For cyber-Monday I was looking for the "I'm Buying Books for the Holidays" blog that ran in 2008 and 2009, but alas, it is no more. I really liked the idea of promoting book buying which helped the publishing industry, authors, and artists while giving a great gift of reading. I love giving books for gifts, maybe as part of a gift basket with teas or along with another present. The gift of reading is something that keeps giving lifelong.
What I did find was this fantastic idea from LibraryThing called SantaThing (click here). If you aren't familiar with LibraryThing, a reader's social networking site, it is free to sign up and fill your library with what you have read, join groups, write book reviews, and join this book swap. The folks at LibraryThing have made it very easy.
You pay into the SantaThing system—this year $10, $15, $20, $25 or $30. You play Santa to a LibraryThing member they pick for you, and choose books for who you get, based on their LibraryThing library and a short description. Someone else (secret!) does the same for you. If you pay $20 you will get the same amount in return so the processes is equitable.
LibraryThing does the ordering, and you get the joy of giving AND receiving books! LibraryThing makes no money from this even though they are facilitating the administering of the program.
You can sign up as many times as you like. You can sign up for yourself or for someone else, like a child. If you sign up for someone without a LibraryThing account, make sure to mention what kinds of books they’d like, so their Secret Santa can choose wisely.
Deadline to sign up: December 1
Ordering books: December 4 - 9
I jumped on board, signed up, paid what fit my budget, and filled out my interests in reading for whoever will be my Secret Santa. I am actually excited to pick books for whoever I get.
In all the holiday sales and rushing, this is simple and easy with that touch of mystery since you don't know who is buying for you. I guess little things tickle me.
