Benedicte’s Comments (group member since Mar 23, 2025)

Benedicte’s comments from the Hooked on Books group.

For this task:
✈️ Read a book where someone has to use their passport (or mentions one).

Does it have to be said in the text that they show their passport or does it count as long as they travel to another country?

How are we doing team? We did well this month. Good job, everyone! 💕

Next month is looking a bit rough for me, genre-wise. I don't think I will read many travel or adventure books, but I do have some that starts with the letter B. I have started planning for books I may want to read. If I go through with my plan it will be a very Japanese month for me, as 7 of the books are written by Japanese authors. Let me know if you want to do a buddy read for some of them! I am also open to read any books you want to, as long as I can get my hands on them 😊

From the Q&A thread...

📣 August Challenge Tasks are up! 🌍✈️

Theme: Passport Pages: A Celebration of Global Stories
Bonus Genre: Travel / Adventure

This month, we’re collecting stamps in our literary passports and setting out on a journey across cultures, cuisines, customs, and continents. Whether you're trekking across distant lands, savoring a story rich in heritage, or following a character as they explore a new world (real or imagined), August is about embracing stories that reflect the beautiful variety of human experience.

Tasks:
✈️ Read a book set in a country you’ve never visited before.
✈️ Read a book that features food as an important part of the story or culture.
✈️ Read a book about characters on a journey across cultures, borders, or identities.
✈️ Read a translated book or one originally written in another language.
✈️ Read a book that weaves in traditional folklore, myth, or storytelling styles.
✈️ Read a book that includes festivals, dances, or cultural celebrations.
✈️ Read a book by an author who was born in a country you’ve never visited/lived in.
✈️ Read a book where someone has to use their passport (or mentions one).
✈️ Read a book that shows how people celebrate joy.
✈️ Read a book with a character who is from a different ethnic background than you.

Hi Gonzalo! I am archiving this thread as you are not allowed to create your own thread (see the guide and rules thread).

You should move your post over to the thriller thread instead, here.

Kirsten wrote: "Hi! I am Kirsten (but I prefer Kirsti) and I am from a small city called Kennewick in eastern Washington State in the US.

I like a wide assortment but especially historical, science fiction, horro..."

Hey Kirsti, welcome! 👋❤️

It's awesome that you read across so many genres! Nothing like mixing up some sweet romance and bone-chilling horror 😄

If you haven't already, check out the "Welcome New Members" thread. There should be plenty of information there on how to settle into this group 🥰 Let me (or any of the other mods) know if you have any questions!

Happy to have you here! 📚✨

I agree! Thank you for this buddy read 🥰

Leo wrote: "Hi, I’m Leo. My favorite genre is Fantasy Romance Books (They’re just so good). Though, my favorite ones are not fit in this genre.

They are: The Art of being Normal by Lisa Williamson (Fully rec..."

Hey Leo, welcome! 👋❤️

Fantasy Romance definitely has an appeal! It is my comfort genre that I often go back to when I have had a bad week and need a break. Something about dreaming myself away in the fantasy worlds make me forget all my worries ✨

If you haven't already, check out the "Welcome New Members" thread. There should be plenty of information there on how to settle into this group 🥰 Let me (or any of the other mods) know if you have any questions!

Thanks for joining us! 📚✨

Jassi wrote: "Hi everyone!

I‘m Jasmin, and am from Germany ☺️
📚 Fantasy, Y/A and Thrillers are some of my favorite genres to read and hope to find some fun co-reading buddies!

While I do love to read, I hav..."

Hey Jasmin, welcome! 👋❤️

You say you like Fantasy, YA, Thrillers, and want to find co-reading buddies? I saw that these genres are also the favorites of our new member Joke (see message 26 in this thread). She posted a message in the "Find a Buddy Read Partner" yesterday saying she was looking for someone to read books with (click on this link). Maybe you could reach out? 🥰

The Sherlock series on Netflix is also one of my favorites! 😄

If you haven't already, check out the "Welcome New Members" thread. There should be plenty of information there on how to settle into this group 🥰 Let me (or any of the other mods) know if you have any questions!

Looking forward to many good reading adventures with you! 📚✨

Prompt #46/ Name: Triskaidekaphobia
Book: Between Shades of Gray
Author: Ruta Sepetys
Date Read: July 27th 2025
Pages: 352
Task:1️⃣3️⃣ 1. Read a book where someone has a great fear of something

MC has a great fear of never finding her father again

Lisa wrote: "For Benedicte, I pick for you
- I’ve read this recently and I’ve liked it
- this is on my ever growing TBR
And"

Thank you so much! Great picks! These three books are some of the ones I was most excited about when making my shelf 😄

Joke :) wrote: "Hey, I'm Joke and I live Belgium. I like to read and I'm currently reading 'Things we hide from the light'. My friends don't read so I would like to discuss books with you all. I love thrillers, fa..."

