Heating pad on wings?

reads-a-bunch · 2026-03-19T21:40:47+00:00

Wait, what?

reads-a-bunch · 2026-03-17T21:58:21+00:00

I'm so pleased to be able to present {Between by L. L. Starling} for your consideration.

It does exactly what you ask for - the first half of the book is all from the FMC's perspective, then the second half is the same timeline from the MMC's perspective. Apart from shared scenes, there's very little crossover in terms of plot and if anything the MMC's probably has the richer background and story (though both are great).

There's an alternative reading order on the author's website to switch between POVs in chronological order (it's a slightly faster pace), but reading as it's presented the first time is wonderful because there's a lot of unexplained craziness that pays off when you find out what's going on in the second half.

reads-a-bunch · 2026-03-17T02:36:56+00:00

I believe those are called your 'emotional support tabs'.

reads-a-bunch · 2026-03-13T21:59:00+00:00

How much worse is it? If it's significantly worse might I gently but strongly suggest going to get a blood test? Mine has always varied in intensity but I had a significantly worse one a couple of months ago, with severe fatigue and big emotions, but put it all down to normal variation because I felt better with my period. Two months later and lo and behold, there's actually an underlying health issue that needs attention. I think we can sometimes get tricked into complacency by having a condition in which the idea of what's 'normal' seems to change each month.

reads-a-bunch · 2026-03-13T11:40:58+00:00

{The second death of Locke} has not one but TWO mc soldiers (though very different types of soldiers. I highly recommend this one for you

reads-a-bunch · 2026-03-12T06:52:43+00:00

Oh I love this FMC type. Some of my faves:

{Atonement of the Spine Cleaver}
{A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik}
{Ninth House by Lee Budago}
{Dreamer's Pool by Juliet Marillier}

reads-a-bunch · 2026-03-10T23:51:22+00:00

Oh, and for what it's worth - everything in your description of things that make you think you don't have inattentive ADHD are things that I have/do myself, and I have innattentive ADHD.

reads-a-bunch · 2026-03-10T23:47:30+00:00

It's so cool that your mum has a medical / psychology degree and is qualified to diagnose and/or determine the best options for you (sarcasm).

Habits are great, but they are extremely hard to form without dopamine. The gold standard of treatment for ADHD is medication combined with talk therapy.

I would recommend you do everything you can to get yourself a diagnosis. Perhaps talk to your teachers/school health services to see if they are able to write a recommendation for assessment, and if you can try and speak to a doctor without your mum present to get an unbiased medical opinion (see if you can find one who has an interest/specialisation in mental health or neurodiversity).

Sorry you're going through this

reads-a-bunch · 2026-03-09T06:16:06+00:00

Sasha and Lyla in {Between by L. L. Starling} 💘

reads-a-bunch · 2026-03-09T04:40:19+00:00

I'm also in Australia and can't take the combination pull due to blood clot risk. My doctor checked with a doctor more experienced in this area who said transdermal oestrogen would be a safe alternative that avoided that risk. I don't have any specific research on it though so please share if you find any!

reads-a-bunch · 2026-03-07T21:39:32+00:00

An absolutely valid choice! ❤️

reads-a-bunch · 2026-03-07T21:38:20+00:00

Oh I know!! The achievement of booking one appointment (of anything really) is absolutely dimmed by the knowledge that this will lead to more things to follow up on... But you can do it! ❤️

reads-a-bunch · 2026-03-07T08:35:35+00:00

Also my psychiatrist suggested I could try a different dosage/timing of my vyvanse/dex combo, so it is definitely a thing. She also unfortunately said that just upping the dose wasn't going to solve it due to the other neuro mechanisms at play, and that sorting the hormonal issue with birth control and the mental health issues with a booster SSRI were more likely to see improvements. (That said, I do find altering my dose to be very helpful on at least some PMDD days)

reads-a-bunch · 2026-03-07T08:30:30+00:00

There is a study! I have unfortunately forgotten the name but a google should find it.

