Random Chitchat

[LizzieG]

What reading challenges do you all enjoy here on Goodreads? I'm looking to maybe participate in a few more next year and am wondering what ones you love?
This year I've done the quarterly Gangbang challenge, Pick of the Month, and Bingo (all in the MM Romance group) and have enjoyed them all.

[Daniel]

M'rella wrote: "I will stand-in for a missing Santa if necessary."

I volunteer to adopt an orphan giftee as well!

[Ami]

I'm the other way around. My giftee cannot be contacted. I've sent her Q&A, I've poked her, I sent her email (using an anonymous email address that said Secret Santa), I tried to browse her GR list, sent her an ebook I thought she would like, but it hasn't been redeemed, at all.

I'm a sad Santa :(

[Teeny]

@everyone thank you for the kind words and everything.

I haven't started any gifting yet either, waiting for pay day, but I checked in with my giftee.

@Relly I do hope they'll check in with you soon <3

As for stand-in SSs I don't think I'll do that but thanks every generous person.

[iam]

Ami wrote: "I'm the other way around. My giftee cannot be contacted. I've sent her Q&A, I've poked her, I sent her email (using an anonymous email address that said Secret Santa), I tried to browse her GR list..."

I have a similar issue, my giftee doesn't have their email listed and only hardcover books on their list, plus I'm not sure which amazon storefront to use for ebooks even if I could send them. No replies to my messages either, and I can't find their Goodreads profile based on their name on Elfster. I was so excited to start gifting, it's such a bummer!
If they don't reply in time, I'd be happy to be a stand-in gifter :)

[Hemmel M.]

This is weird, so many unresponsive participants. Is it not?

[Sheri]

Lizzie, I'm afraid I shy away from challenges.
So, unfortunately, I don't have any rec's to share.
If I had more book time I think I would. But sometimes it feels like I can't even keep up with my autobuy authors new releases. And they always seem to release around the same time. Ha!
I was going to taper off reviewing (because that takes time) and sometimes I can't move onto a new book until I review the book I've finished. It's like...my heart doesn't let me move onto new story until I have an emotional unloading of the 'just read' book.
I'm weird like that 🤪

and Ami, Sad Santa's make me...sad. 😔

[Aղցela W.]

This year Amazon and Elfster have made it challenging this year.

[Roger - president of NBR United -]

Lizzie wrote: "What reading challenges do you all enjoy here on Goodreads? I'm looking to maybe participate in a few more next year and am wondering what ones you love?
This year I've done the quarterly Gangbang..."

Scavenger Hunt is fun but a commitment for 6 months April through September MMRG.

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time)]

I know- I don't know why people sign up and then don't respond! I have been hounding people and it's SO HARD.

[Relly]

Teeny wrote: "@everyone thank you for the kind words and everything.

I haven't started any gifting yet either, waiting for pay day, but I checked in with my giftee.

@Relly I do hope they'll check in with you ..."

thanks Teeny

I'm happy to stand in if needed for someone else, regardless if mine contacts or not, I just love gifting people so it's a win for me

[Shandra]

I would be glad to be a stand-in Santa if you need one!

I've sent quite a few elf gifts -though some haven't been claimed which makes me anxious- for nothing more than the fun of giving.

My list is so huge this year, but I plan to use it for tracking sales on books I can't afford and for my family. I was worried my Secret Santa would think I was some greedy girl because my list was so crazy loaded lmao

[Sandra]

Need a book suggestion for my son's GF who is into Colleen Hoover and "spicy romance", M/F. I haven't read any of those in years so I'm completely out of the loop. What good contemporary spicy romances have you read lately?

[Aղցela W.]

Sandra wrote: "Need a book suggestion for my son's GF who is into Colleen Hoover and "spicy romance", M/F. I haven't read any of those in years so I'm completely out of the loop. What good contemporary spicy roma..."

Try Nicole Edwards or Christina Lauren

[Shandra]

Sandra wrote: "Need a book suggestion for my son's GF who is into Colleen Hoover and "spicy romance", M/F. I haven't read any of those in years so I'm completely out of the loop. What good contemporary spicy roma..."

Katee Robert writes hotttt stuff. Her fairytale retellings are my favorite, but all her stuff is good.

Wicked Villains: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07W7TGSVX
A Touch of Taboo: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088K41B2S

[Shandra]

All the joy in this group soothes my soul.

I've been very sad recently for a variety of reasons -my depression flares up terribly during this time of year & this year is extra-special hard for too many reasons to list- and seeing the giving spirit go around helps me remember there's good out here too.

I wish there was a way to know who hasn't received a gift at this stage. You'd think Elfster would make it possible to see something like that with an icon or something, right?

I feel so very blessed to have been given as many gifts as I've received this year. I send a few more every time I get the chance.

