I have a weird feeling this week. It’s like I overlooked something or forgot some bill, and I keep checking to see what I missed and can’t find it. And it’s Thursday already. How? How?
Gordon’s surgery is next week. They will clean the scar tissue from his shoulder, and he will have to immediately go into physical therapy. If we miss an Inheritance installment, that’s probably why. Hopefully we will stay on track. I am going to try to get the next three posts lined up so Mod R can just click Publish and then do the hard work of moderating.
To people asking about craft projects: I haven’t been able to knit or crochet because the hands are not cooperating. Especially the wrist rotation with the hook is a no go. I haven’t been able to see a neurologist either. I can’t even get on the schedule. It is a bit frustrating. Okay, it’s very frustrating.
I need to get back to workouts. I chickened out this week because we are having a heat wave. It’s overcast today and it cooled off to 96, wooo! We were at 101F (38C) yesterday. It’s hot and humid. I think lifting weights was helping a little or maybe it’s my imagination.
Since I can’t knit or crochet, I’ve been trying to play a little bit of computer games, although I have to limit that, too. Both Planet Crafter and the Enshrouded are releasing updates: the Enshrouded one already came out, and the Planet Crafter is coming on 16 or 19th.
I have been playing the Humble expansion in Planet Crafter in preparation for the expansion. It’s a neat game where you are a convict dropped off on a barren rock of a planet, and the only way to escape is to terraform it into a garden planet.
Right now I’m breeding butterflies in different colors. The game is pretty, although Humble isn’t my favorite. I like a lot of water at my base locations, and the centrally located lake is more like a puddle.
The new update is supposed to let you terraform more moons in this alien solar system. I’m excite!
Finally, we have gotten a couple of puzzled comments – mostly from international readers – regarding the widespread use of dishwashers in US. About 75% of US households have them. They are convenient, and we are encouraged to purchase them because they use less water. A typical modern dishwasher will use 3-4 gallons for a load of dishes, while washing the same load by hand uses 15-27 gallons. It also saves energy, because most people wash their dishes in hot water and heating that water adds up. To that one commenter who wondered why an off-the-grid home in the Southwest would need one – their water is likely limited. They are trying to conserve their resources. A small dishwasher can ran off solar, and washing dishes is not optional.
To the person who is now vigorously typing how their handwashing never uses that much water: Having a dishwasher doesn’t make you lazy, not having one doesn’t make you a dirty planet polluter. It’s a convenient appliance. Some people have space for it, some don’t, and there is no reason to have a moral superiority battle over it.
I’m trying to figure out what to read next. LitRPG is my new military SF. I usually read outside of the genre I’m working on and I’m unlikely to ever write a strict LitRPG. I am sadly out of the Azarinth Healer. I have Bushido Online in my library for some reason. Maybe I will try that one next.
So sorry for all the physical stuff. It always just creeps up on a person. Thank you for all the great words!
I feel like it’s important to point out that we, Ilona and I, both grew up in houses without dishwashers. Well, in my little patch of Appalachian paradise, my cousins and I were the dishwashers. We know how to wash dishes by hand. We still do wash some things, like wooden cutting boards and large pots and pans, by hand. For both of us, it’s kind of a luxury. We grew up poor and now we have a fancy German dishwasher. I regret nothing.
::high five:: We have arrived. We have a dishwasher! Hehehe. Do you remember that time the kids put my really nice cutting board into the dishwasher and the glue melted so it fell apart?
I do. I also remember telling Kid 1, repeatedly, not to put it in the dishwasher. I think that’s one of the hardest thing for adult children when they have to come home. They’ve lived in their own home, they ran things the way they liked and it’s difficult for them to readjust to our rules. That and the constant battle over the thermostat. Every dad does know when someone touches it. Oh, 74 is too warm, sweetie, maybe try living outside (in TX) where it’s triple digits in May!
In our family it’s the one brother who does most of the cooking when we’re all together because he likes doing it. But he will rearrange your kitchen to his liking and buy kitchen gadgets or ingredients and leave them, even though you’ll never use them again. And if he forgot he bought a gadget the last time he was there, then you might find yourself with two.
He’s also been known to destroy parts of a kitchen. I live alone in a smaller house, so I don’t host family events and have evaded most of that. He did rearrange my kitchen once, though, when he and his wife came to visit.
Tink, I think we might have the same brother. This is eerie.
I have kid 2 home for the first summer. Teaching them that they are part of the adult fabric of the home is teeth grinding. You did not come home for maid service and a cook.
I was literally coming up to the comments section to ask if you got your dishwasher installed
I hear you, Gordon. My parents didn’t have an automatic dishwasher either when I was growing up. My brother, my mom, and I were the dishwashers. I learned long ago to clean up as I was learning to cook as a teen. That way when supper was done, the majority of the dishes were done too.
Now, I just let the dishwasher do all the work. Yes, I even put my wooden cutting boards, that can fit, into the dishwasher. I know for a lot of people that’s a no-no, and I would get looked at like I don’t know what I’m doing. However, I do this because I don’t want to get any food borne illness and whatever else could be in the raw food that I cut on the cutting board. If the cutting board doesn’t fit, I make sure to scrub the board really well in the sink before rinsing it. I put the board on a towel and let it air dry.
Patricia, have you seen this one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00081YSC2?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_2
I have this and it can go into dishwasher and it is treated cardboard, not plastic. This is my raw chicken cutting board.
Those composite cutting boards are the bomb! We’ve had our two for years and they’re still going strong. Beats plastic cutting boards for raw meat etc
“Epicurean Gourmet Series Cutting Board with Juice Groove”
“Juice Groove” makes me think of music and dancing.
Wood is actually antimicrobial. a quick soapy wipe and you are good. Plastics collect bacteria in the scratches.
There are studies that show that there is a bactericidal effect of the wooden cutting boards and if you swab them over time they have significantly less bacterial growth than non wood. So, I always put my non wooden cutting boards in the dishwasher but am ok with not dishwasher sterilizing my wood cutting boards.
me, too. all the tests that were supposed to show how wonderful plastic cutting boards were proved the opposite: they have much higher bacteria levels because wood has natural antimicrobial properties.
Same for me and my husband. We also didn’t have washing machines (or dryers) in the home and had to travel for laundry service. So we feel like we’ve made it, let me tell you. (First gen college goers, represent!)
Really dating myself but My Grandmother had an old wringer washing machine in her coal cellar. We would help put the clothes through the wringer and thought it was lots of fun.
I remember playing with my grandma’s wringer (we called it a mangle). It was fun seeing the things come out really flat 🙂
When I was small I tried to put my fingers through my grandmother’s mangle. She got rid of it and regretted it ever after. I still have guilt over it and I don’t even remember it happening.
We had a “mangle” too but it was for ironing. I loved it and was only allowed to do the flat stuff like pillow cases, napkins and handkerchiefs as a kid. It was a big deal when I graduated to tablecloths and sheets. Yes – we pressed our sheets. I still iron but not the sheets😂
Sending healing juju to both authors❤️
Yup. I was the dishwasher as a child. Now I am handwashing dishes and our house has experienced an exponential increase in the need for me to nag our teen0aged children as I shop for a new dishwasher and replace the tiling under the dishwasher so it will be ready for the new one. Maybe there is a good reason you don’t want to share, but if not, now I really want to know what dishwasher you got. The last one we got was Bosch and was excellent until a rodent chewed through some wiring. Now we are debating between splurging on a Miele and getting another Bosch. We have zero interest in a dishwasher that wants to have conversations with our phones and send us notifications. We just want one that works, and for which we can find a reliable lovely local human who will fix it when something goes wrong. So – do you want to spill?
Our dishwasher just died (after only two years!) and I’m having issues making myself spend the money to replace it – we did NOT get our money’s worth with the last one and I picked it out after researching and everything. I didn’t grow up with one and I have a 12 & 15 year old – it’s not that big of a deal for us to wash by hand while I deal with my anxiety. My kids job was to load and unload the dishwasher when it was still working. They had to rinse their dishes after meals. They actually do LESS now because I am the one handwashing the dishes and I do them often enough to let them air dry. My kids are complaining MORE now. I can’t tell if this is a generational thing, like YouTube and commercials on streaming services, or if we’ve somehow failed as parents. (I mean my kids are lovely people, but… maybe we missed a lesson somewhere?)
Is it a Miele? A Bosch? I am surely not the only German Horde member who is curious about this?
I am single and also have a single person dishwasher in Germany. Quite some people I know have one. Love mine to bits! It gets all the tea stains out of the mugs, which I didn’t manage washing dishes by hand.
