Christmas Swap - 2021

Welcome to the Christmas Swap for the 75 Books Challenge Group 2021. Yes, believe it or not, it’s that time again. I am Jeff (mahsdad) and this is my 7th year running the 75 Group Swap. I'm looking forward to another great book picking season. Last year and this have been such "interesting" times, I hope being able to to do a good turn for others will again be a welcome respite. It’s always one of my favorite times of the year.

For those that are new, or those who’ve forgotten, this is our own version of SantaThing, where we get to bring some literary joy to our friends here in the group. It’s a secret Santa, where you will be buying and shipping books to one person that you get assigned. Remember, we are not affiliated with LibraryThing, so don’t bug them with questions or issues about shipping, that’s my job.

As in years past, we keep this simple: Let me know if you are playing, PM me your address and email address. (If you played last year and haven't moved, I still have your physical address, but not your email). I’ll use a randomizer to make the selections. Everyone will get a 75er to buy book(s) for.

We keep it to around a $25 limit, so it can be affordable for everyone. This can be new books, carefully preserved “used” books or eBooks (if you specifically want ebooks, please let me know). This will be open to everyone, everywhere, since there are free shipping options available, like Book Depository.

In these trying times for small business, if you can utilize any of your local bookstores, that would be an added benefit. Totally understand if Amazon is your only option, but we all need the locals.

The cut off will be about the 27th of November, right after the US Thanksgiving holiday, this gives you two weeks to decide if you want to play. I will pick names after that date (I'll let you all know here). I am very forgiving, so just let me know if you want in, even after the "cut-off". After I randomly sort the names and make the selections, I will send out the addresses in PM messages as soon as I can.

Once that is done, you can select from that Lter's wishlist or pick something on your own. The former is a safer bet. Plan accordingly so that your gifts will arrive by Christmas, given shipping time, especially to any non-US friends. International shipping can sometimes take up to 3 weeks or more.

Make sure you have Christmas Swap or LibraryThing printed somewhere on the shipping label, so your giftee "knows" and can save it for a Christmas opening. Another suggestion is, if the shipper didn’t allow for personal messages, put “LT” in as part of your giftee’s name.

Please feel free to use this thread to ask questions, make suggestions, or explicitly state that you do NOT want the latest YA Werewolf/Vampire Romantic-comedy series even though everyone says you must read it. Also, let us know if you’re going to participate in LT’s SantaThing tradition. We’ll be able to make comments there to let your other Santa know what you’re getting from us.

Also, in years past, there have been a couple people who wanted to sponsor someone less fortunate in the group, to make sure they could participate in the fun. Let me know if there are any Secret Secret Santa’s out there and I'll put the word out.

Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah! Happy Kwanzaa! Merry Festivus for the rest of us.

I'm in! Thanks for doing this again!

>2 amanda4242: Gotcha Amanda. Unless you moved in the last year, I have your address as well.

>3 mahsdad: Still in the same place.

Of course I am in, Jeff. Would not miss it.

I’m in!

Me too

I am definitely in! It has been a while since I took part in one of these.

>1 mahsdad: me! Me! Me!

I'm in. :)

Everything's the same, but I'll PM you my email again. :D

I am in, and I am where I always am. I'll update my wishlist here and on Amazon (that one is pathetically out of date, I fear). I'm a paper book sort of girl, and don't fancy much Sci-fi, fantasy or horror.

Yea! Mark, Jim, Paul, Stasia (welcome back), Fuzzi, and Linda are all in. And I've got your contact info noted.

Welcome!

>11 mahsdad: Thanks, Jeff!

I'm in again. Same address.

Hi Nancy, glad to have you back

I'm in! I don't think I've participated in Christmas Swap since Mark handled this so let me know if you need my mailing info. Thanks

PS: I'm very content with second hand books and use thriftbooks.com quite often.

Hi Lynda, glad to have you back. I don't think I have your address and email. So just send me a PM and I'll add you to the list.

>16 mahsdad: Done

>17 Carmenere: And done. :)

I'm in again! Same address as last year. I'll PM my email address.

I will also be doing SantaThing this year.

>19 cbl_tn: Excellent. Glad to have you back!

I'll jump in this year.

I'm in. I haven't moved!

I'm also participating in SantaThing so the person who gets my name should let my other Santa know what they are ordering and/or check to see what the other Santa ordered.

>21 quondame: >22 thornton37814: Thanks, I've got your info.

I'm in too! I'll PM you the new address along with the same old email address.

>24 ronincats: Excellent!

I'm in. I only read ebooks. (I have no room for tree books.)

