ARC's and Honest Reviews

I've been blessed to have been given ARC's (advance reader copy/copies) of books to read and review by various authors over the past few years, some have been offered to me and others I outright asked to review. I never ever ask for a copy of a book that I know in my heart that I'm not going to like. So it surprised me when I learned (I've sat in on more than one conversation over the past couple of weeks) about readers who are on street teams that routinely request books from authors only to give them a 3 or lower rating on their books. Some even stating in the subject line of their reviews "I'm not into [fill in the genre of the book here]". Seriously? That had floored me! You go as far as to be on a Street Team, ask to be given an ARC of the book, you know the genre that author writes, not to mention you know the subject matter and still you write that you are not into whatever the book is about? I think that YOU as a reader/reviewer need to reevaluate why you are asking to review books that you obviously do not enjoy. It's hurtful to the author to come across an ARC review to find out that not only has this person hated the book, worse yet that the person consistently asked for and has received free copies of books that she just doesn't like. That the person is on the Street Team of an author in which she doesn't enjoy the genre at all. In all honesty I have to ask, Why do they do it? You are getting a FREE Book in exchange for an honest review, but how honest are you being with that author if you don't enjoy reading her books?

The other thing I'm seeing is readers receiving ARC's and not leaving reviews, or worse just not reading the book. If you don't have time to read/ review the book, then say so! Own up to it, they understand that life gets in the way (they're people too you know). Now none of this behavior is very fair to the authors who have entrusted you with a copy of their book. They need the review numbers (good or bad) to get up in rankings so Amazon will recommend their books to other readers. Be thoughtful and courteous and always say thank you when receiving an ARC of a book. Authors take note, this is where a good PA (personal assistant) is essential to helping you weed out bad eggs from your street teams, keep in touch with readers and see who is keeping up with actually writing and posting reviews for books that they have received from you. I'm not trolling for a PA job, trust me I have plenty on my plate right now. Honestly though, if you recognize this kind of thing going on in your group, its to reevaluate your ARC distribution list. A good PA would aid you in securing new people from your fan base to rotate through your ARC list for future reader/reviewers. So stop giving those ARC's out to people who obviously don't like or appreciate your work!