The Siberian American: How to Pick the Best Books on NetGalley

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

How to Pick the Best Books on NetGalley

NetGalley can be overwhelming with its massive book selection. I’ve gotten many emails and comments from people surprised I read many good books through NetGalley, so today I wanted to share three methods I use to select my reads.

If you haven’t heard of NetGalley, it’s an amazing website where bloggers can review books for free.



Browse by Favorite Publishers 
In the year I have used NetGalley, I have realized many of my favorite reads come from the same publishers. My favorite publisher lately has been St. Martin’s Press, but I also look for books from Simon & Schuster, Random House Publishing Group, and Atria Books.

Look up the Book on GoodReads 
I like to look up the book on GoodReads to see what people have said about it so far. It’s not a major deciding factor for me, but if a book has 100 reviews and averages two stars, I probably won’t request it.

Browse by Most Requested and Categories 
Most of the time I browse books through my favorite publishers or the recently added section. Every once in a while, I like to see what others are requesting in case I’m missing out on something really good. I also occasionally browse by category if I’m in the mood for a certain type of book, like a thriller or women’s fiction novel.

Browse by Recently Added and Request Every Book 
Just kidding, though sometimes it feels like this is what I do. That might explain why I currently 85 books on my NetGalley shelf right now. Oops.

Do you use NetGalley? How do you pick your books?

17 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing this! You recommended NetGalley to me the other day, and you are right, it looks like such a fun way to find new authors and books! I'll definitely be using these tips to find the best things. :)

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  2. I just signed up for NetGalley yesterday! I'm so excited to start reading some books! Thanks for the great tips!

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  3. I have never tried NetGalley, but I think I'm going to give it a try. I've heard so much about it.

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  4. I read a bit of the description and go for it. If I don't like it, I remove it from the shelf!

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  5. I've never heard of this site.. thanks for the intro!

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  6. I just started using NetGalley and I love it so much! I have to literally stop myself from going to request more books because I have so many on my shelf right now! I need to read a few of them and some other books that I have before requesting more. I love how you look at Goodreads before making a request to see what people are saying!

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  7. I never thought to search by publisher, and I ALWAYS check out Goodreads. I probably peruse the Recently Added the most though, because sometimes it takes me a while to get to a book, and the archive date is usually set farther out than the other categories. I also check linkups like Steph's yesterday, and if a book sounds interesting and the person says they got it form Netgalley, I see if it's still available. It's worked out quite a few times!

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  8. I had never heard of this, thank you so much for sharing!
    Green Fashionista

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  9. I've never heard of Netgallery before! Thanks for sharing, I'm definitely going to check it out! <3, Pamela Sequins & Sea Breezes

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  10. i never thought to browse by publishers or categories. i normally go to recently added or most requested. i aaaalways check goodreads haha not just for reviews but there just seems to be more info on goodreads than netgalley.

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  11. I used Net Galley once and I still have the book and haven't read it! So, I won't be going back. I felt some weird pressure to read it and didn't like that. But good tip to browse by publisher. I never thought to do that.

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  12. Thanks for sharing this! I just signed up! xo, Biana

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  13. Love these tips-- and I thought I had a lot of books on my shelf to read but only have like 16 so this makes me feel better :) haha

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  14. I took a long break from Netgalley mainly because I kept picking suck crappy books! I definitely look books up on Goodreads now. I also keep an eye out for books from authors that I know I like. I haven't determined which publishers I prefer. I'm going to have to go back and look!

    I also really like Edelweiss (http://edelweiss.abovethetreeline.com). You can access publisher's catalogs full of upcoming books and can request review copies. The layout isn't nearly as pretty as Netgalley though.

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  15. I've never heard of netgalley until today, checking into this. I don't read too many books with a kid around, but this would be great to find books to read!

    liz @ j for joiner

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  16. I love that they offer free books! I find it really difficult to read books digitally though, so that's been the struggle for me with them :( I wish they'd mail out physical copies - even if I have to send them back!

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  17. Great tips! Especially that last one. ;)

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