Hello, hello, hello,

Hope you're enjoying the last days of whatever season you're enjoying in your part of the world. I'm happy to report that my mods were fine with the latest patch. I have a few updates for you and a new mod, PlumBook: A Literacy, Reading, and Library Overhaul.

I realize some of you don't see the quips so might have missed some updates done for the mods and I also have updated since so grab those below.

As I said in my last post a few weeks ago, SimNation's revamp took something out of me and from me lol; I have got it back, though, so yay! As mentioned, I was super burned out from that mod but happily doing something completely new reignited my love of modding once again so crisis averted. That means I have something new for you. I know! Crazy!

Still working on both Post and Parcel Service and SimFinancial as well as Meaningful Motives and the Everyday Tasks and Errands mod I spoke about last time. It's been a busy, busy time. I'm actually so excited about all of the things I'm working on; I wish I had more time to devote to them but alas, only so many hours in the day! But they'll be getting to all by the end of the year so we'll keep rolling along as best we can.

I'll be away starting Thursday and won't be back until next Tuesday so just be aware of that if you DM me or comment or go to Discord.

Happy Simming!

Public Mod Updates

Better Daycare v1.7.1 - This requires Shared Utilities v1.7. Fixed an issue with Daycare away actions.

Custom Nuptials v3 - This requires Shared Utilities v1.7. Fixed an issue that if you have any version of SimNation 8 you couldn't go on your honeymoon.

Education Overhaul v6.6.2 - This requires Shared Utilities v1.7. Fixed an issue with Field Trip away actions.

Healthcare Redux v11.1 /v12.4.7 - Updated to fix an issue with swapped settings test.

Shared Utilities v1.7 - This expands upon some infrastructure laid down in 1.5. The version number has been changed and the two mods above require this version, no earlier ones can be substituted

SimFinancial Public v1.8.3/v2.6 - This now has its own script in addition to needing Shared Utilities. Make sure to get both.

Early Access/Patron Mod Updates

Healthcare Redux v12.4.7 - Updated to fix an issue with swapped settings test and other minor fixes.

SimFinancial v2.6 - This now has a script; be sure to download both it and the updated Shared Utilities v1.7 above.

SimNation Travel v8.1.7 - Fixed an issue with Magnolia Promenade and other minor fixes. Batuu excluded from non-vacation travel.

New Mod

PlumBook: A Literacy, Reading, and Library Overhaul v1

Sapphire/Violet: September 30th
Midnight/Azure: October 7th

So... new mod! This one kind of came out of nowhere, to be honest. I don't even remember what sparked this one but I am an avid reader and remember seeing something about the Bookworm trait and being like yeah... it's pretty underwhelming and kind of sucks...

I wanted to do something with reading because books are such a big part of the game but actually being a reader doesn't really feel like much of anything. Sims read books, gain whatever skill the book is for, maybe get a moodlet, and that's kind of it. Sims have those cool earbuds for music but I also feel like we're missing some opportunities for a true crime podcast or gossip and entertainment podcasts and some audiobooks/self-help/books on tape and e-books, so that's included in this mod too.

Libraries also don't really function like libraries but rather computer labs and toddlers just age up and apparently just know how to read once they can imagine reading (yes, Imagination level 2 unlocks reading... no more of that nonsense)... which is so unrealistic... so all of that sort of spiraled into this.

PlumBook & The Literary Society

PlumBook Literary Society was the original spark - the idea of Bookworms getting some literary perks and a book subscription, if you will.

Sims can become PlumBook members and:

• find books they might like

• keep track of books they want to read

• get recommendations

• review books they've read

• get a Book of the Month

• choose a Genre Pick Book

• get a Surprise Book

• receive a Special Collection Book

• or choose a book themselves

Sims who have the Book of the Month will automatically get access to that same title via Audiobook and eBook as well.

PlumBook members can also join the Literary Society, which is a little more exclusive and can get them invited to member-only events like author signings, release parties, literary events, author talks, book conventions, writing workshops, retreats, bookstore excursions, archive visits, and more.

I wanted Sims who are really into books to have an actual little world around that interest and things to do because of it.

There will automatically be some members of the Literary Society when your Sim joins from around other worlds so you can actually discuss the Book of the Month or books with other Sims. Some Sims will love the Book of the Month, have abandoned it, not started it, or can't wait to dish over the juicy plot details, so other members can actually discuss it as part of a book-loving community.

Reading Opinions, Preferences & Memory

Sims also have more actual, documented opinions about reading now, including books, genres, and authors, and can remember what they've read and whether or not they actually liked it, the author, the genre, or the characters.

So two Sims who both read a lot aren't necessarily going to like the same things or have the same reading experience.

When they discuss their last book or favorite authors they actually have real opinions based on what they read and the authors they've formed opinions about after reading their books.

