If you ever want a guess at how long my TBR has gotten, I just finished Ballad yesterday.

It is not where it all began, but it is, in fact, the beginning of the 10th annual Hunger Games.

The Capitol still bears scars from its victory over the rebel Districts, and it must now drive home the power it wields.

Unfortunately, the Games are too harsh a reminder of what was lost, and viewership is nothing particularly notable.

So, the Head Gamemaster decides to select Capitol students to sponsor the reaped tributes.

Enter Coriolanus Snow and Lucy Gray.

I had to include Isles only because I finally finished it, and enjoyed it so thoroughly.

The Cosmere had proven itself to be enormous.

Far more than the people of First of the Sun first assumed, as their planet becomes the focus of two warring spacefaring factions.

Dusk is a remnant of an age long past, an era when trappers worshipped the islands that tried to kill them.

To save his people from contractual slavery, he steps into Patji’s Eye, hoping to find salvation on the other side.

Instead, he finds a dragon.

1961, Overijssel Province, Netherlands.

Isa is appointed caretaker of the home her uncle acquired during WWII.

While her brothers have since moved out, it is Louis, the eldest, who technically owns the place.

And so Isa reluctantly agrees to allow his latest fling, Eva, to move in with her.

Eva is quite unlike the quiet Isa, but as they continue to spend time together, a relationship blossoms.

Yes, that kind.

Of course, in a post-war Amsterdam, that is the smallest secret within these walls.

Hi Crone!

This question is more for Daniel.

I am on Rhythm of War on my first Cosmere read and am mostly following Daniel’s order (started with Tress and Yumi and am now actually following).

Where should Isle of the Emberdark go?

I just got my Kickstarter copy and am so excited to read it!

Thank you in advance!

Anonymous

Dear Anon,

Isles of the Emberdark is technically a standalone, with its prequel, Sixth of the Dusk, incorporated as flashbacks.

You can read it in the same way you started Tress or Yumi.

However, like those novels, you’ll certainly understand more if you’ve completed other series.

Isles will have a much greater impact if you’re up to date on The Stormlight Archive and at least era 1 of Mistborn, though I would recommend finishing era 2.

If you’re too impatient, you’ll still enjoy it, but I would recommend a reread afterward!

Cosmere-ily,

Daniel

Dear Crone and Daniel:

I talked with my ex (we sometimes do videocalls to spill tea), and I told him how I felt about everything.

He was going to explain, but retracted and just said, "I'm truly sorry for all that was missing, all that you needed but I didn't give you, but most importantly, for every time I hurt you, even after breaking up.”

He also told me he was proud of me for confronting him, so am I!

No excuses nor explanations made.

Thank you very much, you gave me the POV I needed, thank you!!

Mess in a Dress

Dear Dress,

Honestly, all I can say is wow.

The hunt for closure can be a difficult, and oftentimes impossible, journey.

The fact that you saw an opportunity to get it and didn’t hesitate should be commended.

I hope that his apology gave you something you wouldn’t have had otherwise.

And I hope the next guy knows to bring you those flowers without you telling him.

Work it, dearie.

Love,

The Crone

Dear Crone,

I feel weird posting here, but all other advice has failed.

I live with my brother and sister in law originally a mutually beneficial arrangement.

We have been living together since April, and I have been unpleasantly surprised at the habits that range from annoying to dangerous and mistakes that could result in making others sick.

Things like cleaning dishes with Pledge or putting dirty dishes back in the cabinets to sit. I am not sure how else to get them to understand, as nothing so far has worked.

Atwitsend

Dear Atwitsend,

Are you telling me your sibling/in-law are washing their dishes with multisurface cleaner?

Sweet mother Hecate, you don’t need to do anything; you just have to sit back and watch.

Honestly, I would be looking for new roommates for starters.

But if they’re incapable of… common fucking sense, I would buy disposable plates and utensils if I’m ever eating in that house.

If you need to, keep a set of cooking utensils separate from the rest of the house that you know you have kept clean.

Get out of there, dearie.

You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t stop them from pouring Pine-Sol into the river.

Stunned,

The Crone

Dear Crone,

At what point do you become friends with someone?

Especially as teenagers/in church, because there's this one person who I kinda hang out with, but I don't know if we're friends because most of the time we just roast and make fun of each other.

He's funny, and I usually like hanging out with him because he makes me laugh, but I don't know if that really counts us as friends.

Sincerely,

Homeschooled and Condused

Dear H&C,

If you two enjoy each other’s company, have similar interests, and frequently coordinate spending time together, congrats, you’ve made a friend.

