Hello dear readers,
I’m sure you’ve noticed that I’ve been absent for the last couple of months, and I’m really sorry about that! The truth is that my life keeps coming in the way and it is very hard to find the time to build blog posts as frequently as I had been doing for the past 4 years. I really envy those who can keep up with this rhythm; I know it is not easy and it takes a lot of dedication and organization.
In addition, I confess I needed a break from JAFF books. After reading so much JAFF I started to mix all stories I had read and it became difficult to distinguish them, plus all characters seemed to be behaving in the same manner and having the same type of discourses, making most books I was reading very predictable, which is why I stopped for a while. I tried reading some moderns or secondary character novels in search of something new and fresh, but I guess I was in a bad phase because it didn’t work either, so I read a few sci-fi books and watched a LOT of television.
After this break up, which took only a few months, I’m starting to miss Mr. Darcy and I am ready to get back to JAFF, but I need your help to keep balanced, so I’ve built a little questionnaire for you to tell me what you want to see published on this blog and how frequently. I mean, there is no point in publishing stuff no one wants to read, or to bore you to death with too many posts, right? So if you help me understand what are your favorite posts, I’ll try to oblige, after all I would by no means suspend any pleasure of yours 🙂
I would really appreciate if you could take only a minute to reply to the following questions. You can choose multiple answers in all of them 🙂
I visited England in the beginning of the year and did another Jane Austen Road Trip in the company of the lovely Joana Starnes who was once more the perfect host in that part of the world. I haven’t posted about it yet, but if I see this is one of the topics you would like to see published, I will. But I’m mentioning this because during this trip a bought a few goodies to offer to my readers but I never got a chance to do a giveaway, so I think this is a good opportunity to do it as a way to thank you all for taking the time to help me choose the direction I should take.
Once you fill this small questionnaire, please let me know via comment, and if you want to add anything else in the comments, please feel free to do so. I would also love to know if there is anything you consider I should change or improve.
All comments will be included for the giveaway of the Pride and Prejudice mirrors which will be offered to two different winners (one mirror per winner). The giveaway is international and is open until the 24th of June.
Good Luck everyone!
From Pemberley to Milton 
The voting was helpful thank you. I like to access relevant content.
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Thanks for voting Mary! This will be very helpful to be able to adapt the contents to the audience 🙂
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I know just what you mean about needing to mix things up with my reading, Rita. I would say feel free to post about what is taking your fancy at the time even if its not Austen or Gaskell. 🙂 I love a wide variety of genres and romance interests so I’m up for anything and its fun to hear about your trips or visits, too.
I did your poll. Hope it helps!
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Thanks Sophia!! I would actually love to review the sci-fi books I’ve been reading but I thought no one would be interested. The poll will really help to adapt the content to the audience 🙂
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I can’t think of anyone who doesn’t get burned out on any genre at some point or other. Any long time fan has most likely had the same problem of the stories running together. I’ve been reading up a storm this year, and have forgotten the details of books I read last month, and recently decided I had to make a stab at my ‘other’ TBR after reading a few very long, or series books that took me days and days.
Your reviews are wonderful, fair, don’t give away too much of the story, and unique from other review sites. So, on the things I voted for above I voted for almost everything you are currently doing. The things I didn’t vote for weren’t things I hated or anything like that. Just thought if you needed to slow down, or gain a fresh outlook, or narrow down the responsibility, you would naturally have to give something up. But you really should do what gives you the most joy.
I follow a lot of blogs having to do with Jane Austen and other Regency authors and I really cannot keep up with them all….and these are sites and blogs I love, I just can’t fit it all in. When a new book comes out, the book is going to go on tour. And as much as I love the author and love learning about them, I don’t want to read too much about the story once I’ve decided it’s going on my wish list. All this must make it even more difficult for you the blogger. It’s an honor to have the author visit, and it’s an honor for the author to have the spotlight on them and their book. Challenges indeed.
I will continue to visit your blog whether you change the frequency or the focus. I just wish you the best. And I hope you know that we love you and what you give us, even if not all of us comment every time. Take care of yourself.