Book Clubs

There are also book clubs because obviously once I started this I couldn't not add book clubs lol.

Sims can join and participate in them and have more social gameplay centered around books and reading instead of reading being something they almost always do by themselves.

Book club meetings can occur as:

• rabbitholes

• virtual meetings

• club gatherings

At literary activities Sims can also choose how they spend their time. For example, they might Discuss the Book, Listen to Other Members, Defend Their Opinion, Socialize with Members, Take Notes, Ask Questions, Browse Featured Books, Network with Writers, or Hunt for Rare Books, depending on the event.

Those activities can actually build things like Literacy, Writing, Charisma, or relationships instead of the Sim just disappearing and coming home.

Podcasts, Audiobooks & eBooks

This also expands reading beyond physical books.

Sims can listen to skill podcasts and entertainment podcasts using earbuds. Skill podcasts cover broader subjects instead of just being one podcast per skill. So a show like Beyond the Easel can cover Painting, Photography, Cross-Stitch, and Fabrication, while other shows focus on things like cooking, performance, technology, gardening, fitness, writing, music, or even Mischief.

There are also just-for-fun podcasts, including things like:

• Unsolved in Willow Creek - true crime

• The Spill - celebrity gossip

• Table for Two - food and restaurant culture

• Between Us - relationships

• Past Tense - history

• Press Start - gaming

• In Balance - wellness

• Booked & Busy - books and publishing

Each podcast has actual episodes, and episodes aren't necessarily all available at once. You may need to listen to an earlier episode first, wait for a later release day, have a membership, or unlock a special episode as a reward.

There are also Audiobooks and eBooks, and the same book can exist across different formats. So a Sim can start a physical book, continue it as an eBook, and finish it as an audiobook without it counting as three different books.

Libraries

Libraries got a lot of attention too.

Sims can get library memberships and actually borrow books instead of having to buy every single thing they want to read. They can check books out, keep them for a while, and return them, and libraries are more useful for discovering books and figuring out what to read next.

Librarians also have more to do and can help with things like:

• research

• book recommendations

• storytime

• library-related activities and programs

And I wanted libraries to feel more like community spaces in general, so there are more social activities and programs there too. Sims can go to storytime, participate in reading activities, meet and socialize with other readers, read together, attend library events, and just generally have more reasons to actually go to the library.

Younger Sims can go for literacy-related activities and families can use the library for more than just plopping a kid in front of a bookshelf while the adults use the computer.

Literacy

Literacy itself is also part of the overhaul.

Toddlers can start developing Literacy before childhood through:

• being read to

• storytime

• a tablet app

• help from older Sims

• flashcards

So they don't just age up and magically know how to read.

All Sims now have the ability to learn and grow their reading/Literacy skill, and reaching different levels of Literacy unlocks new abilities.

Toddlers who never learned how to read can struggle in school at the beginning as Children and may need a tutor. Children, teens, and adults also don't all start from the same Literacy/reading skill level.

So there is quite a bit going on with this one: literacy, reading preferences and memories, opinions about books and authors and genres, reviews, recommendations, wishlists, book clubs, Book of the Month, PlumBook membership, the Literary Society, author events and release parties, library memberships, borrowing and returning books, librarians with more purpose, storytime, library programs and social activities, audiobooks, eBooks, podcasts, and probably some things I'm forgetting because apparently I don't know how to make anything small anymore lol.

But basically I wanted reading to feel like an actual interest and part of a Sim's life instead of just another interaction they do to fill Fun or gain a skill, and I wanted libraries to actually feel like a community center instead of just free book space and a computer lab.

I'm really happy with how it came together and I hope you enjoy it! Bookworms rejoice!

WIPs

Either SimFinancial Credit Union or Post and Parcel Service should be next release so sometime around early/mid-October, I anticipate, but it's really up in the air which one will come first. They should, though, based on their current states be one released in succession of the other though I'm also pretty far along with Meaningful Motives and Everyday Routines and Task Management as well at this point.

SimFinancial Credit Union v4

I am have to stop adding things to this mod so I can actually put out this overhaul lol. And it has truly become an overhaul. In many ways, it's not even the same mod anymore and a total migration will have to occur when you boot up the new version. I have added so many features I can't wait to show you. I have added the ability for your accounts to be used as payment methods for all purchase/payment paths including bills, restaurants, and more. You will be able to opt-in to bill pay, get custom debit cards you can choose a design for, use your credit cards as payment along with fees as well as earn credit card rewards when you do so, create prenuptial agreements which have financial consequences depending on the terms set during the agreement upon termination/separation, account history, settings menus to customize how you play, income direct deposit, deeper investment and trust fund and DAF integration, expense tracking and budgeting, improved loans and insurance, better estate handling for your accounts, more robust account management, custom funds, and more. It's been an enormous undertaking, probably more so than any mod I've made besides HCR and SimNation Travel. I also plan to add as much compatibility as I can with SNBank and to also allow for migration from SNBank accounts to SimFinancial Credit Union Accounts for those whose Sims which to switch banks.

