SantaThing 2019: General and Help needed!

Okay, this a continuation of the previous SantaThing thread.

We are about to release all the unpicked Santas. Anyone can claim them, and have fun picking books! So take a look and think about who you want to claim.

A few of the orphans actually have picks made for them already. It might be that the amounts didn't get entered properly by their Santas.

Okay, there are now 50 Santas to be picked.

Go ahead and pick them by going to the entry page and clicking the link to do so. If you have problems or change your mind, message here.

>2 libraryperilous:

Good point. That's quite possible. The old gifts are still there--also true if someone just didn't buy enough. I'll make sure any contributing Santas are listed.

All of my Santees are listed as "up for grabs" even though I've picked books up to within $1.00 of the amount allotted for 2 of the 3 and am within $2-3 on the third. Am I missing a step needed to signal my picks are complete/final?

>4 susanna.fraser: All of the profiles say they're up for grabs. I think you're fine as long as the been checkmark is next to their name.

>4 susanna.fraser:

Hmm. Grab them again yourself?

I think some entries with pound signs and such were wrongly made free. I'll be reassigning them to members shortly. So pick ones that look really empty.

I'm around and can help out with some if needed!

I claimed an empty Santee and was picking books, but when I went to add the last gift it told me I was the wrong Santa. Looks like someone else has it now, but my 4 picks are still there. No big deal - just wanted to let you know.

I did several. I noticed several which appear to be picked but say they are unpicked.

>10 thornton37814: I think that's fixed now. My Santee was one of them, and the unpicked message has disappeared from their profile page.

>11 cbl_tn: Examples include "calm" and "Garp83" who still show as unpicked but have green selections.

Message redacted; Santees have been returned to original Santas

A number put pounds in, resulting in big gaps. I reassigned them, and added fake books to get the numbers up to a "picked" value.

I grabbed a couple of Santees and had no problems except for one thing... I managed to do a Powell's Santee with little trouble, everything (currently) in stock and came within 15 cents of their budget. Now I feel like I do when I don't find a rock in a bag of dried beans. Like I need to go back and look again.

>15 ILuvBookplates: Try to think of it as a Christmas miracle instead. 😁

Great Job, Everyone!

Absolutely amazing that 50 santees were snapped up. Absolutely wonderful. Thank you!

Completed two more :)

I've ended up .95 over on one I picked up. Found it difficult to meet Santee's desires at the price point and the store (Powell's). I'll happily pay the dollar, though I know that is discouraged. If anyone wants to play with what I have and make suggestions, I can substitute or the elves can, if that is what LT wants. https://www.librarything.com/santathing_thing.php?id=75

That went by so fast today! So glad to see everyone has been picked for already. :)

>9 stephivist: That same thing happened to me when I first put their books in. When I put them in a second time, it was fine.

>20 Capybara_99:

Don't worry about a dollar. Thank you for picking up one.

>9 stephivist: Same thing happened to me.

Please can the '1 new comment' highlight now go away - It's surprisingly irritating now we're done with the picking.

>25 reading_fox: I had to delete the comment for it to disappear.

Archiving the comment also drops the notification.

More info at Bug Collectors: "Comment Notification Stuck".

Where are the orphans? I want to help, but there are no readers listed that haven't got green checks. Is everyone good to go?

>28 Cariola: All of the orphans were picked up. Thanks for your willingness to help though.

>25 reading_fox: >26 genesisdiem: On the bug collectors thread, they discovered archiving the comment causes the notification to disappear. I do hope they get it fixed soon though. I really don't want all my recent comments archived.

Help, SantaThing pickers!

I still have $3.77 left on https://www.librarything.com/santathing_thing.php?id=334, if anyone has good suggestions to fill the gap. Please leave suggestions there, and thanks.

Also $5.43 left on https://www.librarything.com/santathing_thing.php?id=339, thanks!

Help, y'all!

https://www.librarything.com/santathing_thing.php?id=441

For this Santee the Santa chose all used books, and in their new form they're MUCH more expensive (you can see prices in my comment). If I choose a $28 and a $15 book, I've got $7 left to work with. Any thoughts?