>26 SilverWolf28: Welcome Silver!

i am in, jeff.

>28 weird_O: Sweet. II knew you'd find us eventually. :)

Just a post to bump this up to the top of the message list (if people sort their messages that way ;) ) There's 16 of us so far, hopefully we'll get a couple more

I'm in! I'll send you my email and thanks for organizing us again. Merry, Merry!

Yeah, Kim’s here!

Put me in the swap. I think you have my address. I haven't moved in the last year.

My books will be listed in a file named "Xmas Wishlist 2021." All 300 of them.

>33 benitastrnad: So many choices!!! LOL

>34 Berly: Ahem. Have you seen the size of the BlackHole lately, Kim?

You have 3,455 books in the BlackHole?!?!

>36 Berly: Actually there are more than that, but when I moved my list from GR to LT, some of my tags and things were messed up.

I...can't...get...up!

>38 Berly: Well, if you get chosen as my gift-er, you know you will have plenty to choose from, lol. Assuming that you ever get up.

LOL

>33 benitastrnad: Excellent! Welcome back in Benita.

And as far as Wishlists go, I don't have a special Xmas one, but mine is currently sitting at 640 or so. Any of them are fair game.

I will go and tidy up my wishlist. This year anything on my wishlist is fair game!

>42 PaulCranswick: good idea. Think I'll do that before we get matched.

Forgot to mention that there might be things on my Wishlist tagged "JCK". Those are my husband's wants, that I don't want to lose track of. Otherwise, it's all me.

I don't think I specified earlier, but my Christmas 2021 list prioritizes the things on my larger wish list (which has a lot of books I can access at the library).

Hey everyone, its almost time, one last post to double check I have everyone. Right now we 18 fine folks who are up for some book picking fun. Here's who I have. If anyone is missing, please let me know, ASAP.

amanda4242
mahsdad
msf59
drneutron
PaulCranswick
alcottacre
fuzzi
laytonwoman3rd
nrmay
Carmenere
cbl_tn
quondame
thornton37814
ronincats
Silverwolf28
weird_O
benitastrnad
Berly

I'll make the selections tomorrow!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Glad to hear that the picking is going to happen tomorrow since I leave for Joplin first thing Monday morning and had it in mind to do some book shopping for my giftee if I had their information by then.

>46 mahsdad: Can't wait! I'm almost done with the other shopping. Just need to get the gifts for colleagues, but I know what I'm doing for them--just need to find time.

>46 mahsdad:. Eagerly waiting to hear!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Selections have been made, Hopefully I didn't make any mistakes. I tried to not have any duplicates from the last 2 years, but I didn't go back any further than that.

Have fun. Happy Picking!

Note, cbl_tn (Carrie) and thornton37814 (Lori), both indicated that they were doing SantaThing as well. For their Santa's please go to the SantaThing page for them (I think you can scroll thru the postings to find their entry) to comment on what you're getting them so there isn't any duplicates. Don't worry, pretty sure the LT folks have the comment sections blocked out for each person.

If anyone else is doing SantaThing, let us know here.

Also, if there are any final restrictions/no-go/etc. I know that Silverwolf28 only wants ebooks. Anyone else, so inclined?

If you have any questions, feel free to PM me.

Got my person!! Thanks for organizing us, Jeff!

Thanks, Jeff. I've gotten the victim's...sorry...giftee's name.

For whoever the poor soul is that's drawn my name, be of good cheer. I'm easy. Used books are fine, even preferred. Sorry, ebooks and audiobooks are unwelcome. I'll flesh out my WANT! List by November 30.

Whoever gets my name - I'm with the Weird_O. I want books and don't care if they are used or not. All of my extensive wishlist is listed as Xmas list 2021. Don't be intimidated by the numbers on the list.

Used books---GOOD. e-books--No thank you. Audio books---no time to listen.

Adding my two cents. I'd rather have a few used books than 1 new book. Prefer pulp to audio and kindle. Thank you swap person, whoever you are.

I do not do e-books - period. I prefer paper or audio books. The BlackHole is pretty big and I also still have some books tagged 'not-available-yet' that need to be transferred over to it. I do not mind used books at all.

I do do e-books, and think they are ideal gifts!

I have no media to enjoy e-books and I don't really want audio books either. I am fine with used books.

I’ve added a Secret Santa wishlist - note, this is just a sample of recent additions to my overall wishlist to give an idea of what I like. But honestly, I’m up for most anything. Perfectly fine with used, not much on owning ebooks though I use Overdrive a lot. I’m also not much of an audiobook listener.

