It’s that time of year to start thinking of holiday shopping. A time when I get to think about showering loved ones with tokens of my affection. It’s fun thinking of what to buy for everyone on my list. But, to be completely honest, I admit that I get invariably distracted during the process by looking at things I just wouldn’t mind receiving myself. One for you, one for me…
Why not both?
Chronicle Books has just announced its second annual Happy Haulidays Giveaway Contest, which satisfies both altruistic and selfish instincts. A winner will be chosen from bloggers posting their Chronicle Books wish list. And even better, if I win, I get to choose a commenter on this post who will also win the entire list! And if that weren’t already over the top, if I win a charity of my choosing will also receive $500 worth of Chronicle Books.
So let’s get started! Here’s my wish list– some for me, some for my family and friends, and why they made the list:
Food
Tartine Bread by Chad Robertson- because there is nothing better
Tartine by Elisabeth Prueitt and Chad Robertson- ditto
I Love Macarons by Hisako Ogita– because I do!
Vino Argentino by Laura Catena– because I once worked with Laura, and her family’s wine is fantastic
Kokkari by Eric Cosselmon and Janet Fletcher– I had my 40th birthday party here, and have very fond memories of the food and ambiance
Plenty by Ottam Ottolenghi– just take a look at the cover photo to understand why
Big Vegan by Robin Asbell, photographs by Kate Sears– for my friend who recently made a big conversion to veganism
Design
Mexicocina by Melba Levick and Elizabeth McNair– colorful and sunny style
New Orleans: Elegance and Decadence Photographs by Richard Sexton, Narrative by Randolph Delehanty– romantic style from one of my favorite places
Nomad: A Global Approach to Interior Style by Sibella Court, Photographs by Chris Court– sounds like my style
Stationery
Moleskine 2012 Weekly Planner Pocket Black softcover– because I don’t use an electronic calendar, believe it or not!
Pantone: 100 Postcards– because I love all colors
Botanicals Notebook Collection By Rifle Paper Co.– sometimes, I want to write in something even prettier than my MacBook Air
Culture
Part Asian, 100% Hapa Portraits by Kip Fulbeck,Foreword by Sean Lennon, Afterword by Paul Spickard– for my friend Grace, aka HapaMama
Travel
We used City Walks: Paris on a recent trip, and I loved the meandering itineraries these cards inspired. I’d love to try these out in other favorite cities.
City Walks: London
City Walks with Kids: London
City Walks with Kids: Paris
Kids
Red is a Dragon: A Book of Colors By Roseanne Thong,Illustrated by Grace Lin– when my kids were younger we loved Grace’s beautiful illustrations. Even though they’re a bit too old for learning colors, I know they’ll still enjoy the pretty pictures.
Round is a Mooncake: A Book of Shapes By Roseanne Thong,Illustrated by Grace Lin– ditto
The Cable Car and the Dragon by Herb Caen — a classic tale of a Cable Car celebrating Chinese New Year
Ivy and Bean What’s The Big Idea? Book 7 by Annie Barrows and Sophie Blackall– my second grader’s latest obsession
Ivy and Bean Paper Doll Play Set by Annie Barrows and Sophie Blackall– more of the same
Mrs. Mustard’s Baby Faces Stroller Cards by Jane Wattenberg– more cute babies for my twin baby niece and nephew to look at
* * *
As for the charity I hope to bequeath a bookshelf-load full of books to, there are so many to choose from! If I have to pick one, it would be Friends of the San Francisco Public Library to support our local branch. My family was involved in the fundraising that helped build our neighborhood’s beautiful gem of a branch and we consider it an extension of our home. It’s been wonderful having a carefully curated and frequently updated selection of new books by librarians who fortuitously share my eclectic reading taste, but there is always room for more! Helping to continue to build our branch library is a great opportunity to share the love of reading with our neighbors.
So, why not share some holiday love with yourself by leaving a comment below about your favorite book on my list and why you’d also love a copy.
Maybe we’ll both be lucky!
Happy holidays!
-Linda
spicebox travels 
New Orleans would have been a great book to add to my own list! It’s probably my favorite on your list. Good luck!
Hi Vasilly, thanks! Hope we both win!
I have heard the Ivy and Bean books are fantastic. Unfortunately they did not make my list. Good luck!
TARTINE…ugh they are fantastical. You’re list is great and I would be honored to win it. Check mine out too if you get a chance to enter!
I’d definitely love to get some kid books for my niece, and the day planner would be a good idea as well.
Ooh, Plenty stands out the most to me. Good luck!
Wow, some haul! I made my own list, but I’m enjoying seeing what everyone else picked.
Thanks for the mention! And yes, I would love to win a copy of Kip Fulbeck’s “Part Asian, 100% Hapa”. Can you believe I don’t already own it?
Great list….Love Mooncakes
Plenty and Tartine Bread are my favorites.
I love your list! I want to get my girls started on “Ivy & Bean” – I happen to love Annie Barrows’ “Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society.” Fingers crossed for success!
Great choices! My choice would probably be Big Vegan, because I haven’t had meat in over a year and a half!
Such a diversity of choices! My faves would be the citywalk books. They’re also on my list. I didn’t put Ivy and Bean on my list, but they are some good ones, so I wouldn’t mind those either. Or any of the beautiful food books. Or the moleskine. Or….
Love the City Walk books..makes me want to travel. And they have so many cookbooks to choose from.
good luck to both of us 😀
Thank you so much for choosing us as your charity!
Lovely selections and kudos for supporting your local library!
Good luck and happy haulidays! 🙂
— Rhianna
Oooohhhh, I want them ALL! I would really like I Love Macarons because its my moms favorite cookie and I really haven’t learned the tricks to making them delicious yet.
LOVE Chronicle Books. Just bought Cath Kidston Jam Jar gift kit for a friend. I love everything on their site!
What great book selections! Thanks for the chance to win with you.
bamagv at aol dot com
Tartine Tartine Tartine! (No, I don’t love it at all :-)) Great selection! I was debating about putting Kokkari on my list too, but decided I loved the ambiance of the restaurant so much that I would just go to the restaurant rather than try to make the food. Good luck!
Wow, sounds like a delicious list. Maybe it’ll inspire me to start cooking more than microwaving water. That *is* considered cooking, right?
I love your list, such variety and something for everyone! I think we have almost all the same cookbooks on our lists 🙂 Good Luck!
Great picks! Good luck!
Would love to try the City Walks books…then we’d have to go to Europe! 🙂 Best of luck to everyone!!
great selection.. I have to post my list soon.. hopefully today:) good luck to all
The elusive Tartine bread — I was near there last week, thought I would swing by and pick some up, then found out I needed a bread reservation! Someday I will plan well enough.
Chronicle makes such lovely books … happy to stumble on your blog via their site.
We’re vegan so I’d love to read that cookbook. How nice of you to think of a supportive gift for your friend!
I would love Red is a Dragon because my son is learning his colors right now. Good Luck!
Great list! you should come over & comment on mine too 🙂 amyreneonline.com
I paused and pondered Pantone: 100 Postcards. I wouldn’t mind that one.
find my list at:
Tossing It Out
Lee
I should have chosen my local library too. Maybe next year! 🙂
Feel free to comment back on my post:
the bookish mama
Happy holidays!
Such a great variety of books! Good luck 🙂
throuthehaze at gmail dot com
You have many of the same books I do, and quite a few I thought about putting on there as well. Great stuff.
Wonderful variety! Best of luck to everyone participating in this giveaway 🙂
Great list. Good luck to us.
I would love to win!