Hooked on Books discussion

Ask all of your Sinister Toys & Haunted Objects questions here.

Q: Can we bank books?
A: Competitive teams cannot bank books. Non-competitive teams/individuals can BUT there are rules. You can only use one banked book per person, per toy/object. If you are on a team, your whole team must agree to the banking of books. Once the competitive challenge is over (after November), everyone will be allowed to bank books.

Q: What threads should I set notifications for?
A: Definitely Belle's Cabinet of Notices because ALL announcements will be posted there. You should probably set notifications for this thread as a lot of questions will be answered here as well. The scoreboard is a thread to keep an eye out for if you want to know the scores. Also, your own team thread. Don't want to miss a message from your team!

Q: Why is there no list of toys/objects to choose from in our thread this year?
A: We are trying something new this year. We are keeping the list secret. Even if you peek at another thread, you may not receive the same tasks. So don't bother. Enjoy the thrill of the surprise! And we certainly have a few of those in store for you. Buckle up for the ride, folks!

Q: Are mini games held to Belle's Rule?
A: No, since they are one book each (not 3), they are exempt. These include: Zathura, Jumanji, Ouija board, Nightmare & Dead Man's Dice.

Q: Can we read whatever we want?
A: For the most part, yes. We have tasks that the books must fit. However, we do have a caveat. We are asking that all participants read beyond their comfort zones for every toy (not bonuses). Read a mix of fiction & nonfiction. A mix of genres. If you normally only read romance, add some fantasy or some horror. Read something you don't normally read. Expand your horizons...You never know, you may enjoy it! (AKA Belle's Rule) Consult message 49 for tips from Belle.

Q: When does the challenge start?
A: The challenge starts September 1st. All books must be started after September 1st to be counted. We go by the time zone that you live in to simplify things. If it is September 1st in your time zone, you may start reading. Let's not overcomplicate things.

Q: For the bonus do we each have to read all three tasks or how do we go about it?
A: bonus tasks are NOT done in chains (you're welcome), You will each read one task.

Q: As a team, Can we work on the chains in ANY order?
A: Yes, they can be done in any order. You do NOT have to finish a chain before starting another one. You must finish all chains before requesting a new toy/object.

Q: How do I change the number of dice?
A: Click on the gear in the bottom right. A slider will appear. You can choose the number of dice there.

Q: If I get a toy with a mini game, do I still have to follow Belle's Rule?
A: No, the mini games do NOT have chains and most do not require more than one book per player. This includes: Dead Man's Dice, Jumanji, Zathura, Ouija Board & Nightmare.

Q: What happens if I don’t follow Belle’s Rule?
A: The toys don’t like being ignored. If you stay tucked too safely in your comfort zone, the Toymaker will come calling—and every Toymaker’s visit demands a Toll. One will be chosen (by roll or by host’s hand), and until you pay it, the toys won’t let you move on. Tolls may take away a task you thought was safe, twist one of your next tasks with strange rules, or even add an extra burden to your reading. The toys are mischievous but fair—they only demand that you play their game. (The Toymaker’s Tolls)

Q: Does Belle's Rule apply to Non-competitive teams/solo players?
A: Individual and NC do not have to abide by Belle's Rule or worry about the Toymaker's Toll.

Q: Does Belle's Rule apply after the competitive portion of the game?
A: No, because all players are non-competitive at that point.

Can you use a book you’ve already started?

Kat wrote: "Can you use a book you’ve already started?"

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

For the bonus do we each have to read all three tasks or how do we go about it?

From the Signup Thread: FYI... bonus tasks are NOT done in chains (you're welcome).

Quick question - as a team, we can work on the chains in ANY order. Correct? We only have to post in the check-in once we have all of them completed?

danielle wrote: "Quick question - as a team, we can work on the chains in ANY order. Correct? We only have to post in the check-in once we have all of them completed?"

unless it is specified, no they don't have to be done in order.

We just received 6 chains. Do we have to do all 3 books in one chain before we can start another or can we do the chains at the same time?

My dice option is only one I don’t see the option to roll two at the same time

MN Lisa wrote: "From the Signup Thread: FYI... bonus tasks are NOT done in chains (you're welcome)."

