HocusPocusSwap

I read 8 books on October, no bingo, when was my last bingo?🤔I can't remember☺️never mind, they are 8 less from my tbr. If I want to be sincere, one book was almost all pictures and extremely short but it counts. Thank you to @ladyneverwhere for Discovery of Witch book which she gave me 2 years ago in #HocusPocusSwap I really enjoyed all readathons and loved all swaps.Thank you to the coordinators. It was a fun, magical reading month🎃🖤👻🖤💀🖤

Gissy Oct. #BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks 4y

LeahBergen I love your decorations! 4y

ladyneverwhere I hope you liked it! And how was Mexican Gothic?! I can't wait to read that one! 4y

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TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! Great progress!!! 4y

Gissy @LeahBergen Thank you! I love Halloween and every year I buy at least one decoration. I found these witches so cute! 4y

Gissy @ladyneverwhere I liked Discovery of Witches but I can understand why people don't like it. It is unnecessary too long with a lot of vampire-witches drama. But I enjoyed twilight and Vampire Diaries which are similar series. Mexican Gothic for me was ok not great due to in the why things were happening (no spoiler). But in general, it kept my attention. Go blind because this book has mix reviews. But I love the cover and I'm glad I read it. 4y

Gissy @TheAromaofBooks Thank you! 4y

BiblioLitten Those witches are the cutest and they look so badass too😎 4y

Gissy @BiblioLitten Yes! I found them in Marshall's. I saw it and grabbed it because you know how is this store, you see something you like and the minute after is not there anymore. At time here in PR most of the stores are limited in the amount of merchandise, I don't know if you have the same situation where you live. Due to COVID situation🙄 4y

BiblioLitten It‘s the same here in 🇨🇦. The usual choices are limited. 4y

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LittleBug

The Winter People: A Novel | Jennifer McMahon

pick

Maybe it‘s because I read it during my daughter‘s naps on my shoulder (main theme is grief after the loss of a child); maybe it‘s because it comes close to horror (I get nightmares from proper horror)... Either way, I found it ‘goose-bump-inducing‘!

Thanks @inthegreensandblues for including it in the #HocusPocusSwap

inthegreensandblues I'm glad you enjoyed it! 😄 5y

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derr.liz

Night in the Lonesome October: (Richard Laymon Horror Classic) | Richard Laymon

Lesson re-learned: Don't go walking around alone outside at night!! 😳

#spooktober #hallowreads

Thanks again @TorieStorieS #hocuspocusswap 👻

TorieStorieS A good Halloween read!!! 🎃🎃🎃 5y

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derr.liz

Foxlowe | Eleanor Wasserberg

This creepy cultist commune reminded me of season two of The Sinner. One has a happier ending than the other...

Thanks again @TorieStorieS #hocuspocusswap #spooktober #hallowreads

TorieStorieS Yay!! 👏 5y

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derr.liz

All the Missing Girls | Megan Miranda

Kicking off #spooktober #hallowreads with this thriller narrated in reverse chronology, finally coming off my bookshelf from last year's #hocuspocusswap 👻 Thanks, again @TorieStorieS 🎡

TorieStorieS Yay!! 🎃🎃🎃👏👏👏 5y

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LibrarianRyan

Swap Meet (an Anthology) | J D Bryce

We are heading into the biggest SWAP season of the year here on Litsy. Since our @LitsySwaps page has been inactive for a bit, and we have a TON of new Littens, I thought I would write up a primer for everyone about how swaps work, dos, don'ts, etc. And give those who need, place to ask general questions.

This will be a thread and it may be long

Pictured above are the general swap rules as created by various hosts and @LitsySwaps

#SwapPrimer

LibrarianRyan 2. Any and all specific host rules may overrule these general rules, but most do not. Most will include these rules into their rules in some form or another. They may not be word for word (I'm lazy, I copied and pasted years ago and still use it) but most rules DO NOT CHANGE.

