This Is A Goodbye

After 3 and a half years of blogging I have decided to call it quits as of June 9th.  I have a few blog tours I've committed to that go through the 6th.  Since my last day of teaching for year is June 7th, I figured it would be a good time for The O.W.L. to soar into new places.  

Why am I doing this???

My life is in a completely different place now than it was when I first started blogging. I've started a new job that is taking a lot of my time. I love it, but it's keeping me really really busy! AND I'm getting married. Spending time with my soon-to-be husband is so very important to me - way more important than blogging.  I'm just in a whole new place now.

AND THIS.........

Me when I FIRST starting blogging.

Yes that's TWILIGHT!

That's not how I feel anymore :(

I've lost the complete joy in it.  Not for reading (well ok for that some too since it has become more like a job for the blog than just for fun), but for blogging.  I used to love sharing and writing about books - the author interviews (ok that's still cool to do!), and guest posts - the contact with writers.  BUT now it seems more like a chore. And to be honest - I'm ok with letting it go because of this reason alone.  If I'm not enjoying it whole heartily I shouldn't do it!

I need time to write.  I've been dabbling in writing for a few years now, and it's time to jump in with two feet or give it up completely.  When it comes to finding time to write I feel guilty not working on the blog.  I can't have that. And I don't like feeling like I'm not giving the blog 100%.  I don't like doing something unless I can devote all the time needed to do it well. I can't do that with the blog right now.  

I want to read just to read.  I want to share with my students like I use to - to have that joy for reading and writing and publishing be given to my students and my classroom and my school.  And, since my students, have started their own book review blog HOOKED ON BOOKS I can get my blogging fix there if I need to :)

I won't lie and say I'll miss blogging, because at this point in my life I won't.  I'll miss the interactions with other bloggers/readers, but I can still get that without blogging myself!  I'm so very excited to go back to JUST reading for the joy of reading. It makes me smile huge when I think of it. I do have a Pinterest account (Jill the OWL) where I pin books I love and am excited about.  It's a quick easy way to still share with the world my love of books.  Feel free to follow me there.  And I still have Twitter (justkeepreading), so I'll pop in there every now and again.  

I wish you all the best of luck in blogging and life.  I'm heading off into a happy place that I'm excited to explore.  

I can't wait to see where it leads!

PS - I will post pictures of my wedding! It's the end of May.  We are doing a book themed wedding, so of course I have to share :) :) :)