. . . and farewell. It's been nearly two years since I started this blog, which has provided me with a fun creative outlet and put me in touch with many wonderful people all over the world. However, as I may have mentioned very occasionally (ahem!) I have a demanding career that leaves little time for my personal interests, including reading. So I have found myself in the awkward position of spending much of the precious time that I would otherwise devote to books, to writing a blog that's supposed to be -- at least in part, anyway -- about books.
I've done a good deal of thinking over the holidays, and have decided to devote myself to other pursuits in my scant spare time. Yes, I'm going to put a dent in my To-Be-Read pile, but am also going to work on a couple of my own book projects. One is a bit hush-hush; the other is about a more mundane work-related topic that happens to be my professional speciality, namely: prenuptial agreements.
So, dear readers, thank you for all of your kind and encouraging comments over the past two years. I am going to keep my email address (bookishnyc@gmail.com) active, and will certainly keep posting under that moniker on all of your sites, bookish and otherwise. Please keep in touch!
Best wishes for a very Happy New Year!
This is very sad news. I have loved your blog, not only because of your comments on books but because of the accounts of your life in New York, particularly the concerts you go to. It's been like getting letters from an old friend - very Austenesque.
Can you recommend another blogger - as much like you as possible? It won't be the real thing but maybe the start of another beautiful friendship.
Best wishes, and maybe when you retire you can start blogging again.
Felicity
Posted by: Felicity Luke | December 30, 2010 at 07:28 AM
NOOOOO!! No, no, no, no!!! Oh, Karen!! PLEASE - do not forsake us!! I'm going to use foul language because I'm terribly upset (and spent a good portion of my life in restaurant kitchens...) - but this is my favorite f*cking blog!! We'll take less posts - once a week!!! Surely you can manage that?? You must keep sharing all your fabulous book, music and art recommendations with us. Your taste and eye are impeccable!!
I'm more distraught than is reasonable!
Sincerely,
A Crushed Martina....
Posted by: Martina | December 30, 2010 at 07:58 AM
I, too, will miss your blogs. But I wonder how some bloggers can read so much when they blog so much. I understand your desire to actually READ instead of spending precious leisure time writing about reading. I'll miss the bits about your NYC lifestyle though. Best wishes and happy reading!
Posted by: Joan Kyler | December 30, 2010 at 08:15 AM
I will also miss your blog, but I understand entirely. I've so enjoyed your blog and your thoughts and your observations - thank you for it. Good luck and please stay in touch!
Posted by: Sara | December 30, 2010 at 09:45 AM
All good things must come to an end..... how sad. Karen, best of luck with your new endeavors. I shall miss your blog.
Posted by: Alan Fishman | December 30, 2010 at 09:53 AM
C'mon. You're just tired. Take a deep breath...take a month off. We'll wait. I'm gutted.
Posted by: Martha Snow | December 30, 2010 at 10:31 AM
I am very disappointed that you are ending your blog (yours is one of the more intelligent blogs I read and one of the few I read on a regular basis - I especially love your Sunday quotations about books and reading), even though I understand your reason for doing it. I have wondered, in reading your postings this past year, when you find time for everything. I share many of your interests (even jo Malone's Nectarine Blossom and Honey cologne!), and will miss your reviews of books and concerts (several of wish I have attended). I hope you make a dent in your TBR bookshelf (although you do realize that it will never be empty!!). Happy New Year.
Posted by: Karol/New York City | December 30, 2010 at 10:48 AM
No! Don't leave us! You will be so missed! :( I have so enjoyed your blog and always have a chuckle at what you write. I understand that you're super busy, however, and sometimes life needs to be pared down. You must do what you have to do, but if you decide to come back, you will be very welcomed!! It is a sad day for the blogosphere Karen!!
Posted by: Rachel | December 30, 2010 at 11:00 AM
I'll miss your posts! Good luck with the TBR pile and all of your other adventures.
Posted by: Kerry | December 30, 2010 at 11:09 AM
Hello Felicity: Oh dear, I have another 25 years to go before I can contemplate retirement, but I do look forward to that day! As for another blogger, take a look at the right sidebar, where I've listed some of my favorite bookish and NYC-related bloggers. Thank you for your kind words.
Hi Martina: Well, I will follow suit and just say that I am really f**king tired and spread too thin. LOL!! Sorry to disappoint, but I just can't manage it all. However, since you ask, I do plan on continuing to "tweet" and in fact am going to change the focus of that particular endeavor to include more book and concert-related messages. I am very grateful for your kind and only slightly profane comment above. (I myself curse like a sailor -- law firms must be a lot like restaurant kitchens in that respect.)
