Happy Friday!
1. Guys. I’m in over my head. May I present you with… my To-Read piles:
So intimidating, I don’t even know where to start! I’m working on The Piper’s Son now (LOVE) and up next is The Scorpio Races for Fall Book Club, but then what? How do even begin to tackle all of these books?! (Oh, and in case you’re tempted to plan an intervention, I’m not, like, a compulsive shopper or anything. Many of the books pictured above are on loan from wonderfully generous friends, and I’ve won quite a few in online giveaways.)
2. Speaking of online giveaways… I’ve been on a bit of a lucky streak lately. In the last few months, I’ve won A LOT of books. Probably around fifteen. This week alone I’ve won three books, plus a t-shirt! Though my good fortune has become a bit of a joke (How have I managed to rig random.org?!), I am nothing but grateful for my incredibly charitable blogging/writing/tweeting friends. If I haven’t said it enough, THANK YOU to everyone who’s hosted one of the giveaways I’ve been fortunate enough to win. 🙂 And, since we’re on the topic of giveaways, I’ve got one coming up RIGHT HERE very soon! Feel free to sign up for an email subscription to this blog if you haven’t already. The button is there in my right sidebar. —> Go ahead… give it a click. I wouldn’t want YOU to miss out on free books!
3. My husband recently told me that his soldiers agree: I send the BEST care packages. How cool is that? A definite point of pride for any good military wife. The key to a better-than-average care package? Theme! I’ve been focused on autumn for a while, but now I’ve moved on to Christmas. I’ve already got one big box full of Christmas-y treats ready to go, and I’ve got this in the works:
A countdown to Christmas! My husband is horrible with patience and gift-receiving and waiting out surprises (when deployed, he opens ALL packages IMMEDIATELY), so I thought this would be a fun way prolong the holiday spirit and inject a little extra cheer into his December. Each of these ten bags has a little treat with a cute coordinating card and a Why I love you… message inside. Notice: I had to write dates on the cards to indicate when he’s allowed to open each one, and I tied everything closed… he BETTER not peek! (Here’s the LINK to the printable tags if you want to do this for your loved one. So fun!)
4. Two awesome opportunities to give:
- My fellow Bookanista and agent sister Carolina Valdez Miller is going on a medical mission trip to Haiti this January and needs your help. Please consider donating to this very worthy cause!
- My longtime friend and aspiring literary agent Kari Bradley is spreading the word about a Barnes & Noble Bookfair, raising funds to benefit Curtis Junior High School’s library. If you’re planning to do any book shopping this weekend (in-store or online), please consider using Book Fair ID #10511327.
5. And, no Friday is complete without a funny…
What are you up to this weekend? Prepping for Turkey Day? NaNo-ing? Reading? Early holiday shopping? Watching Breaking Dawn Part I (eek!)? Tell me in the comments!
katyupperman.com 
re: the TBR List “and I’ve won quite a few in online giveaways.”
HA. Hahaha. That is an understatement. Your luck never ceases to amaze me. Also: can’t wait to hear what you think of SCORPIO. I already wrote my review for Fall Book Club because it was so fresh in my mind and I wanted to get it all out. I adored it. Hope you do too.
I’m starting SCORPIO tomorrow, and with much excitement thanks to all your enthusiasm about it! Can’t wait to see what it’s all about. Are you planning to read the SHIVER trilogy?
I’m glad to see your TBR pile is so high because I get so many great book recommendations from you. Keep reading! Love your care packages BTW.
Thanks, Kirsten! I will definitely continue to rave about the books I enjoy her on my blog and on Twitter. I love sharing book love!
Ah, lovely Katy. I’ve got another book coming to you to add to that pile. Ha.
Thanks so much for the fab mention! So excited about this.
I had no idea your husband was in the military! Wow, it sounds like he got lucky in you. What a caring wonderful wife you are. And so dang creative! Marry me, okay?
Ha! You crack me up, Carol! I’m so happy to help you with your fundraising. Such a wonderful cause, and I’m looking forward to hearing all about your trip and the people you help. You are amazing!
