It has been a very long time, readers—if any of you are still vaguely wondering what has happened and where I have gone. The truth is, I have not gone anywhere. I’m still here. While I wish I could say I’ve been busy (I have) and have let reviews lapse, that’s not entirely the whole situation.
In all honesty, I was in a relationship for many years that ended last summer. If anything, I thought reading and reviewing would make an ideal escape from all of the emotions I was feeling. What I didn’t expect was my complete inability to concentrate on reading, let alone reviewing. If I hadn’t pre-written the last few reviews, JRT would have gone silent much sooner. At the risk of sounding (more) melodramatic, I was (and still think I am) more than a little devastated and very saddened. I’ve been inundated with all of the appropriately clichéd phrases and love my friends and family for being absolutely wonderful and supportive. They, of course, knew what had happened. You did not.
I thought taking a break from reviewing would help rekindle the hobby, but almost a year later, my heart is just not into it yet. I still miss and love my partner, my best friend, my favorite and most wonderful person very much—when we all know what I really need to keep trying to do is move forward.
There’s a professional level of perserverance I haven’t managed to master regarding this blog, something that has always been personal to me, despite being so public. I don’t want to write poor reviews; I do want to engage with books I adore by sharing my thoughts with other avid readers. I don’t know how long that will take, but I want to keep this option open, just in case.
I’m not looking for sympathy; I wanted to explain the silence and trust my honesty wouldn’t sound completely silly. I’m still up for chatting books on Goodreads or occasionally on Twitter. And yes, I have seen “The Hunger Games” movie. 
Aww Erika. Moving on is hard, especially when you’ve been with someone so long that they’re a natural part of your life and then one day they’re just gone, or at least they feel so far away you can’t reach them in the immediate, personal way you’re used to. I think the word estrangement captures the bitter heart of such a sudden, sad change. You will get there (as I’m sure everyone is telling you) but taking the time to work through everything so you come out the other side healthy and free is important. Good luck and I’ll see you whenever that is.
take care of yourself, Erika
Be good to yourself, Erika. There is a life beyond. You will find your special person.
Well, whenever you’re ready to come back, I’ll be here! And if you decide not to come back, that’s okay! As long as we stay in touch on the internet SOMEHOW, I’m a happy camper.
And, of course, *HUGS* I’m so sorry that you’re still hurting.
This makes total sense to me. It’s nice to know that you are still around and may come back one day. Sigh, relationships ending … that’s really hard to go through. *hugs*.
I’m sorry to hear about your breakup, but glad that your absence wasn’t due to illness or something like that. I can completely relate, and sympathise. I hope that you’ll take up blogging again whenever you’re ready, but if you don’t, well nothing wrong with that either.
Big hugs, and glad to hear from you.
I had missed your blog, and hope that you are coming back to us eventually. In the meantime, do what feels right. I’ll look for you on Good Reads (which to be honest I don’t tend to utilize as much as I should). Perhaps the chance to hear your views is what I need to push me in that direction.
In the meantime, feel better and know you don’t owe us an explaination, though it is welcome
Hello there, just checked back in after a long while. I saw a pic of Gail Carriger and it started me on a sequence of memories that led me back here. Which now directs me to Goodreads and Twitter, two places I like to frequent.
I hope you’re doing better and that you return soon.