Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Let It Snow

During the holidays I spend a lot of time in book stores, and not just because I love them and they're the candy store to my inner kid. Mainly I go to buy books and gift cards for family, friends, and any other poor unsuspecting acquaintance I can compel to read. To me there is no better gift in the world than a book, and everyone knows this so they humor me.

This year I want to celebrate the gift of reading by filling this lovely Let It Snow designed canvas tote from Barnes and Noble with books: my books (all of which I will sign for the winner), books I love, books I want to read, and anything else interesting that captures my eye while I'm out shopping. Every day from now until December 21, 2011 I will be posting more about what goes into the tote (some things I'll show you, and some that will be surprises that I hint at to add a little mystery.) To start off, today I am putting in a set of my Kyndred novels. As for today's surprise, I just saw a copy of certain ARC accidentally fall into the bag. Hmmm, must be something everyone wants to read.

If you'd like a chance to win this giveaway, in comments to this post tell us which books you're giving away as gifts for the holidays (or if you're still out shopping, just toss your name in the hat.) I will draw one name at random from everyone who participates by commenting on this or any of my other Let It Snow giveaway posts from now until midnight EST on Wednesday, December 21, 2011, and send the winner the tote with all the contents. This giveaway is open to everyone on the planet, even if you've won something here at PBW in the past.

84 comments:

  1. Anne V.12:11 AM

    Still shopping. Brother in Law just read one from the TBR shelf that I could have gotten. Now I must continue the search.

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  2. I have a couple books for my Mom stashed away. I bought Kait Nolan's Genesis for myself. I also have a contest planned for my blog. Overall a lighter year for books though :) Of course, I buy them for myself all year long.

    Happy Holidays!

    Robin K
    robin (at) intensewhisper (dot) com

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  3. So far I've bought two Elephant and Piggie books for my youngest nephew and a dinosaur book for the eldest one. I still have some books to buy for my brother and my brother-in-law, and maybe a photography one for my sister if I can find room in the budget.

    Books are something I am known to give out, but I'm lucky that they are gifts gratefully received.

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  4. I'm giving a couple of Harry Potter UK editions, Patricia Brigg's River Marked, William Kent Kruger's latest, and a very difficult to find set of Kim Harrison's Hollows books in hardcover. All to a teenager that reads a book every four hours....geez.

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  5. I'm not buying gifts for anyone this year (no children and we're not going home for Christmas) but if I were going to buy a book for someone, I would buy the Chronicles of Narnia for my nephew. I'm certain he's not read them yet, and everyone should at least once.

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  6. My littlest one is getting the leapfrog tag with 20 books (and a headset!).

    My mom and oldest son are getting audio books: Inkheart trilogy (read by Brendon Frasier) and I wish I could remember the name of the one for mom.

    My husband is getting a nook gift card so he can start putting books on his new toy.

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  7. Honestly, the presents are all wrapped and one of the neat things about my memory is that I get surprised when people unwrap my gifts as well :).

    I'm giving my hubby Bad Blood by John Sandford, and I got Fate's Edge by Ilona Andrews in my stocking on St. Nick's Day. I know there are a couple more, but I can't remember.

    I'd love to hear what's in the bag whether I win or not, though I won't be at my main computer for most of the time so will have to read catchups when I get back. Thanks for the treat of thinking about what might be in there :).

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  8. Wonderful idea to give books. They are always my favorite presents! But the best, and what I like to give, is a gift certificate to a local bookstore, so folks can pick out the books they'd truly love to have.

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  9. We're just barely getting started shopping - being houseless for the holidays is odd and uncomfortable, and it doesn't really feel like Christmas to me yet.

    We're about 99% sure we'll get the house here near my parents and sister, but it's been delay after delay. I keep reminding myself, patience and faith.

    Still hopeful that we'll be in the house before Christmas, even if it's just what little we have that's not in storage, plus blankets for bedding on the floor.

    Really wishing right now that I'd already been able to get the kids ebook readers - it would be SO nice in this too small - sardine-like living quarters mess - but oh well.

    Could really use some good gift-book suggestions myself. Or any gift suggestions. Having difficulty getting into shopping mode this year - though we had a great time single Christmas carols in the car yesterday. Even got my oldest to sing - amazed me - and discovered he's got a pretty good voice.

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  10. Lee Child and Michael Connelly are the easy buys for the mystery readers. I'm still browsing for others.

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  11. This year, I'm finally giving my sons the Kindle they've been wanting. It's chock full of Rick Riordan, Neff and several other YA authors.