Whoops! Missed the roll out.

Dear Santa, whoever you are, I like paper books only, prefer paperback due to the weight of hardcover. Used books are fine.

Please no e-books or audio, thank you SO much!

P.S. My wishlist is pretty much up-to-date.

Thanks again for doing a great job leading this, Jeff. I have my Swappee. I would always be happy with a surprise but I have added a few more books to my LT Wishlist, which should make things easier. I do like short stories, so most of my WL includes those collections.

BTW to my giftor - I do not have a wishlist. I have the BlackHole. Feel free to do whatever you wish with the books in it. Hardcovers > Paperbacks > Audiobooks

Are everyone's shopping lists up to date? The shopping begins!!

I have an x-mas wishlist collection, but feel free to choose something off list, too. Used books in hardcover or paperback are fine by me. All of my books are cataloged, so I don't own it if it's not in my library.

Although I have a Christmas wishlist collection, there isn't anything in it. However, I have updated my regular Wishlist so my Santa can use that as needed. No audio books, please. Used books are fine, even preferred.

Oh dear, missed out on this again. Still, the last year I participated, the person who drew me decided not to send anything anyway, so perhaps just as well, lol!

>65 Chatterbox: I'm sorry you missed out Suzanne. I looked back at my messages and your troubles were during my first year leading this little endeavor. I haven't seen that person in a while, and I hope that this core group wouldn't leave you in the lurch like that. Hopefully, you'll be able to join us next year.

Just out of curiosity, did you miss us just because you don't stroll thru the threads very often and didn't see my posts in the message thread? For next year, just want to see if there's something I should be doing to make this as visible as possible to give those the best opportunity to join, if they want.

I will double check my wishlist today but I would be happy to receive anything off my general wishlist

For those looking for SantaThing, but can't find it because the signup and top menu bar is gone, here's the link...

https://www.librarything.com/santathing.php

I'm fine with used books.
Happy to get something off my wishlist or a surprise you think I might like.

Getting into the holiday spirit in Charlotte NC!

>69 nrmay: howdy neighbor! I'm only about 5 hours' drive east of you...

So, I just realized the package I sent is marked LT Christmas Swap but I gave no indication of who I am. I'm sending a card so that person will know. I always make things more complicated than they need to be.

My wishlist will be up to date on December 1st. Books tagged 'want' are ones I'd really like. E-books only please.

>71 Carmenere: That's okay Lynda. Still send you a card, but a lot of the fun is not knowing until everyone reveals themselves here after Christmas.

Sometimes its unavoidable, and that's okay too.

>71 Carmenere: Yeah, I am an unknown sender, too. I think I'll confess when my recipient posts that they've received something or they open it....

Wait, what!? We have to fess up to what we sent!?! Oh no.......

I had things sent to me so I could mail in a single package with something extra. I just hope they arrive in a timely fashion or my recipient may receive two packages--and one could be late.

>73 mahsdad: Aaaah! Ok, I'll just hold my horses :0)

I always include a note, explaining my choices and identifying myself, with my gift. I would hate to get something and never know who sent it!

>75 quondame: Yeah, we all fess up in the end, because it is all in good fun, and its always nice to know who our Santa's are.

If you want to do it in advance, like Lynda, in the form of a card, or because you are sending it yourself like thornton37814 (Lori), or laytonwoman3rd (Linda), more's the better. But if you're shipping directly from some bookstore, then we generally wait until after Christmas to reveal ourselves.

And if you truly want to remain anonymous, that's fine too.

Its all about sharing the book love during the season, no matter how you do it. :)

>79 mahsdad: Mostly just joking. But the LT one does say Secret Santa, so it seemed possible.

Just a suggestion...

...some of us are shipping directly to our giftee, so if everyone could post when a package arrives it would help us make sure that the packages DID arrive. :)

Books on the way to my Secret Santa friend; coming from Book Depository.

I received a Santa swap book today from Powells Books in Portland!
I've been ordering books recently and I just tore into it before I saw it was LT.
That was OK as it turned out to be a Christmas book from my wishlist!
I sat down and started reading it.
Many thanks to my Secret Santa!

I placed my order today for my Swapee. It will be a package coming from Thrift Books - Atlanta. Books from this source tend to take a bit of time to get where they are going, so we will all have to be patient in the waiting.

Are people wrapping books individually? I hate wrapping, but I will if I need to :)

>85 alcottacre: Hey Stasia, You certainly don't have to. I know if you're having the store ship it, then gift wrap would be extra $$ and that's not necessary unless you want to. I put "LT" in my giftee's name so there's a chance they'll notice it before tearing into it like Nancy did. LOL.

