Today is my birthday and I want to celebrate in grand style. You’re only 38 once, right? What better way to celebrate than to spread the joy? First, let me tell you about my presents and then I’ll talk about the goodie bags:
My Gifts
Yesterday was a great day. My team lead called a meeting with me for 9am. I walked into the meeting and settled down into the work day only to discover that he called it just to have my co-workers bring in a cake and wish me a happy birthday early. What a way to start the day! After being sick, I have to say I’ve been a little down – nothing big, but just sort of blue – this was just what I needed. Why a day early? Well, I normally work from home on Thursdays and they wanted to be sure that to catch me by surprise. Boy, did they ever. It was great.
I wasn’t going to work from home, but then I thought, why not? Well, that kind of messed my hubby up, so I’ll be waiting until Friday for my birthday present from him. Oops! That’s okay, though. Why not spread the celebration over several days, right? My girls are more excited about my birthday than they ever have been and that will be fun all on its own. Their school has started a walking program on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:30, so we’ll start the day out together getting (me)/staying (them) healthy. I just know it’s going to be a great day.
When I got home from work, I received an email from Amanda at Regal Literary. My review of Audrey Niffenegger’s Her Fearful Symmetry was selected as one of the top 1o submitted to them. SQUEEEEE!! I cannot believe it! Because I was selected, I get a signed and personalized 1st edition of the novel. Did I say I cannot believe it? I can’t. That was by far the hardest review I’ve ever had to write. I’m honored that they selected it. They will be highlighting all of the top 10 reviews on Her Fearful Symmetry’s Facebook page over the next few days. What a great (who cares if it’s unintentional) birthday present!
The Goody Bags
I’ve got some bookish goody bags organized for this special day. I wish I had one for everyone stopping by because I appreciate each and everyone of you. For a chance, please select a goody bag and let me know in your comment which one you’d like. Please leave additional comments for each Goody Bag you’re interested in. It’s that simple. I will keep a list of who would like which goody bag and through the magic of List Randomizer, I will choose a winner. There are 8 goody bags since my birthday is October 8 and 8 is my favorite number. Curious to see what’s in the goody bags? Here they are:
Goody Bag #1
Danielle at Sourcebooks has graciously offered one copy of Margaret Campbell Barnes’ The Tudor Rose to one of my Birthday Bash readers in the United States. Thank you so much, Danielle and Sourcebooks!
This book was just reissued this month and I reviewed it on Monday. Here is a link to my review. It tells the story of Elizabeth of York that begins just before her father’s death. I really enjoyed it and found it was a great follow up to Philippa Gregory’s The White Queen.
Goody Bag #2
Danielle from Sourcebooks is offering a second Goody bag for my Birthday Bash readers in the United States – a copy of A Match for Mary Bennet by Eucharista Ward, O.S.F. Thank you again, Danielle and Sourcebooks!
This book was published this month and I reviewed it yesterday. Here is a link to my review. It tells the further story of Mary Bennet, Elizabeth Bennet Darcy’s quiet and serious younger sister. This is a really charming Pride and Prejudice sequel with a nice sense of humor.
Goody Bag #3
The Trials of Honorable F. Darcy by Sara Angelini is another book I requested from Danielle at Sourcebooks. I fell in love with the cover. Unfortunately, I just couldn’t get into it. If you like Pride and Prejudice sequels and modern romance, you should give this a try. This Goody Bag is for my ARC copy, open to any of my Birthday Bash visitors. I know that there is a reader out there for this novel.
Goody Bag #4
If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you know that I fell in love with Foreign Tongue by Vanina Marsot. It was one of my favorite books over the past year. I can’t say enough about it. Here is the link to my review. Not only is the novel wonderful, so is its author. I interviewed Vanina Marsot and had a wonderful time doing it. She sent me a signed copy of her novel and made my day. I’d like to pass my ARC copy on to one of my Birthday Bash visitors in Goody Bag #4. Maybe one of my favorite books during my 37th year will be one of yours in the upcoming year.
Goody Bag #5
Another one of my favorite books of my 37th year was Capote in Kansas: A Ghost Story by Kim Powers. Here is a link to my review. If you are a fan of Truman Capote and/or Harper Lee, you will love this novel. If you’re not, you will, too. I had previously read Lee, but not Capote. I couldn’t put it down. Goody Bag #5 is for my hardcover copy of this novel.
Goody Bag #6
Tomorrow I will be reviewing David Liss’ third installment of his Benjamin Weaver series, The Devil’s Company. I haven’t read any of the other books in this series but it wasn’t necessary. I really enjoyed Benjamin Weaver and the mystery in which he found himself in this novel. This hardcover novel, which was sent to me thanks to Random House after I snagged it as part of LibraryThing’s Early Reviewer program, is Goody Bag #6.
Goody Bags #7 and #8
The last two Goody Bags are for books I am looking forward to read during my 38th year:
Goody Bag #7 is for a paperback copy of Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk Cross. This is a book I’ve heard so much about and I happen to have two copies.
Goody Bag #8 is for my second hardcover copy of Sorrow Wood by Raymond L. Atkins. This is the author’s second novel. I read and loved his first novel, The Front Porch Prophet. Here is a link to my review of that novel. I’m really looking forward to Sorrow Wood.
Thanks for stopping by. I enjoyed spending part of my birthday with you! The Goody Bags are up for grabs until Thursday, October 22nd (Ally’s 5th birthday) and I’ll announce the winners on Friday, October 23rd (Emma’s 7th birthday). Since October 25th is my 12th wedding anniversary, I cannot guarantee that they’ll make it in the mail until Halloween. 
