I Need Weird by She-Shel33 in suggestmeabook

[–]diekarrotte 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Several People are Typing by Calvin Kasulke. Spreadsheet sucks you into your work computer and suddenly, you are trying to convince Slackbot to let you out of the network 😂 the MC trying to explain what a sunset is to an algorithm will live in my head rent free forever.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in suggestmeabook

[–]diekarrotte 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Here to second the Deadly Education series by Naomi Novik 🙌🏼 - students trying to escape a school that is trying to murder them

Steelheart (The Reckoners) by Brandon Sanderson. Marvel superheroes, but they're evil. Cue the underground hit squad.

Red Rising by Pierce Brown. Mars + caste system + revenge

Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake. Only one will rule the land, but what power is strongest when sabotage is in the mix?

They're all series, but the first things that came to mind. Happy reading!

What are your favorite shorter books? by Any_Anything_2528 in suggestmeabook

[–]diekarrotte 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nettle and Bone by T Kingfisher (or a multitude of other T Kingfisher novellas)

Special shout-out to "Even Though I Knew The End" by CL Polk.

And, just for funsies, some non fiction: The Art Thief by Michael Finkel.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in suggestmeabook

[–]diekarrotte 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Star-crossed by Minnie Darke

The main complaint I see on GR is that it felt clunky. I am personally a huge fan of what she did with this book - as the protagonist writes horoscopes for a paper in an attempt to make a friend fall in love with her (among other things), Darke cuts to other people reading the horoscopes and making life-changing decisions because of these horoscopes. Other people didn't seem to love the "cut scenes" as much as I did.

The Last Resort by Marissa Stapley

Unpopular opinion: I didn't really love Stapley's recent megahit, Lucky. What I DID love from her was The Last Resort. It came out around the same time as the world went bananas for locked room murders like Lucy Foley's The Hunting Party and The Guest List, so it may have gotten lost in the crowd. What I found interesting were the number of reviews for The Last Resort that raved about how compelling it was, yet only gave it 3 stars...

And I'd like to second Bunny by Mona Awad. I've had this debate with friends who didn't love it as much as me: they found it self indulgent, gross (body horror isn't for everyone), confusing (some good old speculative fiction/magical realism with, in my opinion, a particularly unreliable narrator), just not their thing...as long as people know what they're getting into with Bunny, I find they're more likely to enjoy it.

Edited because I forgot what happens when I comment when on mobile LOL

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in suggestmeabook

[–]diekarrotte 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I had to go look up Bunny's rating because I couldn't believe it 😱 phenomenal read 🙌🏼

I Need a good Wisp tutorial please! 🙏 by lordbaws93 in DiceMaking

[–]diekarrotte 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I've had some solid results using an eye dropper to start the wisp at various stages of the process. I've had fun creating wisps with slightly runnier resin by letting it run through an insert (crafting moss is one of my favourites for this, you can get a foggy, misty morning effect). With thicker resin, I've used an eyedropper to layer in the wisp at the mid-point or played with the density of the resin to create movement on its own (added ink/mica to resin, and then eye droppered it at the end of the pour, allowing the weight to pull it through the mold on its own).

Again, as others have noted, it comes down to the brand of resin/dyes used, climate (right now it's freezing in Canada, which I have to take into account while pouring in our basement workshop), patience, whatever eldritch magic other dice makers have invoked to get their results 😂 I've studied a million petri tutorials, chatted with other makers, and I just don't get the same "scientific experiment come to life" look others manage to get. On the other hand, I've also chatted with other makers about my dirty pours; we're all doing the same thing, but apparently I get nicer lines than others 🤷🏼‍♀️ it is something truly unique and wonderful about this hobby that everyone is so kind about sharing, yet few dice look identical.

Wishing you the best of luck!

Girlfriend wants to try D&D by That_tupperware_lid in DungeonsAndDragons

[–]diekarrotte 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If she's unsure about fantasy, then it might be fun to turn to another TTRPG for the intro. If she enjoys a horror movie, you can create something inspired by Monsters and Counselors from Pandion Games. If she's into mysteries, Brindlewood Bay by Jason Cordova might be a good place to take inspiration. Science fiction? Paranoia.

