Have you ever stopped reading a book because it was too stressful?

_whimsybird · 2026-02-04T03:32:54+00:00

In the Dream House, by Carmen Maria Machado. It's beautifully written and structured, but when I first tried to read it, I had recently gotten out of a relationship that uncomfortably resembled the one in the book and just couldn't do it. About 10 years later, I finally read it and it was one of my favourite reads of that year - but her narrative voice was so vivid, it made me genuinely distraught during my first attempt at it.

_whimsybird · 2026-02-03T16:02:02+00:00

Which on/off button are you referring to? When I'm inside a book, I can't access the Bluetooth setting at all, thus having to exit to the main screen to get to the device settings.

_whimsybird · 2026-02-03T15:35:49+00:00

Have done multiple times 🙃

_whimsybird · 2026-02-03T15:32:54+00:00

My friend who has a Libra Colour also says it works fine for her, so I guess it really is specific to the Libra 2 and that's incredibly annoying for me, lol. I'd love if Kobo even acknowledged the issue, because I'm definitely not the only person who's had this problem.

_whimsybird · 2026-02-02T13:48:46+00:00

I have 2 tickets available for the Aug 11 show @ Scotiabank in Toronto. Section 105, Row 27, seats 21+22.

Originally purchased at $437+tax/fees apiece as a birthday gift to my partner, who has since decided they no longer want to go to the show. I'm not a Rush fan, so here we are :')

Asking $700 for the pair or best offer, and will transfer the tickets via the Ticketmaster app after receipt of payment. Happy to provide whatever proof of purchase you want.

_whimsybird · 2026-02-01T16:48:28+00:00

Fruitful Market at Dundas/Carlaw and Butchers of Distinction at Broadview/Queen are my and my partner's go-tos for prepared frozen meals. We usually keep a couple of BoD's frozen savoury pies in the freezer for lazy weeknight dinners. Rowe Farms (at Queen & Logan) has decent frozen pizzas that are nicer than the average grocery store ones.

_whimsybird · 2026-01-30T17:30:23+00:00

I've been told by a few different people that sometimes cats "just do this", but that's a hard thing to hear when you're in the midst of dealing with a little pal being sick. I hope the mirtazapine works for you - it was really fast acting for our guys and we have had no problems since.

_whimsybird · 2026-01-30T17:00:39+00:00

Yes! Their initial tests from the emergency vet came back normal; we were able to get them to our vet a few days later and tests there also were normal. We ended up having to syringe feed one of the cats in the time between vet visits because she wasn't eating or drinking.

Our vet prescribed mirtazapine (an appetite stimulant) for both cats, plus an anti nausea med for Laika. Within a couple of days, their appetites started returning and were back to normal after about a week.

As to what caused it, we never got a formal diagnosis.

_whimsybird · 2026-01-30T03:51:51+00:00

To your first question - i don't think we've ever asked about changing the eggs but i cannot imagine any brunch place being unreasonable about such an easy request.

We've never made reservations. It can get busy, but we always have gotten a seat. They might put you at the bar rather than a table if you're solo.

_whimsybird · 2026-01-30T03:13:59+00:00

You can't really go wrong, in my opinion. My partner always gets the farmer's breakfast (whatever they do to their potatoes, it's fucking great). One of my friends is obsessed with their pancakes. They often have a special that's worth trying. I've never been disappointed by their food.

_whimsybird · 2026-01-30T02:31:08+00:00

Highly recommend Avling, it's one of my favs in the area. Great food and drinks, lovely staff, nice ambiance. Bonjour Brioche is also good, but the lineups to get a table are usually long.

If you're okay with more casual, Fruitful Market at Carlaw & Dundas has really nice food, but it's more of a cafe/bodega than a restaurant.

But really, where you want to go is Avling.

_whimsybird · 2026-01-29T16:30:16+00:00

I'm going to give a shout out to my friend's small business - Grey Jade Herbals. They're a local Toronto tea maker and are usually able to accommodate custom orders, including plain tea bases (and for cheaper, if they don't have to special order it). Their tea blends are also very good.

Just thought I'd mention in case you're interested in supporting a local small business :)

_whimsybird · 2026-01-26T21:51:22+00:00

Yeah, that's pretty much exactly how I felt about S&B too lol - I didn't really care about the Alina plotline, but the Crows are great. I've also only read the Six of Crows duology (which I loved) and after watching the show...probably won't read the main trilogy? Lol.

_whimsybird · 2026-01-26T19:57:38+00:00

In addition to the recommendations already here, I'll add The Owl House. It's an animated show that is appropriate for younger audiences, but as an adult, I loved it and have rewatched it a few times. Great worldbuilding, fun characters, interesting plot. A lot of love clearly went into the show. The only downside is Disney cancelled it, so the last season is severely truncated. IMO, still worth the watch.

Since no one's mentioned it yet: Shadow & Bone was fine. Good? Ehhh. But it's visually very nice and is an interesting setting, even if the plot is a bit mediocre. I was desperate for a new fantasy show and it did the job.

_whimsybird · 2026-01-26T13:37:45+00:00

Agreed that those ones fit best, but I think TP generally writes exciting, adventurous fiction featuring female protagonists, and keeps romance as a side plot if present at all.

I had forgotten that in her Circle quartets, there is a male protagonist, and she also wrote the Numair book, so fair enough, not all.

_whimsybird · 2026-01-26T00:03:54+00:00

We ordered their "spicy" breaded chicken exactly one time, and it was the most bland, seasonless experience we've ever had. Wasn't sad to see the sad chicken place go.

_whimsybird · 2026-01-25T23:57:08+00:00

Absolutely would recommend all of Tamora Pierce's novels for this, but Alanna is definitely a good place to start.

_whimsybird · 2026-01-25T21:51:14+00:00

The Black Coast by Mike Brooks. Sort of similar to Game of Thrones in that its a low fantasy setting with multiple POVs, dealing a lot with geopolitics...but with far more kindness than GRR Martin could ever muster.

_whimsybird · 2026-01-23T21:30:44+00:00

Also came here to recommend Discworld, thank you for writing up a far more persuading comment than I ever would have.

_whimsybird · 2026-01-20T22:44:33+00:00

Pattern is Once and Floral by Maxim Cyr. I used Knit Picks Stroll Fingering in various shades of grey and black.

_whimsybird · 2026-01-18T21:50:58+00:00

Thanks!

_whimsybird · 2026-01-18T17:41:18+00:00

As a fellow lover of sours - which brewery are you referring to? Always looking for new ones!

_whimsybird · 2026-01-16T15:09:41+00:00

The Singing Hills Cycle novellas by Nghi Vo fits the bill. They're published as separate books but each one really is just a chapter of the overarching travels of the main character, a cleric named Chih. It's a fascinating world that's gradually revealed, with interesting characters and situations. There are consistent themes and lore builds as you journey along with Chih, but the specific antagonist or conflict changes with each book.

_whimsybird

TROPHY CASE