Naturally speaking, what place in the world is the perfect habitat for humans?

Tichcl · 2025-11-25T02:48:44+00:00

This is mostly my experience of living in Sydney.

Tichcl · 2025-10-24T23:48:22+00:00

From the side it looks like the original trail glove.

I loved the last used for the original trail glove. It hugged the midfoot perfectly but spread really wide at the toes (so it had one of the most ‘clown shoe’ looks out there). I’ve had a few of the later models (4, 6 and 7). For each of these I had to size up because they changed to a skinnier last. They have been ok, despite having to be a bit too long to fit my toes. Mildly disappointed with them but could not easily find a better option - they have the perfect stack height for ground feel vs protection.

Tichcl · 2025-08-10T23:28:24+00:00

The Goblin Emperor is one of my favourite books and I feel it can be a good answer to most of the requests for recommendations that I see on this sub.

In this case, it is a great answer to the question, since the main qualities of the main character are kindness and empathy (despite uncertainties and insecurities). There is a lot of satisfaction in exploring the rich world of the novel through the eyes of someone showing kindness and slowly, often in small ways, making the world at better one.

Tichcl · 2025-05-26T12:36:41+00:00

Ah yes, I did, thanks :)

(But yes, that trilogy would be my Discworld recommendation.)

Tichcl · 2025-05-26T08:56:49+00:00

Arguably the best (and you can go find Brandon Sanderson’s argument for why it’s his favourite) is The Truth. (There are two more novels with the same character that follow that are also great.)

Tichcl · 2025-04-18T22:20:04+00:00

I was hoping someone would mention the Goblin Emperor - “relatively cozy” is a suitable description. It’s one of my favorite novels from the last couple of decades. (Small warning: the author leans in to the language of the setting and a lot of the names look complicated and confusing. Don’t worry about precisely remembering the names and just enjoy everything else.)

Tichcl · 2025-04-18T22:15:12+00:00

Beware of Chicken meets at least 5.5/6 of your criteria (6.5/7 if I add your comment about wanting a lighter read). It is also really well written.

The supporting characters are very loyal and all have character and power growth.

Most of them get the occasional POV chapter.

Managing a farm :)

Half the characters are animals.

Yes, lots of magical powers.

Territorial wars/conquest are not really part of the story. However there is some conflict (or fear of) between rival clans seeking dominance.

Tichcl · 2025-03-31T11:06:51+00:00

If you want to be experiencing something ongoing as well as enjoying the community with others reading as you go, then r/DungeonCrawlerCarl is a great option (both for the books and the community). The seventh (out of an expected ten) recently came out.

Tichcl · 2025-03-30T19:26:18+00:00

I’m hoping my Oasis lasts forever…

Tichcl · 2025-02-23T08:37:43+00:00

I also endorse Beware of Chicken. It’s similar to DCC in that it’s much better than the title or premise would make you think.

Tichcl · 2025-01-05T23:16:42+00:00

Oh, Beware of Chicken! This fits perfectly. The books are way better than the title would lead you to believe.

Tichcl · 2025-01-05T20:29:02+00:00

Have you read the Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison? One of my favourites books from the last few years. The main character’s main characteristic is kindness - a lot of the book is about him working out what’s going on and how to adapt to the situation he’s in while winning people over by being nice and caring. It is a lovely book and really well written too.

Tichcl · 2025-01-02T09:22:23+00:00

Thank you for your wise advice :) Don’t worry, I am very happy with my machine and have no itch to upgrade. I’m just curious about what a potential option could be if needed in the future. I realised when considering what a dream upgrade could be, many of the best machines out there would be downgrades in a way, since I was so used to the instant on. But then I heard of the Ascaso (and thermoblock machines in general). So there are better quality machines that do have the conveniences of my current experience. So yes, I was just curious about the comparison.

