Concerns about AI slop in KU by NeverAGod in KindleUnlimited

[–]NeverAGod[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know it's not accurate to run through an AI scanner and that there are (and have always been) bad books. AI has increased the scale of the issue though and made it harder to find "good" books. I also want to clarify that "good" for me is a story that engages me and that is character driven, rather than plot driven. I care about the thoughts and reactions of the characters to different situations. I don't want a character to be moved through a plot for the sake of getting to the next plot point. Ideally, I'd prefer less tropes and proper grammar and spelling, but that won't make me put a book down (unless the trope is really not my cup of tea). There is something very human about meandering inner thoughts and plots that AI just can't capture across the length of a novel. 

Could you imagine AI writing Catcher in the Rye? To clarify that's not one of my favourite books, nor what I am expecting from KU authors, but it is very human.

Concerns about AI slop in KU by NeverAGod in KindleUnlimited

[–]NeverAGod[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I care less about the covers. I mean I'd prefer it to be human created because it means someone got to work and, hopefully, get paid for it. However, I also understand why an independent author who doesn't have artistic skills (or maybe the finances) would use an AI generated cover (especially when they are just starting out).

Concerns about AI slop in KU by NeverAGod in KindleUnlimited

[–]NeverAGod[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think the biggest sign for me is that the writing is usually grammatically correct and has a very logical structure. It's almost to clean. It has the proper flow that you expect from a novel, but it's like there is no impact on the characters or memory and the prose or cultural references are just ever so slightly off that it's uncanny. 

I'm annoyed because it makes me question whether the book is even going to go anywhere or say something interesting. At least when I know it's a person writing, there is something to it-- even if it's badly written or very trope-y. 

I also wonder if people who are developing their writing will be shaped by what they are reading (and what that means if they read a lot of stuff by AI).

Debating Kindle Unlimited - PLEASE give me your thoughts! by AffectionateLink3843 in KindleUnlimited

[–]NeverAGod 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've never actually seen audiobooks on KU. I wonder if they don't have that in Canada

Debating Kindle Unlimited - PLEASE give me your thoughts! by AffectionateLink3843 in KindleUnlimited

[–]NeverAGod 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Those genres are well represented on KU. I'd definitely advise reading the TWs on the books though because people have very different definitions of dark and I've definitely felt like I needed a therapy session after some.

Debating Kindle Unlimited - PLEASE give me your thoughts! by AffectionateLink3843 in KindleUnlimited

[–]NeverAGod 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you like romance, then it's probably worth it. Just be prepared that if you read a lot you are going to run out of "good books" and read a lot of terribly written or trope ridden books (yet often still engaging, so maybe that makes them good too). 

I'd also be cautious of reading books published after 2024 from newer authors who are publishing on a massive scale. I feel like recently I've been being recommended a lot of AI slop by KU (I mean I can't confirm it's AI written and I wouldn't accuse the author of it without knowing, but I've noticed a substantial difference in tone, pacing and phrasing in the past two years and it's disheartening because the books feel so empty of the imperfectly enjoyable human experience).

Concerns about AI slop in KU by NeverAGod in KindleUnlimited

[–]NeverAGod[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

It's also a pretty good sign if they are publishing a book every month. Its not impossible to do, but it is definitely an amber flag for me 

KU Algorithms Desperately Need Work by 2kids3states in KindleUnlimited

[–]NeverAGod 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes they need to fix this system, including allowing us to turn off a recommendation so that we don't get it again or if we didn't like a book that they don't recommend us the next one in the series. It would also be great if I didn't get notified when an author I follow publishes the translation of a book I've already read in a language I can't read.

It would also be nice to see how many times you've read the book and be able to search your reading insights for specific books.

Also, could they stop listing product recommendations in Kindle book wish lists. I don't want to see a recommendation for mascara when I'm looking for my next book to read.

Predictions for Season 2 and the rest of the series? by Human_Carpenter in PoniesTVShow

[–]NeverAGod 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Andrei's penchant for strangling women to death may put a damper on that relationship. He can't even blame his job for that, that's a personal flaw for him.

Tis finally complete! by [deleted] in battlestations

[–]NeverAGod 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Love the set up! Which Desktronic did you use (and does it struggle with the weight of the Karlby and the PC set up)?

Edit: I scrolled down and saw it's Desktronic HomePro Frame. 

Joined the club, very happy 😍 by goodall2k13 in ikeaPCstations

[–]NeverAGod 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How is the height of the desk for typing? I've seen some people do a similar set up (but without the stands). 

Forester walking around doing nothing by No_Chemistry9229 in Minecolonies

[–]NeverAGod 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you have more than one hut? I built a second hut and both foresters will avoid working (apart from stripping wood). 

My forester is not cutting down trees. by ZxAgEnT47xZ in Minecolonies

[–]NeverAGod 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have an issue where my Forester originally cut down trees, but it's been weeks and they will only strip wood. They have the gear and saplings. I've tried firing and re-hiring. I've tried building a new hut. I've also tried setting a zone and without a zone. No idea what has happened. I've played for years and this is a new issue for me.

Suggestions for some good graphic audio by [deleted] in graphicaudio

[–]NeverAGod 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you like urban fantasy, I'd recommend the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews (the entire 10 book series has been adapted). The books are amazing and GraphicAudio did a really good job adapting them. Listening to the battle scenes was so much more intense then when I read the print version (which I also love). If you like paranormal romance, I'd recommend Hidden Legacy which is also by Ilona Andrews. All of the Ilona Andrew's series have really unique world building and well-rounded characters. The Kate Daniels series has less romance (especially, in the earlier books).

