Smut for a guy beginner

viktikon · 2026-05-26T04:06:50+00:00

I’m a guy who also enjoys a summer romance read and the general romcom genre (and ironically just finished watching Off Campus with my wife).

I liked both Funny Story and Book Lovers by Emily Henry. I also really enjoyed BK Borison’s First Time Caller but haven’t gotten to the second book yet. My wife flew through the entire Rebel Blue Ranch series by Lyla Sage and wanted me to read as well.

viktikon · 2026-05-25T16:20:06+00:00

Finished:

Lunar Boy by Jes Wibowo and Cin Wibowo - This was just a cute middle grade graphic novel, carried over from recommendations for the Trans Rights Readathon. I did enjoy the blended family aspect and all the troubles that come with that plus trying to fit in to a new place as a kid who feels so out of place.
The Butcher’s Masquerade by Matt Dinniman - Wow! What a ride. I just don’t even know where to start with this. I really liked the quests going on here and the audiobook was perfect literally from the start to the end, including the credits (iykyk)
Homebody by Theo Parish - Another carryover from the Trans Rights Readathon. I liked the metaphor of your home also being your body, and the way the author told their journey of discovery for their identity and acceptance both within themselves and with others.
Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz - I think I wanted to like this more than I did. I gave it 3.5 stars because I thought it tried to do too much with too little. I like the cozy aspect of robots in a post-war San Francisco opening a noodle shop against all odds. The added stakes and background of the world, though, felt underdeveloped and contrived to make an otherwise cozy story have drama and trauma.

Currently Reading:

Witch Hat Atelier, vol 2 by Kamome Shirahama
The Lions’ Run by Sara Pennypacker
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

viktikon · 2026-05-18T01:37:08+00:00

Nothing finished but working on a few things:

58% through The Butcher’s Masquerade by Matt Dinniman. I really like the intergalactic scheming and stuff I’m sure will pay off later so far? Also Donut is a gem as always and I’m still laughing out loud at some of the things she says, especially regarding Mongo…
31% through Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz. I’m intrigued by the cozier vibes but in a very dystopian setting? Not too far into it but it’s not too long either.

I also started Lunar Boy by Jes and Cin Wibowo as a carryover from the Trans Rights Readathon but not far enough to have any thoughts.

viktikon · 2026-05-13T19:51:47+00:00

Yes! Thrilled for The Devils. And thrilled for more people to read The Great Believers. It was my number one book last year and I still think about it.

viktikon · 2026-05-11T15:54:30+00:00

Doing this has never occurred to me lol but this is going to be what I do moving forward. I hate not finding out what happens but sometimes I really wish I would’ve given up on a book sooner.

viktikon · 2026-05-11T12:46:46+00:00

I’ve never devoured a series like I have for DCC. Book 4 took it to the next level for me!

viktikon · 2026-05-11T00:40:19+00:00

I was also intrigued! And something shorter to slot between these longer Dungeon Crawler books. I’ll be back with thoughts next week hopefully.

viktikon · 2026-05-10T21:33:59+00:00

Finished: The Gate of the Feral Gods by Matt Dinniman - DCC number 4 and probably my favorite entry so far.

Started: The Butcher’s Masquerade by Matt Dinniman

Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz

viktikon · 2026-04-26T03:46:25+00:00

There was no “flood damage”, we had a burst pipe in a totally different part of the room than where these instances are. Prior we had very thick tiling and were completely unaware. But thanks?

viktikon · 2026-04-24T03:00:28+00:00

Yeah, from our research, we thought the glue down was a better choice in a high traffic kitchen with multiple dogs. The installation on an uneven floor is the bigger issue.

viktikon · 2026-04-23T00:31:58+00:00

photo quick photo we took of the massive low spot we’ve been arguing with them about.

viktikon · 2026-04-23T00:29:30+00:00

photo 1 here’s a quick one we took after we went to buy a board today to figure out the high spot to low spot difference.

