Since January, I’ve noticed that several of my favorite bloggers have either shut down their blogs or announced a hiatus (Jane Brocket, Book Snob). I’ve wondered if the death of blogging is imminent, if people find blogs helpful or relevant anymore and if I should take this opportunity to quit blogging myself. I haven’t felt any passion or excitement about Gudrun’s Tights since around October and it is a struggle for me to find time or interest to write about my reading or even my life. Most days I feel that I don’t have anything to contribute to the conversation about books and that my writing is boring, shallow bunk.
But then I think perhaps quitting is not so easy to do. I would miss sharing my life with all of you and telling you about my latest obsessions and passions. Not very many of my non-blogging friends here in Arizona care one whit about Barbara Pym or Mary Stewart or about comparing book covers or drooling over new editions of old favorites. This really is a unique community that allows like-minded people from around the world to connect over our shared discoveries and curiosities.
So, what to do? I could let Gudrun’s Tights languish and just finally float away. Or I could try to force myself to blog even when I feel sick at the thought of it. Or I could revamp the structure and post less frequently. The thought of posting individual thoughts on each book I read no longer appeals to me, but I did enjoy writing the mini book thoughts I posted earlier in the year. Maybe a weekly update, like my friend Melissa does, would work better for my life right now.
How about you? Have you noticed that people are abandoning their blogs, posting less frequently, feeling blogging ennui? Have you felt it yourself? Do you think blogs are dying? I’d very much appreciate your feedback.
A Certain Fondness 
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