Hello Joan: Thank you for understanding!
Hi Sara: I'll still be around, voting in your weekly polls and admiring your photographs and fashion-sense!
Hi Alan: Thank you -- I'll miss it, too . . . but time to go.
Hello Martha: Yes, I'm tired. Depleted. Completely pooped. But I need to regroup and think about other projects, including a certain book I'm working on. Don't worry -- you'll be just fine!
Hi Karol: I will be alert to fellow audience members wafting the scent of Nectarine Blossom & Honey....! Thanks for your kind words.
Hello Rachel: Thank you so much . . . I may pop up again in a year or two . . . one never knows.
Hi Kerry: Thanks . . . now I'm off to tackle the book pile!
Posted by: Karen | December 30, 2010 at 11:38 AM
Yours has been one of my favorite blogs, but I completely understand where you are coming from. I always feel like I'm not reading enough and I even have downtime at my job where I can blog in my office instead of at home. Best of luck and I hope you get a lot more reading in now :)
Posted by: Short Story Slore | December 30, 2010 at 12:06 PM
I'm sorry to hear it. I discovered your blog just within the last few months, and it's quickly become one of my all-time favorites. But I understand your decision - I used to be a book blogger back in the day (for 3 years), but had to give it up when other things interfered and I just wasn't loving reading when I knew there would be a review obligation at the end.
I hope things go well for you! :)
Posted by: M (@notarevolution) | December 30, 2010 at 01:38 PM
I too discovered your blog within the past few months and liked it so that the link to it is on the bookmarks bar of my MacBook. That lets me check it first each day. I will probably keep checking on the off chance that you change your mind or come across something you just must post. You will be missed but thank you for the past few months and good luck with your books.
Posted by: Rosemary (New York) | December 30, 2010 at 04:49 PM
I don't understand all these resigned and understanding readers. Like three year olds and generals I want what I want and I want your blog. Where else am I to learn about orange suede Tory Burch flats and what people are reading on the NYC subway?
Perhaps you could leave the site up and post once a week? Once a month? Bi-monthly? Anything!
Posted by: Mary Ronan Drew | December 30, 2010 at 06:01 PM
Wow! What a bummer! Not a good way to start the New Year. Just when I discover a book blog that projects reading interests somewhat like my own, you find the grass is greener elsewhere. Will miss your posts very much, but life is too short not to go for broke. Best of luck and we'll hope to see your name up in lights--soon! JudyMac
P.S. Santa did bring the requested Hare With Amber Eyes ...... it truly is a fabulous book and, like you, I highly recommend it to all. That, plus Parrot & Olivier, would be my top two "faves" for 2010.
Posted by: mytwocentsworth | December 30, 2010 at 06:38 PM
I've been visiting your blog for probably a year and have enjoyed reading it very much. I, too, like hearing about your life in New York maybe even more then your bookish posts. I think my feelings would run along with Mary Ronan Drew's comment but I do wish you the best in whatever you decide to do.
Posted by: Shayne (Kansas City) | December 30, 2010 at 08:53 PM
I'm really sorry to hear this--I totally understand having lots of things you want and need to do and fewer hours than needed to do them all in, however. You really will be missed--I always enjoy checking out your sidebar to see what you're reading and hearing about your work (even though it is probably the cause of much of your stress!). I do hope you'll still drop by on occasion--I would love to hear from you. Hmm. I might just have to finally break down and do Twitter! ;) Best of Luck and I wish you many happy hours reading and writing!
Posted by: Danielle | December 30, 2010 at 09:03 PM
Sorry to see you go but needs must! I will miss the subway posts - it somehow brought NY closer to me!
Posted by: Mystica | December 30, 2010 at 09:58 PM
Hi Short Story Slore: Thanks for your good wishes!
Hello "M" -- Well, you persevered a year longer than I did....I just can't devote enough time to it and still pursue a couple of projects that have been on the back burner.....
Hi Rosemary: Thank you so much. Sorry to bow out so soon after you discovered me.
Hello Mary! You just made me laugh out loud! "Three year olds and generals" indeed . . . Thanks for following on Twitter. Let me recommend: @austenonly, @nybooks, @NewYorker, @carnegiehall, @morganlibrary, @metmuseum.
Hi MyTwoCentsWorth: So glad you're enjoying The Hare with Amber Eyes. I doubt that my name will ever be up in lights -- but maybe on a rather dull volume about prenuptial agreements.
Hello Shayne: Thanks for your good wishes -- glad you enjoyed the New York tidbits.
Hi Danielle: I will definitely be dropping by -- I'm not giving up visiting book blogs -- just writing one! And yours is a favorite.