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Thank you so much for taking the poll and for such a thoughtful comment Michelle! You have really made me happy with it 🙂 I perfectly understand you too. There are so many blogs out there that I wish I could follow more closely, but with all the daily activities we have, and all the books we read there isn’t much time left to read 3 or 4 posts a day. That is also why I wanted to hear your opinion about the frequency of the posts. I’m glad I did because now I will only do posts once a week, this way readers will have more time to actually read what is being posted instead of being spammed with lost of posts they don’t care about 🙂
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I was the same! Read a LOT of JAFF in a short amount of time, and needed a break as they were starting to mix in my head too! (although it’s amazing how i can still recollect a lot of the plots of the books i’ve read!!) Just getting back in to reading again now. Still love it, but i think i’ll spread out my books more from now on!! Gives me a chance to mull over each story for a while, and stay in the bubble of happiness the end of each book brings, before diving in to a new one and another misunderstanding between ODC!!!
Love your blog, all the best 🙂
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It is somewhat addictive isn’t it Claire? I was the same, when I discovered JAFF I could not stop reading and I wanted more and more Darcy stories, but as everything else in life, when consumed disproportionally it loses interest on us. I am now regaining some joy in these stories, and hopefully I will be back with some good reviews in no time 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing your opinion with us 🙂
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We all need breaks. As much as I adore JAFF, I get a bit “burned out “ on it at times. It really does help me to read something wholly unrelated to JA. I can then return to the magic of Elizabeth and Darcy with much appreciation and anticipation.
I did the survey questions. Hope it helps!
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Thank you so much for giving me your opinion Pam. I never expected to see so many people facing the same thing as me. I just hope we can all regain our enthusiasm for JAFF shortly 🙂
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We all need to take a break at times no matter how much we enjoy something. I occassionally read sci-fi/fantasy and other historical romance and always mix in books about the natural world. Thanks for the chance to give you feed back and for the generous give away.
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Thank you so much for taking a part in the questionnaire Deborahanne2, I’m glad to know you also like to read sci-fi books, I may include a few reviews of that genre in the blog in the future 🙂
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Rita, you’re one of my favorite bloggers, and I miss you when you take breaks, but I do understand the need for them. I voted, but honestly, I’m perfectly happy with how you’re doing the blog now. I can appreciate your wanting to make some changes, though. I respect you as a fair and honest reviewer so much that if you want to review sci-fi (and I’m not a fan of the genre), I’ll probably check it out. Who knows? I might even read the book because of your review. 😉 And, I’m looking forward to hearing about your trip or trips to England or any of your other travels.
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Thank you so much for stopping by and giving me your opinion Jan! Knowing that amazing authors like you respect my opinion is really important to me 🙂 I will try to post about my latest roadtrip to England as soon as possible, but I am affraid that will only be in August 😦
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Welcome back! There is so much Austen influenced fiction these days that it can become overwhelming. I’ve also experienced pressure from others to read, read, read all of it. I had to step back for a while. I now pace myself, alternating reading period pieces with modern, Austen/Gaskell/etc. with more current fiction. For a long time, ten years, all I read was fiction that sprang from those revered authors, but at some point, I burned out. I had to stop reading all of it. Now, I’ve come back to it and still enjoy it. I take it easy and alternate genres and time periods. I think it’s understandable. Life needs variety in all things.
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Thank you so much for sharing your experience with me Leeza. It’s good to know I’m not the only one. I haven’t stopped reading JAFF altogether, but I would have if I continued with tat pace. Now I’m trying to diversify within the genre and to read other genres in between. This balance is definitely helping me keep interest in JAFF 🙂
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I voted. Thanks for this great blog!
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Thank you so much Virginia!
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I can understand your feelings with JAFF. I agree with others who said I’d be happy to read about other genres as well if you care to review them (mostly if you enjoyed them enough to give a positive recommendation – but thought provoking critical reviews are also very useful). I also commented on the posting frequency question in the poll.
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Thank you so much for giving me your opinion Agnes. I may start reviewing other genres in the future, at least now I know that you would also consider reading those reviews 🙂
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I’ve always appreciated your posts and often bought books based on your recommendations. As they say, thank you for your service.
