Dear Book Nerd Reviews’ friends and followers,

We need to talk….

It is with a heavy heart, that I must inform you that I am dumping you for Laini Taylor.

Well, actually, that whole sentence is a filled with half-truths. It really isn’t with a heavy heart that I tell you the following, I am not actually dumping you, and it is not entirely Laini’s fault.

It is actually with a heart full of joy that I am telling you that I think we need a break - we need to see new things and see other people.

It’s not you, it’s me …. And Laini Taylor.

You see, this weekend, I am heading off on an overseas trip. I am finally returning to one of the most beautiful cities in the world - Prague! Ever since travelling in 2008, I have wanted to return to Prague, to spend some more time there and just bask in its awesomeness! I want to stroll over Charles Bridge (multiple times) and sit along the riverbank and walk the alleyways that make up this amazing and culture-filled city. I absolutely adore Prague, for not only its beauty, but for astonishing atmosphere that surrounds and fills you. When I was there last, I just didn’t have enough time to explore this amazing city properly, or to venture outside the city centre. I didn’t have the time to go to Kutná Hora or Český Krumlov, or to any of the other amazing places around the Czech Republic. So it has been 5 years of earning and wanting to go back, and now I am finally going!

And although Daughter of Smoke and Bone is set in Prague, this is not actually directly related to my comments about Laini. On my trip, I am also going to London for 6 days (because, why not?)… and this is where my fangirl dream will come true - Laini will be in London at the same time!!!! OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OH. MY. GOD!!!! Finally, I get to meet Laini!!! (And by this, I mean I get to embarrass myself beyond words).

Laini will be doing some events in London… while I am there… it is my dream come true! Although I am sure I will put all fangirls in the history of fangirling to shame with my excitement, I am willing to totally embarrass myself to meet my favourite author. I cannot tell you how excited I am about this! (seriously, squeeing and shaking and everything - and I haven’t even met her yet).

So, for anyone in the UK who is going to a Laini Taylor event in April: that crazy Aussie girl who is a total embarrassment on readerships worldwide, that will be me! I don’t know what type of crazy will emerge when I meet Laini - I have absolutely no idea how I will react - cry, shake, blubber, lose all function to talk… or most likely, all of the above. So, I am sorry for the spectacle that you may see. But more importantly, I apologise to Laini in advance for my upcoming fangirl reaction.

I will try to get some things signed by Laini to bring back to Australia - but this of course will solely rely on what Laini can sign at her events… but I will certainly try to get as much as I can so I can do a celebratory giveaway when I return!

I am also doing lots of other exciting stuff while in London, and meeting some other exciting people while I am there as well. So basically, my days in London will be jam-packed with awesomeness! As well as seeing Laini with Asti from Oh, The Books!, we are also going to go see The Lion King (and yes, I do see the irony that I am meeting a blogger from across the other side of the world when I haven’t even met my own co-blogger in “real life”) and my friend and I are going to the Harry Potter Studio - which we are both excited about. And my days in Prague will be filled with every magnificent thing that the Czech Republic has to offer… and that is something that I cannot put into words, you have to go there to understand. This trip will be absolutely amazing - and although I will be having the time of my life - I will miss you all!

So what does this mean for you? Well, besides the fact that I am sure you will surely miss me, and the possibility of an awesome upcoming giveaway, probably not a lot. I have scheduled some reviews for while I am away, and I will let Melissa know of my reading schedule for W.W.W Wednesdays (although, let’s be honest, I will be in Prague, Český Krumlov and London, so reading will probably be minimal). I doubt that there will be much to report in Stacking the Shelves, but I will let Melissa know if there is. I won’t be on Twitter that much, so forgive me if I am not consistent in tweeting links, or quick to reply. Feel free to continue to tweet, DM or email me - I just won’t be able to reply straight away.

I would like to thank Melissa for picking up all the work that I am leaving her with during my absence! I have really left her with quite a bit, and I am sure you will all support her as I abandon her to do all the work while I travel around, seeing amazing things, eating great food, oh, and you know…. meeting LAINI TAYLOR!!!! You are the best Mel - the next adventure is you and me, lady!

I hope you understand my reasoning for taking this break. But believe me when I say it’s not you, it’s me!!! I do love you all… But I just cannot resist Prague, London and Laini. I will return, and then I will be all yours once again (if you will still have me).

Take care everyone! And happy reading!!!!

xxx