How I React to ARC's

Sometimes I would just kill for a particular ARC. And if I get it, of course I'm ecstatic and there's no killing my happiness - until I have to read it and review it and it's not really fun for whatever reason. Maybe I don't like the book, or the timing just isn't right in my life and it starts to feel like an obligation. "You asked for this, Megan. Now read it."

But the big thing is this: I don't deserve any particular ARC, and I'm jealous if other bloggers get it. That's normal. But is it normal to kind of wish that you didn't get it once it's all said and done? Don't get me wrong, I love ARC's, but I don't love the obligation that comes with them. I just don't exactly know how to react to it. My reactions go kind of like this (now in supa-cool bullet point format):

• Eeeeee they said I would get the book OMG I'm so happy I've never been happier OMG time to freak the heck out and flail around my room!
• Receives ARC: OMG IT SO PRETTY I'M GONNA DIE. *euphoric mode* *stunned* *so happy that they like me*
• Reading time: do I really have to read it now? I mean, I really want to but... there's so many other books that have been around longer and I don't know... I need to read it soon. *feels obligated* *reads book*
• Emails publicist about my review... is unsure as to whether they'll be upset or happy about my review. This part also involves a lot of sweaty palms and quite a bit of "what if I'm being annoying and they really don't like me?"'s.
• Let the book rot. Or gather dust. Because once I have the ARC, I kind of don't know what to do with it... like, do I keep it? Burn it, throw it away, give it to some other blogger who wants to read it? WHAT DO I DO?

Well, that's where I have the most trouble. I've read it and reviewed and gave it the loving attention that it deserved, even if I ignored other books just to read it. Now... exactly what should I do with it? I've toyed with the idea of giving them to the librarians' at my local library, but I haven't done that. Of course, if I like it, it receives a semi-permanent place on my shelves... but for whatever reason I always feel kind of guilty about that.

I mean, I might have bought that book with my own money had I not received an ARC. Should I buy a hardcover/paperback anyway? I toy with replacing all of my ARC's with finished copies all the time. They simply don't match the other books if I choose to continue a series (which personally kills me!) and they just don't last very long...

So. If I do happen to replace them (has yet to happen, but since I've started reading more E-ARC's, I'm having to replace them if I want to re-read them - not gonna lie, I actually love that, because it gives me options); if I didn't like the book, I just delete and I never have to see it again! If I loved it, I can buy a nice, new, shiny book whenever I feel like it and not feel guilty for wasting money on a book that I already (technically) have.

But I still haven't really answered myself - what do I do with those ARC's that I don't like? I'm not even sure if there's really options. It seems sacrilege to throw them away (I had to do that once with a ruined book, and I still almost cried), but like... there's nothing else to do with them. I guess that I could trade them, but once finished copies are available... that's what everyone wants, and what everyone should honestly be reading. Less editorial mistakes and all that jazz.

So, that kind of rules out trading (although I could still try!) as an option. Next option - Donate them to ARCycling. I've done this once or twice, but I kind of think that recently... well, "bigger" bloggers have been taking advantage of this program. That's why I dropped out, because I felt that I was taking opportunities from others by being a part of it. I might still donate, though!

Next - a big giveaway. Potentially a good idea, but at the point the books I've got have been out for a while, I'd kind of like to give away finished copies for giveaways. That way you'll never have to second-guess the editing or how long your book is going to last.

Essentially, this is what makes me question the fact that I even want them - I mean, is it really that big of a status symbol? Does it matter? Everyone has access to netgalley and it's oh-so-easy. It personally makes me feel less guilty about ARC's, and I can go kind of trigger happy with it. (I'm working on that. I'm doing okay so far!)

What are your views on this subject, and your "reactions" to ARC's? I just don't know what to do with mine - do you?