Secret Santa gift exchange! discussion

Say hello to your fellow participants and talk a little bit about what kind of books you like and what you might be interested in trying!

Hello again, back for another year of fun, Santa-detecting, and the giving and receiving of books.

I'm Sarah and I'm from Melbourne, Australia. Usually I ask for romance books, but I've been on more of a horror and fantasy kick this year, so I'm going to add a few of those to this year's wishlist at Elfster and Amazon.

Honestly though, I will give almost anything a go. My only no-way subjects are animal torture/unnecessary death, rape/sexual abuse (especially if it's in a romance and it's the hero/heroine perpetrating it upon their supposed romantic partner), and ridiculous amounts of drama (especially in romances) that's likely to cause eyestrain. Any romance must have a happy ending, other genres it's not necessary.

The only genres I avoid are comic books/graphic novels, self-help (I'm not a fan of having a book tell me how to live my life), children's picture books, and middle grade novels (like Goosebumps).

If nothing in my wishlist inspires you I would be absolutely happy for you to take a punt and get me a book that you think I might enjoy because you've enjoyed it and we have similar taste in books, I just ask that you please check my books I own and ebooks I own shelves first because it would be a real shame if I did already own it. I update those shelves every time I acquire a new book, so you can be assured that if I own it it's on there and if it's not it's safe to buy.

Looking forward to meeting you all (or reconnecting with old friends).

Hi! I had so much fun last year seeing all the goodies. :) So many good books have been published (again) this year so the pickings will be awesome. :)

I love a good romance of course, happy endings not required but most assuredly appreciated. Short and sweet, long and angsty, or anything in between works for me as long the writing is solid. Or if the characters are just that amazing the writing can be sketchy, lol. :D

Hopefully I will get around to reading all the amazing gifts I received last year. They are on my schedule, I swear! RL just loves to get in the way.

I've bought more books than usual this year, but that's because there have been some good steals and deals posted that I had to have. But I have set aside a few that I decided to wait on and you never know what some magic Elfster might do. ;) Of course, my TBR grew a lot in the last 12 months, and that's partly because of all the amazing gifts given last year that peeked my interest. I can't wait to have fun with everyone again! Cheers! <3

Hi Everyone I read all kinds of books although I must say that this year I found myself reading more and more MM. I am looking forward to another year of book giving.

Welcome back, guys! I'll send out official invites to everyone in a week or two!

Great goddess below us! Elfster is *s*c*a*r*y*

I done signeded up an' all. Now I'm off to Ammy/Dreamspinner/etc to clutter up my world. You're an angel flower for doing this annually.

I was just telling my grandmother about this yesterday. She told me I needed a new hobby. I had to remind her that she is obsessed with Danielle Steel, so we were even.

I need to go clean up my elfster! I loved M/M romance, horror, and general fiction. I have an obsession with nuns, sexuality, gender, and social activism (including craftivism). I am in a graphic novel book club, so I am not scared off by a ton of pictures. My list just might seem a bit odd! Can't wait to start this all up again, it has been such a wonderful experience the last few years.

Richard wrote: "Great goddess below us! Elfster is *s*c*a*r*y*

I done signeded up an' all. Now I'm off to Ammy/Dreamspinner/etc to clutter up my world. You're an angel flower for doing this annually."

Yay! I looove this exchange!

Isaiah wrote: "I was just telling my grandmother about this yesterday. She told me I needed a new hobby. I had to remind her that she is obsessed with Danielle Steel, so we were even.

I need to go clean up my e..."

Welcome back, love!

Isaiah wrote: "I was just telling my grandmother about this yesterday. She told me I needed a new hobby. I had to remind her that she is obsessed with Danielle Steel, so we were even.

I need to go clean up my e..."

Isn't it such a nice yearly thing? I sound like I'm tooting my own horn, but it just warms my heart! I feel like I'm always desperate for it when it comes around.

Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "Isaiah wrote: "I was just telling my grandmother about this yesterday. She told me I needed a new hobby. I had to remind her that she is obsessed with Danielle Steel, so we were even.

I need to g..."

It really brightens up the holidays for me. I look forward more to this than I do the actual holidays. No awkward family dinners required and you know that the present you got for someone will be the right one (that doesn't stop me from stressing over what I am trying to buy. I also can never stay within the spending limit, but I try so hard to. Books are my weakness after all). It just is fantastic. I can't thank you enough for running this every year <3

I'm all signed up and looking forward to it :)

I read exclusively MM and prefer stuff on the darker side... off to update my wish list now!

