Well this is it. The final post. I considered doing a huge song and dance with jazz hands and everything, but in the end it just wouldn't be me. A quick hug, a peck on the cheek and a cheerful wave is more my style.
I do want to say a huge thank you to all my followers, lurkers and friends who have made my blog what it is. Without you, I would be writing into the void and I appreciate every single one of you. I've made some good friends here and that's not going to stop. I'll still be around on Good Reads, Twitter and your blogs. I'm also keeping my reviewing commitment to Reviews by Jessewave and Three Dollar Bill Reviews so no doubt I'll see some of you there.
I also want to apologise to those authors whose books I haven't reviewed yet - I think there are two books, one of which was an anthology, which I just didn't have the time to do. I shall make sure I write a decent review for them on Good Reads and I could possibly persuade Emily to let me post them at TDB reviews as well.
In terms of what's going to happen to this blog, I shall keep it as it is for a week and then strip the side bars to a minimum, close off all comments and write a general post to have up when people find me. I want Well Read to remain a resource for authors and readers so I won't be deleting any posts.
So that's it. For now at least. Who knows what may happen in the future - I may get more time, less pressure from home and then I could re-open this blog. Until then, goodbye and thanks for all the laughs, support and friendship.
Hugs to you, Jenre. Your blog will be sorely missed. Knowing that you'll still be around is a huge comfort as I feel a though a dear friend is moving away.
ReplyDeleteYour reviews and kind words have helped me more than you'll ever know.
Hugs,
Eden
I'm genuinely sad to see this final post. Your clever, insightful writing is a true pleasure to read. Glad I'll still see you around!
ReplyDeleteTake care and a big smooch to you. :)
So sad to see your last post. Your blog will definitely be missed, but I'm glad you'll still be around and reviewing. Best of luck to you!!
ReplyDeleteSloan
*hugs*
ReplyDeleteI've lurked here for a long time, and I hate to see it end. I'm glad that I'll still get to see you on Goodreads. Take care!
((hugs))
ReplyDeleteIt's so sad to see go and shut down your blog, but I understand real life calling you away.
I really hope I see you often around the blogosphere and Goodreads.
You and this blog will be missed.
MsM
Dammit, I read it and now it's real.
ReplyDeleteAs Sean said, it's now real. :(
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry you had to close the blog but I understand your decision. Your fans, including me, will miss you but at least you will still be reviewing and making us think.
Sometimes RL is crappy but then the sun comes up.
Your friend Wave
*sniff, sniff* *hugs*
ReplyDeleteSee you about on Twitter, though, right?
We will miss you here!!! Will still be stalking you anywhere you show up around the blogosphere!
ReplyDeleteBig hugs, and au revoir rather than goodbye. Thanks for all the great books you've added to my list through this blog. I'll miss it hugely.
ReplyDeleteLoads of love & stuff
Axxx
Gawd, I'm feeling all blubby and VERY un-British :). *So* glad you'll keep the blog up, because whatever you do going forward, you have such a lot to be proud of up to date.
ReplyDeleteGot all sappy and wrote you a story :). It's an old one,but specially reworked for your Day.
http://clarelondon.livejournal.com/190700.html
Catch you soon! And we have Yaoi Con to look forward to, as well LOL. I did some spring cleaning this weekend and re-found my pink wig. I may keep you guessing whether I'm blue or pink when I'm there :).
*hugs*
Awww. We'll miss you but I know we'll see you all around the blogsphere so you're not disappearing forevah. Hope you can feel a bit of a relief with fewer demands on your time. Hugs and see you soon.
ReplyDeleteThis is sad but for the best reasons. No doubt I'll still be peering at your reviews so thank you for all your contributions. You'll be sorely missed! Enjoy your life, family, and new adventures.
ReplyDeleteI will definitely miss your blog. And I think I would have liked the jazz hands. It goes with your twitter icon. Leeetle bitty arms waving would be cute.
ReplyDeleteEden: Thanks for the kind words. And hugs back :).
ReplyDeleteSarah: That's matey. I'll still be over at your blog, you know.
Sloan: Thanks for the good wishes :).
Eyre: I'm definitely going to be around on GRs. I'm rather addicted to that site :).
I'll definitely miss coming to your blog, Jen. Thankfully you're not totally disappearing and we'll continue to read your wonderful reviews elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteTake care and I look forward to seeing you around the 'net.