If there is a rule you do not like in the swap THEN DON“T DO THE SWAP! It is that simple. 5y

LibrarianRyan 3. Pay attention to the theme if there is one. Please do not sign up for a Steampunk swap, if you hate steampunk. Just putting in the additional notes that you hate steampunk but wanted to do a swap, is NOT a good way to get involved. All us hosts want you to have a great time both giving and receiving, so please don't start up on the track to fail. If you are open to trying something new swaps ARE a great way to do so, just mention it. (edited) 5y

LibrarianRyan 4. Commit to your commitments. Do not sign up for a swap you know you can not afford. Also, If you can only afford 1 swap, do not sign up for 2.

FAIR WARNING: There is a BLACKLIST. Actually there are at least two, maybe more. We hosts talk and keep notes. Yes you can get off the blacklist, but it requires someone willing to trust you and give you a chance. Meaning, it may not be easy. 5y

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LibrarianRyan 5. in partnership with 4, if your in trouble, say something. Let your host know. We know about and understand emergencies. Weather its illness/death in the family to hurricanes we hosts will work with you. We talk to your swap partners and work out alternative, switch things up, cover, etc. COMMUNICATION IS KEY. The sooner we know, the sooner we can help. We want this to be fun for all, not a burden or a concern when life happens. 5y

LibrarianRyan 6. Still going with 4 and 5, please do not think that just because you change your screen name that you will automatically get off the blacklist. Sorry. Does not work that way.

You should AT NO TIME between signing up for a swap and opening day change your screen name. You should also have your account set to public. If you have blocked specific littens, please let your host know if you end up paired. 5y

LibrarianRyan 7. Just as their are bad swappers, I will be honest there are hosts who are better than others. I know when I host swaps I can be a bit of a nag, so I would not be surprised to find out I was on someones “nope“ list. At the same time, I personally keep track of swaps I did not enjoy and why. What makes a good host is different to everyone, so a awesome host to me, may be someone else's night mare and vice versa. That is okay. 5y

LibrarianRyan 8. If you want to host a swap, you can. There is nothing holding you back. But know ahead of time it is a lot of work. Even the simplest smallest swap takes up soooo much time. For a newbie, think of it this way, you will probably spend one - two hours on your swap for everyone who signs up.

That means you could spend 40 hours on work for a swap of 40 people. The more you do it, the easier it gets, but not always. 5y

LibrarianRyan 9. Go into swaps for the fun, for the excitement, the joy. Don't go into swaps for what you will get out of it. Some will post spending limits, or have you pick a price range, some do not. Don't look for a me verses them: what did I spend, what did they spend. Set your own budget. What you want to do and what you can afford. And be understanding that not everyone may be in the same situation you are in. 5y

KatieDid927 Thanks for this! When I first started doing swaps I had to hunt for the original Litsy rules. I also have toyed with the idea of hosting so this is helpful insight for me on that end as well. 5y

LibrarianRyan 10. Be open to not getting what is on your wishlist. If you only want and will only except books on your list, you may limit the person sending to you, to something they can not do. Wishlists are great ways for matches to get ideas, but if you are a core believer of “only want I want“ you may want to do a book store run rather than a swap. (edited) 5y

LibrarianRyan 11. Over all, what us various hosts want is for everyone to be happy. We want everyone to have fun and be energized for books! But we can not do it all. We need your help as someone who signs up for a swap to help make them all they can be. And i bet they will be great. 5y

LibrarianRyan 12. Last thought, as mentioned Halloween Swaps are the biggest time of the year Last year there was at least 5. So far this year we have

#ScreamathonSwap by @4thHouseontheLeft
#BasicWitchSwap by @Sprainedbrain

Every year I look forword to the
#AllHallowsReadswap and the #Halloweengoespostal. I have not tagged hosts in case they choose not to host this year.

Last year there was also a #hocusPocusswap and other.