I used Penguin Classics, Penguin Little Black Books, another 1 or 2 to help use up most everything.

Could I get some help here? One of the books was out of stock. $18 left to play with!

https://www.librarything.com/santathing_thing.php?id=92

I'm going to need help picking a swap for this one, which asked for no high fantasy: https://www.librarything.com/santathing_thing.php?id=511. Thanks!

You can now delete comments you left on SantaThings. Just in case you needed to.

SantaThings that have been ordered are now marked. Gifts are being ordered by store and country--doing the stuff with earlier deadlines first.

>34 ablachly: made a suggestion

I've left suggestions for both the last two mentioned

>36 timspalding: would you prefer us to delete comments after the new book has been selected and our comment has money information? Hope that makes sense

>40 Cfraser:

I think it's useful for people to see suggestions, even if they didn't get chosen. But it's up to you.

>41 timspalding: I agree, I was just wondering if you wanted people to not see price info and that was why you mentioned we could delete comments etc

>32 katemcangus: Suggestions made

This is my first time doing SantaThing, and I've been wondering: once books are out and there's no worry about surprises, will we get to see the comments on our own profiles? I'd love to see what people have suggested I read, even if they didn't end up in the final product!

>44 shedgeco: In the past, on Dec 25th the entries are opened up and you can see everyone's suggestions. I have received some great recommendations over the years. It's exciting to look forward to!

>34 ablachly:

Added suggestion

Thank you for the donations.

Thanks to any who donated.

I have about $5 to spend here, suggestions please?

https://www.librarything.com/santathing_thing.php?id=210

$5 here too:
https://www.librarything.com/santathing_thing.php?id=211

Help!

>49 ablachly: I have a suggestion, on the page.

> 51 you're fantastic, thank you!

>50 ablachly: And I've left another for the second list!

Another one: https://www.librarything.com/santathing_thing.php?id=82. One pick was unavailable, so I've got $11 to work with. Any ideas?

eta: nevermind - I figured this one out :)

>55 ablachly:
Was that re: >54 katemcangus:?
(Remember, you can crowdsource research to the rest of us (except for private members). Use us. Please! It's fun.)

>56 karenb: no I had asked about a different one, but then realized it already had good suggestions that I could pull from!

I'm THRILLED to be using you all here, honestly. Having y'all as a resource for all the last minute on the fly questions makes everything easier.

>54 katemcangus: Spammed some suggestions, but the only truly good one is a bit too pricey.

https://www.librarything.com/santathing_thing.php?id=327

Another one with just about $5 left.

https://www.librarything.com/santathing_thing.php?id=390

$7 left

>43 Tropical-Library: Thanks!

>58 libraryperilous: Thanks!

https://www.librarything.com/santathing_thing.php?id=39

I need to remove 1 book on this, which leaves me with $9 to spare. Please leave suggestions!

>60 ablachly: you have several suggestions now for this Santee. (I'm saying as a note, because you must be bouncing around quite a bit at the moment!) The last suggestion I left is for a $6.99 novel, if that helps.

I'm just curious. This is my first year of Santa Thing. Will the Kindle orders be sent when you make the order, or do you post date them to the 24th or 25th?

>65 DominiqueMarie: In past years they've been sent on the 24th

I think I've come in late to help with any additional needed suggestions. I started reading this continuation of the original thread, and I know if I don't comment, I miss. Sure enough. Ok, now I'm better to follow going forward.

It's fun to keep track of where the LT elves are at with it all, as well!

This might be a stretch to find something that fits, but $5 here:

https://www.librarything.com/santathing_thing.php?id=163

2 books have to removed here, so $20 to spare!

https://www.librarything.com/santathing_thing.php?id=174

$6 left on this one:
https://www.librarything.com/santathing_thing.php?id=194

I've left a couple for both, hopefully helpful!

>68 ablachly: I have a ton of choices but all I can find for the price are children's reads.

edit: the last book I listed is under $5 (new) but ships third party.