Thanks for being here, Secret Santa pals! You're all rockstars!

[Hemmel M.]

Shandra wrote: "I wish there was a way to know who hasn't received a gift at this stage. You'd think Elfster would make it possible to see something like that with an icon or something, right? ..."

You can sort the members listing on last on line:
https://www.goodreads.com/group/11870...

Then, you click on the 'comments' of each member and scroll down to see a post in 'show us your goodies' containing a bookcover.
https://www.goodreads.com/group/11870...

It takes some time.

[Hemmel M.]

I checked the first 5 pages in 20 minutes and found already four who introduced themselves in 2022 but did not publish any gifts yet.

https://www.goodreads.com/group/11870...

https://www.goodreads.com/group/11870...

https://www.goodreads.com/group/11870...

https://www.goodreads.com/group/11870...

[Sheri]

Sandra, I'm glad you got some rec's...it's been ages since I've read any MF. And here I am trying to sort through Hoover's list for unspicy books. Ha! My freshman (14 year old) wants Verity for Christmas but I've been going by Hoover's spice chart (that she has on her website) and told her green and yellow is fine but red is a no-go for another year or two. And then I get the, but all the girls are reading it and I have to be "that mom". Ugh. Teenage years can be trying.

Shandra, *hugs* this is such a lovely place to be. So glad you're feeling the love here :)

Hemmel, I tried that too...but it's hard to know for sure because there are some people that fail to post gifts or even accept them. Which is crazy!! I'm sure that Ami and iam are not alone in their SS struggles. Unresponsive people are frustrating...I get that things come up but if you don't have the time, it would be best not to sign up for the exchange, don't you think?

[LizzieG]

Sandra wrote: "Need a book suggestion for my son's GF who is into Colleen Hoover and "spicy romance", M/F. I haven't read any of those in years so I'm completely out of the loop. What good contemporary spicy roma..."

I really enjoy Talia Hibbert books, especially the Brown sisters.Get a Life, Chloe BrownTake a Hint, Dani BrownAct Your Age, Eve Brown Also, Helena Hunting has some really good hockey books Pucked starts one series and A Lie for a Lie starts another. I've also really enjoyed books by Lauren Blakely and Lucy Score. The Christmas Fix is a fun holiday themed one.

[Shandra]

Thanks for the help, Hemmel! I was only able to find one of them by name and with an email publicly available to gift to so I wasn’t able to do much. I figure a little here or there is nice though, right? If I make even one person’s day a little brighter, I feel I’ve done a lot.

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time)]

Here are links to those people's profiles who haven't gotten gifts yet:

https://www.elfster.com/profile/61382...

https://www.elfster.com/profile/19941...

https://www.elfster.com/profile/ced93...
(this one is because the match couldn't see an email address so I know gifts are coming, PM me for her email)

I'm dropping's TJ's name in here also:
https://www.elfster.com/profile/b23aa...

https://www.elfster.com/profile/72b95...

Other I couldn't find matching names

[Debra ~~ seriously slacking on her reviews ~~]

Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "Here are links to those people's profiles who haven't gotten gifts yet:

https://www.elfster.com/profile/61382...

https..."
Thanks for the info Heather. I'm sure they'll be getting some gifts soon! If anyone needs to be matched up still, or goes unclaimed please let me know. I'm happy to be a secondary Santa!

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time)]

Debra wrote: "Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "Here are links to those people's profiles who haven't gotten gifts yet:

https://www.elfster.com/profile/61382......"

I know a bunch of them have gifts pending so just figuring out the logistics behind the scene!

[Shari-amor]

Ok thank you for that info, Heather. I was doing a bit of work tryna figure out who hadnt gotten a gift yet as well

[Sandra]

Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "Here are links to those people's profiles who haven't gotten gifts yet:

https://www.elfster.com/profile/61382...

https..."

I haven't heard from my SS yet either, but I did get gifts from some other lovely elves.

[Shandra]

Thank you for the links, Heather!

I think I accidentally sent someone a duplicate gift. Hopefully they’ll post about it so I can fix it.

[Dumbledore11214]

Looks like my Santa did not show up yet either :(. I mentioned before that two wonderful Elves dropped by, but I very seriously doubt that one of them is my Santa.

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time)]

Dumbledore11214 wrote: "Looks like my Santa did not show up yet either :(. I mentioned before that two wonderful Elves dropped by, but I very seriously doubt that one of them is my Santa."

I'm going to PM you!

[Milyd]

Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "Dumbledore11214 wrote: "Looks like my Santa did not show up yet either :(. I mentioned before that two wonderful Elves dropped by, but I very seriously doubt that one of them is my Santa."

I'm goi..."

Hi Heather, I haven't heard back from my giftee. The books are still unclaimed as well. I tried sending you a PM, but it says you're not accepting any right now.

