Monday, June 4, 2012

Armchair BEA - The Introductions

Designed by Nina @ Nina Reads


I’m participating in Armchair BEA this year, a virtual conference for book bloggers who can’t attend Book Expo America in New York this week. So all week long, you’ll see me posting according to the daily themes for Armchair BEA.
Today’s theme is “Introductions First!” Participants were given a list of 10 questions and asked to answer 5 of them, so that we can all get to know each other a little better. So here’s a little bit about me!

1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you? How long have you been blogging? Why did you get into blogging? 

a. My name is Shelley and I run Gizmo's Reviews. I have lived in Florida for the past 12 years. I’m originally from New York State not the city. For the past 2 years I've been one of the top reviewers on Goodreads and have nearly 600 friends & followers. I've been blogging for less than a year but my blog was created June 2011. Since I started doing it full time, it has grown to the point where I have nearly 500 followers (linky, GFC, and email). I totally got into it when a friend suggested I use it more often to express my opinions and reviews. Needless to say my blog also got a newer sleeker look since then as well.


2. What are you currently reading, or what is your favorite book you have read so far in 2012?

a. I'm currently reading Tarnished by Karina Cooper. It's a steampunk, action, adventure novel that I've been holding onto since receiving it from Edelweiss in April. I have too many books to list as favorites, but the last book I actually loved was the Janus Affair by Pip Ballantine, and Tee Morris. 


3. What is your favorite feature on your blog (i.e. author interviews, memes, something specific to your blog)?

a. I would have to say that my favorite feature is the Feature & Follow Friday that is run by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. It gives my blog exposure to new followers and allows me to have fun with coming up with new answers to the question or activity of the week.


4. Have your reading tastes changed since you started blogging? How?

a. The answer is no. I still enjoy the same books and the same genre's and authors that I did before my blogging started en masse. I would say however, that my desire to read more books has actually increased over last year when I read nearly 500 books!


5. What literary location would you most like to visit? Why?

a. Without any hesitation whatsoever, I would have to say Italy. I'm Italian and part of my family was originally from there. I would love to go back and take in the sights. The last time I was there was in the 1980's while I was in the military (Navy).


That's a little bit about me! I welcome all visitors and comments!


40 comments:

  1. Shelley, you had me at steampunk and adventure!

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    1. Happy to meet someone else with the same tastes!

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  2. I wish I could get more involved on Goodreads! I do enjoy it, but I can't seem to really get into it!

    So impressed with you reading 500 books!

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    1. Hiya Rie! Nice to meet you. It's easy peasy to read 400-500 books if you're out of work and go to lots of book sales!

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  3. Hello Shelley! :) Nice to meet you! I've also participated in Parajunkee's Feature & Follow Friday! It's definitely an awesome feature!

    Good choice on Italy as well. That is such an amazing place! I've been a few times. :)

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    1. Ashley it's nice to meet you as well! I'll just add Italy to my bucket list and keep my fingers crossed!

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  4. I've heard great things about the Janus Affair. Enjoy Armchair BEA!

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  5. I had to blink twice to make sure I read the 500 number correctly. I'm impressed more than I can say. I'm lucky to read a tad over 100 books a year. Enjoy your week.

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  6. Hello Shelley!
    It's taken me four years to get 500 followers! I was never really crazy about getting people to follow, and more on writing good content for my current readers to enjoy. But you have made an impressive feat!
    I just participated in my first Feature and Follow and I met so many amazingly kind bloggers, that I have to say it's going to be a new favourite of mine.

    Happy reading!
    -Kirthi

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    1. Hi Kirthi! It's nice to meet you and hope you have a great week.

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  7. Nice to meet you, Shelley! OMG, 500 books?! @_@ Impressive! I can't even get past 60 books/year! Wow. Anyway, I love #FF too, the questions are so fun to answer. :)

    Pam | jelly loves books

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    1. Nice to meet you Pam! Hopefully we shall meet again on the FF in the near future!

