Giving Thanks

in front of shakespeare and company in paris

I'm not very good at these types of posts so I am going to try to keep it brief. This Thanksgiving I am thankful for many things. Of course, my wonderful family. We've had some trying times this year but I love them to death and am so glad to have them in my life (even if they do drive me insane sometimes).

I am also thankful for my wonderful friends. Extra big hugs to frootjoos and kimberlybuggie, two wonderful bloggers and friends in real life. Besides just having books in common, these ladies are fantastic friends who never fail to make me laugh and who are always up for a crazy adventure. Thanks, frootjoos, for inviting me to blog with you. It's opened up a whole new world and I am excited to see what the next year brings.

I am also very thankful to all of the wonderful authors, publishers, bloggers and readers I've met and interacted with this past year. You've all enriched my world and given me a giant reading pile! 

I hope everyone has a safe holiday. I plan to eat a lot of mom's home cooking, read in bed, and see Hugo. What are your Thanksgiving weekend plans?

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thuy will be eating homemade pho and yarn shopping on her break. you can follow her random tweets @fishgirl182

Winner: Lord of the Abyss Giveaway

Thanks to everyone who entered our giveaway. We had a great time reading about people's favorite fairy tales. I didn't count but it looks like Beauty and the Beast was the most popular. Alright - time for the winner. And the winner is (insert drum roll)..........

Amel Armeliana

Congratulations, Amel! (imagine confetti and hand clapping) An email has been sent to you. Please get in contact with us ASAP so we can get your book out to you. To everyone else who entered, thanks again. If you haven't already, go pick up a copy of Lord of the Abyss, which should be in stores now. If you have no idea what this book is about, check out the review here to see why you must read this book. We have more giveaways coming up on the blog so keep checking in. We'll love you even more if you comment on stuff.  :) Bye for now!

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thuy would like to be eating pie right now. check her tweets to see what kind of pie @fishgirl182

Top Ten Tuesday (5) - Authors I'd Want To Share A Turkey Leg With

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature/meme created by the folks over at The Broke and the Bookish. To sign up or find out more about it, visit the Top Ten Tuesday page. This week's topic is Top Ten Authors I'd Love To Have At My Thanksgiving Feast. To make it easier on myself I am choosing only from living authors.

10. Maggie Stiefvater (Shiver series, The Scorpio Races) - I've seen Maggie speak a couple of times now and she is always fun and full of energy. I think it'd be a blast to hang out with her. Plus she can make her November cakes for dessert

9. David Sedaris (Holidays On Ice, Me Talk Pretty One Day) - David Sedaris is hilarious and would keep everyone in stitches all night long.

8. Kevin Smith (Tough Sh*t: Life Advice from a Fat, Lazy Slob Who Did Good) - Kevin Smith's the type of guy who can talk to anyone about anything. Smart, funny and outspoken, I think Kevin would make a great addition to the party.

7. Max Brooks (The Zombie Survival Handbook, World War Z) - The man knows how to survive the zombie apocalypse. A very useful guest to have at any party.

6. Nora Roberts (In Death series - as JD Robb; about a million other books) - I think I'd just want to see her in person and ask her how the heck she writes all those books. And give her a hug for writing the In Death series.

5. Suzanne Collins (Hunger Games trilogy) - Ooh I could talk Hunger Games with Suzanne and see what she has planned next.

4. Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling and Guild Hunters series) - I am sort of obsessed with Nalini Singh right now. If she came to dinner I would ask her what she had planned for my favorite characters in her books.

3. Charlaine Harris (Sookie Stackhouse series) - I have heard Charlaine speak before and she is just sweet, fun, funny and she writes books that I love. She's definitely on the invite list.

2. Neil Gaiman (Coraline, American Gods, Sandman) - Neil Gaiman is just awesome. Love his books and it would be awesome to have a chat with him. Plus, he might bring his wife, Amanda Palmer.

1. J.K. Rowling (HARRY POTTER) - I don't think this needs any explanation. I would probably go all fangirl on J.K. but hopefully I'd be able to pull it together long enough to tell her how much I LOVE the HP books.

That's my top 10. Who would you invite over?

say "twee!"

