SantaThing 2020! — Continued!

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SantaThing 2020! — Continued!

1timspalding
dec 7, 2020, 2:58 pm

Okay, we've now closed normal gift picking. But we have some 67 members who did not pick in time.

If you'd like to pick up a member, go to https://www.librarything.com/santathing.php

The unpicked members are there. Go into the SantaThing to grab the member as your own.

2timspalding
Redigerat: dec 7, 2020, 2:58 pm

Det här meddelandet har tagits bort av dess författare.

3Cfraser
dec 7, 2020, 3:56 pm

Silly question - but when do you need them picked by? I am about to head to work but want to help so can do it in around 12 hours time

4genesisdiem
Redigerat: dec 7, 2020, 4:31 pm

I've tried to add at least one comment to every orphan without one but I'm not sure that I should choose books for purchase. Some of my suggestions were google guesses that someone more familiar with the genre might do a better job at.

5ForeignCircus
dec 7, 2020, 5:14 pm

can I pick more than one? or is that greedy?

6timspalding
dec 7, 2020, 5:15 pm

>3 Cfraser:

Ideally by mid-day tomorrow.

7Cfraser
dec 7, 2020, 5:24 pm

>5 ForeignCircus: I picked 3, I am greedy

8Cfraser
dec 7, 2020, 5:24 pm

>6 timspalding: thanks, def enough time :)

9timspalding
dec 7, 2020, 5:36 pm

>7 Cfraser:

You are awesome.

10cindydavid4
dec 7, 2020, 5:36 pm

whats the dif between not picked and needing gifts?

11ForeignCircus
dec 7, 2020, 5:57 pm

>7 Cfraser: haha - I took two and left a couple of comments. such a fun way to spend an evening :)

12dianeham
dec 7, 2020, 6:28 pm

All picked.

13libraryperilous
dec 7, 2020, 6:56 pm

>10 cindydavid4: The needs gifts entries have Santas who haven't maxed out the budgets yet. Suggestions can be helpful, in case people still are searching for titles at various price points.

14libraryperilous
dec 7, 2020, 6:57 pm

>7 Cfraser: I "behaved" this year and only snagged two. ;)

15Cfraser
dec 7, 2020, 7:02 pm

>14 libraryperilous: it is hard to resist but I know others enjoy it so restraint

16litwitch
dec 7, 2020, 8:52 pm

I could use some suggestions. I'm trying to pick for this person but I'm struggling to find something for $10.
https://www.librarything.com/santathing_thing.php?id=332

17cindydavid4
dec 7, 2020, 9:34 pm

>13 libraryperilous: ok that makes sense (I wish the bookstores woulld let us buy the little things I know they sell, like bookmarks, calendars, mugs etc that we can use the extra for. Speaking of how is that extra used, if not for a book? does that money come back to the Santee?

I picked up two orphans both were fun. One took me a long time to find the right books, hope I did ok! (actually this is the part thats fun for me, not just getting a book that I already paid for..)

18karenb
dec 7, 2020, 9:42 pm

>16 litwitch: a few more suggestions, now!

19Opteryx
Redigerat: dec 7, 2020, 10:11 pm

>17 cindydavid4: The FAQ says, "as most orders can't hit the dollar amount to the penny, we (LT) get the difference. We usually end up spending most of that on gift memberships, people who go a few pennies over, etc."

So basically anything that's left over after paying for other people's a-bit-too-high totals becomes a donation to LT.

20litwitch
dec 7, 2020, 10:19 pm

Thanks for the help! :)

21sallylou61
dec 7, 2020, 11:19 pm

Does the golden locked box in front of the green check mean that the gifts for the Santee have been ordered?

22cindydavid4
dec 8, 2020, 12:37 am

>19 Opteryx: cool, I have no problem with that at all. Thanks for the info

23WeeTurtle
dec 8, 2020, 1:54 am

On the left bank books question from the previous thread, I picked "ships in 1-5 days" stuff because I figured it was still orderable, I saw almost nothing that was labelled as being in the warehouse.

24katemcangus
dec 8, 2020, 9:25 am

We've closed all gift picking. Y'all are amazingly quick and so generous with your time and recommendations! Thank you!

25Stevil2001
dec 8, 2020, 9:33 am

>23 WeeTurtle: Yeah, that's what I ended up doing. I think I saw one book I wanted that was marked as being on the shelf now!

26katemcangus
dec 8, 2020, 9:40 am

And since picking is closed, if anyone needs to make changes, you'll need to message us to do so. You can still leave comments though.

27libraryperilous
dec 8, 2020, 12:48 pm

>17 cindydavid4: The picking is my favorite part, too. I'm glad you're having so much fun!

