Hooked on Books discussion
Toys/Objects Roundup
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C: The Cursed Jacks
Jessica wrote: "I kind if want to ask Donna about it"Oh, good point! Nice investigative work!! ... But, we end up with more points for it... so, is it really bad? ... I mean other than all the sci-fi. 🤣
Jessica wrote: "I am telling you we got robbed on ZathuraQ: 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, Nightm..."
OHHHH... Nice investigative work!!
Mod
The Crying Boy Painting refers to a series of mass-produced prints created by Italian artist Giovanni Bragolin (also known as Bruno Amadio) in the 1950s. These portraits typically feature a young boy with large, sorrowful eyes and tears streaming down his face. Though the painting was originally meant to evoke sympathy and emotion, it gained a far more sinister reputation in the 1980s.
A legend began circulating in the UK after numerous house fires left homes destroyed, but with the Crying Boy painting untouched and unscathed among the rubble. This eerie pattern led to widespread fear that the artwork was cursed, said to bring misfortune, fire, or tragedy to anyone who owned it.
The image of the Crying Boy(visually simple yet emotionally intense) became a modern folklore icon. Some claimed the boy's spirit was trapped in the painting, while others believed it was connected to an orphan who died in a blaze. Whether viewed as haunted or coincidental, the painting's legacy remains one of unsettling intrigue.
To this day, The Crying Boy Painting is remembered not just as a melancholy piece of art but as a symbol of how emotion, myth, and mystery can turn an innocent image into an object of dread.
Complete the following tasks
🎨2. Mass-Produced Emotion
Read a chain of 3 books that has had multiple editions or cover redesigns — something that’s been republished, rebranded, or mass-produced. (Even better if the tone feels emotionally intense or melodramatic.)
📅3. Trapped in 1950
Read a chain of 3 books where the number 1950 clings like soot to canvas. If it slips into the page count, at least two of its digits (1, 9, 5, 0) must show themselves. If it burns into the publication date, all four digits must appear, scattered through the numbers like an omen you cannot scrub away. A book of 290 pages, another of 315, or one with 519 would suffice… as would a date marked 09/15/2000 or 05/19/2014, where the Crying Boy’s shadow still lingers.
🇬🇧4. The Curse Circulates
Read a chain of 3 books that is set in the United Kingdom. Bonus points if it includes small towns, old houses, or tabloid-level folklore. Even more bonus if something burns.
Got my 3 picked out!! The BR one will be... interesting...
Mod
The Lament Configuration is the iconic, puzzle-box-shaped artifact from the Hellraiser film series, originally created by horror writer Clive Barker. Officially known as the Lemarchand Configuration, this intricately designed cube is far more than a mechanical curiosity; it is a gateway to another dimension, one ruled by the sadistic, otherworldly beings known as the Cenobites.
Elegant yet ominous, the Lament Configuration appears as a small black and gold cube, etched with elaborate geometric patterns that shift when manipulated. Solving the puzzle is deceptively simple, but doing so summons the Cenobites, beings who exist beyond pain and pleasure, and who drag the solver into their realm for eternal torment or transcendence, depending on one’s perspective.
The box is a key to forbidden realms, often tied to themes of obsession, desire, and the consequences of seeking forbidden knowledge. In the Hellraiser universe, those who seek it out are usually searching for extreme experiences, only to find themselves overwhelmed by cosmic horror.
Mysterious, cursed, and unrelenting in its purpose, the Lament Configuration is not just a puzzle; it is an invitation, one that should never be accepted lightly.
🧊🩸 The Lament Configuration
“To solve the box is to beg for more. More sensation. More suffering. More books.”
I see you.
Your hands hover. You want to know what I hold.
But there is no curiosity without consequence.
Choose… and suffer beautifully.
🔓 Open Me
You seek truths with sharp edges.
You twist my shape and offer your mind.
I will open for you. I will hurt you kindly.
❌ Refuse Me
You close the lid and turn away.
But you touched me. I remember. I wait.
And I always find those who run.
You may change your choice.
