In collaboration with Hachette Australia for On the Bookcase!
GIFTS AND GIVEAWAYS…
Celebrating the end of the year with a series of gifts and giveaways for our readers. A virtual Christmas party and our way of saying thank you for your love and support over the past 6ish years, as well as a further opportunity to showcase some of our favourite people, products and places in the process.
ON THE BOOKCASE
You could say, I’m ON THE BOOKCASE with our end of year gift guides and giveaways right now. I’ve had an absolute ball casing the extensive publication line-up from Hachette Australia this year. It may have taken fractured ribs and forced bed rest to get me back into reading for pleasure (and reviews) but now that I’ve started again there’s no going back.
Books always make great gifts, no matter what time of year or the occasion. Reading is such an easy and affordable means of escapism and who doesn’t need to escape the daily grind occasionally?! These days I spend a lot of my time online, so when it comes to book reading I prefer to be offline, curled up in a cosy spot, turning actual pages.
With a hectic lifestyle, it takes a certain book to grab my interest and hold it, so I do tend to lean towards hard to put down fiction. My summer reading list is full of surprises though. I’ve scheduled a lot of white space and free time both over the holidays and well into the new year and I’m looking forward to not only expanding my reading horizons but working on a publication myself.
SUMMER READING & GIFTING WITH HACHETTE AUSTRALIA
When I first looked at the upcoming publications from Hachette Australia for summer 2017, my wish list was extensive to say the least. There wasn’t much that I didn’t want to sink my teeth into and there’s no doubt, I could certainly complete all my Christmas shopping in the one place given we all love reading in our family. Time wise though, I have my reading limitations and even with scheduling lots of white space and free time for reading, one or two books a week is probably my limit.
Instead of sharing my wish list with you, I’ve compiled a list of fourteen books. A little something for everyone. All would make great gifts and ALL books our up for grabs as part of our On the Bookcase giveaway.
FEASTS
When you can find so many recipes online, I find myself wondering if hard copy recipe books might one day become obsolete. I know personally, I prefer a book, with images for inspiration. A cookbook I can pop on a recipe stand and refer to as I cook (possibly make notes in) without having to bring my laptop and more screen time into the kitchen.
Having said that though, in our latest and hopefully last move for a while (my 24th), I culled a lot of our cookbooks. What remains is steadfast favourites that include a multitude of family favourites like Julie Goodwin’s ESSENTIAL COOKBOOK and now I’m slowly making my way through FEASTS.
In FEASTS, a follow up to the award-winning PERSIANA & no. 1 bestseller SIROCCO, Sabrina Ghayour presents a delicious array of Middle-Eastern dishes from breakfasts to banquets. Everything from simple to the sumptuous with menus and dozens of recipes for celebrations and occasions with family & friends, such as summer feasts, quick-fix feasts and brunch.
Recipes include whipped ricotta toast, savoury pork & fennel baklava, tamarind sticky ribs, roasted cod loins with wild thyme, spiced rhubarb cake with cinnamon cream and shite chocolate, cardamom & macadamia squares.
Being a family of five foodies we’ve developed a bit of a tradition when it comes to welcoming a new cookbook into our kitchen, in that we attempt to case & create every single recipe from back to front. Back is where you’ll usually find dessert and that’s generally how we roll around here. Although FEASTS mixes it up in the order of things. I’m currently loving ‘comfort foods’ and the additional menu ideas at this time of year.
TOTALLY BUF
I’m not convinced gifting someone a health and fitness book is such a great idea at any time of year, unless they’ve specifically asked for it. It would depend on the recipient and your relationship with them.
I always find that the new year and resolutions aren’t exactly the right time to be setting off on a fitness and/or exercise plan either. In a lot of ways I expect you are setting yourself up for failure but perhaps having a particular plan, in this case a Totally Buf 6 week one, by the way of a motivational and inspiration jammed packed guide, might just be what gets you over the line.
Totally Buf by Libby Babet and the Buf Girls isn’t a book about competition, body image or comparison. It’s about friendship and community, healthy bodies and minds. It’s about inspiring, supporting and celebrating all women. The Buf Girls are on a mission to help women everywhere get healthy and fit and stay that way, through easy and simple steps.
