7 Books for Adults on Your Holiday Gift List

Need I remind you that the holidays are quickly approaching? Do you have friends and family with distinct tastes? Are there people on your list who are just plain difficult to buy for? Here are seven books that could solve some of your shopping problems. I hope you find just what you were looking for.

For People Interested in Art, Fashion, and Culture

Lorraine Geiger's Fashion Fads & Fantasies: Three Decades of Outrageous Dressing (Wisdom House Books, Aug.) Artist-designer Greiger has a passion for street fashion. Born out Grreiger's habit to sketch the people and clothing she sees on the streets of New York and everywhere she travels, this collection of affecting drawings and paintings document not only the fashions and hairstyles of the 1970s through 1990s but also the people and attitudes of an ever-changing society. You'll recognize yourself on many of the pages, but you'll also have many wow and ha-ha moments as you re-live three decades of fashion history. (review copy from the publisher)

For the Knitter

Jody Long's Contemporary Cables (Dover, Sept.) Do you have a yarn lover on your list? Knitters of all skill levels would be thrilled to have this collection of 21 cabled projects. Besides stylish sweaters for both men and women, the book also includes several smaller projects, like shrugs, a beret, a tote, mittens, and more. There's a cozy wrap as well as a long scarf to keep winter's cold at bay. The introduction helps crafters pick yarns and follow the instructions, which are presented in both charts and written form. Each project is rated by skill level and is accompanied by one or more full-color photos. (review copy from the publicist)

For the Film Buff

Jay Jorgensen and Manoah Bowman's Grace Kelly: Hollywood Dream Girl (Dey Street, Oct.): Before Princess Di, the world had Grace Kelly. Everyone was enthralled with her transformation from daughter of American businessman to Hollywood star and then to real-life princess. This collection of photographs, costume sketches, and Hollywood memorabilia is a gorgeous tribute to Kelly's life and work. The book concentrates on her film career and is organized by movie. The images include some of the more familiar publicity shots of Kelly with her directors and costars, but you'll also find reviews, contact sheets, candid shots, and a look behind the scenes of the movies that made her famous. (review copy from the publisher)

For the Food Lover, Photographer, or Francophile

Alex Prud'Homme and Katie Pratt's France Is a Feast: The Photographic Journey of Paul and Julia Child (Thames and Hudson, Oct.) Everyone knows who Julia Child is but few know much about her husband, Paul, who was--among other things--a serious photographer. Fortunately for us, the Childs' great-nephew got together with Pratt, a photography curator, to compile this stunning collection of Paul's black and white photos taken in France after the war. Among Child's subjects are, of course, his famous wife and the beautiful French countryside, but he also focused his lens on street scenes, architecture, and everyday people. His talent for capturing light and mood is breathtaking.

For the Feminist Thinker, Writer, and Activist

Anna Katz's The Nasty Woman Journal: A Journal for Women Who Refuse to Sit Down (or Shut Up!) (Weldon Owen, Aug.) This colorful, lined journal can be used to capture daily thoughts, plot ideas, and record dreams. However, the quotations from strong, independent women from throughout history and the prompt questions that appear on many of the spreads can serve as inspiration to form and solidify thoughts on feminism and social activism. This journal can help channel reactions to the daily doses of news, inspiring us to stay strong and never give up. The back of the journal includes organizations and resources for getting involved in a number of social issues, including climate change, women's health, and immigration. (review copy from the publisher)

Two Stocking Stuffers for the Bookish

• Faber & Faber's Poetry Planner 2018 (Aug) is perfect for the organized poetry lover on your list. This beautifully constructed weekly planner includes a poem or book cover art for every week. The layout is simple, making this a good choice for those who want an uncluttered place to record their appointments. The poetry is a mix of classic and more contemporary. (review copy from the publicist)
• Joelle Herr's A Far, Far Better Thing to Do: A Lit Lover's Activity Book (Running Press, Sept) is small collection of fun puzzles, word games, coloring pages, and quizzes for book lovers of pretty much all ages.  Activities cover the Harlem Renaissance, Shakespeare, classic literary romantic couples, pen names, and more. (review copy from the publicist)

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Stacked-Up Book Thoughts: One Slow Reading Week

This past weekend was a good news, bad news kind of affair. The good is that I'm finally finding some sanity with my workload, which meant I was looking forward to a weekend of reading, reading, reading.

