Giveaway: Happy Haulidays from Chronicle Books

Talk about a fantastic giveaway! I just learned that Chronicle Books is having a huge (and I mean HUGE) giveaway to celebrate the holiday season. I mean they are really going all out! Get a load of this:

Chronicle Books is giving away $500 worth of books to one blogger who posts a list of books that he/she wants to haul in. And, they are giving away that same set of books (that's right, $500 worth of books) to one person who comments on the winning blog. Winners will be announced on December 13th.

Needless to say, I was thrilled to learn about this contest and I immediately began searching their website to come up with books that appeal to me and my family. It wasn't easy because Chronicle has a huge amount of awesome books, but I think I've come up with a great assortment. I hope you will agree!

So, here we go:

Cookbooks

CAKE POPS

Summary: What's cuter than a cupcake? A cake pop, of course! Wildly popular blogger Bakerella (aka Angie Dudley) has turned cake pops into an international sensation! Cute little cakes on a stick from decorated balls to more ambitious shapes such as baby chicks, ice cream cones, and even cupcakes these adorable creations are the perfect alternative to cake at any party or get-together. Martha Stewart loved the cupcake pops so much she had Bakerella appear on her show to demonstrate making them. Now Angie makes it easy and fun to recreate these amazing treats right at home with clear step-by-step instructions and photos of more than 40 featured projects, as well as clever tips for presentation, decorating, dipping, coloring and melting chocolate, and much more.

MICHAEL CHIARELLO'S BOTTEGA

Summary: Michael Chiarello's fans have watched him on Top Chef Masters, the Food Network, and PBS. He's an Emmy Award winner and award-winning author, with combined cookbook sales of over 400,000 copies. Chiarello returns to the kitchen with a cookbook inspired by the soulful Southern Italian-style menu at his new Napa Valley restaurant, Bottega. It's rich with more than 120 photographs that convey the Bottega experience and 100 amazing recipes for Southern Italian specialties, which, with signature Chiarello style, are designed for the home cook to have as much easy joy cooking as eating. Bottega is Michael Chiarello at his best.

FLOUR

Summary: Every day 1,500 Bostonians can't resist buying sweet, simple treats such as Homemade Pop-Tarts, from an alumna of Harvard with a degree in economics. From Brioche au Chocolat and Lemon Raspberry Cake to perfect croissants, Flour Bakery-owner Joanne Chang's repertoire of baked goods is deep and satisfying. While at Harvard she discovered that nothing made her happier than baking cookies – leading her on a path that eventually resulted in a sticky bun triumph over Bobby Flay on the Food Network's Throwdown. Almost 150 Flour recipes such as Milky Way Tart and Dried Fruit Focaccia are included, plus Joanne's essential baking tips, making this mouthwatering collection an accessible, instant classic cookbook for the home baker.

I LOVE MACARONS

Summary: Cute-as-can-be, buttery macarons capture the whimsy and elegance of Paris, where they're traditionally served with tea or wrapped up in ribbon to give as a gift. But the secrets of making perfect macarons have long eluded home bakers—until now! In I Love Macarons, renowned Japanese pastry-maker Hisako Ogita brings her extensive experience to the art of baking macarons with fully illustrated foolproof step-by-step instructions. This charmingly designed guide is sure to have pastry lovers everywhere whipping up these colorful confections at home, using ordinary baking equipment and simple ingredients to create myriad flavors of perfection.

TARTINE

Summary: For the home or professional bread-maker, this is the book of the season. It comes from a man many consider to be the best bread baker in the United States: Chad Robertson, co-owner of Tartine Bakery in San Francisco, a city that knows its bread. To Chad, bread is the foundation of a meal, the center of daily life, and each loaf tells the story of the baker who shaped it. He developed his unique bread over two decades of apprenticeship with the finest artisan bakers in France and the United States, as well as experimentation in his own ovens. Readers will be astonished at how elemental it is. A hundred photographs from years of testing, teaching, and recipe development provide step-by-step inspiration, while additional recipes provide inspiration for using up every delicious morsel.