>69 ablachly: Couple of suggestions left but cannot see their goodreads unfortunately

>69 ablachly: I also made a suggestion.

Hi, I am confused why this book was changed - said was because I didn't take into account shipping - but money was $20 and book $14.99 - would be interested to know for future reference so don't know make the same mistake

https://www.librarything.com/santathing_thing.php?id=332

https://www.amazon.com/Ancillary-Justice-Imperial-Radch-Leckie/dp/031624662X/ref...

>75 Cfraser: Sometimes prices change, although I get that much less often on Amazon. (For instance, I priced out the books I chose on Book Depository, and went back the next day I had almost $5 more to work with.) When I look today, I also get $14.99 as the price for the Leckie.

>75 Cfraser:, >76 Capybara_99: Amazon also sometimes shows third party copies on the main page and you have to drill down into the new copies to find the one that ships free from Amazon. It's annoying.

I think $5 below the price point the Santee paid is considered too low by the elves. Maybe that's what was meant.

Edited: spelling

>75 Cfraser: I'm not sure why the price was used as a reason for not using your book choice since $15 on a $20 budget would have been right and the book is showing that price today in paperback form and the book appears to be in stock *but* I did discover that the bookseller's own 13 digit ISBN copied and pasted directly from their website does not work in their search box although the 10 digit number does. Maybe that caused some confusion.

>75 Cfraser: That was my error. I read the entry as $15, not $20. I've cancelled the order and reordered the original choice. Thanks for catching that and for reaching out.

>76 Capybara_99: >77 libraryperilous: >78 ILuvBookplates: yes, I thought that $15 was the correct amount to spend and I I checked again the price, the availability and that was coming from the amazon store and all was still in order to my understanding. The order was also only just listed as placed and the new book is for $11 so that makes it even more confusing. Ah well - fingers crossed they enjoy it too

>79 katemcangus: no problem! I hadn't done with a shipping cost previously so was a bit unsure and did it last minute as was an orphan so thought I might have gone astray.

>80 Cfraser: Oh, I didn't realize you had to deduct the $5 for shipping yourself. I thought the $20 to spend was after shipping had been deducted behind the scenes. My only Amazon Santee this year was at a higher price point, so I had the full amount to spend. My bad!

Tfw you post from your TBR alt

https://www.librarything.com/santathing_thing.php?id=169

$9 to spare here, in B&N Nook (browse https://www.barnesandnoble.com/b/nook-books/_/N-8qa)

>84 ablachly: I added a suggestion.

>84 ablachly: Another suggestion

Is there an arrivals thread/map yet?

I was stunned to receive a package today in Seattle that's clearly my SantaThing gift. Great job by Powell's, but even more so by ablachly, timspalding, and the whole LT crew!

I got the first half of my package yesterday! OK - I peeked and I’m thrilled at the selections. Can’t wait for the 2nd half. Thank you SS, LT, and all the elves.

https://www.librarything.com/santathing_thing.php?id=141

I had to replace a book here, and now have about $15 to spare. It says at amazon.de, but I need to order from https://www.bookdepository.com/ actually, so a $15 book from Book Depository. Suggestions?

>87 calm: There is now! Posted a few minutes ago.

Update - all physical books have been ordered! Moving on to ebooks :)

You are all amazing! thank you all for your hard work.

>91 katemcangus: Is there a link please? Can't find it on the SantaThing page

>94 Tropical-Library:

https://www.librarything.com/topic/314044

This is probably more appropriate for another thread, but would there be an option for us English-speaking Europeans to order from a European bookshop outside the UK next year? With Brexit about to go through, online shopping from the UK looks a lot less attractive. I quite like Kennys Bookshop in Galway, Ireland, which has a large online presence, but I'd be happy with the majority option. Just something I thought I'd throw out there!

Received my Santa Thing present today! Ripped it open and found two perfect selections from my Secret Santa (and those who may have helped with suggestions). Having absolutely no resistance, I am celebrating Christmas early and have already begun reading Two Years in the Forbidden City by Princess Der Ling.