This 6 week plan (one focus habit each week) aims to completely transform your health and wellbeing, with core fitness, nutrition and mindset tips that every woman can implement in their day-to-day lives. With over 100 recipes (vegan and vegetarian options) and easy exercise and nutrition tips, TOTALLY BUF will give you all you need to be a BUF Girl.
I’m not sure the term ‘Buf Girl’ resonates with me but their approach certainly does. Perhaps more of a book you gift yourself if you are looking to get back on track with health and fitness in the new year. I know I am.
QUIRKY GIFTS
There are more than a few quirky books on offer this year with Hachette Australia. Perfect for those hard to buy for family and friends. I’m not entirely sure why but I’m kind of in love with the new Enid Blyton Famous Five editions. We have FIVE GO DOWN UNDER (written by Sophie Hamley) up for grabs. You get to join Julian, George, Dick, Anne and Timmy the dog as they boldly embark on a gap year and tackle the deadly wildlife (& budgie smugglers) in Australia.
‘I haven’t seen a single kangaroo’ Dick said forlornly as they stood on the path that hugged the cliff between Bondi and Tamarama beaches. ‘I was told there would be kangaroos’
FROM THE YOGI WHO BROKE THE INTERNET with 43 MILLION VIEWS IN JUST FIVE DAYS... KILTED YOGA!
Apart from being visually inspiring (read that as you will), this book is an eccentric, fun and motivational guide to the fundamentals of yoga – based on the sensational Kilted Yoga video. Get ready to lose yourself in the wilds of Scotland and reconnect with the natural world in this gorgeous little book that will make you look at yoga in a whole new way – kilt optional!
After recovering from an accident, Finlay Wilson found yoga was the best way to rebuild his strength. Now a qualified yoga instructor himself, he’s decided to bring a modern take to this ancient practice, laying it bare – often quite literally. Feast your eyes on his yoga moves and discover why his Kilted Yoga video became an instant global sensation.
Moving along from KILTED YOGA and rather than downward facing dog, let’s look at UPSIDE-DOWN DOGS. Yes, you read that right. A glorious picture book dedicated to cute little (& not so little) dogs lying upside-down.
Personally, I’m honestly more of a cat person but my friends all have dogs and who am I to persuade them from the dark side. My youngest daughter has specifically asked for a dog for Christmas most years. Apart from when she was 2 and she sat on Santa’s lap and demanded a hair straightener because at that stage in her life she hated her curly wurly hair with a passion. This cute little coffee table book is for her and well any dog loving individual.
From my summer reading wish list, 100 NASTY WOMEN IN HISTORY – featuring 100 fascinating and brilliantly written stories about history’s bravest, baddest but little known ‘nasty’ women from across the world.
Compiled and written by BuzzFeed writer Hannah Jewell, 100 NASTY WOMEN IN HISTORY contains profiles of women from across every century, race and continent, united in the fact that they were all a bit ‘nasty’. From 3rd-century Syrian queen Zenobia to 20th-century Nigerian women’s rights activist Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, these are the women who were bold and powerful, but maybe put people (men’s) backs up by being so. An accessible, intelligent, hilarious (and sometimes sweary) guide to the history-making women whom you probably don’t know – but definitely should.
This is the perfect book for me. I’m wanting to work on my badass over the holidays and basically looking for inspiration. I’m wanting to nurture my sense of self and my sense of humour and bring a lot more of that side of me online. A side of me that more often than not gets lost in translation online as I feel compelled to put the filter on. A filter that probably should be added offline too but I’m a little too real, authentic and set in my ways to be anything other than my self in person. Take it or leave it a lot like this book, I’m assuming.
PRICK
It may have been my less than Christmassy mood at the time, the catchy title and the stylish cover that had me look twice at this book initially but it’s the informative and often visually inspiring content that has me wanting to keep PRICK by Gynelle Leon all for myself.
Succulent bowls and greenery styling are all the rage at the moment and this book is great if you are starting out with succulents or looking for inspiration and you don’t have a particularly green thumb. Personally, I’ve been known to kill a supposedly unkillable fake indoor plant (true story), so I need all the help I can get and this book gives it to you.