But you must bleed for it—figuratively, of course.
Return here and ask the Toymakers for your punishment.
They’ll make sure you don’t get off easy.
🕯️ When you’re ready, post in the Occult Museum (Check-In Thread) with:
Your Team Name
Your Choice (Open or Refuse)
A link to your team’s spreadsheet
I’ll be watching.
And once we begin… you won’t be alone in the dark.
I checked us in... hopefully you guys are ok with that. I figured I didn't want to wait another day for our prompts! Hopefully I got this in on time!!
Mod
You crave answers. You turn the box. You want what it offers.
Now you must spell a cursed word.
LEMARCH 8 books
*Standard Spell out.
You asked for this. Now you must complete it.
danielle wrote: "I checked us in... hopefully you guys are ok with that. I figured I didn't want to wait another day for our prompts! Hopefully I got this in on time!!"Open was fine with me!
Quick report in... finishing up book 2. Have book 3 queued up next!
Mod
The Zuni Fetish Doll from Trilogy of Terror (1975) is one of the most iconic and terrifying horror dolls in film history. It appears in the third segment, "Amelia," based on a Richard Matheson story.
The doll is a small, tribal warrior figure with sharp teeth, wild hair, and a gold chain around its waist. According to the story, the chain is meant to imprison the spirit of a Zuni hunter god named "He Who Kills." When the chain mysteriously falls off, the doll comes to life, unleashing pure, relentless violence.
Despite its tiny size, the Zuni Fetish Doll is shockingly fast, aggressive, and nearly unstoppable, attacking with a spear and a savage, high-pitched growl. It terrorizes the main character, Amelia, in her apartment in a tense and claustrophobic battle that ends with a chilling twist. Destroying its body ends with the spirit looking for a new vessel, the one who defeats it.
This doll is remembered for its primal fury and the intense suspense it creates, making it a standout in horror anthology history.
Complete the following tasks
Step One: Collect items for binding spell
Read a chain of 3 books with paper on the cover
Read a chain of 3 books with candles on the cover
Read a chain of 3 books with black covers (min 50%)
Read a chain of 3 books with a string on the cover or in the text
Read a chain of 3 books that start and end with a letter in BINDING OIL
Step 2: Write his name on the paper
Read a chain of 3 books with all the letters of HE WHO KILLS in the title/subtitle/series
Step 3: Anoint the candle. Then light it, focusing on the person being restrained and visualising them stopping their actions. Tie the string around the paper to bind.
Read a chain of 3 books that starts with a letter in the word BIND
check us in! This one was a biggie!!
Jessica wrote: "Excited for new toy/tasks!"I am too!!
I have a few books ongoing, but I'm terrified to finish anything and then be like UGH, I could have used this one! So, for now... I keep starting new books and only getting part of the way done. Although, my current one is unlikely to be useful for the game, so I'm working on finishing that one up.
danielle wrote: "I have a few books ongoing, but I'm terrified to finish anything and then be like UGH, I could have used this one! So, for now... I keep starting new books and only getting part of the way done. Al..."I am the same way at this point!! LOL
Mod
The clown doll from Poltergeist (1982) is one of the most memorable and terrifying elements of the film—and a textbook example of how something seemingly innocent can become pure nightmare fuel.
Sitting in young Robbie Freeling’s bedroom, the clown doll is oversized, dressed in classic circus garb with a red nose, painted smile, and ruffled collar. It starts off as just a creepy presence. Always sitting in the corner, staring with glassy eyes. But its true horror is revealed in a pivotal scene where it comes to life.
As a thunderstorm rages outside, the doll suddenly grabs Robbie, dragging him under the bed with its unnaturally long arms and maniacal grin. The attack is violent, surreal, and deeply unsettling, playing on the childhood fear of toys turning against you and of something lurking just out of sight.
Although the clown only appears briefly, its impact is lasting. It became a cultural symbol of toy-related terror and helped solidify Poltergeist's legacy in horror history.
Now it’s loose again—and we need your help to wrangle it up before it crawls back into the shadows.