I have a Miele and you have to be an architect to figure out how to load the darn thing. Gets my dishes super clean though!
In the UK they’re super common too. When I was moving house 4 years ago one of my non negotiables was it must have (or space to add) a dishwasher. Sadly it broke down 6 weeks after I moved in and was replaced ASAP. It’s a life essential.
My brother is in a 1 bed flat and has a slimline (45cm) one.
I was pretty certain at least one of you had experienced serious poverty, because the details in some of the books(where characters are experiencing poverty), are *so* spot on—I immediately knew that was the kind of detail that could only come from lived experience(the same experiences I had as a kid).
Here’s to enjoying the small luxuries we didn’t have as dirt-poor kids 🥂
Also, I was a life-long Texan until recently and y’all make me miss home *so* badly every time you mention the heat, or anything at all about TX. I was even just re-reading(for the 15th time) ‘Sweep of the Blade’, and when Maud mentions the cicadas at Dina’s Inn, I had the most intense wave of homesickness 🥺
I’ve adjusted to the 80-ish degree summers so quickly in MN, tho, I have to say!
I didn’t have one growing up either. Just a big, cast iron sink. once upon a time, I liked washing the dishes. then my 10-ish year old self broke 2 coffee pots in 3 months.
I honestly think I was just growing. my limbs were longer than I thought they were and cast iron does not forgive.
my parents thought I did it on purpose to get out of doing dishes (that i volunteered to do). i got yelled at and I wasn’t allowed to wash dishes anymore.
I have a dishwasher now. when glassware breaks we simply clean it up with no more fuss than injury prevention requires.
Wow, and First! Thank you again!
LitRPG recommendation: Shadow Slave, available on https://www.webnovel.com/
I love the sanitize feature on the dishwashers. When you have immunocompromised people in the house it is one more thing to keep them healthy.
But I do the knives and big pots by hand.
Hi. About three years ago, I was diagnosed with erosive arthritis in my hands. I thought I would have to retire early because my hands would hurt after typing at work all day. Did a lot of research and started taking a Boswellian pill once a day as well as as turmeric/cur cumin pill twice a day.(high quality from the health food store). Used Valeran cream on swollen knuckles during the first two weeks of the pills then stopped. Started seeing a difference after 30 days. After 60 days I found that I have very little pain. This might not help your problem, but it sure helped mine.
Thank you, but my issue is a little different. My hands go numb. 🙂
You might consider trying Lions Mane Mushroom pills to help alleviate the numbness. My sister takes it after chemotherapy played havoc with her fingers and toes. She says it helps some.
I take Lions Mane every day (have been for 3 years now) to help with the damage long covid caused to my nervous system. If I don’t take my supplements for a few days, I feel a real difference.
The brand I use is a white bottle made by Real Mushrooms. Like, the name of the company is Real Mushrooms with a tiny little tree symbol before their name.
That said, when my upper arm muscles were so tight from pushing too hard too fast with working out that they were pinching the nerves to my hand…Lions Mane didn’t stop my fingers from going numb. It’s not a miracle cure, it’s a “help your body repair itself” item.
My numb hands turned out to be caused by carpal tunnel (in both wrists!) Cortisone shots helped, but wrist braces wound up helping more because it turns out I curl my wrists when I sleep so I wear the braces at night.
Is there a particular brand/type of brace that is best? I’ve started having carpal tunnel issues, but my pcp didn’t specify which one to get. (I think he said the ‘yellow one’. None of them were yellow.) Especially weird when I wake up with half a hand numb. I’ve been training myself to keep my wrists straight while sleeping, but as u might imagine, it’s not 100%.
Sending good wishes to HA!
I have used several different ones and they all work as long as they have a metal splint stabilizer. That is what keeps my wrist straight during the night.
Thanks!
my mom’s hands go numb, it’s not her wrists but her spine that’s the problem. the bones in her spine are growing inward, squeezing the spinal nerves. the only hospital that does the surgery to fix it is out of her betwork.
fingers crossed you get in to see someone, and it’s an easy carpal tunnel outpatient repair.
All the hand or just some of the fingers? Anyway numbness can be caused by a lot of stuff, but if it’s only specific fingers check the nerves. I suffered a lot because of inflamation of the ulnar nerve, still cannot wear my wedding ring cause it annoys me after a wile. I observed a lot of improvement just taking an ergonomic approach to my computer station. Ulnar nerve suffers a lot when compressed and the mouse hand was the worst of the two. BTW, Italy here and the dishwasher is something of a stranger to me, never owned one. …and you think TX summers are hot? Try one in Sardinia than we can talk… lol.
Red Light therapy has fixed so many of my joint problems it’s unreal. I’ve got everyone I work with and all my family members using them. There are definitely different qualities but there is a good really penetrative one that works on joints that I love. My nephew calls them Jesus Lights. LOL.
P.S. Numbness can be nerve compression (pathophysiology of carpal tunnel) red light seems reduce inflammation and promote healing by increasing intracellular ATP production. This might reduce the amount of pressure on the nerves and might fix the problem if it hasn’t gone on too long.
It’s been hot and humid in the DFW area. I’m just glad we didn’t break a record yesterday. To me, it’s too early for this. We really don’t need a precursor to what will happen next month all the way through late September/early October. 😀
Hooray for automatic dishwashers!
Stay cool and hydrate.
With the power grid issues Texas has had in the past, I bet the whole-house generator market has taken off. I can’t imagine triple digits without at least a bunch of fans going if not the A/C.
We had a whole house generator installed after multiple years of days with no electricity (trees taking out lines usually), and ours literally came on the day after it was installed. I laughed until I cried. And yes, they have absolutely taken off here.
Best wishes to Gordon for a successful surgery and PT rehab!
mr gordon: sending blessings for fabulous physical therapy
Not exactly LitRPG and more like cozy isekai, but Demon World Boba Shop by R.C. Joshua is a fantastic series, and I believe it’s complete. The author also has at least one other series that’s more sci-fi.
While I enjoyed both series, they are totally opposite styles. Demon World Boba Shop is extremely slice of life, cosy calm whereas Azarinth Healer is so not.
Boba shop +1 suuuuper calm, cozy, and cute.
given that just my husband and I fill a dishwasher every single day ( how?? why??) even though we wash as we go when cooking, I would have lobster red peeling hands without a dishwasher. I would have to build or buy a multi layer drying rack. I would be sooooo unhappy without my trusty steamy sanitizing dishwasher friend.
Sending best wishes and healing thoughts for surgery and beyond. Hopefully other important appointments can get set up soon too. Hands are hard to navigate around.
I don’t have LitRPG recs, but maybe a baseball gay romance (realize the romance part overlaps with your writing so maybe not), would be of interest? Unwritten Rules series by KD Casey are fun! (https://www.kdcaseywrites.com/books)
I hope everything goes well with the surgery and physical therapy.
I am currently reading The Wheel of Time series for the first time, I somehow missed it during my book a day phase in my teens and early twenties.
For games I am rotating between replaying Mass Effect; the Elder Scrolls Oblivion remaster, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. I really recommend that last one if your wrists can manage it; it’s beautiful and the story is really well written, though sad.
I forgot to say earlier that I hope you get that appointment with a neurologist soon and that he helps with the pain.
I wouldn’t be renting the house in Europe I am if it didn’t have a dishwasher!! I sure miss my garbage disposer!
LitRPG – reading suggestions.
Azarinth Healer – you’ve already read what is available on KU it and it is awesome. – completed
Definance of the Fall – Kindle Unlimited aka KU – ongoing
David North – Guardian of Aster Fall – KU – completed
J.L. Mullians – Millennial Mage series – KU – ongoing
C. Mantis – The Path of Ascension – KU – ongoing
He who fights with monsters – KU – ongoing
Zogarth – Primal Hunter – KU – ongoing
Mangowo – The Dragon Heir (A Monster Evolution/Progression LitRPG) -ongoing
Will Wight – Cradle – KU – pure cultivator series – completed
ADASTRA339 – Savage Awakening – KU – ongoing
Sean Oswald – Induction: A Litrpg Apocalypse – KU – ongoing
Aaron Shim – Corruption Wielder – KU – ongoing
Ellake – The Runic Artist – KU – ongoing
Todd Herzman – the Accidental Champion – KU – ongoing
Sean Oswald – Resistance: Welcome to the multiverse – KU- ongoing
Cerim – Hell Difficulty Tutorial: A litrpg adventure – KU – ongoing
SunriseCV – System Change: A litrpg adventure (system universe) – ongoing
Non LitRPG – but was found on RoyalRoad
Alex Gilbert – on Kindle Unlimited – multiple series- aka KU – 2 completed series, 3rd 83 chapters in.
