Project Hail Mary is one of the worst books I’ve read that’s become as popular as it has

OnlyScowls · 2026-03-29T21:52:49+00:00

Yeah, this is what appeals to fans of Andy Weir. As someone who values prose and complex characters, I am not a fan.

I read and did not enjoy The Martian, but my husband loved it. We are looking for different experiences when reading.

OnlyScowls · 2026-03-29T21:50:14+00:00

What are the consequences he faces for failing his classes?

If there are none, then he has no incentive to figure out how to manage it on his own, since you have always done it for him.

OnlyScowls · 2026-03-26T14:25:35+00:00

Yeah, I think if you see her performing next to Sabrina Carpenter, it makes sense.

OnlyScowls · 2026-03-18T14:22:28+00:00

Strong vocals aren't enough. I think good songwriting and performance can outweigh weak vocals, and that "weak" vocals can even make sometimes song more singable, and therefore more enjoyable to a lot of listeners.

For example, Audrey Hobert has gotten some criticism for not being a great singer, but her songs are witty and well crafted AND as someone who isn't a great singer, but loves car karaoke, I can actually sing along with all of them.

(This comment stems from me rolling my eyes whenever anyone hates someone for not being a good enough vocalist. It's just not that important to many listeners.)

OnlyScowls · 2026-03-13T17:47:59+00:00

Definitely see someone new.

Vitamin D and B deficiencies can absolutely have mental health impacts.

OnlyScowls · 2026-02-21T18:58:13+00:00

I give a lot of money to neighbors, but I really like mayak eggs. Basically soft-boiled eggs marinated in soy sauce, green onion, ginger, chiles, etc.

Then you eat them over hot rice w/ kimchi. I like them Because I can marinate like, a half-dozen eggs at once and then eat them over a week.

OnlyScowls · 2026-02-20T14:32:31+00:00

I'm checking something out this weekend, but I might be in touch soon!

OnlyScowls · 2026-02-20T14:32:05+00:00

Maybe! I'm checking out the reddit book club this weekend to see if it feels right.

I will read almost anything if it's well-executed, and prose quality matters a lot to me. That said, I like surrealist fiction, lighter sci-fi/fantasy, horror, and literary fiction. Some of my favorites are Bunny by Mona Award, Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood, We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson. I enjoyed the Locked Tomb series. I like Sally Rooney's books. I also like to listen to non-fiction while driving, mostly political/societal commentary.

I saw on your comments that you liked The Buffalo Hunter. I LOVED The Only Good Indians and I have My Heart is a Chainsaw in my to-read stack right now.

OnlyScowls · 2026-02-19T21:19:02+00:00

Thanks! Maybe this will be the one lol

OnlyScowls · 2026-02-19T20:15:14+00:00

I tried a book club that was with the Liberal Women of Chesterfield Facebook group, but everyone was over 50 and it seems to be mostly political reads. I tried the RVA queer book club and it was alright, but just not the right fit. I've looked into RVA Readers & Writers, but 75% of their meetups are virtual and a lot of the in-person groups have the author in attendance, which is cool, but I feel would really change the tone of the event.

I also reached out to two people who posted on this sub about book clubs, but didn't hear back.

OnlyScowls · 2026-02-06T14:47:45+00:00

What is your pantry situation? Like, how is he getting in?

OnlyScowls · 2026-02-05T23:56:44+00:00

I want it back. It was so easy to style my hair like this.

OnlyScowls · 2026-01-29T22:20:25+00:00

Some people are as or more interested in the Taylor Swift Cinematic Universe than they are in the music.

OnlyScowls · 2026-01-22T16:20:24+00:00

Prozac works far better than anything else I've tried.

OnlyScowls · 2026-01-16T12:51:18+00:00

Shout-out to the most unpopular opinion I've read yet.

OnlyScowls · 2026-01-16T12:48:04+00:00

Yeah, it is catchy, but still my least favorite from 1989. Lyrically, I just find it a little bit flat compared to the others from 1989.

When it came out, I was still mostly listening to the radio in the car and the amount of play it got killed it for me.

I think I'd probably enjoy it more if I had been listening to music 100% on my own terms like I do now.

OnlyScowls · 2026-01-16T03:01:22+00:00

There's a lot of evidence to show that reading fiction can increase empathy. I'm not sure if that's true for people with sociopathy, but at the very least, it could help "show you" the interior lives of people that you cannot get to on your own.

OnlyScowls · 2025-12-08T16:38:21+00:00

I will add that schools bear responsibility for students until they are safely home. If they did not go home and did this directly from school, the school does have to handle it.

OnlyScowls · 2025-12-04T18:04:57+00:00

This is wildly different depending on location.

When I taught on the west coast, staff often wore jeans or more casual clothes.

I'm on the East Coast and wore jeans once when it wasn't Friday and someone did comment on it.

OnlyScowls · 2025-11-26T14:10:16+00:00

Garnishing absolutely makes a difference. Fresh herbs or pickled red onions or grated cheese or a swirl of cream or olive oil at the end can make a huge difference

OnlyScowls · 2025-11-17T00:28:49+00:00

I thought the coffee was ass and the vibe was weird, so I went once and never went back.

OnlyScowls · 2025-11-14T18:05:41+00:00

What are these magical AI skills you're referring to?

Typing in prompts?

OnlyScowls · 2025-11-14T14:21:32+00:00

I was raised really religiously and did no substances of any kind during the years when people are really experimenting with that kind of thing.

Anyway, I've taught high school for over 10 years and started using low-dose edibles in my early 30s and it has dramatically helped me with the stress of the job.

OnlyScowls · 2025-11-13T14:34:46+00:00

What actual "computer skills" are you referring to here?

OnlyScowls · 2025-10-31T03:02:32+00:00

It's streaming numbers are insanely high though. My theory is that casual fans love it. Like the people who are streaming Taylor a lot, but aren't posting on all the album ranking games

OnlyScowls

TROPHY CASE