Pay in installments of $30.00 with
,
and
Shipping Estimate
USA
- USA
- CAN
- USA
- CAN
Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Jul 21 - Jul 26
Promo Codes Available:
For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15
Description
The Progressive Book Test by Michael O'Brien (Phantom of the Opera, Hard Cover)My absolute favorite mind reading tool is the Book Test. A Book Test is a special prop disguised as an ordinary book that allows you to read a spectator's mind. With so many of these on the market, how can you possibly know which version of this prop to choose? For me, It all comes down to three simple things: Is it easy to use? Do I need to memorize anything? Does it have multiple uses? So let's talk about the Progressive Book Test! Is it easy to
My absolute favorite mind reading tool is the Book Test. A Book Test is a special prop disguised as an ordinary book that allows you to read a spectator's mind. With so many of these on the market, how can you possibly know which version of this prop to choose? For me, It all comes down to three simple things:- Is it easy to use?
- Do I need to memorize anything?
- Does it have multiple uses?
Is it easy to use?
YES! I structured these books in such a way that the methods are very clear and intuitive. The mindreader will easily be able to divine any thought of words from the book with no fishing, guessing, needing to force a specific page, or asking a million questions. The book straight up tells you the word your spectator is thinking of! It is also easy enough for your spectator to navigate so they don't feel any pressure on stage!
Do I need to memorize anything?
NOPE! If you are like me and have a terrible memory, your biggest fear is trying to memorize a ton of different words, codes, or patterns while also trying to focus on your presentation. With the O'Brien Book Test there is absolutely ZERO to memorize. Like I said, the book will tell you exactly which words they are thinking of!
Does it have multiple uses?
YES! Reading minds can get very boring very quickly if it is too repetitive. That is why I made sure to include multiple routines and variations spread across multiple different popular book titles to keep things interesting for both you and your spectators! The routines can be performed individually or strung together in a coherent routine that progresses from one to the next, increasing the impossibility and excitement!
What about the books themselves?
Like I said, there are multiple different titles to choose from. The methods are exactly the same across all 8 titles so you don't need to stress out about remembering which book includes which method. The books are divided into 2 different categories based on the size: Closeup and Standup.
The book titles are designed to feel very "off the shelf" featuring a variety of sizes, cover finishes, page colors, and styles. You can choose the individual titles you like, or bundle them together for a bit of a discount!
What are the "Closeup" titles?
The Closeup titles are designed to be smaller and easier for the strolling mentalist to carry in their pocket. The books measure 5" x 8." and feature text at the 12pt. font size.
The following titles are included in the "Closeup" series:
- The Gentlemen (Soft Cover)
- 1984 (Soft Cover)
- A Tale of Two Cities (Soft Cover)
- Lord of the Flies (Soft Cover)
- Animal Farm (Soft Cover)
The Standup titles are designed to be easier to use in a more formal standup or stage mentalism type situation. The books are a bit bigger at 6" x 9" and the text is also larger at a 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)
As mentioned earlier, the methods are the same across all 8 titles. These methods include:
- Flashback - Know the first word of any page without needing to force the page or even know the page number.
- Flashforward - Know a word on the first line of the next page. Again, without needing to force the page or even know the page number.
- Inception - Rather than fish for a thought of word, you can plant the word you want in the spectator's mind instead! Surefire! Simple! Clean!
- Any Word on Any Page - Allow the spectator to choose a word from anywhere in the book. You don't even need to be holding the book. It can be done completely hands-off! No peaking, forcing, or guessing! You can be in the other room when the word is chosen! It is so clean!
- The Progressive Book Test - Use a single book to divine 3 thought of words from three different parts of the book at once! Again, no fishing, forcing, or guessing! You instantly know all three words as soon as the spectator chooses a page. Each word gets progressively bigger and more impossible to know!
- Tossed Out Book - Toss out one or multiple books and read 6 spectator's minds at once! Again, nothing to memorize and the words can be chosen from anywhere on the page making this one of the cleanest TOB routines out there!
- Bonus Phantom Method - Use the Flashback and Flashforward methods to divine a thought of image on the page as well! (This is only available in the Phantom of The Opera Book.)