Failing in the whole green thumb department, PRICK also looks great on the coffee table or your styling book stack. Funnily enough, one of the top 3 requirements for our new library (formally and formerly known as our formal lounge). Seriously though, I’m tempted to gift myself (or my creative youngest daughter) this book and make a few succulent bowls and other greenery gifts for friends and family this year.
MY FAVOURITES
Some of my favourite books for 2017, with Natasha Lester’s HER MOTHER’S SECRET at the top of my list (my review here). All perfect for adding to your summer reading list this holidays and all would make great gifts as well.
I’m loving the size and the familiarity of A QUESTION OF TRUST from Penny Vincenzi and I should point out if you put your hand up and win this particular book, you’ll be getting a review (unproofed) copy. A QUESTION OF TRUST screams summer holiday reading to me and brings back rather fond memories.
I was first introduced to PV when we moved to Perth and staying in temporary $1500 a week accommodation (crazy mining boom times) over Christmas and New Years. Apart from house hunting and exploring our new surroundings, I had a lot of time for reading. The owner of the property didn’t have an intensive library but an interesting one all the same and Penny Vincenzi featured heavily.
Jodi Perry’s NINETEEN LETTERS, Fiona Palmer’s SECRETS BETWEEN FRIENDS and Natasha Lester’s HER MOTHER’S SECRET, were at the top of my favourites list for 2017 and all worth casing!
Cara Delevingne’s MIRROR MIRROR and Jessica Fellowes’ THE MITFORD MURDERS are straight from my summer reading wish list and as soon as I get a spare minute for reading and relaxing that’s where I’m headed.
There’s also one more book on my list and up for grabs this year as part of our Gifts & Giveaways virtual Christmas party but it forms part of my coffee loving hamper giveaway with Karvan Coffee, coming soon to AMC!
WIN WIN
Thanks to Hachette Australia, we have 14 books up for grabs. 13 here and a further book as part of my Coffee Lover Hamper giveaway (coming soon).
To be in the running to win your favourite pick of the book bunch, register your details by clicking on the banner above. Then let me know in the comments below (or via email win@rachaelc5.sg-host.com) which book or books you would most like to win and your favourite place to read! Too easy.
- Game of skill
- Must register via banner
- Must comment with book selection/s
- Must answer question
- Australian residents only
- 12 winners (1 book each)
- Refer to our standard terms and conditions via giveaway registration
- Winners notified via email
- Winners have 48 hours to claim prize; otherwise a redraw
MORE, MORE, MORE…
I’ll be rolling out the reviews for On the Bookcase in 2018. Any excuse to read more books is a good thing in my books. If you’d like to join our online book club, registrations open soon.
Our end of year Gifts & Giveaways will run over the next two weeks, with more giveaways being added almost daily. The best way to keep up, as our member registrations are currently closed, is to follow our December Aussie Giveaway Club page and/or Facebook group. Not only does the page list all our current giveaways in the one spot but it also includes giveaways from reputable Australian based bloggers and businesses. If you are in the business of winning, it’s a great place to grab a tea or coffee and spend a little time, casing all the competitions, on a daily or weekly basis. With new giveaways being added all the time.
Finally, just a quick reminder for those wanting to order online directly through Hachette Australia, you will need to complete your order before December 11 to get your books in time for Christmas. As our giveaway ends after this date, we are assuming that prizes will be with you early in the New Year!
I’d love to win “Feasts” because I love cooking and trying new recipes!
Great choice Angela. I’m slowly making my way through all the fab recipes and so far no complaints from my family.
That’s fantastic!!!
Thank you for this book lovers giveaway! Id love to win ‘Prick’ Im obsessed with all things succulents and would like to try my hands at making some succulent bowls for home and if they survive for gifts. My favourite place to read is on the couch when my little 6 month old is having her best and longest afternoon nap … the dishes and dinner can wait thats when this Mumma needs some me time 🙂
I think a number of my extended family will be getting PRICK for Christmas this year.