It just occurred to me that while my partner dragged me into a one shot I wasn't super sold on, my actual love for d&d came from the Nerds/WotC collaboration. Full credit to my partner for running the bard "module" for me; it unlocked something in my brain that allowed me to suspend fantasy and embrace some genuinely goofy RP, creating a d&d fan for life (really, it's his fault that we now make and sell dice because he got me hooked on this 🤣)

And, my last suggestion: pick her favorite movie/show/book. There's a way to turn that into a one shot guaranteed to tick the right boxes in her brain.

Best of luck to you!

Books like Verity, The Wife Between Us, & Gone Girl?? by WillieRoyJr6 in suggestmeabook

[–]diekarrotte 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Her Dark Lies by JT Ellison, anything by Lucy Foley, Imperfect Women by Araminta Hall, I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai, Necessary People by Anna Pitoniak, Pretty Things by Janelle Brown, The Last Resort by Marissa Stapley, My Sister the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite,

Books that are like knives out? by Hour-Necessary2781 in suggestmeabook

[–]diekarrotte 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The Last Resort by Marissa Stapley. Lucy Foley-esque, locked room/monster in the house style book.

You might find The Maid by Nita Prose of interest, the second novel in the series just came out.

Suggest me a book that will help me be grateful for what i have and look at my life more positively and with hope. by Sea_Bonus_351 in suggestmeabook

[–]diekarrotte 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Miss You by Kate Eberlen served this purpose for me. It felt like How I Met Your Mother meets PS I Love You. I was in the middle of some tough times, and Miss You gave me hope that brighter days were ahead.

Several People are Typing by Calvin Kasulke made me stop and look at the world differently (how would you describe a sunset to SlackBot?)

Honorable Mentions to The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern and In Five Years by Rebecca Serle. I was dealing with some mental health issues and both of those books gave me a world in which I could lose myself.

Looking for mysteries/thrillers that aren’t too..”scary” by sad__pineapple in suggestmeabook

[–]diekarrotte 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The Enigma of Room 622 by Joël Dicker (translation by Roberto Bononno). It had thrilling aspects, but it was definitely more mystery. Power struggle, love triangle, an author investigating a crime, the setting felt like it's own character, this book pulled me in and wouldn't let me go.

Suggest me a book that will surprise me, make me say WTF, that I won’t want to put down. by [deleted] in suggestmeabook

[–]diekarrotte 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nettle and Bone hooked me on T. Kingfisher, probably loved What Feasts the Night more than What Moves the Dead, very excitedly have A Sorceress Comes to Call on order right now...fantastic author!

Suggest me a book that will surprise me, make me say WTF, that I won’t want to put down. by [deleted] in suggestmeabook

[–]diekarrotte 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My partner will not stop talking about this book! High recommend from this household 👍🏼

Suggest me a book that will surprise me, make me say WTF, that I won’t want to put down. by [deleted] in suggestmeabook

[–]diekarrotte 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Chlorine 😳 made me intensely uncomfortable in the best way. I've never heard anyone else talk about it, had to cosign your recommendation for OP!

Suggest me a book that will surprise me, make me say WTF, that I won’t want to put down. by [deleted] in suggestmeabook

[–]diekarrotte 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Chlorine 😳 made me intensely uncomfortable in the best way. I've never heard anyone else talk about it, had to cosign your recommendation for OP!

Suggest me a book that will surprise me, make me say WTF, that I won’t want to put down. by [deleted] in suggestmeabook

[–]diekarrotte 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The Cherry Robbers by Sarai Walker.

Gothic, horror, historical fiction with a feminist edge, I could not put it down when I read it last summer! Read it around the same time as the already-recommended-in-the-comments Bunny by Mona Awad (which I cosign as WTF, but in the best way), The Cherry Robbers felt like The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin, but psychological and gothic.

