What do you do with all those arcs?

I ask this because in the past four years that I've been reviewing, I have been fortunate enough to establish some contacts with publishers, as well as being lucky and winning advanced readers copies from other bloggers. It's a nice feeling to receive a book in the mail that few people have the opportunity to get until its official release date, and yeah, I'll admit that I enjoy having that privilege.

But over the last two years or so, I realized that as awesome as arcs are, I would always rather have a finished copy (unless the arc is personally signed to me--that stays with me for LIFE). I used to donate the ones I received or no longer wanted to my library until I realized they were being sold*. I also give some away to my readers once in a blue moon. (I know I haven't been good with treating you guys--you all deserve it for sticking around!**)

However, I've been starting to wonder if there were other ways of putting the arcs that I had to good use. Especially if they're arcs for books that have been released for a while and no longer elicit that "OMG I WANT IT" feeling that we're all so familiar with. And that's understandable because why would you want an arc when you can go to the book store and buy the final, polished product or just get it at your library? Especially if the arc is for a book that's been out in the world for more than a year or two?

But what to do with the arcs that I had sitting on my shelf? After jumping from link to link, I found two sites that offer a good solution :)


I've used this website a few times and the idea behind it is so simple. You have books you want to pass on? Visit this site, and look for someone that wants your books. It's as easy as that. It's based in the U.S. and Canada and promotes access to children and young adult books. There's also a section specifically for teachers who need books in their classrooms called Arcs Float On. I love that! I've passed on my arcs to teachers in need, and it gives me a warm fuzzy feeling to know I helped. :)

Here's another site that I recently discovered thanks to Margie over at Bumbles and Fairy Tales. It's similar in concept (it runs on donations and helps get books to people) but you have the option of choosing whatever book is available on a list that's only seen once every week. If you happen to see a book you're dying to have, you must immediately request it and hope that you get it! Who knows, you might luck out. I tried for the first time a few weeks ago, and omg those were the most heartracing three minutes of my life. What's nice about Arcycling is that you're able to pass on your books but you also have the chance to get a book that's been on your wishlist. You just have to have a little bit of luck (and speed--my fingers flew across my keyboard once I saw a book I've been aching to read).

Do you know of any other places to pass on arcs? Let me know in the comments!

*I was so surprised to find this out! I always assumed libraries would know what to do with advanced copies and pass them on to others. Are there any librarians that can chime in about this?

**forgive me, I'm a poor college student D: