Let’s talk about my favourite mind-reading gadget—the Book Test. It’s a clever prop masquerading as a regular book that lets you pluck thoughts straight from your spectator’s noggin. With so many options out there, how on earth do you pick the right one? For me, it boils down to three simple questions:
- Is it easy to use?
- Do I need to memorise anything?
- Does it have multiple uses?
Right, let’s dive into the Progressive Book Test!
Is it easy to use?
Absolutely! I’ve designed these books so the methods are as clear as your mate’s dodgy alibi. You’ll effortlessly divine any word your spectator is thinking of—no fishing, guessing, page forcing, or endless questions required. The book practically hands you the word on a silver platter! Plus, it’s simple enough for your spectator to navigate without feeling like they’ve just been thrown into a high-pressure quiz show.
Do I need to memorise anything?
Not a chance! If you’re like me and your memory resembles a sieve, the thought of memorising a load of words, codes, or patterns while trying to keep your act together is a nightmare. With the O'Brien Book Test, there's ZERO memorising required. The book tells you exactly what’s buzzing around in your spectator’s brain!
Does it have multiple uses?
You bet! Mind reading can get a bit dull if it’s too samey. That’s why I’ve packed in multiple routines and variations across several popular titles to keep things fresh for you and your audience. You can perform the routines individually or string them together into a seamless act that builds in impossibility and excitement!
What about the books themselves?
As I mentioned, there’s a fabulous selection of titles to choose from. The methods are consistent across all eight, so you won’t be sweating over which book does what. The books come in two sizes: Closeup and Standup.
The titles are crafted to look pleasantly “off the shelf,” featuring a delightful range of sizes, covers, page colours, and styles. Feel free to pick your favourites or grab a bundle for a cheeky discount!
What are the "Closeup" titles?
The Closeup titles are designed for those who prefer a sneaky, portable option. These gems measure 5" x 8" and have text in a comfortable 12pt font size.
- The Gentlemen (Soft Cover)
- 1984 (Soft Cover)
- A Tale of Two Cities (Soft Cover)
- Lord of the Flies (Soft Cover)
- Animal Farm (Soft Cover)
What are the "Standup" titles?
The Standup titles are tailored for a more formal stage or standup mentalism gig. These books are a touch bigger at 6" x 9", with an easy-to-read 15pt font size. The following titles are included in the "Standup" series:
- The Phantom of the Opera (Hard Cover)
- Fahrenheit 451 (Soft Cover)
- The Handmaid's Tale (Soft Cover)
What methods are included?
As mentioned, the methods are consistent across all eight titles. These include:
- Flashback - Know the first word of any page without needing to force or even know the page number.
- Flashforward - Know a word on the first line of the next page without forcing or knowing the page number.
- Inception - Instead of fishing for a thought, plant the word you want in your spectator’s mind. Easy-peasy!
- Any Word on Any Page - Let the spectator choose any word from anywhere in the book. You don’t even need to be holding it! It can be done hands-off! No peeking, forcing, or guessing! You could be in the other room when they pick a word! How clean is that?
- The Progressive Book Test - Use a single book to divine three thought-of words from three different parts simultaneously! No fishing, forcing, or guessing required! You instantly know all three words the moment they pick a page—each one gets progressively more impressive!
- Tossed Out Book - Toss out one or more books and read six spectators’ minds at once! No memorising, and the words can come from anywhere on the page, making this one of the cleanest Tossed Out Book routines out there!
- Bonus Phantom Method - Use the Flashback and Flashforward methods to divine a thought-of image on the page as well! (Exclusively in The Phantom of The Opera Book.)
I genuinely hope you enjoy these books and find as much inspiration in them as I have! Massive shoutout to Josh Zandman and Kaleb Wade for their contributions and inspiration that shaped this project.
Includes eight titles to choose from. Use one or all of them at your leisure!
Killer!
Direct!
Powerful!
Never leave home without your book test again!
If you already own the Progressive Book Test, you can access this tutorial for FREE on the PBT Tutorials Page!