Other Series
Glen Stewart – Dutchy of Terra – Amazon – Completed – KU?
Glen Stewart – Changling – Amazon – Cmpleted – KU?
+ David North – Aster Fall – ongoing: Young man finds out he has a rare affinity with the system, changes species and helps save his world. Also crafting.
+ Zogarth – Primal Hunter: Ordinary guy becomes a mythical hunter and goes off having fun and killing stuff. Also best friends with a snake god and alchemy. So much alchemy.
+ ADASTRA339 – Savage Awakening: Shy guy likes to hit things. Becomes the best at hitting things. Also genius girlfriend and divine Rhinos.
I just want to throw The Wandering Inn out as a suggestion as well. It’s ongoing and going and going. Their last Patreon update was 45,200 words and that’s on the smaller side for them. They update Saturdays, with usually one releaase break each month.
It’s on Amazon, but I don’t know if it’s on KU. Obviously the Amazon releases are not caught up to the website, however.
Good list 👍
For uninitiated what exactly is LitRPG? Many thanks for reading list so I can get initiated 😎
It’s a fiction genre, stands for Literature Role Playing Game 🙂 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LitRPG
Take care of yourselves AuthorLords. Advanced wishes of speedy recovery for Gordon and hoping that Ilona can show us what awesome things she knitted when she’s able to.
It’s hot here in Florida too but when I put the AC on it turns into Arctic zone at night. I have to turn it off in the wee hours of the morning(I’m from the Caribbean and grew up with island breeze, so my kids make fun of me for wearing winter gear when the AC is on 🤷🏽♀️).
Happy weekend to all…
My mom never fully trusted the dishwasher, so we all washed dishes by hand and used it as a drier. I was married for ten years when my husband managed to convince me, that with three little kids, it may be easier to use it. Now, ten years later, I can’t live without it. Full convert 😆
Read Welcome to the Multiverse by Sean Oswald. It is absolutely amazing, great concept, great story, characters that you actually give a shit about. Romance, humor and a lot of cute in jokes if you have read other series that don’t take away if you haven’t.
MCA Hogarth has some LitRPG that’s a little unique in the approach, but I really enjoy them! Her Haley and Nana novella series and her new release Live, Love, Level (totally different world, stand-alone piece) are very good.
I enjoyed Haley and Nana, even though I don’t usually like LitRPG. The idea of a divine game master (or whatever you call that) was entertaining.
Thank you for this recommendation – I have just finished Live Love Level and I loved it. I’m going to try her other books but not until the dishes are done! LOL
The Healers Way Series is a favorite LitRPG of mine. In case you needed a recommendation.
Dungeon Crawler Carl is a really great LitRPG series if you haven’t tried it yet! Carl and his sidekick Princess Donut (the Queen Anne Chonk) are the best.
I love Carl & Donut & cast!!! They make me laugh so hard, cry just as hard in a couple of places, but are all around enjoyable! This is probably the only series I recommend for listening without a read first, because it’s just that good.
Dammit Donut! You beat me to it!
Me and my Dad listened to the while series while road tripping and after my surgery 11/10 recommend the audiobooks!
Came here to recommend this.. I’ve been reading the books and I’m not usually an audiobook person but I may make an exception and try the audiobooks for this series. Regardless, reading them has been so much fun and I have been recommending this series to anyone I know.
Goddammit, Donut!
First of this genre I ever read. Devoured all seven books without a break which I NEVER do. I like to pace good reads. But I couldn’t stop. And now I had to get the audiobooks.
I will legitimately fight the author if sone bad happens to Donut.
Currently reading The Game at the Carousel by Rob Lastel which is a horror movie LitRPG. Not super gory or anything, but definitely intriguing.
I hope everyone gets better soon!
From a LitRPG perspective, I’m currently working on The Primal Hunter and I’m liking it. I’ve also enjoyed Emberstone Farms (but sadly that one is only 2 books so far).
Sending good thoughts and healing light to Gordon.
My friend (who reads more than I do and that says a lot) recommends Dungeon Crawler Carl.
The voice actor for the audio books is freaking amazing but truthfully I find the story sounds a LOT like a D&D run my son and his DM (writing) partner are doing.. to the point I’ve told them they should start writing LitRPG.
I really really like your style, and would love to find more like that… the dungeon crawler stuff I think I’d rather sit in on a real D&D run.
LitRPG recommendation available on Kindle Unlimited
The Hero of the Valley series By Gary Spechko
https://www.amazon.com/The-Hero-of-the-Valley-4-book-series/dp/B09FB2NW2Y
Can recommend ice cream as one of those “whole patient” therapies after surgery and PT! 🍨
I have good memories of washing dishes with my dad and grandpa after dinners at my grandparents’ house. At our house, dishes were a chore, but at their house it was fun. Lots of family stories which my sister, brothers, and I loved to hear.
Here’s hoping for a speedy recovery after surgery and PT! Thank you guys for letting us have a peek into your personal lives and reminding us that you too are human (with human appliances that break). Hope your hands feel better soon, Ilona.
I have no LitRPG recs, as I haven’t read them (aside from Solo Leveling, does that count?) but I’m taking notes on everyone’s comments to add to my TBR list!
good luck for the surgery!!
I would offer a suggestion of Elena Socol (author) and the five book series starting with Stitched. Sadly total sympathy and understanding for your hurts. it seems the world is one great big obstacle as I get older, not what I was expecting at all! However authors and books such as yours make it worthwhile if that doesn’t sound smaltzy.
sorry, Sobol. finger twitched.
I very much enjoyed Bushido Online when I read it.
Another series that I recall being quite lit RPG was the Arcane Ascension books by Andrew Rowe. Book 1 is titled Sufficiently Advanced Magic
So I really couldn’t get into Andrew Rowe’s series, but his standalone How To Defeat a Demon King In Ten Easy Steps is crackalakatastic!
AND the audiobook has the famous Steve West aka fated voice of Hugh d’Ambray doing a role. I must have listened to it at least 4 separate times.
some Lit RPG recs.
Dungeon Crawler Carl. it’s the best series in the genre atm. Ex soldier and his ex gf cat has to survived the televising of earth’s apocalypse.
Quest Academy. it’s lit rpg heroes akin to my hero academia. it’s written by one of the writers of Baldurs Gate 3.
all the skills. it’s a card deck rpg with dragons.
I just finished “Dungeon Crawler Carl” by Matt Dinniman. I am late to the LitRPG game so you may have already discovered the series.
I am not a gamer but still loved the first book.
I blew through the first 4 in audible before my hubs got annoyed with me using the credits. I definitely recommend the audible version, he’s hilarious and great with female voices.
+1 Fantastic, hilarious, immersive
When I was a young child in the 50’s, my dad proudly purchased a dishwasher for my mom. It was an unheard of luxury in our very modest lifestyle. I think it may have been 2nd hand, but we were thrilled! You had to drag it from the wall (it was on casters), wheel it over towards the sink, attach the hose (yes, exactly like a garden hose) to the sink faucet, turn on the hot water, make sure the washer was plugged in and then, voila!
It eventually was used for storing old plates.
OMG! My Granny had one of those dishwashers! My other grandparents washed dishes by hand. I prefer dishwashers.
Goid luck on surgery and PT.
My Mom had one of those in the 1960s. With 5 kids to wash up for (even though we washed, too), I like to imagine her doing a Lysistrata to get my (rightfully, budget was tight) penny-pinching dad to buy it!
I still remember the hose coming loose once, water spraying everywhere, and Mom dancing & shrieking like a demented chicken!
I have been that demented chicken as well!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Best of luck with the surgery and therapy after.
Have you read The Divide trilogy by J.S. Dewes. It’s a great read and the audiobooks are just as good. Loved the characters and story.
Sending good vibes for a successful surgery and speedy recovery. Also hope your hands and wrists get to feeling better 🫂
Hope all goes well,
I am awaiting the release of RoadCraft and currently rereading the series Domestication (Battle Mage Farmer Book 1) by Seth Ring
I also recommend Blue Core: Book One by Inadvisably Compelled
& Unintended Cultivator: Volume One by Eric Dontigney
If you haven’t read ”he who fights with monsters” by shirtaloon do. The audiobooks are amazing!
Feel better, the both of you!
It LitPG or whatever but I am reading a book by Nia Quinn called “Banshees and Boba” about a maturer woman who is joining a Mercenary Guild after losing her regular job and there is a section where she has to deal with a “chameleopard” (a leopard that has chameleon abilities. One character calls “Here, kitty, kitty” and the main character states that she immediately thought about “one of (her) favorite book series. But we were facing down a leopard today, not a lion shifter.”