Thanks, Kate and LT, for all the elving (elfing?) you do to bring LTers SantaThing.

I liked having a variety of indie bookshops from which to choose this year. Thanks for committing to supporting small, local businesses during this off-kilter year.

Merry SantaThing, everyone, and season's readings!

28pantsu
Redigerat: dec 8, 2020, 2:33 pm

Thanks to Kate, Tim, and LT for another year of SantaThing!!

I'm always up to learn about new books, so if anyone had a favorite from this year that you think I should read (basically any genre), please feel free to comment on my ST. I use these for recommendations throughout the year!
https://www.librarything.com/santathing_thing.php?id=462

29kristilabrie
Redigerat: dec 8, 2020, 4:11 pm

Dear Santas, I could use your help for another pick for this entry, if anyone has a good rec that’s actually in stock: https://www.librarything.com/santathing_thing.php?id=344. Thanks!

Oops, sorry, forgot that prices were hidden. There's $12 left on this balance! Got it, nevermind!

30karenb
dec 8, 2020, 2:33 pm

>29 kristilabrie: budget/price?

31Cfraser
dec 8, 2020, 2:49 pm

>28 pantsu: I made some recommendations :) enjoy your year of reading (I would love if you would also give me some recommendations too https://www.librarything.com/santathing_thing.php?id=38)

32kristilabrie
dec 8, 2020, 2:50 pm

>30 karenb: edited my post, sorry/thanks!

33ablachly
dec 8, 2020, 2:53 pm

I had to remove a pick because it wasn't in stock, so I have $17 left here to be spent at BookPeople (https://www.bookpeople.com/):
https://www.librarything.com/santathing_thing.php?id=59

Help!

34Cfraser
dec 8, 2020, 3:02 pm

>33 ablachly: I made a suggestion although just over :( ($18)

35ablachly
dec 8, 2020, 3:10 pm

>34 Cfraser: Thanks! That one's done!

I'm sure we'll have more as we go through the orders, so stay tuned folks...

36pantsu
dec 8, 2020, 3:12 pm

>31 Cfraser: Thank you! I've left you some recommendations as well, based on our overlapping libraries :)

37Cfraser
dec 8, 2020, 3:15 pm

>35 ablachly: I always like giving suggestions - i am going to work soon so wont be able to help until later :(

38pantsu
dec 8, 2020, 3:18 pm

>33 ablachly: Left a comment.

39ablachly
dec 8, 2020, 3:54 pm

I need more suggestions!

https://www.librarything.com/santathing_thing.php?id=134

$8 remaining, to be spent at Left Bank Books (https://www.left-bank.com/)

40ablachly
dec 8, 2020, 4:04 pm

I have $35 to spend here: https://ww.librarything.com/santathing_thing.php?id=154 because of some availability problems...

41ablachly
dec 8, 2020, 4:49 pm

https://www.librarything.com/santathing_thing.php?id=183

$9 left to spend at Left Bank Books (https://www.left-bank.com/)

42jburlinson
dec 9, 2020, 4:44 am

>41 ablachly:. Suggestion left.

43katemcangus
dec 9, 2020, 12:15 pm

Looking for a suggestion!

https://www.librarything.com/santathing_thing.php?id=143

$7 left to spend at Powell's (no used books please!): https://www.powells.com/

44ablachly
dec 9, 2020, 1:50 pm

https://www.librarything.com/santathing_thing.php?id=182

$30 at Book Depository (http://www.bookdepository.com)

45ablachly
dec 9, 2020, 2:27 pm

https://www.librarything.com/santathing_thing.php?id=31

$10 remaining to spend at Book Depository (http://www.bookdepository.com)

46ablachly
dec 9, 2020, 4:18 pm

https://www.librarything.com/santathing_thing.php?id=273

$14 remaining to spend at Book Depository (http://www.bookdepository.com)

Thanks for all the last-minute help, LT elves!

47Cfraser
dec 9, 2020, 4:37 pm

>46 ablachly: Made two suggestions

48sallylou61
dec 9, 2020, 5:08 pm

>44 ablachly: Made 2 suggestions adding up to $29.94.

49sallylou61
dec 9, 2020, 5:20 pm

>45 ablachly: A number of suggestions have been made for this one.

50sallylou61
dec 9, 2020, 5:23 pm

>43 katemcangus: A number of suggestions have been made for this.

51karenb
Redigerat: dec 9, 2020, 5:34 pm

>46 ablachly: Multiple suggestions now available

52katemcangus
dec 10, 2020, 11:15 am

Some updates:

1. We sent all the orders off to BookPeople, King's English, Left Bank Books, and RiverRun yesterday! They should be sending the books out to everyone shortly. Huzzah!

