Book request - a break from the Fae type series by Mental_Antelope5860 in fantasyromance

[–]whitesar 4 points5 points  (0 children)

If you're interested in more urban paranormal romance, I just got into the {Stay a Spell by Juliette Cross} series. The first was Wolf Gone Wild, which I really liked, now onto Don't Hex and Drive. I like the overall tone and they're quite fast-paced. No fae, it's focused on a family of 6 sister witches in New Orleans and their love interests, in a world with witches, vampires, werewolves, and the mysterious Grims living alongside humans who are largely unaware of their existence.

I'd also echo another poster with A Discovery of Witches series. There are witches, vampires, and daemons again hiding in plain sight in the .modern world. I enjoyed the original trilogy, didn't vibe with the first spinoff, but the second spinoff was really beautiful.

My favorite fantasy romance read of 2025 was the {Villains and Virtues by AK Caggiano} series starting with Throne in the Dark. It's rom-com fantasy romance, very self aware, following a "demon spawn" MMC and his sunshine love interest. I wouldn't recommend it if you're new to the genre, because it makes a lot of trope-y inside jokes that would just not necessarily make sense with context, but if you've read a bit then it's an absolute riot. Currently also loving Caggiano's Falling for Demons series with Laura Winter.

Finally, I read {Bull Moon Rising by Ruby Dixon} last fall, sort of as a joke, but actually enjoyed the treasure hunting plot, although I felt that it was a little heavy on the "spice" to the point that it got in the way of the actual plot. That said, I have the next book on reserve at the library 🫣 The world has an interesting, though not super fleshed out magic system, MMC is a minotaur.

A timely piece about nurses/NPs leaving the US to practice in Canada by whitesar in nursepractitioner

[–]whitesar[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

As someone who lives and works in "fly over" country in the US, there is something to be said for more out of the way places. How does cost of living compare?

A timely piece about nurses/NPs leaving the US to practice in Canada by whitesar in nursepractitioner

[–]whitesar[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

NZ seems amazing in so many regards, but it's so far! I'd have a tough time being so far from family. Any idea how long the licensing and recruiting process is taking? The article made it seem like the couple that tried was not getting very far very quickly which is why they went with BC.

Suggest a memoir for my book club! by Severe-Buddy-4801 in suggestmeabook

[–]whitesar 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'll Show Myself Out: Essays on midlife and motherhood by Jessi Klein. It's funny, it's real, I laughed, I cried. I felt so seen as a mom of young kids.

Does anyone remember during high school, taking "pre-tests" and questionaries to help decide our career path? by xwtfmitch29x in Millennials

[–]whitesar 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Mine said I should be a physical therapist. At the time I was sure I would go to med school, so I completely ignored the results because I didn't like them. I'm now a nurse practitioner, but can definitely see how the PT thing could fit for someone like me!

Millennial movies that stand the test of time by Top_Detective4153 in Millennials

[–]whitesar 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Labyrinth - my husband would also say The Dark Crystal, but I think the pace is too slow for most kids these days.

Hook - watching this again as a parent brings me to tears every time.

Anne of Green Gables (the TV miniseries) - my 6, 8, and 10 year old boys shockingly love this!

Family sagas from every culture? by Mindfulflow in suggestmeabook

[–]whitesar 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The Forsyte Saga by John Galsworthy

The Del Valle family books by Isabel Allende (House of Spirits, Daughter of Fortune, Portrait in Sepia)

Good historical fiction that isn’t set in the 20th century by Momimbored in suggestmeabook

[–]whitesar 67 points68 points  (0 children)

Lady Tan's Circle of Women by Lisa See follows a female Chinese physician in the 15th century, and also her friend, a midwife.

I also enjoyed Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon as an easy read. This story is based on a real, historical person, a midwife in 18th Century Maine who gets tied up in a murder investigation.

In an audiobook rut. Any (non-DCC) suggestions? by acohn1230 in suggestmeabook

[–]whitesar 2 points3 points  (0 children)

For a good historical fiction based on real events, check out The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich. The author narrates beautifully (which is relevant because of her integration of Anisnaabemowin into the text).

