As many of you will have noticed, I haven’t been posting much this year, and especially in the past few months. Now, it’s not because I’ve lost interest (I haven’t), or that there is a lack of review requests (there’s not) or even because I’m not reading (picture books still count!) No, it is because I simply haven’t had the time of late to spend at my computer, or to read much of anything that requires me to concentrate. My time has always been stretched thin with four kids, a couple of part-time jobs, volunteering at the schools, and a house to upkeep, but this year all of my kids have required some extra TLC. I don’t want to go much into it, just suffice to say I have found myself bouncing between various appointments, meetings and educational courses and seminars to help us through, and as an added bonus our family has been repeatedly hit with the virus stick, knocking us down one after the other for the last six months or so. I’m pretty tired…. and I’m only getting time on my computer today because I’m in bed recovering from the latest illness.

Now, I hope you won’t give up on me just yet! With spring in the air, hopefully the coughs, sneezes and snots will leave us be for a while, and life will return to some semblance of its normal chaotic self. I can’t predict when I will be back on the blog more regularly, but I will try to get more reviews happening, though I may be limited to picture books for a while….

I apologise if you have sent me a review request and I haven’t gotten to it yet, I do keep all review requests on file, so it’s still in my to do pile! I get more requests than I could ever complete even when times are good, but I will do my best!

Thanks for your understanding,

Sara

I logged in to Amazon yesterday to post a review only to discover that their review guidelines have changed. I can no longer post reviews unless I have spent a minimum of US$50 using a credit/debit card on the site within the previous 12 months. I live in Australia, and find that many things I might like from Amazon do not ship to Australia or the postage makes the cost too much, and I tend not to buy enough e-books to cover the minimum amount (I prefer physical books). So I am sad to say that I will no longer be posting reviews to Amazon.

I am dismayed by this policy change. I believe it unfairly impacts indie authors by restricting who can review their books. It also impacts the customers by restricting their access to honest and unbiased reviews. Reviews are helpful in creating sales, and are especially important for those books which have not been through a big publishing firm with dedicated marketing. This is a disappointing move that just smacks of greed (sigh…). I used to post reviews on Book Depository too, but now they only pull reviews from Amazon…

However, I will continue to post my reviews to my blog, Facebook and Twitter pages, Goodreads and Riffle. And I will continue to look for more places to post reviews. I’m open to recommendations too, so if you know a good place with free access to reviews, please let me know!

This winter was a difficult time for me as I bounced from one illness to the next. Since early May I have been struggling with chest infections, bronchitis, several bouts of conjunctivitis and gastroenteritis, and sinus and ear infections, plus a most hideous case of food poisoning… With a family of six, there were few days when no one was sick, and caring for sick kids is almost as tiring as being sick yourself. All of that has left me exhausted and feeling low. My beautiful husband, Big L, has been an absolute rock, pulling the cart when I could not, and putting up with my complaints, and my snoring! He is an amazing person with a big heart, and I adore him.

During those long months, it was difficult to work and sometimes even to read, so my book reviews have been few. I am sorry for this. I have greatly missed reading great stories and writing about them. I’m hopeful to be back in full swing shortly (I’m yet to beat the latest bout of bronchitis and ear infection). I appreciate your patience, and your support in reading and sharing my blog.

Thank you. Thank you.

Focus, concentration and motivation have been rather lacking in my life lately, as I slowly recover from illness, and the death of a loved one. I just haven’t been able to work or even read for pleasure, leaving me woefully behind in my read-and-review stack. I apologise if you have been waiting for a review or feedback. I don’t know how long it will be until I find myself back on my feet again, I’m just taking things one day at a time.
Thank you all for reading my blog and sharing your work with me and my readers. I hope to continue the Today We Did journey soon, and I hope you will come along for the ride 🙂

Sara xx