WHOOPIE PIES

Summary: Is it a cake? Is it a cookie? With such deliciously soft and sweet cream-filled snacks, does it matter? The Internet is abuzz with recipes and stories of whoopie pie folklore, while customers everywhere are descending on bakeries in droves demanding these delectable treats. This adorable volume—the only cookbook devoted entirely to whoopie pies—features more than 40 mix-and-match recipes, including the classic chocolate with marshmallow cream and a range of bright flavor combinations such as red velvet, green tea, pumpkin with a tangy cream cheese filling, and oatmeal with, yes, maple-bacon buttercream. With a puffy cover as soft as cake, plenty of color photos and hand-drawn illustrations, dozens of DIY decorating instructions, fun facts and baking tips, Whoopie Pies will make a welcome addition to any baker's bookshelf.

Crafty Books

THE SOCK KNITTING KIT

Summary:  This kit includes a helpful booklet with easy-to-follow instructions for completing six unique sock patterns, from simple to complex, plus a set of five double-pointed needles and enough yarn to create one pair of socks. Patterns include a basic unisex design, cheerleader peds with pom poms, socks for toddlers, chunky slipper socks, and two knee-high stockings.

CREEPY CUTE CROCHET

Summary:  If you're a fan of amigurumi, you already know that super-sweet crocheted bunnies and kitties and pandas have taken the indie craft world by storm. Well, the dolls in Creepy Cute Crochet eat your typical amigurumi for breakfast.

This unique craft book contains more than 25 patterns for zombies, ninjas, Vikings, vampires, aliens, robots, and even Death himself. Each easy-to-follow pattern is presented with step-by-step diagrams, hilarious commentary, and full-color photographs of the creatures in their natural environments. Plus each pattern is ranked according to difficulty so that even beginners can share in the fun.

The scary-cute photographs, accessible text, and illustrated patterns are sure to be a hit with indie crafters, angsty teens, and hip moms everywhere.

THE KNIT-IT KIT FOR KIDS

Summary: Knitting isn't just for Granny anymore! It's the latest craze among all ages, and the perfect way for kids to pass time on long car rides or when there’s nothing on TV. This kit is designed for absolute beginners and teaches all the basics of knitting. There's a detailed instruction booklet, a circular needle, a ball of yarn, and 10 pattern cards for the coolest knitted creations. Includes:
- Yarn
- 10 instruction cards
- Circular needle
- 36-page booklet

Fun Books for my Guys

THE SOUNDS OF STAR WARS

Summary: Any Star Wars fan can mimic Darth Vader's voice or Chewbacca's roar with ease. But how many of them would be able to identify the lion's roar used in the sound of the Millenium Falcon's engine? In this aurally astonishing and visually engaging book, New York Times best-selling author J. W. Rinzler reveals the illuminating history of the sounds that make the Star Wars universe so believable, as recounted by their creator, legendary sound designer Ben Burtt. An attached sound module with an exterior speaker and headphone jack lets readers listen to more than 250 unique sound effects, and more than 300 photographs illustrate the epic's many memorable scenes. From the first films to the animated Star Wars: The Clone Wars series, The Sounds of Star Wars is Star Wars as you've never heard it before.

OBSESSED WITH STAR WARS

Summary: Even the most die-hard Star Wars fans will find themselves challenged by this entertaining new approach to the details of the saga. This fourth volume in the popular, addictive Obsessed With series again includes an innovative scoring module right in the book, so a player can select questions by number or at random and keep score. With 2,500 original questions covering little known facts, entertaining quotes, and tough trivia from all six episodes, Obsessed With Star Wars will have readers dominating the galaxy in no time.

