After five years of blogging about books, comics, and more, I feel it is time to take a break. It’s kind of ironic that I’m currently enjoying the best year of “stats” on this blog, if that even means anything. Numbers don’t really mean much at the end of the day; views and “likes” clicked on automatic, either. What I loved was getting comments; readers actually interacting with the few words I wrote. For all the comments and questions, recommendations and jokes, I want to say a heartfelt “Thank You!” 🧡 They all meant a lot to me, and still do. 😘
I’ve really enjoyed my time visiting your words and blogs. Thanks to you, I’ve discovered some wonderful books, comics, movies, and more. You’ve made me smile, made me laugh out loud–yes, that is a real thing!–educated and informed me, made me feel part of a community. Honto ni, arigatou!
I don’t really know why, but I’ve lost something. Something hard to define, but it was that “something” that made me so excited to read and share my thoughts on what I was reading. Lost my love of blogging, perhaps?.. I’m not reading books like I used to. And I struggle to write up a review. Thus, time for a break.
Please fell free to unfollow this ?blog? There might be an occasional post here and there, but I can’t say when, and I can’t say it will happen for sure. I will still be checking in on your posts, eager to find that book that will turn it all around for me. And now I don’t know how to end this post. So I’ll just say, “Mata, ne!” Take care, and keep on reading and writing!
The very best of wishes,
-Wakizashi, *hoping the beauty of “Blade Runner Blues” will stop my heart from breaking*
Wakizashi's Reviews 
If your heart isn’t into it any longer, good decision. Real life is so much more interesting. Don’t look back, I’d say! The main reason I keep blogging is to have a reading diary.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Bart! Your “reading diary” is bloody impressive! 😂 It’s great that you are still so passionate about both reading and writing reviews. I will be following your future posts with interest. And I will *eventually* get to Children of Dune and beyond.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, appreciated! I’m a bit in reading slump however atm, it’s been fairly long since I’ve read truly outstanding good book.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Don’t worry. It’s just around the corner waiting for you to stumble upon it. Actually, it’s probably lying in your tbr pile. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sure there are at least 10 excellent books on there indeed, but I’m savoring them…
LikeLiked by 1 person
You gotta listen to your gut, Wakizashi, and it sounds like that’s what you’re doing. Bully for you. But your incisive reviews will be missed! Still, you will always be a part of our WordPress community, welcome to return to it anytime you like.
Sean
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Sean. I’m sure I will be back, probably when I rediscover my reading mojo. 😅
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aww I just got to know you! Well, if you need a break, you need a break. Just follow your gut feeling.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Appreciate your comment, Jeroen. 😀 A break was helpful for you, wasn’t it? Hoping to return refreshed and reading again!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I needed some time to work through things that actually had nothing to do with blogging or reading. When that was done, I had the energy again to pick it up.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad it worked out for you! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am glad you are stopping before you begin to hate blogging. I’ve seen several bloggers go that route, trying to “force” themselves to keep blogging and it never ends pretty, it’s always ugly. So while I am very sad to see you go (it’s been less than 2 years at most since I started following you) I completely understand and wish you the best.
I do have a strict following policy so if you’re inactive for a month I’ll probably unfollow you at that point. If you do decide to come back at some point, hit me up because I’ve really enjoyed your posts and our conversations.
Good luck and stay sane!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey, thanks so much for your kind words. 😀 And thank you for your tips and advice over the last two years, too. I’ll give you a shout if I’m back blogging regularly.
Staying sane in this increasingly crazy world “takes everything you got!” Laters!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, wow… well, thanks for all the posts that were so interesting and inspiring! I did not comment as much as I should have, but followed with great interest. I’m not writing much myself lately, I’m just lucky enough to have a co-blogger who’s extremely reliable… it’s better to take a break than force yourself, so take your time!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Piotrek. Thank you for your generous words. I always kind of felt like my reviews were “high school book report” level. 😂 I’ve always appreciated your comments and enjoyed reading your reviews. Yes, you do have a super co-blogger! Lucky man 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
We’ll be here if you decide to come back, Wakizashi! 😀
Take as much time as you need – the blog is for you, not the other way round. I’ll certainly be on the lookout for your return, as I enjoyed our conversations very much – as well as the peeks at Japanese culture offered by someone who lives there 😀 I recently even made my own sushi for the first time, with the right rice!
LikeLiked by 3 people
I’m pretty sure I’ll be back. I’m happy to hear that you enjoyed the posts on Japan. I should do more of them in the future. Wow! Making sushi is not easy. I’m impressed! 🤩 I’ve never done that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll put some pictures on the blog soon 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Everyone needs a break once in a while. If stepping away is the best for you, by all means you should definitely take care of your needs and wants first 😀 Should you ever come back though, we’ll be right here 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s very nice of you to say, Mogsy. 😀Thanks for all the cool book recs over the years! I will still be lurking around, checking your reviews.
LikeLike
I always enjoyed reading your posts!
Often enough, breaks extend, get ever longer and people don’t get back. I just hope that doesn’t happen here!
My best wishes for your free time, enjoy it to the fullest!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey Andreas, thank you for saying so. Do you have any good advice for keeping your blog going so well over the years?
Best wishes to you, too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I stopped blogging for three years. Just last year, I started again. And that felt like from scratch. My impression is that one really has to blog continuously or loose followers/page views etc. Just brace for that impact and be read to start from zero again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😅😕🥺🤯 Thanks Andreas 🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m really sorry to hear that as I’ll miss your posts. I’ve enjoyed reading your thoughts on books, comics and movies, and also on your part of the world, the culture, food, scenery, and life in general. Always fascinating and worth reading. But I fully respect your decision. As others have said, better to take a break when you’re not feeling it than to put too much pressure on yourself and lose even more. I certainly hope you’ll be back and hope I notice when you are. Take care, stay sane and healthy, and keep looking for that next bit of enjoyable entertainment while also enjoying the life and people around you. Take care, Wakizashi!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your kind words, Todd. 😀 I will be back, I just need to recharge the blogging batteries. It’s really nice to hear that you enjoyed reading my posts. I really appreciate you always taking the time to comment. See you in the blogosphere soon! 😎
LikeLike
Sometimes you just got to take a break and sit back. I did the same with my other site TVTA early in the year, putting it on hiatus, but will be back next month for a slew of Halloween posts 🙂 That’s the beauty of blogging though… you don’t have to quit, just take a break.
Have enjoyed your posts and reviews over the years (5 years is a good run, kudos!) ever since I followed at you from TVTA and now here. I can def thank you for pointing me to read ‘The Last Unicorn’ … such a truly wonderful book which I will revisit again.
Good luck and thanks for all your work!
Ford.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Ford. Wow, thank you for your generous comment! Yes, I remember you doing a similar thing with TVTA. Good to hear that you will be back for some Halloween madness! 👺 Glad you enjoyed The Last Unicorn. I want to revisit it, too.
There will be more book reviews on this site, just not as frequent. I’ll be focusing on the new site for a while. Cheers!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I suspect there is a time when a blog becomes a chore so it’s interesting you stepped back to refresh yourself and then came back for more. You are right – the comments are the best part. My blog is mainly about films of the 1960s and when I get through them all I will probably stop. I do review new films from time to time because I still go to the cinema twice a week but the 1960s is the decade I adore and it’s interesting to work my way through films in this kind of fashion.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for reading and commenting. I will take a look at your blog because I don’t know much about films of the 1960s outside of the early Bond films and Hammer Horror.
LikeLike