Member Reviews
I actually loved doing Camp NetGalley, but I have to confess the only thing I did was the bingo game, because I had no clue how to do the other things included and I don't use the NetGalley Reading Journal to track my reading.
I don't think I'm a good person to ask what could be done in the future or if I have suggestions for next year, because I know I'm far from the usual NetGalley reviewer. I honestly don't know how to use the majority of social media tools most others do, and if you ask me to go outside to do anything I'm going to outright laugh beacuse I do everything in my power to not leave my house.
But it was fun!
I admittedly was a little behind on camp but looooved the concept. I think it’s a super cute idea to not only get to know fellow reviewers, but also showcase some hidden talents. My only feedback is to somehow make it more interactive. Maybe a Facebook group? Just something to bring everyone together and hold people semi-accountable. Overall, I enjoyed this month and hope more opportunities like this come up in the future!
I like how there is a bingo board because that is like a reading prompt to made deciding what to read next more interesting!
I loved the design for the NetGalley Bingo, but it feels at odds with the rest of the event’s guide. I’m glad this made me check the other resources on the platform.
Summer reading camp for the month of July complete with weekly challenges, bingo board and sticker download. If you have a huge TBR stack then the bingo board is the perfect tool. It challenges you to read books from different publishers, authors, and genres as well as share reviews on social media. It was just the motivation I needed to get back to my reading (hurricane Beryl helped a little, too-no power, no internet so I might as well read.} SO Fun!
I didn't have as much opportunity to participate in Camp NetGalley as I thought I would have, nonetheless there was lots to enjoy. It made me prioritize my NetGalley TBR and make a little dent in it. As well, the Bingo page gave me a fantastic idea to adapt it to use in my classroom in the fall to encourage my students to read a variety of texts.
I absolutely love the offerings from Camp NetGalley 2024! The various activities created a fun and engaging summer reading experience! The only thing that I think would have enhanced the experience would of been a way to interact more easily with other participants. I hope the NetGalley team continues with this tradition.
I really liked the concept of Camp NetGalley, but found it easy to forget about after downloading the Welcome Packet. It it was something I was able to digitally check off, like a editable PDF I would have been more successful. Or if it more email reminders about it were sent to keep it in the front of people's minds. As someone who doesn't always get to spend a lot of time on social media this clearly wasn't the perfect type of challenge for me. I hope to see more like this in the future, and maybe with some extra dedicated effort I'll be able to fully participate more.
Camp NetGalley offered loads of fun activities: bingo, scavenger hunt, journal pages, stickers, and assorted opportunities to engage with others via social media. I enjoyed reading others' posts and reviews, and even added a few books to my TBR list. Best of all, there were no mosquitos, bats, or sunburns!
As requested, I have a couple of suggestions:
Personally, I had a disastrous July, so I didn't get to participate as fully as I had hoped. Maybe next year Camp could run for more of the summer? Regardless, I'll keep enjoying most of the activities for the rest of the summer, at my own pace.
Too, for future such events, please make sure the deadline is consistent and clear—i.e. August 2nd at Midnight ET (as listed on the Camp NetGalley Welcome Packet book page and some social media posts) is *not the same* as 12pm ET on August 2nd (as listed within the Welcome Packet itself and in other social media posts). It would be more clear to say "by 11:59pm ET on August 2nd." Maybe you were just trying to keep us stragglers on our toes! <wink>
Thank you to NetGalley and We Are Bookish, and to publisher sponsors Nightfire Books and HTP Books for this fun summer diversion!
I was really excited about this project, but there didn't seem to be a ton of substance to it. I don't know what I was expecting, but it felt like it was essentially just "read a book, review it, share it, review this Welcome Packet, and that's it!" Maybe it's me, but if you do this again next year, I'll definitely be down to try it again! Maybe some giveaways of eARCs of exciting, upcoming books most people would request and be rejected for? Something like that would be fun and engaging! I also loved that the downloadable Welcome Packet was a PDF, that made it super easy for me to use and interact with!