Shipping Notes
- Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
- Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
- Delivery to the USA:
- Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
- If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
- We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
- Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
- To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
- Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
4.2 ★★★★★
Based on 16 reviews
Sort
Product Reviews
★★★★★ 4
Great Outdoor Pickleballs for Practice and Games
Size: 6 Pack, Color: Multi
These pickleballs have been great overall for outdoor play. The colors are bright and easy to see on the court, which is especially helpful during evening games or when playing on darker surfaces. They have a consistent bounce and feel durable compared to some cheaper pickleballs I’ve tried before.
I also like that they fly pretty true and don’t wobble too much during rallies. They work well for both casual games and more competitive practice sessions. The balls feel solid off the paddle and provide a good balance of speed and control.
The only reason I’m giving 4 stars instead of 5 is because a couple of the balls started showing small cracks after extended outdoor use on rough courts. They still lasted longer than many other brands, but I expected slightly better durability considering the price. They can also feel a bit harder than some softer outdoor balls, especially in colder weather.
Overall though, these are reliable pickleballs and definitely a good choice for outdoor play. I’d buy them again for practice and recreational matches.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2026
★★★★★ 5
Good quality
Size: 3 Pack, Color: Optic Yellow
These are really good quality. The color is easy to see on the outdoor court, especially when the sun is bright. Definitely has good bounce to them.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2026
★★★★★ 5
Franklin X-40 vs. Dura Fast 40 (vs. Onix)
Size: 12 Pack, Color: Optic Yellow, Size: 12 Pack, Color: Optic Yellow
Review order:
Review summary (quick read)
Review update (4-13-2021)
Full review (long read)
Summary:
This review might save you a lot of time researching balls, but here's the summary if you don't want to read the full review... For 4.0+ play consider the Dura Fast 40 when preparing for certain tournaments, but expect only about 2 games per ball, which is quite annoying in my opinion... for 95% of players, definitely go with the Franklin X-40 (except when preparing for a Dura only tournament of course). If you just want the ball to last and last year after year and don't care at all about egging or quality of play consider the much softer and much slower and much bouncier Onix ball. The Onix ball is so soft that I can't recommend it for typical play, but it is actually an excellent choice when introducing new players to the game and it is often the preferred ball in 65+ play if mobility becomes a common issue because extra bounce = extra time to get there, but in my area many older players seem to play the X-40 just fine.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Update: 4-13-2021:
Popularity: Almost everyone in my area is playing the Franklin X-40 in every park. I finally saw a Dura in play yesterday, but it's been a long time! Outdoor tournaments in my state are now about 60% X-40 and about 40% Dura (Washington), so even in tournament play the Dura seems to be going out pretty quick.
Seasonal durability of X-40: for the first year I don't think my group cracked a single X-40 (despite having a faster paced game), but using that same batch of balls this Spring, they've all been dropping like flies so now my 1 year old batch of X-40's probably isn't much more durable than brand new Dura's (very annoying to deal with those cracks). I just bought new X-40's yesterday and I'll be discarding the few X-40's that are left from last year when the new stock arrives. It will be new X-40's for me once a year from now on assuming quality doesn't slide... fresh manufacturing is apparently very important, so hopefully Franklin will keep their runs moderate, and maybe that's what Dura did wrong.(?)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Full review:
This review will focus largely on the physical & quality comparisons between the Franklin Outdoor X-40 pickleball and the Dura Fast 40 pickleball, but I'll also give a summary of my impressions from the mouth of experts and supplement also by my own amateur impressions and measurements.
Dura hole specs: 16 drilled holes @ 0.325" & 24 drilled holes @ .264"
Franklin hole specs: 40 drilled holes @ 0.288"
Both balls have 40 holes with an average hole size of 0.288", but the Dura ball has a far more randomized hole pattern. I personally didn't notice any difference in spin characteristics or any notable advantage to the randomized hole pattern of the Dura.
Franklin weight: 26g
Dura weight: 25g
Both balls are rotationally molded in one continuous piece so the seam is just as strong as the rest of the ball on either ball... the appearance of a seam is on the outside of the ball only but the visual molding mark is not actually separated in any way in the middle of the ball and the inside of the ball will likewise appear 100% seamless on either ball, so no true seam exists (both balls are true "1-piece" balls). The Dura ball has much smoother molding marks w/ no plastic flashing like the Franklin... this is primarily cosmetic but quality in this regard definitely goes to the Dura.