Hi Everyone! I participated last year and look forward to participating again this year! I am from a small town in Wisconsin, USA and like reading anything :)

Isaiah wrote: "Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "Isaiah wrote: "I was just telling my grandmother about this yesterday. She told me I needed a new hobby. I had to remind her that she is obsessed with D..."

<3 <3 <3

Heather, you’re the best!! Thanks for doing all the work so the rest of us can have fun! 😘

Hi, I’m Lisa and I have a serous one-click problem, LOL! This gives me the excuse to indulge and this gift exchange has honestly been wholly responsible for my holiday spirit being alive every year.

But really, I’m just here for the PAR-TAY. ;D

I'm super excited that this is happening again this year. One of the highlights of the year for me.

Hello, everyone, oldies and newbies. :)

Hello hi everyone, Shile here! last year i didn't participate but this year i would love to be a part of this amazing Secret Santa gift exchange.

I read MM, anything from sweet to dark as long as it is readable.

Shile loves books wrote: "Hello hi everyone, Shile here! last year i didn't participate but this year i would love to be a part of this amazing Secret Santa gift exchange.

I read MM, anything from sweet to dark as long as ..."

Welcome! This is a SUPER fun group!

Hello again, this is Amanda here. I took part of this last year for the first time and I loved it. Seeing everyone receive a gift and express their gratitude was enjoyable to read. I will be joining again this year.

As to what I read I have mostly been reading mm romances with a mf here and there. I like books with little angst and lots of fluff lol

Hi there everyone! This is my first time ever participating even thought I have REALLY wanted to in the past but can I just say I am so excited!! (eee) My name is Michaela and while I will read just about anything and I am not scared of trying new things I faithfully adore reading MM. I may have a problem? I can't seem to want to read anything else for the past few years.

I am honestly someone who can read any type of plot. I like softer things, smuttier things and scary things..the list goes on. Though I am a totally sl*t for pining, whoops. Honestly I am here for anything though and am really looking forward to doing this ^^

hi everyone! First I've got to say thank you so much for the invite! I'm not that long using goodreads and to be honest sometimes I feel like my nan trying trying to figure out fb or something on here. This is such a great idea and I'm super excited to be part of it so thank you again :) I'm just reading anything mm right now. I may have a bit of a problem lol. That's it, any mm really and I'm happy. I'm an easily pleased girl lol

Hi everyone, my name is Shin and I'm from Myanmar formerly known as Burma located in south east Asia. My country is known for rubies and colored gems (we produce 99% of rubies on the market in the world) though I can't promise rubies will be included in our secret Santa gift exchange. :P

I'm an avid reader and I read average of 5-7 books a week plus 2-3 audios. I am the kind of gal "No books too smutty or no fetishes too kinky". I love my books dark, filthy, erotic and panting. I have a penchant for subjects that most people stay away from such as incest, non-con/dub-con, torture and such. I don't mind no matter how dark a book is as long as there's a tiny bit of romance in it. However, the one thing I can't digest is menage and polyamorous relationships. It's just not for me. And oh, animal torture and death. That's a big NO-NO for me since I'm the loving parent of the most spoilt fur-baby (at least in the eastern side of the world .. lol). And needless to say, I only read MM these days but I'm open to doing epic fantasy, YA and historical romances on audio. This is my very first year participating in this lovely program and I hope you guys will take this incorrigible newbie under your wings. Love you all and can't wait to have fun and be naughty! *wink wink* <3

I have to add, it's ok for me to send and receive gifts via Amazon because my account is a US account so it's quite easy for me.

Welcome, all!! And FYI, you don’t need to put a real address on elfster when you sign up as long as your email address is legit!

Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "Welcome, all!! And FYI, you don’t need to put a real address on elfster when you sign up as long as your email address is legit!"

Ok, understood. :)

Oops! well there's my first mistake :)

Hey hey everyone!!! So excited to do this again. This secret gift giving exchange is one of my favorite things all year. I'm looking forward to some awesome new books, recommendations, chat, and an ever growing TBR.

I'm primarily only a m/m reader these days with the occasional f/f thrown in there.

Hello! Thank your for inviting me!

I mainly read romance and mostly right now LGBTQA + and non white or non able at least in one lead. So, go team diversity in the genre.

Not a huge YA fan or Suspense. (No Scary Creepy!!)

I tend to like lower angst. Character driven plots.

Can't wait to see what everyone else likes!

