If you follow me or Jenn from Devourer of Books on Twitter, you’ve seen the #NORC hashtag flying around. I thought it was about time to write a post.
Background
2011 has been a year for fantastic books. More often than not, when I’ve picked up a book to read, it’s been like watching your favorite baseball player hit a winning home run. Many of those were grand slams. My hats off to publishers this year. Be you big or small, you’ve rocked my world this year. 2011 has also been the year of the ginormous unwritten review pile. Although for half of this year my “To Be Reviewed” list hovered in the 12 – 14 range. When reading only 2 books per week, that’s at least a three month backlog. Judging from the dates of books I finally reviewed, I started slipping in February. I could blame an exuberant year in publishing, but I won’t lie. The writing spark just wasn’t there – be it one of the best books of the year or not – unless I agreed to a hard deadline.
Remember this, Trish?
By the end of July, it became personally oppressive. Most of the titles waiting review were personal reads, but it made me loath to even access my LibraryThing account. I set a personal goal of completing all reviews by the end of August. It was the right goal at the right time. I was in the review writing zone and it went off without a hitch. Rereading Gone With the Wind was helpful as every two weeks I wasn’t reading anything new. The closer I got to the finish line the better I felt about myself all around.
Birth of NORC
As I made progress, I tweeted. As I tweeted more and more often, Jenn caught the bug and set her goal with mine. We both caught up on our reviews with a couple of days to spare. If you were curious why August was packed full of reviews, now you know why. Of course, I’m now in a situation where my reviews are for books being released at the end of the month or in October, which explains why the flood has become a trickle.
As the dust cleared, Jenn and I agreed that we never wanted to go back to a place where our reviews in waiting made it hard for us to breathe. That is when my one time goal became a monthly vow. We formed the No Old Review Club, or #NORC. This truly is a club. All book bloggers are welcome. If you’re on Twitter, there are ongoing discussions of how we’re doing and, as we’ve already discovered, how easy it is to slip. On any given day, you’ll find one of us tweeting about it. @whatsheread has joined us among others.
The main objective of NORC is to provide any book blogger with support in the process of getting and/or staying current with his/her reviews. Knowing that you’re not alone is powerful. I love the support I’m able to give as well as receive. Since getting my reviews current, I’ve discovered issues I’ve never really encountered before in my blogging career. For example, when I’ve read a book three weeks in advance to its official publication date, how do I schedule the review. Furthermore, when I’m scheduling a review that far in advance, what do I do with my numbering scheme? I’ve found answers and have appreciated the brainstorming.
All Are Welcome
On the other side, I am certain that anyone determined to dig themselves out of a pending reviewing hole can do just that. You don’t have to be caught up to join us. If you’ve never been behind on reviews or are just interested in sharing ideas and advice, join us. We are not experts, but through our combined experiences, we’re here to help anyone in need along the way. Please feel free to leave a comment, send me an email or tweet with the #NORC hashtag.
For those curious about the picture, back in 2008 I went through my first reading malaise. Book bloggers and Lisa Roe from Online Publicist rallied and it resulted in a fun little TBR photo contest. So, when I was looking around for a photo of buried under books, I remembered this photo submitted by Trish from Hey Lady! Watcha Readin’ and knew it was perfect.
I always start the year off reviewing things in a timely manner. Then, I sort of fizzle. I have actually done really well on reviewing books this year than other years, but I still haven’t reviewed everything. So, I choose to look at it as both a positive and a negative thing. So, I applaud anyone that is entirely caught up!
Okay, I’m on board. (I’m currently 4 reviews down, maybe 5 depending on how quickly I finish my audiobook.) Every time I get caught up, I tell myself that from that point forward, I’ll review everything within 24 hours of finishing it, or 48, or before I start another book, etc. And maybe I’ll stick with it for a while, and then I get absorbed in a new book, and I don’t want to force myself *not* to read when I’m in the mood for it, and suddenly I’m several books in the hole again.
I usually stay on top of my reviews, but I’m behind right now, so I just might have to join!
So my new thing is dedicated writing nights (and dedicated cleaning and reading nights). It seems to help keep me from trying to do everything in one night and do it badly. Of course, I ended up behind on reviews again anyway, so what do I know? I was down to three, but then I finished my book and I’m back to four again. They’ll be done this week, though!
My poor blog is suffering from a lack of posts. It has been a fabulous reading year so I have lots of good books to share. I’m also behind on posting my scrapbook pages, and now I have a kitchen remodel project going and not one post about it. I need to find a solution.
I’m in!! When I look at my list of outstanding reviews, I run screaming the other way! It’s long… And don’t get me started on the number of drafts I’ve started, but still haven’t finished. I definitely need the support to get caught up!
What a day, folks! Thanks for your enthusiasm! I’ll respond in more depth after work. Looking forward to getting these reviews written.
Since I don’t do audio books or typically read more than one book at a time, I typically don’t get behind on my reviews. I can see how this would accumulate.
I have to write my review right after I finish a book. I don’t take notes, so I need it fresh in my mind.
I will offer you words of encouragement every month.
Count me in, I struggle so much to get my reviews done these days! It would be easier if I just caught up and STAYED caught up for once. Great idea
This post could not have been more timely. I’m so far behind right now I don’t know how many reviews I’m behind by. The only good thing is that most aren’t ARC reviews – they’re personal reads. Okay, I went and counted and there are fourteen reviews to be written (but I’m going to condense a few into mini-review posts). I guess knowing is half the battle.
My goodness, this is exactly my situation right now! I’m easily 10-12 books behind. Gulp.
Dear Jennifer,
I receive your reviews via email, and I just wanted to pass on what a blessing your blog has been to me. I am generally HORRIBLE at choosing good books, if left to my own devices. I look at what’s on the NYT bestseller list and pick something popular, and then inevitably it turns out to be disappointing.
I LOVE discovering new books through your blog and have gotten so much pleasure out of reading books that I never would have discovered otherwise.
I just finished “Tipping the Velvet,” which I thought was extraordinary… one of the best books I’ve ever read. I’m now reading “The Last Werewolf.” Your review had me intrigued, and I find myself greatly enjoying it (but I do agree that some of the sex scenes are a bit gratuitous).
Anyway, I faithfully open any email I get from you in my inbox, excited by the possibility of what gem of a book might lie within. Thanks for all you do. I know you are overwhelmed right now, but for those of us who follow you and love you, what you’ve been doing is sufficient to give me enough reading material to look forward to for the next year at least!
So, I just wanted to stop by and tell you how much you rock! I know you probably have all the reading you can handle, but I would be absolutely honored if you would consider stopping by my blog, Misadventures in Motherhood. It’s a humorous blog, and you’re pretty much guaranteed a laugh, or sometimes even a snort or two.
So on a day when you feel overwhelmed, maybe you could drop by for a laugh. I would be truly honored if you would.
Sincerely, Jenn @Misadventures in Motherhood
Thank you so much for your kind words. They mean a lot! I’ll be by to check out your website this weekend. Thanks again!
[...] ~ Jennifer at Literate Housewife introduces NORC: No Old Reviews Club [...]
I must have missed this post when I was at SIBA, but Carrie got me back here thanks to her links! I need to join this club. I’m not too horribly behind (maybe five?) but it still bothers me. I don’t ever feel like I’m completely caught up. Too much crap to do! You have motivated me.
I love NORC! I usually try to be an upstanding member – I absolutely hate having outstanding reviews and love having reviews scheduled weeks in advance. I have been slacking fairly badly lately and appreciate the support that Jen and you provide. I am currently three reviews behind…
This is a wonderful idea! Ever since I took my blogging break this summer, I have been so behind on reviewing what I’ve already read and reading ARCs. You can definitely count me in.
[...] ago when she decided to make 2010 a “Year of Reading Deliberately”. Her newest idea is NORC: No Old Review Club. It’s a way for bloggers to support each other in all aspects of blogging especially when it [...]
[...] be a force for good in my community and get books into the hands of those who need them.8. Join the No Outstanding Review Club. Basically this is the club where all of the cool kids hang out and I desperately want to be cool. [...]