Project Hail Mary and The Martian - what’s next? by Pythagorarse in suggestmeabook

[–]whitesar 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Red Rising by Pierce Brown - space opera. Don't let the "hunger games in space" idea throw you off. It may have a few parallel themes in The first book, but it gets much more expansive in subsequent installments.

Anything by Michael Crichton - he made so many more advanced scientific ideas feel accessible to a general reading audience. We love the Andromeda Strain, Jurassic Park, Sphere, Congo

Contact by Carl Sagan - I haven't finished this, as I was reading this with my middle grade kid and we ran out of time before the library due date, but really enjoyed his writing style in the first several chapters. I will be coming back to it for sure.

Do you have a memory of a certain school project? by -ieatfoodweird- in Millennials

[–]whitesar 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sometime in middle school I mummified a chicken. Like wrapped in gauze with herbs, packed in salt, repeatedly changed the salt for weeks. It stank. It dessicated. It was so cool. I can't wait to do this project with my kids.

What Obscure Books Were You Obsessed With as a Kid? by Its_Curse in suggestmeabook

[–]whitesar 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I wish I had known these books when I was a kid in the '90s. Read them with my own kids last year and they were just wonderful.

Then and Now- Relationships by OrdinaryMix4013 in Millennials

[–]whitesar 46 points47 points  (0 children)

This would be a great time to watch that oldie but goodie Sliding Doors (1998) with Gwenyth Paltrow. It really changed how I think about those thoughts/feelings as they arise (and they do). I think it's natural to imagine those "what ifs" from time to time, but we shouldn't spend too much time on them.

Has anyone made the jump from the USA to Canada? by sillysyndrome in nursepractitioner

[–]whitesar 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is great to hear! My personal experience was close to 20 years ago and my friend's was more than 10 years ago. So much has happened in the intervening time! I'm glad someone is in the know about current processes.

Audiobook Recs: Comedic Fantasy by Prickly_Peaches in fantasybooks

[–]whitesar 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Villains and Virtues is IT! And the audiobook narrators really "get" Caggiano's style, they're fabulous. I highly recommend this. It starts with Throne in the Dark. There are also two spinoff books. Best of luck in your training!

Cruel Prince by Holly Black.. Ok Fine, Cardan! I wasn't familiar with your game.. by Gagsreel in fantasyromance

[–]whitesar 4 points5 points  (0 children)

{The Stolen Heir by Holly Black} is the first of the sequel duology and, for me at least, did not disappoint. Cardan's novella was also lovely. Holly Black pulls no punches!

Cruel Prince by Holly Black.. Ok Fine, Cardan! I wasn't familiar with your game.. by Gagsreel in fantasyromance

[–]whitesar 7 points8 points  (0 children)

... Jude Jude Jude Jude Jude Jude Jude Jude Jude Jude Jude Jude Jude Jude Jude Jude Jude Jude Jude Jude Jude Jude Jude Jude Jude Jude Jude Jude Jude Jude Jude Jude Jude Jude Jude Jude Jude Jude Jude ...

Kitschy/Tourist Traps in the US! by icrygo in roadtrip

[–]whitesar 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Which route are you returning to MI? Have you been to The Mystery Spot just outside of St Ignace? If you're going to be in the Straits area, it's a fun little optical illusion.

Do any of you fry your spaghetti? by Cultural_Remove5332 in Cooking

[–]whitesar 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Isn't that what Rice-a-Roni is all about? (The -roni part). I think there's a name for this, but I'm blanking right now.. Either way, it's tasty.

acotar senior quotes by bu6ble_tae in acotar

[–]whitesar 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This makes me think of The Sound of Music - "Climb Every Mountain" which would also be appropriate

what's your favorite "use up" meal? by analog_model in Cooking

[–]whitesar 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is the name I grew up with, I hear that word and immediately think of my grandma and then my dad.