SantaThing 2022: Picking Help Needed

Here's the yearly thread for those of you who are looking for assistance picking books for your Santees, and for those of you here to help others with suggestions. Let's do this!

>1 katemcangus:

I just sent you an email, Kate. I got matched with my own daughter! :( As I already pick plenty of books for her, I'm hoping I can get reassigned to someone else.

I'm puzzled. The amount I paid to Library Thing is different than the amount on my Santee's page. I'm not really sure what to do and I can't afford the difference.

My Santee has referred me to her Wish List... and I don't know how to find that? Her bookstore preference is Book Depository; I signed in and do see a Wish List category but only for me to create my own wish list. How do I find hers? Thank you for your help!

>3 Joules_Vc: Your santee paid for their books. You paid for yours.

>4 errinstevens: Go to their LT profile. In "collections", click on "Wishlist".

>3 Joules_Vc: The amount you paid is the amount used to pick books for YOU. You are using the amount paid by the Santee to pick books for them. Use the amount on the Santee's page.

never mind I found what I was seeking.

My santee is gifting books for a friend but the description of what to get is sort of vague. Is there a way to ask them for clarification without giving myself away? I want to say something like 'do you mean books like this title or books like this title'.

>9 genesisdiem: That kinda defeats the purpose of the whole thing. Just interpret the description in whatever way it makes sense to you and work based on that?

Santee is using Kindle store. When I add gift with ASIN for kindle edition, LT says “Cannot map to work”. However, ISBN maps correctly but that is for physical edition. Which do I use when adding gift on Santa page?

I filled out the LT form for my Santee pick but now what do I do? If I close out of it, does it go to you or someone at LT? It doesn't say what to do after the books are picked.

My person only wants books translated from a foreign language into English, preferably by female authors, from Powell's. Their prices are very high, and the person has only $25 to use since Powell's charges $5.00 to ship. All the new books seem to be at least $15 or more, and we're not supposed to buy used books. I hate to only get one book. Does anyone have any suggestions for cheaper books from this site so I can get at least two?? I've spent the last couple of hours looking for less expensive books but with no success. Any suggestions would be appreciated!! Thank you.

>12 kageeh: Your selections sit along with any comments until picking closes. Then LT staff start going through all the orders, checking them and eventually placing them.

>13 drsyko: Maybe the Dover Thrift editions? They include a lot of literary texts, though the selection does tend towards a more 'traditional' canon.

>13 drsyko: Hmm, maybe look for a Dover Thrift Edition of something for a second book? You'd have to go back to your person's catalog and see what (if anything) they already have.

You can also post a link your person's SantaThing entry here, so people can suggest specific books on the entry. Everyone on LT can see all the SantaThing entries except for their own, so it's the way to ask for suggestions and avoid spoiling the surprise (if that makes sense).

>11 mookie86: The ASIN is fine. We'll go through each title by hand after picking closes, so no mapping needed.

>13 drsyko: Everyone is different, but I would be happy to only receive one book.

>19 ABlueBunny: You are spending the money the mother put in, not the money you put in. The person buying your books uses your limit. So if I understand you correctly, you have 40$ to spend on your young adult.

You don't send the book. Library Thing takes care of that.

Duh! Someday, I will get this. :) Thank you!

I could really use help picking for https://www.librarything.com/santathing_thing.php?id=399, please.

They are very specific about the ancient and early world historical genres they want at more than the basic level, only want books published in the last year, and chose Longfellow Books as the bookseller.

So far I've currently utilized one suggestion from the LibraryThing community, but I'm not set on it. If I continue with that or a different recommendation already given, I need either a book that costs less than $10 or a book that costs less than $15. If I scrap it all and start anew, I can spend $45.

Anything I've thought of (none of which came out in 2021-2022) are not currently "on the shelves now" but rather "not in stock; usually arrives at the store in 1-5 days."

Advice is appreciated on the SantaThing entry so the LibraryThing staff member this is for can't see the suggestions and because I'm choosing for them from my 9-year-old daughter's account. Thanks!

>22 sushiguineapig: I had noticed how difficult this one was - not only the combination of specific academic topics with the smaller bookstore, but also the desire that the books be within the past year or so, meaning probably no paperback. I think you've drawn the test entry - hope you pass. If I have any useful suggestion I'll post on the page.

>22 sushiguineapig: i left a comment.

>22 sushiguineapig: That's a tough one, I agree.

Considering your UNIQUE Santee (Tim) says that he'll be picking up from the bookstore himself, I think it's probably okay to pick from the "ready in 1-5 days" books. That just means that they have to order it from their local distributor, and usually it's quick. The book will likely be in the shop well before Xmas.

>16 karenb: Thank you!

>15 konallis: Thank you!

>18 Capybara_99: Thanks! I was able to find a few inexpensive Dover editions of classics in addition to the newer book. Hopefully the person will not have read them yet!

Ok, my person is in NZ…when converting the US to NZD, the book I selected is within range, yet when I enter it for LT to send, it tells me I’m over by $3. What do I do???

I think you need to assume usd not nzd.

>1 katemcangus: I am out of town with limited internet access. Is the deadline for tomorrow at noon a hard deadline?

I might not be able to pick until tomorrow night.

I will try my best today

Matt

>24 Capybara_99:

Currently, it looks like I will be failing this test. I can't come up with a selection of books that doesn't exceed the monetary limit (or that comes nowhere near reaching it). If I use either of the $30 or $35 suggestions, I need a $10-15 book I just do not have. Additional suggestions are much appreciated... even if it's been over a year since publication, as long as it's not in my Santee's library. I'm thinking about including a book whose last edition was in 2014 if I can't come up with anything else by bedtime tonight.