Happy Swapping ALL! 😁 (edited) 5y

LibrarianRyan @KatieDid927 Yeahh. Any questions, just ask. If I don't know the answers, I have done all the most popular host's swaps and we are all willing to help answer questions. 5y

BookwormAHN Halloween swaps are the best 👻 5y

LibrarianRyan @BookwormAHN Yeah baby. I sign up for way to many of them. I think I did all but one last year. And I now myself, i will probably to it again this year. But I am so planning ahead. 5y

alisiakae @librarianryan how can a first time swap host see the blacklist? 😃😃 5y

Scochrane26 @librarianryan what‘s the best way to find out about swaps? I‘ve seen the 2 offered so far because they were shared by others. 5y

alisiakae And for anyone interested, here‘s the link for the #screamathon swap! Signup here: https://forms.gle/jcx64L78Vj4Xhufc6 5y

LibrarianRyan @4thhouseontheleft The big list is is held by @Avanders. I have access to list #2. What I usually do is supply a to the “listmaster“ a list of my participants and their real name, and the list master gives an okay, or notes a name that has been problematic. I forgot to get my last last #Makerswap checked by the big list and ended up having to add to it. It also meant I didn't catch someone who changed their screen name. 5y

LibrarianRyan @Scochrane26 follow these two accounts @LitsySwaps, and @LitsyHappenings. Most of us swap hosts tag these two accounts. We also try to tag big friends and those in the 6 digit club. Litsy Swaps has been dormant for a few months, but Happenings is still going strong.

6 digits are those who have been around forever and have six digits in their litfluence. You can con your way to 5 digits, but not to 6. 5y

rather_be_reading YES Great idea!! 5y

Crazeedi Thank you for posting this! 5y

sprainedbrain Excellent idea! Anyone know what‘s happening with the LitsySwaps account? I‘m about to need the naughty list, and no one is answering my email. 😳 5y

LibrarianRyan @sprainedbrain no idea about the swaps account. I have access to a very small ⬛️list and I don‘t remember all, but @a Anders has access to the original larger list. 5y

sprainedbrain @LibrarianRyan thanks! 😊 5y

sprainedbrain @Avanders Could I please get access to the naughty list? I had it ages ago for the Jane Austen swap but deleted it because I didn‘t think I would host another swap. 😳 And now I‘m co-hosting another swap. 5y

Avanders @sprainedbrain @4thhouseontheleft just email me at Leathy18 at gmail dot com. ☺️ I‘m sorry it has to exist, but also glad it does. Hope it helps! 5y

LibrarianRyan @Avanders @sprainedbrain @4thhouseontheleft I made the mistake of not checking for my last real swap and finally hit bad luck 2 flakes. One had changed screen names multiple times and one was a newbie. It sucks it has to exist but years ago there had repeat offenders and there had to stop it somehow. 5y

sprainedbrain @LibrarianRyan it does suck... happened to me once back in the early days and I don‘t want anyone to every have to experience having a dud for a match! 5y

alisiakae @Avanders Thanks! I‘ll email you soon. @LibrarianRyan I‘ve been matched with a few duds myself. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 5y

LibrarianRyan @4thhouseontheleft I think it‘s cool how much fun this is, and how much it brings joy to people. I love doing it. I will say, the bookmark swap has been the hardest. No complaints, everyone has been great, it was just a lot to match everyone. I had so many people do the bookmark swap who was their first time, or worried about how everything works. I hope I didn‘t come across as a witch, it wasn‘t my intention. Just to prepare newbies. Good luck 5y

LibrarianRyan @4thhouseontheleft I look forward to the acreamathon. I keep wanting to start books, just to say, nope not yet. 🧛🏼‍♂️🧟‍♀️🧛‍♀️🧟‍♂️🧞‍♀️🧞‍♂️ 5y

alisiakae @LibrarianRyan It‘s a good thing I have #BBRC to keep me occupied until October arrives. 😃😃 (edited) 5y

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Whodunit85

Unexplained Disappearances, Hauntings, Omens | John Pinkney

@LapReader Oh my goodness! I had 100% forgotten about our #HocusPocusSwap and then look what somehow managed to arrive ON MY BIRTHDAY?!?! Double awesome!! I was so excited to see this! Thank you for all the wonderful goodies and spooky stories! I loooove ghosts 😁

P.S. I'm blaming Canada, as it appears the package landed in Toronto in late September. So, thank you Canadian postal service, for this serendipitous delay 😂

LapReader So pleased to hear it‘s not Australia Post‘s fault again! 6y

LapReader And happy birthday you patient woman xo 6y

Whodunit85 @LapReader Thank you 😊 6y

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laur89

The Book of Lost Things: A Novel | John Connolly

Thanksgiving break is for reading, drinking coffee, and most importantly, staying in bed.