Hello everyone, My name is Gabriela, i'm from Mexico, thank you so much for inviting me, this is my first time here.
I read just romance, M/M and M/F, love It, *. *. it's a pleasure to meet you all!

This is so fun, thanks for the invite! Hi, I'm Ann Marie. It's nice seeing so many people from around the world on here.

I just discovered M/M this year and am LOVING it. I'm reading all the highly rated ones like Wolfsong and Captive Prince, and have a few of the other favorites purchased but saving them so I don't run through them too quickly. That said, I also like M/F (though honestly haven't been reading much of it since finding M/M). Don't mind dark. Don't love when it's too sad/"has a message". I also go through phases where I read thrillers (esp legal/police procedural) and suspense (love a good 'on the run for my life' story). I also listen to/read about 1-2 non-fiction books a month - mostly science, anthropology and history related. No self-help or memoirs, except memoirs/essays from comedians.

My only "hard passes" are family sagas, anything too sugary/soapy, romances without an HEA and/or multiple partners. Otherwise, I'd love to read something that is a favorite I may not have read on my own!

Welcome, all!

Hi everyone

Hi everyone! I love giving gifts so things like this are my idea of a fun event.

I only read M/M now and I like for there to be romance in it. I don’t do YA, tentacles, or non-humanoid. I’m pretty open other than those 3. I like dub-con/non-con, BDSM, sappy, fated mates, love paranormal, virgin, first time gay and some mpreg. I am getting a little tired of the “twink” trope, though.

I made a Secret Santa shelf (https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...) to make it easier for my santa to choose.

Yay, it's that time of year again! I'm ~Lei~ and I've spent the year trying to read books I already had and the last three months working through The Administration which is an awesome series I borrowed in my lending group (but I probably want my own set for rereads).

Anyway, 99% m/m+ and 1% mmf and I think this is my fifth year participating. Like dark (The Administration) and unconventional couples (Special Forces) and funny (Fun with Dick and Shane and Klune's funny stories).

I always pick up a few new friends in this exchange and reconnect with old friends so waving at everyone. Have Fun!

Hi everybody, I’m so excited to do this again this year! I love all different genres of romance, only requirement is an HEA. Fantasy and suspense are also favorites. I can’t wait to see everyone’s presents this year! It’s always so much fun to see all the gifts people receive.

Hi, y'all :)

I'm Josy from Germany and this is my second year :) Last year I wasn't able to participate but I missed it so much that I'm very happy to be part of this awesome group again this year.

I read/listen to MM / LGBTQIA+ Romance exclusively and within this genre almost every subgenre you can think of. YA/NA, fantasy, contemporary, sweet and fluffy, funny, angsty - it doesn't matter :)

I don't do horror, I don't like historicals very much, and my favorites are mysteries aka Josh Lanyon & Co. and books with good snarky banter :)

I have linked my GR wishlist in my elfster profile. If you don't want to gift any of the books on there, please also doublecheck my 'owned-not-read' shelf because I own LOTS of books already, lol!

Also, gifting through amazon.de isn't possible and receiving books through amazon.com is very, very complicated for me and usually requires several chats with Amazon's help center!
Sorry for being so difficult but international gifting can be a pain in the a**. To make it easier for my Secret Santa, I've also added some different options for gift cards to my elfster wish list :)

I'm very pleased to already see many 'old' friends here and I hope I will make new ones as well :)

This is always so much fun and I send a BIG thank you to Heather for once again organizing this event that brings us so much happiness!

Yay! I am so looking forward to this year's Secret Santa after having so much fun with my first one last year.

I'm Louise, 48 and now a disabled single mum of one 10-year-old boy, although we're still living in the same house as the ex atm so it's all a bit awkward!

I love to read and pretty much read anything except for horror and psychological thrillers, they keep me up at night!

Faves are MM historical, contemporary, paranormal, urban fantasy. I've got an Elfster wishlist but you could always browse my Goodreads Want To Read list as well (it's pretty big!) for ideas.

Thanks Heather yet again for organising this fab event.

Feel free to invite more people, guys! The more the merrier :)

Hi everyone, I cannot believe when I received email from Heather that it's the time of the year for the joy and merriment of gifting books.

My name is Ami, I'm from Indonesia. This is my SIXTH year of participating (I've first participated in 2013). I love reading romance, either MM, MF, or sometimes F/F. I also love urban fantasy, paranormal, and mystery genre.