Happy birthday a little bit late!
I would love to receive Book 1. It sounds like a great read and, as you said, fits nicely after reading The White Queen.
I would also love to read Book 2. I love all things Pride and Prejudice so it would go nicely with my obsession, I think.
Number 3 sounds great, too. Again, I love Pride and Prejudice so I think it might be a fun read.
I hope you had a great birthday (or days as it may have been) celebration!
Happy birthday! Thanks for the great giveaway! Book bag no. 1 would be my first choice.
Book bag no.2 looks very good too!
I’d also love to receive book bag no.4. Thank you!
Happy belated and early birthdays all around! Hope everyone gets the royal treatment on their special day!
I’d love Goody Bag #1 because I’ve had a second edition of Brief Gaudy Hour by this author since I was 12 and I really love it yet I’ve never read anything else by this author.
Happy Birthday!
I would love Goody Bag #8
I would also love Goody Bag #5!
I would really love Goody Bag #4 too! Thank you for the chance to win a great book!
Happy B-day. Congrats! I would love to win #5. Thanks for the chance!
saulpaugh.chelsea(at)gmail(dot)com
– Chelsea
nice flowers. hope you had a great time. put me in for #1
Happy birthday! No goodie bags–I’m backed up as it is!
Happy birthday! I’d love to win bag #1. Thanks for the giveaway!!
I’d love Goody Bag #7. Thanks for the fun giveaway! Happy birthday. 8 is my favorite number, too.
s.mickelson at gmail dot com
I’d love to get #3! Happy Birthday to you!
That is a lot of celebrations in one month! Happy Birthday!
I would like to be entered for #4.
I’d also like to be entered for #1.
And #7. Thanks!
Happy birthday! I would like to be entered for #3 please.
Happy Birthday!
I’d love to win Goody Bag #6.
The Devil’s Company is a mystery that I’ve been wanting to read.
I would like to enter for Goody Bag #1. The Tudor Rose sounds like a book I would enjoy.
Happy Birthday
I would like to have the Capote In Kansas Goody Bag # 5
Goody Bag #5 also sounds good. To Kill a Mockingbird is one of my favorite books.
Happy Birthday!!! I’d be interested in Goody Bag #5!
Happy Birthday to…YOU!
Hope it was a great one. I would like to be entered for the Goodie Bag #5–your review of the book really sparked my interest. On a side note, I’ve also read “The Front Porch Prophet” by Raymond L. Atkins (who was also gracious enough to visit 2 of our library branches this summer) and I would recommend either of his books to anyone out there. I had to have signed copies of both of course! 
Good reading to everyone!
I would love, love Goody Bag #4 please — that books sounds fantastic. HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY JENNIFER!!! (one of my fav co-workers)!
October is a great month for a birthday (and a bloggy party!). Thanks for sharing your books and reviews with us. Goody bags #4 or #5 would be fabulous.
Happy Birthday Jennifer!
And for the goodies, I would like either Goody Bag #3 or Goody Bag #4.
Thanks!
Happy birthday!
I’d love to win Bag#5, can you count me in for that one? Thank you!
Oh my gosh! So glad I stopped by – HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Thirty eight is GREAT! I would love to win Goody Bag #4. What a great review of what sounds like a great book! Wishing me good luck!
No need to enter me. Just wanted to wish you a Happy Birthday!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! What a full October your Family has~ does it drive you insane or do you like all the fun events together?
Please enter me for Goody Bag #2!
Thanks for spreading the love!
I’d love either goody bag 1 or 2, they have the books I’m really interested in at the moment!
thanks so much! and happy birthday!
sensitivemuse at gmail dot com
Happy Birthday!!! Mine is this month too, on the 24th. This is a very nice giveaway. Please enter me for any of them, they are all very nice. Thanks!
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
I would pick goody pack number 3!
Happy Birthday!
milkavainamo(at)lyseo(dot)edu(dot)ouka(dot)fi
Happy Birthday!
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I’d love to be entered for Goody Bag #5.
Happy Birthday!
Please enter me for Goody Bag #2 ~ Thanks!
Please enter me for Goody Bag #3 ~ Thanks!
Please enter me for Goody Bag #4 ~ Thanks!
Please enter me for Goody Bag #5 ~ Thanks!
Please enter me for Goody Bag #6 ~ Thanks!
Please enter me for Goody Bag #7 ~ Thanks!
Please enter me for Goody Bag #8 ~ Thanks!
I’d like Goody Bag #2. Thanks!
Hi and happy birthday!! My b-day is May 8th, so 8 is also my favourite number. =)
I’m International (Italy), so since I can’t go with Goody Bag #1 (I have to read it: I just finished THE WHITE ROSE), I’ll sign up for Bag #7 POPE JOAN: it’s been on my TBR list forever, too and this just the excuse I needed to actually read it.
Thanks,
IMC
Hi again… I’ve been searching for some info on the other books and… Oh, well… Can you count me in for 7th and 8th too? Thank you.
please count me in for goody bag #, happy birthday and thanks for the giveaways!
adbcoz(at)gmail(dot)com
oh, please count me in for goody bag #5 as well, it looks very interesting!
adbcoz(at)gmail(dot)com
Happy birthday, Jen! Wish you the best.
Goody bag #2 sounds pretty good, by the by.