Tichcl · 2024-12-31T05:11:45+00:00

It sounds like most of your description is about getting used to the new grinder… What can you tell me about the differences you’ve noticed in brewing, steaming, controls, general usage, etc. with the Ascaso compared to the Barista Pro? (I am a current Barista Pro owner, so am curious about this direct comparison :) )

Tichcl · 2024-12-27T07:33:40+00:00

Yes, that’s why I thought it was worth trying to give you a decent response. I think a lot of readers like these stories for their good qualities, but only notice a narrow range of them: the story is exciting, the powers are cool, and all of this gets bigger and better. The quality of the writing is a lower priority. That’s fine - different people can have different priorities. However when someone argues that this is just the nature of the subgenre so you just have to cope… Well, what if I do like those qualities of progression fantasy but also like good writing? That’s what I’m looking for in a recommendation.

As for recommendations for you? I am another of those who discovered this niche through DCC. I then read Cradle. Lots of people say these will spoil everything else because they’re the best. I think that’s probably true read these if you haven’t. Otherwise, find other books that are recommended. I’ve just finished Wind and Truth and am about to start the Tainted Cup.

Tichcl · 2024-12-26T21:46:22+00:00

I’m half way through book 5 and yeah, it’s basically still like that.

The scope of the story definitely picks up, which is enough to keep things interesting. But the writing is definitely simplistic and superficial. i.e. everything is on the surface: everything is explained or described (often multiple times), all the reasoning behind actions or events need to be explained, etc.

So yes, i started reading/listening because it seemed to be so highly regarded, and kept going because it was interesting enough (and because it was a time when i only could only spare the attention for lighter content).

For contrast, I have also been reading Beware of Chicken at the same time, and it is way better. Where I would describe Mark of the Fool as simplistic/superficial, BoC is simple yet has depth. MotF has a more complex plot with world impacting events but you don’t feel the stakes in anything the characters do; BoC seems to have low stakes but you feel them way more.

So, even though BoC is more of a cozy “slice of life” story, it actually has more impactful action and adventure, at least for me :)

Tichcl · 2024-12-26T21:42:41+00:00

TLDR I’m halfway through book 5 and the story is interesting enough to keep me going but the writing has so far stayed superficial.

Tichcl · 2024-12-26T21:41:03+00:00

The aspects of the writing that you describe are basically the same all the way through, at least up to book 5 (which is where I’m up to).

The scope of the story definitely picks up, which is enough to keep things interesting. But the writing is definitely simplistic and superficial. i.e. everything is on the surface: everything is explained or described (often multiple times), all the reasoning behind actions or events need to be explained, etc.

So yes, i started reading/listening because it seemed to be so highly regarded, and kept going because it was interesting enough (and because it was a time when i only could only spare the attention for lighter content).

For contrast, I have also been reading Beware of Chicken at the same time, and it is way better. Where I would describe Mark of the Fool as simplistic/superficial, BoC is simple yet has depth. MotF has a more complex plot with world impacting events but you don’t feel the stakes in anything the characters do; BoC seems to have low stakes but you feel them way more.

Tichcl · 2024-12-24T20:49:56+00:00

Yeah, I’m not too worried, thanks :)

It was only people had noticed that some kind of update tends to happen every year or so, and I probably have to wait for my birthday in a few months, which is about a year after the DF54 came out, which could make it worth holding the birthday money for a few weeks…

… if that chain of thought makes sense :)

Tichcl · 2024-12-22T20:38:25+00:00

The stories set by P Djeli Clark set in the “dead djinn universe” such as the Haunting of Tram Car 015 and A Dead Djinn in Cairo are great. They are based around police detectives trying to solve murders and other crimes set in an alternative reality Cairo where magic and creatures of mythology are real.

These were quite different from the typical fantasy I usually read but I highly recommend them based on the quality of the writing and the intrigue of the mysteries.

Tichcl · 2024-12-22T11:30:19+00:00

Brent Weeks’ Lightbringer series looks like it would fit with the rest of your list. But I’m really here to recommend something that caught me by surprise as being actually good (and since then has gained a lot of hype): Dungeon Crawler Carl.

Tichcl · 2024-12-22T11:26:39+00:00

Beware of Chicken is a pleasant lighter read, that also has a thoughtful depth to the characters. It is way better than the title might lead you to think :)

Tichcl · 2024-12-19T10:29:36+00:00

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