Let's Discuss: Book Contests

 

So here's a random thought that popped up in my head this week. I was probably on Goodreads scrolling through the contest page when I paused on one title...it was one that I read and it made me wonder...

Do You Enter Contests for Books You've Read?

If I read the book, I most likely own it already. So I am more than likely not to enter that particular contest. But say I read it and own it, but this edition is SIGNED! Do you enter the contest then? That is likely when I might, because why not? Especially if it's Goodreads, because we all know that winning one of those is like winning the lottery...next to impossible. I think I've might have won maybe 5 or 6 times?? I can't remember anymore because sometimes I win books elsewhere. But I feel like with Goodreads, it definitely has to be under 10 wins total from the time I joined, but I wasn't savvy enough to know about these contests right away back then either!

Sometimes I'll see a title and think, oh if I win that one I can gift it to so-and-so who I think would like it but hasn't read it yet. Or if it's even the aforementioned if I win that signed copy version, I can gift my unsigned copy to so-and-so.

So depending on the circumstances, I might enter one of these contests for a book I own. We're not going to delve into I have the first edition copy and this is a reprinting with a new cover, because that's a whole new bag to delve into! Lol. For me it would depend on the series and my level of love for it and whether I like or dislike the cover I have vs the new cover. Lots of things to consider, so we'll ignore that scenario.

I really should've written down what book this was that started the thought or if it was even a contest that I entered! Lol. But I feel like I'm at a 50/50 on this one. Mayyyybe more 80/20 where I wouldn't enter the contest if it was for book I read and possibly own, likely own is what I think I originally said for this discussion. It's definitely a book I enjoyed so there's that too! I guess it would depend on the title too of course.

Otherwise if it's for a book I read and enjoyed and it's NOT signed, I would probably pass on the contest. If it's randomly a book I think someone I know would enjoy, I'd throw my name in willy-nilly-ly and if I won, I won and gift it to that person, if not, no big deal. Goodreads would inform me of my loss even though the disclaimer says "you will be contacted if you win." Nowhere does it say "you will be contacted if you lose" too. I really hate those reminders because it literally reminds me of a book I was excited to read early but will not be reading early. So it's like thanks. Thanks for rubbing that loss in my face Goodreads.

But anyway, would you enter a contest for a book you read? Would you want a physical copy for your shelf if it was an ebook or ARC that you read? Would you gift it to a friend? Would you enter said contest for the book you own if you could win a signed copy--and this was a book you absolutely LOVED!? What are your thoughts?