Hey Joke, welcome! 👋❤️

If you like to discuss books, you will want to join our Buddy Reads. We always have a lot of them, and you are welcome to join any one of them anytime! 😊

If you haven't already, check out the "Welcome New Members" thread. There should be plenty of information there on how to settle into this group 🥰 Let me (or any of the other mods) know if you have any questions!

Happy to have you here! 📚✨

Dana wrote: "Hi hello! I’m Dana from Pittsburgh, PA. I love reading any book except self help, and I’m not really into the shifter genre. I’m trying to read through my physical TBR list before buying anything n..."

Hey Dana, welcome! 👋❤️

You like reading challenges, you say? Well, you will fit right in to this group. We have plenty to offer!

If you haven't already, check out the "Welcome New Members" thread. There should be plenty of information there on how to settle into this group 🥰 Let me (or any of the other mods) know if you have any questions!

Thanks for joining us, and good luck with your TBR! 📚✨

Heather wrote: "Hi! I'm Heather. I am new to goodreads groups and excited to be here!
I have 4 kids and if I'm not doing things for or with them...I'm reading."

Hey Heather, welcome! 👋❤️

We are very excited to have you here! We have many games, challenges, engagement threads and bookish chats to offer! I hope you will find something to your liking 😊

If you haven't already, check out the "Welcome New Members" thread. There should be plenty of information there on how to settle into this group 🥰 Let me (or any of the other mods) know if you have any questions!

Looking forward to many good reading adventures with you! 📚✨

Annie wrote: "Hello!
I’m Annie 👋
I’m a major mood reader with ADHD, so I’m sometimes all over the place but I love fantasy and thrillers!
I love cozy books with a bit of romance and magic in them.
TJ Kline, L..."

Hey Annie, welcome! 👋❤️

One of my best friends also have ADHD and they are often all over the place with reading too! There is certainly something being loose with your reading and without a plan that is exciting 😄

I read The House in the Cerulean Sea, my first T.J. Klune book last month, and I loved it! It was so cozy, it felt like the book was giving me a big teddy-bear hug. Now I can't wait to read more of his books!

If you haven't already, check out the "Welcome New Members" thread. There should be plenty of information there on how to settle into this group 🥰 Let me (or any of the other mods) know if you have any questions!

Happy to have you here! 📚✨

Antika wrote: "Hi, I’m Antika. I’m from India and currently living in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Over the past year, I’ve rekindled my love for reading. My favorite genres are historical fiction and thrillers, but I t..."

Hey Antika, welcome! 👋❤️

I'm excited to have you on board! I hope you will have a good time here and make many new reading friends 💕

If you haven't already, check out the "Welcome New Members" thread. There should be plenty of information there on how to settle into this group 🥰 Let me (or any of the other mods) know if you have any questions!

Thanks for joining us! 📚✨

Hey! Checking in :)

I love Maze Marauders and Our Escape-ades!

Thanks!

Lisa, here are my picks for you:



One of my best friends has been urging me to read Mistborn for what seems like forever. I hope you enjoy it as much as they did :)



Are you kidding me? A "The Nightmare Before Christmas Retelling"? As a Tim Burton fan I HAD to pick this. Looks super cute, maybe I'll have to read it too!



The cover caught my eyes amidst the dark giving-Halloween-vibes books, and I was sold when I saw pirates as one of the genres. I loooove pirate books, and I hope you love this too!

📚 HOB Monthly Newsletter – August 2025 📚

🌇What's up, Bookworms!🌇
Welcome to your monthly dose of bookish updates, challenges, and community highlights. Let’s dive in!

📢 Announcements 📢

🔹 Backup players needed for Book Quest Adventure! If you can commit to just 1 book/month, we'd love to have you. Meet the bare minimum or go all out—it’s up to you! Go save a team here!
🔹 The Lore Vault Facts and Trivia is in need of a curator for August. Each month, a different volunteer takes the lead on trivia. They have the freedom to set their own schedule. They can also use the GR poll feature and share links to their polls in the thread. Go volunteer here!
🔹 We’re excited to welcome back Anabella, a wonderful addition to our moderator team. We’re thrilled to have her insight, support, and fresh energy on board!
🔹Complete Author's Corner make-over! Be sure to check it out and click the notification checkbox at the bottom of the threads so you can support our authors and get all the juicy giveaways, freebies, sales etc. We have archived all the old threads, so if you posted anything in these, make sure to make a new post in the new threads!
🔹 The previous "Introduce Yourself" thread has been archived as it was nearing 1,000 posts. This is the new space to say hello and to welcome our new members!
🔹 The long-awaited Sinister Toys & Haunted Objects Roundup signups coming soon! Keep your eyes peeled!

