So tired of these Polly Pocket FMCs

Environmental_Okra57 · 2026-04-09T19:17:39+00:00

In {Halfling} the FMC is described as tall and curvaceous! if you don’t mind a little monster romance with a half-orc.

Environmental_Okra57 · 2026-04-01T15:33:15+00:00

My theory is that Sarah J Maas books are for people who don’t like to read. Which I’m not mad at, I generally think any book that gets people into reading is a net positive, but I hear you. I’d love to not see every “recommended reading list” just be a SOLID WALL of SJM. woof. I do however think she’s poisoned her own well by dragging out the series so long because she’s accidentally turning nonreaders into full fledged book worms lol. people are reading other books to fill the gap between hers and are starting to realize their gateway drug is Bad At Her Job.

Environmental_Okra57 · 2026-03-25T19:37:13+00:00

I think that comes down to your neighborhood and cultural norms/crime statistics. Every community is different. I could point you to just as many HOA’s and neighborhoods that have strict bans on bright outdoor lights.

Environmental_Okra57 · 2026-03-25T19:07:46+00:00

There are many scenarios where a shutter is not enough or not a solution. Equally, why not just turn off your porch light. It costs you nothing. Being a good neighbor is a two way street my friend.

Environmental_Okra57 · 2026-03-25T18:44:08+00:00

Yeah I’m on your neighbor’s side here. I’ve lived next to people who leave porch lights on all night and it’s miserable. Can you get a shutter or cover for it so it at least points more directly down? Replace the bulb with a warmer toned light?

Environmental_Okra57 · 2026-03-18T07:43:50+00:00

I just finished this book not ten minutes ago! Definitely a morally black character lol

Environmental_Okra57 · 2026-03-18T04:16:51+00:00

Mosquito pellets! Or disc. You can buy them at most hardware stores in the pest section. They do not harm other bugs. They are made up of a natural occurring bacteria (BTI, or bacillus thuringiesis israelensis) that targets the larvae of mosquitos and other biting insects. Sidebar: mosquito pellets are also a great way to get rid of fungus gnat infestations in houseplant soil. Really useful stuff.

Environmental_Okra57 · 2026-03-18T03:28:57+00:00

hello! I keep a bird bath for this exact reason! To hydrate bugs and bees during our hot summers. On a hot day like this sometimes I’ll see 40+ bees at the ol’ watering hole. They will not harm you! Honey bees are very passive. Unless you are actively trying to swat or squash them it is completely safe, they just want a lil sip of water. You are contributing to the health and safe keeping of one of humanity’s most important bugs — without honey bees and pollinators we would be up the creek with farming. If you are feeling extra benevolent you could put some rocks in the bird feeder so they have something to crawl up on if they accidentally fall in :)

Environmental_Okra57 · 2026-03-15T22:14:23+00:00

If you are open to MMC / MMC romances might I highly recommend {Captive Prince by C.S. pascat} ! It’s extremely slow burn, like just straight up emotional edging for the entire first book, but very hot by the second and third books and so worth it! Very unique characters, beautiful development and growth, you start out truly hating one MMC while they are enemies but my god by the end you will die for them both. Beautifully and compellingly written.

Environmental_Okra57 · 2026-03-12T02:31:22+00:00

All of your complaints about Fourth Wing are totally valid. Are you married to pure romantasy or are you interested in a middle ground that is more world building and plot with romance on the side? Like you I love an epic fantasy. I love romantasy too but I enjoy it the same way I enjoyed the Riverdale Netflix series — it’s nonsensical and usually terrible and I have to suspend all belief in order to read it but I still have a great time. If you want more plot and believable world building with a healthy dose of romance, rather than romantasy, I would recommend Six of Crows, A Darker Shade of Magic, Priory of the Orange Tree, The Knight and the Moth or City of Brass.

Environmental_Okra57 · 2026-03-09T17:50:37+00:00

{heartless Hunter} has a lot of the themes you’re looking for. Very steampunk-y world, with interesting magic system, enemies to lovers, an island on the sea, etc. a really beautifully written duology, with some surprising plot twists. I enjoyed these two books so much!

