Hooked on Books discussion
Curious Patterns
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Mod
Welcome!
This thread is your space as you move through the challenge, one Chapter at a time.
A few quick reminders:
• For each Chapter, choose one task
• Post your completed task in this thread using the format below
• Check in by posting a link to that post in the Check-Ins & Completions thread
• The next Chapter will be provided after you’ve checked in
📝 Posting Your Progress
Use the format below:
Chapter # and Title: (Example: #1 - Bridge & Flow)
Task:
Book/Author:
Date completed:
How it fits:
⏭️ Skips
A limited number of skips are available if needed.
To use a skip, note it in your thread, then check in as usual to receive the next Chapter.
(Optional: you may include a brief note if you’d like to share your reasoning.)
📌 Before You Begin
Before the challenge begins, please check in using the Check-Ins & Completions thread to:
• Request a solo name (optional)
• If you would like to change your tier selection
• Let me know you're ready to begin
Once that’s set, you’ll be ready when the first Chapter is released.
Mod
Paris, the “City of Light,” has 37 bridges crossing the Seine and—surprisingly—no stop signs within the city limits, shaping how people move through the city.
📚 Choose ONE:
Read a book where...
🥖 Food or shared meals are part of the story.
📜 The history of a place or its past is explored.
👣 A character has to navigate unfamiliar surroundings.
🗺️ The setting strongly influences what happens in the story.
💭 A character’s emotional response to a place is a clear focus of the story.
Chapter # and Title: Chapter #1-Bridge & FlowTask: A character has to navigate unfamiliar surroundings
Book/Author: When You're Gone by Marguerite O'Callaghan
Date completed: 5/6/26
How it fits: Lydia has to navigate unfamiliar surroundings when she tries to put herself in her missing twin sister Kate's shoes, doing the things she did and going to the places she frequented.
Mod
In Switzerland, it’s illegal to own just one guinea pig. Because they are highly social animals, keeping one alone is considered animal abuse—they need companionship to stay healthy and happy.
📚 Choose ONE:
Read a book where...
🫶 Characters grow close over time.
🐾 An animal or pet plays a role in the story.
🧍 A character is largely alone or without companionship.
🌉 Two characters from very different backgrounds become friends.
🤝 Two characters depend on each other to get through a difficult situation.
Chapter # and Title: Chapter #2-Better TogetherTask: Read a book where two characters depend on each other to get through a difficult situation
Book/Author: The Cellar by Natasha Preston
Date completed: 5/9/26
How it fits: Summer gets kidnapped and she has to rely on the other girls that were kidnapped before her to survive.
Mod
Finland has ranked as the happiest country in the world for seven years in a row, with high levels of trust, safety, and quality of life contributing to everyday well-being.
📚 Choose ONE:
Read a book where...
😌 A character is content with their life.
🌿 The atmosphere is calm or slow-paced.
🕯️ A character finds comfort in a familiar routine.
🕳️ A character struggles with loneliness or isolation.
🏡 Much of the story takes place in or around the home.
Chapter # and Title: Chapter #3-ContentmantTask: Read a book where a character struggles with loneliness of isolation
Book/Author: Incubus Dreams by Laurell K. Hamilton
Date completed: 6/2/26
How it fits: Damien struggles with loneliness and a little bit of isolation, and he struggles with it badly so when Anita, Damian and Nathaniel create the triumvirate they all experience that deep loneliness.
Mod
The word for the fear of long words is hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia. It was intentionally created as a linguistic prank, combining elements meaning “monster” and “hippopotamus” to make the term as intimidating as possible.
📚 Choose ONE:
Read a book where...
🤐 A character struggles to express themselves.
✍️ The writing style is distinctive or memorable.
😬 A character says something that has unintended consequences.
💬 The way characters communicate is a central focus of the story.
❗ A misunderstanding between characters changes the course of the story.
Chapter # and Title: Chapter #4-Ironic FearTask: Read a book where a character struggles to express themselves
Book/Author: Danse Macabre by Laurell K. Hamilton
Date completed: 6/13/26
How it fits: Anita and Richard struggle to express themselves for different reasons
Mod
To be classified as tequila, a spirit must be made from the blue agave plant—specifically from its core, known as the piña.
📚 Choose ONE:
Read a book where...
📍 The story is set in Mexico.
🏪 A character visits or works in a bar.
🍹 A character is particular about what they drink or consume.
🧺 A character carefully makes or prepares something by hand.
🌵 The setting plays an important role in what is produced or created.