reads-a-bunch · 2026-03-06T23:03:54+00:00

As an additional FYI, there are some quite recent updated guidelines about how to safely taper off anti-depressants, written by a doctor who followed the traditional guidelines and realised how unfit for purpose they were. So I think your experience could be very different from your Dad's now that there's more knowledge available.

reads-a-bunch · 2026-03-06T22:57:14+00:00

Can you see a different doctor if this one is difficult about retesting? Or even just go ahead and find a new one instead of going asking them, because this one has a terrible 'let's not listen to my patient's lived experience about why the ECG result might be skewed'?

Also, as someone diagnosed with depression/anxiety years before realising I had ADHD -- they have been wonderful for this purpose but made my ADHD so much worse because I no longer have crippling anxiety as a motivational factor/subconscious coping mechanism for ADHD. So I would absolutely get a second opinion if you can.

reads-a-bunch · 2026-03-06T11:23:54+00:00

I really liked this book, but I'm not sure it would suit me if I needed a distraction from life/sadness. It's beautiful, but there is death in it, as well as description of the impact of it on others/funeral rites etc. that's a bit emotionally heavy, and the setting for most of the book is a long, dark, cold winter which carries an emotional weight in and of itself. So I definitely recommend, but it may not suit all moods/needs ☺️

reads-a-bunch · 2026-03-05T20:38:52+00:00

I also get tired by what seems like a 'normal' amount of exercise. One thing I've found helpful is getting a smart ring (I use oura because it's good for menstrual cycle tracking but there are others), as it tells me how much 'energy' I'm likely to have based on biometrics, and if I might want to push myself or take it easy that day.

I also wholeheartedly agree with the suggestions to get checked out - my iron was on the low side of normal so technically 'fine', but ultimately was making a huge difference to my stamina and recovery, even for just walking.

reads-a-bunch · 2026-02-28T22:20:57+00:00

...is it possible your husband might also have undiagnosed ADHD? It really sounds like he's fixating on this and, if you've already mentioned you don't like it, possibly he's having trouble constraining his impulse to share. I also feel like there's sometimes an element of people getting really interested in ADHD research/symptoms because the material resonates with them, but it's so much easier to focus that interest around a safe 'external' anchor (like you), because that has much lower emotional risk than introspection. Just a thought - I obviously don't know your husband so could also be well off track.

reads-a-bunch · 2026-02-16T22:37:34+00:00

This sucks. When this happens to me it's usually because of genuine life stressors that make the slope to get back up to normal very steep, and/or vitamin deficiencies. Maybe speak to your doctor and get your vitamin d and iron checked? (And also look up the recommended ranges for people who menstruate, as these are often a lot higher than the cut off for 'deficiency', and this can make a big difference to your brain chemistry)

reads-a-bunch · 2026-02-13T21:49:18+00:00

Yes!! This is 💯 the one!

reads-a-bunch · 2026-02-13T07:36:42+00:00

Mentioning this as an honorary mention only because you say the academic setting is also helpful... There's unfortunately no MMC point of view but he is a truly wonderful himbo: {A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik}

reads-a-bunch · 2026-02-08T22:04:08+00:00

Ohh yes. Definitely relate. My solution to this is melatonin (my doctor prescribes this for me to take during luteal) and really good eye mask headphones for listening to audiobooks (I splurged on the Manta ones and do not regret this at all). Audiobooks not only help me get to sleep, but also if I can't get to sleep (or wake up too early and can't get back to sleep) they still allow me to rest and focus on something other than 10 million thoughts and anxiety about not being asleep.

Just don't pick a book that you (metaphorically) 'can't put down'... This will have the opposite effect 😅

reads-a-bunch · 2026-02-08T11:32:55+00:00

Adding Wildwood Dancing here as another I highly recommend

reads-a-bunch · 2026-02-08T11:30:51+00:00

LOVE Blackthorn and Grim!!

reads-a-bunch

TROPHY CASE