2. Unfortunately, Powell's has done away with economy shipping, and LibraryThing will be paying hundreds of dollars out of pocket to get books to those of you who chose them. As a result, we're going to be more diligent than usual about keep the total cost of the books chosen within budget.

53CryBel
dec 10, 2020, 11:32 am

Hello, just read 52 Katemcangus message and as one of the choosers of Powell's I want to apologize for choosing them. I didn't realize they didn't have economy shipping. I am really disappointed in them, I have been hearing good things about them (that is why I choose them for my Santathing) but now with this I'm not so sure that I am going to support them anymore. They might be considered to be an indie bookstore that supposed to be the anti-Amazon but they are sure acting so greedy. It's not they can't afford economy shipping, they are like one of the biggest indie bookstore in America. Anyway sorry again about choosing Powell's.

54Cfraser
dec 10, 2020, 1:38 pm

>52 katemcangus: wow - that is a Christmas sadness

Although it seems their shipping vendors decision not theirs :(

55literatefool
dec 10, 2020, 3:50 pm

>52 katemcangus: Is it possible for us to donate towards those shipping costs? It may help offset the costs a little.

56karenb
dec 10, 2020, 4:37 pm

>53 CryBel:

Powell's is an excellent indie bookstore. The problem is not their fault: "Due to an unprecedented volume of online orders, the shipping vendor for Powell’s Economy shipping method has paused pickup from all retail clients. We have temporarily removed the Economy shipping option from Powells.com. We apologize for the inconvenience and will resume Economy shipping when the service is available."

57cindydavid4
Redigerat: dec 10, 2020, 5:01 pm

>52 katemcangus: ! they couldnt have given you a break, given how much you all were spending? Yikes. Maybe you should take anything thats left of the money left over.

And it is a great bookstore, Id continue to support it, but suggest to them thay they give this information to you sooner!

58AnnieMod
dec 10, 2020, 5:16 pm

>57 cindydavid4:

How exactly when the Economy shipping provider is not picking up packages? The only way for Powell's to give a break to LT will be for Powell's to eat the cost to send with the more expensive way... to multiple addresses. If all books were going to one place, maybe. But these are small orders and multiple packages add up awfully fast in the expedited ways to send.

59LibraryCin
dec 10, 2020, 5:25 pm

>52 katemcangus: Oh, wow. :'( That's awful.

60karenb
dec 10, 2020, 5:40 pm

>57 cindydavid4:

It was a sudden move without warning on the part of their shipping provider. I can't imagine how many small businesses are affected by this problem at the worst possible time of the year. (Insert a handful of rants here.)

61Opteryx
dec 10, 2020, 6:41 pm

I don't know who Powell's was using for economy shipping, but I saw in the news last week that UPS had stopped picking up from several major retailers: https://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/528408-ups-ignoring-some-major-retailers...
This kind of thing could be the deciding factor in some businesses' survival next year. :(

62susanna.fraser
dec 10, 2020, 7:03 pm

>55 literatefool: >52 katemcangus: I'd also be happy to pitch in with a donation toward the shipping costs.

63elphie93
dec 10, 2020, 8:07 pm

Just wondering if we're going to have an arrivals thread this year? It was fun to see the world map with books arriving last time I participated :)

64ablachly
dec 10, 2020, 8:26 pm

Update: All of the Powell's orders have been ordered.

And all of the Book Depository orders going to these countries have been placed:
Australia
Austria
Brazil
Canada
France
Greece
Italy
Latvia
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Puerto Rico
Sweden
Switzerland
United States

So that just leaves Book Depository orders going to Germany and the UK left to do tomorrow, and then that's it for print books (at which point we start buying the ebooks)!

65cindydavid4
dec 10, 2020, 8:52 pm

>58 AnnieMod: true I didn't think of that and obviously have no knowledge of how book sales work. ah well.

66cindydavid4
dec 10, 2020, 9:00 pm

>61 Opteryx: UPS added in its statement to The Hill that the company “is committed to maintaining the reliability of its network for other customers, including small- and medium-sized businesses, which have been hit hardest during the pandemic and are also seeing an increase in holiday volume.”

“The network capacity for our SMB small- and medium-sized business customers must also remain strong to help the recovery of this vital part of the economy,” the statement said.

so it sounds like they are trying, but wow those large stores are screwed if they can't get another carrier to ship.

67karenb
dec 10, 2020, 9:34 pm

FYI, the last package I received from Powell's was shipped via "UPS Mail Innovations," which I think is a service that combines UPS and the US Postal Service (USPS). The packages are picked up from the retailer by UPS but then at some point transferred to a post office. The Postal Service delivers the packages to my door.