So, one person can read for the bonus (1 task) or do we all read 1 each?

Jessica wrote: "We just received 6 chains. Do we have to do all 3 books in one chain before we can start another or can we do the chains at the same time?"

Chains can be done in any order and consecutively.

Donna wrote: "Jessica wrote: "We just received 6 chains. Do we have to do all 3 books in one chain before we can start another or can we do the chains at the same time?"

Chains can be done in any order and cons..."

So we need to finish one before we start another. Correct?

Kat wrote: "My dice option is only one I don’t see the option to roll two at the same time"

Click on the gear in the bottom right. A slider will appear. You can choose the number of dice there.

Jessica wrote: "Donna wrote: "Jessica wrote: "We just received 6 chains. Do we have to do all 3 books in one chain before we can start another or can we do the chains at the same time?"

Chains can be done in any ..."

No, you do NOT have to finish one chain before starting another. You cannot request another toy/object until you finish all your chains.

Shan ~A~ wrote: "MN Lisa wrote: "From the Signup Thread: FYI... bonus tasks are NOT done in chains (you're welcome)."

So, one person can read for the bonus (1 task) or do we all read 1 each?"

You will each read one task.

Thanks!

I see that book title in our SS is formatted to look like a link. Should we be adding a link to goodreads for each book logged?

danielle wrote: "I see that book title in our SS is formatted to look like a link. Should we be adding a link to goodreads for each book logged?"

It would be helpful if you provided a link, but I won't require it.

Donna wrote: "danielle wrote: "I see that book title in our SS is formatted to look like a link. Should we be adding a link to goodreads for each book logged?"

It would be helpful if you provided a link, but I ..."
thanks!

Are shoelaces okay for string on cover?

This is usually a yes, but just to be sure, are plurals excepted for words in text?

For face on the cover, is it just the face or can it be a full person?

Shan ~A~ wrote: "Are shoelaces okay for string on cover?"

Yep—shoelaces count. If it ties, knots, tangles, or dangles, it falls under the string curse.

Shan ~A~ wrote: "This is usually a yes, but just to be sure, are plurals excepted for words in text?"

Yes. Dolls don’t care if there’s one shadow or many shadows—either way, something’s watching you. Singular, plural, close-enough… it all counts.

Jayme(theghostreader) wrote: "For face on the cover, is it just the face or can it be a full person?"

A full person works—as long as you can clearly see the face. The curse isn’t picky; it just wants eyes staring back at you. The rest of the body is optional… though sometimes it’s missing anyway.

MN Lisa wrote: "Jayme(theghostreader) wrote: "For face on the cover, is it just the face or can it be a full person?"

A full person works—as long as you can clearly see the face. The curse isn’t picky; it just wa..."

Ok, great 👍

If a book has 2 authors - would BOTH authors have to meet the requirement of having their initials as part of a word or does it count if only 1 of the 2 authors does?

danielle wrote: "If a book has 2 authors - would BOTH authors have to meet the requirement of having their initials as part of a word or does it count if only 1 of the 2 authors does?"

Only one author needs to match. The toy’s satisfied if even a single set of initials lines up—it doesn’t demand both souls at once. (Though… some toys do like a two-for-one.)

MN Lisa wrote: "danielle wrote: "If a book has 2 authors - would BOTH authors have to meet the requirement of having their initials as part of a word or does it count if only 1 of the 2 authors does?"

Only one au..."
Excellent, thanks!

what are the cleansing tasks?

Kari wrote: "what are the cleansing tasks?"

You will find out soon...

If you are playing a mini game like Dead Man's Dice, I will NOT hold you to Belle's Rule for that toy since you are only reading one book per player. If you are reading more than 1 book, you will be held to the rule.

Donna wrote: "If you are playing a mini game like Dead Man's Dice, I will NOT hold you to Belle's Rule for that toy since you are only reading one book per player. If you are reading more than 1 book, you will b..."

How do u mean? I’m confused,

Kat wrote: "How do u mean? I’m confused"

Belle's Rule is that you read beyond your comfort zone for every toy (not bonuses). That you read at least one book in a genre you don't normally read per toy/object. I am exempting the mini-games from this rule. The mini-games are not chains and have their own rules. You may have to spin a wheel, roll dice, or do something special for the mini-games. Just follow those directions, and you don't have to worry about Belle's Rule for those.