The review I've linked wasn't done in July, but it's one I'm extremely proud of.
I think the instructions should be more clear, maybe I am alone but it seems confusing. Thank you for allowing me to participate and I look forward to next year. I included a link to my latest review.
This was my first time doing one of these challenges. Looked fun, and I enjoyed seeing other readers' posts. I just need to get better at using NetGalley graphics to make my own posts. I'm still pretty new to NetGalley, and still learning. I'll get there!!
Loved this summer reading camp! Such a fun way to read this season... very much brings nostalgia to my summer reading season.
Good idea from the NetGalley team with some kinks to hopefully work out for next year in terms of timeline and suggested activities.
I had so much fun participating in Camp NetGalley 2024! It was my very first time joining an experience like this, and I loved it. From the moment I opened the Camp NetGalley Welcome Packet, I knew I was in for a treat. The interactivity, the social interactions, and the challenges and prompts were all perfectly designed to make this a memorable and engaging experience.
The weekly activities were an absolute delight. Each one was carefully crafted to cater to book lovers, whether you're a longtime NetGalley member or just getting started. I particularly enjoyed the bookish bingo—it was super fun and actually got me to read some 'TBR Veterans' (lol) as well as some new books! The prompts and challenges were a great way to shake up my reading routine and dive into genres I don't usually explore.
What really made Camp NetGalley stand out was the sense of community. The social interactions with fellow campers were fantastic. Sharing book recommendations, discussing our latest reads, and cheering each other on through the challenges created a warm and welcoming atmosphere. It felt like a real camp experience, minus the bug bites!
And can we talk about the timing? Having Camp NetGalley during July, my birthday month, was the cherry on top. It was like a month-long birthday celebration filled with books and bookish activities. I couldn't have asked for a better way to spend my summer.
All in all, I loved this experience and I hope NetGalley does this again next year! Many thanks to the NetGalley team for putting together such an amazing event. I can't wait to see what's in store for Camp NetGalley 2025!
The net galley camp welcome packet had so much info. It was such a fun activity for the summer. My family and myself loved exploring the packet and deciding on what challenges to do for the day. We are all avid readers so it was a lot of fun to explore different genres and books that we wouldn’t have typically reached for. We each were able to make a decent dent into our long TBR as well.
A Literary Adventure Awaits!
As I pitched my virtual tent in the Camp NetGalley forest, the Welcome Packet fluttered down like a friendly owl. Here’s why it left me sipping metaphorical cocoa by the digital campfire:
Campfire Vibes:
The design! Oh, the design. It’s like a cozy cabin with a crackling fire. The rustic fonts, the pinecone motifs—I half-expected a marshmallow toasting itself.
Trail Maps and S’mores Recipes:
The packet isn’t just a “hello.” It’s a treasure map. “Follow the path to ARC bliss,” it whispers. And tucked inside? S’mores recipes! Because every reader needs sustenance.
Campfire Songs (Reviews):
The Welcome Packet nudges us to sing our hearts out. “Write reviews,” it says. “Share your campfire tales.” And suddenly, I’m humming a five-star ballad.
In summary, the Camp NetGalley Welcome Packet isn’t just a packet; it’s a compass pointing north, a lantern in the dark, and a marshmallow on a stick. So, fellow campers, gather 'round. The literary adventure awaits!
This seemed like a good plan, but the format wasn't helpful. Something printable that we could use as a checklist and have on-hand, rather than a NG=app-only accessible doc, would be more helpful in the future. It looked like fun though!
I love this idea! Honestly, what is missing from NetGalley is a greater sense of community for its reviewers. Getting to know each other a bit more through posted favorite reviews is a great way to foster that. The bingo board was really fun, too!
https://www.netgalley.com/book/285851/review/453800
Camp NetGalley is such a cool idea. I love the cool games they incorporated and downloadable stickers! Next year, I think more promotion that this is going on on social media would help more people participate sooner!