I want to caution that your roasting and making fun should be light-hearted, not upsetting.

So long as you two are not simply being mean to each other and are comfortable, then yes, that’s friendship.

It’s not much more complicated than that.

Straightforwardly,

The Crone

Dear Crone,

I (afab, 20) love my girlfriend. We've been together over a year and our relationship is v comfortable.

But I often question it, because it isn't like what I've been told a relationship should be like at our age.

We don't fight or go on formal dates or have future plans.

We're ok just being where we're at.

I check in a lot to make sure she's getting what she wants/needs from our relationship cause I'm a lot with my aceness, disabilities.

Am I worrying for nothing?

Everything is Fine

Dear Everything,

Part of adulthood is taking people at their word.

If your girlfriend says she isn’t worried, you don’t need to be worried for her.

That being said, do you have concerns for your future?

It’s possible you’re projecting, especially if you feel the need to constantly check in when she has confirmed her comfort.

It’s one thing not to fight and another not to express what you may want, which can lead to disagreements.

Furthermore, if you aren’t going on dates and don’t have anything planned for the future… what are you doing?

I would hazard a guess that the lack of structure is making you uncomfortable, and you may need to do some introspection before approaching your partner.

Honestly,

The Crone

Dear Crone and Daniel,

We were inspired by the write in talking about a boudoir shoot, and wanted to write in and share our experiences to help encourage others to book one.

I have been thinking about doing a boudoir shoot on and off for years, after seeing the advice in your column about it I entered a giveaway for one on Instagram.

Somehow I won (still kinda can't believe it, to be honest). It was genuinely incredible. I was nervous leading up to it, and even when I first got there.

They did my hair and makeup, and I was excited but still nervous (due to self-esteem and body issues).

Within 5 minutes of starting the shoot, I was already losing the nerves.

By the second outfit change, I was confident and thriving.

The photographers were lovely, and encouraging, as well as extremely complimentary.

For once, I felt confident and sexy.

I am still riding that feeling weeks later.

For once, I liked pictures of me.

I thought it was going to be a struggle to pick photos I liked.

Instead, I loved most of them, and had a hard time just picking some.

I look at those photos now any time I need a confidence boost.

For anyone who thinks they might want to do this, DO IT.

Find a place with a vibe and style you like, and treat yourself.

Finally Feeling Myself, Erecurra (THE Discord Mod)

I have done two shoots now. One was a nude/semi-nude shoot, and one was a boudoir shoot.

Both were so empowering, though different.

I dislike my body so much, and when a friend mentioned she was going to do the semi-nude shoot, which I had seen ads for on social media, I decided to try it myself.

It was such a great experience. It helped boost my confidence, but it didn’t cure my body issues.

Neither did the second shoot, which I did after Erry won hers, and boudoir shoots started popping up in my social media feed.

I entered the contest, not thinking I’d win, and I did.

The best thing about both shoots for me was afterward, looking at my pictures and seeing myself through someone else’s eyes (or camera as the case was).

All the things that I nitpick about myself were still there, but not the focus.

Things other people wouldn’t notice, and I didn’t notice the longer I looked. I felt so beautiful and powerful and cared for.

Both places walked me through every step of the process and answered any questions I had. They helped calm my nerves and, as I said, allowed me to see myself in a new light.

I can’t recommend this experience enough to everyone. No matter what age, gender, or size you are, seeing yourself empowered and sexy and in control is worth so much.

I have one of my semi-nudes from the first shoot hanging in my bathroom, and seeing it when I enter the room or shower or get ready, fills me with self love for those few minutes when there wasn’t any there before.

DO IT!

Empoweredly, Jess (half of mod’s boobs and brains)

We are not, but are responding to, Confidently Unconfident

Dear Erry and Jess,

First, I wanted to confirm that these two are exactly who they say they are, and to shout out Erry for her wonderful moderation of our Library Discord.

Secondly, I wanted to say that growing comfortable in your own skin—or rather, growing comfortable when you’re in just your birthday suit—is like jumping into a cold pool.

You dive in, briefly freeze in shock over why you would have done this to yourself, and then realize you’re enjoying it, would do it again, and had no idea why you hesitated in the first place.

Doing the scary things that build confidence is important for self-growth and to prevent stagnation.

I’m so happy you found such positive experiences, and Daniel’s offer to post his is still on the table once we hit 30,000 subscribers.

I’m just saying.

Happily,

The Crone