#coffee #teachersoflitsy #thankful #grateful #HocusPocusSwap #litsymail

madamereadsalot1 Absolutely LOVE that book! 6y

Jee_HookedOnBookz I have the same bookmark! 😁 6y

laur89 @madamereadsalot1 I‘m enjoying it so far! The writing is very descriptive so I‘ve got a good movie going in my head 😁 @Jee_HookedOnBookz It‘s my favorite (and only) bookmark ❤️☕️ 6y

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LittleBug

This Monstrous Thing | Mackenzi Lee

pick

Finished my first book from the #HocusPocusSwap and loved it!! Thanks so much @inthegreensandblues !!

Everything I disliked about Mary Shelley‘s Frankenstein, Mackenzi Lee does absolutely right. She turns a story about a spoiled, arrogant boy, into one of love between brothers, of doubting oneself yet still knowing to do the right thing.
And I didn‘t mind the steampunk additions one bit😁

#12Littens12books

inthegreensandblues 😄 I'm glad you liked it! 6y

37 likes1 comment

monalyisha

The End | David LaRochelle

KNOW THYSELF:
I'm a scatterbrained perfectionist (it's my cusp nature; I'm a walking, sometimes floating, contradiction). This means I have exacting standards & a deep-seated need for all rough edges to be smoothed. However, it also means that I'm often sitting on the scissors I'm looking for that I'd need in order to achieve my ends (I wish this were just a pointed metaphor - & it is - but it's also been a very pointy reality).

Cont‘d below👇🏻

monalyisha 1/2: TO THINE OWN SELF BE TRUE:
I'm glad I tried it... but the tea leaves, crystal ball, & scrying mirror all show the same thing: I don't see myself running future swaps. I'm stepping down as the (self-appointed 😅) High Priestess of the Litsy Coven. I'd gladly participate in solstice/equinox swaps in the future (if you‘re so inclined, take the spirit & run with it!) but I don't think I'm host material. 6y

monalyisha 2/2: From my experience, I‘ve learned that it‘d be handy for a host to have some combination of a tough 'tude, deep pockets, &/or meticulous spreadsheets -- & I fall short on that particular Power of Three on all counts. Thanks for being awesome, #WitchPleaseSwap-pers, & for the learning experience! I hope you had a Happy Samhain! Your grateful, joyous posts ensured I did. 🖤 6y

Lindy 🌹 6y

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BethM Thank you for hosting I really enjoyed it! I hope someone picks it up, and I‘m sorry it wasn‘t the experience you were hoping for. 6y

monalyisha @BethM Me too! It‘s not that it was a bad experience, it was just a TON of work & I get way too caught up when people don‘t have perfect experiences. I feel personally responsible, even if the fault was with the postal service &/or irresponsible participants. The majority of the experience was SO COOL & people were SO GENEROUS, but I have a hard time not focusing on the glitches. Overall, it was positive! Just not a good fit for my character. 6y

BookwormAHN 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 6y

WeeziesBooks Thank you for hosting! And also bravo for realizing it might not be for you! Hosting seems like a job for a certain kind of person... I know I personally would not have the patience with people to do one. You did a great job, though! 6y

monalyisha Thanks @WeeziesBooks 🖤! I feel like it‘s important to be honest with yourself... & with others. I debated not sharing (I don‘t want people to think it‘s their fault; almost everyone was INCREDIBLE, & by the numbers the swap was a super-success!) — but if other people are considering hosting, they should know the full-range of experiences, right? Knowledge is power. 💪💡🌸 (edited) 6y

julesG Thank you for hosting! I see personality resemblances between the two of us, hence I totally understand why you put so much effort into the swap hosting and am very grateful for your effort. But I also understand your reasons for not hosting again. Still, thank you very much. Remember, problems happen during swaps, but they are not your fault. 😘 6y

alisiakae You did an amazing job!! But I can understand not wanting to host again. 😂 I might be willing to organize it next year since I already do the #screamathon challenge in October, esp if someone else would want to be a co-host. Also, not sure if it is still active, but there was a page that kept a list of Littens willing to send out swap packages for people whose swap partner was a dud. Not sure if it is still active or not? 6y