*hugs*
Hi, Jen. This is such a good blog, so it's too bad that all good things have to come to an end. But I'm very glad I'll be seeing you at Wave's site and Three Dollar Bill Reviews. :)
ReplyDeleteHi MsM: Thanks for the kind words. I'm not leaving the blogosphere so you'll still see me around.
ReplyDeleteSean: Sorry to burst that denial bubble you had going on there :).
Wave: The 'sun'in all this is having a little less pressure - and of course the fact that you're still letting me review for you :).
Jules: I've sadly neglected Twitter recently but now I'll have a bit more time, I'm sure I'll be able to waste some over on Twitter :).
Mandi: Stalking, eh? Should I be worried, lol! Thanks, sweetie.
ReplyDeleteAnne: Au reviour is a great way of putting it :).
Clare: Oh, my dear. You've made me all bubbly and unBritish now *sniff*. Thank you so much for my lovely story. You were the first author I emailed as part of this blog and that's always going to be a special part of my life.
I'm very much looking forward to Yaoicon. Hmmmm, maybe I should invest in a coloured wig too. I don't want to be outdone by all the cosplayers, lol!
Tam: There is a certain sense of relief now that it's all over. It's going to feel very strange next week though when I won't need to find things to write about here.
ReplyDeleteKassa: "New adventures". I like that! It is a slight step away from what's become very familiar for the last 20 months.
KA: Lol about the jazz hands! I've got this mental pic of a T-Rex desperately trying to wave its tiny arms about!
Lily: Thanks! You will definitely be seeing me around, especially at your blog.
ReplyDeleteVal: It is sad to be ending, but at least I'll be able to come and pester you at your site ;).
Oh Jenre!
ReplyDeleteAll the best to you, so sorry to hear you are closing Well Read, it is an amazing blog and you will be greatly missed.
Sorry, I've been off line for a week or so and am just now getting back.
Will look for your thoughts at Goodreads..
((hugs)) to you
Lea
Thanks for the lovely reviews you've done of my books, they were obviously well thought out and much appreciated! :)
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I should thank you for all the books I added to my TBB pile because of your reviews though...
In all seriousness, I wish you the best of luck and look forward to reading your reviews at Jessewave's and Three Dollar Bill.
Oh, Jen. Thanks for all the noms you've given us! Your blog has been informative, funny and friendly, and I will surely miss it. I'm glad you'll still be gallivanting around the internet, though.
ReplyDeleteI may have to log back on to twitter...
Lea: Thanks for the hugs and kind words. I'll definitely be seeing you on GRs - and at your blog where I'm a serial lurker :).
ReplyDeleteCassandra: No problem! I've really enjoyed a number of your stories and have a few more on my TBR pile. Needing to add books to the TBB pile is a bit of a downside to reading review sites - I know I've got many on my pile from reading sites like Tam's, Chris' and Wave's :).
Wren: Thanks, my dear :). Are you on twitter? I don't remember seeing you there - at least not recently!
ReplyDeleteDon't know what to say.
ReplyDeleteIt's pretty obvious I can't thank you enough, Jen, and will sorely miss this place. I'm very much looking forward to your posts elsewhere.
I'd better go before I get all misty...again.
Love you, chickie.
I've created an account and deleted it a couple of times, now. It's such a huge time suck :p
ReplyDelete*sniff*
ReplyDeleteYour blog will be missed - but I am very, very glad that you'll still be online and still reviewing!
KZ: Aw, you're making me go all misty too. Love ya too, chuck.
ReplyDeleteWren: *sigh* I can't argue with that. It is a huge time suck!
Chris: Thanks, sweetie. I shall be able to stalk you more at your site :).
O.o
ReplyDeleteChris: Yes, be afraid, be very afraid ;).
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a wonderful good time with your family. That's what it's all about.
ReplyDeleteJenre I hate this day has finally come but real life does need to always come first and I am glad that you are keeping your past reviews accessable and that you will be continuing to review for other sites.
ReplyDeleteNow I really need to get the image of a dinosaur trying to do doing jazz hands out of my head.
Although I look forward to seeing more of your reviews on Jessewave, I'll miss your comments here. As another Brit, it has been a real pleasure to hear your pov and be able to recognise your perspective (eg your recent camping expedition). Best wishes
ReplyDeleteJen you will be missed! But I will see you other places and eventually in person! yay! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you'll be leaving the posts as they are as I think so many will benefit from your views of the books you've review in the past.