Chapter # and Title: Chapter #5-True SpiritTask: Read a book where a character carefully makes or prepares something by hand.
Book/Author: This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews
Date completed: 6/18/26
How it fits: Maggie and Clover make soap by hand. Clover also makes a couple of dresses for Maggie
Mod
Mod
Honey never spoils. Archaeologists have found pots of honey in ancient Egyptian tombs that are over 3,000 years old—and still edible today.
📚 Choose ONE:
Read a book where...
🪨 A place, object, or idea lasts for a long time.
🧬 Traditions or practices are passed down over time.
🏺 History, archaeology, or ancient cultures are explored.
🕰️ Something from the past is still important in the present.
⏱️ A character is under pressure because time is running out.
Danielle wrote: "I happen to see this... am assuming you meant to check in?"Yes! I'm sorry, I thought I posted in the check in thread also
Chapter # and Title: Chapter #6-Built to LastTask: Read a book where a character is under pressure because time is running out
Book/Author: In an Absent Dream by Seanan McGuire
Date completed: 6/22/26
How it fits: Lundy is under pressure to choose if she is going to stay in the real world or the goblin market
Mod
Vietnam is the world’s second-largest coffee producer. Brazil produces the most, with Colombia coming in third.
📚 Choose ONE:
Read a book where...
📦 An item is bought, sold, or traded.
👩🌾 A character works with their hands or in a physical job.
🚚 A character has to transport an item from one place to another.
🌍 The story is set in a place known for producing or exporting something.
👤 A character runs or owns a business related to producing or selling goods.
Chapter # and Title: Chapter #7-Global BrewTask: Read a book where an item is bought, sold, or traded
Book/Author: The Paradise Problem
Date completed: 6/26/26
How it fits: Liam buys a 3 of Anna's paintings
Mod
Sea otters keep a favorite rock tucked under their arm and use it again and again to crack open shellfish — a small, trusted tool that makes all the difference.
📚 Choose ONE:
Read a book where...
🗝️ A character has a specific item they use often.
☕ A character relies on a consistent habit or daily routine.
📎 A character uses an unusual method to solve a problem.
🧩 A character uses the same specific solution or method repeatedly.
🔁 A character sticks to familiar methods even when alternatives exist.
Chapter # and Title: Chapter #8-Trusted ToolsTask: Read a book where a character relies on a consistent habit or daily routine
Book/Author: Somebody's Perfect by Kallypso Masters
Date completed: 7/9/26
How it fits: Savannah is always using her wedding ring or submissive collar to keep her grounded and in the present while she's going through her trial. Constantly rubbing and touching them
Mod
Humans are the only animals that blush. We’re also believed to be the only ones who experience embarrassment—a social emotion tied to how we think others see us.
📚 Choose ONE:
Read a book where...
🙈 A character tries to avoid being noticed.
🌟 A character seeks attention from others.
😶 A character is trying to impress someone.
😓 A character feels embarrassed in front of others.
🏋️ A character feels pressure to meet others’ expectations.
Chapter # and Title: Chapter #9-Awkard MomentsTask: Read a book where a character feels pressure to meet others' expectations
Book/Author: Circe by Madeline Miller
Date completed: 7/10/26
How it fits: Circe is always feeling the pressure to live up to her godly parents and siblings expectations. They all put her at the bottom and expect a lot from her. Her siblings always try to embarrass her in front of others also.
Mod
In 2014, two research scientists in Antarctica matched on Tinder—one at McMurdo Station, the other 45 minutes away by helicopter—highlighting connection in one of the most remote places on Earth.
📚 Choose ONE:
Read a book where...
❄️ The story is set in a remote or isolated location.
📡 Characters communicate across a long distance.
👥 A small group of characters is in a contained setting.
🤝 Two characters meet in an unusual or unexpected way.
🧭 Reaching another person requires significant effort or travel.
Chapter # and Title: Chapter # 10-Far ApartTask: Read a book where two characters meet in an unusual or unexpected way.
Book/Author: Japanese Gothic by Kylie Lee Baker
Date completed: 7/12/26
How it fits: Lee and Sen meet in a totally unexpected and unusual way. Their bedroom closet door happens to open to each other at certain times in the day even though they live in different time periods
Mod
In Japan, there are companies that will send someone to apologize on your behalf. These professional apologizers can be hired to say sorry for anything—from missing work to personal mistakes.
📚 Choose ONE:
Read a book where...
🚫 A character refuses to apologize.
🎭 A character gives an apology they don’t mean.