Really jealous you travelled with Joana Starnes, but you deserve to.
I’m not generally one for time travel or sci-fi but I adore Jodi Taylor’s series “Chronicles of St Mary’s”, and there’s a new one out i don’t have, so a review there would be lovely, if you were so inclined.
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Thank you so much for giving me your opinion and encouragement Beatrice! I really apreciate it 🙂 Joana Starnes ie an incredible person, I am truly blessed to have met her 🙂
Thank you for the recommendation too, I will check Chronicles of St Mary’s to see if that is my cup of tea, and if so add it to the ever growing TBR pile 🙂
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You know my opinion Rita, Darcy and Elizabeth stories are my ‘must read more!’
I voted but to be honest I love your blog just as it is. I’m happy with you posting whenever you have time and about whatever interests you. I love your road trip photos (whether Jane inspired or otherwise) as I enjoy seeing places I could only dream about.
I love the reviews as I know you are totally honest and therefore I can trust them. I used to get all the freebies at one time but I had some which I struggled to read so now I’m more careful. The same goes for new authors so it is a bonus when I can read about them on your posts.
I didn’t vote for the novellas option as I prefer longer books but then again I do love Joy’s Christie Capps novellas so perhaps I should have included that?
To be honest I’m amazed that you find the time to blog at all so whatever you choose is good.
I remember you buying those mirrors for giveaways- please don’t include me as I have one 😉. Good luck to everyone and happy blogging Rita.
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Thank you so much for stopping by Glynis, meeting you online and in person was one of the best things that JAFF brought me 🙂
I do try to be honest as that is the only thing that makes sense to me as a blogger. I personally don’t trust reviewers who enjoy absolutely everything, because not all books are the same, so I try to stay true to that line of thought, even if it is difficult at times.
I will have to find the time to post about our Jane Austen roadtrip, you are included in it after all 🙂
Thank you once more for your opinion, I’ll try to stick to longer books, but like you I can’t resist a Christie Capps novel.
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That trip was such fun, Rita!!! I hope we can do it again soon, it was wonderful to go to our favourite places together.
Please don’t enter me in the giveaway, I just wanted to pop by to vote & tell you how much I love your blog. I’m so glad you’ve started to miss Mr Darcy 🙂
Lots of hugs and see you soon!
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Thank you so much for participating in the questionaire Joana! It was really helpful to receive so much input from everybody.
I do have to post about our trips together, you were the most amazing host and you deserve the right credit for it! I’ll try to do it in August… I am the worst, am I not? Hope to you see you soon 🙂
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I would hate for you to lose your enthusiasm for JAFF because you felt pressured NOT to take a break. Breaks are good! Thanks for seeking feedback!
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Thanks Tamara! The feedback was really good! For example, I realised most people actually prefers one single post per week then two which reduces all the stress I was having to keep up with two weekly posts. And by reducing the frequency of the posts, I don’t have to read so much, which means that I’ll be able to enjoy the books more.
Having this questionnaire was a great idea and I really appreciate all the time you all took to do it 🙂
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I can understand the burn-out of JAFF. I keep telling myself I’ll stp for a bit and then see a review of a new book and fall down the rabbit hole!
I do think that you need to do the blog as best suits your schedule and interest….I appreciate whatever thoughts you and your fellow authors so generously share with us!
Thank you!
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Thank you so much for taking the time to do the poll and for sharing your opinion with is Theresa, I will slow things down a little and hopefully that will help me keep going for a longer period, instead of burning out and stopping altogether 🙂
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I can understand the burn out. When that happens I usually go read a book for my other author that has 20 books written about one family…it’s easy to pick up. I would love to see your pictures from your trip. It was not a choice to vote on but, the beginning of each month would work as well.
Happy Summer🌼
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Thanks for stopping by and giving me your opinon Shelley. I will definitely share some pictures of my latest trip. I’ll try to do it in the beggining of next month 🙂
Could Julia Quinn be the author you are talking about? I have a friend who is addicted in her family sagas 🙂
Happy summer to you too!