If you're shipping on your own, you certainly could wrap them, or maybe just put a note on the outside, telling them to hold off opening it until they can't wait any longer.

>86 mahsdad: I am sending them myself, but if I do not have to wrap them I will not. Why subject someone to my terrible wrapping skills?

>87 alcottacre: I'm an indifferent gift wrapper...they're wrapped but with uneven corners and lumpy tissue paper.

My older sister's first job was at a retail department store, in the gift wrapping area. Her presents are gorgeous, with ribbons and such, and the corners are as tight as the sheets on a military recruits's bunk!

Well, I may have received a gift yesterday, but there were multiple packages from Amazon and other places, on our porch, and they all got opened and the packing discarded before I realized that one of them was not something I recall ordering. So if anyone sent me Susan Hill's Strange Meeting, which was surely on my wishlist, I enthusiastically thank you!! Otherwise, I'm probably just losing me marbles.

>89 laytonwoman3rd: Yes, Santa sent you that one.

>90 amanda4242: Lovely! Thank you again.

I received a package today that gave me a new middle name - "Swap"! Thank you, Santa! I am saving it for Christmas, unless I decide to travel, and then I'll open it before I leave.

>92 cbl_tn: I am putting strict instructions on the outside of my swapee's package not to open until Christmas since I am not wrapping anything :)

>92 cbl_tn: 😉😉😉

You're welcome!

I got home last night and there was a package waiting for me from Thrift Books. In addition it had LT Christmas Swap on the label. I haven't opened it yet, but it is waiting. Somebody was really on the ball with this order! And all the postal gods had to be favorably looking down and guiding it to the right destination so fast!! Thanks to who ever sent it.

A package is winging its way cross-country to my giftee, and is "expected not guaranteed" to arrive on Thursday the 16th. (Fingers crossed.) Shipping box can be opened, as contents are wrapped.

I received another package in today's mail! It's sitting with its buddy from yesterday, patiently waiting for opening day. :-)

>97 cbl_tn: 😁

My Santee's package will go out later this morning.

My gifts arrived yesterday. Happy Christmas to me! And thanks to Anonymous. I read your book Primary Colors back in the day; enjoyed it too.

Eeeee! I rec'd a package in the mail today! It is under the Christmas tree till the 25th.

I will be mailing out my swapee's present on Monday. I hope it gets there in time!

>101 Carmenere: An elf whispered in my ear that there will be another package on its way to you early next week. :-)

>99 thornton37814: I should add that it will be safe for my swapee to open his/her package as it is wrapped inside. My name should appear on a Peanuts address label on the package. It is expected to arrive Monday.

>103 cbl_tn: Haha, thanks for passing on that elfin message, Carrie ;0)
------
I popped a card in the mail for my swapee today with the big reveal with a little handmade something too.

Thank you to whoever sent me The Strangler Vine, Fire on the Mountain, and War & Turpentine. All of the books are in good shape - two of them look as though they have never been read. They are a wonderful treat for the holiday.

Merry Christmas!

Happy and excited about Santa swap books received!
I got another one today from Powells, my favorite bookstore in the world.
Once again, I opened it before I noticed LT. That's ok.
I finished the 1st one I got, a Christmas story. Loved it.
Thank you, Secret Santa!

I just received The Last Policeman by Ben H. Winters. Thank you, Santa!

>106 alcottacre:
That would be me. There should be one more book to arrive, but I am not going to tell you what it is. That way it will be a surprise.

I ordered them off of the Alibris web site and I know that some of them were listed as being new books.

I have read Fire on the Mountain a long time ago and thought it very well done. Since then it has become a classic for anybody who is interested in forest fires and the policies that are followed by the Forest Service. I have not read the other two so will wait to see what you have to say about them when you get them read and moved out of the Black Hole.

My books are on their way to my Santa swap. From Book Depo.

>109 benitastrnad: Thank you so much, Benita! I will let you know when the other book - whatever it is - arrives as well.

I'm sending my books on Monday! I'm excited about my choice of the secret santa book exchange. Thanks so much for doing this Jeff. I'm sure it is a lot of work.

>107 nrmay: Nancy--Merry Christmas!!! I am so glad you like the books and already enjoyed the Christmas story. And, of course, I am partial to Powell's. Let me know when you want to come to Portland and go shop inside! : )

And a big thank you to my SS. I am waiting 'till Christmas to open them, but I know who you are!!
Thank you Weird_O!! xoxo

Hurray, Kimmers. USPS comes through. The lady at the New Tripoli P. O. liked my return address.