68Opteryx
Redigerat: dec 10, 2020, 9:53 pm

>67 karenb: Aha, that's what I was suspecting their economy shipping was. UPS Mail Innovations is UPS's lowest-priced service, and then UPS presumably also has to pay USPS a portion of the shipping fee for doing the final couple legs of delivery. So if UPS has too many shipments to keep taking them all right now, dropping some UPS MIs isn't surprising, as it'd be their least-profitable shipments. :\

69sallylou61
Redigerat: dec 11, 2020, 11:09 am

>64 ablachly: Thanks for the progress update. You are getting the orders done quickly, especially considering that you and Kate are checking for duplicates of books Santees already own, changing orders when books are unavailable, etc. Thanks for all your hard work.

70ablachly
dec 11, 2020, 11:52 am

Hi Santas, anyone still around to help with some last minute picking?

I have about $20 to spend here: https://www.librarything.com/santathing_thing.php?id=193 from Book Depository (http://www.bookdepository.com).

The member has a pretty extensive wishlist, I just need help (and time, and a spare set of hands?) poking around and looking for something good.

71thorold
dec 11, 2020, 12:29 pm

>70 ablachly: Two of us have added suggestions

72ablachly
dec 11, 2020, 12:40 pm

>71 thorold: Many many thanks!

And with that, folks, all the physical print books have been ordered!

73sallylou61
dec 11, 2020, 12:47 pm

>72 ablachly: Great to have the physical print books ordered since they are the ones which need to be shipped.

74ablachly
dec 11, 2020, 1:00 pm

>73 sallylou61: That's why we did all of those first!

75genesisdiem
dec 11, 2020, 2:28 pm

>72 ablachly: woo hoo! Great job!!

76Cfraser
dec 11, 2020, 3:58 pm

>72 ablachly: great news! I hope all my giftees enjoy their books

77wd40sw
dec 13, 2020, 9:29 am

I hope my Santee (whitecatxx) enjoys their books.

I am looking forward to mine, thank you to Book Santa.

78reading_fox
dec 13, 2020, 10:51 am

Thanks to all the staff who devote so much of their time this fun project.

79wd40sw
dec 13, 2020, 8:00 pm

>1 timspalding:

Question: First, I'm not positive what store I listed. Secondly, I think it may have been Book Depository can you confirm this. I think I remember seeing at some point they ship all books individually if someone familiar with this store knows why I'm curious.

80Cfraser
dec 13, 2020, 8:23 pm

>79 wd40sw: I checked, you do have book depository as the store

81wd40sw
dec 13, 2020, 8:46 pm

>80 Cfraser: Thank you.

82pantsu
dec 13, 2020, 8:48 pm

>79 wd40sw: I think it depends on the size of the book (s)? I've definitely received 2+ books together in a shipment, but they were smaller/thinner books.

83susanna.fraser
dec 14, 2020, 2:13 pm

A bit off topic, but I couldn't find where else to discuss it: I signed up for the holiday card exchange, and I expected to get some sort of notification in my profile with addresses or something, but I haven't gotten anything. Am I missing something?

84AnnieMod
dec 14, 2020, 2:16 pm

>83 susanna.fraser:

Go to the registration page: https://www.librarything.com/cardexchange.php - the addresses to send the cards to are there. Tim never got around to sending the profile notes about them.

85susanna.fraser
dec 14, 2020, 2:49 pm

>84 AnnieMod: Thanks so much!

86LibraryCin
dec 14, 2020, 6:35 pm

>83 susanna.fraser: And if you want the Talk thread for it, it's here:
http://www.librarything.com/topic/326591#n7343661

87cindydavid4
dec 14, 2020, 7:39 pm

If we wanted to send a thank you card, could we send it to you? or just contact them on the profile page?

88pammab
dec 14, 2020, 7:42 pm

>87 cindydavid4: Definitely send thanks by the profile page! That is very thoughtful.

89cindydavid4
Redigerat: dec 15, 2020, 10:33 am

>88 pammab: Im one of those dinosaurs who is always surprised when people dont at least acknowledge, online or by phone, if not with a card, online thanks for receiving something. I spend a lot of time (which I enjoy) thinking of a gift, and while i realize I am a dinosaur and this is a different world, I still am a tad disappointed when I have to contact someone to make sure they received it. That certainly doesn't stop me from giving, or expecting. I just know what it is.

oh and thankyou for your kind comment!

90katemcangus
dec 15, 2020, 12:20 pm

Update: due to a COVID-related quarantine, the books originating from King's English weren't sent out until today. We're glad to hear that the staff of the store is safe and healthy, and we hope everyone gets their books soon!

