A Rant..... Kind of.

I see a lot of bloggers that participate in a meme which consists of telling everyone what books they "acquired" in a given week. 

It's fun because it gives others a chance to see what is new & upcoming, or already available.  And it gives ideas on what we would like to put on our ever-growing TBR lists!

But something's bothering me.  I have what one might call "mailbox envy"!  No, really!  I do not get half of what some of these mailboxes are seeing on a daily basis!  I don't know what I would do if I did.

I do receive books for review from publishers and authors.  But the few I do receive sometimes feels overwhelming!  I don't think I could keep up with my review and posting schedule if my mailbox was as indulated with stuff as some of the ones I see on the blogs.

How do they do it?  Are bloggers really reading all of the loot they're receiving, and posting quality reviews?  Or is it just the euphoria of getting free stuff from authors and publishers?

I mean, I feel like I have fallen way behind in my reading and reviews because, well..... life keeps getting in the way!  Between working, laundry, cooking, cleaning, homework, pets, errands, appointments..... well, you get the drift.  There isn't always time to be reading for hours on end, and then before I know it, I've fallen behind and need to play catch up!
Does this happen to anyone else out there?

Does anyone feel guilty for rackin' up all this "loot" and then finding they don't have the time do follow up on their commitments to the author or publisher?

Currently, I have four books to still read before I can review them for my blog, and I am smack dab in the middle of a book that needs reviewing.  It's starting to feel like homework that needs to get done.... like I have this project due and I better get it started because before I know it, it's going to be the night before it's due and I have yet to do any research for it!  (remember that old feeling of not having your homework done?)  And you really didn't want to go ask Mom for help, because she would undoubtedly ask you when it's due, and God forbid you say "tomorrow".

But I digress.

I'm not really ranting.  I'm just curious to know how all these "mailboxers" are able to keep up with the books and ARC's they are receiving from various sources and not feel overwhelmed.

-Do you have a certain number of books you feel you can safely commit yourself to without feeling the pressure of having to get them read? 
-What do you feel comfortable with? 
-How much is too much?
-At what point do you say, "enough is enough... I've gotta get caught up"?

I'm curious to know if bloggers have a "competitive" feeling towards other bloggers?  Like maybe one blogger might "one up" a fellow blogger by getting more swag?  And getting a leg up on other bloggers by posting reviews for a great not-yet-released title?

Here on "A Cup of Tea....", I think things are pretty easy going.  I just do what I do.  I don't participate in too many memes (I do have a couple of favorites here and there...), I don't follow a weekly format where Mondays are always _____, and Tuesdays are always ______.  I just go with the flow, and whatever gets posted that day, gets posted that day.

Do you think that blogs with weekly memes and formats do better and have more followers than those that are just willie-nillie?  I am an Amazon.com affiliate, but I will tell you a secret.  I have not gotten one red cent from being an affiliate for Amazon, or for anyone/thing else!  I am not getting rich from my blog. Crikey, I'm not even getting lunch money from my blog! LOL. 

But for me, it's fun!  I've always been way into creative writing and reading, and I never thought I'd have as much fun managing a blog as I am having while managing "A Cup of Tea"!  I'm not quitting my day job, that's for sure.

Have you, or anyone else you know started a blog with the intent to get recognized, or monetary compensation?

So many questions.... I'm not trying to create any kind of controversy or firestorm... I'm just curious as to what goes through the heads of other bloggers, successful or not.

Please share your thoughts with me and let me know where you stand on all these issues!