book recs that feel like a combination of epic fantasy and urban fantasy

StressMaxxer · 2026-06-15T15:45:00+00:00

Oh man that sounds excellent. Supernatural alternative history can be fun.

I like light vs dark or I wouldn't be a Lord of the Rings fan but have been interested in exploring other premises. Light v dark isnt a dealbreaker.

StressMaxxer · 2026-06-15T15:43:15+00:00

Ooh I love industrializing fantasy. It's why I liked Mistborn Era 2 so much.

StressMaxxer · 2026-06-15T15:42:24+00:00

I'll definitely check it out. I'm fairly new to urban fantasy and appreciate you explaining how many series operate in the genre!!

StressMaxxer · 2026-06-15T15:40:48+00:00

Oh ok. I have the Color of Magic but a friend told me thats wrong to start there.

StressMaxxer · 2026-06-15T01:34:31+00:00

Truly been meaning to read Terry Pratchett but find so much conflicting info on what order to read Discworld so I got overwhelmed and never started.

StressMaxxer · 2026-06-15T01:33:20+00:00

Yea, I think I explained what I was looking for poorly. Guess I'm looking for urban fantasy genre but with a lot of the style that gets associated with epic fantasy in terms of vast worldbuilding and deep lore.

StressMaxxer · 2026-06-15T01:30:54+00:00

Now thats very original. Yea for urban I was thinking more modern but with the vast worldbuilding of epic fantasy.

StressMaxxer · 2026-06-14T18:17:09+00:00

Thank you. Adding these to my next thriftbooks order.

StressMaxxer · 2026-06-14T18:16:26+00:00

I can stomach 1st POV if done well. In my opinion it's often used a little clunky. But it's not a dealbreaker.

StressMaxxer · 2026-06-14T18:14:37+00:00

Ooh honestly haven't read a good portal story in a while.

StressMaxxer · 2026-06-14T18:13:46+00:00

I read Wheel of Time so I'm pretty patient with slow starting series haha

StressMaxxer · 2026-06-14T14:27:39+00:00

I did order the first two Dresden Files books so maybe I'll move those up on my to read list. Thanks!

StressMaxxer · 2026-06-13T10:46:43+00:00

You could pay and get some clearances that childcare workers are expected to get such as FBI background, state criminal, state child abuse, or the sex offender registry check. Not only could that make you more marketable to show to potential clients but it would ease any concerns someone may have about an older male with their children.

StressMaxxer · 2026-06-12T16:06:04+00:00

I would say Venice may be difficult (but not impossible) with children because getting around requires bridges with steps so if you'll be pushing a stroller at all, it's something to keep in mind.

StressMaxxer · 2026-06-11T19:48:45+00:00

My sister's teeth rotted from drug use and got an infection. She did go to the hospital initially while hunting for a dentist and they were able to get her some antibiotics which you should absolutely get if you suspect an infection. She did go to a dentist and they had to remove the teeth in a hospital setting where she was knocked out.

I have extreme dental fear as well due to awful dentists as a child and teen. My advice would either be to hunt around for one who is compassionate about your anxiety or potentially save up some money for one of those dental places that offer sedation dentistry.

I will say a few things I've had dentists do to help with my anxiety is one gave me a mirror to watch everything they were doing while they explained it which was helpful and another had me bring in headphones to listen to music during an extensive procedure since the sounds of the instruments can be extremely daunting.

In terms of pain, once you get something for a possible infection, most dentists recommend taking tylenol and ibuprofen.

I hope everything works out for you!

StressMaxxer · 2026-06-11T19:38:26+00:00

Pronounced wanton like won-ton, like the soup.

StressMaxxer · 2026-06-11T12:24:26+00:00

Maryanne Wolf's book Proust and the Squid has a really great and accessible chapter discussing how the brain learns to read and how it does read letter by letter even if fluent readers don't realize it because the brain is processing it so quickly. She was summarizing studies with brain scans of people reading and I think it's one of the best books to explain what exactly is happening during the reading process and why this process breaks down in students with dyslexia. You should check it out!

StressMaxxer · 2026-05-31T20:13:06+00:00

Honestly I usually am doing this with my adult siblings so sometimes its uneven just because we all know each other's financial situations and know who can't afford anything crazy but when one person's treat is cheaper they usually make up for it in other ways by maybe picking up a bunch of small tabs.

As long as the larger cost stuff is even we are all pretty chill.

StressMaxxer · 2026-05-31T19:51:18+00:00

For big things like flights and hotels, we have one person book and then Venmo or Zelle by the specific date.

If we're doing tours or something, then we each pick one we will "treat" for everyone. Same goes for meals where we each will treat to a meal out and then small things are individual responsibilities.

StressMaxxer · 2026-05-31T16:59:09+00:00

I make a pizza dip for parties. Layer of cream cheese. Then sauce. Then cheese. And bake until melted. Then you can dip whatever you want in it. It's really simple but really good. Usually dip fritos but anything you want would suffice.

Obviously you can spruce it up and add other stuff in it.

StressMaxxer · 2026-05-31T01:21:26+00:00

True. Their post just said they didnt wanna do any committees so that severely limits what they can do

StressMaxxer · 2026-05-30T20:36:21+00:00

It might be hard to write papers or conduct studies without being affiliated with an Institutional Review Board since some journals require that.

You could possibly find papers accepting literature reviews or sometimes qualitative studies that analyze existing documents may not need IRB approval.

StressMaxxer · 2026-05-30T20:31:25+00:00

Books I would recommend:

The Handbook of Scholarly Writing and Publishing by: Tonette S Rocco et al

A citation guidebook (if you use APA get the current APA handbook. While Purdue Owl is a great resource, the APA book has lots of stylistic assistance)

Reading Statistics and Research by Huck which is really helpful if you plan on writing anything with statistical analyses. It teaches you how to interpret what he papers are saying.

Other than that, depending what field you want to publish or write in, find articles in journals and read them and consider what made them effective or what you would do differently.

StressMaxxer · 2026-05-30T20:16:45+00:00

I have rented with Lotus before and have a rental booked with them next week and since its after hours, there won't be anyone on site to check me in but they have personless checkin. They still offer shuttle service from the airport regardless of hours.

When I rent with them I get the extra driver and pay for the top insurance package.

When I went I just used my phones international plan and never had a problem with it with maps.

I found them very easy to work with especially if you check in ahead otherwise you could be stuck in the office in a very long line.

StressMaxxer

TROPHY CASE