    My boyfriend gets White Fang by Jack London and maybe one by Stephen King since that is his favorite. I'm getting myself Pale Demon by Kim Harrison.

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  12. I'm getting my brother a guide to cave exploring and caves in Iceland (where we live), and my father will be getting one or two history books - I haven't chosen which one yet - and an almanac.

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  13. Fran Kane4:22 AM

    What a wonderful idea, thank you for the opportunity to win that lovely tote bag, and of course your books. I'm buying myself the first of the stardoc books as I haven't read those yet. I'm giving my sisters the Darkyn novels and the first 2 Nalini Singh Psy-Changling books. I've got Nora Roberts' The Search for a friend as she's currently trying to train her son's dog to behave! I'm handing on Stephanie Laurens' Cynster books to another friend as I enjoyed them so much. I've also put a book into my work's secret santa but can't remember the title as its wrapped up already! I do know its about the 2012 Mayan prophey and has a crystal skull on the cover - perhaps someone else can name it. Oh and I've sent my friend's baby boy 2 Jill Murphy books - A Piece of Cake & 5 Minutes Peace. I love her books and I always had a big smile on my face when I read them to my boys.
    Happy holidays to everyone xx

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  14. Fran Kane4:50 AM

    Just a quick follow on from my post above: is Barnes & Noble in the UK? I love that bag!

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  15. I'm still out buying books to give as presents, but so far I've purchased: The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman, Cupid's Poisoned Arrow by Marnia Robinson, Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice, Grave Secret by Charlaine Harris, Be Near Me by Andrew O'Hagan and the Best British Short Stories for 2011. All of which are good reads. And really, how can you go wrong giving a book? There's nothing I love to receive more!

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  16. Haven't done my Christmas shopping yet!

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  17. I haven't bought it yet, but I was thinking of getting a fiction story about nursing for my brothers girlfriend, who is in school for her RN. Any suggestions?

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  18. I bought my son his first Shel Silverstein, Where the Sidewalk Ends. My mom gave it to me for Christmas when I was around his age. I got my daughter a series of princess books about Tianna and Rapunzel that come with stickers. And as an early birthday gift for the hubby the first two books by Michael J. Sullivan that are availabe: Theft of Swords and Rise of Empire. I am basically finished shopping but I am going out with my best friend this weekend. We are going to hit A Novel Idea in Ocala as well as the BAM and Barnes and Noble. I will see what else jumps out at me and well, because, I haven't bought anything for me yet. :)

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  19. Youngest sister is getting The Unwanteds by. Lisa McMann. Other sister is getting Never Have I Ever by Sara Shepherd. Mom is getting a Martha Stewart Craftbook and a new Cookbook for the holidays. My book gifts to myself are The Fault in Our Stars by. John Green (will get after xmas) and Lola and the Boy Next Door by. Stephanie Perkins. Thanks for the giveaway!

    dbookstrings(at)gmail(dot)com

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  20. This Yoda Origami book-I make kids earn money from me around Christmas time and then I take them shopping for each other.

    We saw this and I thought my son would like it so they are giving it to him.

    I bought a book about Northwest Native art for my guy.

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  21. Anonymous8:12 AM

    I usually buy my mom her favorite historial mysteries--Maureen Ash and Margaret Frazier.

    SandyL

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  22. Still out shopping. Mostly gift card since everybody is far away.

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  23. My 10 yr old is getting the latest wimpy kid novel from santa, my 5yr old is getting the three pigs or les trois cochon.LOL. (he's in a french immersion class so fun stuff) My mom is getting Queen of Souls by CJ wilson(a new series I got her hooked on but we're reading out of order)

    Shiloh-my one is a huge star wars fan and the Yoda origami caught my eye also. May need to pick up afterall

    Reese

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  24. I'm giving a gift card to Barnes & Noble to my sister-in-law, so she can pick what books she wants. I know she wants the latest Diana Gabaldon book, and I'm not sure what else she'll get with it

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  25. Giving Lauren Oliver's Before I Fall to the high school student I mentor. Great read and a great subtle lessons about how the choices we make affect our lives and the lives of those around us.

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  26. Unfortunately, anyone I'd give books to tend to buy and read them as fast as I do. So they would probably have already bought and read any book I bought for them well before Christmas got here.... So I give gift cards to the book stores instead. :)

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  27. We give our kids teachers either coffee gift cards or barnes and noble gift cards.