I’m all for me time for mummas. Can’t believe it has already been 6 months. Where does the time go?
Its crazy this newborn bubble the days feel like they go so slow but the time is passing quick!
My summer holiday on the beach, sitting under my sunshade enjoying Fiona Palmer’s, Secrets Between Friends would be the perfect reading escape for me.
Great choice Fran. Thanks for entering.
So much booky goodness – just for the record, as an avid recipe book collector, I like to think they would never go out of style. Internet recipes are all well and good but there’s something magical about turning the pages of a recipe book, sploshing (that’s totes a word) the pages with sauce and getting pages inadvertently stuck together – or is that just me? I’m hedging my bets with Upside Down Dogs (because so cute!) the recipe book or Five Go Down Under (that looks totes a scream!)
Where is your favourite place to read Sammie?
I read anywhere and everywhere, in the bath, on the train, on the balcony but nothing beats a good read before I hit Sleepy Town. Reading in bed is the best!
Thanks for all the entries both here and via email. Just a quick reminder that we’ve tightened security for commenting due to ongoing trolls and the majority of your comments won’t appear online unless you’ve been pre approved. Rest assured we have all your comments/entries and appreciate your ongoing support.
100 NASTY WOMEN IN HISTORY sounds fascinating! Love reading about strong-minded women who have done incredible feats so this book would be awesome!.
My favourite place to read is at home, resting on my comfortable couch with a wine and a few sneaky chocolates!
Bring on the sneaky chocolates! My family are all chocoholics, so there’s never any chocolate in the house when I need it.
I’ve read the reviews of “Secrets Between Friends” and they’re really good reviews. I love moving and touching stories and I know this one will not disappoint.
This one definitely touched me. I may have even shed a tear or two.
I’m putting my hand up for all of them. Hoping I might win one. Not much time for reading, as we are hosting this year but I can live in hope. My favourite place to read is in my arm chair in my sunroom with a hot cuppa.
Good luck with hosting. One of the more positives sides of moving across the country and away from all extended family is a laid back, small Christmas. Although, I’m sure my girls would love to be part of a big family get together.
Upside down dogs, for my mother. Prick for myself and Famous Five go down under for my librarian friend. Favourite spot to read, is anywhere I can get time to myself. Not easy at this time of year.
Great choices Courtney. Great to see you around these parts again. Hope all is well with you?
Nineteen letters and Secrets Between friends. I can’t wait to read your reviews. I must admit, I tend to avoid reviews due to spoilers and misguided expectations but I like your review style. You don’t give too much away.
Both exceptional books. Thanks for entering Sally and for being part of our On the Bookcase club this month.
Also putting my hand up for Kilted Yoga. It just might inspire me to get back into yoga next year.
I did put my hand up to review this book but I’m struggling to articulate my thoughts.
Totally Buff because I need all the help I can get right now.
Me too Sarah. Just not sure this is the right time of year to get started. Is there a right time?
So many great books to choose from. I would be happy with any of them. My favourite spot to read is on my commute to work. Boring but true.
Great use of your commuting time I would think Leanne. Thanks for entering and all your support over the years.
A question of Trust. I’ll be reading it at the beach if I win.
I’m hoping to get in some beach time myself this holidays. Thanks for entering Emma and all your support this past year.
Totally Buf sounds a great book to read to start the new year. Sounds like the program is well focussed – celebrating women. I have 2 favourite places to read: on the train commuting to and from work and curled up in bed.
Not sure Totally Buf and curled up in bed go together but Buf is certainly a great book to start the new year off on the right foot. Thanks for entering.
I’m the same, like to read in bed or on my commute to work. Putting my hand up for a mystery book. Preferably a novel.
Thanks Anne. Will pop your name in for all the books.
Five go down under or any of the new famous five series. Sounds hilarious and reminds me of my days sneaking a torch to bed to red under the covers. I still like reading in bed.
Completely hilarious Kaitlyn. Thanks for entering.
I think Prick has a few peoples names on it. I love to read in my favourite chair, strategically placed near the window overlooking my private garden.
LOL Lee. Thanks for entering.