{{Big hug}}
I'll keep looking for your reviews, Jen, they are amongst my favourite. I'm so glad you won't completely disappear from the blogsphere! Hugs, see you around the somewhat disreputable ;) blogs we all love :).
ReplyDeleteSniffle! You and your blog have been a truly wonderful source of encouragement and entertainment, and also a way to keep the economy green, thanks to the $$ I've spent on your recommendations.
ReplyDeleteGuess we'll just have to chase you around the blogosphere.
*sighs* I just recently started to follow your blog and I'm sad you have to close it now. :( But it's good to know you'll still be around in the web.
ReplyDeleteGood luck to you and all the best! I'm looking forward to the day you'll be reopening this blog. :)
Lilli
Thank you for the wonderful resource you leave us with - it is lovely to have places that will help track down a story with the right theme or sub-genre for the current reading "mood".
ReplyDeleteI'll certainly "see" you at RBJ and TDB.
Cheers and Thanks :)
O dear! This day has come much faster than I anticipated! It is good to know I will see you at other places otherwise it would have been a really dreadful day.
ReplyDelete(hugs) and I will see you somewhere else!
*sniff* I miss you already.
ReplyDeleteroar.
I understand all too well how one can find themselves pressed for time, particularly with the Net as just one of many distractions. I appreciate the thoughtful, objective reviews you've posted. Please know your support of the M/M genre has been most welcome. See you around!
ReplyDeleteYou can't get rid of me that easily, Jen. I know where you live after all. *g*
ReplyDeleteIn all seriousness, though, I will miss your blog very much. It is one of the first I discovered and I deeply appreciate the friendship we have built over the last couple of years.
PS - If this is part of a larger conspiracy to get me on to Twitter it so won't work.
Will miss this blog :( Thanks for the recommendations.
ReplyDeleteI have a purple wig, looks similar to Clare's blue one. I'll bring it to SF Jen and you and Clare can flit around the con like bubbly British blobs of cotton candy.
ReplyDeleteSo the day has finally come and leaves me saddened. That you'll be about on other sites is something of a comfort, though I must be honest and say that I will miss your blog.
ReplyDeleteI want to thank you, so very much and from the bottom (and top) of my heart for the many, many lovely reviews you've written. Not just for my books, but for others', as well. As many have already said, you are directly responsible, at least in part, for the size of my TBR pile. *chuckles*
I also want to mention that I feel incredibly honored to have 'A Game of Chances' be the last review appearing here at Well Read. Which in no way means that I don't hope real life will ease up on you and let you reopen the blog, if you so choose.
Well Read has been just that for me. Well read, as in... it's been a pleasure and every post has left me feeling amused, enlightened or intrigued by the stories you've reviewed (and sometimes all three LOL).
I look forward to following your future reviews at Wave's and TDB. Your 'reviewer's voice' is one of those that I respect, admire and agree with, most of the time, so it's great to know that while I will definitely miss your blog, I won't have to miss your thoughts and opinions. :)
All the best to you, Jenre. See you around! :)
~Tis
Jen you will be mnissed..
ReplyDeleteI have already bookmarked all your hang out - so looking forward to seeing your sticky mitts on other sites..
All the best hon and take it easy..
E.H>
So sorry to hear you're closing the shutters - but relieved to hear you'll still be around!
ReplyDeleteI can understand the decision - this must have been a huge commitment timewise - but you'll have to forgive me for selfishly hoping you may feel able to stage a Grand Re-opening some day!
Wishing you all the best,
Jamie
xxx
Lots of love, a wave, and good vibes your way. Thank you for all your conscientious time in the past, and I'll see you on GR, et al. :)
ReplyDelete*hugs*
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to see you leaving here, but happy that you're doing what's best for YOU. And I'm very happy to hear that you'll still be in our orbit through Wave's site, GR, and TBD.
*hugs again for good measure*
Oh don't stay gone long. Hurry back after you feel rested up or you read a great eBook you have to discuss with someone.
ReplyDeleteIt's an addiction you see.
Anyway, take care and all that but I will not buy it being forever. Just for now.
I will miss your blog. Thank you for all the books recommandations.
ReplyDelete*sniff* I'm going to miss your blog, Jen. I love your reviews and have gotten so many great recs from you.