Hello Mystica: I confess the subway posts were my favorites, too!
Posted by: Karen | December 30, 2010 at 10:39 PM
We will all miss you so much. I also looked forward to reading your subway posts every Friday. Have fun reading and take time to relax and enjoy yourself. I have enjoyed reading your blog very much.
Posted by: Carol Roberts | December 30, 2010 at 11:25 PM
This is as sad as the end of a Paris vacation! Here's looking at you, kid.
Posted by: Christine | December 31, 2010 at 12:56 AM
WHAT!???? I do say.. I OBJECT! This is NOT getting my New Year off to a very good start at all!
I LOVE YOUR BLOG-- the Thursdays -- The Subway Sightings -- THE OBJECTS OF DESIRE!
You will be missed!
Posted by: M.B. | December 31, 2010 at 03:08 AM
Oh and I agree with Rosemary -- NOT EVEN ONCE A MONTH???? !!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!
:(
Posted by: M.B. | December 31, 2010 at 03:09 AM
Oh I will miss you Karen! Yours is one of the few blogs that has made me laugh out loud in the past few months - the seen on the subway posts were priceless!
Good luck with all your projects and have a wonderful New Year.
Love LizF
Posted by: Liz F | December 31, 2010 at 07:38 AM
I've enjoyed reading your blog very much the past 6 months; it had a very NYC flavor, so thanks for sharing your observations and reads. Good luck on your future reading and writing projects! Susan E
Posted by: Susan | December 31, 2010 at 04:12 PM
Oh Karen, I feel so sad hearing this news. Obviously I am not alone in my despair. I've been reading your blog regularly for just over a year now and I have enjoyed all of it. It has been a wonderful escape from my dreadful day job (yes, lawyer), and you have made me laugh so many times. I also happen to live in a rather smallish place in Canada and loved hearing about the arts and cultural life of NY. But I know what it's like to feel overwhelmed and nobody wants you to continue if it's going to cause you more stress. Best of luck in your difficult day job, and may you find rest, peace and lots of fun in your many other interesting pursuits.
Jacqueline
Posted by: Jacqueline | December 31, 2010 at 04:27 PM
Goodbye Karen. Never missed reading one of your posts!
I'll leave you in my 'favorites' just in case you have a change of mind. All the best!
C J
Posted by: C J | December 31, 2010 at 08:24 PM
Oh, how sad! :( I just started blogging this year and have really enjoyed following your posts! I know that it can be tough to do all of this and work and have a personal life, but I am not going to stop following your blog *just* in case you return!
Happy New Year to you as well - I hope 2011 brings you wonderful fortune and success with your hush-hush project, too!
Posted by: Coffee and a Book Chick | December 31, 2010 at 09:06 PM
Sob sob sob sob .......
Posted by: Pia | January 01, 2011 at 12:29 AM
Karen, I just began reading your blog about a month ago and enjoyed it no end. As a happily retired lawyer, I can easily understand the demands of your job and your struggle to find enough time to read. I wish you all the best with your writing projects and many more happy reads in your future. (And I hope that work is tolerable. I won't try to wish for more than that.)
Thanks for the wonderful experience of reading your writing.
Posted by: Maine Colonial | January 01, 2011 at 08:51 AM
Good luck with your book projects & your reading, Karen. Life is growth & change. I'll miss your blog (especially those seen on the subway posts) but wish you great luck & many new adventures.
Maybe you'll resurface online someday as part of a book (your own!) promotion. :)
Happy New Year.
Posted by: OdetteO | January 01, 2011 at 09:56 PM
I'll definitely miss the subway posts, and the culture posts and the...
Reading this blog makes me more homesick than you can imagine. I'm sorry to see it end. :-(
Posted by: JulieP | January 01, 2011 at 10:27 PM
I can only add a ditto to the above remarks. Thank you so much for the two years. You will be missed!
Posted by: Cheryl F. | January 02, 2011 at 07:07 PM
Hi Carol: Thank you; glad you enjoyed it!
Hello Christine: Ohhh -- thank you! See you around.
Hi M.B.: Oh my -- well, um, I'm going to try and keep up the Seen on the Subway posts on Twitter!
Hello LizF: Thanks for being a regular commenter; will miss you, too. Stay in touch!
Hi SusanE: I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for your good wishes!
Hi Jacqueline: My sympathies are with you on the career front. : ) Thank you so much for understanding and your kind words.
Hello CJ: Thanks so much for being such a dedicated reader!
Hi CoffeeandaBookChick: Good luck with your own blog, and thanks for your good wishes.
