Yes, Virginia, today is the day after Thanksgiving, which means that a good portion of folks got up at an insanely early hour this morning to go out into the cold and snag those holiday deals. (Not me, though. I like sleeping in my warm bed much better than 50-percent-off discounts.)
But I will be venturing out later on. And what are some of the main things on my list to buy? Why books, of course.
I give a lot of books for Christmas every year, and 2009 won’t be any different. I’ve got my eye on some fantasy and history titles for my significant other, and some historical western romances and puzzle books for my mom. My dad will get a few action-adventure thrillers and maybe a mystery or two. And so on and so forth.
But even more than giving the books, I just enjoy the process of shopping for them in the first place. Let’s face it. Walking through the bookstore is usually far less stressful than going to the mall. Quieter too. The bookstore is a bit of an escape for me, a place where I can relax while I roam up and down the aisles searching for just the right book for just the right person on my shopping list. And it always give me a sense of accomplishment when I find a great book for someone who’s special to me.
And then, of course, there’s me. Because I like getting books just as much as I like giving them. And hey, while I’m there at the bookstore, I might as well make my own wish list to pass along to Santa. This year, it includes romance and fantasy titles by Nalini Singh, Lisa Shearin, Jennifer Armintrout, and Karen Marie Moning, just to name a few.
So yeah, I’ll be going to the bookstore later, my to-buy-for list in one hand and a leftover turkey sandwich in the other. What could be better than that? 
What about you? Which books will you be giving and getting this holiday season? Share in the comments.
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I don’t give books because I have loved ones working in bookstores. That is what they give (with their employee discounts and bonus bucks).
However, I LOVE getting books. Because I mostly read ePubs, loved ones know they can pick up almost any recent print romance and I won’t have it. That is one perk about switching to eBooks (whereas before, I’d have to post lists of books wanted).
I do some book giving also, including gift cards to my children. I’m cross-stitching some book markers for friends and family as gifts this year.
Happy shopping. I’m heading to the bookstore for some quiet later.
Kimber — That is an easy way to keep everything straight.
Susan — Homemade bookmarks? What a great present!
I’ve already made my book purchases- I always give books to my kids! But since I’m a total book junkie I might poke around in the bookstore later in the week.
Love the bookmark idea. We might make some with the fall leaves we collected and send them to Gramma.
Speaking of giving books, On December 6, I and 11 other bloggers are teaming up with 17 authors to give away over 30 science fiction romance books. If you’re new to the sub-genre, please do check it out.
To enter is free–all you have to do is leave a comment at the blog that features the books you want to win. A science fiction romance treasure hunt, if you will. It’s our way of spreading the holiday cheer, lol!
I’ll be posting an official announcement at The Galaxy Express this Sunday, but in the meantime you can visit Alien Romances for more information:
http://aliendjinnromances.blogspot.com/2009/11/programming-note.html
I always try to give books as gifts. I’m the Bookeemonster after all. However, I somehow married a nonreader — how did that happen? (his whole family are nonreaders which makes things difficult) But I scored big time at his birthday with the Watchmen megabook so I’m wondering if I can get away with something like that again for Christmas.
Jennifer, you just have to approach Christmas shopping at the mall with the proper perspective. You have to look at it as a contact sport; something that makes the NFL, NHL, boxing, soccer, and Roller Derby COMBINED look like tennis by comparison. Of course, it’s helpful if you adopt the demeanor of one Harold Francis Callahan.
I’m getting books for most of my family — I got PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES and SENSE AND SENSIBILITY AND SEA MONSTERS for my brother and sister-in-law. Still working on my niece and nephew.
I buy a book for everyone on my list, from the three year old niece to my parents in their late sixties.
I really enjoy the hunt to find the perfect book for each person. Two of them, the book will be their main gift since the books are hardcovers (the new Stephen King for my sister, and Max and Peter by Bill Willingham for my comic-book friend who loves Fables). My six year old niece is really moving quickly in learning to read, so I have a lot of choice with her. Finding a book that 1) the person will enjoy and 2) will not have already read is so much fun.