Post and Parcel Service

I'm trying to make it as full feature as I can with you being able to pack up boxes and send packages to other sims and if you play as that household and rotate that the delivery is actually delivered to the sim and shows up in their mailbox with all of the contents in tact. Same with letters and cards. The hardest part has been keeping contents in tact when switching to the recipient household but I'm still working on it. I also want their to be a way for the postal system to work unexpectedly - like sometimes lost packages or returned mail. Maybe sometimes you get pranked mail. They'll be flyers and junk mail and coupons. You can choose to send either personalized or prepackaged gifts like care packages or have things shipped to you like furniture or shopping. I'm excited for the possibilities of what kind of packages and post I can make for this mod! Panda is currently working on the objects and me on the gameplay. We're still figuring it out but most likely she will be hosting her objects and I will be hosting the mod and we'll release them as a joint project where our patrons can each get our part of the larger collab.

Mindful Practice

This is a completely revamped, expanded mod (Mindful Practice) with small business interactive therapy sessions for individuals, couples, groups, and families, mental health centered custom venue activities, and an actively playable mental health professional career where sims can come to your sim for psychiatric treatment including medication and therapy sessions. This will most likely be the next release.

Active Medical Clinics

Now that HCR is revamped I definitely want to create the active clinic components for doctor's visits and custom clinic venue. The plan is to have this integrated with my health related mods as well as GTW for a more seamless experience when your sim runs their clinic or visits one. I promise I will get to this one - but it has to keep getting kicked down the road b/c there's just so much else I want to do and only so much time.

Reminders & Task Management

This would let you create reminders through your Sim’s phone.

You could choose from preset reminders or eventually type your own, set when they are due, and manage them from a checklist.

A phone badge (the little pink glow next to the phone) could appear when something is due, and the reminder would stay there until you completed it, removed it, or snoozed it.

Daily Tasks & Errands

This would add small everyday responsibilities and errands.

Things like:

• Checking the mail

• Handling paperwork

• Preparing for school or work

• Calling a family member

• Picking up household supplies

• Returning something

• Running a quick local errand

It is just meant to make everyday life feel a little busier and more lived in.

Neighborhood & Civic Life

This would add small neighborhood notices and community activity.

Your Sims might see things like:

• Cleanup days

• Fundraisers

• Maintenance notices

• Volunteer requests

• Local complaints

• Community events

• Neighborhood errands

• Civic paperwork

Some notices would just be for flavor, while others could give your Sim the option to help, donate, volunteer, or take on a small task.

The three mods could connect naturally. A neighborhood notice could create an errand, and that errand could appear in the reminder list. I still need to decide how much they should share and how to keep each one feeling like its own mod. They are definitely not the next releases, but I have started on them and want to go back to them sometime.

Education Overhaul

Education Overhaul is getting a pretty substantial revamp to make school feel like more than just sending your Sim off for the day and watching a performance bar go up or down. I’m expanding the academic side of the mod so students will have actual subjects they can be doing well or struggling in, with their performance shaped by things like attendance, homework, studying, schoolwork, and larger assignments. The existing varied schoolwork system is also getting expanded, including short-term assignments like quizzes and reports as well as bigger weekly assessments that students will learn about at the beginning of the week and have until Friday to prepare for—things like tests and exams, papers and essays, presentations, oral exams, portfolios, and practical assessments. Progress reports will actually reflect how a student is doing, and parent-teacher conferences will be based on their real academic situation instead of a random positive or negative outcome.

I also want to bring a little more of the social side of school into the overhaul—not a bullying system, but things like classmates your Sim gets along with (or decidedly doesn’t), rumors, conflicts, and other school-life complications that can follow them beyond a single random school-day notification. Boarding School is also getting expanded so it feels like a fuller school experience rather than just an alternate way of sending a Sim away, with more academic structure, school-life events, and better integration with the new systems. EA’s existing grades and promotion system will still be the foundation, but there should be a lot more happening underneath that grade to make how your Sim gets there actually matter.

Bug Reports

Please send me any bug reports you have for the mods.

Patrons, I have been receiving your messages here on Patreon and reading your threads on Discord.

If you are not a Patron, please use the bug-report form on Discord.

I do read them!

Patrons looking for mod support on Discord should start a thread in Patron-Mod-Support.

Instructions for creating a support thread are available inside the channel.

Thanks again for your patience, support, testing, and encouragement while I worked through all of this.

Happy Simming!