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You can follow Thuy online at Twitter @fishgirl182

In My Mailbox (8)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. It gives book bloggers the chance to share what they’ve bought/borrowed/received! This was a pretty good week for me. I managed to only buy one small novella. Netgalley continues to feed my addiction. I think I will be signing up for Netgalley January so I will read more of these awesome books that I've gotten from them. Bought Unlocked (Turner #1.5) by Courtney Milan (novella - already read) For Review The Heart of a Killer by Jaci Burton (via Netgalley) - Very excited about this one. I am a fan of Jaci Burton and this one looks pretty interesting. Holiday Kisses: A Holiday Romance Collection by Various (via Netgalley) - Christmas themed romance. Cover's pretty cheesy but this looks fun. Immortal Rider by Larissa Ione (via Netgalley) - I almost fell out of my chair when I saw this on NG. I am a big fan of Larissa's Demonica series and am loving the new series as well. I am very excited to read this one. Borrowed The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson - Finally got this via eMedia library loan. An Abundance of Katherines by John Green - I've never read a John Green book. This needs to be rectified immediately. Chasing Perfect (Fool's Gold #1) by Susan Mallery - I picked this up while browsing the somewhat sad shelves of the romance section at the library. I've seen Mallery's name around but have never read any of her books. Realistic romance is hit and miss for me but I thought I'd give this one a chance. Won How To Knit A Love Song by Rachael Herron (signed) - I am a fan of Rachael Herron's Cypress Hollow series and managed to win a signed copy of the first book. This means that I'll be doing a giveaway for my gently read, unsigned copy. Read this awhile ago but never posted a review. Will be putting it up soon along with the giveaway. Thanks to Knitted Wit for this one! Don't lie now. Who went to see Breaking Dawn at midnight on Thursday?

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Follow Thuy on twitter @fishgirl182

Happy Haul-idays from Chronicle Books

Chronicle Books is hosting another awesome year of Happy Haul-idays. One lucky blogger will will $500 worth of Chronicle books. But that's not all. In the holiday spirit, Chronicle will also be giving away $500 to a lucky blog commenter on the winning blog as well as $500 of books to the charity of the blogger's choice. For more info or to enter, please go HERE. What a wonderfully generous promotion from Chronicle. One of my fave publishers of fantastic-ly beautiful books, I could not pass up this opportunity to spread the holiday cheer. 

If I win, the charity I'd donate to would be Friends of the Burbank Library. I love going to the library and know that they would definitely appreciate a donation. They haven't gotten any new crafty/cookbooks in awhile and I think these books would be an excellent addition. So please take a look at my haul list and let me know what you think. Remember, one lucky commenter can win the same haul.

These veer heavily in the crafty/food category. I love making things, both to wear and use and to eat - and Chronicle has an awesome selection of books that fit into these categories.  

• Flour - I've actually checked out this book from the library and have made several things from it. Love Chang's style and the recipes are delicious. I would love a copy of my own.
• Plenty - I have heard very good things about this book and that cover is divine.
• Hand Forged Doughnuts - I love doughnuts and have only recently begun exploring making my own. This books like like a good start.

• Amy Butler's Style Stitches - I've been a fan of Amy Butler's for awhile now. Love her handbag patterns and have been wanting this book for awhile.
• Whip Up Mini Quilts - So many friends have had babies this year and I think these mini quilts would make awesome presents.
• Cake Pops - Bakerella has the cutest website and her cake pops always looks gorgeous. I would love to give them a try.

• The Liberty Book of Home Sewing - How did I not know that Liberty came out with their own sewing book? I love their fabrics even though I can't afford them. I was one of those people who was camped in front of Target the morning the Liberty of London collection was released.
• Quilting Bee - I rally want to start quilting and I love the look of the designs in this book.
• A Life In Stitches by Rachael Herron - I am a fan of Rachae's blog, Yarnagogo, and her Cypress Hollow romance books (reviews coming!) and am very interested in reading her biography/memoir of sorts.

• Yoshitomo Nara: The Complete Works - I LOVE Yoshitomo Nara. 'Nuff said.
• The Lonesome Puppy by Yoshitomo Nara - A Nara picture book? How can I resist?

Well that's my list. It adds up to a nifty $497.19. Who ever said I don't know how to budget?  Please comment and let me know what you think of my list. Remember, if I win, one lucky commenter on this post will win as well.

say "twee!"

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Follow more of Thuy's random thoughts on Twitter @fishgirl182