    My oldest wants to try the Percy Jackson books so Santa will be bringing them.

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  28. 2-The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook, 2-The First Christmas (it's a record a story for the grandkids),Trust Me...I'm Dr. Ozzy, The Clockwork Prince and the Inkheart Trilogy Book set so far. I still have a couple more to by...Books for presents is one of my favorite things to give and get!
    Thanks so much for the giveaway!
    Jennifer

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  29. I am really broke this year so I am pretty much limiting my gift giving to my niece and nephew and they just might get some Shel Silverstein because they are getting to the perfect age to start appreciating his brilliance. That being said, I just found a book at the library called "Because I Am Furniture" that I am really loving and probably will buy a copy to share with someone at some point. It's a powerful novel-in-poems. Good stuff.

    DiDi

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  30. STephen King's 11-23-63. And of course Gabaldon's The Scottish Prisoner.

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  31. Anonymous9:36 AM

    Lynn,
    Well, I am cheating this year. I do not know what to buy my mom as a book, so I am giving her a Books-a-million gift card. And my best friend is getting one too!
    Tami
    Jacksonville

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  32. So far...

    The latest Diary of a Wimpy Kid installment for the eleven-year-old.

    Gaiman's Sandman graphic novel for the thirteen-going-on-thirty-year-old.

    I'm sure I'll also be buying a few titles for myself as I usually get a gift card or two for either B&N or Amazon.

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  33. For my friend I'm buying Hounded by Kevin Hearne. It has a refreshing story (who doesn't love a handsome, witty, 2000 yr. old Druid that kicks-ass?), and most importantly, I'm pretty sure she hasn't actually read it yet. It's something of an accomplishment to find a good book that she hasn't read yet, so I'm pretty excited about it!

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  34. I'm tossing my name in. I already gave my father a book about special forces for Christmas. I can't mention other book giveaways because I don't trust the recipients not to find this blog somehow ;).

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  35. For my son I bought a few baseball books that are historical and biographical. Wonderful giveaway. Many thanks.

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  36. I don't actually give books, unless they've been asked for, because everyone in my family has incredibly different tastes in books and I'm always scared I'll get them the wrong gift. I do however, give out gift cards to Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Both my sister and brother in law have Kindles now so they are getting Kindle gift cards...seems kind of lame but I hate to get books I don't want so I'm super careful about getting books for others too

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  37. I'm giving my NaNo novel to my mom and dad for Christmas. I don't know if this counts, but my son is probably getting a Nook Color for Christmas.

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  38. Anonymous10:35 AM

    So far a set of Liaden books (Lee & Miller) and a cookbook.

    Cris

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  39. I'm probably going to give copies of Hunger Games and Book Thief this year. Still great books.

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  40. I am giving my neice The Hunger Games trilogy and Forever by Maggie Stiefvater. Thanks for the awesome giveaway.

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  41. Anonymous11:03 AM

    Wow! What an incredibly generous giveaway! :)

    Let's see, even though we don't typically exchange gifts (we're all adult sibs), this year I'm giving my sister and her husband "365 Thank Yous" by John Kralik (excellent book, by the way). My two felines are giving my husband Amazon Kindle gift certificates in his stocking.

    Happy Holidays!

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  42. Anonymous11:08 AM

    Goodness... forgot about the great-nieces and great-nephew! I picked up:

    Maddie: Frog and Toad collection set, by Arnold Lobel
    Luke: Stuck, by Oliver Jeffers
    Baby Sophie: Guess How Much I Love You, Sam McBratney.

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  43. I bought my boyfriend 5 books from the Barnes and Noble Leather bound Classic set. I also got my sister a B&N gift card so she can load up her Nook with whatever books she wants this year. I also did the B&N book donation to give to a child who is sick in the hospital for the holidays

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  44. I'm giving Sandra Boynton's Going to Bed Book to my 18 month old nephew!

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  45. That snowflake tote is really cool. Can't wait to read what other treats you will be adding as the days go by.

    I'm giving either Kindle gift cards, or B & N gift cards. That way friends/family can get whatever books they want.

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  46. i am passing on the Black Dagger Brotherhood books by JR. Ward.....

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  47. I'm giving The Man Game of Thrones. He is enamored of the TV show and is an avid reader, so I think he'll love it. : )

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  48. I love giving, and receiving, books for Christmas. This year I'm giving Robert Harris's Fatherland to my boyfriend, as he loves a good conspiracy. I'll also be buying my father the latest Stephen King book for his Kindle.

