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When I received an e-mail from Chronicle Books that they were having a contest to award $500 book giveaway to a blogger and the same prize to a reader of that blog, I jumped right to making my wish list of the books I'd want to order if I was chosen as the winner. Here is my list of my most wanted Chronicle Books with a total value up to $500! I'd love to win them, and if I do, one commenter on this post will also be a winner of the same books!
The winner will be announced by Chronicle Books on December 13, 2010, so you have up until midnight December 12, 2010 to leave a comment on this post. As full disclosure I was offered no compensation by Chronicle Books to review these books and all opinions are my own--all words in italics are descriptions from the Chronicle Books website. Link to the official contest rules.
I love to cook and I already own many Chronicle cookbooks from their Food and Drink category. Here are new ones I'd love to add to my collection:
Who wouldn't want to learn how to make some of the best pies in the country? Totally tempting!
2) The Winemaker Cooks Menus, Parties, and Pairings By Christine Hanna Photographs by Sheri Giblin PRICE $ 35.00
"Hanna shares her wine expertise and entertaining savvy with 100 recipes, and 75 color photographs capture her tabletops overflowing with local ingredients and products. A souvenir of the good life." OH YES!
3) Michael Chiarello's Bottega By Michael Chiarello Photographs by Frankie Frankeny PRICE: $40.00
My husband and I dined at Bottega while on a vacation in Napa Valley this summer, and Chiarello's cuisine was absolutely divine! I would love to won a copy of his cookbook
Farmers' Market Desserts Gorgeous Fruit Recipes from First Prize Peach Pie to Chocolate Cherry Cupcakes By Jennie Schacht Photographs by Leo Gong PRICE: $24.95
"This collection of tempting desserts inspired by those markets and the farmers who share their produce there satisfies the sustainable shopper's sweet tooth with more than 50 recipes for tarts, crisps, cupcakes, puddings, and more." I've seen this book in my local library ad I'd love to own my very own copy as the recipes are all delectable!
I am part of the "sandwich generation." I have one grandchild and I'm expecting another, and I have an elderly mother that I help care for. Chronicle Books has many books in their LIFE & STYLE category that were very interesting to me. My choices from this category are:
This beautiful collection has 50 classic songs, and a beautiful illustrated songbook that features an on-board sound module that lets parents and grandparents learn each song as they sing along with the melody. It would make a wonderful baby shower gift!
"The Grandparents Handbook features dozens of activities that will guarantee hours of fun, educational quality time—from building dollhouses and catching fish to flying kites, baking bread, making your own mini golf course, creating a family newspaper, and much more. These illustrated instructions will lead grandparents down surprising paths of discovery as they teach the youngest generation about family, friendship, and the world around them. It's the perfect gift for any grandparent and grandparent-to-be." This is exactly the type of book I've been looking for to keep as a reference for having fun with my grandchildren!
2) Memento My Life in Stories By Michael McQueen PRICE: $19.95
This book is a incredible journal with simple, thought-provoking questions to be filled in by one you love. I'd love to give this to my Mother and collect her life stories to become a keepsake for future generations.
3) Secrets of Simplicity Learn to Live Better With Less By Mary Carlomagno. Illustrations by Andrea Cobb PRICE: $19.95
"Secrets of Simplicity shows how to make practical changes to unburden your closets and calendars and make room for what's really important. Readers can record their successes, as they declutter their homes and in the process, their minds." Yes, I really need this book as I've lived in the same house for 32 years and I have accumulated quite a bit in my closets, that's for sure! It's good to have a guide to help sort out what's important to save and what can be donated or disposed of. I'd love to simplify my life to free myself from the burdens of too much "stuff"!
I have a large collection of children's books in my home and I'm always adding more. Some wonderful books I found in Chronicle's Children's category are:
"Packed full of impressive pop-out features, this interactive book is sure to engage and entertain curious preschoolers" My grandson loves animals and pop up books!
2) Creature ABC By Andrew Zuckerman PRICE $19.99
"An elegant addition to any library, this deluxe alphabet book features 120 pages of Andrew Zuckerman's breathtaking wildlife photography. From alligator to zebra, each featured animal boasts two striking studio portraits against a clean white background, offering a unique up-close view of the animal kingdom." The animal photography in this book is stunning! A wonderful book to share with children and a collectible as well.
3) Julius! Touch-and-Feel Stroller Cards By Paul Frank Industries PRICE: $9.99
"Stroller time is much more fun when these flash cards come along for the ride! Each set features 5 double-sided cards with engaging textures and pictures. Easy to attach to a stroller, backpack, or diaper bag, these cards won't get lost, and the interactive touch-and-feel feature makes them great independent entertainment for toddlers on the go. " This would be perfect for my new grandchild who is expected this Spring!