King English's Facebook post discussing/celebrating the completion of their quarantine: https://www.facebook.com/KingsEnglishBookshop/posts/10158982782518524

91kristilabrie
dec 16, 2020, 1:49 pm

$8.04 left on https://www.librarything.com/santathing_thing.php?id=403, if anyone wants to give suggestions! Thanks.

92Cfraser
dec 16, 2020, 2:37 pm

>91 kristilabrie: Made a suggestion that I enjoyed

93Tropical-Library
dec 16, 2020, 8:17 pm

>91 kristilabrie: Another suggestion

94kristilabrie
dec 17, 2020, 8:44 am

>92 Cfraser: and >93 Tropical-Library:, thank you both!

95seongeona
dec 17, 2020, 10:35 pm

Is it possible my package arrived already from Book Depository?? The white padded envelope says "Book Depository" on the back, but the mailing label says "Liberty Express Dist USA LLC, Springfield Gardens NY". Tracking number ends in -999585.

I kinda wanted to wait until Christmas Eve to open my SantaThing, but maybe this is a book swap book that I should acknowledge sooner ... 🤔 Dilemnas 🎄📚

96AnnieMod
dec 17, 2020, 11:40 pm

>95 seongeona:

Yes - this is Book Depository - Liberty Express is their US distributor (they ship all US-bound packages to LE in bulk and LE adds USPS trackable label on top of the original label and ships inside of the States).

97jburlinson
dec 18, 2020, 7:16 am

Hi. I'm wondering why some of the names on the complete list of santas and santees are highlighted in blue and have a little icon next the check mark. Others only have a check mark but no icon and no blue highlighting. I'm guessing that the check mark means that the santa completed the picking. Sorry if this has already been covered in a previous post.

98kristilabrie
dec 18, 2020, 9:08 am

>97 jburlinson: The icon next to the checkmark (it's a box) and the background on the text is primarily for LT staff use and indicates that the entry has been ordered. That said, everything save a few Amazon Kindle orders have been ordered already. There are some bookstore orders that haven't been marked yet—they have already been ordered—but will be soon. We're working on finishing up the ebook orders soon! (Delivery for those are easy, of course.)

99cindydavid4
dec 18, 2020, 9:14 pm

>90 katemcangus: I just got mine today and I am so excited!!! Wanted this bio very much, and the Santa came through. Do I really need to wait till the 25th to find out who they are?

100Cfraser
dec 18, 2020, 11:08 pm

One book for me has arrived so far - is there the usual arrivals thread (canberrra Australia)

101ablachly
dec 19, 2020, 9:25 am

>100 Cfraser: Arrivals thread here!

102katemcangus
Redigerat: dec 24, 2020, 9:41 am

All of the ebooks orders are in, which means that SantaThing ordering is officially done! Now we wait for the arrivals to roll in and track them here!

103Peace2
dec 22, 2020, 10:01 am

Thanks and huge congratulations to all of the staff involved. May you enjoy your Christmas and have a well-deserved rest now!

104Cfraser
dec 22, 2020, 11:14 am

Thank you for all your hard work. Can't wait to open at Christmas!

105majkia
dec 22, 2020, 11:15 am

Thanks for all the hard work you guys put into this!

106sallylou61
dec 22, 2020, 12:56 pm

Thanks for your hard work. It was probably especially hard this year since I think that both of you who did the ordering are new to SantaThing work. Also, thanks for trying to help a few small bookstores in the United States keep afloat.

107cindydavid4
dec 22, 2020, 1:45 pm

>103 Peace2: This!!! My first time doing this thanks for making it so easy!

108seongeona
dec 22, 2020, 2:51 pm

Thank you for making this a fun and magical event every year. Enduring mixups, confusions, complaints, and blame must be disheartening during this festive time. Especially this year, which has been so hard, thank you, LibraryThing, for being a bright spot. 🎄☃️

109literatefool
dec 22, 2020, 3:41 pm

Thank you!

110Cariola
dec 24, 2020, 3:26 pm

I have a question. Does anyone know how to exchange kindle books? I know I've done it before, but I also had an issue a few years ago where I clicked "Get your kindle book now" and had a heck of a time exchanging the book. I don't want to make that mistake again.

111Cariola
dec 24, 2020, 4:01 pm

#110 I found the answer, for anyone who might want to exchange their kindle gift. (I got two copies of the same book and wanted to exchange one of them.) You want to click "Get your Kindle gift book now" on your emailed notification. When you get to Amazon, on the right of the screen under the "Deliver to" box, click "Learn how this works or exchange for gift credit." You will get a popup box; the last item is "Want to exchange your gift?" Click that and you will get a popup telling you that Amazon will issue a gift card in the amount of the book. I got confirmation about 10 minutes later.