I'm also not sure if I've received gifts from my Santa yet.

[Sheri]

poor Doc H, I feel like you're overwhelmed this year...I'm so sorry.
Please holler if you need help with anything!

[Sheri]

Does anyone else find it perplexing when our numbers change?
Like okay, we went from 156 to 157..so who's our newest friend? *scratches head*

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time)]

Milyd wrote: "Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "Dumbledore11214 wrote: "Looks like my Santa did not show up yet either :(. I mentioned before that two wonderful Elves dropped by, but I very seriously ..."

I'm going to add you as a friend. Might be a setting that only friends can PM me.

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time)]

Sheri wrote: "Does anyone else find it perplexing when our numbers change?
Like okay, we went from 156 to 157..so who's our newest friend? *scratches head*"

Some people have joined late but I didn't bother matching them up

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time)]

Sheri wrote: "poor Doc H, I feel like you're overwhelmed this year...I'm so sorry.
Please holler if you need help with anything!"

Thank you xoxo!

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time)]

Milyd wrote: "Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "Dumbledore11214 wrote: "Looks like my Santa did not show up yet either :(. I mentioned before that two wonderful Elves dropped by, but I very seriously ..."

Can you let me know what your elfster name is?

[Aղցela W.]

This is funny I just looked at my Amazon orders and realized that the people I sent gifts to haven't redeemed them. What's funny is I can't remember who they are 😁

[Hemmel M.]

Aղցela W. wrote: "This is funny I just looked at my Amazon orders and realized that the people I sent gifts to haven't redeemed them. What's funny is I can't remember who they are 😁"

owwww, now you have to browse Elfster for mail addresses?
Smashwords sends a mail to the Santa with the title and reciever and download link. Handy for all sorts of reasons.

Maybe an idea: gift books you want to read yourself. You can keep them if the giftee isn't redeeming it.

[Shari-amor]

Angela, I'm actually going through this now.i had to go into my amazon account to check to see didn't redeem my gifts so I could check in with them. I checked 2 different ways

1. Hit Account > Orders > Digital Orders
It'll show you the books that you brought and if it was redeemed

2. Account > Content & Devices > Books> Filter for Gifts
It will actually show the email that you gifted to

[Ami]

Shari-amor wrote: "Account > Content & Devices > Books> Filter for Gifts
It will actually show the email that you gifted to

Interestingly, Amazon refuses to show ALL the gifts I gifted - I mean, it stopped recording in 2021. Which is so weird because I've sent gifts this year for this event. Oh well, the Digital Orders record is better though

[Jenn (not Lily)]

Shari-amor wrote: "Angela, I'm actually going through this now.i had to go into my amazon account to check to see didn't redeem my gifts so I could check in with them. I checked 2 different ways

1. Hit Account > Or..."

Thanks, that's a good tip!

[Shari-amor]

In the 2nd example, it didn't show gifts for me either but I knew it did for other ppl so I had to check the digital orders but those don't show the email you sent the gifts to

[Shari-amor]

OK Take it back. If you follow the 1st example I used. If you actually click on manage ebook, it will show you the email that you sent it to and will allow you to resend a link

[Roger - president of NBR United -]

Shari-amor wrote: "In the 2nd example, it didn't show gifts for me either but I knew it did for other ppl so I had to check the digital orders but those don't show the email you sent the gifts to"

You have the manage ebook in digital orders and when you hit that button it show the email you sent the gift to.

[Aղցela W.]

Shari-amor wrote: "Angela, I'm actually going through this now.i had to go into my amazon account to check to see didn't redeem my gifts so I could check in with them. I checked 2 different ways

1. Hit Account > Or..."

Thanks I got that part its the remembering who the people are that's funny. I don't know who to send messages to.

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time)]

Shari-amor wrote: "Angela, I'm actually going through this now.i had to go into my amazon account to check to see didn't redeem my gifts so I could check in with them. I checked 2 different ways

1. Hit Account > Or..."

THANK YOU! So helpful!

[Sheri]

As far as tracking, I made myself a chart this year in my notes on my phone. And check them off after they've been redeemed. Since I found several still unredeemed from the last few years, I figured I'd try and stay on top of things a little bit better. 😄

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time)]

If anyone wants to gift to more people, here are a few who are waiting on their elves...

https://www.elfster.com/profile/e7652...

https://www.elfster.com/profile/0b266...

https://www.elfster.com/profile/869a2...

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time)]

Okay- this is SO RANDOM, but does anyone want a copy of Cut & Run? I apparently gifted copies to my local book club friends 10 years ago and apparently no one claimed them! Typical... lol. Not sure if they will work if I send to a new email as it's now not in ebook anymore, but I can try! Who wants to be my test subject?

[Shari-amor]

I would like to be a test subject for Cut and Run