Let’s Get Real – 2021 BFF Book Blog Update

 

Let’s Get Real

Hello friends! I’ve missed you!

 

via GIPHY

I feel a little like Steve from Blues Clues reintroducing myself to you after a long absence. It’s only been about 7 months and not 19 years, but it still feels like I owe you an explanation. And honestly, the explanation is really really simple. In fact, I can sum it up in one word: LIFE!

Like so many people, I’ve had a wild 18 months: living through a pandemic, job change, health stuff, a new pandemic puppy and the busy day to day of being a wife, mom, daughter, co-worker, friend – all of the labels that we each carry. It has seemed really heavy. Let’s just acknowledge that it’s been a lot.

And, it’s impacted my life as a reader and blogger as well. Like so many others, I’ve found it so challenging to continue or engage in many of my favorite past-times. And reading has been that way. Sometimes life makes it hard to concentrate long enough to get into or through a book, even some of my favorites. The bad news is that this blog has been a casualty. My posts have been few and far between and my outreach to engage with my fellow readers has been seldom at best.

But, it’s not all bad news, there are some bright spots. I’m still reading, I’m just not actively reviewing as many books. And, I might not be reading on my Kindle or carrying a paperback. But, I am loving audiobooks. Reading has continued to be a bright spot and a salve for my soul. I have read predominantly Rom Coms and light romance. Books continue to be both an escape and a way to “live a thousand lives” instead of just one. Reading is still my most favorite escape and defines me as a human. I feel so lucky to have that beacon to guide me through the dark and confusing times and give me so much hope for the future.

 

via GIPHY

All of that to say that I’ve missed you! I would like to say that I’ll be back more often in the coming weeks. But let’s be honest, I don’t want to make any promises. I will do my best and that’s all any of us can do. Take care of yourselves and always remember Smart Girls Read Romance!

PS – Tell me about your reading journey over the past 18 months? What’s your experience been? And, as always, if you’ve read something really great, let me add it to my TBR!

PSS – I always rate my recent reads on Goodreads and keep my TBR up to date, so you can have an idea of what I’m reading even if I’m not posting about it! ❤️