Reddit Book Exchange Recap

Hopefully you read my last post about the Reddit Book Exchange and are aware of the program. If not, I will do a little recap for you. Basically, Reddit hosts many different gift exchanges through out the year. This past winter, over 100,000 strangers on the internet participated in a Secret Santa exchange. You fill out a short form and then are given a random internet user around the world to send a themed gift to. Another random user will then send you a themed gift. It’s an amazing experience and I’m so happy I found the exchanges last year.

My secret book santa messaged me right away asking for some book suggestions. Since I have hundreds of books, I decided to make it easy on my santa and sent a list of about 8 books that I’ve been eyeing for a while now. A couple of days later, I received a message and email that my book gifts have been mailed out. I looked on the exchange page and was shocked to see that 5 packages were being sent to my house!

In the first package I received:

Live Through This by Mindi Scott

The Giver by Louis Lowry

The Tragedy Paper by Elizabeth Laban

I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak

I don’t think I’ve ever received such a wonderful assortment of items in a package before! I’ve been dying to read these books for months now. In particular, Live Through This. I’d heard about it on some book review blogs and was very intrigued. I couldn’t find it on the bookshelves whenever I went to a book store so I just put it on the back burner. Since receiving this package, I’ve already read it and I’m upset I didn’t read it sooner! There will be a review coming up in a few days!

I was extremely thankful and appreciative for these books and would have been more than happy with just those. That same day I also got a package containing Monet bookmarks. I’m not sure how much I’ve talked about it, but I did have a minor in Computer Art in college and I adore these bookmarks! They’re beautiful! I normally just rip a corner off a piece of paper and call it a day. What a perfect complimentary gift to the books!

However, that was not all. A few days later, I received two more mysterious packages. Inside I found two different packets of sample k-cups! I love drinking coffee and it will be perfect to curl up with my new books and sip some delicious new coffee.

Lastly, I received a wonderful gray fleece blanket in the mail. It is so soft! I’ve already added it to my couch and used it on numerous occasions. My santa gave me the perfect trifecta: amazing books, coffee, and a nice blanket. I couldn’t have had a better santa and I will be eternally grateful!

I ended up sending my giftee four different books and a nice bookmark. I noticed that she was an avid history buff and so I picked out Code Name Verity and A Northern Light. I read and loved Code Name Verity but I’ve only read reviews of A Northern Light. Hopefully she will enjoy them both! I sent her a little book about the 1916 shark attacks because I saw that she has a strong interest in sharks. Lastly, I picked out the Disappearing Spoon after looking up similar authors that she enjoyed. I’ve never read it but it has wonderful reviews! My giftee was extremely polite and wrote up such a nice thank you in the gift gallery that it reminded me exactly why I love doing these exchanges. You can check that out here if you would like.

Overall, I had a wonderful experience and I cannot wait to participate in future exchanges. Did any of you join in on the fun? How was your experience?