Title: The Collapsing Empire

Author: John Scalzi

Genre: Space Opera, Science Fiction, Comedy

Humanity has spread to the stars, establishing itself for future generations as pioneers in science, technology, and engineering.

Unfortunately that’s about to go to hell in a handbasket because people have realized that the Flow— the space-warping pseudo-reality humanity has relied upon for interplanetary travel— is about to restructure itself.

Now will humanity come together as they prepare for an isolation not seen since before we left for the stars?

Obviously not, there’s politics to take advantage of.

Part of The Interdependency series, The Collapsing Empire is the first of this trilogy.

Title: Circe

Author: Madeline Miller

Genre: Mythological Retelling, Screw You Dad

The gods are perfect, or at least, they think they are.

Unfortunately for them Circe figures it out pretty quickly that her relatives are as full of shit as they are of themselves, and so she steps out into the world.

Among nymphs and nature, she meets mortal heroes, adventurers, and develops her talents for spellcraft, carving herself a name in fierce defiance to her own family’s expectation.

A standalone, Circe remains my favorite mythological retelling of any author.

Title: Elantris

Author: Brandon Sanderson

Genre: High Fantasy, slow build, Man Life Sucks, Wait Maybe it Doesn’t

Obviously, no book recommendation I give would be complete without including a title from Brandon Sanderson.

Set on the same planet as his other standalone, The Emperor’s Soul, enter the country of Arelon, a place famous for those of its people who are raised to become Elantrian.

They were the heart of this country’s prosperity, their Aonic runes capable of some of the most powerful feats of magic in the Cosmere… unfortunately it couldn’t save them from their own destruction.

Currently a standalone, Elantris, is an easy-to-grasp introduction to the Cosmere with exciting significance for later works.

Hi most venerable Crone,

I’m a gay guy who’s moved around a lot for school and work and now seem to be surrounded by straight friends with no fellow LGBTQ people in sight.

Any advice on meeting gayer friends or does it even matter?

Sincerely,

The Wandering Scientist

Dear The Wandering Scientist,

In order to answer your question, I have to propose a different one:

Do you feel as though your straight friendships are fulfilling connections with meaningful, emotionally healthy people? Or do you perhaps feel as though you are missing something?

Obviously it is important to find people that can relate to you in ways that are most important to you, and sexuality can often be a good introductory stepping stone, just like religion, sports interests, or gaming.

But all of these things matter less than the actual quality of the person you meet, at least for the long term health of the friendship.

If you want queer friends because you feel like they would relate to you better, then that is entirely understandable but you may want to also ask yourself why you feel so disconnected from your current friend group.

When it comes to meeting queer friends, I would suggest trying to find a queer social club, something explicitly NOT dating or sex related.

There are volleyball groups, trivia clubs, and of course, Daniel is going to mention pole dancing.

This will be one of those things where you’ll end up stumbling into it when you stop worrying.

Love,

The Crone

Dear tWS,

Yeah I’m going to bring up pole dancing.

Seriously, it’s a very queer friendly environment and a great way to exercise!

And just as a warning, queerness for queerness’ sake can often lead to friendships that lack a truly authentic root.

Hence the value in a social activity that is queer + something else.

Boots the house downily,

Daniel

Dearest Crone,

I met a boy who is just starting his Bmoney Cosmere Journey and he's perfect.

My friend even encouraged me to go after him, but now I've learned she also started pursuing him behind my back. Should I keep being friends with her?

Longingly,

Feeling Like the Defeated One

Dear FLtDO,

This is… certainly an odd scenario.

For closure’s sake you could ask her what is going on?

I find it VERY strange that she would simultaneously encourage you and then also pursue the man.

Is it possible there was some sort of miscommunication involved?

Where is the boy in all of this?

Regardless, if this situation is exactly how you described she sounds like way too much drama to deal with long term.

Nor would I want her near any future partners.

Honestly,

The Crone

Dear Defeated One,

WTF?

Plunge a Shardblade through her chest.

For Ado’s sake,

Daniel¹

Dear Crone,

I was dating a guy for 7 years (I know) before he broke up with me last summer.

I haven’t had to deal with the idea of dating in so long, I don’t know how to start looking for a partner.

Any tips for a 23 year old for getting started again?

Solely,

Hot But Alone

Dear Hot But Alone,

First off, you’re sending him an invoice for wasted time, and then we’re going to find some new hobbies.

While getting out of a long term relationship always sucks there IS something to be said regarding the amount of free time you now have.

Truthfully, you don’t need to start looking for a partner, you need to start finding things that you like to do and now have the free time to do it.

Eventually, you may meet someone you click with.

At the end of the day, you’re younger than me AND Daniel, and have plenty of time.

Just enjoy being single for a bit.

Encouragingly,

The Crone

Dear Crone,

I have no idea how to meet someone!

I work, attend lecture, and go to festivals, yet it seems everyone else has "Someone" and I don't.

Tear-stained and lonely,

Aelin’s #1 Fan

Dear Aelin’s #1 Fan,

The good news is: you're not alone!

But the better question is, why do you feel like you need a partner at this stage?

Often times the desperate seeking of a partner gets in the way of what could naturally develop if you focus on yourself.

It seems that you are already participating in the necessary steps: managing your finances, education, and social life.

While it may seem that everyone has someone, I promise you that isn’t the case.

Instead of festivals, which are typically group events, it may be a good idea to find a club or sports activity that you’re interested in, as those tend to draw more single individuals.

Encouragingly,

The Crone

Dear Aelin’s #2 Fan,

You got this.

But don’t get it twisted.

Fire-Breathing Bitch Queenily,

Daniel

Hello Crone!

I do hope you are well and have all the Diet Coke you desire.

I was wondering how does one balance the struggle of wanting to do a lot and succeed but also take time for yourself?

Excitedly,

Belle!

Dear Belle!

Kinder words have not often been said to me, and I greatly appreciate them.

What many people don’t realize when it comes to balance is that it is an active process.

There is no such thing as the ideal schedule, there will always be a wrench that gets thrown your way, whether its a positive or a negative one.

As such, you will simply have to be willing to adapt, and not criticize yourself for times that you can’t handle everything everywhere all at once.

There will be days you do a lot, there will be days you do a little, and there will be days you take time for yourself.

And there will be days where you do some or no combination of the three.

As long as you keep the commitments that you want long term, and work for them. You are already succeeding.

Chronomantically,

The Crone

Jennifer S.

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