Buf because I’m looking to get buff over the holidays. I love reading and don’t have a favourite spot.
This is the book for you then Ros. Thanks for entering.
A question of trust. I’m a huge PV fan. I prefer to read at night in bed when its quiet.
I can’t wait for my holidays to start, so I can sink my teeth into this book. Thanks for entering Pauline.
Mirror Mirror. It’s actually on my wish list. I love reading on the train to work. Helps pass the time.
It’s on my summer reading list as well. Thanks for entering.
Gosh where do I start. Kilted Yoga, Upside down dogs, Famous Five, Mirror Mirror, Secrets between friends, Prick, 100 Nasty Women and Buf. No favourite place to read, I just love reading.
Great choices Ali, thanks for entering.
What a great list to choose from. Prick, The Mitford Murders, Nineteen Letters, Her Mother’s Secret and Secrets Between Friends. My fav place to read a good book is our lounge room in my old faithful armchair.
Great list Sarah. Thanks so much for entering.
Love giving and receiving books as gifts. I would love to win PRICK. I’ve been dabbling with succulent bowls for gifts this year and could use some help.
Me too Em. Merry Christmas and good luck with those bowls. Thanks for entering.
100 Nasty Women of History sounds intriguing. I would read it in my lunch break at work. The only time I have for reading.
I hear you on the whole time thing. Thanks for entering Tracey.
Love this and love all the books you have selected. I love to read in the garden, we have a swing which is under cover and it’s rather relaxing.
Sounds ideal Jane. Thanks for entering.
Would love them all, apart from Buf. It sounds like hard work. Love reading in my favourite chair.
Thanks Sheridan.
Choices: 1.Prick 2.Her Mother’s Secret 3.Nineteen Letters 4.Mirror Mirror & 5.A Question of Trust
Favourite place to read: anywhere!
Great choices Diane, thanks for entering.
PRICK
Back deck with an iced tea.
I could go an iced tea right now. Thanks for entering.
My Favourites
On my back deck relaxing in the afternoon sun!
Sounds ideal. What books did you want to put your name in the mix for Cat?
Secrets Between Friends or a Question of Trust xo
ALL OF THEM! What an eclectic selection. I love to read anywhere it is quiet.
Thanks Beth.
Prick, Buff and 100 Nasty Women. Don’t have a favourite place to read.
Great choices Charlene, thanks for entering.
PRICK. In my formal lounge room. It’s away from the hussle of the rest of the house. My domain.
Great choice Gaylene. Thanks for entering.
Favourite place to read is in bed. My pick would be Mitford Murders.
Nice choice Yvette. Thanks for entering.
Any and all of the novels. I would read them in bed under my favourite doona with a hot chocolate.
I could go a hot chocolate right now Tanya. The weather in Perth makes me think we are in for an unusual white Christmas.
Quilted Yoga looks like a scream. If I’m perusing a yoga book then you’ll no doubt find me in the back garden in my yoga gear.
It is a scream. On so many levels.
Great selection of books. I love giving books as gifts. I would choose Mirror Mirror. My favourite place to read is like most people in bed.
Thanks Justine.
putting my name down for all of them. fav place to read near the pond in my back garden.
That sounds rather peaceful Angela. Thanks for entering.
Mitford Murders, A Question of Trust, Mirror Mirror, Prick, Kilted Yoga, Upside Down Dogs. Love to read any chance I get.
Great choices Brook. Thanks for entering and nice to see so many new faces around here.
100 Nasty Women in History sounds FABULOUS. I even have the perfect tee to wear while reading it – perhaps I’ll be number 101!
(PS had probs with the banner link again. x)
All appears to be working this end and no way it could actually link back to original post. Weird. Are you on mobile because I must admit, as we are developing a new app for next year, I haven’t tested this one on mobile phones.
Here is the link for this particular comp to register: http://agentmysterycase.com/giveaway/bookcase-summer-reading-book-giveaway-hachette-australia
Think I may have worked it out. If images aren’t loading your end, you are probably only seeing the banner at the top, not the giveaway ‘ENTER HERE’ banner. New app can’t come soon enough.
Do you have a favourite place to read Emily?