OMG! The AL are important enough to be referred to in other books!
Congratulations!!!
(And it all made me laugh again)
p.s. ModR, if this is not acceptable to post, sorry! And remove
This is so cool to hear!
Sorry to hear about the wrist issue. Have you tried either heat or ice as a way to reduce pain and inflammation? That may help with mobility too. If movement is difficult you can also try a wrist brace to reduce repetitive motion. It will provide support of the joint, and avoid further injury. When you have time to get to the MD about this it may not need to be a specialist, your PCP may be able to determine treatment. Hope you both have a quick recovery!
One of your RN fans
Thank you so much for your suggestions.
Unfortunately, Ilona has been dealing with this issue for a very long time 🙁 The simple solutions and non-specialists have been exhausted at this point.
https://www.amazon.com/Heir-Ancient-Bloodline-Living-Book-ebook/dp/B0CN3M6TCQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?crid=13VFEKO6Y5TRK&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.e4ZqIPYUV6h0syt8eCPt5QkapqW_gsXRbLRoTU-X46XavaL4uDJCEXAB3QfRB0VqtSRY7LYNty-v9LeaEjl3S4xqKtmW5N0weIGrtqCWs9TvbI5Uewo8GkZrOL1tSCdMdQkvO5Fkbv3f0W2nOrBr2Gxkw1LMJu3_gHs8U2SN8gqQyg8EptFhS5xdi2Z2qOON.ObXOP-o0mySylVOtsEr0NCRvVVt4cwa-08t5cSRoG10&dib_tag=se&keywords=dmitry+sheleg&qid=1747337131&sprefix=dmitey%2Caps%2C169&sr=8-5
This is a Ukrainian author. Only the first 4 have been translated into English. I’ve really enjoyed them.
https://www.amazon.com/Heir-Ancient-Bloodline-Living-Book-ebook/dp/B0CN3M6TCQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?crid=13VFEKO6Y5TRK&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.e4ZqIPYUV6h0syt8eCPt5QkapqW_gsXRbLRoTU-X46XavaL4uDJCEXAB3QfRB0VqtSRY7LYNty-v9LeaEjl3S4xqKtmW5N0weIGrtqCWs9TvbI5Uewo8GkZrOL1tSCdMdQkvO5Fkbv3f0W2nOrBr2Gxkw1LMJu3_gHs8U2SN8gqQyg8EptFhS5xdi2Z2qOON.ObXOP-o0mySylVOtsEr0NCRvVVt4cwa-08t5cSRoG10&dib_tag=se&keywords=dmitry+sheleg&qid=1747337131&sprefix=dmitey%2Caps%2C169&sr=8-5
This is a Ukrainian author. Only the first 4 have been translated into English. I’ve really enjoyed them.
I will again recommend Magical Girl Gunslinger on Royal Road.
In my opinion the best writing on Royal Road.
It’s good, but it’s super depressing at times, and the author is going through some health issues and publishing chapters is really inconsistent, with months between the last installments. Can’t say I can recommend it until the publishing schedule is back on track, although of course the author’s health takes priority.
I suggest The Primal Hunter by Zogarth which I think is classified as an Apocalypse LitRPG. I’ve just gotten into LitRPG books over the last year and that is one that I have really enjoyed. I will be checking out the Azarinth Healer next!
KM Shea has a pen name for LitRPG – AM Sohma, the “Second Age of Retha” series is incomplete (and she is taking 2025 off for some health issues) but the first 3 books are a complete arc and pretty wonderful.
I love these books!
My Mom made it to dishwasher status when her 3rd child in 4 years was due in September. She made it through a complete home renovation and two kids, but the 3rd one required an automatic dishwasher.
Besides, how are newly married folks supposed to learn how to argue about how to correctly fill the dishwasher if they don’t grow up with one? 😉
I have been on a LitRPG and Cultivation/Xianxia kick on Royal Road lately. Sometimes together. LitRPG us harder to recommend really good ones, but for Cultivation I highly recommend Beware of Chicken, which has the first three books on Kinle Unlimited and books 4 (completed, probably going to Kindle soon) and 5 (in progress) on RR.
I second Beware of Chicken! It’s more lighthearted and philosophical, and I love Canada meets Xanxialand.
Best wishes to Gordon for an uneventful recovery! And to Ilona for finding a neurologist. I really hate making those kind of calls; it takes me months to work up to it sometimes. I had an epiphany two weeks ago that instead of putting “schedule [mower repair]” on the calendar, I should put “research [mower shops]”. Because what was keeping me from scheduling was the necessity of finding some appropriate shops to call. Actually finding them and paring down the list took all of 20 minutes, but took me two weeks to steel myself to do because I had written down the job as a whole rather than the first step of research. Took me another couple minutes to call the shop I chose from that list, and I’m super happy with them.
With the exercise, I have finally learned to just start. I don’t have to do a full workout if I don’t want to, because it’s too hot or I’m running late for something or something hurts too much. I just start: two sun salutations, a diagnostic to tell me how much more I can do that day. Once in a while, it turns out they’re the only exercises I’m going to do that day. Usually though, if there’s a problem, I can modify, or do fewer reps or sets of some things, or leave out certain things, or just do the breathing part or whatever. The key for me is to Just. Start. I don’t have to finish – but once I get started, I usually get farther than I thought I would.
And then I deserve a treat, of course. 😀 Although theoretically the feeling of virtue should be reward enough. But a mocha and/or a good book is better.
Yes yes yes to all of this. I have the same issue. Sometimes really I have just have to commit to changing into workout clothes. Then since I’m already wearing them, I may as well do an exercise or two. Then I can take it from there.
Hoping Gordon’s shoulder surgery goes well.
As far as dishwashers, they are a personal preference for each household.
Sending up prayers Ilona that you can get the next three posts lined up for the ‘ inheritance’. Thank you for trying. We really appreciate it.
You have probably heard these ideas before but…
Portuguese knitting can relieve some issues because you move differently.
Weaving is again different movement but still yarn!!!
Either way, I’m sorry you are hurting and unable to do what may relax you at a stressful time.
Have you tried acupuncture ? I’ve used it for many years firstly for my lower back. I swear it kept me in work & now I’ve retired & the arthritis has taken over the joints are protesting at everything I do. 2 years ago I had breast cancer & now have lymphodeama so am not supposed to push/ pull/ lift etc but being a full time carer that goes up in smoke lol.
My acupuncturist is a lovely woman who makes house calls because of my circumstances. She comes by every 6 weeks or so punctures me lol, tapes me up & Voila! I’m good to go. I try & keep the tapes in place for 4-5 days & the benefits gradually fade over the weeks. I recommend it if you’ve never tried it BUT you have to have an open mind. I’ve found in the past it’s better to approach it favourably. Of course I don’t JUST rely on this, I have the good old Morphine patches as well🙏🏻. Unfortunately the X Stitch has had to go because I can no longer hold the needle comfortably so my hobby now is ….Books which is where House Andrew’s come in amongst many others.
Here’s hoping Gordon’s surgery goes well🤞🏻
Book suggestion: the Belisarius series by Eric Flint and David Drake. First book is called An Oblique Approach. It’s not LitRPG, it’s military alternate history, but it’s definitely outside the genres you’re working on, and it’s a complete series at 6 books. I’ve found it very re-readable too. 🙂
Best wishes for your health and fingers crossed Gordon’s surgery and subsequent physical therapy goes smoothly.
I also grew up in a household without a dishwasher and since doing dishes is one of the few chores I actually like (kind of) I resisted buying one as an adult. Never used the ones in places I’ve rented until my landlord asked me to as the water usage tripled since I have moved in. Now I do have one in my home and I accept it’s cheaper and more environmentally friendly but I suppose it’s a personal choice with many variables.
Regarding Azarinth Healer, thank you for recommending it! I read the first three books in the series and enjoyed them a lot. Thank you for all you do for us, the serial, the snippets, posts and the book recommendations!
Glynn Stewart’s Starship’s mage series is great and I recommend. I like the broad world building.
LITRPG is my favorite genre that’s not Ilona Andrews. You could join r/Litrpg on reddit for tons of reviews and reccs. Here are some of my favorites, just in case.
1. Litpocalypse/System Apocalypse
Tons of great options here. Here are some (mostly) lesser known gems. Two a little off the beaten path are “The Aussie Mana Apocalypse” by C Timms. Here a SA hits Australia and great action and humor meets a very indigenous system which seems deeply rooted in Aussie and Aborigine culture.
A more global one is the Tall Tales of Bronwic by Mike Parsons., in which an ex-hockey enforcer is in the wrong place at the right time (a trope) and ends up in terrific anti-monster and invader action.
2. If you like Cozy, RC Joshua has a great range of emotionally moving series but the coziest is Demon World Boba Shop in which an Iseakai from our world ends up opening a tea shop in an animalistic demon world. It’s sweet without being saccharine.
3. Funny: The Good Guys series by Eric Ugland follows yet another traveler from our world, a Biker who escapes death and starts a new life in a fantasy world. All he wants to do is fish,. but yet he cannot escape the heroic life. He has two otter buddies who makes me laugh laugh laugh.
Vainqueur the Dragon by Maxime Durand is the story of a dragon who realizes that classes and stats and levels are the key to an even bigger hoard.
The last recc (I got a million of them) is the He Who Fights With Monster series by Shirtaloon. Probably the second most successful series after Dungeon Crawler Carl. This too has a dude from our world who is reborn in a brilliantly realized fantasy world which an amazing system. And it is so damn funny
If you enjoyed Demon World Boba Shop you might also like The Bee Dungeon on Royal Road by Icalos
Thanks!!
I transitioned into a pretty physically demanding career around 11 years ago and have not been without a dishwasher since. I love them and it’s a godsend to me.
Love 💕 my dishwasher
To the people puzzled over dishwashers. I have a phobia or something about unloading them. This has always puzzled me. I use it sure. I LOVE loading them..but. I will not unload and put clean dishes away. I grab clean dishes from it, then they get dirty and go in the sink, pile up and beget the oh must empty dishwasher anxiety. This is because maybe I am lazy? I need a second one to fill and wash the dirties while first (clean) is getting used up. I have enjoyed washing dishes with a buddy by hand… when I lived in Europe. When I went camping or sailing. One to wash one to rinse and dry lots of conversation and time together. I get it. But can you explain my strange resistance to unloading a clean one and putting AWAY the dishes daily? I just cant. And in an other unrelated note, please explain how a tiny bird got in my garage and entered my electric box, and got fried? I can’t. There are no visible ways to get into that box!! How?!! I now need an electrician to inspect the water heater which repair was effected today by replacing the heating rods and regulator. Power going in? Check. Hot water heating happening? Negative. Can’t get the electrician out till next week. Plumber to me this heater was from 2007 its like nearly 20 years old, and Florida water is very hard on elements: buy a water heater at Lowe’s or Home Depot and call us we can install it a bit cheaper that way. Me if I get it from you to install what’s it cost me? 1,600 dollars. Yikes!!! Happily I have a very good solar shower bag, and a fancy camping pump system – I can jury rig that hot water for 3-6 minute quickie shower, or longer depending on how much hot water my bucket can hold…. Or shower outdoors in my bathing suit, LOL. It is summer in Florida after all..
You asked about something to read. This morning, it was recommended to me that Emily Henry was a good writer. I confess that I have not tried anything by her.she is on the best sellers list and I find that my tastes are not the same.e as the best sellers list
Nope. Nope. I read from the library and it is not my style at all. I don’t recommend it it at all
Sorry to hear about the health issues, always a pain to have to deal with. I am in the middle of one at the moment too and won’t be out of it until early august 🙁 being stuck in bed is aggravating a previous shoulder injury and laying wrong aggravates the elbow and wrist tunnal i have and depending on which either my inner fingers or outer fingers or if both, all the fingers go numb. Which means I cannot hold my book or ereader. Very frustrating!
On the subject of dishwashers, I grew up in the house my grandfather built. It had no running water, in the kitchen we had a hand draw pump over the sink that we had to prime with water to get going. Once we did get water we had to heat it on the wood stove. So when we moved into our first “modern dwelling” with running hot water at the age of 12 I thought that was a luxury haha now years later I am thoroughly spoiled and totally loving my on the counter dishwasher. I wouldn’t give it up for anything 😀
I am addicted to 2 genres at the moment post apocalyptic disaster survival and LitRPG. I think it has to do with the idea of building and rebuilding alternatives. I have a bit of a book reading hangover at the moment, i am over 200 books read since eend of Jan, I am having trouble getting into/finding something that draws me in besides “The inheretance”
The last book I read was wake me after the apocalypse, about a comet world ending event and lifesaving cryosleep. Though I have taken note of the recommends mentioned here so thank you everybody for those. But until I get rid of this book funk I am going to reread the two series that make me laugh, Retha and Battle Trucker (even though it has a bit of wacko humour) the combo of potty mouth female lead, armour tank and world manipulation keeps my brain amused.
Speedy recovery to everybody having to deal with health issues!
So sorry to hear about the injuries situation! I had to spend a large part of last year on bed rest and it felt like I was dissolving as a person. Best wishes for entertainment and mental fortitude!
you should check out Dead World Isekai by R C Joshua. MC gets sent to “save” a planet, but it’s long past saving, and now he has to survive. The trilogy is a complete arc, though the author may write more eventually.
Hope everything goes well with Gordon’s surgery, and hope you get an appointment with a neurologist soon! Sending best wishes for speedy recovery!
I love planet crafter. it is amazing to watch the world go from a barren waste land to a a beautiful paradise. I hope you have let off multiple rockets at once.
If you’re looking for a LitRPG adjacent series may I recommend:
Iron Prince (series Warformed) by Bryce O’Conner.
It’s not true LitRPG but it has a lot of same elements. Stats/leveling up.
It’s more on the sci-fi side set in humanity’s future as they have expanded across the galaxy and ended up in a war with an AI alien race.
LiT RPG meets college academy war games.
World building is excellent. Characters have great development and fight scenes are * chefs kiss!*
I have no affiliation other than avid fan!
Neurologist here (far away from you in Maryland). I am sorry you’re having a hard time getting in to see one of my compatriots. I am connected to neurologists all over the place and could potentially see if I know someone in your area who could get you on their schedule sooner than the twelfth of never. Feel free to email me if you want me to ask around. (I dutifully followed the rules and didn’t send this as an unsolicited email through the contact form.)
I wish for Gordon to have something good to read in hospital. It goes without saying that all will go well but there’s nothing worse than being stuck in hospital without quality reading material.
You mentioned you are looking for LitRPG series. I recently got into LitRPG (just before you posted about it actually). My two favorites and they are REALLY good are:
Bog Standard Isekai by Miles English
This has become one of my all time favorite series. It is that good. And the voice acting for the audio book is possibly the best I’ve ever heard. It is simply outstanding.
“Sometimes dying isn’t even the worst part of your day.
Mark’s new life begins in the worst possible place—a burned-out village haunted by undead. Each morning these ravenous creatures disappear, only to return at night, driven by a relentless hunger. He’ll need to stay low and think quick, because trapped and alone in the body of a child, he can’t level up in this new world. At least not yet.”
—-
Mark of the Fool by JM Clarke
The writing and world building in this is outstanding. Everything about this is series is superb.
“After his parents died, Alex Roth had a plan: become a wizard. Through hard work, he was accepted into the world’s greatest university of wizardry—but fate had another plan.
On his eighteenth, he is marked as one of his kingdom’s five Heroes, chosen to fight the land’s great enemy. But his brand is ‘The Fool’, worst of the marks.
Rather than die or serve the other Heroes like Fools in the past, he packs up his little sister, his childhood friend and her cerberus, then flees for the university in hope of refuge, magic and to unravel the truth about his land’s evil.
There’s one small problem: The Mark tries to ruin magic while enhancing skills outside of divinity, combat and spellcraft.…
…that is, unless he can learn to exploit the hell out of it.”
—–
I hope Gordon’s surgery is even better than expectations and that little physical therapy will be needed. Also that your wrists improve soon!!!
For book recommendations, I just finished Long Live Evil by Sarah Rees Brennan, which is her debut adult novel, and immediately hit the pre-order for Book 2. It’s a portal fantasy and was so well written and so much fun, it really helped to bridge the long wait till March 2026.
LitRPG recommendation, Calamitous Bob and the Saintess Summons Skeletons.
I loved Azarinth Healer and was introduced to the genre with He Who Fights With Monster, but the above 2 are a riot
Sending good, healing vibes to the both of you.
If you want read recommendations I will recommend Beware of Chicken (although I’m pretty sure *I* found it from you mentioning it on the blog) and Path of Ascension.
Path of Ascension I like in part because of the world building. It’s *big*. Also a lot of interesting characters.
