Hooked on Books discussion

🔐 Welcome to Your Box.

The lock is real. The box is closed. But the two of you? You have the keys.

This is your personal team thread. Each week, you’ll receive a new reading prompt. Each of you will choose a book, read it, and post your reflection here. Once both reflections are posted, a key turns—and the box reveals a message just for you.

You must complete all 12 keyholes to open the box in Week 13.

You can use this thread for:
🔐 Weekly reflections
🔐 Talking with your partner
🔐 Celebrating when a new lock opens

Your first prompt arrives Sunday at 6pm CT. You’ll know it when you see it.

Until then: get to know each other. Decide who’s reading what.
And whatever you do… don’t open it yet.

📖 Weekly Check-In Format
When you finish your book, post the info below in this thread to let your partner know you're ready. Once both of you have posted your reflections, one of you should check in on the main thread to unlock your keyhole.

• Week: (e.g., Week 1)
• Book Title:
• Author:
• Page Count:
• Reflection: Your response to the week’s prompt.

🔎 Weekly Check-In Thread
This is how your keyhole gets unlocked.
No check-in, no click.

How to check in:
Just post your team name and a link to your team thread.

Example:
Team: The Locked Hearts
Thread: [insert link here]

Once I see your check-in, your message will appear in your thread—if you’ve earned it.

Team 2:
🔐 Shan ~A~
🗝️ Anastasia

If we're choosing team names, I just want to say I suck. I could only think of The Locksmiths.

Hopefully you have better ideas.

Should we do check-ins like we have in other challenges? Last person to complete book checks us in?

Hi Shan,
some name ideas: Locksmith Legends, Alohomora, Open Sesame, Key Impressionists, The lock whisperers
Sounds good with the check-ins

Good names. I'm partial to alliterative names so Locksmith Legends would usually be my first choice, but I also really like the others that you came up with.

Maybe randomize or choose the one you like most.

I'm happy with whatever, so you choose. Locksmith Legends is fine if you want that one.

🔐 Week 1 Prompt: What You Bring With You
Some locks don’t need a key—they open for what you carry.
Choose a book that reflects something you bring to this partnership:
a personality trait, a past experience, a strength, a flaw—anything that shapes how you read and relate.

Each of you will choose your own book and explain what you're bringing to the box.

• Week: 🔐 Week 1 Prompt: What You Bring With You
• Book Title: Fudge and Jury
• Author: Ellie Alexander
• Page Count: 297
• Reflection: This book reflects my love of reading mysteries, especially culinary cozy mysteries. I am especially a chocolate lover and I also enjoy good food, all of which is in this book. I enjoy trying out some of the recipes and some have become favourites although a few duds along the way. A box of chocolates paired with a good book is my ultimate luxury and make wonderful gifts.

• Week 1: What You Bring with You
• Book Title: Beyond the Highland Mist
• Author: Karen Marie Moning
• Page Count: 400
• Reflection: The book reflects my love of romance. The book and author reflect my dedication and loyalty. Those are two words that are in the list of words that I would use to describe me in my everyday life as well. If I love and/or care about you, we're ride or die from day 1. I was introduced to this author with this book years ago when it was given to me by my supervisor at the time. I loved her and we both loved to read. The author became an auto buy after that, so I own all of her books, and have reread this series every year since I first read it.

🗝️ Week 1 Response
This box doesn’t open on its own.
It opened because you showed up as yourself.

What did you learn about each other through these picks?

Every keyhole opens to conversation. What matters now is how you respond to each other. You do not need to "check-in" these responses.

I learnt that although we both love reading, our tastes are vastly different. Pure romance is something I detest and avoid. I think that is what make us great partners as we like different things. I think the closest equivalent in mystery and crime for me would be the J.D. Robb series which is also set in the future and is heavy on romance and this is one of my favourite series. I too have read these several times and look forward to each new release.

I agree with Anastasia when she says our reading differences make us strong teammates. Plus, the fact that we're both voracious readers in our way.

What I did learn today is that we both like mysteries, I just don't read them as often, but I still have not found a cozy mystery that has made me want to read them more than necessary for challenge purposes.

We also both love chocolate. However, I only cook because I have to. Whereas she likes to try new recipes. This would be another way we would be good together because she loves to try new recipes and I love to eat. 😂
Feed me Anastasia!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Have slowed down a lot with my cooking now as only myself and my husband at home and he is fussy with what he likes. We tend to eat out a lot now. Have had a few disasters so it may be a bit risky eating my cooking. I think some of the ingredients and recipes from the U.S. don't translate well into Aussie. Cakes and desserts are my specialties though. I have a wonderful chocolate cake that is always a hit.

We are basically the same. We went from cooking for 6+ to everyone eating at different times and eating out after the kids start moving out for jobs or college.

I did do more cooking over the summer, but that was because my youngest daughter was home from school, and my son had my grandkids. Now we're back to mainly eating out again.

🔐 Week 2 Prompt: Judge This Book
Some locks don’t care what’s inside—only how it looks.
Choose a book based solely on the cover.
No blurbs. No reviews. No second guesses. Just vibes.

OMG! I don't know if I've ever done that. Well, I've picked up books because the cover was interesting, but I always read the blurb. The only time I've started a book without any of that is if it was recommended by someone I know or in a reader's group.

Maybe I used to do this in the past and just don't recall.

I'm sure you probably don't remember the blurbs on your TBR list, so I would just pick one where the cover calls to you. That is what I did

Great idea! I may also just log onto hoopla and put in a genre and just go with. At least I'll know I have access to it right away.

I don't know why I didn't think about TBR though.

🔐 Week 2 Prompt: Judge This Book
• Week: 2
• Book Title: Death by Dickens
• Author: Penelope Cress
• Page Count: 267
• Reflection: The cover grabbed me. First being yellow, it stood out and I loved the picture of the 2 dogs. Pomeranians are some of my favourites. Cozy mysteries about books are one of my favourite styles and the stabbed pile of books just called to me.

🔐 Week 2 Prompt: Judge This Book
Choose a book based solely on the cover.
Book/Author: The Royal Obsession by Milana Jacks

Page: 318
Reflection: I grabbed this since I needed a book with a crown on the cover for another challenge. After finishing I wished I would have read reviews. This is the epitome of not judging a book by its cover, because it was just ok.

checked in

Shan ~A~ wrote: "checked in"

Thanks, Shan.

🗝️ Week 2 Response
Looks can be deceiving.
But sometimes… they’re not.

If your partner had chosen your cover instead, how do you think their reading experience would differ from yours?

Each unlock is an invitation. What matters now is how you respond and continue the conversation—nothing more is needed.

🗝️ Week 2 Response
Reflection: I honestly think that Anastasia would have disliked this book more than I did, and not just because she doesn't normally read romance. It didn't really have a lot to offer past that. I was rolling my eyes in the first few pages. I laugh to think of her response.

You are right, I would have hated it, even the cover doesn't appeal to me.

I don't think Shan would have fared much better if she had chosen my cover as I know that she doesn't like cozies and this was a very typical one. It was a spin off another series from one of my favourite authors and I don't think this new author captured his style very well. It was okay, but I think you have to be a cozy fan to enjoy it and be familar with the original series.

You got me pegged. It probably would have felt like torture. 😂

🔐 Week 3 Prompt: Your Missing Piece
Some locks stay closed because something’s missing.
Choose a book that fills a gap in your reading life—something you’ve been avoiding, neglecting, or meaning to try.
Even better if it’s outside your comfort zone.

🔐 Week 3 Prompt: Your Missing Piece

• Week: Week 3
• Book Title: The Night Tiger
• Author: Yangsze Choo
• Page Count: 372
• Reflection: I don't like fantasy or magical realism as well as historical and was avoiding this book despite it fitting a few challenges but finally went ahead. It was not the book for me as I found it boring but it did have a great ending. I can see why others like it and I am glad I can mark it off as read now.

🔐 Week 3 Prompt: Your Missing Piece
Choose a book that fills a gap in your reading life—something you’ve been avoiding, neglecting, or meaning to try.
Even better if it’s outside your comfort zone.
Book/Author: Silver Nitrate by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Finished: 09/23
Page Count: 323
Reflection: No out of my comfort zone as I usually read MPG Horror sporadically throughout the year and try to read more this time of year through October. However, I added this book to my TBR in 2023 and have been continuously putting it off. I'm glad I finally read it although I sometimes don't get the horror designation with some books that are shelved that way. This had sorcery/magic, but nothing that was scary which I equate to horror. This was more paranormal to me.

We're checked in

Shan ~A~ wrote: "We're checked in"
Thanks Shan

🗝️ Week 3 Response
This key slipped into place like it had been waiting for you.
Maybe the stories we resist are the ones we need most.

What gap do you think your partner’s book filled for them—and was it the one you expected?

🗝️ Week 3 Response
What gap do you think your partner’s book filled for them—and was it the one you expected?
Reflection: Considering she didn't like the book I believe the only gap it filled was a waste of time and it's no surprise as it's not her cuppa on any level.

It sounds that Shan enjoyed her book, even though she had been putting it off and it didn't scare her as much as she expected. A great lead in to horror month of October leading up to Halloween for her and one that she could mark off her TBR list.

Shan ~A~ wrote: "🗝️ Week 3 Response
What gap do you think your partner’s book filled for them—and was it the one you expected?
Reflection: Considering she didn't like the book I believe the only gap it filled was a..."

You are right that I hated the book, but being a buddy read for the month, it gave me lots of points for the various challenges so glad that I got through it from that point.

Anastasia wrote: "It sounds that Shan enjoyed her book, even though she had been putting it off and it didn't scare her as much as she expected. A great lead in to horror month of October leading up to Halloween for..."

Yes. I was glad I finally read it. It also worked for a couple challenges as well, so that's always a nice bonus.

I'm happy your book worked from the challenge aspect, even if I wish that we enjoyed every book we decided to read.

Shan ~A~ wrote: "Anastasia wrote: "It sounds that Shan enjoyed her book, even though she had been putting it off and it didn't scare her as much as she expected. A great lead in to horror month of October leading u..."

Everyone has different tastes and likes, which is why there are so many different books to choose from but so far all the buddy read books that I have read from this group have been awful for me. I originally bought this one thinking it was set in China thinking it may work for the impossible challenge, only after I got it I realised it was set in Malaysia instead. I am glad that I read it as didn't want to waste a buy. Unfortunately I still have a massive shelf of books that I have bought that I want to read but somehow they keep getting left behind. For books that I want to read I like to take my time with them, which often doesn't work with challenges.

Sorry it wasn't enjoyable. I hope it was on sale at least.

I only buy new author's if they are on sale, otherwise it's the library for me. I'd be so pissed if I spent full price for a book and then didn't like it.

I can't remember the last time I participated in a group buddy read. They haven't appealed to me in a while.

🔐 Week 4 Prompt: Pick a Trope, Any Trope
This lock is a little more dramatic than the others. It wants a twist.
Choose a book with a trope you either love, hate, or can’t stop reading.
Enemies to lovers. Found family. Secret royalty. You know the type.

🔐 Week 4 Prompt: Pick a Trope, Any Trope
Choose a book with a trope you either love, hate, or can’t stop reading.
Book/Author: Only For Tonight by Natasha Madison
Page Count: 463
Reflection: Surprise baby trope is one that I enjoy, even more when it's a secret surprise baby. In this book it wasn't a secret. Two people who grew up together had a one-night stand, followed safety protocols and she still ended up pregnant. I laughed a lot, but there were moments that had me rolling my eyes. The laughter saved it though.

🔐 Week 4 Prompt: Pick a Trope, Any Trope
Choose a book with a trope you either love, hate, or can’t stop reading.
• Week: Week 4
• Book Title: Aisle Kill Him
• Author: Steve Higgs
• Page Count: 530
• Reflection: The amateur sleuth trope is one of my favourites and started with Agatha Christie's Miss Marple although some of the more recent sleuths have been not as smart. Felicity Phillips is a wedding planner which is a bit strange for a sleuth but makes for an entertaining book although she does not do too well in the sleuthing department.

We are checked in

Anastasia wrote: "We are checked in"

Thanks!

🔐 Week 5 Prompt: Through Their Eyes
The fifth lock is not yours to open alone.
Choose a book that helps you better understand someone else’s perspective—real or fictional, historical or contemporary.
Someone different from you.

🗝️ Week 4 Response
Some keys are forged in pattern.
Whether you leaned in or tried to break free, you told us something.

Were you right about how your partner felt about their trope—or totally off?

🔐 Week 5 Prompt: Through Their Eyes
Choose a book that helps you better understand someone else’s perspective—real or fictional, historical or contemporary.
Double, Double, Toil and Truffle by H.Y. Hanna
Date read: 06/10/2025
How it fits: Told from perspective of Caitlyn Le Fey, who has discovered she is a witch with a grandmother in Tilleyhenge in England. She is becoming more confident in her magical abilities but this is causing her relationship problems. Fictional and completely different to me, both in age and maturity, but similar in wanting to help others.

🗝️ Week 4 Response
Were you right about how your partner felt about their trope—or totally off?
Response: It looks like we both picked tropes that we love, which is no surprise since we both like to actually read thing that we know or at least think we will enjoy. I believe that we both tend to read outside of that when we're taking once for the team in a challenge.

All that to say that no I was not surprised.

🔐 Week 5 Prompt: Through Their Eyes
Choose a book that helps you better understand someone else’s perspective—real or fictional, historical or contemporary.
Someone different from you.
Book/Author: Axle by Bianca Lee Ward
Finished: 10/06
How it fits; Elena's personality is so far from mine it's ridiculous. She's this young woman who has been under her parent's thumb her entire life and is finally getting a taste of freedom, but she has no clue how to read people. Everyone around her in this new environment is nasty to her, even the one she thinks is her friend at work. I would have clocked immediately that these people and especially this woman was not looking out for my best interest.

checked in