Your TBR piles are pretty big, I’ll give you that. I see a lot of new, and popular, books in there, so it should be fun. Congrats on all the giveaway success; I won about half a dozen books in the space of two months so I stopped entering giveaways unless I already wanted the book– it just seemed rude! And that’s an awesome care package you’ve got there!
Thanks, Sophia. 🙂 I really don’t enter a ton of giveaways. Just ones for books I’m dying to read, and any time one of my blogging friends has one I try to enter in an effort to be supportive. My winnings are getting out of control though. I wish I were so lucky in my “normal” life!
I can’t believe I’ve met someone who’s TBR pile is as big as mine! I can thank Borders closing for most of the 60+ books I have yet to read (and my 2 kittens thank Borders, too – for they think it’s just an absolute hoot to try and climb the tower o’ books and then watch them fall like Jenga!). I’m just so happy there are so many great books out there to read!
And your care packages are wonderful, Katy! I’ll bet your husband is just beside himself when he gets everything. And sorry, but I’d peek inside, too!
Ha! No peeking!
Glad I’m not the only one with TBR piles in danger of toppling. My daughter’s not allowed to go near my books now because I’m worried she’ll inadvertently knock one of the stacks down and end up crushed!
My TBR ‘pile’ would completely topple over if it was actually a pile (they’re on the shelves with the other books), so I feel your pain. Those care packages for the hubby look really great – and you are definitely a good military wife!
P. S. Can you rub off some of that good luck on me, please? 🙂
I will try to share my giveaway luck with ALL. 🙂
I wish I could put my TBRs on a shelf, but my shelves are currently full. Time for new furniture, I think!
Ha. Your TBR looks like mine. I get so overwhelmed with the choices!
I had a streak like that with contests this past summer. EIght books in a couple weeks, then NOTHING. Eh. I haven’t entered a whole lot lately though. But good for you!
This weekend, I’m hoping to spend time with the family, clean my house, and clean up some of my manuscript. Fingers crossed!
Have a good weekend!
Yay for a weekend of family time! My parents are coming to visit tomorrow (for a whole ten days!), so I’ll be in the same boat as you. Hoping to sneak in some time with my rewrite as well. 🙂 Have a great one, Alison!
ACK. You haven’t read The Book Thief?? You’ve probably heard all about how fabulous it is and might be sick of the hype, but it’s SERIOUSLY ohmyfreakinggoodness good. So moving, so true, so gorgeous. READ IT.
Those care packages are beautiful! They also look like fun to make. I can see why they’d be considered the best care packages. 😉
I know, I know! I haven’t heard ONE negative word about THE BOOK THIEF. I’m going to try my best to read it before the end of the year. I’ll let you know what I think!
I’m so glad I’m not the only one with an out of control TBR pile. Now that I’m done with NaNo, I’m hoping I can resume reading through all the books.
Congrats on finishing NaNo, Alicia! You’re a rockstar! Happy reading to you, and have a wonderful weekend. 🙂
Oh, your TBR pile is delicious — and about the same pile as mine! I say jump into Paranormalcy and Ship Breaker. I’m about to start Graceling — Meg loved it, and if it meets her exacting standards, I’m in!
Yes! SHIP BREAKER and GRACELING are both at the top of my mental pile. Now I’m working on SCORPIO, which is lovely so far. 🙂
I’ll echo others–Ship Breaker, Graceling, Book Thief–and is that Delirium I spy? And some Libba Bray?
Eeeeek. I am kind of jealous that you still get to read all of those for the first time. I see Crossed is in there (as it is on my Kindle, waiting patiently)–I saw someone recently say they were delaying reading it because they were so excited for it, and I kind of feel the same way.
One of my chief supernatural wishes is that I could erase media from my brain selectively so that I could experience it again for the first time. (Um, Season 1 of Veronica Mars? The Hunger Games? Ohhhh man.)
Enjoy!
There are things I wish I could relive with a fresh perspective as well… Dexter, every Melina Marchetta book, and yes, definitely The Hunger Games! I’m looking forward to reading Crossed. I’ve heard great things!