I bet she did!! : )

After sitting idly for almost 2wks, my swap has been handed over to UPS with a good chance of arriving before Christmas.

A package arrived. Thank you very much, Lori T. I will wait until Christmas to open it. It is my tradition. 😊

Lucky me! I have received a box in today's mail from my, not so secret anymore, santa, Carrie! Thank you so much, I've laid it underneath my Christmas tree next to last week's package and I'm not going to open them until Christmas morning :0)

>118 Carmenere: I have to say that the USPS is outdoing itself! I took it to the post office Saturday morning ahead of the storms. Many homes and businesses in our area lost power for a while on Saturday, and some of the roads were blocked by fallen trees. It didn't stop the USPS from super speedy delivery!

P.S. I think you may still have one more on the way.

I mailed the package to my swapee today. I am hopeful that they receive it before the end of the week, although I left instructions on the box that it was not to be opened until Christmas day :)

>119 cbl_tn: And then there were three......packages underneath my Christmas tree! I can't wait to reveal their contents! Thank you, Carrie!!

The package from my Santa arrived today! It's heavy in a good way!

I got a package today as well. From Powell books!

>123 ronincats: Hey Roni, Santa says that there may be another package coming. This one not from Powell's and it is wrapped so you can open it as soon as you get it. :)

I wish I had known about this! I would have joined in. If I can just remember to favorite the announcement thread next year...

>125 Morphidae: Morphy! I'm so sorry we missed you. I'm curious, how do you typically follow threads? Do you star your friends, or do you just occasionally go to the group page to see who's posted?

I'm generally interested in how you (and anyone for that matter) browse the threads. I'd like to cast the widest net without being a big pest to people. I tried to post occasionally between the beginning of November and Thanksgiving in the Message Thread and here to make sure the word got out.

I'll try to do a better job next year!

>126 mahsdad: Honestly, there was no way to catch me as I hadn't gone onto the group page or the general Talk page in months and months. I think the last time was this summer.

I wouldn't mind bring sent a DM for these types of announcements but that's a LOT of work for you. I wonder if you could coordinate with LT admin? Say - ask people if they want to opt in to announcement DMs? I wouldn't want more than 2 or 3 per event though. Preferably 2.

I received 2 more books from my Secret Santa, Benita, today! Empires of the Plain and 97 Orchard are in my hot little hands. They are both in great condition. Again, thank you so much, Benita! You are now my best friend for life, whether you like it or not :)

My swapee has a package coming, and I put LT as their middle name.

>128 alcottacre:
I think you got a bonus. I don't recall placing an order for Empire of the Plain but I did for 97 Orchard. I read 97 Orchard last year and enjoyed it very much so thought it would make a good Christmas book. I am not even sure that the other book was in your Black Hole. However, don't send it back. Keep it, as it looks interesting as well. Happy reading!

>130 benitastrnad: Well, I will take the bonus! Empires of the Plain was in the BlackHole. As a matter of fact, it is one of the books that has been there the longest.

>130 benitastrnad: Mystery solved! My friend, Peggy (LizzieD), sent that one to me. I had nothing to ID the sender with and just thought it was you.

>127 Morphidae: Hi Morphy, I don't see LT setting up PM message capabilities out to the groups. They only do it very rarely themselves, for ER books and maybe SantaThing, and I get the impression that its not really an automated process.

There were only 18 people this year (out of 412 that are in the group), so its a pretty small percentage that are participating despite my continued pestering. LOL.

I will take your point to heart and next year send out some PMs to the people who have participated in the past to make sure they have the opportunity. This includes you. I certainly couldn't do it for the entire group, that's what the message thread is for, but sending out a dozen or so messages isn't that bad.

Thanks for your input.

>133 mahsdad: That would be great, thanks.

And a second package arrived today!

>135 amanda4242: Did it have Christmas Swap on it?

>136 msf59: Yep. Thank you!

Yah!!

I have a feeling the gift from my Santa may be arriving after I leave town. I received a notification that a package expected Friday is now expected Monday. Since I can't imagine what that would be unless it's from my Santa, I'll just let that person know that I will acknowledge it when I receive it once I'm back in town. I will ask my neighbor to hold my UPS/FedEx, etc. packages for me. The USPS ones will be held at the post office.

Okay--gifts sent. Hope it works! I've never sent a Kindle book before. LOL

I received a package today with LT after my name in the address. This time I noticed! So it will sit patiently until Christmas. Thanks Santa!