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So glad you are back. I often get stories mixed up too. I filled in the questionnaire. What a wonderful trip with Joanna.
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Thanks for taking the time to do the questionnaire Eva! It is really helpful to know what you value on this blog 🙂
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Hi Rita,
I think that your willingness to mix genres and offer more choice to your readers is a good one. I can relate to what you said about reading too much Austen related books as I,too,am in a JAFF reading slump!
I spent too long focused on JAFF, grew tired of the same characters,centred around a similar premise, and needed a fresh change of scene,in literary terms. I’ve happily meandered back into crime and thrillers!
Please, feel free to write about the books that surprise you, fill you with joy,the ‘happy accidents’ you stumble upon along your reading path and those that impel you to shout its merits from the rooftops,regardless of genre.
I,along with your loyal readers,will continue to follow your blog.
I wish you well whatever you decide. ☘️
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Thank you so much for giving me your opinion Mary! I am glad to know I am not the only one. Sometimes I wondered how people could continue reading this genre at this rythm for so long, but now I am realising that many like myself take breaks from time to time. I will reduce the frequency of the posts, and that will help me keep up, but I will also add some reviews of different genres once in a while, who knows, maybe one day this will not be just dedicated to P&P and N&S 🙂 Thank you for being such a faithful reader 🙂 I really enjoyed getting to you through this common interest 🙂
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Filled out the questionnaire. I have had the same issue and now try to always mix-up my reading to prevent fatigue from a genre. I am happy with the way you have been doing your blog although I wouldn’t complain about you adding North and South to the mix as I am a huge fan of that book as well.
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Hi Rita! So happy to see you back and completely understand the need for a break. There are so many wonderful books to read in so many genres, and I try to mix it up through the year. I love JAFF, North South variations, which I give all the credit to you for pointing me in the direction of the ever talented Nicole Clarkston, Victorian murder mysteries or period mysteries in general, historical romances, the odd non-fiction, a little fantasy or time travel. I also decided to role back on my reading challenge on Goodreads, as I put too much pressure on myself to reach it! This time of year, I read less anyway so my TBR pile keeps climbing as I can’t stop adding to it! So I voted, and as for the frequency, once every two weeks is good too, though you didn’t put that in as an option. Thank you for all you do!
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Hi Rita. I’ve just put my votes in.
When it comes to the frequency of your blog posts, I’d be quite happy if you wanted to make the interval, say, once a fortnight, if it fits in better with your Real Life. It’d be good to see reviews of the other genres you read, too. I’m a sci-fi geek as well as a Janeite, so if you ever read anything in that genre, I’d love to see what you think of it. Whatever you decide, we’ll still be here!
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I find I don’t have as much tolerance for books which are only “good”. I read so many that I want ones which pull me in quickly and keep me enthralled. I do read N&S variations but mainly stick to D&E variations.
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I have not come to the point were I tire of Jaff, but do mix them up with other books. Cookbooks mostly 😉 So looking forward to hearing about your roadtrip!! Would love to win the Pemberley mirror, thanks for a chance!!
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I am an avid fan of p & p . There were books I have not been able to get a hold of. It will be great to post if you review them even the old ones (if you hav any) that may no longer be in the market.
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Voted
Totally understand about reading JAFF. Last year I thought it was time to finally read all 200+ JAFF books I had acquired – mainly Darcy and Elizabeth. Now I am bored with this couple and want to read other JAFF stories and not just P&P. But I am now catching up with all my unread historical mysteries and modern crime
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Forgetting the details is something I have aswell (at times). But as I sadly don’t have the time or funds to read absolutely everything all the time, I am still wanting to read more JAFF and are far from bored. Love your posts and the mirrors are cute!!
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After years of reading very little because of school, finding Goodreads upped my reading stats considerably but I’ve barely read a dozen books so far this year and I’m focusing more on movies and TV shows, which I missed so I totally get where you’re coming from. As much as we love something we shouldn’t force to keep ot up if we’re not feeling it.
I answered the poll but don’t include me in the giveaway
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