The Watered Soul

Finding Refreshment in the Word

10 Book Review Programs for Blogger Newbies

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In a previous post, 3 Easy Ways to Read the Latest Books on a Budget, we discussed some simple ways to feed your book craze without breaking the bank. As promised, today’s post highlights several blogger book review programs I have discovered.

Perhaps, many of you are already aware of these programs but I remember launching into the world of blogs in 2010 and wondering how did these people manage to get their hands on all these good books. I definitely wanted in on it and found it difficult as blogger newbie  to find the ins into this secret book society. In truth, it’s really not a secret but it would nice if there was some type of repository to keep up-to-date on all these programs.

10-Book-Review-Programs

10 Book Review Programs

1. BookSneeze:  They have both print and e-books available. Booksneeze sends out a monthly newsletter informing participants of the latest books available for review.  .Their latest newsletter included titles like Unglued Devotional by Lysa TerKeurst, Just Like Jesus by Max Lucado, and She Speaks by Michele Clark Jenkins.

2. Blogging for Books: This program is ran by Waterbrook Multnomah. It has a pretty simple sign-up and I like that they send out email notices monthly informing you of the different books they have available. According to their latest email, they have books such as The Inconvenient Marriage of Charlotte Beck, The Gospel of Yes by Mike Glenn, Fearless by Eric Blehm and Echoes by Robin Jones Gunn available for review. They offer both print and e-books. (update 4/6/18 – this program is now closed) 

 

3. Bethany House: Here is a link to the latest newsletter with the list of books available for review. (updated 9/6/23 – this program is now closed)

4. Tywebbin: Offers a quick simple sign-up to be host of one their virtual book tours. Books offered from this review program tend to be primarily African American books. In their latest email, the company was looking for blogs to host Wanda B. Campbell’s Liberation book tour.

 

5. Cross Focused Reviews: This program is a service of Cross Focused Media, LLC. Once you have signed up on their list, you will receive email notifications of available books on tour.

 

6. First Wild Card Tours: FIRST= Fiction *and non-fiction* in Rather Short Takes serves as a ministry not business linking authors of Christian books with readers who provide an honest review. The neat thing about this program is for each tour you sign up to be a part of, the FIRST team provides an HTML version of the post which includes the first chapter of the book and you can easily add your own review.

 

7. TLC Book Tours:  Offers a quick sign up process to get on their list of tour hosts. The ladies with TLC typically have contacted me about books they think I may be interested in reading and we work out a specific date for me to post my review on my blog.

 

8. Tyndale Blog Network– This program is hosted by Tyndale House Publishers. Each month they send out a list of available books once you have been approved. Some of their latest titles include:  The Language of Blessing by Joseph Cavanaugh III, The Briarpatch Gospel by Shayne Wheeler, and When Happily Ever After Shatters by Sue Birdseye. (updated 9/6/23 – this program is now closed)

 

9. NetGalley – This program offers books from a vast number of publishers. According to their website, “NetGalley is a service to promote and publicize forthcoming titles to readers of influence. If you are a reviewer, blogger, journalist, librarian, bookseller, educator, or in the media, you can use NetGalley for FREE to request and read titles before they are published.” This program offers digital copies of books only.  They send out newsletters listing available titles as well.

10. The B& B Media – I have done several reviews through this program. Once you’re on their distribution list, you receive an email notification of available books they have and you simply fill out the form to be a part of that book’s tour. They give you a date the review must be posted by. (updated 9/6/23 – this program is now closed)

 

So this list provides a great start for book lovers/bloggers that are looking to review books. Each program offers free books in exchange for an honest review and have their own requirements for review length and where you must publish your reviews.  However, even as I close out this post, I’m thinking of a few others I left off this list. So look for a second edition sometime in the future.

Happy Reading…until next time

 

[simple_series title=”Feeding Your Book Craze”]

Comments

  1. Jessica says

    I’ve been wondering how to get books as well. Thank you for the helpful tips and thanks for stopping by. Now following via email!

    • Wanda says

      Hi Jessica, glad you found the information useful. I know I always wondered back when I first started blogging. Glad I found your blog. I look forward to connecting with you. Blessings

    • Wanda says

      Lol..that’s great Cynthia. Again you were the inspiration behind this post and rather than just sending you a list of available programs, I though I’d share it with all my readers. Because when I started out I was curious how everyone was getting their hands on all these good books. I’m sure you’ll enjoy many of these programs book offerings. Happy Reading

    • Wanda says

      So true it’s hard to keep with all the good books I there and being a part of these blogger book review program has exposed me so many new authors.

    • Wanda says

      You’re welcome Susan. You know I searched for the original I couldn’t find it and it’s been so long since I started getting their emails I’m not sure how I managed to get on their original list. What I can do is forward you a copy of the latest email I received from them and then perhaps you can get the contact info for their PR person.

  6. Beverly says

    Thanks for the tips, Wanda. I was especially partial to the Bethany House Publishers tip because I’m an alumni of their Bible College and worked for BHP as a student. :-0

    • Wanda says

      Glad you found the information useful Beverly. Wow, what a great opportunity you had to work for BHP. I always thought I should be a librarian or something since I have such a love for books. If only I could figure out a way to get paid to read (which I love); however, I have found the book review programs to be the next best thing.

    • Wanda says

      Thanks for sharing those additional resources Patricia. I wasn’t aware that you didn’t keep the book permanently though with NetGalley. I have been signed up with them for quite sometime but haven’t actually received/reviewed any books from their program.

      • Faith Hope & Cherrytea says

        You do get to keep the ebook if you ‘send to kindle’ as your device at download…
        Not sure if you’ve begun to use netgalley yet, but there are fab publishers – tons of them are faith based – bringing them into one easily accessible place. Makes finding books you’d like to review not only simpler, you have more options… EnJoy
        what’s available for each new book season!

        • Wanda says

          Thanks for clarification on NetGalley. I signed up with the some time ago but I’ve yet to request any books through their program. Hope you enjoy great summer reads.

  8. BookCrash says

    We would love to see our Books for Bloggers program added to your list. BookCrash provides free Christian books to bloggers who review books on their site.

    • Wanda says

      I have being meaning to write a second post to expand the list. I receive notices from your program. Will definitely add your program in my second round post.

    • Wanda says

      Marilyn, they definitely felt like secrets to me as well when I started out blogging so I’m always happy to share what I know. Glad to hear you found it useful. Hope you have a Happy New Year.

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