112timspalding
dec 24, 2020, 4:31 pm

Some people open gifts on Christmas Eve, and there's Europe to consider, so SantaThing is now fully open. If you want to look, you can. Or save it until tomorrow.

A joyous Christmas, Hanukkah, Yalda, Solstice, New Years—and Jolabokaflod! May the season bring you all peace, safety, and excellent reading!

113LadyoftheLodge
dec 25, 2020, 7:06 pm

Thanks for all your hard work. I am happy I participated again this year.

114Sujathanath
dec 26, 2020, 10:02 am

Any update on shipment to India and me in particular.. hoping to get them by New Year’s atleast..

115JodiPM
dec 27, 2020, 4:17 pm

I'm hoping mine show up this week.

116pantsu
dec 27, 2020, 7:12 pm

Thank you to the staff for another year of ST! Your efforts are always appreciated.

I admit this is the first year I'm disappointed about what's coming though (spoiled myself and looked)...so many good suggestions and a wishlist with things underbudget and I get an uninspiring choice that's similar to several other books I already own (in my library). Honestly I may take a year off next year, as I could have picked the book up elsewhere for 1/4 of the money I put in.

I know it's always a crapshoot and I hate to be grumpy about it because I love ST generally. Just needed to vent a bit. :\

117cindydavid4
dec 27, 2020, 7:19 pm

In another online group, we use a very specific best of the year list. We do the same kind of 'tell us what you like and not, tell us what you have'. In general it has worked out that we got something that fit. It helped that we kinda knew each other for years of being online together, but think if you narrow the field it might work

Otherwise tell your santa what you are really really wanting, make a list and viola, no disappointment. But you'd miss half the fun i suppose

And my husband is rather askance that we are basically sending money for someone else to buy for me that I could have done so myself. I have scooted him away so he wont be a bother any more . this is how its been done for 14 years, and so I have no complaint

118pantsu
dec 27, 2020, 7:38 pm

>117 cindydavid4: "make a list and viola"

I mean, I did this and directed them to my wishlist if they were stumped. There's 5 things on it and they were all under my budget (several by a lot). At that point IDK what else to do.

119AnnieMod
Redigerat: dec 27, 2020, 7:58 pm

>116 pantsu:

That’s why I stoped participating - I love the idea, I love surprises but when two years in a row I got books I specifically said not to pick (one year I got a very expensive children book on a topic I had a lot of books on and had specifically marked as do not select from because I have all I want from it, the other I got a bestseller from the same year despite asking for books that are not from the last couple of years), I kinda decided not to bother anymore. One of those years I will try again I guess but it can be pretty demoralizing. When it works, it works. When it does not - well. :)

Hopefully the other recommendations will give you some ideas for good books to find.

120pantsu
dec 27, 2020, 8:24 pm

>119 AnnieMod: "the other recommendations"

Yes, these were all spot-on and have been added to my list for the coming year!! Thank you to everyone who commented....these suggestions all look fabulous and I can't wait to go hunting for them.

I mostly buy used books these days (so I contribute less to the production of new 'stuff' overall), so my budget for "new" books is comparatively small....just a bummer to see a big chunk go to something I'm going to get little use from, as it's a middling at best reference text with a lot of info that has been debunked (easily found in a goodreads search of the ISBN). :\

121cindydavid4
dec 27, 2020, 10:51 pm

>118 pantsu: wow, yeah you wonder about that. If a person participates and agrees to be a santa, you'd think they pay more attention

122seongeona
dec 28, 2020, 12:25 am

>120 pantsu: Pantsu: I'm sorry you had a disappointing experience. I made two recommendations for you. I have one of the books as an ARC. I have the other book in a used copy, good condition. I will send you one of them if you private message me your address. ☺ 🎅🏽📖

123pantsu
dec 28, 2020, 1:03 am

>122 seongeona: Aw, that's really sweet of you to offer! I'm good though...thank you for your recommendations!! (they've been added to my list :) )

124sallylou61
dec 28, 2020, 12:55 pm

>118 pantsu: I'm sorry that you are disappointed in your Secret Santa selection. I have looked at your request, and, unfortunately, find it very confusing because of what I feel is an excessive amount of information. Your request to check your wish list is kind of buried in the text.

Looking at the items on your wish list and checking them against Book Depository, I discovered that even using the cheapest price for each, you could not receive more than one for the amount you were willing to spend.

Personally, I have had the best luck with getting something I wanted when I selected a particular area, and limited it to that. For example, one time I limited it to anthologies of short stories by individual women, and received three books which I enjoyed. This year I suggested mysteries by certain authors.

I'm trying to give you constructive criticism in an effort to avoid disappointment in the future. I hope that you take it that way.

