u/MenuSpiritual2990

I’m most of the way through the third book of Red Rising, and the level of loss and misery Pierce Brown continuously subjects Darrow to is just too over the top. It’s exhausting.

The only book I can think of that beats it in terms of cruel and unusual author-induced punishment is Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb. It reached a point where it was so bizarrely excessive I had to abandon it.

I smoked 25 cigarettes a day for 25 years. I have quit twice: the first time for 2 years and the second time for 4 years and counting.

I have tried every method under the sun to quit, and here are my thoughts on each. I recognise some people will have different views or experiences and that’s great. These are mine.

Nicotine replacement (e.g. patches, inhalers) - 0/10

I needed to break my nicotine addiction, not feed it. This just prolonged the torture and was expensive.

Hypnotherapy - 0/10

People I know swear by it, but unfortunately it did nothing for me.

Cytisine - 6.5/10

Felt similar to Chantix but not quite as powerful. Also quite hard to get in my country.

Chantix/champix (varenicline) - 9.5/10

I had to deduct half a point for the intense dreams, but apart from that this is a miracle drug in my book.

Zyban - 4/10

It did help, but it also had a terrible impact on my psychological state. And I’ve not had issues like that before (or since).

Easy Way book by Alan Carr - 9/10

I’ve read a bunch of criticism that this is boring, repetitive etc. That is true. But it also somehow fundamentally changed how I viewed smoking. Read it with an open mind.

Cold turkey - 2/10

My brother quit this way and I have immense admiration for him because I found cold turkey soooo friggin hard. Surprised I didn’t stab someone for daring to exist near me.