Who’s That Blogger

Today I am spending time with Peggy Rancillo, to learn a little bit about
her and her blog.  I am so happy that she agreed to answer my interview
questions.   Thanks Peggy.

 

Could you tell us a little bit about yourself and your blog?

Hi Mary.  Thank you for inviting me as a spotlight blogger.  I am an avid reader and have been since I was a child.  I really was that little girl who walked around with my nose in a book.  I feel fortunate enough that I passed that love on to my soon to be 8 year old niece who loves to go to the book store with her aunt.

I like to read cozy mysteries, fiction, and all types of romance so my blog will cover books that I have read in those genres.  However, for the past few years my love has really been cozy mysteries so those are
the books that I review the most on the blog.  My blog is really just a place for me to review the books I have read and loved so that I can share that with other readers.  Sort of a way to pay it forward for all of those bloggers I have followed who have introduced me to new authors or genres.  

Where do you find inspiration for your blogging material?

Because I have a regular day job it is hard to read, keep up with
social media and review books.  So, as a result, the material on my
blog is really limited to review of books.  I post two reviews a week,
one on Wednesday and the other on Saturday.

 

 

How did you first get into blogging?

Because I read a lot, I always checked the reviews for books on
Goodreads, Amazon and Barnes and Noble.  There are some really good
reviews out there but sometimes they get lost in the sea of other
reviews that really didn’t tell me why a person liked the book or
didn’t like the book.  I had been following some good bloggers and
thought that perhaps this was a way for me to be able to review a book
and let other readers know what I liked, what I didn’t like, what
worked, etc…without it getting lost in that sea of reviews.

 

 

Can you tell me some of your strengths that you feel helps you when
you are blogging?

My background is a practicing attorney where I did a lot of research and writing so I think that helps me write a review that is succinct
and to the point providing my readers with what I would want to know
if I were deciding whether or not to pick up that book to read.

 

 

 

 

What do you think is the most challenging thing about blogging?

My background as an attorney.  While it helps me as a writer, it tends
to make me a more technical writer and it is always a challenge to
write reviews that don’t sound like they are too stiff or redundant.
For me its a balance between relaying why I liked a book without
giving too much away so the reader can enjoy the story themselves.
What do you think is the most rewarding thing about blogging?

What do you think is the most rewarding thing about blogging?
I love when a follower/reader comments that they read a book because
of my review and that they loved it or that I have introduced them to
a new author and hooked them on a new series.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you have a specific place to work on your blog?

I have an office in my house where I have my computer set up.  I also
keep a journal so that if I finish a book at night, I can write down
my thoughts and then transfer them to a blog post the next day.

 

 

 

 

How much time would you say you spend on blogging?

Not as much as I would like.  With real life getting in the way I
would say I spend a couple hours typing up reviews each week.  I spend
more time reading so that I can have reviews to post.

 

 

 

 

 

Where do you see your blog one year from now?

A year from now, hopefully I can add some features to the blog other
than reviews.  I have only been blogging for about 8 months so I am
still new to the process, but I would like to someday maybe have
author interviews and perhaps participate in some blog tours for
authors.

 

How would you describe your blogging style?

I would say that I have an informal blogging style.  I try to write a
review as if I were sitting down having a conversation with someone about the book.  I will occasionally throw in a personal tidbit if it relates to the book and review.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I am the family genealogist so in my spare time I am doing family
history research, which I find just fascinating.  I also like to
travel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

What would you most want readers to know about you?

That I am really just a reader/fan and that I want to share my love of
a good story.  I also want readers to know that I am extremely
thankful to everyone who visits and leaves a comment.  I didn’t really
know what to expect when I started blogging but the response has just
been so lovely.  I really appreciate that they take the time out of
their day to see what I thought of a book.

 

How can readers follow your blog?

The blog address is http://peggysbookshelf.blogspot.com/. Readers can
follow the blog by email, on my Pinterest board (user name Peggy
Rancilio), and on Google+.

 

Peggy’s Bookshelf

Reviews of various genres of books including cozy mysteries, romance (including historical and romantic suspense) and fiction novels.