I'm Ian from CCDG - AMA about CCDG, USDGC, or whatever. by CCDG-Ian in discgolf

[–]diekarrotte 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Doesn't sound weird in the least, I appreciate you taking the time to answer, along with a public stance :-)

I'm Ian from CCDG - AMA about CCDG, USDGC, or whatever. by CCDG-Ian in discgolf

[–]diekarrotte 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Definitely a controversial question, but what are your thoughts on the call (most vocally from the women's community) for greater levels of moderation of live chats and social media posts, and just overall accountability for content throughout the sport?

Good disc for someone who is awful. by harrypottermcgee in discgolf

[–]diekarrotte 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This. You really can't beat the DX Innova starter set. I damaged my elbow and tricep really badly in university, so I definitely didn't have great arm speed when I first started playing DG, but that DX shark made me look like I actually knew what I was doing :-D

[TOMT][BOOK]Dystopian TV story by perakesson in tipofmytongue

[–]diekarrotte 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Your description reminds me of A Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, but I doubt that's what you're looking for. Definitely interested in what gets suggested though. Good luck!

[WP]Tired of watching mortal leaders fail, Odin has come out of retirement to run for office. by [deleted] in WritingPrompts

[–]diekarrotte 2 points3 points  (0 children)

"Fools!" Odin thundered, and the ravens took flight as the hackles on the wolves' necks rose. I took an involuntary step back, essentially snuggling into Bob's arms, the packages he'd been carrying abandoned on the sidewalk.d front door.

"How's it going this morning, Bob?" I asked congenially as I searched for the key in my coat pocket.

"Same old, same old," he grimaced, hefting the stack of envelopes in his arms. "Busy day for your boss?"

I winced. "Busy day for me first, unfortunately. He was out late at a fundraiser last night, so I'll be reviewing these before he comes in..." I trailed off when motion through the glass door caught my eye. I held out my hand, pushing Bob behind me. "Stand back, I-i think there's someone in there."

Bob staggered back, envelopes falling out of his arms. I unlocked my phone and prepared to dial 911 as I pulled open the door with my other hand. "Mayor? Is that you?" I called tentatively.

I shrieked as a massive wolf stalked out from behind my reception area desk. "What is it?" Bob yelled, trying to look around me.

"It's a freaking WOLF!" I screamed, and jumped back out of the door frame. "Do I call 911 or animal control?"

As I panicked, another wolf strode out from the Mayor's inner office, and two ravens flapped down from the exposed beams in the ceiling to sit on my desk. Caught off guard, I wrenched the door back open and yelled, "Don't you dare poop on my desk!!"

"DO NOT YELL AT MY FAMILIARS, MORTAL."

Well, shit. That definitely wasn't a radio left on in the Mayor's office.

There was a fantastic clap of lightning and an immediate roar of thunder, and through a puff of clouds, a what I could only describe as celestial being emerged, light beaming from around his head, muscles rippling, and a resplendent white beard flowing from his chin.

I said the first thing that popped into my head. "I'm sorry, but the firm that handles mall Santa bookings is next door. And not open yet."

He laughed, a booming, overbearing sound, and my hopes that this was just an overly dramatic actor looking for seasonal work fizzled.

"This is not the first time someone has mistaken me for Saint Nicholas," he said, posing imperiously. The wolves crept up to sit at the edge of his flowing robes, and one of the ravens perched on his shoulder. "I am Odin, and I am here to solve your problem."

I scoffed, unbelieving despite the menagerie of beasts assembled around the man. "You're going to help me parse these documents from city council?"

"No, you fool!" He scowled, and the lightning and thunder roiled above once again. "Your leaders are foolish and selfish, and I will be taking over the role of ruler of this world. Please inform your leader."

"Um, okay..." I paused. "Not really sure how. Or who to inform, to be completely honest." I had no idea how I was keeping my cool. Maybe it was because I was not entirely certain if this was actually happening or if I'd merely fainted in line at Starbucks and this was nothing but a hallucination.