Donna wrote: "Kat wrote: "How do u mean? I’m confused"

Belle's Rule is that you read beyond your comfort zone for every toy (not bonuses). That you read at least one book in a genre you don't normally read per ..."

Ok thanks but the one I was doing said that we had to read out our comfort zone …. And I think we all have to read for a different prompt

Kat wrote: "Donna wrote: "Kat wrote: "How do u mean? I’m confused"

Belle's Rule is that you read beyond your comfort zone for every toy (not bonuses). That you read at least one book in a genre you don't norm..."

Follow the instructions for your specific mini-game. Not all mini-games are the same, and I was trying to make a general rule for all mini-games. The instructions for your specific game override this rule. Does that make sense?

Donna wrote: "Kat wrote: "Donna wrote: "Kat wrote: "How do u mean? I’m confused"

Belle's Rule is that you read beyond your comfort zone for every toy (not bonuses). That you read at least one book in a genre yo..."

It’s okay don’t worry.

Is "Belle's Rule that you read at least one book in a genre you don't normally read per toy/object" mandatory for every team or only competitive? Thanks

For those of us that will (and do) literally read anything, can we just read from one of our least favourite genres for Belle's rule (even if we do read them)? I'm not entirely certain of my chances of success in finding free books that fit the tasks and are in an obscure niche genre I've not read before... 😂

Sammy wrote: "For those of us that will (and do) literally read anything, can we just read from one of our least favourite genres for Belle's rule (even if we do read them)? I'm not entirely certain of my chance..."

Yes, dear. I know you read everything. You can read your least favorite genres and tropes to qualify for Belle's Rule.

Kari wrote: "Is "Belle's Rule that you read at least one book in a genre you don't normally read per toy/object" mandatory for every team or only competitive? Thanks"

Give me some time. We are discussing this.

Donna wrote: "Sammy wrote: "For those of us that will (and do) literally read anything, can we just read from one of our least favourite genres for Belle's rule (even if we do read them)? I'm not entirely certai..."

Grazie!

So... if someone is cursed and has extra tasks to do in order to be cleansed, should those be added to their team's tracker?

Hypothetical question of course. 😳😬😏

danielle wrote: "So... if someone is cursed and has extra tasks to do in order to be cleansed, should those be added to their team's tracker?

Hypothetical question of course. 😳😬😏"

Oh, hypothetically, of course. If you have been cursed, you would obviously need to be cleansed. You would enter your book as normal in your spreadsheet, BUT you would pick the task number from the cleansing column instead of the normal task dropdown. This is all hypothetical, of course. You would have to be cursed, to need to be cleansed.

Donna wrote: "danielle wrote: "So... if someone is cursed and has extra tasks to do in order to be cleansed, should those be added to their team's tracker?

Hypothetical question of course. 😳😬😏"

Oh, hypothetic..."

excellent, thanks! ... well, except for the whole being hypothetically cursed thing! 😉

You're welcome! Good luck with the hypothetical curse...

MN Lisa wrote: "Shan ~A~ wrote: "This is usually a yes, but just to be sure, are plurals excepted for words in text?"

Yes. Dolls don’t care if there’s one shadow or many shadows—either way, something’s watching y..."

I love this response, lol.

💀 A Note from Belle 💀

I hear whispers that some of you are struggling with my Rule. Tsk, tsk… did you think the Toymaker’s treasures would be all fun and games? Allow me to offer you a few… helpful hints.

Try wandering into the pages of your least favorite genre, the one you’d normally avoid like the plague. Or perhaps crack open a story laced with a trope you loathe. If you’re feeling particularly daring, why not face something that makes your skin crawl? Clowns, monkeys… or whatever nightmare lurks in the dark corners of your mind.

Go on, darlings. Step outside your comfort zone. Belle is watching… and she loves a good shiver. 🖤

Kari wrote: "Is "Belle's Rule that you read at least one book in a genre you don't normally read per toy/object" mandatory for every team or only competitive? Thanks"

Individual and NC do not have to abide by Belle's Rule