I list books I want on Elfster wishlist because it's easier rather than checking my want-to Goodreads list, since I don't list every books I want there, only the upcoming ones ^^

Cannot wait for the draw next month

Hello 👋 everyone, Chad here this is my second year participating, I had a blast last year. I loved giving and loved watching so many people receive and the overall gratitude and thoughtfulness from everyone really made the holidays so much more cheerier and that much more special!

Looking forward to this year!

I enjoy MM mostly but enjoy MC as well, well I read anything except True Crime.


Happy Reading 📖

Chad

Welcome, all! I'm so glad that so many people have happy memories associated with this exchange!

Hi Everyone, I'm Nadine from the great state of New York, where I'm currently freezing my ass off and winter isn't even here yet.

I enjoy reading all Romance sub-genres but honestly the steamier the better! You will find a mix of contemporary, LGBTQ, Suspense, PNR, and possibly even a couple of Sci-Fi books on my Wish list.

Thank you Heather for the invite again this year. This is my favorite Secret Santa exchange every year I love the way everyone gets into it.

Happy Reading Everyone!!!

Nadine

Hey everyone :) This will be my second year participating in this wonderful event. For starters, I am from the wonderful state of Florida, which has finally caught up (at least this week) to fall temperatures.

For the past several years I have read/listened to MM almost exclusively. I really don't mind books that involve: the darker side of things, high angst, religion, any taboo, and cliffhangers. Even if there is little or no romance I will read it; just as long as it has a good plot and is written well.

Thanks Heather for doing this :)

You're very welcome, guys!

So, I'm Heather, for those who don't know me.

I read a lot of everything (LOL!).

I read a TON of M/M, and my favorite M/Ms are virgins and first times with men (yeah, I know....). However, I'll read any and all M/M, but I don't love suspense and mystery. My HARD LIMIT is incest. Won't even go near it.

With M/F, I read mostly historical and paranormal. I really don't like new adult MF and I'm not a huge contemporary MF fan. Again, no suspense and mysteries for me.

I hope everyone is having fun so far!

Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "You're very welcome, guys!

So, I'm Heather, for those who don't know me.

I read a lot of everything (LOL!).

I read a TON of M/M, and my favorite M/Ms are virgins and first times with men (yeah..."

I have a bookshelf based off your “bye-bye-butt-virginity” shelf. Mine is called dentist-reads 😁

Devon wrote: "Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "You're very welcome, guys!

So, I'm Heather, for those who don't know me.

I read a lot of everything (LOL!).

I read a TON of M/M, and my favorite M/..."

Awwwww! Haha- I'm honored ;)

Hello everyone!

I participated for the first time last year and instantly fell in love with the idea of helping add to people's bookshelves. Or to their digital reader. As you can imagine, I can see this as becoming quite addicting.

I read across many genres. I tend to go through a "phase" and will voraciously read either a genre, author, subject, etc., for a period of time. I just finished (maybe?) a true-crime kick. Before that, I went through a mermaid/siren kick. So who knows what I'll be reading next!

I've made a suggested list on elfster. However.... my Secret Santa can rest assured that they can send me anything to read and I will be happy with the outcome!

Hello, this is going to be a strange year for me first time in a few years I won't be able to join because I need to have knee surgery and the delays and postponements for various reasons (originally was supposed to have it in April) . Also on reduced hours so I am paying my bills and have enough for an occasional luxury or book. but not in any way able to gift as I like gifting. I hope everyone has a great time and finds many new books to crave. I read mostly M/M and my limits when it come to hard limits: no rape, no extreme violence, and most importantly no tentacle sex. I Love amnesia and stories where characters find redemption. Also not a fan of historical romance set in the time period between Regency and Victorian.

hi people!

Name's Amy, and I'm from Taiwan. I've been following Heather's book reviews for quite some time since I started reading MM in English (used to read translation of Japanese yaoi). I have quite some digital collection of fantasy and sci-fi novels, and am personally most interested in paranormal romance or non-romance as well as historical fictions with good narrations.

In addition, I'm also interested in history, psychology and some biographies.

Hello! Name's Stephanie, from Milwaukee, WI.
Last year was my first year in this exchange and i had so much fun. I think i am still reading those books from the exchange LOL but i can't NOT join this, it's too much fun giving. :) I look forward to being paired!

I am a sucker for PNR, humor, epic fantasy, non-traditional shifters (ie: not wolves, bears, etc..), dark romance (or non romance too)

Stephanie wrote: "Hello! Name's Stephanie, from Milwaukee, WI.
Last year was my first year in this exchange and i had so much fun. I think i am still reading those books from the exchange LOL but i can't NOT join t..."

Hey Stephanie, I am also from Milwaukee.