Better Know A Blogger: Shanyn - Chick Loves Lit

I can't believe how many new blogs I'm discovering during this years Better Know A Blogger! Yet another new one today - Shanyn. 

Introduce yourself! My name is Shanyn and I am originally from Michigan - I just moved to Nevada last month. Besides reading, I love office supplies, frisbee, and blankets. I have a husband named Steve who I have convinced to pick up a YA novel from time to time - and he now guest reviews on my blog when he gets a chance to read :)

Karen: Yay for getting the husband into reviewing. I've managed to get mine to read and review a few YA's too!

What is the name of your blog? (include blog link) How did you pick your blog’s name? My blog is called Chick Loves Lit. When I first started in 2009, I chose the name because I was reading mainly women's literature, or chick lit - since then I have switched to YA, but still enjoy the contemporary themes over any others!

How long have you been blogging? About 2.5 years for books - I have blogged about music and movies since 2004.

How do you measure blogging success? Is it strictly number of followers or something more? I measure my success on how I feel about my blog. Sometimes it's if I can keep up with reading challenges, sometimes it's if I can interact with five different readers in a week, sometimes it's reading a certain amount of books in a month. I don't really base my success off of follower numbers because those can be inflated and not really show how many people are reading your blog.

What genres/subgenres do you review, and what do you like best about those genres? I'll read most any YA genre besides historical fiction. I'm not a fan of horror/thriller, either, because I'm a wuss. My absolute favorite genre is contemporary, and you could convince me to read any sub genre in that category. I love that the author uses real situations, emotions, people to write their story.

What are you reading right now? I just finished Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard and I LOVED it. I am also reading Bloodlines by Richelle Mead.

Do you use social media to promote your blog or discuss reading/blogging?

I am quite a few places: Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter

I also love Klout and have various other social network sites I try out from time to time.

Where is your favorite place to read? I have a reading chair where I do almost all of my reading. It's near a window and has a huge base so I can pull my legs in or hang them over the arms, depending on my reading mood!

What are your ideal reading conditions? Ideally I am in my chair with a pillow and blanket, everything is quiet, and I have a drink on the table next to me - Mountain Dew, if I could choose anything :)

What are the top 5 books in your TBR (To Be read) pile? Bloodlines by Richelle Mead, Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake, Crossed by Allie Condie, Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler, and Firelight by Sophie Jordan (though this changes quite often)

Obligatory controversial question: Love triangles! Love ‘em or hate ‘em, and why? I don't necessarily hate them, but I do not like when they are not realistic, which easily happens. I do enjoy contemporaries and their love conflicts, so if it is written well I do not mind love triangles at all :)

What has been the best thing about blogging and reviewing books? I love how much I read because of blogging, and that I constantly get recommendations from my blogging friends!

Thanks Shanyn!

Chick Loves Lit and Basically Amazing Books are co-hosting a month long "Just Contemporary" event for the month of November. If you're interested in participating check out this link! Sounds fun!

Bloggers: Don't forget to link those August reviews for The Ultimate Reviewer's Challange. We've passed the 400 mark!! AMAZING!!