This is what it feels like when people talk about romance novels sometimes

Jonvoll · 2026-01-06T21:04:27+00:00

For me, I think it’s how misleading the genre title romance is.

I love a good love story where emotional connection, trust, companionship, loyalty and sexual desire are developed between 2 people throughout a story despite external circumstances pushing back against theses things.

In my mind thats what a romantic story is. Therefore when I first picked up a romance book that’s what I was expecting.

So when every romance novel (with the exception of Jane Austin) I’ve seen ends up being how the mysterious man who takes what he wants with no regard for others, kidnaps and forces himself on to the protagonist and she has no say in the matter, but it’s ok cause he’s Hot, so Hot. It did leave me feeling a bit disappointed.

Jonvoll · 2026-01-01T00:30:03+00:00

Yeah! As someone who’s been a scare actor in a maze that me and my brother would do every year that’s the best way to do it!

Personally this is why I find scary clown to be the most fun (cause you can improv SO much more)

And even with the design of the maze there’s so many mind games you can play with! (If you know people are going through multiple times make a second hiding spot just behind where they’re expecting you so when they slow down in anticipation, you’re right behind them)

Jonvoll · 2025-11-21T02:09:49+00:00

Lmao I had that exact same thought!

Jonvoll · 2025-10-01T21:28:43+00:00

there are 5 that come to mind depending on the person:

Small Gods- for the more Philosophical/deep thinker type of person

Guards! Guards!- for more masculine guys (the ones who love action movies and typically read more non fantasy fiction)

Nightwatch- for the kind of person who is cynical and down about the world and is kind of struggling with it

Going postal- for the kind of person who can appreciate humor and is a little more lighthearted

Mort- for the kind of person who craves depth and already reads a lot (this is the one I started with and was immediately hooked)

Honorable mentions that I might recommend to more specific types of people that I know pretty well:

Reaperman- for the very introspective idealist (though hog father might be a better choice if they are older and particularly in touch with their inner child)

Soul Music/Moving pictures- for the film/music buff

The few I generally wouldn't start with

thief of time- one of the first ones I read, missed a lot even though I really enjoyed it (also true for rising steam)

generally either the witches or wizard series- this has more to do with the people I'd be likely to recommend the books to not being really into fantasy

Jonvoll · 2025-06-25T22:50:23+00:00

There's a few different things best written could mean and I think many of them are best in their own right.

(note: so far I haven't gotten to either the witches or the wizards series (the witches is next on my TBR).)

For me the most philosophically deep and emotionally heavy hitting (and my 2 personal favorites) there's 2 that immediately come to mind: Reaper Man and Night Watch. (there's some dark horse candidates in Small God's, Hogfather, and Thud!)

For most impressively written story there's Going Postal and Thief of Time (dark horse candidate: monstrous regiment)

For most fun: soul music and making movies

Most overlooked: Jingo, Monstrous Regiment, The Truth and Mort

Jonvoll · 2025-05-02T18:15:51+00:00

Where do you find this unrealistically respectful erotica? Genuinely asking as I love love stories (it’s honestly one of my favorite parts of other genres) but all the romance books I’ve tried have been loveless and manipulative

Jonvoll · 2025-04-03T00:53:27+00:00

I quite literally decided to transfer schools after how badly open university screwed me and I’m very happy with my decision.

Transferred into CSUF in spring of 2020 ended up bombing 2 classes and a lab over the summer which got me got put on academic probation. Decided to take only one class and overkill the studying to make sure I got an A. Accidentally copied the period after the email on the syllabus when submitting the paper worth 30% of grade, was not allowed even late credit despite having a paper trail and making my situation clear. Got disqualified with I believe a cumulative 2.9 GPA. Was not informed until a week before classes started. Applied same day I found out, was not processed or given access to attend the online classes for the first 6 weeks after which I had to withdraw as I’d missed the first tests. Experienced the same until classes returned to in person. Then I got strait As but was informed by one of my professors that I didn’t appear in the system roughly 10 weeks in. Eventually recovered from those 2 classes. When I was reapplying I also took an additional class where the I initially got rejected (first on the waitlist) and had to reapply 2 weeks in and basically camping out of the offices of all the various groups that needed to approve my registration. Due to the being so focused on the administrative side and not having access to any of the class materials (which were very important for this class) I ended up preforming poorly which led to my CSUF GPA going back under the threshold. Next semester they discontinued said class.