+1 to path of ascension
and yep, BOC another fantastic recommendation from our authorlords lol
I don’t have any litrpg recommendations. I’m sorry about the hand pain. my comfort read while waiting for your books was the house witch, and burning witch series by delemhach. they’re “cozy” I guess. theres a new one out in the same world, name escapes me at the moment. wishing everyone good health.
Ooh, LitRPG recommendations… Has anyone tried Wraithwood Botanist on Royal Road? I find it awesome. Well written and good storyline. Good luck to you and Gordon, hope everything runs smoothly.
I grew up without a dishwasher until age 13, when my parents were finally able to buy a house and it came with one. I was the major dishwasher from 7-13, standing on a chair the first couple years. My brother was too young so he missed out on the “fun”. We got a washer and dryer the same year. So nice! A dishwasher is not as important to me as the washer and dryer, but I really really don’t want to go back to hand washing and drying everything. Spoiled!!
Best wishes for the surgery, Gordon! And don’t worry about the serial. We WILL survive if life gets in the way, promise.
if you’re looking for another fun series to start reading, I highly recommend Beware of Chicken.
Gordon – May your surgery go well and may PT not drive you insane 🤪
Ilona- I hope you get an appointment soon! Hands not working well is the pits – it’s been known to make grown women cry (I mean me – it makes me cry) Good luck and happy reading!
Your weather report makes me glad to have moved from Texas 🙂 it’s been 16 years but just thinking of summertime and the ac going out makes me have a hot flash!
Glad Gordon in good enough shape for shoulder procedure and IMMEDIATELY following PT. Very best for vigorous recovery from all annoying conditions, dear authors. 😊 For keeping up with Kids #1 & #2 — and not just BDH begging aka demands — you both need stamina 😉
While I have ancient arthritis in shoulders, orthopedic surgeons tell me I am not a candidate for any current procedure. 😝
We had a ‘pull over’ dishwasher in all the homes we lived in (dad was in the Navy so we moved a lot) growing up. Later in life, hubby and I were over at a friend’s new house and he said their dishwasher didn’t work and they were replacing it. I said “you don’t want a pull over dishwasher anyway”. He said, “whut?” So I showed him how you rolled the dishwasher over to the sink, pulled out the hose in the back and attached it to the faucet, turned the water on full hot, plugged it in, and pushed the button. He was flabbergasted. I was smug.
I hope your physical ills heal soon and you can get back to enjoying your favorite hobbies.
If it hasn’t already been mentioned I am enjoying Library System Reset by K T Hanna 🙂 and would highly recommend it!
Read the Calamitous Bob series! I loved Azarinth Healer (just finished the 5th book) and love Calamitous Bob even more.
This Quest is Broken! Was also a lot of fun to read
I have to say I’ve lived with and without a dishwasher and I definitely prefer the dishwasher! Last summer my fridge and dishwasher died within a week if each other (I replaced the fridge immediately obviously), the cook top and wall oven were slowly dying, the whole kitchen was blowing up. I figured it was a sign, so basically I ended up doing a full gut kitchen reno. Soooo happy with the results but we lived without a dishwasher for 4 months before the reno even started and it was getting old. I did use the old dishwasher rack to dry, very handy. Love my new Bosch.
So, I am totally fixated on Azarinth Healer. I raced through Book 1 and onto to the second book. I struggled through parts (Salt land) but on to killing thousands of demons. I love Ilea(sarcasm is my second language). Thank you for the recommendation!
Me too+
Best wishes to Gordon for rapid and complete healing.
That is frustrating when you feel like you’ve forgotten something. Don’t worry, it will all come rushing back eventually. Your Gordon’s surgery is enough to short circuit the brain. Lots of prayers for a perfect surgery and quick recovery, as well as for you!
My hubby also has hands that go numb (and lots of other weird symptoms he was tested for for years without finding anything- so annoying) anyway, I hope you find some answers soon and get some relief.
Having to wash dishes by hand doesn’t bother me as much near as much
not having working air conditioning. Now that really sucks!
I hope everything goes well with the surgery and that a specialist finds a solution for the hands.🍀🍀🍀
I’ve read Bushido Online, and it’s currently my absolute favorite in the LitRPG genre — a big recommendation from me.
Take care of yourselves, and as always, thank you for your hard work.
Another reason for a dishwasher is it can get hotter than human hands can stand and that kills germs. Until my family moved into a home with a dishwasher everyone got cold sores at least twice a winter and cold/flu viruses. After the dishwasher no cold sores. None and seasonal virus cut in half
LitRPG rec you should check out is Occultist by Oliver Mayes
you can always check Alvin Atwater LitRPG books, i find them very amusing
I certainly enjoyed his Rise of the Cheat Potion Maker.
I don’t recall that much about your hand, but if relevant, Dr. Scott Barnett at Bone Drs. in Austin (south of the river) is an excellent hand/wrist surgeon. I know he also does nerve repairs. If you should see him, tell him the cat lady referred you :). Best of luck to you both.
Warlock by Daniel Kensington is excellent. It’s a guy who winds up at an all girl magic school. Lot of humor and subverted tropes. Two books out and third on pre-order.
Urgh; I hate that “What am I missing” feeling. All too often, I am. Best of luck with the surgery, and finding a neurologist.
I’m loving the story, but worry about taking care of yourselves first.
Sorry to hear that life is putting out road bumps!
I have read Farrr too much western webserial kindle litrpg, Thank you lock down and life with small disabled children!
My favourites aka as “The Ones I Have Re Read:
Super Supportive. I ADORE this. I re read it every day….
Second age of retha* This may not complete, as the author is ill and said that they make more money from Romance. They plan to though. I re read every year.
Apocalypse Redux, complete
First Line of Defense, Novella, tons of fun, its a tower defence game book!
The Calamitous Bob, complete!
The Path of Ascension
This Quest is Broken, complete
Apocalypse Parenting by Erin Ampersand, just read this book 4 and no plot collapse yet! Wow!
All The Skills
hm apparently I like my books with functional relationships and a REASONABLE of fight scenes! looking at you Primal Hunter
I think theres a real problem with LITRPG that books oven don’t finish well, its a fun set up ( new world! apoloypse! )but doesnt come to an easy conclusion. Often just stops or handwaving.
Writing this post has made me look at my litrpg addiction. Only slightly joking Litrpg combines games draw and story draws. I’ve read the first 200 on good read best list. Send help!
I was going to recommend Apocalypse Parenting – woman with three kids under 10 and a husband away on a business trip when the System shows up – I read a lot of LitRPG (because someone on this list recommended Super Supportive two years ago and all I can say is it’s a slippery slope!) – and this one is a bit different and made me laugh out loud.
Litrpg….a Soldiers life. Broken right wrist, couldn’t afford ortho, healed at angle to arm, numb hand but the numbness finally passed after a few months. Wish you well.
For book ideas. Beware of Chicken is really good. Also Primal Hunter. I am basically just reading litrpg right now so I feel you.
I’m really liking the numbers go brrr books at the moment too.
Beneath the Dragoneye Moons by Selkie is another one you might like though it is still going, different from Azarinth healer.
Loving Inheritance so far, has that litrpg feel.
I am really loving reading Azarinth Healer so thank you very much for the recommendation!
My fav LitRPG author of all time is Will Wight – unfinished series The Last Horizon is awesome so far (space AND magic, what more could you want!) and his finished series Cradle is just perfection (sacred arts meets turtle dragons).
It is always important to remember that our body is like appliances. They need fixed from time to time or replacement parts. So Gordon, good luck on the repairs, and know you will need to take it easy after them. I was the dishwasher in my house when I was a child. So when I got married, I asked my wife that we have a dishwasher in the house or installed. Well, it is 25 years later, and the dishwasher has breathed its last breath. It is time to replace it. I love reading your books, and keep it up with the suggestions for other books to read.
I had my shoulder replaced after a bad fracture, and the physical therapy was Very Useful. I had a change in insurance and did not do it as long as I should have, which prolonged the recovery phase, but I now have a mobile comfortable shoulder. Hope things go well for Gordon’s surgery!
I just finished a litrpg called The Wandering Inn by pirateaba on Audible. It was long and I enjoyed it. A nice easy read/listen with some action.
Good luck for Gordon’s surgery I hope it goes smoothly,and he heals well and quickly.
Book rec: A Warm & Cozy LitRPG – The Rover Powered Series by Drew Hays. There’s currently 3 of them and they are quick reads, but oh so fun and it stars an OP Corgi!
It’s more LIT RPG adjacent but I really like Tao Wong’s “A thousand li” series. It’s a nice cultivation fantasy but it doesn’t have a System (though I believe some of his other books do).