ReplyDeleteGlad you'll still be around at other places.
I will miss checking your blog every morning to see what books you recommended. Your reviews are always insightful. It's good to know that you will still be on Good Reads and on other sites as well.
ReplyDeleteI'll keep you on my favourites bar and look forward to seeing you around the web.
ReplyDeleteLike everyone else I'll miss your blog very much, Jenn. *sniff* I'm glad you won't stop reviewing because your opinion and recommendations are very important for my book buying behavior! Hope to see you around. :D
ReplyDeleteMara: That's so true. Family has to come first.
ReplyDeleteAmanda: I think the dinosaur jazz hands are a fitting final image for my blog :).
RachelT: I'm glad that my British POV has been helpful, and given some common ground.
Tracy: I'm really looking forward to meeting you and the rest of the gang :).
Sara: Yes, I can think of one or two (or is that just one) disreputable site/s we both visit ;). I look forward to sharing comments with you there.
ReplyDeletePam: Thanks :). At least you wallet will be a little fuller from not being tempted to spend your cash :).
Lilli: Thanks :). Yes, maybe I'll be able to reopen, once life stops being so manic. Hmmm, will that ever happen?!!
H: Thank you for coming and spending time looking at my reviews. It's readers like you which have kept my blog running.
Ingrid: Yes, you'll still see me in lots of places. Plus I'll need you to keep recommending all that time-suck internet stuff to me ;).
ReplyDeleteKB: You'll still be able to be silly with me on Twitter *roar*. Plus its been a while since your sheep insulted me :).
Katrina: What a lovely thing to say! *sniff*. Now I'm all misty eyed again!
Kris: Oh heck. Time for a quick change of address, I think ;). You're already on Twitter in all but name and you know it.
Thanks for being my mate too - I shall miss not being able to do those daft joint blog posts.
Mariana: Thanks :). In a way I'm going to miss making those recommendations - at least here.
ReplyDeleteTam: Now there's a mental image! You're going to have to pack that wig now, you know :).
Tis: Aw, thank you! Honestly, I'm going to have to go and find the tissues soon. I'm glad that your book was my last review as it's only fitting that the honour should go to one of my autobuy authors.
EH: Thank you, my dear. I shall look forward to visiting your blog more often.
Jamie: Maybe, maybe. A grand opening eh? More likely I'll just slink back with my tail between my legs and hope no-one notices I've been away :).
Devon: *waves back*. You'll definitely be seeing me on GRs. I'm addicted to that site!
ReplyDeleteJaney: *hugs back*. I'll look forward to seeing you over at Wave's site.
TP: You're right, mate. It is an addiction, which is what got me into this mess in the first place :). Maybe....we'll see how long I go before I have to stick my oar in again. At least I've got my reviews elsewhere to get my reviewing 'fix'. :)
Aliens: Thanks :). No doubt I'll see you around on Twitter.
Richelle: thanks, matey. I know we have a number of shared sites on our blog reader so I shall be seeing you at those other blogs.
Mary: Thanks for the kind words about my reviews. Thanks also for being a regular lurker :).
ReplyDeleteLesley: I shall be seeing you at your blog as well as other sites :).
Janna: You will see me around! Hopefully, I'll still be able to influence your book buying - just on other sites instead of this one :).
You will, Jenn! I'll track you down :)
ReplyDeleteJanna: Oh good (I think) *g*.
ReplyDeleteGood luck, Jenre. Hopefully, I'll also see you around at DIK? *looks hopeful*
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete*hugs* *smooches* I'm glad you'll still be online - at GoodReads - and reviewing. All the best and thank you so much for introducing me to so many wonderful m/m books. And here's to many more :)
ReplyDelete:( I'm bad about commenting but I've been reading for a while. So sad to see you go but glad you'll still be around on GR etc. I'll still stalk your shelves. (hug)
ReplyDeleteWishing you all the best, Jen.
ReplyDeleteRenee: Oh, I'll definitely be over at DIK too. I forgot to mention that!
ReplyDeleteOrannia: I hadn't realised we weren't friends on GRs. I've corrected that now :). Yes there's always many more great m/m books!
Fiction Vixen: *Hugs back*. I shall look forward to seeing you at GRs, so I can stalk your shelves too.
Chrissy: Thanks :). You and Clare were the first authors I ever emailed and I'll never forget your kind reply to that.