>120 alcottacre: I got a heavy box in the mail today, with a "Do Not Open Until Christmas" written on the top.

😁😁😁😁😁

>142 fuzzi: Yay! Glad it arrived safely!!

Santa delivered a little package to me from Book Depository. I’ll open it on Saturday.

Thanks Santa. 😜

I never did find out who sent me my Christmas books. Or are we going to make announcements later this week?

You all can reveal yourselves whenever you would like. You don't have to wait until after Saturday. :)

>144 mahsdad: I don't need to reveal myself to you, Jeff. Not sure but I think the books shipped separately and you certainly have more to come - hope they all arrive this week for you.

No deliveries yet to me out in the boondocks.

Do we have a way to cover those who for some reason do not get their presents? I am not talking Christmas day, mind you, but say by the end of January. I will volunteer to be a back up Santa if we need any. I do not want what happened to Suzanne a few years ago to happen again.

>148 alcottacre: Timely reminder because I sent out three books to Laura a couple of years ago that never reached their destination and I have been meaning to put it right for a while now.

>149 PaulCranswick: I was not trying to point to anyone in specific, Paul :)

>150 alcottacre: No, I know that Stasia and I wasn't Suz's Santa but the missing books for Laura troubled me for a while and you reminded me inadvertently that I need to do something about that.

>151 PaulCranswick: Ah, OK. I did not even know about the situation with Laura and did not want you to think I was pointing fingers.

>149 PaulCranswick: If you follow up, Paul, take note her address has changed in the last couple years.

>147 PaulCranswick:. Yeah, I was just "pretending" that my Santa was a secret. LOL. One book so far. No worries, if its late. There's always Eastern Orthodox Christmas in January and the Chinese New Year in February. I'm sure travel times are a little bit different out there in the mysterious, exotic East.

>148 alcottacre: Never fear Stasia, Suzanne was taken care of this year. One generous Santa reached out to me after the pick and chose to add Suzanne to their list.

I haven't really been keeping a checklist of who's received their gifts and who hasn't, but come the New Year, if something is still missing, and you need a go-between to check on things, let me know.

>147 PaulCranswick: I forgot to add, I was still doing SantaThing during the Bookdepocalpyse of 2010, when all the shipping got messed up and no one got anything for weeks. :)

so I have patience when it comes to receiving books. Heck its not like any of use are wanting for anything to read.

>155 mahsdad: I have tracked them Jeff after problems over the last couple of years and I think at least two more will land in California this week.

>153 laytonwoman3rd: I do tend to think that there was a screw up somehow with the address Linda although I checked it and couldn't see anything wrong. I will reach out again to Laura in the new year.
I didn't get all my books one year but it is expected that USA-Malaysia might be fraught with difficulties occasionally.

>145 benitastrnad: Benita, It's me! It's me! I am your book santa this year. I also sent you a card in a larger envelope with my reveal and a little homemade dodad. I hope it's still floundering around the postal system making its way to you. Enjoy!!

>154 mahsdad: I have received my books for this year and my swappee has received hers. I was thinking more along the line of someone like Suzanne who, for whatever reason, never received her books.

>156 PaulCranswick: I didn't mean the address you had back then was wrong, Paul...she has moved in the meantime, though.

>141 laytonwoman3rd: AND another one hit my mailbox today!

>160 laytonwoman3rd: There are two more coming, but there seems to be a black hole around York, PA that is delaying packages.

>161 amanda4242: I'll keep watching---we're getting mail deliveries twice a day now.

Got a package with "LT" in my name today! It's under the tree... and I'm waiting impatiently...

Also, I let Bill know last week that I'm his Santa after he opened the package.

>124 mahsdad: I did receive a wrapped package from my Santa today, Jeff!

>161 amanda4242: One more in!

>166 laytonwoman3rd: Huzzah!

Jeff according to my tracking of the UPS two of your parcels should be imminent to your place.

>168 PaulCranswick: Thank you kind sir. I agree, we get a daily email on what to expect in the mail, and it told us to expect a package today.

>157 Carmenere:
Thanks! I am in Kansas and so anything that was mailed to me in Alabama will have to wait until January 4, 2022 when I get back South. I did get the books and have not opened the packages yet. They are waiting for me in Alabama on my desk. It will be a fun "after" Christmas gift. I could have opened them before I left for Kansas or brought them here to be wrapped and opened, but my mother thinks I have enough books and she makes remarks if I get more books, so I choose to keep them as a guilty pleasure just for me. I was curious about who had sent them, so now that mystery has been solved a BIG Thank You.