💕 Engagement Threads 💕

🏛️August's Book Chat
Come share your thoughts on your Mythology Retellings reads here!

🤗What We're Reading, while melting!
What are you currently reading? Shout it out here!

🍃 Current Challenges and Competitions 🍃
📚 Shorter Challenges (1 month and below)

🏃Reading Run (aug 14-17) - Run through as many books as possible! (Host: Angie)
🏆 Listopia Madness - Battle of the Book Lists! (Host: Donna)
👊 TBR Busters – Clear those dusty shelves! (Host: Donna)
😺 Symbols of Luck and Fortune - Maneki Neko (Beckoning Cat) for July! (Host: Ashley)

📚 Longer Challenges

🐝World Honey Bee Day Challenge - an open-ended challenge all about the important little honey bee with 35 pre-set tasks/spell-outs. Come have some blooming fun! (Host: Michelle)
🔍Escape Room: Silver Screen Sleuths - Throw on your detective hat and come solve a murder mystery, escape room style, in this partner/group challenge! (Host: Michelle)
🎧Reading With Your Ears Marathon - We're already over 200,000 minutes in our audiobook marathon! August's Bonus Tag is Non-Fiction. Come add to our growing total! (Host: Michelle)
💕Partner Pick Aug/Sept - theme is Changing Seasons, initial signups open through Sunday, July 27. Get your next read picked by a partner, and do the same for them! (Host: Angie)
🍂 Sunset Spell-Out - Whether you're chasing the last heatwave or welcoming sweater weather, this challenge invites you to spell your way through books one golden page at a time (Host: Ashley)
🤑Team Literary Bookopoly - Read, strategize, and collaborate to become the wealthiest team in this bookish twist on Monopoly! (Host: Ashley)

👉 Full Challenge List & Thread Links


🪁 Buddy Reads and Readathons 🪁

📕August Formal Buddy Reads | Obon: Echoes of Memory
A reflective exploration of memory and loss, where the power of stories connects the past and present, honoring those we’ve loved and the legacies they leave behind.

📔 Main Book: The Memory Police (Yoko Ogawa)
📚 Kindle Unlimited/Low Cost Book: What You Are Looking For Is in the Library (Michiko Aoyama)

✨Seasonal Readathon: Summer (June 21-September 22)
📚Monthly Readathon: Summer Safety Month
🎉Week Readathon: Senior Citizen Day (Aug 17-23)
🌷Weekend Readathon: Colorado Day (Aug 1-3)
⛱️24-Hour Readathon: Hawaii Statehood Day (Aug 15)

🥳 Winner's Spotlight 🥳
Celebrating our June winners!

TBR Busters: 🥇 (Diva) Melanie, 139pts | 🥈 (Non-conventional) Sammy, 96pts | 🥉 (Traditional) Angie, 87pts
Listopia: 🥇 Sammy, 171pts | 🥈 Jenny, 141pts | 🥉 Angie, 99pts
Buzzwords Q2: 🥇Sammy, 211pts | 🥈 Caraina, 120pts | 🥉 Angie, 119pts
Book Carnival: 🥇Read-iculous Rollercoaster Readers, 1008pts | 🥈 Dreamland Delight, 914pts | 🥉 Lion Tamer Librarians, 820pts


💡 Quick Tips & Reminders
🔹Ask the mods if you need help/have any questions!
🔹Use spoiler tags in discussions: [spoiler]text[/spoiler].
🔹Update your monthly challenge logs by August 31
🔹New Members: Check out the Welcome New Members thread!
🔹 Challenge Tracking: Use the Current Challenges Thread to find every challenge, and the Challenge Tracking Folder to stay organized with your selected challenges!
🔹App Warning: Goodreads’ app sometimes hides threads—check on desktop for full updates!

Happy reading, everyone!
📖Your HOB Mod Team

I can relate on the chewing part, LOL! 🤣 I’ve had my good share of nibbled books… I don’t have any advice except keep them somewhere they have nothing to chew. I have them in my kitchen and I let them out only under supervision. Their names are Luna and Noisette (hazelnut in French)