We bring 2006 to a close on FaithfulReader.com first by acknowledging you, our readers, with a heartfelt "Thank You" for all the ways you've made this year truly special. As you know we celebrated our 10th Anniversary as a company, and with the turning of any milestone comes a time for reflection on how far we've come and how far we can go. Thank you for joining us in this journey, and we hope to have you with us along the way for many years to come.

Last weekend my younger son and I made 3-D cookies with the cookie cutters that we got at Williams-Sonoma. Um, let's just say ours are going to be 2-D. There is no way the legs are going to fit on the body of the reindeer, the trunk on the tree or the rudders on the sleigh. I was in the store last night and told the salesperson there that we flunked cookie baking in 3-D. She told me not to fret since she thought they looked WAY too challenging. Nice to hear. I never knew cookies were challenging. I thought knitting was challenging.

The temperature may not be falling, but the excitement DEFINITELY is rising --- and here at Teenreads.com we are totally immersed in holiday spirit. Making a list and checking it twice:

Contests --- We got 'em...(Hurry and enter theHoliday Basket of Cheer one NOW as it closes tomorrow!)

Gift Guides --- Check.

2006 Best of Roundups --- Done and done.

While we have a very tasteful holiday display here at the house with the front columns wrapped in red bows, a big decorated wreath and hand-painted candy canes on the front walk, I have a confession. I love checking out the houses with really gaudy, over-the-top lighting displays. You know the ones I mean ---- they have been the subject of endless holiday movies and they are the ones where you just picture the electric meter whirring around and around when you drive by.

A book came across my desk the other day that got me thinking about food and the way I consume it in a whole new way. It's called MINDLESS EATING: Why We Eat More Than We Think by Brian Wansink, Ph.D. Quick Fact: the average person makes up to 200 food decisions a day, including what not to eat or choosing what to eat. Reading made me think about the way I will heat up something in the microwave and then munch 4 cookies while I am waiting for it to be ready. And how when I am running out in the morning I will grab a buttermilk biscuit or two and chomp through them because they are easy to take when I have a whole bowl full of cut fruit in the fridge. And how I am known to work my jaws on sticky candies like spearmint leaves or orange slices as I drive and then look down and find half the bag is gone.

I'm thrilled to share with you guides for two books that we have received repeated requests for from our readers --- Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen and The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. I feel that in delivering these guides we are giving our version of a great holiday gift to book club readers.

Happy Holidays from Kidsreads.com!!! We are already getting into the spirit here at Kidsreads.com, and our latest update --- with cool new features, interviews, reviews and series updates --- is our early gift to you.