That is the question!
Every now and then, I write a review of a book I've read. I don't post these reviews for any reason other than I enjoy reading other bloggers' reviews of books and I hope that my readers might enjoy reading my reviews, too. Plus, sometimes, it's good to look back and remember reading a particular book.
So, imagine my surprise when, earlier this week, I received an email from a book publicist, stating that she came across my blog through the review of the book, The East Indian and suggesting another book, a debut historical fiction novel, that takes place during the British Raj, set in India, but, from the perspective of an American missionary family based on the author's real family history.
The publicist provided some information about the book, but, what really got me all excited was an offer to send me a copy of this book for me to review on my blog! I had never imagined something like that happening!
To say that I was interested is an understatement. BUT, and I hate that there is a but, I was nervous about needing to give out my name and mailing address to a complete stranger. Yes, I've taken a chance and done that, once or twice, but, with the recent news of computer hacking and data breaches, etc., I felt I needed to be cautious.
So, I emailed her back and declined the offer, saying I will try to obtain a copy of the book from the library (provided the library gets a copy when it becomes available; I've checked the library website and they don't have this book yet) and then, read and post a review.
She replied saying she understood my reluctance to give out my address, and offered to send me a PDF copy of the book, instead. That sounded like an acceptable alternative, but, then, downloading an attachment from an unknown person has its own risks in terms of computer viruses, doesn't it? I had one bad experience with malware, clicking on an attachment that I thought was valid! So, I am going to decline that offer, too. I will, once again, say that I hate this need to be so cautious!
However, since I feel so honored to have been approached by this publicist, I am going to do something I haven't done before - I am going to post the information on a book I have not read yet!
The following excerpt is from the email that the publicist sent me:
"Award-winning poet Joanne A. Howard is debuting her first historical fiction novel inspired by her family’s history as missionaries in India. A commentary on colonialism that has impacted Indian society for generations, packed into an engrossing read for fans of The Poisonwood Bible and The Inheritance of Loss.
Sleeping in the Sun (She Writes Press, Oct 22, 2024) follows young George Hinton and his Indian servant, Arthur, in British-ruled India, as scandalous truths unfold around a mysterious family friend who comes to live with the Hintons. Told from two different perspectives, Joanne interweaves the experiences of someone with privilege and someone without, while displaying rich descriptions of the Indian landscape. Sleeping in the Sun will transport you to another time where British influence in India only benefited one group of people.
About the book: In the last years of the British Raj, an American missionary family stayed in Midnapore, India. Though the Hintons enjoy white privileges, they have never been accepted by British society and instead run a boarding house on the outskirts of town where wayward native Indians come to find relief. Young Gene Hinton, it’s a chance to make friends with Arthur, his family’s Indian servant. When Uncle Ellis, a high-ranking British judge, suddenly arrives and announces he’ll be staying indefinitely in their humble house, life as Gene knows it is interrupted. Also skeptical is Arthur. Then an Indian woman appears on their doorstep—and, after growing close to her, Arthur learns the sinister truth about the judge. He must now decide where his loyalties lie—and the Hintons must decide if they can still call India home."
It does sound like an interesting book, doesn't it? I do hope the library will get a copy. If not, I might have to break my own rule about not buying any more books!
What do you think? Do you think I am being too cautious? Would you have accepted an offer of a book to review?
That's a conundrum. Have you done a search on this publicist? Check who she works for, and confirm with the employer. I'd be very cautious of a PDF. Maybe ask the librarian if they can get it.?
ReplyDeleteThank you, Celie; yes, I did a search on the publicist, the author, and the book. It all seems quite legitimate, but, I will not request a copy of the book or the PDF to download. Maybe later, if the library gets a copy of the book, I will read it. I'm glad to know that you'd be cautious about a PDF, too.
DeleteAlthough this certainly sounds like it is legitimate, I can understand why you would be cautious. Xx
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jules. I hate it that we have to "look gift horses in the mouth" as it were, but, one does need to be cautious, these days.
