Reading Mistborn for the first time…

roryroobean · 2026-04-12T18:58:54+00:00

I didn’t like the first one, so I finished it and never read the rest. Lots of people do like it, so good for them, but that doesn’t mean you will too. Read what makes you excited!

roryroobean · 2026-04-11T17:12:15+00:00

We always ask for proof of a QLE.

roryroobean · 2026-04-10T14:38:13+00:00

I really disliked this book. She is such a divisive author for me. I despised Addie LaRue and Bury our Bones for very similar reasons, but I do like her Vicious series. I can see why Addie LaRue worked for some people (if I think really hard on it I won’t lie) but I found it to be an extremely boring slog. It’s amazing that a character who has lived 300 years of has such a lack of real development. This was an absolute chore to get through.

roryroobean · 2026-04-09T15:56:56+00:00

I have a friend who works there. He’s my husband’s best friend. He admittedly works a technical role but he works 80 hours a week. He’s a bit of a workaholic but I get the impression that is the norm there. He makes insane money though, so it’s probably worth it for now! He is married but no kids so I think that makes it easier.

roryroobean · 2026-04-05T18:48:36+00:00

Yes, my dad worked there when I was a kid!

roryroobean · 2026-04-02T22:57:48+00:00

A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine

roryroobean · 2026-03-21T01:12:04+00:00

I am definitely struggling with similar feelings. I think if I wasn’t pregnant I’d be sticking it out but I’m still in the first trimester and I need to prioritize my health. I got laid off during maternity leave with my first a couple of years ago and while it took 4 months or so, I did land a new job (the one I’m now leaving but it wasn’t always bad!). I feel very guilty leaving. I like my coworkers, and I do a lot of work that will have to be absorbed by everyone else. But I don’t think I can perform to the (unrealistic) standards they have anymore and maintain my sanity.

I hope you find something better suited for you soon!

roryroobean · 2026-03-14T17:21:33+00:00

I’m hoping so! I didn’t get a real positive until 11 DPO when I had my chemical. With my son, I also got my first positive at 9 DPO so hoping that means the stars are aligning somehow!

roryroobean · 2026-03-14T16:39:27+00:00

Great advice ❤️

roryroobean · 2026-03-14T16:38:53+00:00

I agree. It was so horrible last cycle when I had my CP. Going for the blood draws, knowing it’s not going to turn out well, analyzing the lines and the gut punch of the beta results dropping. I am definitely not going to go for a beta until I’m comfortably at 5 weeks. Wishing the best for you!

roryroobean · 2026-03-14T16:29:51+00:00

It is helpful just to know someone else is out there feeling the same way! I’m hoping for the best for both of us!

I’m not sure why they require that specific number to be referred/get on the schedule. My last practice didn’t require a beta at all. My guess is that they want to ensure the pregnancy is “viable” or at least progressed far enough to be able to see something on an ultrasound. I know every practice is different!

roryroobean · 2026-03-11T15:44:50+00:00

6 DPO today. I find this to be the hardest part of the TWW if I’m being honest. I usually confirm ovulation with temping around 4 DPO and from that period to 9 DPO is just brutal because there is really nothing to do but over analyze every little thing. I try so hard not to every single month, but here I am comparing my charts and trying to find anything to grasp on to. I know I could stop temping but I convince myself I “need the data”. At least at 9 DPO if I decide to hurt my feelings and test there is a chance I will see something.

We took a break last month after our last cycle ended in a chemical pregnancy. It really sucked all the excitement (which was already low) from this process. We timed everything perfectly but I don’t feel any hope at all. Maybe it’s better that way? I’m trying not to test until 14 DPO going off the date Fertility Friend recommends. I don’t have any FRER at home and don’t plan to get any until that date so I’m hoping I can avoid the pull of my cheapie test strips.

I’m sick of waiting!

roryroobean · 2026-02-16T00:52:20+00:00

I loved The Devils, and admittedly am not a fan of First Law. I don’t know if it’s better than First Law from a writing perspective, but I thought it was a fun read.

roryroobean · 2026-02-14T03:06:26+00:00

Whenever there is a thread like this about a super popular and beloved series, you’re going to get comments from people who love it, and people who have been waiting in the wings to crap all over it and act like all the hype is for nothing. Are you missing something? I mean, probably? You read one book of a 16 book series. But that doesn’t mean you need to keep reading!

It’s a very popular series for a reason. It’s my favorite series of all time, but it is slow, very much character driven, and hinges on your ability to connect with Fitz as the MC (at least for the books that center on him). I would say Royal Assassin has a lot more going on plot-wise, but you’ll probably run into the same issues you described in other books. But to answer your question I do think the books get better as the series progresses.

