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 12:
🔐 Richard
amy blanton

Hullooo checking in & clicking the Notify thingy

Hi! I just figured out how to find this chat!

Haha same here 😆

Any preference on Team Name? I like puns & wordplay.

Here are a couple I've come up with:

Pandora's Books
Unlocked Prose

I like unlocked prose.

I’m trying to come up with something lock or keys but coming up blank at the moment

Keyed up reads.
Thats all I got

Ok, I'll check us in with Unlocked Prose?

Sounds good

I don't think we've met before, so here's a bit about me.

Richard's the name, reading's the game. From Australia.

I only like to read non-fiction, across many subjects. I just have a passion for learning new things & becoming a better human than my past self. 🤓

Hi. I’m Amy. From Indiana USA.

Reading is my favorite hobby. It calms my mind and soul.

Im into all things dark and twisty, dark romance, thriller, non fiction serial killer/true crime.

Have you seen our prompt yet, Richard?

I've checked in, so when a mod sees it, they'll put the prompt in here.

Thanks

amy blanton wrote: "Have you seen our prompt yet, Richard?"

I found this, in case you were wondering what's happening:

"The first prompt will arrive on Sunday, September 6th at 6pm CT."

Thanks!!

Copied from another thread:

🔐 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.

Well this is very thought provoking.

Week: 1

Book: Autism Feels ...: An Earthling's Guide
Author: Orion Kelly
Pages: 332
Reflection: I'm autistic. I'm a lateral thinker.

Week 1
Book: Beyond the Thistles by Samantha Young

Reflect: my love of reading came after a messy divorce and a move two states away with small kids. That is the story line of this book. Also the MFC and I both found new happiness.

How was your week, Richard? Did you enjoy the book you read?

I've checked us in.

I found it an excellent book, in my journey of learning more about my neurodivergence.

But I'm struggling in life right now.

How was your week & book, Amy?

I’m sorry it’s a struggle right now. It was a tougher than usual week here also.

I enjoyed my book. For it being fiction, it really hit close to home for me.

🗝️ 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. Take this prompt and respond to each other—no more steps required.

I learned that both Amy & I like to read books that parallel our own experiences.

I’ve learned that Richard and I both read different books (him non fiction and me fiction) but both use them to learn about ourselves.

Week 2

I picked The pumpkin Spice Spell by Erin Branscom

The cover has a coffee/book shop, a black cat, leaves and pumpkins.
Not only does it have all my favorite things but also has all the fall vibes that I love.

The book was as cozy and cute as the cover.

Richard, did you check is in for week 2?

Week 2

Book: Different, Not Less: A Neurodivergent's Guide to Embracing Your True Self and Finding Your Happily Ever After
Author: Chloé Hayden
Pages: 283
Reflection: - many rainbows

amy blanton wrote: "Richard, did you check is in for week 2?"

Did you finish your week 2 book?

Yes I posted 2 days ago. I don’t know how to make them a link like yours though

Ok, I'll check us in

I thought you were telling me the book you were choosing...I didn't realise that was your completion post.

amy blanton wrote: "how to make them a link"

To make a link of a comment, right-click the part of the comment that has the time & date or "2 hours ago" (for example), then choose the option that says Copy Link.

Hope that helps.

I think when we check-in, we do it as a team, not individually. But at least you know how to link to any comment now. :)

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

What do you think your partner would have expected from your cover—and were they right?

You’ve opened the lock; the rest is dialogue. Respond to each other here, and let the box stay open.

I'm not really sure what the question means...

I guess Amy would think my book would be about rainbows?

This is very confusing lol. Richard I did not think rainbows, but knowing you read non fiction, I excepted neutral colors with just the title.

As far as what I thought Richard would think, I have no clue lol. Since I have been reading romance, my best guess would be that he expected a kissing couple.

You are correct. A non-fiction memoir about a neurodivergent girl

I thought I saw a week 3 prompt before but I’m not seeing it now

Yes, I deleted it, because I didn't realise there would be a Week 2 Response task.

🔐 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

Book: The Five Longings: What We've Always Wanted--and Already Have
Author: David Richo
Pages: 192
Reflection: A book I've been avoiding. It's a philosophical self-help book. With my current cognitive struggles (constant headaches, confusion, tinnitus, & brain fog), even reading one page takes a long time. And philosophy is hard.

Week 3

Book: Self discipline in 60 mins: 7 simple habits for overcoming procrastination by William Jacobson

Procrastination is a big downfall of mine and something I am lacking in my life but need to work on.

This is out of my comfort zone as I don’t typically read self help.

I checked us in

🗝️ 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 did your partner’s choice reveal about what they might be ready for now—even if they weren’t before?

I think a book that would work for Amy is a fiction book that infuses self-help within the story. That learning might be more palatable for her.

Suggestions:
The Alchemist
The Richest Man in Babylon
Chop Wood Carry Water: How to Fall In Love With the Process of Becoming Great

Thank you for the suggestions, Richard. I will definitely be looking into them.

For Richard, I think he may enjoy an autobiography or memoir of someone with similar characteristics that he has.

🔐 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.

Your partner has to guess how you feel about it.

I'm sorry about this Amy...my cognitive struggles have increased.

With my autistic burnout, I have: chronic mental & physical fatigue, working memory problems, oversensitivity issues (lights, sounds, & smells), nausea, social anxiety, executive disfunction (planning, focus, motivation), constant concentration headaches, tinnitus, confusion, brain fog...

I find it incredibly difficult to focus on anything - including whatever I'm trying to communicate at the time.

Also not enjoying anything I used to enjoy doing, like reading. Which for me, is devastating & depressing.

So I'm going to have to drop our of all my current reading challenges, to remove the reading pressure & stress.

I'll notify MN Lisa, to get a replacement player for you.

I’m sorry to hear this Richard, I wish you the best! It’s been nice getting to know you

Thanks Amy. It was lovely to meet you.

For procrastination, that recommendation of Chop Wood Carry Water: How to Fall In Love With the Process of Becoming Great would be best suited for you.