DeleteWise to be cautious Bless, I too have had a bad experience with malware by downloading something from a link I thought was legitimate. It does sound an interesting read though. What does your daughter think about the offer?
ReplyDeleteThank you, Eileen. My daughter urged me to be very cautious. If anything, she's even more cautious than I am!
DeleteI would have done the same thing that you did, but I am more cautious than many - especially people younger than I am.
ReplyDeleteIn a way, it is sad that we need to be so cautious, I think. My daughter is just as cautious as I am, if not more! She claims it is due to what I told her about internet safety when she was a child!
DeleteIl fatto di essere stato contattato da un pubblicitario per recensire un libro deve essere davvero entusiasmante, ma capisco la tua paura e riluttanza nel darvi un indirizzo dove spedire il libro.
ReplyDeletePer fortuna che hai mantenuto la lucidità, non si sa mai.
Thank you Stefania. Yes, it was rather exciting, but, I didn't feel comfortable giving out my name and address to receive the book. As you said, one never knows! "Better safe than sorry", as the saying goes. :)
DeleteI agree with the need to be cautious, and I like the fact that you are at least giving the book some publicity on your blog. It certainly peaks my interest. I shall look out for it.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bushlady. I thought that mentioning the book and the blurb about it, while stating that I have not read it, was a good compromise. It does sound like an interesting book.
DeleteWell! Firstly, congratulations! That really is exciting :o)
ReplyDeleteTo answer your first question, I do not think you are being too cautious. I think only you have the right or ability to determine what you consider comfortable, and that's not up for debate. I too am very careful about security: I don't use my real name, or give my location, and am careful about the photos I post. I don't use any (other) form of social media. I have given my name and address to a handful of readers, including one I didn't really want to give it to, but she had a particular reason for asking ... then she didn't follow through on her promise to send the item, or even mention it again! I have also been surprised in the past that some reader(s) have casually or unthinkingly shared my information among themselves, without checking with me first, so maybe I was too trusting, but it's too late now.
To the second question, I'm probably naive, but I would have investigated whether the publicist was who they said they were, and if everything checked out, I would have been fine with doing the review, provided it didn't come with any hidden catches or obligations. My main worry would have been the possibility of my not liking the book, or having criticisms of it! I think I might have been embarrassed saying so, and tied myself in knots trying to be tactful!
Ella
Thank you, Ella. I must say that I was rather excited about being asked to review the book in the first place! I did check out the publicist and the author and it all seemed quite above board, but, I don't quite know what would have been required of me if I had accepted a free book to review. I suppose I would have felt okay with saying what I thought of the book, saying something like, "I was given a free copy of the book to review, but the opinions are mine", but, if I were to borrow it from the library and review it, then, I wouldn't have felt any obligations.
DeleteAnyway, I don't think I'm likely to be asked to review another book, so, I think I don't have to worry about it, now. :)
Sorry, my comment is unclear. I'm sure there would be no obligation to give a good review (at least I hope not!) but I might nonetheless have felt awkward about making criticisms. My concern about hidden catches or obligations is separate from that.
DeleteIt's good to thoroughly check out such offers and requests. Like you said, there might be hidden catches or obligations. One that I thought of was, "Does accepting a free book to review count as income (for the value of the book) for income tax purposes?" One never knows what one is getting into with such offers and requests, and sometimes, it might be better to just decline in the first place. :)
DeleteI read your blog often, but have never commented. This caused me concern. So I’ll say, never give out that kind of information. Linda T😀
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda. I'm glad you commented and hope you'll comment more often. :)
DeleteSince I know it is a common practice for publishers to contact blog writers and all the other things lined up, I would've accepted her offer.
ReplyDeleteYou do write a very competent and interesting review and I'm sure that's what drew her to you. That along with the book you reviewed being a similar genre.
So yes, I would've accepted the offer and added a new branch to your retirement life.
Book Reviewer!
Thank you, Debra. Maybe I was overly cautious. Oh, well. I guess I will not become a book reviewer in my retirement!
DeleteYes, I think it was the fact that the earlier book I had read and reviewed was in a similar genre that prompted the publicist to contact me.