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  8. I would agree with going to Italy!! Its soo beautiful there!! I also enjoyed Follow Friday!!I wish I could reach 500 books for the year

    http://lovesbooksreviews.blogspot.com/2012/06/armchair-bea-about-me.html

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    1. Hi Amanda! Thanks for stopping by and introducing yourself. Looking forward to chatting with you again soon!

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  9. Hi Shelley!

    I am in Florida, too! What part of Florida are you in?

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    1. Hi Allison!

      Jacksonville actually. So, you're near Orlando there-abouts?

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  10. Hi There!

    I love Italy, especially Roma: I suspect I was an Italian in a previous life! :)

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    1. Hi Sue! I loved Roma! I still want to visit the northern reaches of Italy one day and take in the awesome food!

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  11. 500 books in 1 year! That's crazy!!! Congrats and hope you have fun this week at Armchair BEA!
    Here's my post: http://little-red-reads.blogspot.com/2012/06/armchair-bea-introductions.html

    xo stephanie

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  12. A big YES to Italy! I'm also from an Italian family, so I understand the appeal of going there. A lot of my other relatives have been, except me. We'll get there some day!

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    1. Amen! I can only hope it's before my family gets older and not able to enjoy it.

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  13. 500 books in one year? OMG that's totally crazy! Congratulations!

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    1. Thanks! I owe it all to the fact that I'm totally off my rocker! :O)

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  14. Holy cats, I just keep getting more impressed by the sheer amount of reading that takes place :o)

    Italy...I want to go to Italy too! My boss goes for research trips every so often, and his Italian scholar buddies will come to the States, and I'm just like "um...I want to go?" haha...

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    1. Hey Rebecca! Thanks for hopping by! Things have changed so much since I was there the last time that I need to go back soon before I get too much older.

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  15. Hey Shelley! Happy BEA! Parajunkee's Follow Friday has always been a fave meme for me as well. I am shocked I haven't ended up here through that before now!

    Well, I am following now. :)

    Armchair BEA: Introducing Otherwhere.Co

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  16. I love Follow Friday, as well, Shelley! I participate in it every week! :)

    My BEA Intro

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  17. OMG, what is your secret to reading 500 books?!?! Teach me, please! :)

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  18. My word, 500 books in a year?!?! I'm truly amazed. I mean, seriously, that's impressive.

    It's nice to "meet" you and I wish you continued success with your blog. I hope you have a fab BEA week!

    ~Christina (and the other Book Hookup Litbrarians)
    The Book Hookup BEA Intro

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  19. :) I'm going to add you on Goodreads - I'm just starting out there. I love it but really like my blog too so I'm going to try to do both!

    It was wonderful "meeting" you :) Armchair BEA @ the Brunette Librarian

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  20. Hi,

    It's nice to meet you. I use to live in Florida.

    http://bloomingwithbooks.blogspot.com/2012/06/armchair-bea-2012-interview-questions.html

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  21. Hi Shelley! Congrats on being a top reviewer on Goodreads. I am so behind on my reviews there. In awe of your 500 books read last year.

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  22. Nice to meet you!

    I agree with parajunkee's feature and follow meme - great way to meet new bloggers and friends. :) I used to participate all the time, but have since found my own feature to work on. :)

    Italy would be just amazing to visit. Hope you get to go back sometime to visit.

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  23. Congrats on the top reviewer, it's something to be proud of!
    Congrats on the 500 books goal, I would never be able to do that working ft and being a mommy =)
    But I do seem to read a lot!
    Here's my Intro post. Nice to meet you!

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  24. That's amazing that your reading tastes haven't changed! I have heard a lot of people say the opposite!

    Congrats on being a top reviewer on Goodreads, that's fabulous!

    Thanks for sharing :)

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  25. Hi Shelly, nice to meet you. I was also surprised that your reading taste hasn't changed - but I'm sure it evolved :)

    I'd love to go to Italy one day myself.

    http://www.ManOfLaBook.com

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  26. I love doing Feature and Follow Friday! It is such a blast! I want to go to Italy someday too.

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