125pantsu
dec 28, 2020, 3:44 pm

>124 sallylou61: I mean, the prices have shifted a bunch on BD since ST ordering happened. At that time (yes, I was checking then) most of the things were like $15-17. I also don't think 115 words is excessive...it's basically the same text I've used for the last 3 STs and haven't had an issue until now. I'd rather my Santa know what I like (I read very broadly) than have no clue.

Kind of done thinking/talking about this. Seeing that not everyone is putting as much care into picking as I do was a bummer.

126jburlinson
dec 29, 2020, 9:33 am

>125 pantsu: Although I was not your Santa, I did recommend the title that you so thoroughly deplore. My reason for doing so was that you said "books about historical costume and sewing (I'm a costumer), and cookbooks are always good ideas too." Somehow, I thought "A History of Costume" would qualify. Silly me. I did check to see if it was already in your library -- it was not. The magazine American Artist reviewed it saying, "Landmark in the field of Western European costume . . . exceptional value for its price." I just didn't realize it was such a dud. It's a pity the Santa paid attention to me.

127Limelite
jan 1, 2021, 7:01 pm

Oops -- didn't notice continuation of topic until after I posted.

Was wondering, if like me, many other SantaThing participants still have not received their books?

Is there some say to find out what might be the problem? Thanks very much for any help!

128pammab
jan 1, 2021, 7:24 pm

>127 Limelite: I haven't seen any books from BookPeople announced as arrived on the arrivals thread yet, which makes me feel very calm about not being personally left out. I've been presuming their traffic got its priority downgraded due to not being a high value shipping customer (like Book Depository) (this interpretation because I've seen packages in the last month arrive quite quickly from big name stores and extremely slowly even with expensive shipping from smaller stores or individuals).

There may be actual content to know, and I'm curious too. But not worried.

129cindydavid4
Redigerat: jan 1, 2021, 10:05 pm

nvm

130Capybara_99
jan 2, 2021, 4:29 pm

>124 sallylou61: >125 pantsu:
Yeah, I don't find the instructions too much or too confusing. I think one problem is that the Santa took the advice of someone leaving a suggestion - but perhaps assumed the suggester had more expertise in the area or knowledge of Pantsu's books than the suggester actually had.
I always stay away from general reference books about an area that the Santee clearly knows more about than I do. Sorry it happened to you this year.
While pickers for me usually end up ignoring one thing I always put in my instructions, I'm lucky that almost every year the selections for me have been really good.

131jburlinson
jan 3, 2021, 4:53 am

>130 Capybara_99: So, let me get this straight. The real villain of this piece is not, as the Santee has complained, the Santa, but the suggester to whom the Santa perhaps gave consideration. The Santa merely and humbly deferred to the evil suggester who posed as an expert in something that I really know nothing about. I say I because I am, of course, the culprit in question. But I must ask you, if a Santee asks for books about "historical costume" and does not already have the book "A History of Costume", which costs $2 less than the $20 budget, why is that a bad choice? After all, Norman Mailer, to name just one example, used it as his guide to Egyptian costume when he wrote Ancient Evenings. I could, of course, have suggested 20,000 Years of Fashion: The History of Costume and Personal Adornment by François Boucher, which the Santee also does not have, but it costs around $250 and, for all I know now, might still be unsatisfactory.

132Capybara_99
jan 3, 2021, 1:04 pm

>131 jburlinson: you are not a villain. I would have phrased my thought more delicately if I thought you were on the thread but even so I did not suggest you were a villain. Here’s what I think since you defend yourself:

1. No villains here.
2. A disappointed Santee because they got a basic book that replicated what they already had and already knew though not the exact book.
3. It is hard to choose books for others.
4. For these reasons I don’t choose basic reference books about a subject the Santee indicates they already know about.
5. The responsibility for choosing books lies with the Santa and best practices is to rethink each suggestion left. People leave suggestions as prompts.
6. I was trying to suggest, and still think, that one reason the Santee got a book they were unhappy with is because something got lost between Santa and suggestor - not really either’s fault. What got lost is how much knowledge either had about the book suggested and what the Santee knew.
7. I would have been disappointed too but wouldn’t have said so because point 3 above and because I had mentioned costuming as an interest. And out of politeness to the Santa if they saw the complaint. But I would still have felt disappointed because point 4.

133jburlinson
Redigerat: jan 4, 2021, 3:25 am

>132 Capybara_99: No villains, eh. Then what's with the Santee repeatedly chiding the Santa, and implicitly the suggester, for picking something that the Santee said they wanted? The Santee went to pains to warn against picking things in their professional wheelhouse, but said that books on historical costume "are always good ideas". Except when they aren't, it seems.

