I basically dropped off the planet for a few weeks there. I apologize. This year has been a struggle for me, blog-wise, mostly due to a pretty stressful work situation. That situation has ironed itself out - I start a new job on September 14th that I'm very excited about! - but it took a huge toll on my desire and motivation to read and blog. I have been very inconsistent this year, with fits and starts, announced breaks and unannounced absences.
Somewhat concerning is the fact that I didn't really miss blogging at all. I miss reading your blogs and keeping on top of the book world, but I admit that I didn't miss my little corner of the internet very much at all. This isn't a great realization to come to when you are in the midst of planning a big blogosphere event like A More Diverse Universe. I have really dropped the ball on that event, and I think so much of the excitement and the sign-ups are coming because of YOU all getting the word out and creating your reading lists and tweeting and doing amazing things. While I've been sitting on my couch looking for jobs or outside enjoying the last of the summer weather, you have been pushing and championing the event, and I am so immensely lucky.
Thank you all so much. It really means so much to me. While I don't know what my blogging future looks like right now, I do still have a passionate and deep-rooted commitment to reading diversely, and I am SO THRILLED that #Diversiverse has helped other people make that commitment, too. Even if, every year, I start with even grander hopes for the event and end up scrambling to achieve even the bare minimum of what I want.
I haven't read that many books since my last post. Those I have read, I don't really want to write full blog posts about. I expect I'll do a review-ita roundup soon. I came to the computer today expecting to write the review-ita post, actually, but now that I'm here, I just don't want to.
I will be traveling this week to enjoy some time off before beginning the new job, and then next week, I'll be starting the new job. #Diversiverse begins October 4th, so I'll plan to be back the week of the 21st, raring to go to get some last-minute sign-ups for the event the two weeks leading up to it. Here's hoping I'll have some of my swagger back!
And to all of you whose blogs I truly adore and usually comment on, I'm so sorry! I'll be back. In fact, I am reading your blogs, but I am reading them on my phone, and often I will try to comment, but it can be a little fussy at times. I still love reading about your books and your lives, and I will be back to commenting in a few weeks.
Somewhat concerning is the fact that I didn't really miss blogging at all. I miss reading your blogs and keeping on top of the book world, but I admit that I didn't miss my little corner of the internet very much at all. This isn't a great realization to come to when you are in the midst of planning a big blogosphere event like A More Diverse Universe. I have really dropped the ball on that event, and I think so much of the excitement and the sign-ups are coming because of YOU all getting the word out and creating your reading lists and tweeting and doing amazing things. While I've been sitting on my couch looking for jobs or outside enjoying the last of the summer weather, you have been pushing and championing the event, and I am so immensely lucky.
Thank you all so much. It really means so much to me. While I don't know what my blogging future looks like right now, I do still have a passionate and deep-rooted commitment to reading diversely, and I am SO THRILLED that #Diversiverse has helped other people make that commitment, too. Even if, every year, I start with even grander hopes for the event and end up scrambling to achieve even the bare minimum of what I want.
I haven't read that many books since my last post. Those I have read, I don't really want to write full blog posts about. I expect I'll do a review-ita roundup soon. I came to the computer today expecting to write the review-ita post, actually, but now that I'm here, I just don't want to.
I will be traveling this week to enjoy some time off before beginning the new job, and then next week, I'll be starting the new job. #Diversiverse begins October 4th, so I'll plan to be back the week of the 21st, raring to go to get some last-minute sign-ups for the event the two weeks leading up to it. Here's hoping I'll have some of my swagger back!
And to all of you whose blogs I truly adore and usually comment on, I'm so sorry! I'll be back. In fact, I am reading your blogs, but I am reading them on my phone, and often I will try to comment, but it can be a little fussy at times. I still love reading about your books and your lives, and I will be back to commenting in a few weeks.
Good luck with the new job! You are awesome no matter how much or how little you blog. :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new job! I hope it works out well for you.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the new job!!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear your escaped a stressful work situation. Hope the new job is more enjoyable!
ReplyDeleteI definitely fall into some times when the only blog reading I'm doing is from my phone, and making comments phoneside is a total hassle. I wish it were easier and or that I could do some kind of mind meld to assure people I am reading even if it is quietly! LOL
Oh, god, sometimes you need a blog break. No guilt; you have to take a break when you need one; if the blog world becomes more chore than pleasure, there's pretty much no point. I love it when you post, but I'm happier that you're doing well in real life!
ReplyDeleteOh, and I've been talking up Diversiverse all over the place!
Congrats on the new job, madam! I hope it's an awesome one for you. Whenever I've started new jobs in the past, I've always taken an on-purpose blogging hiatus (even if just a short one), because it just frees me up not to feel guilty about anything, and read what I want and not worry about getting posts up or missing other people's posts. (I mean, I'm always sad to miss other people's posts, but new job time is the time when I have to really take a break.
ReplyDeleteAnyway. I missed you! But I know that blogging desire comes and goes, so you do you.
Many congrats on the new job. Hope it goes really well, and have a fab holiday. You need it!
ReplyDeleteAarti, nice to have you back and good luck with the new job (change is good!). What you need on Diverse Universe is a couple of co-organizers!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the new job!! If you're still traveling, enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI'm happy about your positive change, and I love this blog.
ReplyDelete*hugs* I'm so thrilled for you about the new job, and although I miss reading your words, I completely understand how the desire to blog comes and goes, as Jenny said. See you around online very soon, I hope <3
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new job!
ReplyDeleteHi, Aarti--
ReplyDeleteI signed up to participate in #diversiverse this year, and I'm just stopping in to say that your good work is rippling outward indeed, to the Poetry Friday event in the Kidlitosphere. I'm hosting today and featuring my review of a picture book, and everyone passing through will get that shot-in-the-arm reminder to reach out and read diversely.
Thanks!
Oh, I can't tell you how happy that makes me! Every year, I feel like I do less and less to promote the event, and then feel woefully guilty about it, but it is so great to know that even small acts and events have ripple effects. Thank you!
DeleteThe link is here:
ReplyDeletehttp://myjuicylittleuniverse.blogspot.com/2015/10/welcome-to-diversiverse-poetry-friday.html
Looks like I'm not the only one having fits and starts on my blog this year too. Having a full-time job can definitely take its toll on blogging, especially when things get tough. But I think the one thing that keeps me coming back is that I love reading other people's blogs (including yours, of course!) and that motivates me to keep on reading and writing even if its inconsistent. So good luck with your new job and I look forward to reading your posts!
ReplyDelete