The bad is that, well, after months of hard work all the chores, all the errands, and all the yard work were there staring at me in the face. Sigh.

The more good is that the flower beds are weeded, the deck plants are bought and potted, the room A/C units are installed, and I'm all ready for summer. Oh, and I even got a long walk in.

One of my slowest reading weeks ever, but I still think I came out ahead!

What I read last week

The Death of Dulgarth by Michael J. Sullivan (Mascot Books, 2016). Oh the mixed feelings of being caught up in a beloved series. One thing I really liked about this last installment in the second trilogy of the Riyria books, is that it revealed a more emotionally vulnerable side of our main characters, ex-assassin Royce and ex-soldier Hadrian. At the same time, it had the expected good humor, snappy dialogue, fast action, and meddling by the Nyphron Church we fans have come to expect. This book could almost be read as a standalone because it contains a full story line, but it is best enjoyed after you're already familiar with the characters and their universe. The audiobook (Audio Studios; 13 h, 57 min) was brilliantly read by Tim Gerard Reynolds. As I've said many times before, the pairing of Sullivan's writing and Reynolds's performance is a match made in heaven. The audiobook concludes with a preview of The Age of Myth, Sullivan's new series, which takes place centuries before the Riyria books, but in the same world.

Mars: The Pristine Beauty of the Red Planet by Alfred S. McEwen, Candice Hansen-Koharcheck, and Ari Espinoza (University of Arizona Press, 2017). Attention all space lovers, photography buffs, and art enthusiasts and everyone who's ever looked into the night sky and wondered what it would be like to see another planet up close and through the seasons. In 2005 the HiRISE camera was launched into space aboard a Mars orbiter with the sole purpose of taking high-resolution photographs of the surface of Mars. This recently published oversize book contains hundreds of stunning images of the planet. We can see the expected craters and ridges and valleys, but we also see the movement -- flowing material, avalanches -- texture, colors, and patterns of our nearest neighbor. I can't tell you how beautiful this book is and how inspiring it is. If you are involved in any of the visual arts and crafts (including needlework, quilting, potting, and more), you'll be especially stuck by these images, gathering ideas for new projects. I just can't stop looking through this book, and hope that if we do indeed ever colonize Mars, we will be able to preserve its "pristine beauty."

What's on my reading stack? Here's a photo I shared on Litsy a couple of days ago when I thought I was going to be able to spend two whole uninterrupted days reading. No, I wasn't going to read a gazillion books in 48 hours, but these are some of the books I want to read soon and/or include in one of my upcoming weekly round-ups.

Let's hope we all have a great reading week. I plan to make headway through my stacks. After all, BookExpo is right around the corner, and I'll be distracted excited by everything new and shiny!

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8 Nonfiction Books to Put on Your Reading List

One of the great pleasures of reading is stepping away from the stresses and strains of our everyday lives to be transported to a different place, a different time, or even a different galaxy. Other books are, of course, great reservoirs of knowledge and truth. I seek both experiences in my reading life. Here are eight nonfiction titles to put on your reading list.

Looking to the Past

A Brief Stop on the Road from Auschwitz by Goran Rosenberg (Other Press, Feb. 2017): In this prize-winning memoir, Rosenberg, who grew up with all the optimism of baby boomers everywhere, contrasts his life with that of his father, who settled in Sweden after surviving a Nazi concentration camp. Can this father and son truly ever understand each other's perspectives? The Pen and the Brush by Anka Muhlstein (Other Press, Jan. 2017): The subtitle of Muhlstein's newest book gives us a clue to what's inside: "How Passion for Art Shaped Nineteenth-Century French Novels." Zola, Maupaussant, Balzac, and others were strongly influenced not only by contemporary paintings but also by the artists themselves, including Manet and Renoir. A fascinating look at the mutual influences in subject matter and style.

Meeting Famous Women

Victoria: The Queen by Julia Baird (Random House, Nov. 2016): Thanks to the power of television, we are all getting to know the longest-reigning monarchs of English history, both of whom were/are queens. Baird's well-researched biography has won critical acclaim and many starred reviews. Here is the true story of the transformation of a sheltered girl into a powerful, global ruler. California Dreamin' by Penelope Bagieu (First Second, Mar. 2017): One of the queens of the American folk scene was Cass Elliot, aka Mama Cass from the Mamas and the Papas. Most people remember her music and that she died way too young. In black and white drawings, Bagieu introduces us to Cass before the fame--and her name change--and details her struggle to make a name for herself in world of music.