❌ A character makes a mistake and must face the consequences.
🔁 A character repeatedly does something they must apologize for.
⚖️ A character is expected to take responsibility for something they didn’t do.
Chapter # and Title: Chapter # 11-Owning itTask: Read a book where a character gives an apology they don't mean
Book/Author: The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer
Date completed: 7/21/26
How it fits: Rafe apologizes to Jeremy for punching him but he doesn't mean it. He just does it to satisfy Emily
Mod
Over a lifetime, the average person walks enough to circle the Earth three times.
📚 Choose ONE:
Read a book where...
👣 A character spends much of the story on foot.
🌳 The story spans many years of a character’s life.
🧱 A character makes steady progress toward a goal.
🧭 A character travels a long distance across different places.
🔄 The story revisits the same location at different points in time.
Chapter # and Title: Chapter # 12-Step by StepTask: Read a book where the story revisits the same location at different points in time
Book/Author: Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke
Date completed: 8/2/26
How it fits: Natalie "revisits" her house in present day and in the past in 1855
Mod
Istanbul is split between two continents—Europe and Asia—divided by the Bosphorus Strait, a narrow waterway that runs through the city and connects the Black Sea to the Mediterranean.
📚 Choose ONE:
Read a book where...
✈️ A character is traveling or relocating.
🌍 The story is set in either Europe or Asia.
🤝 A character acts as a link between two people or groups.
🗺️ A character experiences a culture different from their own.
⚖️ A character is caught between two sides, choices, or expectations.
Chapter # and Title: Chapter # 13-Between WorldsTask: Read a book where a character is caught between two sides, choices, or expectations
Book/Author: At Last by Jill Shalvis
Date completed: 8/4/26
How it fits: Amy is caught between Riley and Matt, with keeping Rileys secret from Matt
Mod
The Moon is gradually moving farther from Earth—but so slowly we don’t notice. It drifts away by about 3 cm (1.2 inches) each year, a small shift that builds over time.
📚 Choose ONE:
Read a book where...
🌓 A relationship gradually shifts over time.
🧱 Small decisions build into major consequences.
🌫️ A character changes so gradually it goes unnoticed at first.
👁️ A character is aware of change happening while others are not.
🐚 A character only realizes a change after it has already happened.
Chapter # and Title: Chapter # 14-Drifting ApartTask: Read a book where a relationship gradually shifts over time
Book/Author: Here With Me by Samantha Young
Date completed: 8/11/26
How it fits: Robyn and Lochlen gradually move from enemies to friends to lovers
Mod
Lemons float, but limes sink due to differences in density, even though they look quite similar.
📚 Choose ONE:
Read a book where...
↔️ Similar choices lead to very different outcomes.
🫧 Something turns out differently than it first appears.
🔀 Two similar characters are treated differently by others.
🧠 A character misjudges something based on how it appears.
🧩 Two things that seem similar are revealed to be fundamentally different.
Chapter # and Title: Chapter # 15-Same but DifferentTask: Read a book where a character misjudges something based on how it appears
Book/Author: A Tragic Wreck by T.K. Leigh
Date completed: 8/23/26
How it fits: Olivia gets mad at Alexander and accuses him of cheating on her when he got upset that her picture makes it to the tabloids. He's just trying to protect her because he knows there are still people after her and she misjudges his reaction.
Mod
About 60% of the world’s lakes—around three million in total—are located in Canada.
📚 Choose ONE:
Read a book where...
🍁 The story is set in Canada.
🌊 Water plays a major role in the setting.
🛶 Characters travel across water as part of the story.
🧭 Characters move through many different locations.
🧊 Cold or icy conditions significantly impact what happens in the story.
Chapter # and Title: Chapter # 16- Everywhere You LookTask: Read a book where characters move through many different locations
Book/Author: The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell
Date completed: 9/5/26
How it fits: The story is told through 5 different decades, and they are in a different location for each decade
Mod
Lobsters were once so plentiful that they were considered poor man’s food, even served to prisoners and servants—but today they’re seen as a luxury.
📚 Choose ONE:
Read a book where...
🍂 Something once valued becomes less important.
👑 A character’s status or position changes over time.
🪙 Something once dismissed or ignored becomes valuable.
💎 Something is considered valuable by some but not by others.
🗝️ Gaining or losing wealth changes what a character can or cannot do.
