncalledbooks 76p · 507 weeks ago

PRE ORDER!! I ordered Queen of Shadows and Six of Crows because they are MUST HAVES. Shiny books do distract me too....
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1 reply · active 506 weeks ago

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Joy// Joyousreads · 507 weeks ago

I do love the shiny. Sadly, I rarely pre-order books. I can recall a couple of instances when I did, but I usually drag my butt off to the bookstore on release days. Lol.
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1 reply · active 506 weeks ago

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tonyaleeh 50p · 507 weeks ago

I hardly ever pre-order. For two reasons. One, the money isn't taken from account until it ships, so if something happens between now and January?

And the second. I will probably lose interest. BUT. If I have read the ARC and I loved it, I sometimes will pre-order.

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neonyeti 34p · 507 weeks ago

If I know that I will be reading the book no matter what the reviews - like for last books in a series or auto buy authors, I will preorder. It's easier for me than remembering the release date and going to the physical book store when it comes out. Plus, they make for a nice present to myself! I don't preorder debuts though, just because I want to wait for reviews to make sure I'm spending money on a good book.

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nabanreviews 63p · 507 weeks ago

I only ever pre-order sequels that I'm dying for and NEED in order to survive. But if it's a debut or an author who isn't a favorite, I probably won't pre-order since I'd hate to have it lying around unread because negative reviews convinced me not to read it. o-o
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Jordin · 507 weeks ago

Not gonna lie: I was watching that $9 preorder rate for Queen of Shadows, but MISSED OUT on it because I was waiting to see if there were any good deals on Prime Day (there wasn't). So yea, majorly bummed, but it's now safely preordered (mostly so I can get those buttons from that promotion going on). In general though I don't usually preorder because if I'm REALLY excited about a book (aka when Harry Potter was coming out), I like to buy it in store on the release day. Though if deals keep being this awesome for preorders on Amazon, I might have to reconsider my philosophy.
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downrightdystopian 68p · 507 weeks ago

For some reason I never actually preorder books, just in case I lose interest. Also, I'd rather spend money on a book that I can have in my hands and read now! Maybe when I'm older and not a teenager anymore I'll try to preorder, but for now, I'm good. :)
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kaylasanchez2 69p · 507 weeks ago

I’ve preordered the most books in the last week than I ever have in my life, thanks to all those Amazon sales. I have most of the releases I want and had planned on budgeting for through October (though I’m still waiting to pounce on a cheap sale for the new Riordan book), but at half price! It’s really thrilling to be able to say that I got two hardbacks for the price of one-ish :D

But other than the fab sales, I usually don’t preorder unless there’s a promotion/giveaway thing connected to it and I KNOW that I’ll eventually read the book.

Ultimately, though, it's a price thing. AKA the reason why I preordered so much this week ;) I know I won't be able to read The Rose Society right away, but I want to eventually, and I'll feel good knowing I got it for $10.
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caitdrews 124p · 507 weeks ago

Well I have never preordered a book in my life. xD heh. I think if I was into buying books I would? But I barely ever buy books and when I DO have a few small coins to rub together, I want to buy something I can have NOW. Because I am an insta-person like that. Neeeeeed boooooks. HEHE. Although I'm wildly tempted to preorder Queen of Shadows. Because. REASONS. *heavy sigh*

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shannonmiz 83p · 507 weeks ago

Um, am I the only one here who preorders like the books are going to disappear? Yeah? Great. I mean, I don't pre order ALL the books, but ones I know I really want to read I do. PLUS you can always cancel them if you start to hear that they're the worst book ever written or something. Right now I have ::runs to check Amazon:: okay- Queen of Shadows (of course!), The Winner's Kiss (also of course!), A Gathering of Shadows, The Girl at the Center of the World, The Rose Society (I am going to blame Holly for that one)... and let's face it, there WILL be others. OH, and I actually won a pre order, if that counts ;)

So short answer: YES.
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Tanya · 507 weeks ago

Great topic, Val! I have a few auto-buy authors: Colleen Hoover, Jennifer L. Armentrout, Abbi Glines. Doesn't matter what it is, what they write - I'm going to buy it because I know I'm going to love it. In those cases, yes, I do pre-order. I want their latest and greatest in my hands just as fast as humanly possible. I want to hold it and admire it and put it on the shelf with their brothers and sisters (huh? LOL). But, like you, chances are I won't even read it right away. It might be weeks or months. But I'm happy knowing I have it. Beyond my favorite authors, I rarely pre-order. If I'm interested in a book, I'll just pick it up when it comes out.
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jeannius88 122p · 507 weeks ago

I mostly don't preorder books unless it comes with a special bonus (such as Mime Order, it came with a special booklet). Queen of Shadows, I can't wait for though!
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Katrina · 507 weeks ago

The problem with pre-ordering is that USUALLY it's for hardbacks, and USUALLY I already have paperbacks for the previous books in the series. If it's a standalone then sure, hardback is fine, but I would only consider pre-ordering for a series I am excited about because I don't necessarily know I will like the stand-alone without reading a few reviews first. I have considered pre-ordering SO much though! My latest dilemma is 'Winter', to pre-order or not? That IS the question...

Katrina @ Chased By My Imagination
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Nicole's Novel Reads · 506 weeks ago

I will pre-order books if an author is on my auto-buy list and also books that I know I definitely want to own. I frequent the library a lot so I am pretty picky about what books I will pre-order. Also, if Amazon has a good deal on a book I want to pre-order, I will most likely pre-order the book. If I know there is an author event occurring near where I live, I sometimes hold off to buy the book at a indie bookstore.
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ashleyevans868 49p · 506 weeks ago

I preorder my most highly anticipated books. Those are the ones I will read straight away. Anything else can wait until I'm on the mood to read it.
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Frannie Pan · 506 weeks ago

I like having books that I love in my hands, buy the hardcovers, if I must be specific.
So I will preorder books that I'm HIGHLY anticipating, because I know I'll buy them eventually anyway and preordering them is cheaper :P
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losetimereading 50p · 506 weeks ago

I NEVER used to preorder books but lately I've been bit by the preorder bug and I've ordered 4 in the past few months, with plans to order at least 10 more :/ And sadly I haven't even read them yet! I really got into preordering because of the perks you get when ordering but I also really like the preorder price guarantee on Amazon (which has definitely saved me a bit!). It's only for my most most anticipated releases usually but who knows what this may morph into :P
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Wednesday, July 15, 2015

To Preorder A Book, Or to Not

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