Complete the following tasks:
Identify the Hidden Threat
Read a chain of 3 books where something dangerous lurks beneath the surface—secret horrors, cursed objects, or hidden villains waiting to strike.
Don’t Be Fooled by the Smile
Read a chain of 3 books with deceptively cheerful or sweet covers—but the stories inside are dark, disturbing, or emotionally devastating.
Keep Eyes on the Target
Read a chain of 3 books with titles that include words related to vision or watching: look, see, watch, stare, eye, shadow, face, etc.
Ok... new prompts. Got my 3 picked out. Can't use any of my current books, so all 3 will be new ones for me. But, at least 1 is a BR! I expect to have mine done by Sunday at the latest (I work this weekend).
Mod
An ornate, antique silver vase believed to be cursed, originating from the town of Basano del Grappa in Italy. This mysterious vessel is said to bring tragedy and death to its owners, with a dark history of every family member who possessed it dying under strange or unexplained circumstances.
The vase is intricately crafted, featuring detailed engravings and an elegant shape that masks its sinister nature. According to legend, the vase carries a malevolent spirit or curse that dooms anyone who keeps it, making it a feared and avoided heirloom.
Its true whereabouts remain a mystery, and many stories warn of the misfortune it brings, making the Basano Vase a chilling symbol of a haunted object with a deadly legacy.
Complete the following tasks:
🇮🇹2. Cursed in Translation
Read a chain of 3 books set in Italy or written by an Italian author. Bonus if it involves art, religion, or superstition.
👻3. Spirits Attached
Read a chain of 3 books that feature a ghost, spirit, or lingering presence — friendly, malevolent, or just confused. Bonus if it haunts an object.
🖤4. MPG: Dark
Read a chain of 3 books listed under Dark as a Main Page Genre. You’re looking for something with heavy themes, shadows, twisted vibes, or morally messy characters.
So I finished 2 short books for 2 of the prompts. But since I haven't gotten an answer for my "set in Italy" question, I picked a book that completely takes place in Venice. So, my 3 are short... but I'll be done early tomorrow.Did you guys find books? I see some in the SS, but not all.
I have 2, but am waiting on a response to a question to know about #3
Just checking in. All 3 of mine are done. Not in a hurry. Jessica you still waiting on an answer?
I am. I am working on book 2 currently. Really liking Christine.
Mod
Fats the Dummy is the disturbing ventriloquist’s doll from the 1978 psychological horror film Magic, based on the novel by William Goldman.
Fats is the wooden partner of Corky Withers, a struggling magician turned ventriloquist. With his slicked-back black hair, bulging eyes, wide grin, and weathered, lifelike features, Fats looks unsettling even when silent. But it’s when he speaks, voiced by Corky himself in a raspy, mocking tone, that his presence becomes deeply unnerving.
Unlike many horror dolls, Fats never walks or acts on his own. The terror comes from the psychological unraveling of his owner. Corky begins to lose control, and Fats seems to gain more personality, will, and aggression, speaking dark truths, manipulating his master, and ultimately pushing him toward madness and violence. The question becomes whether Fats is truly alive… or simply the fractured voice of Corky’s split psyche.
Fats stands out in the horror genre not for supernatural antics, but for embodying the descent into insanity, blurring the line between puppet and puppeteer. His dead eyes and cruel wit make him one of the most quietly terrifying dolls in film history.
Fats doesn’t walk. He doesn’t blink. He doesn’t need to. His power isn’t in movement—it’s in manipulation. As Corky’s ventriloquist dummy, Fats slowly takes over the act… and then the mind behind it. His voice cuts deep, mocking and commanding, until it’s unclear who’s speaking—and who’s listening.
Now the dummy’s whispering again. And we need your help to shut him up before he finds a new voice to borrow.
Complete the following tasks:
1. Who's Pulling the Strings?
Sometimes the puppet is in charge.
Read a chain of 3 books where control is unclear—stories with manipulation, toxic influence, or blurred power dynamics.
3. Say It Without Moving Your Lips
The voice is coming from somewhere… just not where you think.