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  49. Keita Haruka12:38 PM

    Terry Pratchett's "Snuff" (in hardcover) to an online forum friend of mine. Terry Pratchett's "Nation" to my HeartMom, Mandy Wiener's "Killing Kebble: An Underworld Exposed" (South African non-fiction) to a co-worker and a picture book with commetary I made for my sweetheart over there in Maryland. It's about our disneyworld trip. :-) All those have gone out and should hopefully arrive soon..

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  50. 2 copies of Seal Team Six: Memoirs of an Elite Navy Sniper by Howard Wasdin -- 1 copy to a brother and the other to my son in the Navy

    Free Range Kids by Lenore Skenazy -to another brother

    Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Voist - to my grandson

    The Three Trees by Angela Elwell Hunt - to my neice

    And maybe Eragon by Christopher Paolini for another son.

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  51. Tammy S12:58 PM

    Mostly giving gift cards but have gotten a couple book in series, Patricia Briggs and Matthew Reilly.

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  52. Khrista C1:29 PM

    I think that I always try to give books away as well. Though, I'm not sure my family always appreciates it. The year I bought my mom an old childhood book she'd been hunting for for years, A Wrinkle in Time. And for my father, who is a big treky, I bought him a star trek novel by William Shatner.

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  53. GayLee2:02 PM

    I just finished the Checklist Manifesto and I'm going to pass it along to a friend at work. I'll do the same to "Garden of Democracy" once I'm done. I already handed over the Cold Magic books by Kate Elliott to my bestie - couldn't wait to share. My sis has MS and has short term memory issues, so I found an older scifi anthology for her. She has to finish what she what she starts in one session or she forgets and has to go back and read the whole thing again.

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  54. Penny Pflager2:14 PM

    Hi,
    In our household we pass around the books. I just finsihed reading some Charlaine Harris and Cathrine Coulter--those will go to my daughter. The sci-fi will go to my husband. My grandaughter is 2 and I bought her a sprectrum to engage the imagination, to educate and to provide an introduction to God---so she got some Dr Suess, activity/coloring books, and childrens bible stories.

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  55. Strangely enough this year I am not giving any books away (gave them for birthdays instead). However I know that hubby has bought me 5 books for Christmas (ain't amazon great with their 'already purchased' link?)

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  56. I bought my daughter a few early-reader books from Scholastic (she's 5), and also bought three books for a child belonging to a family our church adopted for Christmas: one Magic Treehouse book, a Star Wars Clone Wars book, and a book about Stink, Judy Moody's little brother. I am sure a few more will magically end up in my cart until i finish shopping.

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  57. I'm still shopping, but I'm looking at some Little Bear books for my niece.

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  58. Atropa5:09 PM

    I'm still doing some shopping, but most of the time I don't get books for people, simply because I learned they never read them, don't appreciate them, and I usually borrow them and end up keeping them. Which would be a sneaky way to get myself books if I didn't feel so irked that the readers in my family NEVER seem to enjoy the books I get them, even if said books are PERFECT for them.

    Well, except my Dad. I got him the Harry Potter books in a collector set (because the whole family wore out our first set,) which he promptly set up as decor and has never opened. But he looks at them all the time. *rolls eyes*

    But this year I'm thinking about a non-fiction gift of Anthony Robbins's "Awaken the Giant Within." I've found great insight in this book, and have decided that the people in my life who would read it will love it, and those who probably wouldn't read it need the subtle "hint, hint - you need self-help."

    Cruel maybe, but that is probably the only book I'm buying anyone for Christmas this year - unfortunately. :(

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  59. clairecherven6:10 PM

    Gift cards for the little local book shops (not the big name or box stores, unless they live at a distance). I've also been known to Google an area and searched for a small shop and hope they take gift card/certificate sales over the phone. Mom was a Library Director so we have all got an occupational hazard for the love of books and sharing them.

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  60. I'm still shopping! Thanks for the giveaway.

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  61. I giving all of the Kitty books by Gini Koch.

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  62. No book-giving this year (did that last year). This year's theme is fancy smelly bath soaps. All my girl friends will smell sooo purrty this season!

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  63. Anonymous9:40 PM

    My sweetie is getting Tanya Huff's The Wild Ways for Hanukkah!

    --Julia

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  64. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman for my nephew - something that we can read together. It's a grown up enough book that he won't feel like he's being treated like a kid, and interesting enough that I actually want to read it.