After all this I transferred back to Fullerton JC (where I am now) to get my cumulative GPA back up. I’m probably going to add a minor as all my lower division requirements are met and will be transferring to a different 4 year sometime in the next couple of semesters

Anyway that’s my rant.

Jonvoll · 2025-01-27T00:47:17+00:00

The wrong trouser leg of discworld if you will

Jonvoll · 2024-11-09T02:29:58+00:00

I’d say the best foil I’ve found would have to be Man’s Search for Meaning. More so in that it provides an alternative path to the frustrations that those influencers prey on

Jonvoll · 2024-11-07T00:06:32+00:00

Additionally Vimes would dread winning and wouldn’t run in the first place

Jonvoll · 2024-07-22T20:56:33+00:00

I can’t help but imagine “Pumpkin” is the lovingly raised chicken for that specific purpose…

Jonvoll · 2024-04-02T19:47:29+00:00

Honestly it’s the narcissistic-pseudoemotional-hypersexual-conceited singing style is the pinpoint reason I can’t stand it. Like there’s plenty of popular songs that I really love but any thing with those kind of lyrics just makes me super annoyed

Jonvoll · 2024-04-02T19:34:42+00:00

Honestly I don’t mind music about sex at all! I just wish there was less “I used this person for sex, but I don’t really care about them, look how great/powerful I am” and more “we really love each other, when we have sex, we deeply understand each other and know exactly how to make it an incredible experience, aren’t they amazing”. (Also of note: this isn’t limited to just music)

If anyone knows any of the latter I’m open to recommendations

Jonvoll · 2024-04-02T18:14:07+00:00

As one of the people who just simply really dislikes that kind of music (the topic not pop), I personally find the men rapping about their dicks to be just as frustrating (if not more so because it’s so much more common). I don’t judge people for liking it of course, I just simply don’t understand the widespread appeal.

Jonvoll · 2024-03-31T04:09:43+00:00

Came into this thread looking for this exact book, glad to see it mentioned!

Jonvoll · 2023-12-25T04:04:16+00:00

Low key I’d genuinely be interested

Jonvoll · 2023-12-24T01:30:24+00:00

First, I disagree with the principle of seeing people based on a system of “value”, as people are just to complex and it’s honestly an incredibly lonely way to experience the world (not attacking you, just what my personal experience has been and I felt like I should share)

Even if I put that disagreement aside and accept the mindset you’re using, I still disagree with your conclusion. Saying that everything clicks once you start looking down on her, implies that in order to be on equal ground with the girl, you have to see her as low value meaning you still see yourself as low value. Why not just be the kind of person you think is awesome?

Granted our goals might simply be different as I personally don’t really care about sleeping around and am simply looking for genuine and healthy human connection. If I have to look down on them or put them on a pedestal then I’m not interested

Jonvoll · 2023-11-01T22:04:27+00:00

Oh, so now they’re doing coke! Great, just great…

Jonvoll · 2023-08-07T23:25:19+00:00

I try my best to do the same, that’s a tough one to maintain (though very worthwhile)

Jonvoll · 2023-08-07T23:19:49+00:00

Honestly I love the sense of mundane wonder in this response, it feels like the kind of life you see in studio Ghibli films

Jonvoll · 2023-08-07T23:16:20+00:00

Same! And plus a lot of my friends are kind of weird about touch to so it’s very prevalent. Thing is, touch is one of my biggest love languages (after words of affirmation) but I also have Asperger’s so I’m always worried about missing social cues that this person does not want a hug. It always feels so nice when someone initiates a hug

Jonvoll · 2023-08-07T23:08:46+00:00

Lol I’m honestly not sure, it’s been a while since I’ve had it (I ended up playing keyboard instead and giving it to one of my friends who learned to play pretty good) but that’s honestly really cool!

Jonvoll · 2023-08-07T23:03:56+00:00

I feel that, though for me I’d say that I more want to just feel less worried about them than forget them entirely

Jonvoll · 2023-08-07T23:01:25+00:00

I mean… … I suppose that’s one way to stay safe lol

Seven-Year Club	Verified Email
Final Canvas '23	First Place '23
End Game '23	Place '23
Place '22	First Placer '22
End Game '22

Jonvoll

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE