The Harry Potter books back in the day, but it was school in the morning, not work.

Also “While England Sleeps” by David Leavitt. I find I don’t like his plots after I’m done with them but while I’m reading it his writing style pulls me in

If each edge block is a source they fill in. But you have to do that for every layer.

I guess that may be the big difference between hardcore and non hardcore players - I don’t really consider a point as “beating the game” so I don’t really have that end point to work towards

Wouldn’t hardcore be a bad choice if you feel you aren’t good at the game?

Cobbled deepslate, tuff, either grass or moss depending on which you already have, and you could add sandstone