OBSESSED WITH MARVEL

Summary: This latest title in the wildly successful Obsessed With series is the Marvel fanatic's ultimate challenge. More than just a trivia book, this interactive game includes an electronic scoring module that allows readers to quiz themselves or compete against a friend. With 2,500 questions covering the expansive Marvel Universe, it's easy to test who really knows the difference between Spider-Man and Spider-Man 2099. Featuring every character from the original Fantastic Four to Nick Fury's Howling Commandos to The Incredible Hulk, tidbits on legendary Marvel developers and artists, and artwork from the classic comics, Obsessed With Marvel is a treat for every comic book fan.

OBSESSED WITH BASEBALL

Summary: Obsessed with BASEBALL explores little known facts, fascinating anecdotes, and great trivia of America's national pastime. This comprehensive yet compact book offers more than 2,500 questions to engage and challenge even the greatest baseball buff. In addition, each spread features a lengthier question that goes deep into the subject. What makes this package truly different from any other trivia book is the computerized module embedded in a corner of the book's cover, which allows readers to test themselves or compete against a friend. Play ball!

The Baseball Guys include the following experts: James Buckley Jr., author of more than 20 books on baseball, including The Visual Dictionary of Baseball; David Fischer, author of Sports of the Times and The 50 Coolest Jobs in Sports; and Jim Gigliotti veteran sports writer and editor, and coauthor of Baseball: A Celebration!

Kids' Books

NOONIE'S MASTERPIECE

Summary: Fantastic illustrations with a fresh, contemporary look enrich this debut novel about a 10-year-old aspiring artist stuck living with an aunt, uncle, and cousin who clearly don't recognize her genius. A humorous and heartfelt reminder that "a brilliant artist is never afraid," this book reveals that sometimes our greatest masterpieces are the bonds we unexpectedly forge with the people in our lives.

THE WORST-CASE SCENARIO SURVIVAL HANDBOOK JUNIOR BOXED SET

Summary: Boxed set includes:
• The Original Junior Edition
• Extreme Junior Edition
• Weird Junior Edition





A NUTTY NUTCRAKER CHRISTMAS

Summary: This is no ordinary Nutcracker! This time, it's Fritz's story. The traditional Nutcracker tale gets turned on its head in this rollicking Christmas adventure, based on the hit musical A Nutty Nutcracker Christmas by the popular family music rock star Ralph Covert and playwright G. Riley Mills. Includes a bonus CD of songs from the musical, featuring a read-aloud track with the music and story woven together.

AROUND THE WORLD WITH MOUK

Summary: Filled with vibrant illustrations, search-and-find challenges, and 46 reusable stickers, this oversized book is a spectacular play space for future world travelers. And Mouk is the perfect tour guide! His journey takes him all around the world, and at every stop along the way his animal friends share fascinating tidbits about local customs. Young adventure-seekers will be amazed and amused by something new with every reading.

MRS. MUSTARD'S BABY FACES

Summary: Nothing is more enticing to a baby than another baby. Now in a bigger sizeand with brand-new vibrantly colored backgrounds, Chronicle's groundbreaking board book is better than ever! The 12 pictures of darling baby faces help infants and toddlers explore a complicated range of emotions by showing both happy, smiling babies and cranky, crying babies. The book opens accordion style, so it can stand up in a crib or on the floor to amuse even the youngest infant.

JOURNALS

ANNA SUI CALICO CABARET JOURNAL

Summary: Every fashionista will covet this hardcover journal with vibrant printed fabric cover featuring one of Anna Sui's exquisite textile patterns.

NANCY DREW NOTEPAD

MAKE YOUR OWN DAMN DINNER NOTEPAD

GRATITUDE: A JOURNAL

LARGE RULED MOLESKINE VOLANT NOTEBOOK PURPLE/SET OF TWO

Summary: These colorful notebooks come packaged in sets of two, with a lighter and darker shade to suit your mood and are ideal for everyday notes and thoughts. The last 16 pages are detachable.

Each set comes with acid free ruled paper and includes the Moleskine history.

Whew -- $498.26!!! Now that's a lot of books!

To become eligible to win my wishlist of Chronicle books, just leave a comment on this post telling me which book you are most excited about. Don't forget to leave a valid email address.You can read all the official rules here!