THANK YOU, alyrohu!

>97 Limelite: LOL! No waiting for Christmas for you! Enjoy!

$8 (in Amazon kindle) to go here:
https://www.librarything.com/santathing_thing.php?id=508

This one's a little bit of a reach, but one of the books I had ordered is now out of stock, so I need something under $5 at Barnes and Noble...

https://www.librarything.com/santathing_thing.php?id=425

>99 ablachly: added

>100 ablachly: Left a couple of suggestions

$8-$9 of Kindle books needed here:

https://www.librarything.com/santathing_thing.php?id=68

>103 ablachly: . left suggestion

Thank you to my SS jeanie0510. I've received all books, like them, and have read them already.

I'm not sure who my Santa was. I am disappointed because if my Secret Santa had checked my library, he/she would have discovered that I already own all three of the books that they ordered for me.

> 106
I'm really sorry about that. We do have a system for double checking that the books picked aren't already in the member's libraries, but yours seem to have bypassed it. It does look like the 3rd book (Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson) isn't in your catalog though - so maybe there's at least one new one? Hopefully you're able to return the ones you already have.

Where is the arrivals map? I can't find it.

A suspiciously book-shaped box arrived yesterday and I've wrapped it up and put it under the tree so I won't be tempted to open it.

No map, yet, but the arrivals thread is here - https://www.librarything.com/topic/314044

>109 calm: Thanks!

>108 RidgewayGirl: >109 calm: The arrivals map is linked now at the url pasted above.

>108 RidgewayGirl:

Succumbing to temptation is all it's cracked up to be! I know. I did it and am thoroughly enjoying one of my two Secret Santa's choices already.

Heh heh.

SantaThing ordering is DONE. I hope you all enjoy the books you receive!

Congratulations to you all on finishing what is a mammoth task! Wishing you all a restful and enjoyable Christmas (and may you too receive some wonderful books for your year ahead)

I received my books last Friday the 13th. Since I wasn't expecting them so quickly and had ordered a bunch of stuff from Amazon for holiday gifting, I inadvertently opened the package and, as always, hugged my new books! Thank you, AzureMountain, for the excellent choice! I will message you personally as well. 🎄

>113 katemcangus: Thank you, Kate, for leading ST this year. I’m always amazed that LT takes this on every year. It is so much fun for us Santees but so much work for you LT elves. I hope a nice holiday R&R is in your plans. Also a big thanks for all of you suggesters! I can’t wait to see my comments when my entry opens. I’ve already peeked at my books and my perfect Santa gave me a book that was suggested in my ST comments last year! Yay! Happy Solstice, everyone.

>113 katemcangus:

Happy Herculean Happiness achieved by all the Secret Santa Elves from a grateful and delighted recipient of books made possible by your organizing and hard work!

THANK YOU!

Turns out I was wrong when I said my library was up to date. Apparently there were some books in the middle of 2017 that didn't get logged in. What are the odds my Santa would choose one? 100%. My own fault. I had it for Kindle, now I have a hard copy. I did like it, so at least there's that. The other books look great, so overall, a success!

You are so welcome!

I want to peek........ I am so excited to see what's arriving this week!!! :D

Seconding that! I really love SantaThing; this is such a wonderful community builder and excuse to delve deeply into others' libraries and use features.

My books arrived this morning and are perfect. One was on my wish list - and I've wanted to get for ages, and the other one I'd never even head of but is very, very much in my wheelhouse. :)

Thank you so to Tim, Kate, Loranne, and the team, and everyone at LibraryThing!

Seasons greetings and I hope everyone gets a refreshing rest !

>123 Faintdreams: Don't forget to check your comments on Christmas. Other people made suggestions of other books you might like, and I just added a few more. :-)

I always look forward to this event and cannot wait to open my books late Christmas Day. I am actually contemplating opening them early on Christmas Eve Morning since it is only me and I don't have to wait for anyone to be up to open them. I know you guys would all support me in opening them up early.

