2nd Annual Happy Haul-idays From Chronicle Books!

One of my favorite posts to write and dream about last year was my Happy Haul-idays post -- now apparently just full of dead image links instead of holiday cheer. So sad! But the contest is back this year and, even though my spare time right now is non-existent, I couldn't wait to make my list!

So, here's the deal -- I get to choose $500 of books from Chronicle Books. If I win, one commenter on this post wins the same haul. And to sweeten the pot this year, a charity of my choice also gets $500 worth of books! I am choosing Room to Read to win if I do.

Room to Read seeks to transform the lives of millions of children in the developing world by focusing on literacy and gender equality in education. Working in collaboration with local communities, partner organizations and governments, we develop literacy skills and a habit of reading among primary school children and ensure girls have the skills and support needed to complete their secondary education. Learn more at www.roomtoread.org.

Now, time for the wishing and dreaming to begin again. I'm posting this at 11:11 on 11/11/11 for extra good luck!

The Life & Love of Trees, text by Lewis Blackwell ($50.00). After waves and sunsets, my favorite things to take pictures of are trees.

Milk & Cookies: 89 Heirloom Recipes from New York's Milk & Cookies Bakery by Tina Casaceli ($24.95). I think this was on my list last year but here it is again because a) I am fully confident in my awesome cookie-making abilities and b) you can never have too many delicious cookie recipes.

TCM Classic Movie Trivia by Turner Classic Movies ($22.95) because I already know a lot about classic movies but I can always learn more.

The Doorbells of Florence: Fictional Stories and Photographs by Andrew Losowsky ($18.95). I've wanted this one since I first saw it. It's such a unique idea!

The Orphan of Awkward Falls by Keith Graves ($16.99) because the title cracks me up and I want to read it.

Prisoners in the Palace: How Princess Victoria Became Queen with the Help of Her Maid, a Reporter, and a Scoundrel by Michaela MacColl ($16.99). This is another one that caught my eye when it first came out.

Ghost Wave: The Discovery of Cortes Bank and The Biggest Wave on Earth by Chris Dixon ($24.95). I just heard about this one recently but I totally want to read it, dude.

Taking Aim: Unforgettable Rock 'n' Roll Photographs selected by Graham Nash ($50.00). I saw the exhibition at the Experience Music Project museum and it was truly amazing.

Tea & Crumpets: Recipes & Rituals from Tearooms & Cafes by Margaret M. Johnson ($19.95) because I love both!

Baking for All Occasions: A Treasury of Recipes for Everyday Celebrations by Flo Braker ($35.00). Yes, I'm still trying to lose weight but that doesn't mean I can't bake for other people.

Brittles, Barks & Bonbons: Delicious Recipes for Quick and Easy Candy by Charity Ferreira ($16.95). I said I'm making it for other people! Why don't you believe me?

Deep Dark Chocolate: Decadent Recipes for the Serious Chocolate Lover by Sara Perry ($18.95). Okay, if I make anything from this one, I'm eating it. See ... I don't lie when it's important.

Garden Anywhere: How to Grow Gorgeous Container Gardens, Herb Gardens, Kitchen Gardens and More--Without Spending a Fortune by Alys Fowler ($24.95) because I live in a wooded area and have only small patches of open space that also get sun.

Saveur The New Comfort Food: Home Cooking from Around the World from the Editors of Saveur Magazine ($35.00). Maybe I shouldn't have made this list right before dinner ...

For Z, I would choose these --

Boo: The Life of the World's Cutest Dog by J.H. Lee ($12.95). Z absolutely loves looking at pictures and videos of Boo. It's so weird because he doesn't really like dogs but he loves Boo!

Eye-Popping 3-D Bugs: Phantogram Creepy-Crawlies You Can Practically Touch by Barry Rothstein and Betsy Rothstein ($19.99). This ... looks ... awesome.

A Zeal of Zebras: An Alphabet of Collective Nouns by Woop ($17.99). This is just the kind of thing Z would love and would memorize and remember forever!

And for others, I would choose --

Obsessed with Star Trek: Test Your Knowledge of the Star Trek Universe by Chip Carter ($29.95) for the husband. Do I really need to explain why?

Pantone: 100 Postcards ($19.95) for my sister-in-law who lives, breathes, drinks and bleeds in Pantone colors.

Audrey Hepburn: The Paramount Years by Tony Nourmand ($22.95) for my little sister. We have many things in common and one of the best is our mutual love for Audrey.

And this list comes to a eye-popping $500.36. I hope that Chronicle Books will spot me the 36 cents. I'm rounding down anyway!

If you think I might win these books and want to get in on the action, leave a comment before December 2nd. You could win the entire set! (Sorry, open to U.S. residents only.)

Thinking about how so very good I've been this year,
K