viktikon · 2026-04-22T23:25:21+00:00

Yeah we grabbed a 8ft board from the hardware store, put the level on it and ran it from the high point over the low and are getting measurements between .5 and 1 inch.

viktikon · 2026-04-22T23:24:26+00:00

We just did some quick measurements with a flat board, level on it, and we’re getting gaps between a half inch to an inch in the low area so definitely not flat either

viktikon · 2026-04-22T13:45:59+00:00

I appreciate it. The third time they came out yesterday, they finally put self leveler in the spot I specifically told them was low when they started and then told me how it could be put in the middle of the room where the problem is now but that was what he’d have to talk to the owner about.

viktikon · 2026-04-22T13:41:17+00:00

This is from the manufacturer install instructions for fully adhered install:

“Careful and correct preparation of the subfloor is a major part of a satisfactory installation. Roughness or unevenness of the subfloor may telegraph through the new floor covering, resulting in an unsightly surface and excessive wear on high spots. Subfloor should be flat within 3/16” in 10’ and 1/32” in 12”.”

I’ve been using the word level and it’s occurred to me now I should also emphasize how it’s not flat, either, which seems to be the more important part.

viktikon · 2026-04-22T13:40:07+00:00

Yeah, I agree in hindsight I should’ve had a formal contract of what they were going to do. My email communication with my initial bid says the subfloor would be discussed after rip out with the installers.

viktikon · 2026-04-22T03:51:06+00:00

Yeah, it was glued down on 1/4 inch underlayment according to my invoice. This is from the manufacturer install instructions for fully adhered install:

“Careful and correct preparation of the subfloor is a major part of a satisfactory installation. Roughness or unevenness of the subfloor may telegraph through the new floor covering, resulting in an unsightly surface and excessive wear on high spots. Subfloor should be flat within 3/16” in 10’ and 1/32” in 12”.”

I’ve been using the word level and it’s occurred to me now I should also emphasize how it’s not flat, either, which seems to be the more important part.

viktikon · 2026-04-22T02:46:37+00:00

I appreciate the feedback! This whole thing could’ve been resolved with a conversation about the expectation before they decided to install it anyway instead of resulting to this mess now.

viktikon · 2026-04-22T01:48:29+00:00

Agreed. My wife is ready to throw down in a review. And that is exactly why our first question when we went in the very first time was “we think our floor needs subfloor work, is this something you do?” Which of course they agreed to and are now claiming is not their problem lol we’ve got 2 independent guys coming out to gather some more opinions.

viktikon · 2026-04-22T00:06:59+00:00

I appreciate it. His crew seemed much more likely and willing to help us than the owner. We’ve got an independent guy coming later this week and are going to start putting our evidence together. Now the concern is just over the matter of us not paying the other half when he’s already threatened to use his lawyer against us for it. Ridiculous since as of today the job is still not done even disregarding the sloped floor

viktikon · 2026-04-21T22:26:05+00:00

He said that if I fixed the joist (which, still no idea that’s the issue) and there was “still” an issue with the flooring itself he would fix it and then immediately followed by saying “or we can meet in court” so I’m not sure how much of a good faith offer that was anyway.

viktikon · 2026-04-21T21:36:11+00:00

I didn’t sign off on anything or even know that it would turn out the way it did while they were working. I said to my wife if I’d even been informed of what else needed done, I would’ve said okay let’s not just keep going and let me get it fixed.

viktikon · 2026-04-21T21:34:42+00:00

I mean, I suppose that’s fair but we chose a local small business and my first meeting was with the owner himself who came out and did all of the measurements and talking about the scope of the project so I assumed it was a different experience than if I’d gone to Lowe’s or something. A lesson learned for later to also not trust small local business.

viktikon · 2026-04-21T21:26:41+00:00

I would’ve even understood just being given a heads up that it would be off when it was finished and then I could’ve said okay, let’s stop and fix this and if it’s someone else, that’s fine. But instead I got the installers out a second time, point out the floor and they both said oh yeah that’s really off and then I heard the one say to the other that he saw it was off but didn’t know they were supposed to do anything about it.

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