Hi Pia: There, there . . . Here's a Kleenex.
Hi Maine Colonial: Ah...a "retired lawyer." That's my ambition. Thanks for your kind comment.
Hello Odette: Thanks so much. Who knows where this year will take me . . .
Hi JulieP: Now, now . . . none of this homesickness!
Hi Cheryl F: I'll miss you all, too!
Posted by: Karen | January 03, 2011 at 07:45 AM
I'm very late to the party.
Gosh, this is too too sad.
Where else would I have discovered HARE long before the world did?
I will have to follow on Twitter.
Reading Angelica Garnett's Decieved with Kindness. How well she writes.
How madly miserable she was.
Happy New Year.
Posted by: Elizabeth | January 03, 2011 at 06:27 PM
Mailing you from The Netherlands in Europe. My first thought was: NO NO NO.
My second thought: I am really going to miss you/your blog. Can you maybe blog less and still keep us up to date on all your adventures? Your blog was so much fun, really one of the best blogs out there. And now, 2011 seems empty.
I used to live in NYC, many years ago, and through your blog I felt so connected again. You really have a great way with words......
and although I understand you need all the time you can get, still I would like to plead with you: don't go!!!!
But ofcourse I do wish you all the best!
Posted by: Gerda van der Heyde | January 04, 2011 at 08:36 AM
Well I did something stupid today. I completely forgot that you wouldn't be posting and so the first thing I did today was to go to BookishNYC. Alas, you're still gone.
Ok everyone, all together now..."Don't go!"
I do hope that you are able to get a break and have time for yourself and catch up on your reading. But leave the door open. Your friends will still be waiting and eager to hear from you.
All the best and do keep in touch.
Posted by: Martha Snow | January 04, 2011 at 12:09 PM
@Martha Snow - I do something even more stupid, I check back every few days to see if she's changed her mind yet.
So far, she has not. Sigh....and tomorrow is Thursday "Park Avenue Divorce Tales" day...
Posted by: martina | January 05, 2011 at 12:46 PM
i am devastated....
Posted by: Juny Bayard | January 05, 2011 at 10:14 PM
I will say what others seem to have overlooked ... Happy New Year and thank you for all the postings you have already made and may you have a well earned rest from blogging! I have come late to your blog, but have really enjoyed it. But I do understand how time consuming it must be. Have a wonderful year and perhaps in time you will return, refreshed.
Posted by: Margaret Powling | January 08, 2011 at 03:49 PM
Hello Elizabeth: I'm so glad you enjoyed The Hare With Amber Eyes.
Hi Gerda: You're very kind. I'm going to be on Twitter (@bookishnyc) doing the Seen on the Subway posts, as well as posting snippets about my concert-going, teeth-gnashing career moments, etc. I would love to see you there!
Hi Martha Snow: I am definitely leaving the door open; I just really need to get cracking on a book project that's been languishing, and it was always so much more fun to post here than buckle down to a blank page!
Hello Martina: As you enjoyed the "Park Avenue Divorce Tales," I will be sure to send you an autographed copy of the book (a much- expanded version of the Thursday posts), if I can ever succeed in getting it published!
Hello Juny -- so sorry to disappoint. Be well.
Hi Margaret: Thanks for your good wishes, and Happy New Year to you as well.
Posted by: Karen | January 09, 2011 at 11:50 AM
So sad to see you shut down - I've really enjoyed reading your blog. Wondered just last night how your Proust project was going...
Now, if you could just hook Twitter up to Facebook, I could follow you there.
Best of luck with everything, and thank you for all of the reading pleasure (and recommendations!) I've gotten from your blog. And, thank you also for recommending, long ago, The Spinster Stitcher.
Posted by: ML Richardson | January 09, 2011 at 02:08 PM
I will hold you to that, Karen! Please know that we are all anxiously awaiting your book and will be lined up at your first signing. It's rather exciting really. And now, because Margaret Powling has shamed me into doing it - thank you so much for all the wonderful posts. They were truly a joy.
And I think there is a way you can import your twitter feed into facebook - which would be great for me as well as Twitter is where I've drawn my technology line....
Posted by: martina | January 11, 2011 at 03:53 PM
Oh, Karen I completely understand, but how I will miss you. As you know, the regular postings I adore are the subway and divorce ones. But what I'll miss is the 'you' that comes through your writing. Please do stop by and visit once in a while, and if you start up again, please let me know! I don't know how anyone finds the time to blog when they have jobs and/or children still at home.
Posted by: Nan | January 20, 2011 at 09:22 AM
You really will be missed very much
Posted by: Werner Ladders | April 14, 2011 at 10:41 AM