BethM @4thhouseontheleft I‘m not sure there‘s a page per say but typically hosts post we need X amount of replacement boxes and people volunteer right up. I know there‘s been volunteers for the 3 missing #hocuspocusswap boxes that @rather_be_reading hosted. 6y

monalyisha Thanks @BethM & @4thhouseontheleft I‘m planning to create a post in the next day or two, & if that doesn‘t work I‘m in contact with an old-hat who‘s been advising me about snags. 👍🏻 I might have to tap her if my post doesn‘t yield results (but I bet it will)! 😊 I‘m also reporting anyone who failed to meet the requirements to her (for the All Powerful list, which bans Littens from future swaps). Thanks for your help! 6y

monalyisha Thanks @julesG! I know things aren‘t my fault, so that‘s a plus. But it‘s hard not to give in to the desire to try to fix everything myself (which just isn‘t financially feasible)! I‘m on it, though. 💖 6y

alisiakae @BethM I think the Littens who ran @LitsySwaps may have been keeping a list of people who would step in to help. That was earlier this year. 6y

mauveandrosysky I honestly wouldn‘t even think about putting myself through the stress of hosting one of these things so I give you tons of credit for going out of your comfort zone and trying it out! 😂 I totally don‘t blame you for never wanting to do it again. (It was tons of fun though for us participants!) 6y

monalyisha @mauveandrosysky Thanks for the positive feedback! It‘s meaningful. 🖤 6y

StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego There was definitely someone who was organizing/ taking names of people to do replacement swaps packages when needed. I know I put my name down. But it was earlier in the year, and now I don't remember who was doing that? @4thhouseontheleft 6y

StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego You did a great job, and this was a fun swap. But I can see how it would be stressful. 6y

Clare-Dragonfly I totally understand! I was barely up for the effort of participating 😅 I think you did a great job and started a great swap. Maybe next year someone else will pick it up and the greatness will continue! 6y

CampbellTaraL I understand your not wanting to host another swap, but you were so creative and funny (punny!) while very organized which made an awesome first time experience for me. Thank you! You've set a pretty high bar in my book. 😊 6y

Maewyn I too thought you did an excellent job and even though this is my first time in a swap I can't imagine it being more organized. ^.^ 6y

laurieluna I just want to say thank you. Thank you for doing this swap. It may not have gone wholly to plan but it has shown me how many wicked Wiccans and Witches there are on Litsy, for which I am very grateful. Xx 6y

BethM @monalyisha if you have someone in need of a smaller box I‘d be willing to do one. If you could get me info so I could shop this weekend that would be great. 6y

monalyisha @BethM I accidentally left my highlighted list of folks at home on my bedside table today (I have the day off on Sunday & plenty of time to assess, plus that will have given the full mailing week for late packages to arrive). But — I think the only Littens in need of replacement packages are international. So, even if it were a smaller box, there‘s still the shipping to contend with. If you‘re still interested, let me know & I‘ll tag you tonight! 6y

BethM International would be out of my budget but if you unearth a US Litten in need let me know. 6y

monalyisha @BethM Thanks for volunteering. 😊 Will do! 6y

JenlovesJT47 Thank you again for hosting! If you have anyone that needs a replacement, there is a list of people that we have who are willing to do that. 😊 6y

monalyisha @JenlovesJT47 I‘ll be taking the final tally tonight & will definitely be hitting that up! Thank you. 💖 6y

Chrissyreadit @monalyisha just reading this now! I‘ve been on the fence for hosting a swap and for your reasons. I‘m glad you spoke up. This was my favorite swap including seeing what others received. I really want to explore more Wicca now. 6y

monalyisha @Chrissyreadit Thanks! I appreciate you letting me know how much you enjoyed it. 💕 I think being a host is not for everyone. The superstars on here make it look so easy! But if you‘re an anxious person, or not methodical, or tender-hearted, it might not be for you! Or, it totally could be! But it wasn‘t really for me. 😬 6y

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