The irony is that the Santee used this very thread (actually the parent thread) to request that people make suggestions for the Santa to consider. You and I both responded to this appeal in good faith and in the Christmas spirit, I'm sure. The Santee and I were just unlucky that the Santa concurred with my suggestion. I can only hope that the Santa has not been auditing this thread.

This is why the Lone Ranger never waited for a thank you. :)

134jburlinson
jan 4, 2021, 3:23 am

>125 pantsu: I will be happy to paypal you a refund. Please let me know who to send it to.

135katemcangus
jan 4, 2021, 9:20 am

>128 pammab: Due to the way we placed orders with the smaller indie bookstores (in bulk, via a single spreadsheet), we don't have tracking information for the individual shipments. So we, too, are relying on the arrivals thread for news. It seems based on what's being reported that shipments originating from BookPeople and Left Bank Books are taking longer than those from the other stores. If we get any other news I'll be sure to update this thread!

136pantsu
jan 4, 2021, 4:05 pm

>133 jburlinson: There's no need to be nasty here. A quick search of my library for "costume" would have yielded that I already own a book similar to this one (costume from 1066 to 1966) and shown a relative preference for 18c and 19c in my tastes (in addition to books by Norah Waugh and Janet Arnold, who are excellent recent costume historians). Since I've already been chided for having a long ST post, I shouldn't need to list every darn thing I like (which is a lot of things). That's what my library is for....searching. I always search my santee's library for things that might be TOO similar to anything I might pick, especially when picking nonfiction.

Might I recommend, in the future, not recommending books you're unfamiliar with without doing a bit of research first? A quick look at goodreads and amazon reviews easily shows how to regard this text (ie. written in 1920s, largely subjective, and generally debunked by later research). With the book now in hand I can say that I agree with these assessments.

No need for paypal. I would appreciate it if you'd drop the topic though.

137jburlinson
Redigerat: jan 5, 2021, 4:23 am

>136 pantsu: Who's being nasty here? I can tell you're mightily disappointed in your SantaThing experience and it's clear that I'm chiefly responsible for that. So I've offered to refund your money. What more can I do?

As for my ostensible lack of research, since you mention goodreads and Amazon -- goodreads has a composite rating of 3.86 out of 5, and Amazon shows that 53% of reviewers give the book 5 star ratings, and 32% more give it 4 stars, while 0% give it a rating of 1. Anyone who is following this thread can take a moment to look at all the reviews from both goodreads and Amazon and make up their own minds. And what gives you the idea that I'm unfamiliar with the book in question?

As long as we're making recommendations for each other, I'd recommend not writing something like "books about historical costume and sewing (I'm a costumer), and cookbooks are always good ideas too" unless you really mean it.

138cindydavid4
Redigerat: jan 5, 2021, 6:09 am

>136 pantsu: you seemed not to have learned something about giving and receiving that I thought everyone learned - the gift, either as giver or receiver, is not about you. You give without condition, you receive with grace and thanks (and with an eye for careful regifting) But to complain here, and loudly and often, in a place meant for fun, surprise, and laughter, and reject any possible explanation or pay back is just plain rude. You have put a damper on the mood here, causing people to second guess themshelves and defend their actions when they reall did nothing wrong but perhaps a simple misunderstanding. and think you should apologize, tho I know you wont

next year I suggest you be your own santa, so then it can indeed be about you and everyone could continue on this new year with a smile.

139cindydavid4
jan 5, 2021, 5:49 am

>133 jburlinson: This is why the Lone Ranger never waited for a thank you. :)

a sudden flash of a memory of watching the animated piece "Thank You Masked Man" just couldn't help but appear here! :)

140cindydavid4
Redigerat: jan 5, 2021, 6:07 am

nvm

141jburlinson
Redigerat: jan 5, 2021, 6:49 am

>139 cindydavid4: Is that the routine by Lenny Bruce? I used to have a recording of that and laughed myself silly whenever I gave it a listen. :)

142cindydavid4
Redigerat: jan 5, 2021, 1:03 pm

deleted this because I was uncomfortable about it, but it was Lenny Bruce

143kinwolf
aug 9, 2021, 12:39 pm

This probably won't be read, but I wanted to say a big thank you to my Secret Santa. I finally finished the 2 books I received(slow year as far as novel reading goes this year) and both were right in my alley, and unknown to me when I received them. I've now ordered follow-up books in both series(Altered carbon, light and fun, and Lies of Locke Lamora, deep and fun)

144RidgewayGirl
aug 9, 2021, 4:51 pm

>143 kinwolf: You should send them a message on their profile page, where they will be sure to see it. It will no doubt brighten their day.