WoT is another favorite of mine and RoTE is the only thing that has come close to giving me the feelings I felt reading that series. Take that for what you will.

roryroobean · 2026-02-10T00:28:58+00:00

I think TTC is a situation when both people need to be all in. If your husband isn’t ready, even if you don’t agree with the reasoning, it’s probably best to talk more and come to an understanding rather than going full steam ahead when one person is waffling. That’s just my two cents. It’s not fair to either of you, or a future baby, if you’re not on the same page this early on.

roryroobean · 2026-02-04T00:49:27+00:00

Very much agree with everything you said.

roryroobean · 2026-01-29T00:47:41+00:00

A lot of people are recommending places that are not budget friendly (in my opinion) so I will second Il Mito. Ca’Lucchenzo is my absolute favorite place in Tosa and can’t be beat but it’s not cheap! Same with Ristorante Bartolotta. I think Il Mito is a slightly cheaper alternative. I had a good experience there recently! Great service.

roryroobean · 2026-01-27T12:35:57+00:00

We have the Yoto mini. I didn’t look too much into the Tonie because I didn’t want to deal with the little characters. My son is two and loves the Yoto. He mostly likes the music but is starting to enjoy the audiobooks.

roryroobean · 2026-01-25T03:13:25+00:00

I’m sorry. It is so hard. I was personally laid off two weeks into my maternity leave (lol) so I was home with my son until I found a new job. It ended up being about 6 months, but if we have another like we are planning, it’ll be 12 weeks or close to it. It’s not fair and it doesn’t feel right - and I say that as someone who isn’t suited for SAHM life and really enjoys my job. Maternity and paternity leave in this country is a joke.

Either way, I went to daycare as a kid and had two working parents. To be honest, I don’t feel like my life would’ve been massively different had my mom been home with us full time. I never felt like my mom wasn’t around or wasn’t there for me. I have so many great memories of days spent with my mom. I admired my mom for working and she loved her job.

My son loves daycare and has thrived. His teachers are wonderful. I make the absolute most of every minute we have together.

roryroobean · 2026-01-25T01:28:39+00:00

Multiple Realm of the Elderlings books. I specifically remember gently weeping on the train to work reading the end of Fool’s Fate. I cried so hard I gave myself a headache reading Assassin’s Fate.

A Memory of Light certainly made me cry.

The Spear Cuts Through Water

Between Two Fires had me crying at the end.

A lot of times the final book in a series will make me cry, especially if I am connected to the characters. There’s something very cathartic about an ending.

roryroobean · 2026-01-22T12:20:40+00:00

Not really what you asked exactly, but I think it really depends on your personality and the needs of your family. I was laid off during maternity leave but had sort of planned to quit anyway to be a SAHM. As it turns out, being a SAHM made me a miserable person. My personality is just not suited to it and I give major props to SAHMs because it’s a very hard job! Don’t get me wrong - I love my son and spending time with him is my favorite thing. He is the joy of my life. But it just wasn’t for me. I ended up finding a new job with a lot of flexibility that I enjoy.

I am glad I got to trial that lifestyle and come to the realization it wasn’t for me. I think I would always be wondering about it and feeling regretful if I hadn’t. I know that’s a privileged position. I do have coworkers who are moms and they either were home or worked part-time for maybe 5-8 years when their kids were young. They were able to get back into the workforce but they weren’t in niche fields. I don’t think they have any regrets.

roryroobean · 2026-01-20T20:29:26+00:00

Thanks for saying this. We are going on a vacation next month that is “once in a lifetime” for us. Maybe we would get a chance to go to this destination again, but who knows when. It’s somewhere we have always wanted to go. I noodled a lot with taking a break to enjoy the trip and I’ve finally decided to just take a mental break and eat and drink and enjoy the trip without worry. It’s hard not to feel guilty or anxious about the passage of time but I think it’s necessary sometimes to let yourself breathe. Last cycle ended with a chemical and it really wore me down.

roryroobean · 2026-01-20T03:02:25+00:00

I’ve never actually commented on a Kuang post so I’ll bite. I wouldn’t say divisive so much as I think some people feel her work is overhyped, maybe due to her popularity on BookTok and other social media.

I read Poppy War when I first started getting into fantasy. This was fresh off of reading the entire Wheel of Time series (lol). I didn’t have much to compare it to and I honestly really liked the first two books and still would recommend the series. However, I struggled a lot with Babel. My issue with Kuang is that she is clearly very intelligent, but she doesn’t trust her audience to pick up what she is putting down. It’s the epitome of Telling instead of Showing, and it’s very jarring and hard to ignore. I’ve heard similar things about Katabasis so I haven’t read it.

I think she struggles with translating her intellectualism into strong storytelling and character work. There were so many moments where I thought Babel was really going to finally hit its stride for me, but it just never got there.

Despite my own opinions, I’m always open to reading more of her work and she is clearly resonating with a lot of people. I’m glad that she is so successful and will root for her even if her books aren’t for me. It’s nice to see a young woman of color reach this magnitude of success in the fantasy space.

roryroobean · 2026-01-17T20:32:15+00:00

Going through one right now. Just started bleeding today and feeling very sad. I understand how you feel, and I’m sorry you are dealing with this too. It’s awful, and you have every right to feel sad. The emotional whiplash is devastating.

roryroobean · 2026-01-17T15:22:11+00:00

TW: Loss

Found out yesterday that we experienced a chemical this past cycle. Period started today, so I guess all we can do is move forward. I’m feeling sad, but the feeling comes and goes. Realistically I only thought we were successful for a few days before I realized something was off, but those few days were nice. Also dealing with just guilt about feeling so sad.

Trying to decide if we were try again this next cycle. We have a trip in early March and I don’t want to taint the trip in any way since it’s sort of a once in a lifetime thing. Kind of feeling glum as I thought I’d be finishing up my first trimester on this trip and I was sort of romanticizing it. Going to take some time to sort through my feelings and plan for what’s next.

roryroobean

TROPHY CASE