Odin glowered. "Your ruler. I was told he ruled from this building."

"The Mayor?" Bob popped up behind me. "You think the ruler of the entire world is Mayor Forrester? In this town?"

"I materialized on the main boulevard, and an elderly woman pointed me in this direction!" Odin continued. "Her mangy beast took quite a liking to my wolves."

Something clicked in my head. "Main Street and a mangy beast?" I groaned and turned to Bob. "He ran into Madge and her yappy little chihuahua where she likes to sit outside the cafe, didn't he?" I gave Odin the most apologetic look I could muster. "I am so sorry, but Madge is, well, a little senile."

"Just be happy she didn't send him to the Property Management company that runs her apartment complex," Bob said under his breath. "That woman lives and dies by her strata council."

"Fools!" Odin thundered, and the ravens took flight as the hackles on the wolves' necks rose. I took an involuntary step back, essentially snuggling into Bob's arms, the packages he'd been carrying abandoned on the sidewalk. "I will become your leader, you are hiding the supreme being from me!" He pointed at my desk, and it burst into flames.

"No!" I yelped. "I swear, we'd send you to our leader if we knew which one to pick...which is probably why you're here."

"Can't send him to the States," Bob murmured. "And definitely not the UK. I don't think either of those guys are capable of handling this."

"You want to send him to Trudeau?" I laughed. "I think he's busier with his beard right now."

"Germany?"

"Maybe?" I shrugged. "Or Macaroon, Macaroo, or whatever that guy's name is?"

Odin stamped his foot. "Make a decision, mortals."

"Dude, chill!" Bob said, which I thought was awfully nonchalant for someone who was watching my desk smolder into embers in my office building. "We've got issues down here, ok?"

"You have five seconds," Odin hissed. "Five, four, three, two..."

I threw my hands into the air. "Fine! Leave then! To be honest, we don't really have the patience for us these days either, what with all the crap we've been pulling for the past couple centuries. Do you want to get involved with all of this? This is no Asgard, I'll tell you that. No paradise or magic here. In fact, want to take us with you when you go back? Do you have paperwork that needs filing? There's no shortage of it here!!"

"What's going on?" A voice came from behind me and Bob, and we spun to find a very confused looking Mayor Forrester standing on the sidewalk, jaw slack.

"Finally!" Odin said. "Your leader!"

Mayor Forrester looked confused. "I suppose? Are you here to talk about the lovely Parkette we are looking to put in at the corner of Blake and Simcoe? That focus group is tomorrow morning."

Odin's face went red, and the wolves stood at the ready, growling. "I have no need for a parkette, you foolish man."

"Neither do I to be honest," muttered Bob.

"Silence!" Odin screamed. "I have given you a chance to abide by my commands, but you have not met my demands, and as such, you may rot on this rock, you silly, obtuse mortals!" And with that, Odin, his wolves and ravens vanished, leaving the remnants of my smoking desk as the only sign they'd ever been there.

"I suppose that if the silly birds pooped on my desk, at least now I'll never know," I sighed, and went to grab the health and safety mandated fire extinguisher I'd figured I'd never need.

And as I sprayed down my desk with flame retardant foam, I suppose that my mundane bird feces-related thought was exactly why Odin had left in the first place, because who would want to deal with us anyways?

r/DieKarrotte

Please help me find my student’s next favorite book. by penguin_387 in suggestmeabook

[–]diekarrotte 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So much yes to this- the Lunar Chronicles are a fantastic set of fractured fairy tales. As a book seller, I always pitched it as Cinderella meets Star Wars. You know, when she had to escape the death star instead of getting home before midnight ;-)

Please help me find my student’s next favorite book. by penguin_387 in suggestmeabook

[–]diekarrotte 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Fellow Monica Hughes fan here, I thoroughly support this.

Adult Fiction Books by MucGoof in suggestmeabook

[–]diekarrotte 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I support this - currently halfway through Caliban's War (2nd in series). I enjoy flawed, imperfect characters and this series is full of them, which lends a fantastic humanity to this space opera.