You are very welcome, Benita! It's always nice to extend Christmas into the New Year. Enjoy!!

I got my books today! Thank you!

>172 SilverWolf28: I think it should have been evident on the delivery that I was your Santa. Merry Christmas!

>173 ronincats: And it might have been evident, or if not, surprise! I was your Santa, Roni! Hope you have a great Christmas.

And to everyone, thanks for joining in, and a Merry Christmas to all! This is something I look forward to every year, and I hope to see you all again next year.

>174 mahsdad: The last package from San Pedro kind of gave it away, Jeff! Of course, there was the possibility you were forwarding it for someone, but I thought that unlikely. Thank you! I will open my books when I get home tomorrow from the family Christmas, as we open gifts this evening and this way I have something to open still on Christmas Day.

>173 ronincats: It was. Thanks and Merry Christmas!

I got two lovely Kindle books from my generous and spontaneous Secret Santa earlier this week -- woot! :-) Thanks, Berly!!

Meanwhile, I paid it forward (to one of the people Berly 'nominated') and became a secret Secret Santa to another LTer, who should have received four neatly-wrapped paperbacks by now.

Lots of seasonal delights.

SilverWolf -- I think it's because when I was scrolling through this year, it simply wasn't on the first page of the posts when I was looking... In the last few years, I hadn't felt ready to dip my toe back into the water. It wasn't so much the fact of the missing books as it was the kind of dismissive attitude of my 'Santa', who didn't really seem to care much about doing their part. *shrug* So be it. Water under bridge.

>8 alcottacre: I opened my box from you this evening, and wanted you to know that your choices brought tears to my eyes...you obviously put thought into each and every book you selected. And the Post-its will remain.

I was in a festive mood this evening after I got home from the candlelight Christmas Eve service at church, so I opened my swap books. I am very happy to have received Death on the Cherwell and My Dog Tulip. Thank you, fuzzi!

>179 cbl_tn: you're so welcome! Enjoy.

Merry Christmas everyone.

I opened my books and I got Salt: A World History by Mark Kurlansky and The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. What's so nice about having an obscenely large WL, you totally forget that you wanted certain books and are pleasantly surprised when you get them.

Thanks Paul!

Also, in the interest of keeping track of things in many more than one place, I created a list called "2021 Christmas Gifts", where we all can put our presents so we can all expand our (as I said before) obscenely large Wishlists.

Have a great weekend!

^Thanks to Lori for my Swap books! She did a fine job and three of these are story collections. Yah!!
Merry Christmas, everyone!

>181 mahsdad: Good choices, Jeff. The Zafon is a great one.

>178 fuzzi: I am so glad you enjoyed your gifts, fuzzi! I tried really hard :)

I hope everyone got what they wanted for the happy day!

Merry Christmas, Carrie and thank you so much for my swap gifts!
A great selection from my wishlist included: The Frozen Thames
The Hemingway Book Club of Kososvo
Mr Penumbra's Bookstore
HelpFinder Bible
The Bookshop of Yesterdays
and some tasty treats from her area Moon pie's and fudge!
I'll begin the New Year reading from these books.

>186 Carmenere: You're welcome! I hope you enjoy them!

The Story of China showed up under my tree. Thanks, Secret Santa!

>186 Carmenere: I liked The River Thames.

>184 alcottacre: you succeeded, very well.

Louis L'Amour's Lost Treasures
An Amish Husband for Tillie by Amy Lillard
Plague Ship by Andre Norton
Voodoo Planet by Andre Norton
The Children's Blizzard by David Laskin
The Country of the Pointed Firs by Sarah Orne Jewett
Jack London's Canine Heroes Collection

And three bookmarks!!

Thank you Linda!

The selection of books is quite thoughtful and the chocolates delish!

And a pop up card! I love pop-up cards!

>189 fuzzi: I hope the bookmarks hold up. They were not as sturdy as I would have liked.

>181 mahsdad: I'm glad some of them landed in time, Jeff. You have another two which should land on your doorstep in a day or two.

Unfortunately nothing arrived for me as yet.

Just got home from family time, and the first thing I did after I got everything in from the car and under the tree or in the refrigerator as appropriate was open my books from Jeff.

Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve (recommended by Hannah and Rhian)
Lafayette in the Somewhat United States by Sarah Vowell (recommended by Eric in 2017)

And two that Jeff chose:
How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia by Mohsin Hamid
Out on Blue Six by Ian McDonald

Thank you so much, Jeff!!

>188 drneutron: You're welcome!