Subjective color preference: in the shade I think the Dura "Neon" color looks better (see pic), but in typical full sun the green tint looks dingy on the Dura ball in my opinion, and I feel the Franklin "Optic Yellow" is a crisper color that's probably a little more visible. These are the only 2 ball colors I have to compare. I would prefer more dye to be used for a green ball so it still looks green in full sun because in my experience with disc golf and ball golf neon green is the most visible color and neon pink is good too... with these 2 options I'd pick the yellow... the green tint on the Dura is so subtle in full sun it ends up looking more like a dingy yellow rather than a green. A more apples to apples comparison would be Dura's yellow option but I'm pretty confident Franklin would win that contest also based on the notably higher translucency in the plastic used by Dura. Color: Franklin wins.
Franklin X-40 country of origin: China
Dura Fast 40 country of origin: Vietnam
- - EXPERT INSPIRED IMPRESSIONS - -
From what I've gathered, expect much longer play per dollar out of the Franklin and expect very little life out of the Dura. Dura's are supposed to be a little harder/better/faster, but they often only last a few games based on everything I've read and heard. For older players consider the Onix over either of these balls... softer balls bounce higher and hit slower which allows more time to get to the ball for longer rallies... the Onix seems to be the favorite for play in older aged groups.
Based on expert advise from the "pickleball kitchen" youtube channel...
Best performance award (fastest, hardest): Dura Fast 40
Best Value (also w/ great performance): Franklin Outdoor X-40 - - - except high level players should opt for the Dura due to tournament requirements (note: this observation may be outdated... check tournaments in your state to verify what local tournaments are still using the Dura in your area and which tournaments have switched to the X-40)
Longest lasting, but soft and bouncy: Onix
Note: I have not seen a single outdoor tournament publish the Onix as their ball.
My personal recommendation for most players based on a lot of reviews and some research and a close look would be to skip the Dura and go straight to the Franklin X-40 until you're playing tournaments... if/when you advance to the level of playing serious tournament play I don't think it would take long to transition muscle memory and power from the Franklin outdoor ball to the Dura ball and a lot of money and annoyance can be saved w/ the Franklin over the very brittle Dura... Franklin X-40 balls don't last very long either (according to some... possibly old stock), but compared to the Dura it's a notable improvement strongly worth considering even if you're a quality buff like myself.
Manufacturing quality: Dura wins
Material durability: Franklin easily wins and Onix lasts much longer still if you don't mind a notably slower game (more similar to indoor) and more egging.
Quality of play: Mixed... many elite players prefer the extra speed of the Dura, but I prefer the consistency of virtually everyone using the same ball and even more notably, I'd rather sacrifice just a little speed to get the higher consistency / predictability / reliability of an uncracked ball and I find it distracting to look for cracks all the time.
Value (w/o sacrificing much): Franklin
Despite the long read, I'm hoping this helps the reader save some time in selecting a pickleball, especially for players new to the game.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2020
★★★★★ 5
Do not judge it by the color .. but by the quality of its build
Size: 12 Pack, Color: Ember
The most durable ball in South Texas heat. The bright color becomes matte after a few games, which I don’t mind. When I pull them out at local tournaments I get mixed reactions—to some not being yellow is like trying a new religion!. Most people do prefer the color that they’re used, I get that, but when I tell them it’s a fresh Franklin x40 most give em a go. Some even (sorry Trad pickleball gods) convert. When I see others bring their own I feel a level of affirmation on par with accidental cult leader getting their first members. So yeah, it’s a great performing ball in a color that pops, and a great value. I love this game
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2026
★★★★★ 5
Better quality than the no-name brands
Size: 3 Pack, Color: Optic Yellow
I’ve played with quite a few different pickleballs over the past couple of years, including several cheaper “no-name” brands, and these Franklin X-40 balls consistently perform better for me.
The biggest difference is durability. These seem to hold up much better to hard hits and regular outdoor play without cracking as quickly as many lower-cost balls I’ve tried. Even after multiple games, they maintain their shape and playability better than most bargain options.
I also really like the bright optic yellow color. They’re easy to track during fast rallies and remain very visible in different lighting conditions, which makes a noticeable difference during competitive games.
Performance-wise, they have a very consistent feel and bounce. There’s a reason these are used so widely in organized play and tournaments—they simply play reliably from game to game.
While they may cost a little more than generic brands, I’ve actually found them to be a better value over time because they last longer and don’t need replacing nearly as often.
Overall, these are my go-to outdoor pickleballs now. Durable, highly visible, and consistent on the court. Definitely worth it if you play regularly.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2026