    Most of my family aren't readers - only my mother and me, so we usually just trade books amongst ourselves. I'm trying to get the next generation involved, but I'm competing with Nintendo DSs.

    Ah well, fighting the good fight, right?

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  65. my sons just got two dresden file books and i'll probably buy them several more during break.

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  66. Anonymous6:06 AM

    I am giving my sister a copy of Stardoc. The best book!

    L

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  67. Books makes for fantastic presents in my opinion too! I've bought books to all my cousins. But now only 1 really does read the books I'm giving as presents. So she'll be getting books for Xmas.
    I'm getting her a Ilona Andrews book (not sure which yet) and a Simone Elkeles one.

    I also got a Historical romance for a friend: A beginner's Guide to Rakes by Suzanne Enoch

    I might find a few other ones when I go shopping on Saturday. I usually get them the new French translations when they come out.

    pattepoilue(at)gmail(dot)com

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  68. For my sister and her daughter, I'm sending a gift card to Barnes and Noble, so they can each pick out something they'd like.

    For my darling children, I ordered two books; one called Tales of Old Ireland, the other is Celtic Fairy Tales. I'm excited to read those with them!

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  69. My niece wants the latest Star Wars book, but I haven't picked it up yet. :)

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  70. I bought 3 copies of Llama Llama Red Pajama, 3 copies of The Tickly Octopus for Christmas gifts.
    For my husband I bought the Hunger Games Trilogy. In a few minutes, I am buying my husband's nephew Books 1-5 of Percy and the Olympians.

    As you can see, I am putting that Amazon prime membership to use (LOL)!

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  71. Decided to purchase the Kushiel series for a friend who would absolutely love those books, and hopefully she does. Not many people in my life are readers, though, sadly.

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  72. Susanne2:34 AM

    I am going to give my son (12) the last two books in Philip Ardagh`s "Dickie Dickens" series.
    My daughter (15) gets more Agatha Christies - she just loves them :-))

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  73. Sheila7:03 AM

    Tossing my name into the hat because I have yet to figure out which Christmas theme romance book my mom wants.

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  74. I'm the only big reader in among my family and friends. I could buy them a book, but it would probably not be read. So instead of giving glorious books, I give them something they'll actually use. I ask THEM for the books. But now, they are starting to be mean and say they want to get me something other than books. Which I'm pretty sure is illegal under the Constitution of America, in the "cruel or unusual punishment" portion of it.

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  75. I am giving away several books & series...

    Now Eat This! 100 Quick Calorie Cuts by Rocco DiSpirito, 978-0446584524

    Stardoc series in eBook if available on the nook, otherwise paperback

    Tiger, Tiger by Margaux Fragoso, 9780374277628

    Elemental Assassin series by Jennifer Estep

    Life Application Study Bible, 9781414324579

    All Wound Up: The Yarn Harlot Writes for a Spin by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, 9780740797576

    Spells & Stitches by Barbara Bretton, 9780425241059

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  76. I'm giving The Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning, All I Ever Wanted by Kristan Higgins, Night Road by Kristin Hannah and House at Riverton by Kate Morton. A bit of every genre.

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  77. Anonymous8:22 AM

    I'm still shopping, so I'll just toss my name in the hat. And thank you!

    Lia

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  78. "His Grace is Sufficient. . . Decaf is Not" by Loree Lough and others.

    Also giving a copy of a Christmas cookbook and Joanna Bourne's new historical novel.

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  79. This year money is tight, so I decided to make all the Christmas cards by hand instead of buying any.

    What I wish I could give to a dear friend of mine is Cliver Barker's Abarat.

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  80. The Dante Valentine Series, I am also giving a copy of the Derting books (body finder series) to a friend's daughter, I think she'll love them!

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  81. Athena W.6:26 PM

    Not actually giving away any books this year. But I am giving away a kindle to my mother. I know she'll love it.

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  82. LaurieF9:54 PM

    I'm giving away cookbooks, childrens books, gift certificates to bookstores.
    My daughter-in-law is getting "The Book of Awesome", my mom two of Nora Ephron's recent comedic efforts. There's too many to list!
    Just finished Nightshine... so good. Can't wait for Nightborn.
    Happy Holiday's.

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  83. Merry Christmas Lynn. I am throwing my name into the hat. I'm not giving any actual books, but I am giving a B&N gift card to my daughter for her Nook ebooks.

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  84. I'm still shopping so I'm tossing my name into the hat, thanks!

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