Contending with Genetics

The Family Gene by Joselin Linder (Ecco, Mar. 2017): When Linder started to have medical issues in her twenties, she and her doctors took a look at her family history and discovered a unique genetic mutation that explained the early death and range of physical aliments suffered by many of her relatives. What does it mean to live with a rare genetic condition? Where does one find hope and answers . . . and peace of mind? Linder's story will give you a lot to think about. Food Fight by McKay Jenkins (Avery, Jan. 2017): Once upon a time, people grew, bought, and ate food. Just food. Nowadays we are eating pesticides, preservatives, and additives and even our fresh food is not what is seems. Is that potato an old-fashioned spud or a Frankenstein's monster of a vegetable, otherwise known as a genetically modified organism (GMO). Are GMOs something to run from or are they answer to feeding the world as the environment deteriorates and population increases? Jenkins promises to show us both sides of the argument so we can make up our own minds.

Learning about Our World

The Death and Life of the Great Lakes by Dan Egan (Norton, Mar. 2017): Did you know the Great Lakes make up one of the largest sources of fresh water on the planet? For that alone, they should be protected and treated with respect. Unfortunately, as journalist Egan  reminds us, the lakes are on the brink of environmental collapse. After careful research and investigation, Egan not only tells us the very bad news but offers ways to save this critical resource. The Greatest Story Ever Told--So Far by Lawrence M. Krauss (Atria, Mar. 2017): In his newest book, theoretical physicist Krauss tackles some of humankind's most enduring questions: What is the nature of reality and what is our place in the world? The journey to understanding involves moving from the familiar world around us into the farthest reaches of the universe and then down to the smallest of particles. The difficult topics covered in this book are tempered by Krauss's accessible style, humor, and pop culture references.

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Weekend Cooking: The Artists' and Writers' Cookbook by Natalie Eve Garrett

Weekend Cooking is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book reviews (novel, nonfiction), cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, quotations, photographs, restaurant reviews, travel information, or fun food facts. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up anytime over the weekend. You do not have to post on the weekend. Please link to your specific post, not your blog's home page.

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Art + favorite authors + food? Yes, please, count me in. Natalie Eve Garrett's The Artists' and Writers' Cookbook has my name written all over it.

This book is a feast for everyone, and I hardly know where to start describing it. It's a collection of personal stories and favorite recipes contributed by all sorts of authors and artists. The amazing line up of people, stories, and illustrations is a feast for your brain, eyes, and stomach.

First, you'll want to know who you'll find within the pages of The Artists' and Writers' Cookbook. Here are just some that you're sure to recognize: Joyce Carol Oats, Neil Gaiman, Alice Hoffman, Jane Smiley, Nelson DeMille, Ruth Reichl, Ruth Ozeki, T. C. Boyle, Lev Grosman, Aimee Bender, and April Gornik. I didn't count, but I'd guess there are close to 50 authors and artists represented in this book!

The Artists' and Writers' Cookbook is one to browse. Read a story here, try a recipe there. Keep it on the table next to your bed or favorite reading spot (like I did) and dip in when the mood strikes. The stories and recipes cover a wide range, from Daniel Wallace's "Love and Eggplant" to Christine Schutt's "Fancy Cake," Ruth Ozeki's "Meat," and Liza Lou's "Feminist Popcorn."

One essay that really caught my eye was Curtis Sittenfeld's "How to Master Food Allergies," which is about her experiences raising a daughter with serious life-threatening allergies. Love pretty much conquers all, and Sunbutter cookies help too.

Besides the recipes for the exotic (goat) and comforting (huckleberry muffins), The Artists' and Writers' Cookbook is also beautiful to look at. Each contribution is accompanied by a colorful illustration by Amy Jean Porter (see the examples in the scans). So, truly, Garrett has put together a book that is easy to connect to on a number of levels.

Recommendation: Natalie Garrett's The Artists' and Writers' Cookbook is for readers, art lovers, foodies, cooks, and -- well -- all of us! Buy, borrow, or otherwise get a copy of this book. Perfect for holiday gift-giving and a lovely addition to your own bookshelves and kitchen.

