Random Chitchat

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time)]

Talk about anything and everything here!

[M'rella]

Freebees (m/m only) Nov1 - Nov30

https://books.bookfunnel.com/mmromanc...

[M'rella]

Can we have a discount thread? :D

Starlight Kisses for the Omega by Lacey Daize is free on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08W98G9FQ

[Gustaf]

M'rella wrote: "Freebees (m/m only) Nov1 - Nov30

https://books.bookfunnel.com/mmromanc..."

Ooooh thank you!

[Daniel]

I don’t know if I can wait another eight days! My gifting finger is twitching!

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time)]

Daniel wrote: "I don’t know if I can wait another eight days! My gifting finger is twitching!"

Haha, same!!

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time)]

Hi all! I need book ideas for my wishlists!! What are the hot books? I need ideas!!

[M'rella]

I usually check out new releases and my friends' yearly reading challenges (year 2023 in this case)

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time)]

M'rella wrote: "I usually check out new releases and my friends' yearly reading challenges (year 2023 in this case)"

Oooo, yes! Reading challenges!

[Zach]

My work has me doing book pre-ordering, so I only know the hot books for February of next year

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time)]

Zach wrote: "My work has me doing book pre-ordering, so I only know the hot books for February of next year"

That's still super fun!

[Sheri]

Hey Doc, have you seen this list?
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
I found a few new books to add!

[Hemmel M.]

with the GR app the link does not work.

[Sheri]

Darn. I’ll have to try it again when I’m home.

[Sheri]

ok, I think I got it that time!
I always seem to stumble blindly through the 'lists' here. I feel like it should be easier but maybe it's just me!?!

[Sheri]

Wishlist tips for first-timers:

Just wanted to share some quick recs for our new friends...
First things first, add ALL the books.
Seriously, the bigger your wishlist, the better.
I know it's simple for you to link wishlists here on GR but I highly recommend that you add as many books as possible to your Elfster wishlist.

NOTE: when searching for books to 'wish for' add kindle to the title. Usually, I will start with the book title, and the author and then add kindle. (for example... We Only Kiss At Christmas Con Riley kindle is how I would add that particular book)
If nothing comes up, I will remove the author's name and try again. If it's from a series, I might start with the book title and series name. This is of course, for Amazon books. I don't know why, but kindle is the magic addition that will typically locate the book.
IF you still can't locate it, you can easily add in wishes by copying the link and using the 'write in wish' button. It's located underneath the search bar on the " add to wishlist" page of your wishlist.
It's time-consuming, I know!
BUT...it makes it significantly easier for other elves to swing by and see your wishes, check prices, and potentially send you a surprise.

It's also SUPER important to have a range of book prices.
If you only have higher-priced books on your list, you might not be visited by other elves.
Those wishes are great for your match but not-so-great for other gifters looking to spread some extra book love.
If you have options, especially some under the $5 mark, this will help our friendly elves share book prezzies.

Old-timers...
It's also helpful to take a peek at your list from previous years...books might be removed, links might be broken OR you might have forgotten to remove a book you've received.
:)

[Sandra]

Sheri wrote: "Wishlist tips for first-timers:

Just wanted to share some quick recs for our new friends...
First things first, add ALL the books.
Seriously, the bigger your wishlist, the better.
I know it's si..."

All of the above, plus, if you use Google Chrome, there's a Chrome browser extension that allows you to find a book on Amazon or Smashwords and add it to Elfster by simply clicking the extension button on the top right of the Chrome page. Search for Elfster's Wish It extension.

[Daniel]

Sandra wrote: "All of the above, plus, if you use Google Chrome, there's a Chrome browser extension..."

I just discovered that a week or so ago and it is a game changer!

[LizzieG]

Sheri wrote: "Wishlist tips for first-timers:
I know it's si..."

I'd also add that when trying to use the Add to Wishlist feature on Elster if the book first doesn't show up hit "enter" a few times and it almost always will.

[Sheri]

Daniel wrote: "Sandra wrote: "All of the above, plus, if you use Google Chrome, there's a Chrome browser extension..."

I just discovered that a week or so ago and it is a game changer!"

OH! This is NEW info for me...yay, thanks!

[Sheri]

LizzieG wrote: "Sheri wrote: "Wishlist tips for first-timers:
I know it's si..."

I'd also add that when trying to use the Add to Wishlist feature on Elster if the book first doesn't show up hit "enter" a few tim..."

Good to know...love all the tips!!

[Kristy]

Thanks for all the reminders and new tips. I know some of these but I've slept since last year. I'm getting senile. 😂

[Gustaf]

Sandra wrote: "Sheri wrote: "Wishlist tips for first-timers:

Just wanted to share some quick recs for our new friends...
First things first, add ALL the books.
Seriously, the bigger your wishlist, the better.
..."

WHAT?? This is a game changer lol.

[Hemmel M.]

Hi people,
I have introduced myself but hesitated to join Elfster Exchange 2023. And you know what Kathleen Turner said in Serial Mom: 'Whenever in doubt, hesitate!' I live by that rule.