After the holiday season, when the long nights of winter arrive, I find it is a perfect time to learn a new skill. I could not resist the following books from the Arts and Design Crafts Category!
1) French General: Treasured Notions: Inspiration and Craft Projects Using Vintage Beads, Buttons, Ribbons, and Trim from Tinsel Trading Company By Kaari Meng Foreword by Marcia Ceppos Photographs by Jon Zabala PRICE: $24.95
"With these vintage baubles as her inspiration, Kaari Meng shares projects that crafters can make with their own flea-market finds or with contemporary materials they have on hand: a button charm bracelet, whimsical petite prize medals, an heirloom-worthy memory book, shimmering handbags, and more. Kaari's colorful inspiration boards lend design guidance, while her tips and resources help notion-lovers build up their stash of treasures." Oh my! It sounds so blog worthy, doesn't it? True eye candy!
2) Every Day's a Holiday Year-Round Crafting with Kids By Heidi Kenney Photographs by France Ruffenach PRICE: $22.50
A treasure trove of ideas to use with children for festive classic and new and unusual crafts Always a good book for a grandmother to have on hand.
3) Pretty Pantry Gifts A Recipe &Wrapping Kit for Delicious Jams, Sauces, and Pickles By Tara Duggan PRICE: $19.95
Fifteen recipes and wrapping material to help make homemade treats and then presenting them as gracious gifts! Perhaps a last minute Christmas gift can be made and presented using the supplies and instructions in this book.
4) Everyday Celebrations Savoring Food, Family, and Life at Home By Donata Maggipinto Photographs by France Ruffenach PRICE: $24.95
"Donata Maggipinto, lifestyle contributor for NBC's Today show, reawakens our appreciation for all that has meaning in life in Everyday Celebrations and shares her sensational craft and food recipes to create heartwarming gatherings at home." This sounds like a wonderful blog in book form! I'm so curious to try her seasonal crafts and recipes.
Who wouldn't want a collection of fine literature and books on timely subjects? My picks from Chronicle's Literature category:
"The Beatles have opened their personal and management archives specifically for this project, allowing the unprecedented release of photographs which they took along their ride to fame, as well as fascinating documents and memorabilia from their homes and offices." What a fabulous collectible book! Each page is brimming with personal stories and rare vintage images.
2) A Child's Garden of Verses A Classic Illustrated edition By Robert Louis Stevenson
PRICE: $ 19.99
A beautiful classic of Robert Louis Stevenson's best loved poems with with vintage illustrations. A true keepsake for all ages!
3) House Blessings Prayers, Poems, and Toasts Celebrating Home and Family By June Cotner
PRICE $15.95
"In House Blessings, best-selling anthologist June Cotner has assembled a moving collection of interfaith prayers, poems, and toasts that speak to the experiences we share in turning our houses into our homes. With 112 pieces collected from 38 writers, this little book offers a reading for every occasion." Doesn't this book sound delightful?
As you know I love to travel, so my first books would be from the Chronicle Books Travel Category would be:
1) California's Central Coast: The Ultimate Winery Guide -From Santa Barbara to Paso Robles
By Mira Advani Honeycutt, Photographs by Kirk Irwin ,Foreword by Jim Clendenen PRICE: $22.95
Having visited Napa and Sonoma, and using Chronicle's guides for both, I'd like to one day visit the wineries in the central coast of California and I know this would be an excellent guide.
2) City Walks Architecture: New York By Alissa Walker Maps by John Spelman PRICE: $18.95
As a lifelong New Yorker I never tire of learning more about my city and walking is one of my favorite activities so how could I resist the chance to use this resource of twenty five two panel cards with 25 NYC walking adventures ?
3) City Walks Architecture: Paris By Michael Herrman Maps by John Spelman PRICE: $18.95
I dream of visiting Paris and this deck contains 25 walking adventures that introduce users to the city's one-of-a-kind buildings, parks, and monuments, and features insider information on historic structures. A wonderful resource to savor!
So there it is! Almost $500 worth of wonderful books that I'd be thrilled to win, and hopefully that a reader will also win. Make a comment on this blog post and keep your fingers crossed that we will both be chosen by Chronicle Books as winners on December13, 2010! Good luck!
In the meantime you can visit the Chronicle Books website and use their excellent "Gift Finder" where you can search by Recipients, Occasions, Personalities or Prices for books you would like to to buy for yourself or as gifts.You can also read the Chronicle Books blog or sign up for their newsletters. They also have the most delicious collection of Moleskine journals for sale -- a prefect stocking stuffer gift!
Just in time for the holidays Chronicle Books is offering 35% off + free shipping until December 12th, 2010! Use the code FRIENDS at checkout!
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