Image credits: The Artists’ and Writers’ Cookbook: A Collection of Stories with Recipes © 2016, edited by Natalie Eve Garrett, illustrated by Amy Jean Porter, published by powerHouse Books.

Published by powerHouse Books, 2016
ISBN-13: 9781576877883
Source: review (see review policy)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)

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4 Adult Coloring Books You Won't Want to Miss

As the days grow shorter in the Northern Hemisphere and the temperatures cool, it will soon be time for more indoor activities, including adult coloring (while listening to an audiobook, of course!) And if you live south of the Equator, no fear . . . you can color out on your deck or porch or while sitting by the pool.

Here are four coloring book to get you started. (Click on the images to see them more clearly.)

Johanna Basford is known for her intricate, fanciful drawings, each of which is includes a treasure. In Magical Jungle, you'll find monkeys, butterflies, frogs, and more hidden in the leafy pages. Basford has been dubbed "the queen of coloring," and this book strengthens her reign. I particularly like the tiger face, which is one of the simpler coloring pages. (From Penguin Books, August 2016)

Wendy Piersall has taken the idea of an adult coloring book to a new level with her Coloring Flower Mandala Postcards. The pullout pages are printed on sturdy card stock, which can be sent through the mail. One side has a lovely mandala for you to color in and other side has a space for the name and address, the stamp, and even a spot for some extra decoration. I know quite a few of you are in postcard or snail mail groups, and I think these pretty cards are a nice change from store bought. Don't do a lot of snail mail? Use these mandalas as gift cards, as thank-yous, as pretty little extras in lunch boxes, or to decorate your office instead of popping them in the mail. (From Ulysses Press, May 2016)

Sometimes all those tiny spaces and intricate drawings can be intimidating, especially for people new to adult coloring. Creative Escape's Country Life coloring book takes a simpler approach. Each perforated page contains a rural scene depicting animals, vistas, forests, and farm life. Besides the black and white coloring pages, the book also shows examples of finished drawings. I really love this ocean scene (sorry for poor photo). (From Racehorse Publishing, September 2016)

Adult coloring reaches a new dimension with Daria Song's stories through art books. In The Night Voyage, a little girl falls asleep on the night before her birthday and dreams of adventures and presents and fanciful creatures. As with Song's other coloring books, the drawings are beautiful and spark one's imagination. Dare to dream! (From Crown Publishing, August 2016)

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8 Books to Look Forward To (BEA)

One thing I love about BookExpo American (BEA) is the look into my reading future. Publicists are naturally extra-excited about the books coming out over the summer, but they are also already talking about fall and even 2017.

Although I won't likely get to these books until the weather starts to turn again, I thought I share a handful of those that came home with me from Chicago. So what's on my list? A mix of familiar authors and new ones, literary fiction and fantasy, books in translation, and even some art history. Can't wait to hear which ones call to you.

Favorite Authors / New Novels

• Cruel Beautiful World by Caroline Levitt: Set around 1970, this novel captures an era as a young girl heads off to rural Pennsylvania on a journey of independence. A coming-of-age story with themes of first love, sisters, and loss of innocence all with an undercurrent of danger. "Lucy runs away with her high school teacher, William, on a Friday, the last day of school, a June morning shiny with heat." (Algonquin, October) • The Motion of Puppets by Keith Donohue: In Donohue's classic style of mixing reality with fantasy, this is a tale of a woman who is trapped in a magical world and of her husband who must first find her and then figure out how to rescue her. Set in the Old City of Quebec "She fell in love with a puppet." (Picador, October)

Stories about Writers: Translated

• Cabo de Gata by Eugen Ruge: A Berlin writer escapes his past to start over in small coastal Andalusian village, but settling in to a new home in his new country requires more than just trying to learn Spanish. Only after he befriends a ginger cat, does his life begin to truly change. Translated from the German. "I remember stopping short midmovement." (Graywolf Press, November) • Agnes by Peter Stamm: When Agnes asks her lover to write a story about her, he begins with their happy courtship, but he soon realizes he needs some tension or drama to bring life to his tale. Is he writing fiction or making plans? Translated from the German. "Agnes is dead. Killed by a story." (Other Press, October)