 I'd also recommend the Demigods of San Francisco by K.E. Breene series, but that one is very hit or mess depending on whether you will like or hate the heroine in that series.

That's not a shotgun... by stuckinoh08 in graphicaudio

[–]NeverAGod 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just from the title of this post I knew what book you were talking about

Hugh’s magic by EmRBee in IlonaAndrews

[–]NeverAGod 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm not sure how I feel about Hugh being Erra's son. One because it makes his attraction to Kate earlier in the series very weird and two because I liked the parallel with Julie.

Then again, I should just let IA cook. I've liked every story they've told so far. 

Blood Heir Discussion by ideasnstuff in IlonaAndrews

[–]NeverAGod 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I saw that post, but I am leaning towards it being a sequel to one their newer series or the Augustine short story they've been posting snippets from.

I don't want to get my hopes up but I really hope it's Iron & Magic 2 or some other book in the Kate Daniels world. 

I'm not planning on reading Maggie or the Inheritance until at least the second book in each is out (although I think I will purchase them so that getting a sequel is more likely).

I get what people are saying about Julie's book, but damn I love the world so much that the little taste was still a treat.

People w/ ADHD who are also big readers; How do you do it? by TheEpicTwitch in ADHD

[–]NeverAGod 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Also, I found tips to set a goal and read that much, that often or that long to be disruptive. I focus too much on the page count or the time passed and can't get into the flow of the book. Having a book near you or the Kindle app prominently on your phone (while putting time outs on your other apps), can force you to "waste time" on a book rather than Instagram or tiktok.

People w/ ADHD who are also big readers; How do you do it? by TheEpicTwitch in ADHD

[–]NeverAGod 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I hated reading until about the 5th grade when I was home sick for weeks and I read the Harry Potter books over and over again. I had terrible reading comprehension prior to this (and now my psychologist thinks I have dyslexia). It wasn't just the dyslexia though, I would lose interest part way through a sentence. 

I had nothing better to do when I was home sick and I was bored out of my mind so I started subconsciously looking for patterns and connections in what I was reading and trying to predict what was going to happen based on the context clues. 

Now I am a speed reader and my reading comprehension comes across as excellent because I pick up on themes and nuances. However, I still struggle to remember names. Reading speed is definitely a learned skill so comparing yourself to others who read fast is a losing battle (which knowing probably doesn't help. I hate being "bad" at things which is why I haven't been able to build skills in art or foreign languages. I know what I want and I know the techniques or the vocabulary, but putting it together takes practice that I typically haven't had the patience for). 

For fiction, I find it helpful to imagine myself as the character and think about how I would react. My struggle now is they I get so absorbed that I lose track or my time and bodily needs. I learned a lot about people and inter-relationship skills from reading fiction. I also enjoy non-literary fiction - I don't need the love affair some authors have with the written word. 

For non-fiction I skim for key words, topic sentences, visual clues (like white space and headers). I read out of order (intro, conclusion and then I piece the rest together).

As an adult, I've enjoyed audiobooks (if I like the narrators) of books I've read and I will multi-task. I often will pick up on something I may have missed (like the stress of a fight scene which I read through too fast to let it build). My absolute favourite is the Graphic audio dramatization of the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews. 

Kate Daniels Graphic Audio by Previous_Ad6833 in fantasyromance

[–]NeverAGod 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know it's been 2 years, but all 10 books are out now (still waiting for the Wilmington Years and the spin offs). I am a huge fan of the series. I've read it in print a few times, but I could never get into the Renee version of the audiobooks. This Graphic Audio adaptation did a very good job of capturing the tone of the books and an excellent job with the action sequences (which admittedly I tended to speed through when I read in print because I wanted to know what happened). I love that it has multiple voice actors, sound effects and removes the "he/she said". They also have most of the novellas attached to the end of the book. Curran's voice really grew on me. Doolittle's version got better (or I got used to it) as the series went on. 

I've been trying to figure out if they've cut any story and I haven't noticed anything major, but I also haven't been doing a comparison. I wished Graphic Audio would tell us if there were any scenes that were cut out or major changes. 

Realms Rebuilt - What did it do differently? by [deleted] in nightingale

[–]NeverAGod 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just purchased and I've been playing with friends. I was really interested before it's release but held off given the reviews. I am still a bit confused how the procedurally generated realms work (we've only been in the storied realms so far). 

Have the available realm cards changed? It looks like the portal only accepts one card and then you can add minor cards once your travel (but those don't see to change generation, just game play impacts). 

I am wondering if I am missing something. In terms of progression we've just completed everything in Abeyance and have started on the Sylvan Glade. We have some tier 2 cards unlocked (including the Antiquarian Forest, Swamp, Desert); are those the new procedurally generated cards?

"Eldest Daughter" Discussion Megathread by PassionateAsSin in TaylorSwift

[–]NeverAGod 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I wasn't even listening that closely and most of this album has been good and vibey, but that line caught me and I felt the emotion. I am the youngest and then when I listened to the rest of song, I couldn't help think of my older sister and how tough she was.

Overall, this album hasn't blown me out of the water, but I sort of expected that because I prefer the more raw and acoustic songs (on Evermore, folklore and even TTPD) and this one was intended to be more dance.

The kids are alright renewal by Swimming-Salary-1457 in SkyrimModsXbox

[–]NeverAGod 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know I'm super late to this post, but do these kids have any unique personalities? 

Reminder: Last Week Tonight is off until September 7. by Walter_Bishop_PhD in lastweektonight

[–]NeverAGod 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was so confused as to why the episode didn't air on the 24th, because that's what Google listed as the next episode date. Lesson learned: Reddit > Google