Hooked on Books discussion

Ask at YOUR OWN PERIL
Honestly, I don't really recommend it....

Ashley wrote: "Ask at YOUR OWN PERIL
Honestly, I don't really recommend it...."

I’m game 😂😂😂

Can I use books from the tasks for my spellout as well? Or are they on top of my tasks?

And my core tasks is “Read a book by an author you’ve never read before” As an easy participant I have to read optionals 1 & 2

Am I right in thinking these two optionals are to “read new for me authors” as well - but each of them have to be different - so three authors I have never read before in total?

I can’t see any other hints on the spreadsheet like author I’ve never read published in October or 2025 as given in your example.

Ok - that’s it - waiting for the sword to fall or an answer - which ever come a first 😂😂😂😱

Sally906 wrote: "Can I use books from the tasks for my spellout as well? Or are they on top of my tasks?"

Nope, no double-dipping allowed. Because you asked, you, specifically, now must include an extra line in every justification this month declaring your undying love for me. Consider it your penance for obvious questions!

As far as your second question - this is your one opportunity to... rethink asking me... If you do choose to ask again... I will answer you.... maybe.

Gulp!

Oh great and mighty moderator - I bow to your ruling with a happy heart and admiration.

What is the Chaos bonus?

⭐ Chaos Bonus — Parameters (Sort Of)

This bonus is awarded when… well… something happens. Maybe it’s how you interpret a task. Maybe it’s what book you pick. Maybe it’s what you post at 2 a.m. when your brain has fully dissolved into alphabet soup.

Just know this: Chaos is noticed.
Not necessarily rewarded… but noticed.

The only solid parameter?
If you try to game the system, you definitely won't get it.

(Probably.)

🔥 MAYHEM Award — "Criteria" (If You Can Call It That)

This one goes to someone who embodies the true spirit of mayhem. That could mean:

Doing something unhinged in a productive way
Surprising the mods (not always a good idea)
A creative choice that nobody asked for but everyone remembers
Accidentally causing a butterfly-effect disaster

Or maybe it's none of those things.
Maybe it's the vibe.
Maybe it's fate.
Maybe it's a dartboard.

You'll never know.
We'll never admit it.

But you could win it.

I just want to check that my SS is operating as designed, no points came up for Devoted in Death in the spellout
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

Catsalive wrote: "I just want to check that my SS is operating as designed, no points came up for Devoted in Death in the spellout
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/......"

Your date was Dec 3 2026

Ashley wrote: "Catsalive wrote: "I just want to check that my SS is operating as designed, no points came up for Devoted in Death in the spellout
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/......"

Groan! I guess the answer is, yes, the SS is working perfectly, but I'm broken.

Ashley wrote: "⭐ Chaos Bonus — Parameters (Sort Of)

This bonus is awarded when… well… something happens. Maybe it’s how you interpret a task. Maybe it’s what book you pick. Maybe it’s what you post at 2 a.m. whe..."

LOL I love it! I love surprises (usually) and that's like a huge mystery...so fun! Or is it? lol

Vicki wrote: "I love surprises (usually)"

Careful about tempting/poking the chaos master, Vicki! 👀

The Spellout points aren't pulling into the Team Tasks tab on our spreadsheet. It looks like an easy fix, but I didn't want to mess with your formulas!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

I chose Ultimate for January. My core task is:

Read a book by an author you’ve never read before.

So I've done my first book. Then I added a 2nd book. At the time I did not see this:

Optional 1 2 + debut novel.
Optional 2 3 + you picked it for the cover only.

Optional 1 is in the 2nd line where I added my 2nd book. Does my 2nd book have to also be a debut author? If not, will it not count? What if it fits better for Optional 2? Does it have to go in the order you listed it?

Since this question is answered directly in the posted rules and examples, no points will be removed. However, a Minor Silly Consequence™ has been issued.

📌 Consequence:
For the remainder of the month, you must add the following sentence to the end of every book justification you post:

"Yes, I read the rules. Yes, this still counts."

No substitutions. No abbreviations. Copy/paste is encouraged.

Carry on. Read books. We’re done here.

There was an announcement... 💅

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

What date are you likely to release the new tasks and spell-out each month? I'm looking forward to planning my books for Feb :)

Everything should be available now.

Ashley wrote: "Everything should be available now."

I still don't have a level for Feb on my sheet.

Ashley wrote: "Everything should be available now."

No level or task for feb on spreadsheet

I just checked ours - i see spell out but not tasks?

And our difficulty level isn't updated/showing at all so maybe that's why tasks haven't dropped in officially?

Alright, give me a minute (or several) the formulas are ... formulaing.
I'm going to do it manually

Ok, I think everyone should be set (with the exception of Sally and Castalive - bear with me, I have to get Lisa to fix something before yours will be set) - if your level is incorrect, it's my fault, and you can let me know what it's supposed to be here.

Ours is still not. The Dream Team - we were upgrading to Hard.

still no tasks or level

I'm not seeing anything either - Team Bound and Determined - upgrading to hard as well

danielle wrote: "Ours is still not. The Dream Team - we were upgrading to Hard."

Fixed

Ok, check now!

Looks good thank you so much for your hard work!!

looks good thanks

Without spoiling anything, may I get clarification on what counts for doubling? I suspect it could be double letters in title or author’s name, or double words in title, for example. Thank you!

Ruth wrote: "Without spoiling anything, may I get clarification on what counts for doubling? I suspect it could be double letters in title or author’s name, or double words in title, for example. Thank you!"

The Ancient Question of Doubling™ has been officially… noticed.

What counts as “doubling”?
✅ Double letters anywhere in the title or author’s name (oo, ll, ss, etc.)
✅ A repeated word in the title (Very Very, Again Again, etc.)
🤷‍♀️ Anything else that feels double-y? Well… maybe. The Chaos Bonus is watching 👀

Because you asked about doubling… 🔁 every time you say the word “book” in the group during February, you must say it twice. I will be checking. 😏

"+ your edition’s cover is mirrored."

reflection or mirror on cover, very similar cover to another book book, some sort of duplication on the cover?

... Sounds... mirror-y to me.

But, since you asked, make sure you add the phrase "Magic mirror on the wall, who's the best mod of them all?" and your pick for the best mod ever to every justification.

Ashley , for our main task for march
Read a book whose title starts with the letter assigned to you.

Is this our initial and if so our real name or GR name ..or have we missed a letter weve been assigned

They have not been assigned yet, I will be doing that either today or tomorrow.

LETTERS HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED... hope you're paying attention...

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

FINAL LETTERS HAVE BEEN POSTED IN THE STEAL THREAD!

Ya'll better not ask me what your letter is, because it's in 2 places and there will be consequences...


Bubbles — M
Anastasia — S 😈
Sarah — Q 😈
Michelle — A
Sally — L
Catsalive — C
Shan A — Z 😈
C — R
Izzy — P
Team Nameless — D
The Dream Team — W
Upton — K
Geri — E
Sarah R — F
Ruth — B
Teresa — O
The Book Dreamers — H
Bound and Determined — I
Sophie — G
Susan — Y
Christene — T
Jessica S — J
Jackie — V
Eunice — U
Jessica — N
Cindy — X 😈

ashley when will level and tasks for march appear on spreadsheet?

They should have already, let me look into it

Hi Ashley, I’m having the same experience as Sophie. My Spell Out letters have been on the SS for a couple of days, but not the Difficulty Level or Core Task. Still waiting for those. Thank you for looking into this. 💐

Me too!

On our spell out it says author first and last name twice. I'm assuming it's meant to say main character first last and name but just want to check since you never know with this challenge 😂

I am asking, more so begging that subtitles can be included in find 3 of your letters in the title. I'm losing my mind. This is what I'm hoping to use: YUMEJUTSU - The Art Of Achieving One's Dreams: Your Journey To Discover Japanese Philosophy

Amanda wrote: "On our spell out it says author first and last name twice. I'm assuming it's meant to say main character first last and name but just want to check since you never know with this challenge 😂"

Honestly, at this point, I think the spreadsheets are also in chaos mode. I'm going to have Lisa look at it, because that is.... bizarre.

Jessica wrote: "I am asking, more so begging that subtitles can be included in find 3 of your letters in the title. I'm losing my mind. This is what I'm hoping to use: [book:YUMEJUTSU - The Art Of Achieving One's ..."

Tsk tsk! Begging, when you could be CHAOTIC? I refuse to answer. 😈😈🎉🍹😵‍💫🃏🤐🤪🤡