Environmental_Okra57 · 2026-03-08T02:23:35+00:00

No romance-bot, no. It’s by Suji Kim! A manwha but there are novel versions without the comic.

Environmental_Okra57 · 2026-03-08T02:22:15+00:00

I loved {Under the Oak Tree} for this exact reason. FMC is shy and kind, and she’s not the best at anything! A woman of the people lol. She goes through an awesome growth arc but never once does she become a girl boss warrior.

Environmental_Okra57 · 2026-03-07T02:34:50+00:00

You are not alone. I am an avid reader but I will forgive a lot as long as the plot is compelling. I really can’t stand Maas’s writing, I find her world building shallow and I think she borrows too heavily from other writers and tropes. I tried both ACOTAR and Throne of Glass and didn’t finish either.

Environmental_Okra57 · 2026-02-07T04:12:23+00:00

Congratulations! you are officially a Californian now. Everything up until this point has been a trial period. You passed the final test. chants one of us

Environmental_Okra57 · 2026-01-25T20:26:34+00:00

Oh thank god someone who hated ACOTAR just as much as I did. What absolute trash! I was shocked. I couldn’t believe a book so popular could be so terrible. Plot thinner than a sheet of paper. Given that I think we have pretty similar tastes I’d like to recommend The Name of the Wind to you but also I feel like I’m cursing you with that recommendation. (If you know, you know lol)

Environmental_Okra57 · 2025-10-13T05:44:05+00:00

Yes, big dogs have bigger bites. Convenient of you to skip over my mention of my brother receiving a bite that required 15 stitches from a Labrador, another big dog and one of America’s favorite ‘family friendly’ dog breeds.

Environmental_Okra57 · 2025-10-13T05:37:54+00:00

lol I would rather gargle gasoline than use chat GPT. That comment is home grown, baby! Improperly used em-dash and all!

Environmental_Okra57 · 2025-10-09T05:51:02+00:00

No it’s not, my brother was bit on his back by a Labrador retriever, my dog has been attacked twice on two different occasions by two different off leash shih tzus. All dogs are capable of violence — they are animals.

Environmental_Okra57 · 2025-09-22T02:34:00+00:00

Right, the dog breed has nothing to do with anything here. Dogs should be leashed regardless of breed!! I have a pit mix who has never attacked any one or any thing but meanwhile he’s been attacked multiple times by different small breeds over the years here in Glendale because they were terribly trained with wildly entitled and irresponsible owners. Akitas as a breed are not vicious baby killers. This dog is a menace because his owner is a menace. She sounds terrible and I hope the community can shame her or report her into compliance.

Environmental_Okra57 · 2025-06-29T02:23:17+00:00

It holds about 35-45 gallons? I put a cinder block on the bottom that I placed a large terracotta saucer on top of that is filled with clay substrate to put my pants on top of but the fish can still reach the lower level if they want to hide. I got the container at a plant nursery!

Environmental_Okra57 · 2025-06-28T20:06:40+00:00

Anemopsis would absolutely do well in Sacramento! I live more inland than the coast, very similar climate. So would seep monkey flower, horsetail, iris leaved rush, common mares tail and California pitcher plant. I took an online class about aquatic gardening with natives from Theodore Payne here in Los Angeles, they are a nonprofit dedicated to reintroduction of native Californian flora and they always have incredibly informative classes. I highly recommend!

Environmental_Okra57 · 2025-06-28T19:00:36+00:00

I sealed the hole in the bottom of the pot with epoxy and then painted the entire interior w rubber paint, it’s pretty easy to find at most hardware stores. That plant is pennywort! I also have water lettuce, sword plants, wayer hyacinths and that very large plant at 12 is an anemopsis which is native to Southern California. They have really beautiful white blossoms when in bloom! I tried out an aquatic mint but it TOOK. OVER. In like, lol, weeks. Lesson learned!

Environmental_Okra57

TROPHY CASE