Chapter # and Title: Chapter #17-The Value of TimeTask: Read a book where something once valued becomes less important
Book/Author: Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang
Date completed: 9/20/26
How it fits: Sciona values her abilities and the magic that she can do until she sees where her magic is being siphoned from
Mod
A giraffe named Forest at Australia Zoo in Queensland stands 18 feet, 8 inches tall—making him one of the tallest giraffes ever recorded.
📚 Choose ONE:
Read a book where...
🐘 A notably large or tall animal is featured.
🏔️ The story is set in a high or elevated place.
🧗 A character must reach or climb to a high place.
🏢 A tall building plays an important role in the story.
🧍 A main character stands out physically in a noticeable way.
Chapter # and Title: Chapter #18-Standing TallTask: Read a book where a character must reach or climb to a high place
Book/Author: Deep Freeze by Lisa Jackson
Date completed: 9/26/26
How it fits: Carter has to ice climb up the frozen waterfall in order to get up the mountain to save Jenna and Cassie
Mod
Australia is wider than the moon—stretching nearly 4,000 km from east to west, compared to the moon’s roughly 3,400 km diameter.
📚 Choose ONE:
Read a book where...
🦘 The story is set in Australia.
🛰️ A character travels a long distance.
🗺️ The setting spans a large or wide area.
🏔️ The scale of a place or situation makes it difficult to understand or navigate.
📏 The size of a place, object, or situation is very different from what is expected.
Hooked on Books
Books mentioned in this topic
Deep Freeze (other topics)Blood Over Bright Haven (other topics)
The Bone Clocks (other topics)
A Tragic Wreck (other topics)
Here With Me (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Lisa Jackson (other topics)M.L. Wang (other topics)
David Mitchell (other topics)
T.K. Leigh (other topics)
Samantha Young (other topics)
More...
Stories, Recognition, and Discovery
Solo or Partner • Open-Ended
Start Date: May 6, 2026
🔗 Quick Links
📝 Check-Ins & Completions
Post your check-in after completing a Chapter
❓ Questions & Answers
For questions or clarification
🪟 Between the Chapters
A space to share and explore interesting fits along the way
——
A reading experience built around curiosity, connection, and intentional design.
Each Chapter begins with a real-world fact that anchors a set of thoughtfully designed reading tasks. These tasks reflect the kinds of moments, behaviors, and patterns that naturally occur in stories—so matching a book to a task feels intuitive rather than something you have to search for.
For each Chapter, you choose a task and read a book that fits, at your own pace. If participating with a partner, both readers select different tasks and move forward together once both are finished.
The tasks are designed to be clear and easy to recognize, while the structure allows space for optional discussion, shared progress, and connection along the way.
What to expect:
• Tasks that are clear, grounded, and easy to recognize within a story
• 94 Chapters, each built around a unique real-world idea
• A balanced mix of tasks, from straightforward to more interpretive
• Flexible tasks that work across genres, including nonfiction
• A wide range of themes—from environment and systems to relationships and human behavior
• No scavenger hunts, page counts, or technical requirements—just tasks your book will naturally meet
Every Chapter is intentionally designed to create variety without feeling random, with tasks that feel consistent, recognizable, and purposeful across different kinds of stories.
📖 About the Structure
This challenge is made up of 94 Chapters (individual rounds of tasks), forming a complete collection.
Each Chapter offers a set of tasks—choose one and read a book that fits.
Each tier follows its own sequence of Chapters, drawn from the complete collection.
📚 Choose Your Experience
🌱 Excerpt — a curated version of the challenge (13 Chapters)
A shorter tier designed to capture the full feel of Curious Patterns. You’ll move through a beginning, a shift, and a meaningful ending—on a smaller scale, creating a distilled experience with a clear and complete arc.
📘 Edition — the full reading experience (62 Chapters)
This tier reflects everything the challenge is designed to do—the build, the variation, and the shift in how you approach each Chapter. It offers a balanced experience across a complete arc, without compression.
🗂️ Archive — the complete collection (94 Chapters)
All Chapters, all variations, all layers. This tier represents the full exploration of the system—its complete expression from start to finish.
🧭 Challenge Rules & Guidelines
• Standard Rules Apply
• There is NO page minimum
• Books must be finished after the Chapter is released; they may be started beforehand
• Justifications are based on your honest interpretation of the tasks—ask if unsure
• A small number of skips are available if needed, allowing you to move past a Chapter that doesn’t fit
• The goal is exploration, not perfection
🌿 Closing Note
Whichever tier you choose, this challenge is designed to leave room for interpretation, reflection, and discovery.
No deadlines—just a structured, open-ended reading experience built for curiosity, variety, and shared progress.