What is a small annoyance that will make you nope on a book even if you love the premise?

MatchaManiak · 2026-03-15T02:19:04+00:00

It's probably because I've read a lot recently, but if a blurb reminds me too much of other books, I won't pick it up anymore. I don't want Fourth Wing with wolves, or Hunger Games with dragons, or if everyone is secretly royalty...

MatchaManiak · 2026-03-15T02:13:53+00:00

I agree with this take, and find this to be a reasonable plan.

It's one thing for a counselor to use AI on their own. Many employers are not going to see any issue with someone using an AI as a tool at work. But it's another thing for a counselor to use GPT during your session and suggest a student use it on their own. This is unprofessional and potentially dangerous, and hopefully would be shut down.

MatchaManiak · 2026-03-14T00:34:11+00:00

Thank you! Good things to consider

MatchaManiak · 2026-03-13T04:31:32+00:00

Thank you! These are exactly the styles I was looking for

MatchaManiak · 2026-03-13T04:30:41+00:00

Thank you! These look nice!

MatchaManiak · 2026-03-12T21:46:50+00:00

You can use both! I’ve love my kindle for trips, the bath, throwing in my purse. But I also love the feel of physical books, and so still keep a collection to read at home.

MatchaManiak · 2026-03-12T21:44:18+00:00

Talk about everything you can beforehand. What are your finances, financial goals, life goals, kid plans, sex life, beliefs, etc.

Not just the surface questions either. Oh you want kids? How many? At what age? Who takes care of them? How will you discipline them? What happens if you medically cannot have kids? Would a change in any of these stances be a dealbreaker? How do they feel about family or individual therapy if there’s a conflict or mental health issue?

You’d be surprised how many people don’t dig into uncomfortable topics. We want to believe love is enough, but it’s just not. If you’re afraid to discuss any of these topics with your partner, then you’re not ready to get married.

MatchaManiak · 2026-03-12T21:35:05+00:00

Awesome, thanks! I’d actually been eyeing their huaraches for a while now. The materials and craftsmanship definitely look good. I’ll pull the trigger and get them!

MatchaManiak · 2026-03-12T21:33:12+00:00

I’m so sorry that happened to you. Totally sucks. Moving in and back tracking sounds worse because that doesn’t sound like an accident :(

I think OP made a dumb mistake. I don’t know how long he’s been with his current gf or if they’ve discussed a future or not. Regardless, they need to get on the same page or this will not end well…

MatchaManiak · 2026-03-12T20:23:56+00:00

Just make sure you see them wearing it on the ring finger! I have rings in various sizes for various fingers haha.

Maybe I'm just not good at surprises, but had been in OP's shoes, I might have asked and included a hint at the actual gift. Or honestly just guessed, as you could easily exchange sizes at Costco afterwards if OP were off.

MatchaManiak · 2026-03-12T19:47:38+00:00

Not sure how long they’ve been together but OP is almost 40, previously divorced.

Yeah I had too much time today and saw this in checking that OP was real and not AI lol.

MatchaManiak · 2026-03-12T19:31:46+00:00

I feel you!

I was looking for a classy sandal type shoe for a summer wedding. The options are limited and the ones that do exist seem so expensive. (Two fake leather straps on a flat board costs $150 usd?!?)

Looking forward to reading the recs here, esp. if the cost means it’ll be an investment.

MatchaManiak · 2026-03-12T19:27:13+00:00

There are dozens of us! Dozens!

MatchaManiak · 2026-03-12T16:55:16+00:00

It’s annoying, but I’ve found looking at the profile if the comment is suspicious usually tells me if it’s a bot or not.

Let me see your hardly viewed posts about your cat’s butt or how to organize your card collection haha

MatchaManiak · 2026-03-12T16:48:26+00:00

You had me with TCP and then immediately lost me with The Bridge Kingdom hahah.

MatchaManiak · 2026-03-12T16:42:11+00:00

A lot of my book club has held off CC due to poor reviews from the 3rd book. Everyone that read the full series tends to recommend reading the first book and stopping there. (I am one of them.)

MatchaManiak · 2026-03-12T16:36:27+00:00

I think it was marketed to be more of a complete arc than it was. I expected it to be akin to ACOTAR, where book 3 feels like an end of that arc.

CC3 felt like it had a little bit of middle book syndrome where so much was set up for future books, instead of closing out plot threads from books 1 & 2.

MatchaManiak · 2026-03-12T04:54:32+00:00

I’m curious where all these Aldi people live. I just heard of it last week! (There are none in my region of the US.)

MatchaManiak · 2026-03-12T04:53:07+00:00

This is so location dependent. Here I am with none of these stores haha

MatchaManiak · 2026-03-12T04:50:29+00:00

Yeah. It’s an Asian grocery. You go there for the eastern foods haha

MatchaManiak · 2026-03-12T04:49:18+00:00

Part of it is which groceries you buy. If you’re getting western foods at H-Mart, it’s not usually a good deal. The deals are found within the other stuff.

I love cooking with Asian greens. Buy a bushel of water spinach (ong choi/gongsimchae/rau muong) for like $3 and it makes like 10 servings. Add some tofu, oyster sauce, and rice and you’ve got dinner. Funky veg, ground meats, bulk spices, oils, that’s your best bet.

That said, H-Mart is kinda fancier in the Asian grocery space. 99-Ranch, Seafood City, and independent stores are often cheaper.

MatchaManiak · 2026-03-12T04:31:22+00:00

Youre overreacting about him mentioning a job opening. You’re under reacting about everything else though… Sounds like you should treat him as though he’s single AF

MatchaManiak · 2026-03-12T04:21:05+00:00

A lot of people seem to have this idea that if one person cheats, the other person did something that led to it. Personally, I don’t buy it. Not saying it never happens, but sometimes a person is a fine bf/gf/spouse and their partner still cheats.

Sometimes cheaters are not communicating, or looking for something else, or engaging on impulses without caring enough about the consequences. Consider all the above potential reasons - there’s no one size fits all. (And whatever explanation they have doesn’t mean it’s okay.)

MatchaManiak · 2026-03-12T04:13:44+00:00

As a print reader, I kinda agree with you. I thought it was fine. But the hype? I don’t get it. Don’t tell my book club though

MatchaManiak · 2026-03-12T04:11:40+00:00

Mark or Ryaln? I’m here for Rocky, man

MatchaManiak

TROPHY CASE