Mysterious Doings

• The Inquisitor's Tale by Adam Gidwitz: This story within stories, set in France in 1242, is about a peasant girl, a young monk, and a mysterious boy healer. Travelers at an inn begin to relate what they know about the magical trio, allowing us to piece together a tale of danger, dragons, clashing religions, and kingly courts. Middle grade fantasy with a Chaucer foundation & beautiful illuminated illustrations. "The king is ready for war." (Dutton, September) • The Secrets of Wishtide by Kate Saunders: Laetitia Rodd, a middle-aged widow puts her inquiring mind to work as a private investigator, often helping her barrister brother. When she goes undercover as a governess at a country estate, she unearths much more than the details of the young master's love life. Set in Victorian England and the first of a new series. "It was a bright, windy October morning, and Mrs. Bentley and I were down in the basement kitchen making a rabbit pudding." (Bloomsbury, September)

Artists in History

• A Revolution in Color by Jane Kamensky: John Singleton Copley counted many of the Boston patriots as his clients and patrons in the years before the Revolution. The artist, however, did not share their political views. This well-researched history/biography looks at Copley's life, ambitions, and paintings both in the colonies and in London and sets all in the context of contemporary politics and sociocultural ideas. "John Singleton Copley grew up facing the sea, heaving heart of Britain's growing blue-water empire." (Norton, October) • Mad Enchantment by Ross King: When you hear the name Claude Monet, you're likely to immediately think of his famous water lily paintings, but you might not know story behind how he came to create that series. This thoroughly researched biography looks at Monet's late-in-life work against the bigger picture of his personal losses, World War I, and the rising generation of new artists with their bold, experimental styles. "Where was Georges Clemenceau?" (Bloomsbury, September)

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8 Books for Holiday Gift Giving 2015

I'm betting you and I share a few things in common, and I'm probably right when I say that one of those is our love of giving books to family and friends. Of the new releases that crossed my desk this fall, here are eight I thought would be perfect for gift giving. Take a look and see if there isn't something just right for the people on your holiday list.

For six years, Tyler Knott Gregson (a professional photographer) has written a daily haiku celebrating love. That's more than two thousand poems! The pieces in All the Words Are Yours, Gregson's second haiku collection, run the range from romantic to evocative. Some are hand-lettered and some are typed, and almost all are accompanied by one of Gregson's beautiful photographs. Give this small tome to someone special and share the positive energy. (Perigee, 9780399176005) Here's an example:

I have simple needs, / Just you and my morning tea, / The moment I rise.

Pamela Paul's collection of writers and other notable people talking about their reading life is now out in paperback, just in time for the holidays. By the Book contains interviews that originally appeared in the New York Times Book Review; they offer fascinating reading for inquiring literary minds. What are Neil Gaiman's reading habits? What writer would Elizabeth Gilbert like to meet? What kinds of stories call to Jhumpa Lahiri? (Picador USA, 9781250074690) Here's where Francine Prose likes to read:

The passenger seat of a car on the New York State Thruway, on a sunny day without much traffic.

Caitlin Kuhwald's Hillary Rodham Clinton Presidential Playset is just too much fun not to be a part of this list. You get dolls and three-dimensional sets of Bill, Hill, the White House, the Clinton enemies, the ghosts, and more. You can change their clothes and their facial expressions to act out a variety of scenarios for the Oval Office, situation room, or White House lawn. Imagine life with Hillary as president. The dolls are printed on thick card stock in full color, and the sets open up within the pages of the book. There's even a pocket in the inside cover to store your dolls. (Quirk, 9781594748318) This one is appropriate for your friends on both sides of the aisle--as long as they have a good sense of humor.

The Time Chamber is Daria Song's newest adult coloring book. This volume introduces us to a red-haired fairy who lives in a cuckoo clock. We get to accompany her on her adventures into the world of humans and see our everyday items from the perspective of a very small magical being. The pages range from intricate to simple and just beg for colorful embellishment. Although Song provides the beginning of the story, it's up to readers and artists to interpret the illustrations in their own way. (Watson-Guptill, 9781607749615) Don't forget to pick up a box of colored pencils or artists' markers to go with. Hours and hours of calming creativity for the teens and adults on your list.

Also new in paperback this fall is The Whaling Season by Peter Lourie. I love the books in the Scientists in the Field series, which are geared to middle grade readers but are appropriate for science geeks of any age. This amazing nonfiction adventure is packed with photographs, facts, and stories of what it's like to be an Arctic whale biologist, both in the field and in the lab. In one chapter we learn just how difficult it is to study whale anatomy (see the quote); the animals' shear size can be daunting. (Harcourt Brace, 9780544582415) Pick this up for your young scientist.

A forty-five-foot bowhead whale has a 450-pound heart. The bowhead aorta, the main artery that carries blood from the heart to the other arteries, is at least a foot in diameter. The average adult human's aorta is one and a half inches.

Here's a cool book: Andrew DeGraff's Plotted: A Literary Atlas. The pages of this book are chock-full of colorful maps showing us the worlds and/or the journeys we've learned about in all kinds of classic books, from Kafka to LeGuin. For example, DeGraff creates New York City from the perspective of Ellison's Invisible Man, the fictional warrens of Adams's Watership Down, and the U.S. South of Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn We see ships and ocean voyages and even the five stages of Dickens's A Christmas Carol. Each map or set of maps is introduced by a short essay (written by Daniel Harmon), identifying the original book or myth or poem or story. (Zest, 9781936976867). Engrossing browsing ahead for the literary set.

Baby boomers, Mad magazine fans, comics lovers, and cold war fanatics will all love Spy vs Spy, edited by John Ficarra. This volume collects 150 classic "Spy vs Spy" comic strips that were first published in the irreverent magazine. No matter your age, you'll find plenty to laugh at as the pointy-nosed spies attempt to thwart each other at every turn. They stop at nothing and will use every lowdown trick they can thing of. The cold war may be over, but East still fights West and spies are among us. Don't miss the short introduction by the comedian Lewis Black. (Liberty Street, 9781618931597) Children of boomers: here's the perfect gift for your liberal parents. This is also recommended to anyone you know who has a warped (in a good way) sense of humor.

The final suggestion on this list is Steve Turner's The Complete Beatles Songs. This large book contains stories, lyrics, history, and trivia about every song the Beatles ever recorded. (Note that the book doesn't include music or chords.) The text is accompanied by many photographs, some of which will be familiar and others that you may not have seen before. Turner describes the circumstances that inspired the songs, the meanings of the lyrics, and the interpersonal dynamics of the group as they went through the various stages of their career: the changing musical styles, the Eastern influences, and so on. (Dey Street, 9780062447340) This is a must-have addition to any music lover's library. Here's John looking back to 1963:

"I Want to Hold Your Hand" materialized when Paul came up with an opening line, then hit a chord on the piano. I turned to him and said, "That's it! Do that again!" In those days, we really used to absolutely write like that--both playing into each other's noses.

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Coloring Book Giveaway: Mandalas by Wendy Piersall

Everybody's doing it! Adult coloring is the new meditation. It's fun, it's relaxing, it's creative, and it's calming.

Artist Wendy Piersall has put together two mandala collections for those of us who like to color. Coloring Flower Mandalas, published just this spring, contains thirty designs inspired by the beautiful blooms we find in our gardens and in nature. The designs in her earlier book, Coloring Animal Mandalas, span the animal kingdom from butterflies to elephants to dragons. Together the books offer hours of quiet enjoyment.

I love that I can take Piersall's designs in several directions, coloring the mandalas in realistic colors, in fanciful colors, and in whatever combination I want. Sometimes I fill in each area with a different pencil, and other times I combine spaces or divide spaces to make my finished picture unique.

I'm always curious about other people's coloring habits, so I'll share mine. I like to listen to music or an audiobook when I color. I usually work on a picture over the course of a few days, rather than rushing through all in one go. I generally work on a motif by motif basis, rather than start in one area and color from there. Finally, I photocopy the page from the book so I can start over if I don't like my decisions or in case I want to color the mandala again in a different style. Do you have any coloring routines?

Here are two examples of my work. The left one comes from the flower book and the right one from the animal book. Aren't they cool? I think so.

I'm so excited to be able to offer one of you (with a U.S. mailing address) a super coloring package, thanks to Ulysses Press. One lucky reader will get a copy of each of Piersall's books.

But what's the point of a coloring book if you don't have the supplies. So in addition to the books, the winner will also get a pack of 24 Prismacolor pencils! That way you'll be able to get busy coloring right away! BTW: These are the same brand of pencils I use to color my mandalas.

All you have to do to be entered for a chance to win is to fill out the following form. I'll pick a winner via random number generator on July 24. Once the winner has been confirmed, I'll erase all personal information from my computer. Good luck!

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