Thanks, Silver!

>191 alcottacre: I appreciate bookmarks. I try to send them with gift books, but it depends upon availability with the retailer.

The most generous amanda4242 is responsible for this trove:



Thank you, Santa!

>196 fuzzi: I am glad to hear it!

Well, my SS sent my new books list for 2021 over the 100 mark! And they are great books! Thank you Weird_O. You are the best. xoxo



And this is appropriate because we got two inches of snow today!!

98. Lock In by John Scalzi
99. Washington Black by Esi Edugyan
100. The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
101. When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
102. The Clockmaker's Daughter by Kate Morton

>177 Chatterbox: I was happy to add to your Christmas cheer this year!! Happy holidays and happy reading. : )

>197 laytonwoman3rd: Hopefully that fifth book will show up soon.

Thank you msf59 for copies of And Quiet Flows the Don and The Last Policeman!

>197 laytonwoman3rd: Nice stack, Linda. Let me know if you want to do a shared read of The Memory of Love. I have put that one off, far too long.

>199 Berly: Sweet, Kim. I loved both Washington Black & The Vanishing Half.

>201 amanda4242: You are welcome, Amanda. Enjoy!

>182 msf59: I'm glad you liked the books.

Book Depository - the site that keeps on giving. Santa brought me another tidbit today... Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

thanks Paul!

>205 mahsdad: Homegoing is terrific, Jeff! I hope you enjoy it.

My book from Santa Cranswick has arrived and its actually 2, and its a most interestingly packed set of books

Severance by Robert Olen Butler - the human head is said to survive for 90 seconds after its severed, and the average excited person speaks at 160 words. Butler posits what the final 240 words of famous people of history who have been decapitated.

The flipside of the book is Intercourse - in this one, he picks 50 couples and gives us their thoughts and feelings right after doing the "deed".

Can't wait to read these. Here's the covers...

>207 mahsdad: What a concept -- those sound fascinating!! Can't wait to hear your thoughts on them.

>207 mahsdad: Well they were on your wish list buddy!

Happy to see Homegoing also landed so that all of your books have safely arrived.

>197 laytonwoman3rd: Heart of a Dog has been on my wish list for years, years, I say. So I'm jealous, Linda.

>199 Berly: *shucks*

>207 mahsdad: OMG, two (2) BBs.

>201 amanda4242: Fingers crossed...we haven't had any mail delivery whatsoever for the last two days, although the van sailed through here in the wrong direction twice yesterday. *shrug*

>209 PaulCranswick: I know they were on my WL (at least Severance was), but that's the beauty of huge out of control Wishlists I put it there 14 years ago, so getting it now is still a surprise, because I forgot it was there. LOL

>212 mahsdad: I'm always surprised by what appears as gifts that I sometime long ago put on my wish list.

I arrived home. Thank you to Susan who sent me Seasons on Harris: A Year in Scotland's Outer Hebrides by David Yeadon. I look forward to reading this one during the coming year.

>212 mahsdad: Actually you maybe didn't notice, Jeff, but I did that on purpose! You had four pages of wishlists and I chose something from each page so you were bound to get something you had almost forgotten about.

>215 PaulCranswick: Excellent idea, and much appreciated!

I am back in Tuscaloosa and happy to report that I got a very nice Christmas package from my Swapee. I got the following titles from her.

God in Every Stone by Kamila Shamsie
Garden of Small Beginnings by Abbi Waxman
Alone Time: Four Cities, and the Pleasures of Solitude by Stephanie Rosenbloom
Savage Feast: A Memoir With Recipes by Boris Fishman
Still Lives by Maria Hummell

There is a memoir, a book that has been on my TBR list for 5 years, a foodie book, and two novels - Very Nice. Thanks to Carmanere for this wonderful haul of books to read. You will have to watch for my reviews of these books that will be scattered throughout the year.

>217 benitastrnad: nice haul!

>217 benitastrnad: I'm so happy to see you've arrived home safe and sound to your new books!
You've got such a great list it was difficult to choose but in checking them out I've added a few of your books to my own list.
I will look for your reviews. Enjoy!

>217 benitastrnad: Terrific haul!

>219 Carmenere:
Got a brown paper envelope in the mail today and was very pleased when a red bookworm crawled out of it. Thank you very much for the very nice (and useful) bookmark. It was charming and thoughtful. Does that complete the Christmas swap?

>201 amanda4242: Guess what arrived in my mailbox today!!!

>222 laytonwoman3rd: And only three and half months after I placed the order!

Oh wow, that’s amazing. Glad you eventually got it!