>125 crazy4reading: Go for it! I added a few suggestions to your SantaThing page, so you can wait until Christmas to read those! :-P

Thank you Abby, Kate, Kristi, KJ, Tim, and every LT Elf!

(I received what I hope is a gag gift from a friend today from Book Depository. I definitely was not expecting to open a BD package and find The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, lol.)

>126 BookLizard: Thanks for the support. I might open them up now. I really want to see what I got. And thanks for adding a few suggestions to my SantaThing page! I always love looking at them and adding those to my wish list if I cannot find them at my library!

Thanks to all LT staff that make this possible!! Have a wonderful holiday!

>127 libraryperilous: A true surprise lol But not from Santa Thing...

Thanks to my Santa for the one book I received so far! Definitely fit the "boarding school" theme I'm so fond of. Can't wait to be able to thank you!

Is there an official opening thread?

>131 Cariola:
Well, there's the arrivals thread. Does that work for you?

Okay, everything should be open. I'll check in later, to see if there are any problems.

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to all. I hope you had fun!

T

>133 timspalding: Thanks to you and the whole LT team who make SantaThing possible every year. Hope you have a wonderful holiday season!

>133 timspalding: As usual, you guys went above and beyond. Have a fabulous rest of the season.

Hey Tim, I had my own SantaThing profile set to private. In past years I could go and make it public after the fact to see what was picked, but I don't seem to have that option this time.

My books haven't arrived yet, but keen to see what's coming in the mail. :)

Thank you for coordinating this fun tradition again. One quick question/comment. I chose books based upon the recipient's choice of store, but they were purchased through Book Depository instead. No big deal, but the pricing difference created more work for you guys. Any particular reason for this?

The first comment in the other thread mentioned that they had some trouble with ordering and had to switch vendors for some folks.

Hi Tim! I live in NZ, and have not received my SantaThing gift. I did receive your message, about using a local book store, to provide this, and I did send an answer twice, to say yes. But I don't know anything after that. If the gift was sent from BD, then that's fine. I'm just not sure what is happening. Thanks. Dee🌺

>139 seascape:

Yeah, we had to use Book Repository. Abby explained it to me:

"I’m buying the NZ books on book depository after all, because:
* out of the 7 books between the 2 orders, only 2 are available at Whitcoul's and
* they’re 2-3x as expensive on Whitcoulls and 'Ships in 12-15 days. Online Only. Unfortunately we are no longer able to guarantee pre-Christmas delivery.'"

Book Depository didn't guarantee Christmas either, but their prices were lower and the stuff was available.

I hope you get it soon!

Thanks Tim. I was going to tell you about Whitcoulls, but I didn't get back. I never buy from them or Paper Plus, unless I get given a gift card. Their prices are outrageous! I always buy online overseas, which is sad, but what can you do? That's why I get so envious of the UK, and the US, and their range of book stores.
Thank you for that though. I will put on here, when I receive something. Have a great day:-)

>142 seascape: Had a look at your SantaThing profile and you should be receiving one more book. Getting a book you already own sure is a disappointment but I don't think dishonesty has anything to do with it. More likely just an honest mistake.

Yeah usually the staff is able to catch it to prevent you getting a book you already have cataloged - I know they did that for me this year. Hopefully the second book is a good match!

>142 seascape: I think part of the confusion is because the book in question wasn't in your catalog - if it had been, the LT staff probably would have caught the mistake. If you go to your SantaThing page, you can read the comment from your Secret Santa and also several recommendations from other members. Sorry you didn't get what you wanted, but I hope you at least had fun picking books for your own Santee.

>142 seascape: Book Depository sends books seperately, so you should have one more book coming.

NB: I have the memory of an elephant and can see that you've edited your SantaThing entry to add the names of two Sarah Addison Allen books to it. Your original comment read "but I do live Sarah Addison Allen" with no titles listed, so I only had your catalog, and the one title in it, to go by.

I'd apologize for he bad pick, but your dishonest editing of your profile makes me disinclined to do so.

I'm sorry for that, I truly am. Forgive me please.

Thank you LibraryThing staff and my SecretSanta. I did get my books. I liked them.