I will not enter because my 'Own But Not Read' shelf is big enough (300 books equals 3 years of reading) and try to save money by not buying books anymore.

So, Heather, when you are checking participants, my name is not an error.

[Sheri]

Hemmel, I was wondering why you weren't coming up on the participants on Elfster. I thought perhaps it was a mistake. Understand but we'll miss you!

[Amanda]

Apologies to everyone currently on Elfster being flooded as I add to my wishlist 😂

[Sandra]

Gustaf wrote: "WHAT?? This is a game changer lol."

IKR? It's a newish one. The last one they had stopped working, so I installed this one earlier this year. It makes adding books super easy.

[Hemmel M.]

Sheri wrote: "Hemmel, I was wondering why you weren't coming up on the participants on Elfster. I thought perhaps it was a mistake. Understand but we'll miss you!"

I know! It is gonna be a weird season without browsing books.

[M'rella]

We'll miss you this year, Hemmel :)
Happy Holidays! :D

[Daniel]

I’m so excited! The last few days have been extremely rough, but knowing this was coming has kept me from completely losing it!

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time)]

Daniel wrote: "I’m so excited! The last few days have been extremely rough, but knowing this was coming has kept me from completely lising it!"

I LOVE the energy! xo

[Corinne]

I’m doing a stellar job already this morning. Went to buy a book for my match and ended up buying it for myself. 😐

[Kristy]

Corinne wrote: "I’m doing a stellar job already this morning. Went to buy a book for my match and ended up buying it for myself. 😐"

'Tis the season to buy "one for you and one for me" 😂 I'm constantly guilty of that!

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time)]

Corinne wrote: "I’m doing a stellar job already this morning. Went to buy a book for my match and ended up buying it for myself. 😐"

LOL! Always same! I keep adding books to my wishlist by checking everyone else's out!

[Aղցela W.]

I know its only the first day but my giftee only has three things on there wishlist from last year I have sent messages I hope they add some new up to date books.

[Sheri]

Aղցela W. wrote: "I know its only the first day but my giftee only has three things on there wishlist from last year I have sent messages I hope they add some new up to date books."

I think they did...I just saw her add some wishes on the exchange feed. *crosses fingers*

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time)]

Aղցela W. wrote: "I know its only the first day but my giftee only has three things on there wishlist from last year I have sent messages I hope they add some new up to date books."

It's frustrating when that happens! I poked everyone with an out of date wishlist to let them know to wish but... I also tend to stalk my match on goodreads and shop from there also.

[Aղցela W.]

I looked them up they are not on GR much and only has 1 book on her tbr

[Eepa *mm loving bookworm*]

I mainly use Kobo these days but they still don't offer a gift option so where else do people buy their books nowadays?

Smashwords have limited catalogue and last time I got ebook gifts through Amazon, I had to ask refund and buy them myself (usually for little higher price of course...) because something. Geographic restrictions most likely but can't remember exactly why anymore.

What else is there? =D

[Sheri]

Eepa *mm loving bookworm* wrote: "I mainly use Kobo these days but they still don't offer a gift option so where else do people buy their books nowadays?

Smashwords have limited catalogue and last time I got ebook gifts through A..."

Sadly, I don't think there's a lot...oh, how I miss ARe. I wish they were still around!!
I tried to gift from Riptide today but it was difficult and the gift card came to me and not even the amount I wished to buy. So I'm stuck with Amazon or Smashwords at the moment

[Relly]

Eepa *mm loving bookworm* wrote: "I mainly use Kobo these days but they still don't offer a gift option so where else do people buy their books nowadays?

Smashwords have limited catalogue and last time I got ebook gifts through A..."

Do Kobo offer gift cards? It may be an option for your gifter and then you can purchase the ebook?
In the past I have put a message to say maybe buy this book with the gift card.

There are also some publishers - Ninestar press has picked up a lot of m/m authors, Riptide and there are a few more.
That may help your list

[Eepa *mm loving bookworm*]

Ninestar press, yes! And there is another publisher that I've sometimes used... Need to figure out who that is.

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time)]

Just an FYI, smashwords typically does an end of year sale starting in mid-december, so everyone (esp international!) add some books to your list from Smashwords!

[Aղցela W.]

Happy Thanksgiving

[Sandra]

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

[Tj]

Happy Thanksgiving! To those not in the US, hope you have a good upcoming weekend!

[Ami]

Eepa *mm loving bookworm* wrote: "I mainly use Kobo these days but they still don't offer a gift option so where else do people buy their books nowadays."

I think Kobo offers gift card. I know because I've bought gift card for my other email address and it works. So maybe if your giftee can accept Kobo gift card, you can offer them that? But tell them that in regards to spirit's season, they should buy the book they wish ^^

[M'rella]

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! 😊

I just came out of the food/turkey coma and now looking through my treasures - which one to start? I still have an hour or so left in the day.

Thank you for the books I've received so far!! 😍

[Sheri]

Happy Thanksgiving (belated) AND happy Black Friday shopping!! 🧡

[Aղցela W.]

I think my secret santa went on vacation