Book Review Programs

I don't know if you've noticed, but I LOVE to read! Books are my dear, beloved friends and I spend a great deal of my time with my nose planted squarely in the pages of one.  That is why when I discovered a few years ago that there were several publishers who offered FREE books to bloggers in exchange for a honest review of the selections, I jumped at the opportunity!  Since then, I have read and reviewed nearly 100 titles and had a great time enjoying new books and expanding my home library!

While some of the books I review come from a publisher or a representative contacting me directly, there are several programs available for bloggers that only require a simple sign up and the promise to review the book honestly and fairly within a reasonable amount of time on your blog and on one or more retail sites(Amazon, Christian Book, etc).  I thought I'd share my favorites with you here today.

1.) The publisher that I have been reviewing for the longest is WaterBrook Multnomah.

Their site is super easy to navigate, where you create a profile that helps filter the types of books that are offered to you, and there is an easy to submit form when your review is up and posted.  There is also a rating system that helps the publisher separate the honest and quality reviewers from those who just regurgitate the copy from the back cover on the book.  They offer(depending on the title) both print and ebook copies of the books. You are only allowed to request one book at a time with WaterBrook Multnomah.

 2.) Next up is the Book Sneeze program from Thomas Nelson.

This one would be appealing to all of the e-reader fans as they have a plethora of digital copes available!  I prefer to have my hands on a hardcopy (I've been called an e-reader snob), but there are good choices no matter which way your preference leans.  Another easy to navigate site with a simple form to submit when you have finished the book and posted your review.

3.) Join the flock over at Litfuse Publicity and you will have the opportunity to participate in blog tours of upcoming releases.  This is a great way to get traffic to your blog and also to find other blogs of interest!

 

With this program, you must fill out an application and also have at least 800 unique page visits per month.  When you are accepted, you will begin to receive periodic emails inviting you to sign up to join the blog tours for books that the company is promoting.  Then you will receive promotional material to add to your review and an assigned date on which you will post it.  There are often fun contests and giveaways available to participate in as well!

4.) Bethany House Publishers also operates through email, sending invitations to review both fiction and nonfiction titles when they are available.

This one would be of particular interest to those who enjoy historical, romantic Christian fiction, although other genres are also offered.

5.) Zondervan also has a blogger review program, although I don't believe it is widely advertised.  They offer their trade publications only for review.  To apply, please click the image below.

6.) Tyndale Blog Network's site has just gone through some major renovations to make it easier to choose from available book selections, read other blogger's reviews, and to navigate the site.

Sometimes there are even children's movies and books available to review!

7.) This next one is of special interest to young earth creationists because that is the perspective that virtually all of the books hold.  To join this program at New Leaf Publishing Group, you have to join Creation Conversations and then join the sub group for the book reviewers.  There is a list of books to choose from ranging in subject from fiction to apologetics and homeschooling educational materials!  You may choose up to THREE books at a time from this group, but there are some minimum requirements to meet.

This group offers the ability to interact with other bloggers who are also reviewing the same books, building community and stirring conversation about the book topics.

8.)  Lastly, there is Book Crash.  I will be posting my first review for this one later this week!  The site is set up like a blog, posting the information for each available book in a separate post.  You will also receive periodic emails that inform you of new and available titles.

This one seems to focus on smaller known Christian presses, so it seems to me a good opportunity to read lesser known titles and find some hidden gems that you can share with your readers!

All of these are Christian programs, but use your own discretion when applying and choosing review copies!  Remember that this is not just for snagging free books to fill your shelves, but to also aid in spreading the word about great reads to your audience.  Be fair, but honest in your assessments and follow the guidelines that each program sets forth. 

Happy reading!