I also got the same person's son matched with my own account (sahra), which is a different genre also published within the last year, and with the smaller bookstore, but no library to check. I'm more confident in my book choices, but I still did go over the maximum amount. So I probably failed that one too. :(

I think we need to be less fussy in asking for books from santathing. It shouldn’t be that stressful.

>33 sushiguineapig: Aren't you working with a budget of $50, since your person is picking the books up, and therefore you can add back the $5 that was deducted for shipping? If so, it seems like that would give you a few more choices to work with.

I'm basing this on the info that said that funds were already deducted for shipping; if I'm misreading that, I invite any moderators/LT staff to correct me - and I'll have to go re-do my own picking too.

Houston, this is Tabasco2003

I may have caused several blips in the process. Rather than becoming labeled as a "Scrooge", I turn to those who are wiser and far more knowledgeable than I am to navigate the mysteries of becoming a successful "santee".
!. There were two choices for the book for my recipient - hard back and paperback. I was under the impression that hardbacks were the ones of preference. That places my choice in the overage of the amount the recipient provided. The paperback version does not exceed that amount. I am happy to cover the difference - please advise.
2. I am thrilled that the Aussies are involved. And, I am so happy to know that an Aussie bookstore is participating. However, I am completely bamboozled by the US$ and AUS$$ interaction. I am not clear when selecting from the Aussie bookstore that amount provided is Aus or US - I think is that it is AUS $ but am not sure. This uncertainty limits my ability to make a selection for my recipient. Please advise,
3. I am just over for my selections - I am happy to cover the overage. Please advise.

Thank you so much! This is a wonderful opportunity to share books and perspectives with others that might never have known about.

Keep me on your list!

Janie

>36 Tabasco2003: Unless the Santee asked for hardcovers or has a library full of hardcovers, I’d go with the paperback in this situation - most people would rather have more books than hardcovers (and if they prefer hardcovers, they would have said so). Just my 2 cents.

>36 Tabasco2003: Readings posts their prices in AUD, even though they can post books overseas. Hope that helps!

>37 AnnieMod: I would always rather have the nicer book than more cheaper books. Maybe I am an outlier.

>35 Christiana5: >33 sushiguineapig:. Christiana5, that is interesting. Maybe it is $50 that sushiguineapig has to work with. (My own picks were for Book Depository so I didn't have to deal with it.)

The more I think about it the weirder the whole thing is. If I were you, sushiguineapig, I'd aim for something between 45 and 50 and let the Library Thing elves work it out. You've been given an impossible task.

>39 Capybara_99: I am into fine editions so I know what you mean but if that is someone’s preference, that’s should mention it - usually people will try to stretch the dollars to fit as many books as possible.

>41 AnnieMod: I always say I prefer fewer books to more, and people always feel uncomfortable about not maximizing the number of books they get me as my Santa.

>35 Christiana5: >40 Capybara_99:

I am working with a budget of $45. It would be $40 if I had to include shipping. Under "purchasing details", it says how much a Santee paid, but the "remaining" on the bottom includes the shipping cost.

Capybara_99, thank you so much for all of your assistance with the book selections. I'm extremely grateful.

I screwed up. I totally spaced on the deadline, and didn't finish shopping for my Santee.

I saw on the main page about "helper elves" - does this mean someone with LibraryThing proper will fix my mistake and put in picks for my giftee? I want to make sure they'll still receive their books.

Hey y'all, we've opened up SantaThing for everyone to pick books for those unpicked: https://www.librarything.com/santathing.php. If you want to help, come on over!

>44 Kanst: Yup, someone will pick books for you! No worries; life happens!

>44 Kanst: Yes, LT staff will finish when they submit the order. Just put what you were going to choose in a comment on your giftee's SantaThing page so LT staff can order them and not have to figure out what to choose. It takes days and days for all the orders to get submitted.

Calling in the experts: we need one more book for this Santee, $10 or under: https://www.librarything.com/santathing_thing.php?id=211. If you've got any ideas pls comment.

We also need another pick for this one, $12 or under: https://www.librarything.com/santathing_thing.php?id=384
Thanks, y'all!

I could also use some suggestions for this one, around $9: https://www.librarything.com/santathing_thing.php?id=284

$12-ish, we need another pick here: https://www.librarything.com/santathing_thing.php?id=134

$8 or under, many thanks, y'all: https://www.librarything.com/santathing_thing.php?id=381

Thank you all so much for your help this evening! We appreciate it so much!

>54 MDGentleReader: Post in the comments of the page of the Santee, not here. The Santee won’t be able to see them until they are unlocked at Christmas, they will be able to see them here (plus the LT elves may not see them here)

I also put them there. deleted my entries here.

Prices dropped drastically - I now have $13 to fill in this one: https://www.librarything.com/santathing_thing.php?id=67

Thanks!

$12 left to spend, on Kindle books here: https://www.librarything.com/santathing_thing.php?id=48

>59 ablachly: that’s me!

More recs are welcome!

$29.02 left: https://www.librarything.com/santathing_thing.php?id=218 (there are already some recs I have not yet checked)
$12.52 left: https://www.librarything.com/santathing_thing.php?id=390
$12.03 left: https://www.librarything.com/santathing_thing.php?id=263 (already some recs I haven't checked yet)
$10.02 left: https://www.librarything.com/santathing_thing.php?id=383 (already some recs I haven't checked yet)