“Beneath the dragon eye moons” by Selkie Myth is more in line with conventional Lit RPG complete with levels and a system and class selections.
My favorite LitRPG so far is Beware of Chicken. Four books long currently.
Agreed! So fun!
New topic. I am still waiting, somewhat patiently, for the follow-up Innkeeper book promised in the last paragraph of “Sweep of the Blade”. Presume that will be discovering the parent location and smiting those responsible, and perhaps the final volume. This year, next year???
It will not be this year, there are other contractual commitments and projects to pursue 🙂.
When a plan is official, it will be announced on the Release Schedule page https://ilona-andrews.com/release-schedule/
I was old when your books premiered and I started reading them. I am older now and reread them constantly. I lived awhile in a house without one. A dishwasher. Books dishwashers and chocolate. Some things are necessities. No need to argue.
Ilona. I suggest an inkle or tapestry loom. You can work with scrap yarn and it uses your hands differently. card weaving can stack with an inkle loom for elaborate straps you can add to garments.
Agree! You can also do small heddle weaving on them. Kumihimo is fun too.
I’m gonna have to recommend Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman. There’s seven books out and at least two more planned.
I hope Gordon’s surgery goes well and your hands get better. Does petting Tuna and the dogs help?
Most of my friends parents put in dishwashers after their kids were grown. My parents were very stubborn about it.
They kept getting sick like clockwork whenever my Dad went out to cut wood. Mom would tell him to wash his hands before drying dishes, and he’d glare at her and dry dishes without doing it. Then they’d get sick and he’d tell her she was a lousy dishwasher.
Mom would then call me and complain.
My hubby and I offered to buy them a dishwasher, and mentioned that ours had a sterilize setting, and that we seldom got sick since using it. Unknown to me, she had also called my other siblings, who all stated the same thing and also offered to buy them a dishwasher.
It stung their pride and they told us all to butt out.
We all got together to discuss it, and my sister took point: She sent my mother a chart that spelled out how much they were paying in doctors fees compared to the money they’d save by getting a dishwasher.
Mom read it over, got her purse, did three things immediately:
1. She took Dad in for new glasses.
2. When Dad went to cut wood, she locked him out of the house unless he washed his hands outside.
3. She had a dishwasher put in.
They never argued over dishes again.
Studies find, persons very good at handwashing dishes wash cleaner and with less water. But obviously most people are less proficient than the 1% best ;-). So don’t deceive yourself, you are probably worse than a dishwasher. Modern dishwashers are ridiculous efficient.
I have managed to avoid carpal tunnel for 40 years through careful management. I preload with an nsaid if I know the physical stress will be high. Regular and frequent stretching and massage for hands and wrists. Finally a good linament. If you don’t want to make your own get absorbine veterinary linament at the farm store. Always stop when it starts to hurt. You can also develop alternative motions for some activities.
I loathe doing dishes with the passion of a thousand suns. Dishwashers save my sanity (my MIL *likes* doing dishes by hand, so much so she didn’t teach her sons how to do them, leaving me to train the husband before we were even dating. Strange woman).
For reading, DCC seems to be the standard LitRPG suggestion lately. And it is indeed hilarious. Haley’s System Apocalypse is a series of shorter, cozy LitRPGs that I like (but didn’t gain much tractions because they weren’t released on the standard sites). Fun to reread though (Catfish! Haunted houses!)
Book series recommendation. The Calamitous Bob. Main character is a smart, snarky French medic, who never allows a right action to go undone, even if she would really rather not. All nine books were delightful.
Description:
Ah, Nyil, with its magic, its monsters, and its petty gods. A divine spat leaves French medic Viv stranded in the middle of an arcane disaster zone crawling with undead horrors. Thankfully, there are strange allies to be found, not least the mysterious interface that helps humans survive in this merciless world.
Viv will have to progress fast to survive this calamity and find civilisation. She will also need a bit of luck. Unless, of course, she becomes the calamity herself. After all, luck is such a fickle thing.
Since I found a new Patrick Rothfuss book, I would recommend “The Name of the Wind”. The only problem with it is that book #3 is STILL not out yet. For something more SFy, how about “Ancillary Justice” by Ann Leckie?
I hope everything goes smoothly with Gordon’s surgery.
I am new to the LitRPG genre, but I just finished Dawn Chapman’s Through Steel and Stars series (the stats cards seemed a little clunky, but the story line was good). Also, I like Kacey Ezell’s space opera Ashes of Entecea series and she also writes LitRPG (which is on my TBR list).
Congrats on getting a dishwasher. We live rural, and I dread any of our appliances going out. A LitRPG series I am enjoying is Judicator Jane by Brian Rouleau. Good luck with the doctoring!
My sister and I were the dishwashers at our house. Siblings washing dishes led to splashes and water fights! Ha! I never had a dishwasher until we bought our first home. It wasn’t a built in and had to be rolled to the sink and hooked up to the faucet.
Good luck on your surgery, Gordon…and rehab after. Take care you two!
I gotta say, it’s good you have the ability to hand wash. I’ll never forget the maintenance call I took where the gal was absolutely hysterical that her dishwasher was broken and she had No Way to wash dishes!!!! (I took the call while standing over my sink washing the previous days dishes because we didn’t have a place for a dishwasher. 🤣) I had dark thoughts of creating a dishwashing song and a YouTube video on hand washing dishes!
Good luck with surgery!
90’s sound so nice, I sent my kids to school in coats today in Denver. I finally turned off our furnace last weekend and it was so cold last nt, will be piling blankets as I refuse to turn it back on before next fall.
I…..I have a suggestion for you that might help with your hands and wrists. I know, I know, but I have to share when I think I might have information that will help.
There is a company called Back-On-Track (Swedish but has US distributor) that makes clothing for people, horses and dogs that uses far-infrared therapy to help with pain/blood flow, etc. I have been using their products for more than 15 years – mostly for my horse, but also for myself.
They make gloves and wrist braces – they are passive and won’t interfere with medications or anything. You can wear them while doing activities, or while sleeping.
Basically I know for my and more importantly my horse, these have worked and so I just wanted to bring them to your attention so you could look into them yourself to see if you are interested.
I don’t like to “gate-keep” so if I have information that might help someone else, I want to share.
Then, it is your choice if you want to look into it further. 🙂 But at least you have the information to pursue or not.
Good luck to Gordon with his surgery and I hope your hands feel better soon.
Have you read Dungeon Crawler Carl? It’s very much LitRPG. The sassy cat is the best!
Hope Gordon’s surgery & PT are a grand success.
Ilona, I hope you can get in pronto to see someone with the solutions for your hands/wrists, and that you can recover well. How maddening to have these wonderful and relaxing skills (knit/crochet) and not be able to enjoy them. I have some of these issues as well. They’re definitely the pits!
Thank you for your kind efforts to keep us entertained with regular posts of The Inheritance. A fantastic read!
Ilona: You said you were looking for new LitRPG authors – have you tried any of the Good Guy Series or Bad Guy Series by Eric Ugland? They’re addictive and funny. 😄
May the surgery go well and your wrists and hands feel better.
obviously none of my business, but you and Mod R saw that there’s a neurologist in here, who very politely said they could probably hook you up with a referral before the end of the world (could be soon) down in Texas. That doesn’t sound like interference, it just sounds useful so I hope y’all didn’t miss it. (ok, I’ll pretend I’m minding my business.)
yes, the weather patterns are very disturbing. hope Gordon’s surgery is relatively easy and the recovery is not too terrible, and that Ilona’s hands/wrists/general neurological issues ease off.
thank you to all of you and Mod R as well
Already forwarded to Ilona, thank you ☺️
Military Sci/fi: you might like GhostShip Derelict by by JR. Handley and David Hensley. I don’t read a lot of litRPG and it doesn’t have a score card kind of thing going, but it was a good read. I don’t read a lot of military sci/fi either, but it’s definitely that. Good battles, well-written characters.
I always figure… you do you. My water is really hard. My machine is plugged again. Got tired of white glasses and it’s not my house. I am making jam today and to the canner, I added vinegar to the water or else the jars are white. So I hand wash. Really doesn’t matter.
Hope the Gordon’s surgery goes well.
Did you call the neurologist yourself?? We can only wish to do that in the land of unending wait list health care. That’s only if a family Dr thinks it’s important enough to make the referral.
My pt/pilates instructor decided to close her business last summer and ALL my aches and pains (right wrist, right shoulder, right hip, left knee) have ALL returned. I am having trouble finding the right person (and any extra money).
So I completely feel your pain!