Read a chain of 3 books where the main character hears things no one else does—voices, whispers, hallucinations, or inner monologues that feel too real.
5. Painted on a Smile
The makeup never cracks. The eyes never move.
Read a chain of 3 books with white or bone-colored covers (at least 50%).
So... I picked my books. Happy to see the bigger book I had just started works for one of our prompts!! Added mine to the SS. I work this weekend, so not sure how long I'll need. I'll report in about that later tomorrow since I'm hoping (cross my fingers) tomorrow is less busy for me.
I picked my books also and added them to the SS.
Woohoo!... finished my long book earlier today. The other two are much shorter, so there is a chance I'll finish both tonight.
I just marked my book as done and I see i'm the last one... so I'll check us in!
No prompts yet, huh? Bummer. Not finishing my ongoing books in case I can use them. Hopefully we’ll get some soon. It’s usually hit or miss if I can use them if I hold on for a bit. 😬
I am also holding off a couple of books in case I can use them.
Dede wrote: "I am also holding off a couple of books in case I can use them."fingers crossed that the dolls will play nice! hahaha
Mod
Books paused. Fingers crossed. Breath held.
Somewhere in the dark, porcelain shifted and cloth whispered against wood.
“So patient,” one of them sighed. “So hopeful.”
Another giggled—sharp as a cracked music box.
“They think if they wait, we’ll be nice.”
A third voice, softer… closer.
“Keep holding your books, little readers. Just remember—when the prompts arrive, they don’t always ask politely.”
—Toymaker Lisa
Mod
In F. Paul Wilson’s 1984 novel The Tomb, the pair of cursed but magical necklaces is an ancient artifact linked to the powerful and malevolent force of the Sumar Empire.
These necklaces are imbued with supernatural energies that grant protection and power to their wearers, but at a steep cost. While they bestow abilities such as enhanced strength, resilience, or other mystical benefits, they also carry a dark curse, binding the wearer’s fate to the will of the empire’s lingering evil forces.
Wearing the necklaces ties the characters into an ancient struggle between good and evil, blending allure and danger. The necklaces symbolize a double-edged legacy: magical gifts that are inseparable from their sinister consequences, highlighting the novel’s themes of ancient curses and the perils of tampering with forbidden powers.
Complete the following tasks:
🌒3. Read a chain of 3 books under MPG: Fantasy, Paranormal, or Dark Fantasy
Whether it’s ancient evil, hidden worlds, or cursed artifacts — we’re diving into the magical side of the Main Page.
⚔️4. Read a chain 3 books where good and evil are blurred or both sides are corrupted
If you're rooting for the villain, questioning the hero, or side-eyeing everyone, the necklace approves.
🔤6. Read a chain of 3 books where the author’s first and/or last name includes at least 3 letters from the word NECKLACE
I was up late , so I plotted out my books for this. I am pretty sure I can use some I have in progress, but had to poke around for a 3rd. Jessica, I'm pretty sure we'll be able to use the one we have a pending BR for!! woot woot!
I think I have found my three.. Two were already on my TBR!!
Dede wrote: "I think I have found my three.. Two were already on my TBR!!"I love when that happens. Since I was able to use my 2 books I already had going, I'm done with my 3!
Not in a hurry though.. I am catching up with some other challenges.
Yikes... did you guys see the announcement? Quick, let's pretend we don't know each other. lol ... kidding. We're doing good though, right?
*crickets*
Almost me, but it was redacted! Phew!!!
Jessica wrote: "Almost me, but it was redacted! Phew!!!"hahahaha
danielle wrote: "checked us in!"WooHoo!!
Decisions, decisions... 57% in my current book. Do I finish it, or save it in case I can use it in our next round? 🤔
I am saving a couple just in case I can use them in our next round! I can't wait to see what we get this time!
Hooked on Books
Books mentioned in this topic
The Book of Fire (other topics)A Thousand Splendid Suns (other topics)
The Wish Collector (other topics)
The Shell Seekers (other topics)
The Wish Collector (other topics)
More...
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.