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 6:
🗝️ Carrie
🗝️ Claire

Hi Carrie, seems we’ll be playing together. Looking forward to this.

Hi Claire! I'm pretty excited for this one too!

Thoughts on a team name?

- Puzzle Pals
- The Clue Crew
- Escape Artists

Just tossing out some ideas...

I like the clue crew. Great name. Do we need to let anyone know?

Claire wrote: "I like the clue crew. Great name. Do we need to let anyone know?"

I can post it in the check in thread as a just in case!

Super!

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
Book: A Novel Way To Die
Author: Tamra Baumann
Page Count: 294
Reflection: I have some characteristics that are similar to the MC. She tries her best to be there for others and help them out when they are in need of help. On the other hand, she sometimes sticks her nose into situations that she should probably stay out of. She recognizes that this trait could be a flaw but sometimes she just can't help herself.

Week 1

Book: The Lady and the Unicorn
Author: Tracy Chevalier
Page count: 250

Reflection: this book tells a lot about me and the things I bring in. I love history, art and people. The book has a setting mainly, in my country (Belgium) and also in another favourite city of mine, Paris.
Also this book gives a possible answer to an artistic riddle…I love riddles, am full of curiousity. Sometimes it gives people the idea I’m nosey, which I am not really. I just am utterly fascinated by what people do and why

Seems we share some character traits:-)

🗝️ 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?

This message is yours to unlock together. Keep the responses flowing between you; nothing else needs to be checked in.

I didn't realize you are from Belgium! I'd love to visit there some day.

I actually lived in Italy for several years back in the 90s. I worked as a travel agent and I had the chance to visit Paris. It is a beautiful city! I did not have nearly enough time to enjoy out however!

My college degrees are in sociology so we have that the observation of people in common. I am utterly fascinated by what people do and why as well.

Oh Italy, I adore. We always wanted to go live there for just a year but when the time was there, Corona came and off got the plan.
We did visit large parts of Italy, hubby and me are both classicists so anything about the Romans is so interesting.
And yes, Paris ❤️

Where do you live?