I know I am better when I commit to doing the right exercises, but I need the routine of going someplace and the right person to keep me on track. Her place was just nice and small and had a class at the exact right time!
It was irreplaceable. To me.
I have several recommendations for your LitRPG reading. He Who fights With Monsters by Shirtaloon, Primal Hunter by Zogarth, and Unexpected Healer by Jonathan Brooks. Also, Heretical Fishing by Haylock Jobson. They’re all on Kindle Unlimited. I could go on, but those are some of my favorites. He Who Fights With Monsters and Heretical Fishing are very funny as well.
Well wishes for a smooth surgery & recovery for Gordon! And I’m sorry about the trouble in getting in to see a neurologist. I have a patient who has been waiting to see an endocrinologist and can tell you that most specialties are very backed up. Imaging also, which is annoying. (Seems to me things remain slow since Covid). Anyway, I’m sorry for that. I’m in alternative medicine, so if you want options that lean that route let me know & I’d be happy to make recommendations.
I hope the nebulous “something missing” feeling resolves soon. Very best to you both & thank you to Mod R for taking care of us.
I recommend Iron Prince (Warformed: Stormweaver Book 1) by Bryce O’Connor and Luke Chmilenko. Coming of age Sci-Fi LitRPG with amazing battles.
Pros:
Battle scenes are detailed
Characters are not one-dimensional
World building is decent
Cons:
Book 3 isn’t published yet, and the author takes about three years to get one published. We are on year 2 now, and Bryce has published through Ch 34 on Patreon. With both book 1 and book 2 having 60 + chapters.
Some of the battles can get a bit repetitive.
Character growth isn’t as deep as it could be, but the focus is on leveling up the CAD armor system, and not the person.
The “enemy” isn’t described at all. I am hoping this happens in future books.
Gordon, best of luck for the surgery and recovery! 😁
If you don’t mind an older LitRPG series I would recommend The Guardians of the Flame by Joel Rosenberg. It is still one of my favorites *ahem* years later.
I live in Austin. This morning I was bringing my husband back from physical therapy, and someone had set up a drum set in a median. He seemed to be having fun playing the drums, but the first thing in my mind was “He hauled an entire drum set onto a median? Is he crazy? It’s 90 degrees out there, and he has no shade!” For those of you in other states, if you live in Texas you become obsessed with finding a shade spot. When we talk about “Keep Austin Weird”, this is not what we are talking about. You can be weird/eccentric and not be endangering your health.
The people from other country who blabber bad things about using dishwashers can just kiss my 57 years old hands! I grew up in Bulgaria. The dishwasher, the washing machine, the dryer!, and the air-fryer definitely come from heaven! If you want to rob my house those are the things I’ll defend to the death!
You really should check out Matt Dinniman! DUNGEON CRAWLER CARL is AWESOME!
At first I thought you were talking about real butterflies. Different colored butterflies eat different plants. My friend gets blue butterflies, yellow butterflies and Monarchs in her yard in Pinellas county.
I can guarantee your hand problems are different than mine (MS + extremely bad wrist break), but I wanted to comment that my physical therapist gave me a bunch of wrist and arm exercises to do for the rest of my life because keeping up muscle tone, strength, and flexibility helps with support of the wrist/hands & reduces inflammation. (I was told all the medical stuff at the time about why, but I fear I retained none of it.) And I definitely notice when I’ve been a slacker. So, anyway, I think you are right that weight lifting helps whether or not it addresses the cause, it probably helps with the symptoms.
If you want a light-hearted LitRPG, I Ran Away to Evil – Mystic Neptune was very very funny. The author name left me very dubious, but she’s now on my buy new ones as they come out list. I also enjoyed Cooking with Disaster – Dakota Krout. Portal guy becomes an assassin, gets a redo, becomes a battle cook. If you want a no fighting cozy litrpg, Courier Quest – Flossindune was adorable.
Love it, so much passion about dishwashers! They are very common in New Zealand too, although I am old enough to remember a time before them…
I was going to stir the mix a bit by asking garbage disposal vs no garbage disposal? That’s a much more divisive question down here in NZ. I LOVE my insinkerator but a lot of people think I’m mad and am going to get my fingers chopped off any minute now…
I Ran Away to Evil by Mystic Neptune is my LitRPG top suggestion! Very cute, smart, funny.
for military scifi you should try David Weber if you haven’t yet. it’s not litrpg and he can get bogged down in the hardware but he has a degree in naval battles and transfers that to space. he’s best known for Honour Harrington series, but there’s several others.
Not a fan of isekai or LitRPG, but
my hubby liked the isekai Disciple of the Lich by Nekoko.
Best wishes for Gordon’s surgery, the hands issue, et al.
I met Nancy Yost last week (she lives in my sister’s building) and at 70 years old, I gushed like a true fan about how you both are my very favorite authors along with Jeaniene Frost. I look back and should probably be embarrassed, but I’m not. All of that aside, I am just now going through the PT (physical torture not therapy) for my third shoulder surgery. While it is painful, it is necessary – my warmest thoughts are with you.
How cute! 🥰
Try the Rise of Mankind series by Jez Cajiao. Starts with Age of Stone.
I am 45 and it has helped me, but I also gave it to my mom and she is 90. Whose knee pain has been greatly relieved.
Planet crafter is a fine game and I enjoyed it, but there is one thing that deeply irritates me. It only plays on “terraforming”, it lacks any scientific background. Its developers totally ignore things like triple point of water just to name one thing that lacking.
If you are craving more litrpg, I recommend Path of Ascension by C. Mantis, System Universe by SunriseCV or Defiance of the Fall by TheFirstDefier. Just a warning though, none of those are finished series.
Agreed. Path of Ascension is one of the best! Another to think of is Wish Upon The Stars. (It’s the most interesting take on sci-fi combined with superheroes I’ve ever seen. A very different way of getting, and improving, powers.)
The Primal Hunter is a fun LitRPG. Bonus if you love audio books Travis Baldree is an amazing narrator.
If you want a very cool series of small books. The murderbot chronicle’s is amazing! The poor conflicted sec unit works so hard to keep his humans alive. Martha Wells did an amazing job with it.
I have a dishwasher but living alone It is easier to hand wash unless I have company
Murderbot is coming out on Netflix!!! I saw the trailer!!! Of course they changed the interactions a little bit, but still looked hilarious and well worth watching. Alexander Skarsgard plays Murderbot.
If you are interested in military sci-fi/ fantasy I have two authors for you to look into: Monster Hunter international series Larry Correia and Omega Force series by Joshua Dalzelle. Fun fun reads! Hope all goes well with the surgery.
While I am totally hooked on The Inheritance, Gordon’s and your health are more important. I would must rather you invest in the future and heal that have an installment of Inheritance. At least with you healed, there is hope for the next installment!!! Be well and I hope the temperature break for a bit before summer really arrives in Texas.
For really cool military sci-fi, try The New Species. It’s on Royal Road and has a very different take on multi-species alliances and AI involvement.
Have you tried Battle Mage farmer or Nova Terra by Seth Ring? Both are a Litrpg but they don’t go into to much status screen numbers and stuff. Both are long series and both are on audible.
If I had room in my apartment I’d get a dishwasher in a heartbeat.
Haven’t seen it recommended here yet but Seeds of Chaos by Azalea Ellis is a trilogy that I couldn’t put down. The first book is Gods of Blood and Bone. It is called a GameLit novel. It can get a bit gory, but I had to find out what happened – I loved the characters – really came to care about them, and after three books you aren’t strung along for more. It is complete and left me with an enormous book hangover.
Best of luck on the surgery. My husband had to have his shoulder done and then ended up with a frozen shoulder afterwards. The PT after the surgery absolutely sucks, but I highly recommend you do it because a frozen shoulder is worse.
Thank you for all of the wonderful stories you have put into the world.
Anything by Lous McMaster Bujold, or Ursula le Guin. But you may already love them both
LitRPG recs: Dungeon Crawler Carl series (in progress) by Matt Dinniman and Cradle series (complete) by Will Wight
I’ve been reading Michelle Diener verdant steering series. After reading her class 5 series. I can picture the stories in my head but also easy to read. Petite was Jennifer Estep entire assassin series. Which I struggled to put down
Hugs to both of you!
I hope you will feel better soon. Not being able to enjoy your hobbies is not nice.
As for dish washers: I do not want to be without one! In Finland they are pretty common. Luckily!!
Great post! I’ve recently started customizing my gear and titanium knife beads are a game-changer. They add both style and functionality. Looking forward to seeing more EDC tips—especially ones featuring unique materials like titanium! https://nobliecustomknives.com/product-categories/paracord-beads/